Palermo Consolidated School

RSU 12 Nutrition Department is entered in the State of Maine Virtual Farm to School COOK OFF. Deadline to vote is right NOW! April 2nd. Everyone PLEASE VOTE for RSU 12 at this link, https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=q6g_QX0gYkubzeoajy-GTm3ajDsVwW9HtXW_ixaL5hdUN0E2NzRYRlZEVDlOSkhVNVMzMkhaRU1LNS4u

All RSU 12 after school activities are cancelled this afternoon due to the predicted snow. Community Learning Center is also cancelled.

The RSU 12 Board of Directors meeting is this Thursday, February 11th starting at 6:30pm. You can find the board agenda and other materials at this link, https://www.svrsu.org/o/district/browse/191126. The Board meeting is live-streamed on the district Youtube Channel. Follow the link to the Youtube Channel here, https://www.svrsu.org/o/district/page/remote-school-board-meetings

All RSU 12 schools will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, February 2nd due to the snowstorm.

The Maine Broadband Coalition has launched a statewide internet speed test mapping initiative. The goal of the “Get Up To Speed” initiative is to gather data from across the state to generate the most comprehensive map of both the presence and quality of internet in Maine to date. Residents are being asked to help the initiative by taking this less-than-a-minute test to map their own speed through the Maine Broadband Coalition’s website. The test can be found at https://www.mainebroadbandcoalition.org/speed-test-info? The Maine Broadband Coalition will aggregate, document, and visualize the speed testing information to provide users and state officials with up-to-date service maps. Participants can view their results (while personal information remains confidential) and watch the public map of Maine grow in real time by visiting this link: https://expressoptimizer.net/projects/Maine/speedtestmap.php The new speed testing initiative is the crucial next step in ensuring the delivery of broadband throughout the state and will help local, regional, and state leaders develop projects and steer investments to the places that need it most. This map, along with other data collected, will help inform where the bond funding, approved by Maine voters in July, can have the most impact. For more information, read the Maine Broadband Coalition Press Release here http://msma.informz.net/MSMA/data/images/MBC_PressRelease_Nov_2020.pdf

The RSU 12 Board of Directors meets on the second Thursday of every month. Please find the agenda and backup information for tomorrow's meeting here, https://www.svrsu.org/o/district/browse/186143

Long term substitute in a PreK classroom needed. Chelsea Elementary School. Must be eligible for Ed Tech III certification. Go to link below for more information. https://www.applitrack.com/svrsu/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Elementary+School+Teaching

This is a reminder that beginning this Wednesday, January 6th, early releases will dismiss students at 11:30 instead of 1:30. This change will remain in effect for the remainder of the school year. Also, please note that students will not have school on January 29th and March 26th.

RSU 12 schools are closed today, December 17th, due to the predicted snowstorm.

The School Board voted last night to amend the current school year calendar. Beginning January 4th, all Wednesday early releases will dismiss at 11:30 instead of 1:30. Students will have lunch before they leave. Please call the school at 993-2352 if you have any questions. Thank you!

The Maine Department of Education and ConnectME Authority have contracted Redzone Wireless to provide broadband access to staff and student locations in your area to support remote learning. Please complete the form at the website linked below by November 8th to be included in the program. A Redzone representative will contact you to arrange an installation appointment to ensure that your location is connected before December 30. For more information and to complete the form visit https://www.redzonewireless.com/cares

Palermo Consolidated School Panther News                                               10/26/2020 SCHOOL NEWS: On Saturday, I emailed parents to let them know that, despite Waldo County being designated Yellow by the Department of Education, we will continue with our current school schedule.  The superintendent and I continue to monitor the Covid 19 cases in the county and will let you know if we feel the risk for Palermo Consolidated has increased.   Parent Teacher Conferences: November 2nd and November 4th: 2:45 - 6:30pm. *We will hold PT conferences by Zoom, by phone, or through email. Please sign up for virtual conferences through Zoom by clicking on this link: https://sites.google.com/svrsu.org/palermo-parent-teacher-confere/home Then click on the grade or name of the teacher which will take you to Sign up Genius. Teachers will communicate with you about zoom links next week. *If you are unable to use this online tool to sign up please call Anne at 993-2352. If you prefer a phone call or an email discussing your child's academic progress please email your teacher or call Anne. Grades 1st through 6th are holding NEWEA testing these next few weeks. Online learners are able, and encouraged, to take the NEWEA tests. November 3rd is a regular school day! SOCCER NEWS: At this time the game schedule is... Oct 26th @ Windsor Elementary School 3:45 Oct 27th @ Whitefield Elementary School   3: 45 Oct 28th   No practice Oct 29th @ Palermo against St. Mikes  3:30 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Oct 26th-30th -      Spirit Week : T- Blue, white and pink day; W- superhero day; Th - sports attire day;                                                F- crazy hair or hat day.   Oct. 30th-              NEWEA Testing for online learners.                              Halloween party at the end of the day.  Any treats must be in store containers.   Nov 1st -               Daylight savings- turn back clocks 1 hour   Nov 2nd -              NEWEA make up day Nov 2nd & 4th-       Parent Teacher Conferences - Virtual, phone or email.  Nov 3rd-                Election Day - Students will be involved in a mock election Nov 11th -             No School - Veterans Day.   Nov 25th, 26th, 27th - No school - Thanksgiving break. From the Principal’s Desk:      Considering the designation of Yellow for Waldo County, it is important to keep everyone up to date on the vision of academic procedures of the hybrid structure or full remote structure.  Bright Space is a platform that will be used to provide parents with one place to access all the students academic assignments.  It is expected that Bright Space will be up and running soon.  I do not expect that navigating Bright Space will be very difficult for students in 5th through 8th grade.  We will be practicing these skills once it is up and running.   On the other hand, students in kindergarten through 4th grade will require more coaching and support.  We are waiting to receive a shipment of Chromebooks which will allow us to help practice these skills with the students.   Additionally, we understand that the younger students may require paper packets and this will be delivered or available for pick up.  As always, we continue to keep our fingers crossed that we can stay in school! If you have any questions please feel free to contact your teacher or me. Mrs. Oliphant

Lincoln County is distributing FREE food boxes starting Monday, October 26th at 6 locations around the county. These boxes contain 20+ pounds of produce, meat and dairy products. This event is funded by the USDA and any person, regardless of income or residency is encouraged to join in. The locations will be drive-through service and the boxes will be loaded into your vehicle for you. Some locations include: Monday, Oct. 26 2:30-6:00pm Waldoboro Town Office Tuesday, Oct. 27 9:00am-12:30pm Wiscasset Community Center Wednesday, Oct. 28 1:30-5:30pm Whitefield Calvary Baptist Church Please spread the word to your family, friends, neighbors of this event. There are A LOT of boxes coming, and they want to make sure they don’t go to waste! See https://www.lincolncountymaine.me/ for a full list of locations and dates for pickup.

Parent -Teacher Conferences will be held November 2nd and November 4th. To sign up please go to this link: https://sites.google.com/svrsu.org/palermo-parent-teacher-confere/home Click on the grade for your student, this will take you sign up genius.

Palermo Consolidated School Panther News 10/13/2020 SCHOOL NEWS: ***Change in School Schedule: PLEASE READ THIS! WE WILL HAVE SCHOOL ON NOV 3rd! Well, last week we were told that we would have school remotely on Nov 3rd because the town needed the gym to hold voting. This has changed! We will have school that day - thank goodness. SOCCER NEWS: Games are being rescheduled. Please make sure you check with your coach about games schedules. At this time the game schedule is... Oct 15th @ Palermo against Chelsea 4:00 Oct 20th @ Palermo against Windsor 3:45 Oct 23rd @ Palermo against St. Mikes 3:45 Oct 26th @ Windsor Elementary School 3:45 Oct 27th @ Whitefield Elementary School 3: 45 Oct 29th @ Palermo against St. Mikes 3:30 CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Tuesday, Oct 13 - Soccer practice canceled Wednesday, Oct 14 - Soccer practice until 2:30 Oct 19th - PreK in Somerville opens. Nov 1st- Daylight savings- turn back clocks 1 hour Nov 3rd- Election Day - Students will be involved in a mock election also Nov 11th - No School - Veterans Day. Nov 25th, 26th, 27th - No school - Thanksgiving break. From the Principal’s Desk: On Friday the state has designated our county as GREEN. Our teachers continue to plan for the possibility that our schools will have a hybrid model (yellow designation) at some time this school year. The hybrid model has students attending school for only two days a week. Half the students would come to school Monday and Tuesday - the other half of students would attend Thursday and Friday. Wednesday would be a remote learning day for all. IF this hybrid model is necessary, we will inform you of the schedule and expectations. It is important to know that all students are expected to complete school work that is assigned. The state is requiring that we take attendance and that students who do not complete work will be considered truant. Our school staff will work with everyone to make sure that they have access to learning and can complete work that is required. We will be using the platform Bright Space to present materials, videos, lessons, and communication. If we need to use Bright Space as our educational tool, I will provide all parents and students with training on how to log on and access the material. Teachers will start introducing Bright Space to students very soon. Parents of younger students will likely have a combination of paper packets and materials on Bright Space.

As planned, all schools in RSU 12 will resume in-person learning starting tomorrow, Wednesday, October 7, 2020. If your student was contacted and told to quarantine, then they should continue to do so. Thank you to everyone for following the safety protocols in our schools. We look forward to resuming in-person learning tomorrow.

Please read an important letter from the Superintendent about a Positive COVID-19 Case at Windsor Elementary School. You will be contacted by the school by phone if your student had direct contact with the individual. Out of an abundance of caution, all schools in RSU 12 will do remote learning starting immediately through Tuesday, October 6th. Students will return on October 7th for in-person learning if it is prudent to do so. Here is the link to a letter from the Superintendent with more information, https://www.svrsu.org/article/318636?org=district

Please read an important letter from the Superintendent about a Probable COVID-19 Case at Windsor Elementary School. A Probable Case means that the individual has symptoms associated with COVID-19 and they had direct contact with someone who tested positive. You will be contacted by the school by phone if your student had direct contact with the individual. Here is the link to a letter with more information, https://www.svrsu.org/article/317680?org=district

Our apologies, but the link in the message sent Friday afternoon was bad. Here is a corrected link. https://forms.gle/TKkJDXW5VbGpJkwe9 Here is the original message: The Maine Department of Education is gathering information about students and staff who lack access to Internet AND cellular service in their homes. Their hope is to continue to remove barriers to remote learning by advocating for improvements in infrastructure. If you have NEITHER reliable Internet NOR quality cellular service at your residence, please take a moment before September 30 to complete this brief survey so that we can help improve connectivity. https://forms.gle/TKkJDXW5VbGpJkwe9 Thank you!

The Maine Department of Education is gathering information about students and staff who lack access to Internet AND cellular service in their homes. Their hope is to continue to remove barriers to remote learning by advocating for improvements in infrastructure. If you have NEITHER reliable Internet NOR quality cellular service at your residence, please take a moment before September 30 to complete this brief survey so that we can help improve connectivity. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5596702718 Thank you!