Congratulations to Great Salt Bay eighth graders! (Photo courtesy Michael Sevon)
The mission of Great Salt Bay Community School in Damariscotta is to provide a nurturing, safe, and enjoyable environment in which all children are challenged and inspired to pursue excellence in all aspects of their education.
Message from the principal
By Kim Schaff
Happy first week of summer! Just one week ago we celebrated the last day of school. Even though I have been in education for 25 years, in many different roles, I always find myself surprised with how “time flies” at the end of the school year. For me there is an irony that when the days get longer in terms of sunlight, they seem to get shorter and faster in terms of the school day. As you will read about in this newsletter, many exciting things happened in the last weeks of school, such as the field trips and field days.
The end of the school year is time to say goodbyes to many students and staff. This year as a school community we said goodbye to a large group of amazing educators:
• John Cannon (seventh/eighth reading)
• Daniel Hupp (fifth-grade science, math, and social studies)
• Ann Jackson (fifth/sixth multiage)
• John Morneau (band director)
• Jan Obery (literacy interventionist)
• Kasie Taylor (educational technician)
• Matt Beattie (long-term substitute teacher and educational technician)
• Patty Pratt (long-term substitute speech therapist)
I wish all those staff and students who will not be returning to GSB in August a future full of learning, joy and love.
Even though the school is now empty of students and most staff, it is a busy time of planning and preparing for 19/20 school year. I am excited about many of the changes we have planned for the new year. We have changes in staff:
• Anne-Marie D’Amico will be the new band director.
• Jen Gregg will be transforming the fifth/sixth multiage into a STEAM program.
• Andrew Bartlett will have the opportunity to teach health/PE from day one until the end of the year. He is no longer an interim teacher.
• Kira Olson will be teaching again at GSB.
• Amy Micklich will be our speech language pathologist.
• Leslie Thibeault will be our life-skills teacher.
More teachers and educational technicians will be hired during the summer.
We have facility changes. This summer a major capital improvement project will be taking place with the installation of a new propane boiler and hot water system. Also, in our on-going efforts to improve the safety of our school, a new door control system will be installed on the four primary exterior doors which will use a proximity reader/keypad combination.
We have a change in our reporting system. Next year all the schools in AOS#93 will be using PowerSchool Unified Classroom. This tool will enable parents and guardians to track their child’s progress from one easy dashboard. Also, based on students and parent/guardian feedback, I have decided that at the seventh/eighth grade level our school will be using both standards-based and traditional reporting. More information on these changes will be shared in a summer parent letter.
Finally, we have a change in the school’s focus for next year. Our school-wide goals will focus on maintaining and improving school climate and developing a framework for social and emotional learning (SEL).
With all these changes and many others, I am excited about the next school year. As always, the school community and I are trying to build on our successes and learn from our mistakes to make the future better than our best.
Athletics
Spring sports seasons have concluded. Softball concluded their season in the quarterfinals for the Busline League Tournament against Nobleboro. The baseball team lost in the South Division Championship to Nobleboro/Jefferson. Both track and field teams concluded with fourth place finishes at the Busline League Track Championship.
Fall sports information will be sent out in July. Right now, the tentative start date for fall sports will be Monday, Aug. 26.
Closing remarks
On behalf of all our staff, I would like to thank the parents and guardians of our students for providing us the privilege of educating your child this school year. We are wishing you and your children a safe and happy summer!
Upcoming events
Wednesday, Aug. 28: First day of school for grades one through eight
