PHIPPSBURG EXPLORER'S LOG

ISSUE 34 MAY 22, 2025

CLICK HERE to visit the PES WEBSITE

UPCOMING EVENTS

17 days of school left for K-5 (15 for Pre-K)

May

22 - Incoming Kindergarten Info Night 5:30PM

BMS Incoming 6th Grade Info Night 6PM at BMS

23 - Wear Red, White & Blue Day in Honor of Memorial Day

26 - Holiday/NO SCHOOL

June

2 - Gr. 4 Salmon Release

3 - Gr. 4 Trip to MMM (Boat Trip) and Gr. 5 Tours BMS

4 - Morse Graduation Parade (of former PES students) at PES 10:50AM

6 - Incoming Kindergarten Screening & PTA Meeting 8:30AM

Tie-Dye Day Morning 9-11:15AM! Remember to bring a white cotton t-shirt 👕 (Rain date: 6/9)

11 - Fifth Grade Recognition Ceremony 2PM

12 - Gr. 5 Trip to Malaga Island and

Trimester Awards Assembly at 2:30PM

13 - Last Day for PES Pre-K

Celebration of Learning in classrooms 2PM

17 - Last Day for PES K-5, Half Day, Field Day at Hermit Island, Buses Bring Students Directly Home from Beach, Arriving 3 hours Earlier than Usual

A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Dear PES families,

It is hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend is already upon us. This year has really flown by. With just a few weeks left of school, we know student emotions can begin running high with the anxiety of the school year closing. Please help your students process at home about how they might be feeling with the upcoming end to our school year. We have a lot of important work left to do this year.

Classroom Updates 🦞🦀🐚🦪

Fifth graders dove into their seaweed research this week. Through hands-on exploration of seaweed, they recorded their noticing and wonderings about the different types and thought about how they might like to showcase their learning. In fourth grade, students worked on learning about high quality work and spent time perfecting their salmon drawings for a game they are creating. In third grade, students practiced rehearsing the play, building the backdrop and creating a playbill. In second grade, students traveled to West Point Oyster farm and spent time at the cove exploring. In first grade, students learned about the life cycle and parts of a lobster. They also painted lobsters to hang in the classroom windows. In Kindergarten, students worked on their posters that will highlight how humans can help protect the hermit crabs.

Maine Through the Year Assessments 💻

Thank you to our students who have been working hard on the end of the year reading and math tests. We have seen students take their time and approach this assessment seriously. This data helps inform teachers instruction, as well as provides valuable information to the Maine Department of Education in regards to how our students are doing statewide.

April Students of the Month ☀️

A tad bit late, but nevertheless, we would like to recognize our April students of the month award winners: McKenna Fairbrother, Blaire Flaherty, Lillianna LaBelle, Sam Mermelstein, Emily Wells, Liv Boerum, Dexter Leighton, Ollie Cavanagh, Briggs Miller, Grady Hersom, Margot Sullivan, Roslyn Waters, Harper Spencer, and Riley Kirk.

Field Day at Hermit Island 🏖️

We are so excited to bring field day back to Hermit Island, Tuesday, June 17th. This will be on the last day of school for all K-5 students. Please read carefully.

All students will be dismissed from Hermit Island at 12:00, which means that home drop off times may be different. Please use the Busright system to track when your students will be home.
Parent pickups will be AT THE HERMIT ISLAND parking lot.
Please notify Tammy by 9:00 on Tuesday morning with any changes in dismissal plans. We will not be able to accommodate last minute changes.

Don’t miss the Celebration of Learning on June 13th at 2:00pm. Students and staff have some amazing work to showcase.

Enjoy the long weekend and wishing you a beautiful Memorial Day!

Warm regards,

Nina Willette, Principal

LIBRARY NEWS

It's hard to believe the end of the year is fast approaching! The last day for checking out books will be Friday, May 23, 2025. All books need to be returned by Wednesday, June 4, 2025. Students will still have the opportunity to read books during library class.

Stay tuned for information on a summer reading program at the Totman Library!

REMINDER

Remember there will be NO SCHOOL Monday, May 26th, for the Memorial Day holiday. Thank you to those who have bravely served our country!

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION

If you haven't already, and wish to volunteer this spring, or chaperone a field trip, please register now at:

https://www.rsu1.org/page/volunteer-information. You only complete one form, selecting all the schools you are interested in (be sure to scroll down the schools to choose PES, or you won't appear on our list), and remember to register each school year. Please allow one week prior to a field trip or event for processing.

TRANSPORTATION SURVEY

Parents/Guardians: WE NEED YOUR HELP! In the next few days, please be on the look out for a survey that will be sent to your email regarding transportation for next year. Take a moment to complete this brief form to let us know how your student(s) will be getting to and from school on most days. This includes fifth graders who are moving on to BMS for 6th grade. Thank you for your help!

DISTRICT BUDGET MEETINGS

The proposed budget for FY26 included below was presented at the School Board meeting Monday, March 24th. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the upcoming budget meeting. Please contact the RSU1 Central Office with any questions by calling 443-6601, ext. 122.

2025-2026 RSU 1 Budget - PROPOSED March 24, 2025

2025-2026 RSU 1 Budget - PROPOSED April 28, 2025

UPCOMING BUDGET MEETING SCHEDULE:

*All meetings will be held at Morse High School.

Tuesday, May 27th District Budget Meeting (up/down vote for all citizens present) - 6PM

Tuesday, June 10th Budget Validation Referendum, Citizens vote at their town polling places

KINDERGARTEN PARENT INFO NIGHT

Families of incoming Kindergarten students are encouraged to attend our Kindergarten Parent Information Night happening at 5:30pm tonight. This is a chance for parents to hear from teachers and administration, learn about our Kindergarten program, and ask any questions you may have. We will also be scheduling appointments for Kindergarten Screening, which will be taking place on

June 6th.

RSU1 DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

Check out the latest info in the RSU1 District Newsletter.

RSU1 2024-2025 School Calendar

COMMUNITY OFFERINGS

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.

A NOTE FROM ALBERT F TOTMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Totman Public Library is looking into starting a "Totman Toddlers" program for area families with children ages 1-3. Parents and caregivers would be invited to bring their toddlers to the library to meet and socialize through story and play time. If you or someone you know might be interested in participating, please call Library Director Diane Atwood at 389-2309 or stop by the library to share your thoughts. We look forward to seeing you and your toddler!

SENIORS HELPING SENIORS+

Seniors Helping Seniors+ meets Tuesdays, 10-noon at Small Point Baptist Church fellowship hall in Phippsburg at 1754 Main Rd. All Phippsburg seniors are welcome to participate. Our purpose is to reach out to the community to provide meals, transportation, light housekeeping, friendship, help with shopping and other support. FMI: Jean 389-2189 or SPBC 389-2129

TOWN NEWS:

Candidates Night: will be held on June 2nd at 6:00 p.m. at the Phippsburg Town Hall

Municipal Officers and RSU 1 Budget Validation Referendum Elections - Tuesday, June 10th at Phippsburg Town Hall. Polls will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Offices open for Election:

Select Board (1 vacancy - 3 year term)

Budget Committee (1 vacancy - 3 year term)

Clerk (1 vacancy - 3 year term)

Tax Collector (1 vacancy - 3 year term)

Treasurer (1 vacancy - 3 year term)

Town Meeting - The Annual Town Meeting will be held at the Phippsburg Elementary School, on Wednesday, June 11th and 12th (if needed) from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Programs happening in the RSU1 Community

Be sure to click the button below to see exciting offerings, such as camps, Brunswick Area Youth Football, etc. taking place in and around the RSU1 community.

CLICK HERE to see RSU1 Community Programs