RSU 57 Community Newsletter

January 16, 2025

Message from the Superintendent

Dear Mustang Nation,

I hope this message finds you well as we begin a new year filled with promise and opportunities. I am thrilled to share a personal highlight from this past week: our middle school band program delivered an exceptional performance during their concert on January 14th. Under the expert direction of Mr. Laciano, our talented student musicians captivated the audience with their skill and passion, showcasing the dedication they have put into playing their instrument. The concert was a vibrant reminder of the incredible talents within our district and the power of the arts to bring us together as a community. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Laciano, our student performers, and the parents and guardians who supported this wonderful event.

In addition to celebrating our students’ accomplishments, I want to inform you about an important ongoing process within the district. The FY26 budget planning has officially begun, with school administration and the finance committee working diligently to ensure a transparent and thoughtful approach. Weekly meetings are currently being held each Wednesday evening at the East Building on the Massabesic High School campus beginning at 5:30 PM. These meetings, open to the public, are to discuss priorities, address challenges, and plan for the future of our schools and public vote in June. We encourage community members to attend and participate. Your voice and input are invaluable as we work together to build a budget that reflects our shared commitment to academic excellence and student success while also being mindful of the impact on taxpayers. The goal of the School Board is to present a budget to our communities that is fiscally responsible while also supporting our efforts in preparing our students for success in an ever changing world.

Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff, and schools. Together, we can achieve great things for our district.

Warm regards,

Stephen D. Marquis

Maine Family Engagement Survey

Click HERE to Complete the Survey!

MHS Graduates Panel

On Thursday, December 19 MHS hosted a graduate panel for current Juniors and Seniors. The event featured several recent MHS grads who shared about their experiences entering the military, the workforce, or college. The varied experiences, locations, majors, and extra-curricular activities gave students a lot to think about. The panelists shared their experiences post-graduation, what courses and programs at MHS helped them reach their goals, what they wish they knew, and offered advice to our upperclassmen.

Our esteemed panelists are listed and pictured below:

Channel 8 Weather at Your School Comes to WES!

On December 17, Ted McInerney from Channel 8 broadcasted the weather from WES along with the help of some WES students. It was exciting to watch the news and see our students live. After the weather, Ted returned to WES and presented to our 3rd graders and shared great information about the weather. Thank you Ted, Channel 8, and WES families that were able to make it bright and early to help broadcast the weather. Click the link below to view the live broadcast!

Weather At Your School: Waterboro Elementary

Meteorologist Ted McInerney visited the 3rd graders at Waterboro Elementary.

wmtw.com

NJROTC Supports Wreaths Across America

On December 13, cadets from Massabesic High School's NJROTC program had the opportunity to participate in the Wreaths Across America caravan as it passed though Hollis.

Students Design Water Filters at Shapleigh Memorial

4th and 5th graders at Shapleigh Memorial wrapped up their "Engineering is Elementary" unit on Designing Water Filters. Students worked in groups to test various materials for their ability to filter different types of particles from water. Using their findings, they then designed and built their own water filters.

Once the filters were ready, they poured a solution through them and measured both the clarity of the filtered water and the time it took to filter. It was a hands-on experience that helped learners understand the science behind filtration and the importance of material selection in real-world applications.