Dike-Newell School

🐝11/14/26: Maker's Market! FMS

🐝11/16-11/20: DNS Spirit Week! See Community Hive below

🐝11/23/26: NOON dismissal and Parent Teacher Conferences - Local Produce Table!

🐝11/24/26: NOON DISMAL- Local Produce Table!

🐝11/25-27: Thanksgiving Break!

🐝12/7/26: Straw Poll Meeting @ MHS! See Community Hive FMI

🐝12/9/26: December Produce Table!

Dear Dike-Newell School Families,

It is hard to believe how quickly the school year is moving! As we approach our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences on 11/23, I want to personally thank you for your ongoing partnership.

Home-to-school communication is one of the single most important factors in a child's school success. These conferences give us dedicated time to celebrate your child’s growth, discuss their current progress, and address any areas where they may need extra help or a new challenge.

Tips to get the most out of your conference:

• Talk with your child beforehand: Ask them what they feel proud of and what they would like you to ask the teacher.
• Bring a few key questions: Consider asking, "Is my child performing at grade level?", "What are their strongest classroom habits?", and "What can we practice at home?"
• Arrive on time and keep in touch: If your scheduled time no longer works, please reach out to our office or your child's teacher immediately to reschedule.

Thank you for being deeply invested in your student’s learning journey. We look forward to seeing you and working together to make this a wonderful school year.

Warmly,
Jennifer McKay

Principal, Dike-Newell School

RSU 1 is hiring a Bus Aide to support elementary students at Dike-Newell School and Fisher Mitchell Schools!

Additional opportunities are also available across the district, including Ed Techs, Substitute Nurses, and coaching positions.

You may not know, new volunteer applications are required each school year

Apply early so you’re ready when opportunities come up!

Young children thrive on routines, and coming to school consistently is an important part of building those routines. Regular attendance helps children stay connected to their classroom community, participate in daily learning, and feel comfortable and confident in their school routines. Consistent sleep, predictable morning routines, and arriving at school on time all help set children up for a successful day!

Of course, absences happen. Children should stay home when they are too sick to comfortably participate in the school day, and we understand that family circumstances, appointments, and other situations sometimes mean a student needs to miss school.

When your child will be absent, please let us know by calling our attendance voicemail box at (207) 443-8285, ext. 1 or by emailing dns-attendance@rsu1.org. Please be sure to include the reason for the absence.

In accordance with School Board policy, the following promotional announcements have been included at the request of the sponsoring organization because they may be of interest to students and their families. These activities are not sponsored by the school, and inclusion of these announcements does not constitute endorsement of the organizations or activities by the school.

Click HERE for information on The Bath Area Food Bank's Thanksgiving Dinner Kits. Click HERE for more information on the Phippsburg Sportsman Club Thanksgiving Community Dinner.

The cold is coming, despite this week's surprisingly balmy weather! The following resources are available for support through the winter months:

WINTER COATS

Dike-Newell School received a generous donation of new winter coats from the Knights of Columbus. If your child grew out of last year's coat and it would be helpful to receive a new one, please let Ms. Dean know at ndean@rsu1.org, and she will help your student pick one out. We have plenty to share!

HEATING ASSISTANCE

• Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

HEAP, also called LIHEAP, helps Mainers with low and moderate incomes pay for heating fuel, including firewood, oil, electricity, and gas. You can check eligibility and apply online through Midcoast Maine Community Action here.

• Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECIP)

The ECIP is available if you are facing a heating emergency between Nov. 1 and April 30. Once you are found eligible, you should get help within 48 hours.

• Wood Bank

The Midcoast Wood Bank offers up to two cords of firewood per household in need, per season. Help loading is available if you can pick up the wood yourself, and limited delivery may be available if you cannot.

• Weatherization Program

If your home is not as energy efficient as it could be, you may qualify for home weatherization improvements through the Weatherization Program.

Back Pack Program

Each Friday, participating students will bring home a bag of non-perishable, shelf-stable food in their backpack. The bags typically contain enough food for approximately two meals and two snacks. While the contents vary from week to week, the goal is to provide a little extra support and help ease the burden of weekend meals.

Any family is welcome to participate. There are no requirements to sign up other than a desire for weekend food support. If having a weekly bag of food would be helpful or supportive for your family, we encourage you to sign up!

Families may sign up for the Backpack Program or discontinue participation at any time. There is no long-term commitment, and families are welcome to use this resource whenever it is helpful to them.

Fresh Produce Table

As part of the food security program that Mrs. Tringali coordinates, we also offer a fresh produce table once a month. Keep an eye out in "What's Buzzing!" for next month's date!

NOVEMBER:

On 11/23 and 11/24 we will have a table set up at our main entrance with fresh produce from Harvest Tide in Bowdoinham.

December:

Produce Table from Good Shepard Food Bank 12/9/26

Produce Table from Harvest Tide: 12/14/26

If you have any questions about the Backpack Program, the fresh produce table, or other food security supports, please reach out to Mrs. Tringali at ktringali@rsu1.org or 443-8285.

-Kristen Tringali, Secretary

Food Resource Coordinator

443-8285

We’re getting ready for our 8th annual Makers Market and would love for you to be part of the fun! The Makers Market is open to all current RSU1 students and recent graduates, students at Georgetown and West Bath School

We’re also looking for cookie donations for our Cookie Walk fundraiser! Whether you’re a baking pro or just love whipping up a batch of your favorite cookies, we’d be so grateful for your help. Every cookie helps make this fundraiser a little sweeter and supports our schools!

Sign up to participate and let us know if you can contribute cookies!