Southern Aroostook Warriors

April 17, 2020

Dear RSU 50 Parents, Guardians, Staff Members, and Students,

I hope you are all doing well and taking care of yourselves and each other.  It is hard to believe that we have been engaged in remote learning for the last four weeks.  Thank you for your support and understanding as we work through this unprecedented time. If you have any concerns about your child’s work or you would like to communicate with a teacher and have not been able to do so, please call the school at 757-8206. School office hours are from 7:00am to 12:00pm Monday-Friday.  Here are a few updates:

April 20-24th   - April Break

We are still observing April School Break. Students, teachers, and parents will take time to take a break from teaching and learning next week. Students who may be behind in their academic courses should use this time to catch up.  Please take some to recharge your batteries and hopefully enjoy some warmer weather next week.  RSU 50 remote teaching and learning will begin again on Monday April 27th.   

Meal Program during April Break

The So. Aroostook cafeteria staff, ed. techs, and bus drivers will continue to deliver meals during April Break.  Delivery will occur Tuesday through Friday next week at the regularly scheduled times. There will be NO delivery of food on Monday April 20th.    

Planning for remote learning through the end of the school year

Last week, the Maine Commissioner of Education informed all schools in the State that we should begin planning for remote learning for the remainder of the school year due to COVID-19 Pandemic. This, of course, does not mean that we are out for the Summer. It means that our buildings will likely remain closed for the rest of the year and that we need to plan accordingly.  During this period of time, the RSU 50 Remote Learning Plan remains in effect. The RSU 50 Remote Learning plan has been approved by the RSU 50 School Board and the Maine Department of Education.  One thing that we have learned with this situation is that our course of action can change quickly. We will continue to plan for remote learning through the remainder of this school year. If something changes, and we are able to open our schools prior to the end of the school year, we will also be ready for students to return to school.  

Regarding when we will close schooling and instruction for the summer - our current, board approved calendar, still provides us with the approved last day of school, which is June 11th. If the RSU 50 School Board votes to change that last day of instruction, we will communicate that change with you.

We understand that this is a difficult time for many families and we continue to offer the best support we can during this time.  We are committed to keeping you updated on changes and new information regarding this situation. Please check back regularly on our school website https://www.rsu50.org/ for the most up to date releases of new information.  

Respectfully,

Jon Porter, Superintendent of Schools 

RSU 50/Southern Aroostook Community School