RSU 57 Community Newsletter

Dear RSU 57 Community,

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to extend my warmest wishes to all RSU 57 students, families, and staff. This time of year offers us a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect, and show appreciation for the many gifts in our lives—both large and small.

In RSU 57, we are fortunate to be part of a community that cares deeply for its schools and for one another. Each day, I see examples of kindness, perseverance, and support that remind me of the strength of our district. Whether it’s the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, or the partnership of our families, there is much for which we can be grateful.

As you gather with family and friends in the coming days, I hope your celebrations are filled with warmth, conversation, and connection. For those who may be traveling, I wish you safe journeys. For those giving their time to support others in our community, thank you for embodying the spirit of the season.

On behalf of RSU 57, I wish you a joyful Thanksgiving and a peaceful start to the holiday season. May the weeks ahead bring rest, gratitude, and renewed energy for all.

Warm regards,

Dr. Stephen D. Marquis

As the holiday season approaches, our schools are once again coming together to support families in our community through a variety of giving and outreach programs. Here’s how you can get involved or receive support this season:

Lyman Elementary School Giving Tree and Backpack Program & Winter Gear Assistance

Lyman Elementary’s annual Holiday Giving Tree is back! Families can donate new clothes, books, and toys to local children in need. This year, donations can be made easily through the Amazon Wishlist link. Items can be shipped directly to Lyman Elementary or purchased in-store and dropped off at the school. Donation deadline: Friday, December 5th.

The Backpack Program continues to provide supplemental weekend meals for students, including cereal, pasta, canned goods, and healthy snacks. Families can also reach out for winter gear assistance as the cold weather approaches.

For questions or assistance, contact Aurelie Swasey, School Counselor at aurelieswasey@rsu57.org or call (207) 499-7228.

Alfred Elementary Outreach Programs

Alfred Elementary School families in need of additional support this season can confidentially access several outreach programs:

• Weekend Backpack Program

• Vacation Food Boxes

• Holiday Gifts for Children

To learn more or to sign up, click this link.

For questions or assistance, contact Jaclyn Chaplin, School Counselor at jaclynchaplin@rsu57.org or call (207) 324-3831.

Shapleigh Memorial School Outreach Program

If you are interested in contributing to our Giving Tree this year, please see the Amazon Wish List below. If you wish to donate funds to help purchase items, please reach out to Mrs. Coffin directly. All items should be delivered to the school by December 17th.

Thank you in advance for your support of our Giving Tree this year!

Giving Tree Link

For questions or assistance, contact Betsy Coffin, School Counselor at Shapleigh Memorial School or call (207) 636-1751.

Massabesic Middle School Outreach Programs

MMS families in need of additional support this season can access the following outreach programs:

Ongoing Food Drive - Items can be dropped off at MMS.

• Non-perishable food items

• Snacks

For questions or assistance, please contact your student’s School Counselor:
Grade 6: jessicatremblay@rsu57.org
Grade 7: kathrynbernier@rsu57.org
Grade 8: juliepagano@rsu57.org

Together, We Make a Difference

Our schools are proud to serve a caring and generous community. Whether you’re donating, volunteering, or reaching out for help, thank you for being part of the effort to ensure all families experience the warmth and kindness of the season.

Massabesic Middle School (MMS) Counselors partnered with a group of students from each grade to begin planting a Hope Garden as part of the Yellow Tulip Project. The Yellow Tulip Project is a national movement dedicated to smashing the stigma surrounding mental health and building a community where individuals feel seen, supported, and never alone.

The yellow tulip, the project’s symbol, represents hope and resilience. Despite the long and harsh winter, the tulip blooms again each spring—a reminder that brighter days always lie ahead.

As the garden grows, MMS looks forward to integrating advisory lessons focused on hope, strength, and supporting one another. We are excited to watch our garden bloom this spring and continue fostering a school community rooted in care, connection, and resilience.

Waterboro Elementary School was thrilled to share a creative and inspiring cross-curricular project that brought the Library and Art programs together this month! Librarian, Mrs. Farrenkopf and Art Teacher, Mrs. Nucci, partnered to create a rich, hands-on learning experience centered around the beloved book Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet.

Each year, Mrs. Farrenkopf reads Balloons Over Broadway with students and teaches them about the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year, 4th and 5th graders took a deeper dive into the story’s origins, learning about Tony Sarg and his famous marionettes—the precursors to today’s giant parade balloons. Over the course of three weeks, students designed and built their own marionettes using cardboard tubes, yarn, paint, and a variety of creative materials.

During the week before Thanksgiving break, students in grades 1–5 listened to the story and then participated in a special hallway parade, where they walked through and enjoyed all of the creative projects on display.

To elevate the experience even further, Mrs. Nucci worked with students in grades 2, 4, and 5 to build a detailed New York City skyline as the backdrop for our parade display. This sparked great discussion about the purpose and importance of backgrounds—not just in visual art, but in storytelling and presentation. Students revisited artistic concepts such as overlapping, near and far, and value scales to design a cityscape that truly brings the magic of Broadway to life.

This collaboration not only connected literacy and art, but also encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and a deeper appreciation for the traditions behind the iconic Thanksgiving parade. We were excited for families to see the students’ impressive work on display during parent teacher conferences!