LA STUDENT & FAMILY NEWSLETTER
Week of 10.05.26 - 10.09.26
Hello Lee Academy Community,
Welcome to Homecoming Week at Lee Academy! This is slightly special week where we celebrate all things Lee Academy as we welcome the community to our campus for athletic events and a bonfire celebration on Friday evening at Alumni field (see more information on the flyer in this newsletter).
NWEA Fall Testing
We will begin the week with the annual Fall NWEA Testing for GRADE 10 STUDENTS ONLY as they will be conducting their Math & ELA testing on the NWEA platform on Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6.
This Fall (and Spring) testing is mandated by the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), and the results offer our school important insights into curriculum effectiveness, student achievement, and approaches educators can take to ensure students are progressing appropriately through their high school years.
Our expectations for our students during this testing window are the same expectations for each day at school: do your best. Students giving their best effort is all that we ask for as the Fall testing session provides a baseline for current achievement which will be measured against the Spring testing session to determine overall growth. All Grade 10 students are required to complete the two testing sessions - there is no time limit so students have plenty of time to complete the sessions that are approximately 42-50 questions for each session - it is important that students take their time. We will work with students to make up any missed sessions in the school days following Oct. 5/6.
It is important, also, to clear up any misconception and belief in the community from recent years that students/families can ‘opt out’ of state-required testing.This false narrative can create challenges for students, families, and schools. The only exemption provided by the MDOE - which Lee Academy answers to in terms of enrollment, assessment, finances, and regulations as an educational institution - relates to a significant medical emergency involving a student. The MDOE requires a rigorous and detailed process (link below) to be initiated and followed by a parent/guardian if/when a significant medical emergency precludes a student from participating in required state testing
We appreciate the continued support from our Lee Academy parents/guardians/families and the community at large. We recognize the importance of our school to our region, and we recognize your importance in the success of our students and our organization. If any parents/guardians/families of Grade 10 students have questions related to the upcoming Fall Testing Window, please reach out to the school or email me.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at LA: We are pleased to welcome representatives from the nearby Passamaquoddy Tribe to join us on campus on Friday, October 9th for a presentation and discussion about Wabanaki Culture. (A special thank you to Mrs. Irish for making the connection for us for this important cultural opportunity). A reminder that Monday, October 12 school is not in session in observance of Indigenous Peoples Day.
Student Information: Parents - enrollment information was sent home earlier this school year to provide the school with updated contact and residence information to ensure that our student records are accurate. This information is important for communication purposes. If you are unsure if you have received this paperwork please contact the main office.
This week in Athletics:
1. Tuesday, 10/6 - Girls Soccer @ Shead (4:00 PM)
2. Wednesday, 10/7 - Boys Soccer hosts Shead (4:00 PM)
3. Friday, 10/9 - Volleyballs hosts Sumner (5:00 PM - Homecoming Game)
4. Friday, 10/9 - MA/LA Football @ Lisbon (7:00 PM)
5. Saturday, 10/10 - Boys Soccer hosts Houlton (12:00 PM - Homecoming Game)
6. Saturday, 10/10 - Girls Soccer hosts Woodland (2:00 PM - Homecoming Game)
Take care,
-Mr. Thurlow
- Monday & Tuesday, Oct.. 5 & 6 - NWEA Testing for GRADE 10 ONLY
- Wednesday, October 7 - University of Southern Maine on campus 10am-11am
- Monday, October 12 - Indigenous Peoples Day (No School)
- Wednesday, October 14 - Washington County Community College Open House from 10:00 am-2:00 pm
- Tuesday, October 20 - University of Maine Fort Kent on campus 10;30 am - 11:30 am
- Friday, October 23 - Teacher Workshop (No School)
- Wednesday, October 28 - FAFSA Night @ Alumni Building. 5:30 - 7:00 pm
- Thursday, November 5 - University of Maine Farmington on campus 12:45pm-1:30pm
- Wednesday, November 11 - Veterans Day (No School)
Friday, November 13 - University of Maine Orono on campus 9:00 am-10:00 am
LEE ACADEMY - Opening Doors to the World Since 1845
4 Winn Road
Lee, ME 04455
Tel.: 207-738-2252
Fax: 207-738-5012
Website: leeacademy.org