Students in all grades in all RSU 39 schools will be heading back to the classroom on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016 according to Superintendent Tim Doak.
At Caribou High School, a Freshman Orientation will be held Tuesday, Aug. 16 from 6:30-8 p.m. but there are also changes in store for the rest of high-schoolers. For example, all CHS students will be part of a new one-to-one technology program, in which Google Chromebooks are incorporated into the learning experience.
“We did a huge pilot for this last year,” said CHS Principal Travis Barnes, “and we knew we wanted to go this route. The technology we had was old, and kids also need access to technology so we took a big step up and purchased Chromebooks.”
According to the high school principal, usability, durability, and affordability heavily contributed to the school’s decision to integrate laptops with their curriculum.
“This is a game-changer for us,” said Barnes. “We will give kids their own device and go from there.”
Looking ahead, Barnes has plans to incorporate portable internet connections with the technology program.
“Conceivably, if a kid has to go on a sports or band trip to Augusta and misses eighth period, they could use wi-fi on the bus and still attend the class online.”
Limestone Community School will be getting a new assistant principal and athletic administrator, as the RSU 39 board recently agreed to hire Eric McGough for both positions.
Additionally, Limestone Community School will be introducing a new K-2 learning community concept in which three teachers will be team teaching all students.
“All K-2 students will be together for grouping and regrouping as they become proficient for the standards,” said LCS Principal Susan White. “We are excited to have a lot of new and creative initiatives here and are looking forward to a good year.”
An Orientation for all LCS students (preK-12) will take place Monday, Aug. 15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Other important events for the start of the upcoming fall semester in RSU 39 include:
Caribou Middle School students will gather in the school cafeteria on Tuesday, Aug. 16 with sixth-graders getting orientation from 4-5 p.m. followed by an open house for seventh- and eighth-graders from 5-6 p.m.
Teague Park Elementary School will welcome students and parents on Monday, Aug. 15 with a third grade orientation from 6:30-7:15 p.m. and open house for fourth and fifth grades from 7:15-8 p.m.
Hilltop Elementary School will hold an orientation for morning pre-K students and parents on Monday, Aug. 15 from 4-4:30 p.m. followed by a session from 5-5:30 p.m. for the afternoon pre-K group. Orientation for first grade students and parents will also take place Aug. 15 from 5-6 p.m. The open house for second grade students and parents will take place Thursday, Sept. 15 from 6-7 p.m.
For more back-to-school information, call any RSU 39 building during normal business hours or visit the district website http://www.rsu39.org/
