School News

MSAD 15 News

High School
by Principal Paul Penna

The High School Jazz Band under the direction of Carol Clark, the High School Jazz Choir under the direction of Camille Curtis and the Middle School Jazz Band under the direction of John Sovetsky will combine for the first time to present you with an evening of entertainment that promises to be fill with a variety of contemporary music. There should be something for everyone's taste. You with hear swing, jazz, rock and blues music. Come join us on Monday, March 21, at 7 p.m. in the GNG Middle School Gym and sit back and enjoy!

Recognition:

The Optimist Club is recognizing one of the high school students this month. Samantha Bishop, the daughter of Ray Bishop and Margaret Farnum of Gray, will be recognized later this month, for all her efforts with the Chorus during the past several months. Samantha organized the students and selected music during class to help the Chorus practice during the time that a substitute was assigned to the classroom. Samantha is conscientious, sincere, and thoughtful. She is a person who cared about the needs of others. Samantha has been know to walk through rain, snow, sleet, or hale, in her sandals to attend school daily. I appreciate having had the opportunity to get to know her. Samantha always asks what she can do to help, a truly unique and appreciated adolescent characteristic. Samantha will be recognized on March 22nd at the Pineland Dining Commons and receive a plaque and gift certificates.

Topics of Interest:

During the week of March 7th the high school administered M.E.A.'s to all juniors. Testing format this year was similar to last year's format. Students were tested in a large group format in the gymnasium. This assessment determines A.Y.P., (Adequate Yearly Progress) for the school. The students were very compliant and cooperative throughout the five day testing schedule.

Spirit week is scheduled for the last week in March. This year the Student Council, National Honor Society, and Octagon Club will support a community service component. During spirit week each class earns points for participation in spirited activities and for demonstrating school spirit. This year, point will be awarded to classes based on student participation in community service activities.

Dunn School

The band students of Dunn School will be performing for the first time on Wednesday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in the Dunn School gym. Each group of like instruments will be featured along with selections from the full band. It should be a delight to hear the progress these fine young musicians have made since the beginning of their musical journey.

District

Facilities Long Range Plan

On Wednesday, March 16, the School Board of Directors of M.S.A.D.#15 were to discuss and approve the adoption of the following long-range plan for the use of the school buildings in the district towns of Gray and New Gloucester. This commits the Board to the continued use of these facilities as described below, for a period of a minimum of ten (10) years.
Russell Elementary School: kindergarten through grade 2
Memorial Elementary School: kindergarten through grade 2
Dunn Elementary School: grade 3 through grade 5
Gray/New Gloucester Middle School: grade 6 through grade 8
Gray/New Gloucester High School: grade 9 through grade 12

An invitation to MSAD #15 parents:

Gray and New Gloucester School will be hosting a Gifted and Talented Program Parent Forum on Thursday, March 31, 2005. This forum will be held in the library at Gray and New Gloucester High School. It begins at 7 p.m.
This forum will include:
--a review of the gifted and talented identification process
-a review of current high school program options
--an opportunity for your suggestions regarding future programming.
All are invited to attend and participate.
Please call Christina Manikas at 657-2066 for more information.

Russell School

Pre-Registration For Kindergarten Students: Parents with children who will be 5 years old on or before October 15, 2005 please call Connie Holland at James W. Russell Elementary School (657-4929) to register their child for Kindergarten. We also would like to invite parents and their Pre-Kindergarten student to attend Open House on April 12th at 6 p.m. If you have any questions please call. We look forward to hearing from you.

Superintendent's Report
by Victoria Burns

School Calendar
A revised school calendar for the current school year had been disseminated There are five snow days included in the calendar. We have used six snow days. The last student day of school for 04-05 is now June 21. June 22 is the Teacher In-Service Day. The approved ending date for the 04-05 school calendar was June 14 (Teacher-In Service Day). It is currently my recommendation to make up the extra snow day at the end of the school calendar in June. This has been a difficult winter, and I want to thank the students, parents, and staff for their patience. In addition to the 6 snow days, there have been 5 school start delays and 3 early release days.

MEA testing interrupted
Due to the number of school snow days occurring during the MEA testing window of March 7-18, schools are permitted to continue testing on Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22, if necessary. All schools must have their testing materials packaged and ready by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23, for automatic UPS pickup.