Departments

 

A new year always brings boundless optimism and steadfast hope for a brighter future. Yet, we all are very well aware of difficult economic news that has affected all of us. The state has curtailed over $400,000 in state subsidy out of this current budget, forcing us to tighten our belts, cut back wherever possible and still provide quality opportunities for all students. This cut is rather severe and we will not be able to have the field trips we have had last year, we have turned the thermostats back to 67 F, and we have examined all requests for out of district staff development. On a good note, we believe we will be able to endure this loss of subsidy without having to lay anyone off at this time.

• Two Advanced Placement classes at the high school are doing extremely well.
• Jobs for Maine Graduates, funded through the generosity of Bath Iron Works is serving over 30 students.
• Woolwich Central School has a boatbuilding class at the Maine Maritime Museum for the 8th graders.
• The West Bath 6th graders raised over $120.00 to support the Fuel for Friends initiative, a program designed to insure that needy families get the fuel they need for this winter.
• Each school has an active literacy team with very specific goals to improve student achievement.
• We have implemented a new support program for reading, READ 180, at Bath Middle School and Morse High School.
• The Help a Kid program is providing after school programming for over 200 children who otherwise would be at risk for no such options.
• We have implemented a new program for our kindergarten students in Phippsburg, called Tools of the Mind, that integrates early learning with self regulatory options.
• We are moving ahead with plans to add Pre-K for all four year old children over a three year period.
• Morse Shipbuilders won their first Eastern Maine Football Championship in 36 years.

It is hard to put all the good news in one welcome letter, but if you are looking at RSU 1 schools for the first time, take a good look and we hope you see terrific teachers, great kids and a commitment to excellence at all levels. Come and visit one of our schools. Our towns are great places to raise a family and we are working hard to use our finite resources to deliver a world class education program for all children.

Sincerely,

William C. Shuttleworth

Superintendent

"Education of a lifetime, for a lifetime."