Letter from the Principal

Welcome to April, Mustang Families!

As we flip the calendar to April, there is a distinct sense of excitement in the air at Waterboro Elementary. We are all eagerly hoping for those warmer spring days to finally arrive so our Mustangs can enjoy more time outdoors without all of the snow gear.

We are officially in the home stretch before a well-deserved break! We have just 14 school days remaining until April Vacation (April 17–26). While we are all looking forward to the rest of the year, we have plenty of engaging activities planned to keep our students focused and learning right up until the bell rings.

Quick Reminders for the Month:

• Character Trait: This month we are focusing on Perseverance. Help us reinforce this at home by using "yet" language with your child!

• Food Drive: Our Student Helpers are working hard to reach our goal of 1,500 items by April 10.

• Attendance: If you are planning to head out early for vacation, please remember to submit your Planned Absence Form at least three days in advance.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us make this a successful spring season!

Respectfully,

Mrs. LeSieur- Principal

Mr. Stinson- Assistant Principal

Please remember to call the office when your child is absent. If this is not done it gets recorded as unexcused. When a child has 5 consecutive days unexcused or 7 non-consecutive unexcused absences, we are mandated to report the student to the state as truant. When planning a vacation, you must fill out the planned absence form 3 days before the absences. The form is located in our student handbook, on the WES website, and linked above.

Perseverance is the ability to keep working hard and not give up, even when things get difficult. Using “yet” language is one way to teach about perseverance, such as, I can’t spell my last name, YET, so I’ll keep practicing or I don’t know my multiplication facts yet, so I’ll keep practicing.

Please make sure you review the family handbook.

March Recipients: Charlotte Emanuelson, Myles Dunne, Mason Spaulding, Delyla Velandry, Kylie Kelly, Juliett Carlson, Ethan Oliver, Kelsey Kelly, Dax Baldwin, Emma Cole, Darlene Welch, Emma Holmes Staples, Lucas Miller, Matthew Diaz, Nova Laughlin, Jaxen Currier, Thomas Starkey-Mohr, Silas Perkins, Clara Wright, Evelyn Starbird, Maddox Hogg, Waylon Swan, Alyana Auger, Trevor Miles, Zeke Smith, Kailyn Gutierrez Medina, Cooper Heid, Griffin Swartz

March Recipients: Tessa Gagnon, Gavin DeRoche, Cayden Henry, Freddie Weber, Atticus Ellette, Maverick Hazard, Kayla Noel, Olivia Maddox, Logan Brooks, Griffin Miles, Lilah Farrenkopf, Braxton Gitano, Fiona Gorey, Alden Fenn Gregory, Liam Nielsen, James Wakefield, Oliver Corriveau, Caidin Auprey, Trinity Levesque, Olivia Pelletier, Logan Cash, Atticus Gardner, Aria Wood, Hadley Dunne, Cole Marsh, Wesley Stewart, Brynlee Boutin, Myles Sylvain, Joshua Jordan

Ayla Richardson, Alex Wheeler

The Student Helpers are doing a food drive for families in our district. This will be going on from March 30th through April 10th. We really hope you can help out and send in some food for the drive. Our goal is to get 1,500 boxes and cans of food as a school.

Some of the items we accept are:

Cereal

Granola bars, fruit snacks

Pancake/muffin mix

Maple syrup

Mac & cheese

Ramen

Canned Soup, ravioli

Individually wrapped snacks

Pasta

Rice

Beans

Thank you for helping our community!

Sincerely,

The Student Helpers

Please take a few moments to answer these questions regarding math.

Waterboro Elementary School’s third grade students recently participated in a special Shared Learning Experience during a visit to Hilltop Boilers. This field trip is a tradition for all third graders in the district and provides a hands-on opportunity for students to connect classroom learning with Maine’s natural resources and local industries.

During their visit, students experienced a wide range of activities that helped them understand the entire maple sugaring process, from tapping the trees to producing the finished syrup.

The day began with storybooks about maple sugaring to introduce the topic. Students then toured the property with “Grandpa,” who led them on a walk through the woods while teaching them about the forests of Maine. Along the way, he asked students questions and helped them identify different types of trees, including deciduous and evergreen trees, as well as the differences between hardwood and softwood trees. Students also learned how to recognize maple trees and how they can be distinguished from other species found in Maine forests.

As part of the outdoor tour, students were able to see how maple trees are tapped and how the sap lines are set up to collect sap. They learned how sap travels from the trees through the tubing system and eventually makes its way to the sugar house where the real transformation takes place.

Inside the sugar house, students observed the equipment used to boil the sap and turn it into maple syrup. They learned about the evaporator and how heat is used to remove water from the sap until it becomes the rich syrup we enjoy. Students also discovered that maple syrup comes in different grades, which vary in color and flavor depending on the season.

In addition to learning about syrup production, students saw the variety of maple products created and sold at the farm. As a special treat, each student sampled maple crème on an apple slice, received a sample of maple syrup, and took home a maple sugaring activity book to continue their learning.

The field trip connected directly to the third grade Maine Studies unit that students have been exploring in class. Leading up to the visit, students studied topics including the Wabanaki people and their way of life, as well as important social studies concepts such as goods and services, wants and needs, and producers and consumers. Seeing a working maple operation helped bring these ideas to life as students observed how natural resources are turned into products that support local businesses and communities.

Although the visit was short, students packed an incredible amount of learning into their time at Hilltop Boilers. The experience provided a memorable opportunity for students to explore Maine’s traditions, environment, and economy in a meaningful and engaging way.

Kindergarten students across RSU 57 recently took part in a captivating shared learning experience that brought their classroom curriculum into the wild. As part of their "K for ME" instructional unit, students welcomed Spark’s Ark for an engaging presentation designed to deepen their understanding of the natural world.

Connecting Curriculum to the Wild

The visit was carefully timed to align with Unit 2 of the K for ME curriculum, which focuses on caring for living things. Through investigation and research, our youngest learners have been diving deep into three distinct animal studies:

• Fish and Frogs

• Owls

• Wolves

By studying animals found in their own backyards—like frogs and owls—students are building a stronger connection to their local environment. Simultaneously, learning about salmon and wolves helps expand their horizons to ecosystems further afield.

A Close Encounter with Nature

The highlight of the Spark’s Ark presentation was the opportunity for students to see a Barred Owl up close. This wasn't just a viewing; it was a history lesson in conservation. Students learned the story of how the owl was rescued and the specialized care it receives today.

From Research to Reality

In the classroom, students have been hard at work writing informational reports about animal characteristics and survival. The Spark’s Ark presentation provided a vital "real-world" link to these academic efforts. Seeing the animals in person allowed students to observe firsthand the adaptations they had been reading about, such as:

• Physical features that help animals hunt or hide.

• Unique behaviors that ensure survival in the Maine wilderness.

• The importance of human stewardship in protecting local wildlife.

This shared experience has sparked a renewed sense of natural curiosity in our kindergartners, proving that when deep learning meets high engagement, the results are truly "wise."

If you choose to stop at a local restaurant for a morning treat or drink for your child, please ensure they finish it before arriving at school.

We have noticed a significant increase in students bringing large drinks into the building. Many of these beverages contain high levels of sugar and caffeine, which are better suited for home or weekend consumption.

A Friendly Reminder: Our cafeteria serves a nutritious breakfast daily to all students. We encourage you to have your child take advantage of the school breakfast program once they arrive!

2026 Hannaford Helps Schools program will benefit Waterboro Elementary School again this year.

The 2026 program will run from April 5 to May 30.

Please read below to find out how WES can benefit.

Regional School Unit No. 57 is excited to announce that kindergarten registration for the 2026/2027 school year is officially open as of Monday, March 9, 2026. If you have a little learner ready to start their educational journey, now is the time to begin the enrollment process.

Eligibility and Deadlines

To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be 5 years old by October 15, 2026.

Parents and guardians are asked to complete the online registration process by April 17, 2026. Please note that enrollment is only considered complete once all required documents have been provided and a registration meeting has taken place.

How to Register

The registration process is handled online. Please visit rsu57.org/page/registration to get started.

• Existing Families: If you already have a student in the district, please use your existing ParentVue account to register your new kindergartner.

• Current Pre-K Students: If your child is currently enrolled in an RSU 57 Pre-K program, you do not need to register them. They will be automatically enrolled for the upcoming kindergarten school year.

Required Documentation

As part of the registration process, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Original Birth Certificate

• Immunization Records

• Court-issued Custody Paperwork (if applicable)

• Proof of Residency: This must be a current document showing your physical address, such as a mortgage statement, signed lease agreement, purchase and sales agreement, or a recent real estate tax bill.

• Note: If you are living with someone else in the district or lack a formal lease, you must provide a copy of their proof of residency along with a signed letter stating that you reside at that address.

Support and Questions

• Technical Assistance: For help with the online portal, please email parentvue@rsu57.org.

• General Inquiries: For all other questions regarding the upcoming school year, please contact your local community school.

It is important to periodically check your child's head for head lice, especially if they are experiencing an itchy scalp. While lice are a nuisance, they do not spread disease and are not a sign of poor hygiene.

Tips for Families:

• Check Regularly: Use a fine-toothed comb to inspect the scalp, focusing on the area behind the ears and at the nape of the neck.

• Treatment: If lice or nits (eggs) are found, the CDC recommends using an over-the-counter or prescription medicated shampoo (pediculocide). Follow the package instructions exactly.

• Household Care: Wash bedding and recently worn clothing in hot water (130°F or 54.4°C) and dry on high heat. Items that cannot be washed can be sealed in a plastic bag for two weeks. (pillows, stuffed animals, blankets, car seat covers, etc).

• Communication: Please notify the school office if your child is being treated so we can monitor for any classroom trends. If you need help purchasing a kit, please reach out to Nurse Driscoll.

The school calendar for next school year can be found on the district website. Click on the green button below to access the link.

Mark your calendar with these PTO events:

April 7: PTO meeting, 6:00 pm

April 20: Happy Wheels Roller Skating

May 4-8: Spring Book Fair

May 7: Book Fair After School Hours

May 12: PTO Meeting

May 29: Family Dance (May 30- rain date)

June 12: Family Movie Night

March 30-April 10: WES Food Drive, donate canned or boxed food, school goal is to collect 1,500 items

April 1: 5th grade math meet, 9:15-12:15

April 8: Early Release, dismissal 1:15 pm

April 15: 4th grade family night, 6:00-7:00 pm

April 17-April 26: No School, April vacation

May 1: 1st grade shared learning at AES, 9:10-10:45 am

May 4-8: Spring Book Fair

May 4: Family Book Fair Hours, 3:30-7:00pm

May 7: WES Student Art Show, 6:00-7:00 pm

May 7: 5th Grade Student Helper Ice Cream Social, sales benefit 5th grade end of year activities

May 11: Spring Pictures (only students who bring in money will be photographed).

May 13: Early Release, dismissal 1:15 pm

May 25: No School, Memorial Day

May 27: Early Release, dismissal 1:15 pm

June 19: No School, Juneteenth

June 18: Last Day of School, 12:15pm dismissal

Email: kerrilesieur@rsu57.org
Website: https://waterboro.rsu57.org/
Location: 340 Sokokis Trail, East Waterboro, ME, USA
Phone: 207-247-6126