• Principal's Memo

Principal’s Memo – May 14, 2021

Hi Everyone,
According to the increased activity downtown, one can see the summer season is almost upon us! It is very important that students focus on making sure they are completing any obligations and classwork as school begins to wind down this year. Students and staff are committed to a strong finish in the school year while we celebrate all of our great accomplishments during the past nine months. Please pay close attention to the “Upcoming Important Dates” section at the bottom of the memo so you can mark your calendars! Here are the communications for this week! 

GRADE 11 SCIENCE MEAS
On Tuesday May 18th all Juniors will be taking the Science MEAs.  Students will be completing three one hour testing sessions.  Students will be provided a lunch and allowed to leave after their testing is complete.  Please contact Mrs. Nason at enason@rsu23.org if you have any questions. 

APEX YOUTH CONNECTION
Apex Youth Connection, located in Biddeford, offers low-cost camp options for area youth and they are looking to get the word out. https://www.apexyouthconnection.org. Their executive director Melissa Cilley (email: director@apexyouthconnection.org) has plenty of information available for promoting the summer camp programs, she would love to get in contact and share!

VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN FOR CLASS OF 2021
Congratulations to Ryan Johnson and Duffy Rose who earned Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively. in a very competitive graduating class!!  A great honor.

GRADUATION 2021
As reported, graduation will be held on Regina Field on the OOBHS campus Sunday June 6th at 1PM. Rain date is Monday June 7th 1PM. There are no limits on the number of attendees. We will limit the number of family members of each senior who can sit in the bleachers. We will report out how many family members for each student can sit in the bleachers next Friday. Remaining family members and friends will be able to view the ceremony from other designated spots around the field.

KATIE O’NEILL!
Congratulations to senior Katie O’Neil who has been named May 2021 OOBHS and Saco Bay Rotary Club Student of the Month!

QUARTER 4 PROGRESS REPORT GRADES
Quarter 4 progress report grades are available on the powerschool parent portal.

PROM/SENIOR NIGHT TOMORROW
This year we will be hosting a Senior class celebration as a combination of Prom and Senior Night. We will be implementing and adhering to CDC health and safety guidelines and this event will be an amazing formal dinner and evening of entertainment in lieu of a dance. It is open to Seniors and a date that is a student at OOBHS.  There is no cost to attend, but you will need to make a reservation with Ms. Moutsatsos.  Please join us Saturday, May 15th at River Winds Farm from 6-10 pm to celebrate! Reservations will be taken during the month of April.

SENIOR EXAM WEEK
Senior exam week begins Monday, May 24 and the complete schedule is posted below. All students are expected to take their finals with their teachers during the scheduled exam blocks. Unless teachers have requested otherwise, students are not expected to attend classes after their scheduled exam blocks during exam week. Students will be informed of any of these scheduling adjustments by Friday, May 21. Students that miss an exam due to an excused absence need to see their teacher as soon as possible to schedule an exam make-up. Thanks and good luck!

9-12TH GRADE – ME VIRTUAL CAREER FAIR 
We are excited to announce that all 9-12th grade OOBHS students will have the opportunity to participate in a statewide Virtual Career Fair May 17-21st. As part of this exciting event, students will have access to learn from wonderful keynote speakers, workshops, and experts in a variety of career fields. Your School Guidance Counselors, Ms. Nason and Ms. Hayes, will be in touch with more details and information on how to sign up for workshops of interest. In the meantime, the following site  https://www.mevirtualcareerfair.org/ offers more information regarding specific speakers and participating organizations.

2021 VIRTUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
This year’s 2021 AWARDS CEREMONY will be held Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 5:30 pm. It will be held in a virtual format in order to maximize the number of guests who can attend while adhering to COVID-19 health and safety guidelines so as to minimize risks of a COVID-19 exposure prior to the in-person graduation ceremony.  Our hope is that by limiting group gatherings in the days leading up to the June 6th Graduation Ceremony, we will maximize the ability for all seniors and their guests to enjoy the in person graduation ceremony.  We thank everyone for their understanding and support in this matter.  The link to attend the Virtual Awards Ceremony will be sent to all students and parents/guardians via email prior to June 3rd. We look forward to celebrating this event and our students many achievements with you all!

SENIOR CAREER EXPLORATIONS PROJECT
As a reminder, all seniors NOT in a vocational program are required to complete a Career Explorations Project by May 21st (this is the alternate project that was approved as a replacement to the internship project that has been required in past years). At this point, Non-Voc. Seniors should have completed and submitted their Career Explorations Interview and Research Assignment as well as a Thank You Email to their Interviewee, and now should be reaching out to schedule their Final Reflective Conversation with Ms. Moutsatsos or Ms. Hayes.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance as needed to smoutsatsos@rsu23.org or jhayes@rsu23.org.

MPA SPRING SPORTS UPDATED GUIDELINES 4/28/21!
Based on the recent announcement regarding the wearing of face masks at outdoor events, the following guidelines will be in place for those events overseen by the Maine Principals’ Association.  Please know that these recommendations fully align with the Maine Community Sport Guidelines that have been updated.

Masks are not required for outdoor practices and competitions.  Masks are recommended when 6 feet of physical distance is hard to maintain (e.g., athletes on the bench). They are also required when individuals go inside (e.g., to locker rooms, rest rooms, or on a bus).

Spectators are not required to wear a mask at outside events if they are able to maintain 6 feet of distancing.

Please note that we need you to sit/congregate only with those in your household or masks are required. Our facilities are large enough where all can socially distance w/out masks if rules are followed. Also note that away venues may require masks at all times and may not allow spectators.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE!
The government has released rental assistance funds for families impacted by the economic downturn due to the pandemic. For more information please click this link: https://yccac.org/covid-19-rent-relief-program/

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Students must complete 20 hours of community service as a graduation requirement. Parents of seniors please check with your child to find out if they still have hours to complete. Please contact the guidance office for community service opportunities. We have plenty for the kids to do!

STUDENT SUPPLY CLOSET BOTTLE DRIVE
Money raised will purchase food, emergency needs and gift cards for OOBHS families. See the flyer to participate or Contact Ms. Moutsatsos (smoutsatsos@rsu23.org) or Mrs. Dupee (edupee@rsu23.org) to get a pre-tagged CLYNK bag.

SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM!
As a reminder, breakfast and lunch are available daily at school and free to all students throughout the entire school year. We ask that you still complete a Free and Reduced Application.  These applications help us to receive funding and programming that helps all students district-wide.  In addition, if you qualify, you can get Spectrum internet for only $14.95/month! Applications are available at the front office and on our website at:  http://rsu23.schoollunchapp.com. School breakfast and lunch menus are also posted on the RSU 23 Website on the Food & Nutrition Page. Please feel free to contact Caroline Trinder, Food & Nutrition Services Director, with any questions at ctrinder@rsu23.org or 934-4461 ext. 1239. We are looking forward to serving healthy and tasty meals all year!

Free Breakfasts and Lunches are also provided every Wednesday behind Loranger Memorial School between 10:15-10:45am, no need to RSVP, just show up!

IMPORTANT & UPCOMING DATES

• Tomorrow, May 15 – Senior Prom
• Thursday, May 20 to Friday May 28  – Senior Exam Week
• Monday, May 31  – No School, Memorial Day
• Thursday, June 3 – Virtual Awards Ceremony (5:30 pm)
• Sunday, June 6 – Graduation (1PM) Regina Field
• Wednesday, June 9 – Senior Trip at Wild Acres
• Thursday June 11  – Last Day of School

Thank you!
-John