Dear RSU 57 Community,

We would like to remind all community members about the upcoming Finance Committee presentation of the 2025-2026 Preliminary Budget. Due to inclement weather, the original review session was postponed and has now been rescheduled for Monday, March 31, at 6:30 PM in the Massabesic East Training Center.

We encourage all members of the community to attend and engage in this discussion about the FY 2026 school budget. Your involvement is crucial as we continue our efforts to ensure that our budget aligns with the district’s Strategic Plan, which is focused on preparing our students for success in an ever-changing world. At the same time, we are dedicated to balancing the economic impact on our taxpayers and ensuring fiscal responsibility.

For those unable to attend in person, we are offering a livestream of the meeting. You can view it live at: https://www.youtube.com/@RSU57-Massabesic/streams

We hope to see you there—whether in person or virtually—as we work together to ensure the best future for our students and our community.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Marquis, PhD.

Superintendent of Schools

Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) has named Devenny Brickett, a junior at Massabesic High School, as its Student of the Year in recognition of her academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to healthcare. Enrolled in the Health Occupations program, Devenny is working toward her CNA license while serving as Class President and Vice President of the Student Council. A member of both the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society, she has also dedicated over 200 hours to community service while excelling in athletics and competitive dance. Passionate about nursing, particularly palliative care, she values the hands-on experience SRTC provides, which has deepened her commitment to patient-centered care. Devenny will be honored at the MACTE Student of the Year Banquet on May 3rd at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor.

Click the link below to read the full press release from Matthew Petermann, SRTC Director.

First-grade students across the district recently participated in an exciting shared learning experience with Wildlife Encounters, hosted at Alfred Elementary School. This engaging presentation provided students with the unique opportunity to learn about various animals, their habitats, and the importance of wildlife conservation through interactive discussions and close-up encounters with live animals. It was an enriching and memorable event that fostered curiosity and a love for the natural world. These shared grade-level experiences bring students from different schools together, strengthening connections across the district. Similar events have taken place, such as all fourth graders visiting MHS to attend a special preview performance of A Clown’s Tale before opening night. These experiences support Goal 3.2 of the Strategic Plan by enhancing inter-school collaboration and engagement.

On March 14, Massabesic Middle School hosted its annual 7th Grade Climate Change Solutions Summit. Over the past two months, students have explored global climate challenges and their far-reaching impacts, applying creative problem-solving to develop solutions aimed at mitigating environmental issues. This open-house-style event welcomed families and community members to explore the students' work at their convenience. Projects addressed critical topics such as air, water, and soil pollution, as well as pest infestations from ticks and mosquitoes. Each student designed a prototype using the online 3D modeling software Tinkercad, conducting extensive research before bringing their ideas to life. Their efforts highlight not only a deep understanding of environmental issues but also a strong commitment to meaningful change for the future of our planet.

Recently, Massabesic High School students attending Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) showcased their skills and talents at the SkillsUSA 2025 competition, held on March 13-14. SkillsUSA is a national organization dedicated to empowering students in career and technical education (CTE) by providing opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, and hands-on skills in various trade, technical, and service-related fields. The competition brings together students from across the state to demonstrate their expertise in areas such as healthcare, welding, automotive technology, carpentry, and more, testing their abilities in real-world scenarios under industry standards.

Competing against students from counties all over Maine, we are thrilled to announce that several Massabesic students excelled in their respective categories, earning top placements and medals. Their success reflects the dedication, hard work, and technical proficiency they have developed through their programs at SRTC. These students not only represented their school with pride but also demonstrated the high-quality education and training provided through CTE programs. Their achievements highlight the importance of SkillsUSA in preparing students for future careers while instilling professionalism, confidence, and a commitment to excellence.

Congratulations to the following students who received medals at the SkillsUSA 2025 competition, and to all of our participating students!

Conner Wilcox (Gold)- Courtesy Corp

Brian Graffam (Bronze)- State Officer

Harmonee Shaw (Gold)- Crime Scene Investigation

John Madigan (Gold)- Collision Damage Appraisal

Gianni Carreira (Silver)- Auto Tool Identification

Brody Worth (Silver) - Collision Damage Appraisal

Students at Shapleigh Memorial were thrilled to host Jessica Woodend of the Within the Whale program earlier this month! This unique educational experience brought the wonders of the ocean to life, offering students an unforgettable hands-on adventure. The traveling outreach program allowed our learners to step inside a life-size inflatable humpback whale, exploring its 3D anatomy up close—a truly one-of-a-kind experience!

A special thank you to Jessica for sharing Chunk’s story with us. The inflatable whale is inspired by a real humpback whale named Chunk, a well-known resident of the Gulf of Maine. At around 10 years old and 40 feet long, Chunk was easily recognized by a missing piece of her dorsal fin. Though she sadly passed away in the summer of 2024, her legacy continues through our science lessons, fostering a deeper appreciation for marine life and conservation.

Through Within the Whale, she brings marine life and conservation to life with immersive, hands-on learning experiences, inspiring students to develop a lasting connection to the natural world.

It is with great excitement and pride that we announce the recipients of the Model Mustang Staff Award for the month of February! This award is a tribute to those outstanding individuals who embody the qualities of a true “Model Mustang”; they inspire, lead, foster positivity, persevere, and excel in all that they do. Each Model Mustang was nominated by colleagues who took the time to acknowledge and celebrate their coworkers’ exceptional contributions to our district. Their hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for the positive impact they have within RSU 57! This month's raffle winner is Sophie Manning, Science Teacher at Massabesic Middle School!

"Sophie is a positive, dedicated, and reliable team member. She is always thinking of ways to improve our school and team culture. She has incredible relationships with her students and holds them to a high standard. She is involved both in school and out of school with coaching and is on various boards and committees - all for the better of our students. She inspires me as an educator and is a pleasure to work with each day."

Click the link below to view the full list of Model Mustang Award recipients. Congratulations to all of our Model Mustangs!

March 31: Budget Review Session @ 6:30pm - East Training Center or YouTube

April 1: Policy Committee Meeting @ 6:00pm - East Training Center or YouTube

April 2: Finance Committee Meeting @ 5:30pm - East Training Center or YouTube

April 8: Curriculum Committee Meeting @ 6:00pm - East Training Center or YouTube

April 9: Early Release Day

April 9: Finance Committee Meeting @ 5:30pm - East Training Center or YouTube

April 9: School Board Meeting @ 7:00pm - East Training Center or YouTube

April 15: PR/Technology Committee Meeting @ 6:00pm - East Training Center or YouTube

April 17: Human Resources Meeting @ 6:00pm - East Training Center or YouTube

April 18-27: April Break

April 21: District Closed - Patriots' Day

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

Phone: 207-247-3221

Website: https://www.rsu57.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rsu57/

Central Office: 86 West Road, Waterboro, ME, USA