RSU 67

R.S.U. No. 67 invites all community members to provide input about our schools by completing a brief online survey​. This feedback will help the district assess our strengths and challenges and serve as a guide as we prioritize our focus areas for years to come. The survey will be available until December 15, 2021. Please see the district site for the link to the survey.

Parent Teacher Conferences for EPB and MA are this upcoming week. Please be sure to reach out to your school if you have not already scheduled your conference.

Positive COVID-19 Case at EPB 10/13/21 October 13, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that a member of Ella P. Burr School has tested positive for COVID-19. We are informing you out of an abundance of caution. School officials have been in contact with the Maine Department of Education and Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and those impacted have been contacted. We continue to ask families and staff to monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19. Please stay home if sick or experiencing symptoms. It will take our entire community working together to keep as many students in school as possible. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions for the school can be directed to Principal Peter Loiselle at 794-3014. Health related questions can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Sincerely, Jean M. Skorapa, Superintendent

October 12, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that a member of Mattanawcook Academy tested positive for COVID-19. We are informing you out of an abundance of caution. School officials have been in contact with the Maine Department of Education and Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and those impacted have been contacted. We continue to ask families and staff to monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19. Please stay home if sick or experiencing symptoms. It will take our entire community working together to keep as many students in school as possible. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions for the school can be directed to Principal Matthew Arsenault at 794-6711. Health related question can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Sincerely, Jean M. Skorapa, Superintendent Jean Skorapa, Superintendent Regional School Unit 67 25 Reed Drive Lincoln, Maine 04457 207-794-6500

Positive COVID-19 Case at EPB 9/14/21 September 14, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that a member of Ella P. Burr School has tested positive for COVID-19. We are informing you out of an abundance of caution. School officials have been in contact with the Maine Department of Education and Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and those impacted have been contacted. We continue to ask families and staff to monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19. Please stay home if sick or experiencing symptoms. It will take our entire community working together to keep as many students in school as possible. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions for the school can be directed to Principal Peter Loiselle at 794-3014. Health related question can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Sincerely, Jean M. Skorapa, Superintendent

Correspondence from the Superintendent September 13, 2021 Dear Members of the R.S.U. No. 67 Community, I am writing to inform you that a disturbing incident of student violence occurred during dismissal at Mattanawcook Academy this afternoon. Many students exiting the building to board buses witnessed the event. Members of the R.S.U. No. 67 administration are thoroughly investigating the incident and appropriate action will be taken. Student safety is our number one priority. Acts of violence will not be tolerated. Sincerely, Jean M, Skorapa, Superintendent

September 9, 2021 4:00 p.m. Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that members of Ella P. Burr School, Mattanawcook Jr. High School, and Mattanawcook Academy have tested positive for COVID-19. We are informing you out of an abundance of caution. School officials have been in contact with the Maine Department of Education and Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and those impacted have been contacted. We continue to ask families and staff to monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19. Please stay home if sick or experiencing symptoms. It will take our entire community working together to keep as many students in school as possible. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions for the school can be directed to Principal Peter Loiselle at 794-3014, Principal Sarah Hainer at 794-8935, Principal Matthew Arsenault at 794-6711. Health-related questions can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Sincerely, Jean M. Skorapa, Superintendent

September 9, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that a member of Ella P. Burr School has tested positive for COVID-19. We are informing you out of an abundance of caution. School officials have been in contact with the Maine Department of Education and Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and those impacted have been contacted. We continue to ask families and staff to monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19. Please stay home if sick or experiencing symptoms. It will take our entire community working together to keep as many students in school as possible. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions for the school can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Sincerely, Jean M. Skorapa, Superintendent

We apologize for any confusion this afternoon regarding dismissal time. All schools are dismissed at 1:30 on Friday afternoons. Thank you for your understanding.

August 19, 2021 Dear R.S.U. No. 67 Parents, Staff, Students, and Community Members, I am writing to provide an update on our plans for the opening of schools on September 1. The plan outlined below, which ensures a safe learning and teaching environment for all, was endorsed by the R.S.U. No. 67 Board of Directors at its August 18 meeting. This plan will be reviewed regularly, revised as appropriate, and communicated. 1. Instructional Practices All schools in R.S.U. No. 67 will have in-person instruction Monday-Friday. Remote instruction will not be an option for families as all staff resources will serve our in-person, school-based programming 2. Vaccinations COVID-19 Vaccinations are strongly encouraged for all eligible staff and students. R.S.U. No. 67 will partner with local agencies to offer COVID-19 vaccination clinics. 3. Facilities R.S.U. No. 67 facilities will implement appropriate daily cleaning protocols in all R.S.U. No. 67 facilities. R.S.U. No. 67 will ensure adequate ventilation in all facilities. 4.Symptom Screener Prior to Coming to School Students and/or R.S.U. No. 67 employees exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should stay home. 5. Social Distancing All students and staff will maintain 3 feet of social distancing where feasible. 6. Face Coverings Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are required by students and employees on all R.S.U. No. 67 buses and vans per order of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Face coverings are not required when outside. Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are required of all students, staff, and visitors while inside when students are present when the level of community transmission of COVID-19 in Penobscot County is substantial or high or when warranted by local conditions. R.S.U. No. 67 will monitor data on an ongoing basis. (Note: Due to the current health data, masking will be a requirement until further notice.) Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are required of all PK-6 students who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and staff members working with them. 7. Contact Tracing R.S.U. No. 67 will follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) provided by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services when responding to a positive COVID-19 Case. Fully vaccinated individuals who are asymptomatic do not need to quarantine. Thank you so much for your continued support as we look forward to the opening of our 2021-2022 school year. Sincerely, Jean M. Skorapa, Superintendent of Schools

Reopening Update August 5, 2021 Dear R.S.U. No. 67 Parents, Staff, Students, and Community Members, I hope you have had a wonderful summer thus far. It’s hard to believe, but the first day of school is less than a month away! Students in grades PreK-9 will start school on Wednesday, September 1. Students in grades 10-12 will begin on Thursday, September 2. School Start and End times are as follows: Ella P. Burr School 7:45 - 2:15 Mattanawcook Jr. High School 7:45 - 2:15 Mattanawcook Academy 7:50 - 2:20 As we reflect on last school year, we recognize that remote instruction was very difficult for families. We also know that the academic, social, and emotional needs of our students are best served through in-person instruction. Although at some point in the year some students may receive remote instruction for a very specific reason (ex. an outbreak of COVID), remote instruction will no longer be a choice for families. All students in R.S.U. No. 67 will attend school in person daily. I know many of you have questions regarding health and safety protocols that will be implemented to help our students and staff stay safe at school. At this time, the National CDC recommends three feet of distancing "when feasible." In order to continue to educate all students in the most educationally sound manner, we will follow that recommendation. This will also allow us to have more students educated in our classrooms safely. Guidance regarding masking continues to change rapidly. We want to be very thoughtful in our response, so no definitive decision has been made regarding indoor masking requirements. However, asking will be required on R.S.U. No. 67 buses to be in compliance with the federal order. My promise to you is that we will be thoughtful about all decisions and communicate regularly and very transparently. Feel free to reach out any time you have input or questions. Kind regards, Jean Skorapa, Superintendent of Schools

Today is the first day of Extended School Year/Summer School for RSU 67. The day runs from 8 to 12:30. Busses will leave the school to bring students home at 12:30.

Due to the continued predicted high temperatures, all schools in R S U Number 67 will have an early release day on Tuesday, June 8th. Students in PK-6 will be dismissed at 11:00 and students in grades 9-12 will be dismissed at 12:00. Thank you for your understanding.

May 17, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that a member of the Mattanawcook Academy community has tested positive for COVID-19. As with every positive COVID-19 case, the district is working directly with Maine DOE/CDC to determine the infectious period and contact tracing requirements, based on the impacted individual’s last day of attendance before developing symptoms or testing positive. Those who are impacted have been contacted. We continue to ask all families and staff to monitor for any symptoms and stay home if symptomatic. All individuals should contact a health care provider if they develop symptoms. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions regarding student health can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Questions regarding scheduling or instruction should be directed to Mattanawcook Academy at 794-8935. Jean Skorapa, Superintendent

Any eligible student (ages 12 and above) who is in quarantine, may still attend the COVID-19 vaccine clinic located at MJHS on Friday, May 21, 2021 beginning at 9:00am. The vaccine clinic will be held in tents in front of Mattanawcook Junior High School. The completed vaccine forms can be emailed to jdavis@rsu67.org or jmckechnie@rsu67.org or faxed to MA (794-3205) or MJHS (794-2601). Completed forms are due by Wednesday, May 19, 2021. If you have a student in quarantine, we ask that the person transporting the student come to the tent to advise the student is present. PCHS will administer the vaccine in the vehicle. Be prepared to wait in the vehicle for 15 minutes following the vaccine administration.

May 13, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that at this time there are three active COVID-19 cases that involve individuals associated with Mattanawcook Academy. All of these cases did not involve close contact within the school. However, due to the increase in the number of cases and the number of individuals in quarantine, Mattanawcook Academy students will receive remote instruction through Friday, May 21, 2021. Students will return to in-person instruction on Monday, May 24, 2021. Although we are in a vastly better place with the pandemic than we were even weeks ago, we are not out of the woods yet. Please continue to monitor for any symptoms and stay home if symptomatic. We must continue to work together as a community to keep our students in school and finish the year strong. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions regarding student health can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Questions regarding scheduling or instruction should be directed to Mattanawcook Academy at 794-6711. Jean Skorapa, Superintendent

May 12, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that a member of the Ella P. Burr School community has tested positive for COVID-19. As with every positive COVID-19 case, the district is working directly with Maine DOE/CDC to determine the infectious period and contact tracing requirements, based on the impacted individual’s last day of attendance before developing symptoms or testing positive. Those who are impacted have been contacted. Ella P. Burr students will continue with in-person instruction. We ask all families and staff to monitor for any symptoms and remind everyone to please stay home if symptomatic. It will take our entire community working together to keep our students in school. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions regarding student health can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Questions regarding scheduling or instruction should be directed to Ella P. Burr School at 794-3014. Jean Skorapa, Superintendent

May 10, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that a member of the Mattanawcook Jr. High School community has tested positive for COVID-19. As with every positive COVID-19 case, the district is working directly with Maine DOE/CDC to determine the infectious period and contact tracing requirements, based on the impacted individual’s last day of attendance before developing symptoms or testing positive. Those who are impacted have been contacted. 7th Grade students will be fully remote for the remainder of this week and on Monday, May 17. In-person instruction for 7th grade students will resume on Tuesday, May 18. Mattanawcook Jr. High School students in Grades 4, 5, 6, and 8, Ella P. Burr School and Mattanawcook Academy students will continue with in-person instruction. We continue to ask all families and staff to monitor for any symptoms and stay home if symptomatic. All individuals should contact a health care provider if they develop symptoms. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions regarding student health can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Questions regarding scheduling or instruction should be directed to Mattanawcook Jr. High School at 794-8935. Jean Skorapa, Superintendent Regional School Unit 67 25 Reed Drive Lincoln, Maine 04457 207-794-6500

First graders at EPB are all set to start a unit on life cycles focusing on the life cycle of a butterfly after vacation break.

April 13, 2021 Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members: This letter is to inform you that a member of the R.S.U. No. 67 school community has tested positive for COVID-19. As with every positive COVID-19 case, the district is working directly with Maine DOE/CDC to determine the infectious period and contact tracing requirements, based on the impacted individual’s last day of attendance before developing symptoms or testing positive. Those who are impacted will be contacted. Due to the number of individuals in quarantine, and our inability to provide bus transportation, all R.S.U. No. 67 schools will be remote for the remainder of the week. We continue to ask all families and staff to monitor students for any symptoms. All individuals should contact a health care provider if they develop symptoms. April Vacation Recovery School has been cancelled. General questions regarding COVID-19 can be answered by calling 1-866-811-5695, you can text your zip code to 898-211, or email at info@211maine.org or by calling your primary care provider. More information can be found at www.maine/gov/dhhs/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Questions regarding student health can be directed to Jeri Davis, RN by calling 794-6711 or by emailing: jdavis@rsu67.org. Questions regarding scheduling or instruction should be directed to Ella P. Burr at 794-3014, Mattanawcook Jr. High School at 794-8935, or Mattanawcook Academy at 794-8935. Jean Skorapa, Superintendent Regional School Unit 67 25 Reed Drive Lincoln, Maine 04457 207-794-6500