April 3, 2020

April 3, 2020

Dear students, staff, parents and communities,

On Thursday, April 2, our Governor implemented a “Stay at Home” order that extends through the month of April.  We, of course, will comply with this order but that will mean RSU 38 schools will be closed until Monday, May 4th. Governor Mills also sent out guidance around essential personnel, which we will also comply with moving forward. It is important to note that our district has the majority of our staff working remotely.  However, there will be small spaces of time where staff will be in the building which will include administrators, directors, managers, custodial, food service, and technology staff. Please note that these people will be following all guidelines around health safety while in the buildings, however in general the buildings are closed until further notice. Students, staff or parents that have a need for items still in the building please contact the building administrator who will make arrangements with you for curbside pickup or another mutually agreed upon method of delivery. 

 We are pleased to announce that Maranacook Community High School has been added as an official meal pick up site and it will begin operation open Monday, April 6.  (Mount Vernon Elementary School will continue to remain a meal pick up site.)  Meals can be picked up between 7 and 9 am on Monday and Wednesday. This site can be accessed by All of our communities: Manchester, Readfield, Mount Vernon or Wayne as well as Fayette. We are now able to help students and families that may not be able to get to the sites for pick up.  If you or someone you know needs a meal but can not pick it up please contact a building administrator and we will work with you to deliver the meals.  

Finally, the first week of remote has wrapped up and I am particularly proud of the efforts of our teaching staff during this time!  I have heard many stories across all levels about it being a positive start. Remote learning facilitated students and teaching staff an opportunity to reconnect and provided a level of normalcy in these very uncertain times.  I want to encourage you to reach out with suggestions and feedback as you navigate remote learning. We only ask students, teachers, and parents to do what works best for you during this time. We are here for you now, and will be here for you when this all ends, our commitment to being a caring school community means more now than ever. We are in this together and we are all Black Bears!

Sincerely,

James Charette

Superintendent