From the Superintendent
Many thanks and gratitude to the community's voters for approving the 2025-26 district budget last week and for the continued support of our schools.
Last week, we opened bids from six contractors for the future PK-1 school, along with an addition of four classrooms and renovations at MIW. I am pleased to announce that all bids came in under budget and the low bidder goes to the Board this week for approval and subsequent execution of a contract. Site work will officially begin in July for construction of the school, which is expected to take 18 months to complete. As we begin this next phase of the One Campus project, I referenced previously that we are working on a parking plan that we had hoped would be finalized by the end of the school year. However, some items will require more discussion with the newly identified contractor before we can communicate this plan broadly. Please look for information in the weeks leading up to school resuming at the end of summer.
On June 12, about 100 people gathered on site for the new PK-1 school groundbreaking ceremony. The GMS jazz band and MIW chorus performed musical numbers for attendees, followed by photo-ops complete with "gold" shovels and (of course) celebratory cake and ice cream. During my comments at the groundbreaking ceremony, I shared words from the book If I Built a School, with our hopes and our dreams etched in this passage:
“My school will amaze you. My school will astound. By far the most fabulous school to be found. Perfectly planned and impeccably clean. On a scale, 1 to 10, it’s more like 15. And learning is fun in a place that’s fun, too. If I built a school, that’s just what I’d do!”
The book’s author, Chris Van Dusen, hand wrote this to me on the cover page back in 2019: “To Mr. Porter and MSAD #51— Dare to Dream.” Indeed we have. And our dream has come true.
As we fast-approach the close out of the 2024-25 school year on Tuesday, I wish to extend my very best to all students, staff, parents, and guardians for a great summer ahead. See you back on September 2!
Regards,
Jeff Porter
Notices from the Office of the Superintendent
First Day of School 2025-26
Please note that the first day of school next year is as follows:
September 2: Grades 1-9
September 3: Grades 10-12
September 4: Kindergarten
September 5: Pre-K
We hope everyone has a safe and fantastic summer break. We look forward to seeing you in the fall!
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MSAD #51 Board of Directors Information
All meetings will take place at 6:00 pm in the Gyger Room at Greely High School. For those of you unfamiliar with that room, the Gyger Room can be accessed from the GHS parking lot (the side without the electronic sign).
June 16 - Regular Meeting
Remember you can watch our meetings on YouTube LIVE (http://bit.ly/msad51livevideo)
Links
Meeting Dates, Agendas & Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting Videos
One Campus Project Information
For comprehensive information regarding the School Building Project, please visit the project page at: https://www.msad51.org/
Name Our School!
At the groundbreaking ceremony last week, Board Chair Leanne Candura announced the launch of the Name Our School Campaign—an exciting opportunity for the community to help shape the identity of our future school. Scan the barcode below, or follow the link to find out more information.
https://forms.gle/BajdZnfPaTgcG8rr9
Useful Links
Greely Center for the Arts Events
If you would like something included in our weekly newsletter, please send a brief write up with title along with a JPEG or PNG image of your flyer (if applicable) to Melissa Porter for approval. The deadline each week is Wednesday. Any requests received after Wednesday will be reviewed for possible submission in the following week's newsletter. All approved submissions will be posted on the district's website.
Not all items in this email are MSAD #51 sponsored programs. If you need more information, please contact the group or organization that is sponsoring the event.
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