RSU 57 & Massabesic High School

"Preparing students for success in an ever-changing world."

Hello Mustang Nation,

This week we are encouraged to step back and take stock of the wonderfully caring and supportive we have at MHS (and across the entire district). It is sometimes easy to overlook the monumental efforts of our teaching staff as a school year moves along, but I am proud to recognize our teaching staff and their immense dedication to helping students find success in all arenas. Students, please join in me, this week especially, in finding a moment to share a kind word with your teachers. Parents, I encourage you as well in the midst of your busy schedules to drop a quick email to your students' teachers in appreciation of their hard work. I believe strongly in the MHS teaching staff - we are better each day due to their endeavors.

The 2025 edition of MHS Prom at Rustic Dreams in Lyman this past Saturday evening was a tremendous success. A special thank you to Ms. Prentiss & Mr. Durham and the entire Junior Class for hosting a great event for our students. Despite the rainy weather we had more than 350 students turn out for a great night. Thank you to all our students for their appropriate conduct and infectious energy.

As a reminder, our upcoming week will follow the Green/White color rotation schedule below:

Monday 05/5 - WHITE DAY

Tuesday 05/06 - GREEN DAY

Wednesday 05/07 - WHITE DAY

Thursday 05/08 - GREEN DAY

Friday 05/09 - WHITE DAY

Take care,

-Mr. Thurlow

Massabesic High School Science Club attended the regional Envirothon competition in Augusta this past week, competing against 6 other teams. Our two teams of students competed in topics that included wildlife, aquatics, soils, forestry, and a current environmental issue. The weather was beautiful and a great time was had by all!

-Ms. Pennell and Mrs. Carroll, Envirothon Club Advisors

(Photo Credit to Ms. Pennell)

ATTENTION STUDENT DRIVERS & PARENTS: With warmer temperatures, melted snow, and more sunshine there is a natural inclination to be excited about getting outside each afternoon at the conclusion of the school day. Unfortunately, some students are engaging in unsafe driving behaviors—specifically speeding and driving erratically—while heading off campus toward home/work, and some heading to practice after school. This conduct is both inappropriate and extremely dangerous, posing risks to themselves, other students, and members of the community.

Parents, please take a moment to address this issue directly with your students. It is important that all student drivers understand that safety in driving must always be a top priority.

May 8th, midnight, is the last moment to purchase a personal ad or family business ad to have in the 2024-25 yearbook.

An Ad - 'Buy Your Own Design'

If you are interested in putting a personal tribute to your friends, or getting your teammates, club/theatre troupe, etc. together and pitching in for a last minute collage of your own into this year's Yearbook...now is the time! Parents and students are invited to create an ad in the yearbook to celebrate their time together throughout the year, to record memories in the book that will be in the family - with you- for many years to come.

If your family has a business and would like to advertise their services to a broad range of families and people...now is the time. Family businesses are invited to create an ad with their business logo and address, and their own message. Ads can include such things as a picture of the family working together, a picture of their own MHS student(s), a message to their senior, or general message, etc. in the ad as well. You can purchase page sizes: 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 of a page.

Various prices: $80, $160, $300.*Yes, $300 buys 1/2 a page in our MHS book. But that is in reality 1/2 a page in over 300 books. Over 300 Families will see the Ad. That is the parents/guardians and the graduating senior, and other students. That equals less than$1 ad space per book, that will be taken out and looked over - again and again, and shared - in college, parties, and with extended families and other businesses.*Yes, it is subject to screening- for offensive message(s), language, or dress.

Please email Yearbook Advisor Heidi Fryzlewicz with your ad requests and/or questions: heidifryzlewicz@rsu57.org

Senior Shout Outs

Introducing Senior "Shout Outs" these will be displayed on individual paper grad caps that will line the hallways at the school for your grad to see and all others! Don't delay get yours today $5.00 each use the link to complete the google form, payment info in google form. Last day to order May 12th.

https://forms.gle/kj9dnYeEnvVhUZ3v9

Graduate Yard Signs

Don't delay in ordering your yard sign to celebrate your Graduate. We have teamed up with RSD Graphics, to bring these amazing signs your way. What a way to show your neighbors and community your Mustang Senior Pride!

https://www.rsdgraphicsonline.com/mhs-project-graduation-yard-signs

Over April vacation Lydia Ridley (Grade 10) went to the Northeast All Breeds Spring Show! She competed in multiple classes and achieved 2nd place overall in her showmanship class! She also participated in the costume parade for fun as a gumball machine and her calf Adele was a quarter (pictured below). Additionally, she placed 4th and 6th with her Brown Swiss heifers, and was 5th out of 35 with her Holstein heifer. There were 130 youth kids showing their animals and hard work at this particular events - a very large show with great results. Way to go, Lydia!

MHS is proud to expand our partnership with Josten's (think letterman jackets, graduation gear, etc.) to offer an MHS Mascot Shop for lots of great MHS Gear. Please check out the shop using the link below. Starting today (valid 4/11/25 – 4/30/25), use code 5WELCOME20 that will allow you to save money on custom gear. This site will be available all year long.

We are hoping to raise funds to send two of RSU57's most dedicated Theatre students to the International Thespian Festival at the University of Indiana in Bloomington from June 22 to June 28. Students Elsie Wehrman and Charlotte DalPra received Superiors at the Maine Thespian Festival in January 2025 in their respective categories. Elsie for Acting Solo, where she performed two contrasting monologues and Charlotte DalPra for her costume design of our fall production, Miss Holmes. Receiving a superior rating at MTF has allowed them to participate in the next round of Thespies at the international level, and the chance to receive Thespy Awards if they are the highest scoring superior-rated students in their category. Regardless of their scores, both students will undoubtedly have a once-in-a-lifetime experience attending this festival. The opportunity to receive criticism which will help make them better thespians, combined with the amazing student and professional performances, as well as the many workshops at ITF will all have a great impact on their future theatrical endeavors. Both of these students are seniors and are two of the most hard working students I have had the pleasure to work with in my 11 years at MHS.

The International Thespian Festival is taking place at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, from June 22, to June 28, 2025. The 5-day festival will consist of workshops across more than 30 categories as well as student and professional performances. The festival also runs simultaneously with the Theatre Educator conference which will allow myself to participate in quality professional development which will in turn help all our future theatre students at MHS.

Our trip has been approved by the school board and we have some of the funds for the trip already! The three of us would be ever so grateful for the help from our community to make sure we can make this happen! As the MHS director and also the Chapter Director of Maine Thespians, I hope for this opportunity to bring a whole new level to our work and for us to continue to be able to make this trip happen for students each year.

If we raise over the amount that we need for this trip, the extra funds will go into our Drama Fundraising account for future years work, field trips, induction fees and improvement to the program.

MHS is proud to parterner with Hannaford grocery stores in an effort to raise funds to support student activities. Below are the steps for families and friends to contribute:

1. Shop at Hannafords. Starting this coming Sunday, March 16th, look for items with either of the following tags or icons (attached).

2. Buy 4 or more such items and get a coupon at the register.

3. Redeem the coupon linked here and Select Massabesic High School: Hannaford Helps Schools Redeem Coupon

Alternative Option: You can also download the Hannaford Helps Schools app: Download Hannaford Helps Schools App

Are you interested in traveling with the Culture Club abroad? We have two trips planned in 2026. February Vacation we are traveling to England and France through Normandy and in April vacation we will be traveling to Peru. From now until April 30th there will be a $100 discount available to anyone that signs up from now until then. More information is available about each trip at the following links:

WWII in England and France

Peru: Land of the Inca

The submission period for the contest is officially open, and essays will be accepted until June 16th 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Please visit the Naval Horizons website for rules and information about this exciting opportunity!

May 5 -9 - Teacher Appreciation Week

Thursday, May 8 - Music Dept. Spring Department @ 6:30 pm

Wednesday, May 14 - Early Release Day

Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day (No School)

Wednesday, May 28 - Early Release Day

Wednesday, June 4 - Class Night

Thursday, June 5 - Graduation

Monday, June 16 - Last Day of School

You are always welcome to call our Maine Office at (207) 247-3141, schedule a meeting, or email members of our administrative team members directly (emails listed below):