RES: This is a reminder for families who receive the weekend food bag to send back the blue reusable bag so it can be refilled. We need these by Wednesday in order to prepare them to go home on Friday.
October Elementary Lunch Menu
We have had a positive case at RES. We are communicating with all close contacts. https://5il.co/10ihn
RES: We have had a positive COVID-19 case associated with RES. All quarantined staff and students have been notified. More information can be found here: https://5il.co/10h6o.
RSU 10 Western Foothills Educator Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award
October 14, 2021 – Rumford, ME – Rumford Elementary School nurse Tracy Pinkham has been nominated for the 2021-2022 national LifeChanger of the Year award. Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.
Pinkham was nominated by her principal, Jill Bartash, for going above and beyond to make sure her students are cared for. For more than seven years, she has supported families by making sure no one is hungry. When she realized the local food pantry wasn't reaching every family who needed help, Pinkham revised the initiative and created a weekend backpack program in order to get food directly to the students who needed it, with about 35 bags packed a week.
Pinkham also organizes vision screenings and fluoride varnishes, washes clothes for students, and has been known to buy additional clothes for them as well.
"Our school community is incredibly fortunate to have such a leader in the profession as our very own," said Bartash. "Tracy ensures students’ health at school goes far beyond band-aids and boo-boos!"
About LifeChanger of the Year
Each school year, LifeChanger of the Year receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Eighteen individual LifeChanger of the Year awards will be given during the 2021-2022 school year.
(1) Grand Prize Winner – will receive $10,000 to be shared with their school/district.
(4) Grand Prize Finalists – will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district.
(10) LifeChanger Award Winners – will receive $3,000 to be shared with their school/district.
(1) Spirit Award Winner – This award is given to the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district.
(1) Capstone Award Winner - This award is given to a nominee retiring at the end of the 2020-21 school year. The winner will receive $3,000 to be shared with their school or district.
(1) Spotlight Award Winner – This award is given to a nominee in a specific discipline each year. For 2021-22, the Spotlight Award will be given to a school nurse. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school or district.
The nomination deadline is December 31, 2021. Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals, and will be announced in early 2022. Nominees must be K-12 teachers or school district employees. To be considered for an award, nominees must
Make a positive impact in the lives of students
Enhance their school or district’s atmosphere, culture and pride
Demonstrate exemplary leadership at the school and/or district level
Possess a proven record of professional excellence
Show commitment to building a nurturing environment that supports learning
Adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards
A resource page with ideas for how to celebrate nominees can be found at http://lifechangeroftheyear.com/showspirit/.
To view Pinkham’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com.
RES: We had no positive pools in our round of pooled testing on Monday!
More information can be found here: https://5il.co/104pk.
This is also a reminder that Friday, October 8 is a Teacher Workshop Day and there will be no school for students. Monday is Indigenous Peoples' Day, so we will see students again on Tuesday! Have a wonderful long weekend!
RES: We had no positive results from our pooled testing on Friday! More information can be found here: https://5il.co/zwh8. Have a great weekend!
RSU 10 Update at this link: https://5il.co/ztfs
RES: School Picture Day is on Friday, October 1! You can pre-order pictures or order them online after the proofs arrive. https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/
RES: Today we were notified of an individual associated with RES who has tested positive for Covid-19. All close contacts have been notified. More information can be found here: https://5il.co/zmp8.
RES: On Friday, we completed our first round of pooled testing. ALL pools were negative! More information can be found here: https://5il.co/zks9. Have a great weekend!
Pool Testing has started in RSU 10! For more information, please see https://5il.co/zilx
Thank you!
Pool-Testing will begin Sept. 23 & 24 in RSU 10 Schools
There seems to be some confusion over the use of Pool-Testing.
1) Anyone and Everyone can and should sign up – WHY?
2) It allows the person NOT to quarantine – even in a positive “Pool” group - if individually testing negative – Regardless…
a. Regardless if vaccinated
b. Regardless if a close contact in the classroom, playground, lunchroom, bus, sports team, etc.
c. Regardless if you were in a close group with a positive case
3) It is a simple cotton swab (self-administered) in the nose – once per week.
4) If group comes back positive – individual confidential test with school nurse.
PLEASE – return the consent forms https://5il.co/xr29 and https://5il.co/xr28 to participate.
Contact your school nurse or check out this https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/School%20Testing%20FAQ%208.23.21%20FINAL.pdf
with questions.
**This is funded through the State of Maine – NOT local tax dollars**
This notification is to let parents and families know that based on the specifics of a positive COVID case, you may or may not receive a personal phone call or message regarding your child. We will be using our automated system to notify parents. This will help notify the necessary individuals in a timely and efficient manner. You will continue to receive written documentation from the school.
RES: Today we were notified of 2 positive Covid cases associated with RES. All close contacts have been notified and more information can be found in this letter: https://5il.co/z54n.
Please see the COVID-19 Flowchart at this link -- https://5il.co/yxnm.
Thank you,
RSU 10 Administration & Nurses
RES: Good morning! Today is our first Late Start Day! Students can enter at 8:45 and will be marked late after 9:00. We can’t wait to see them!
RES Pre-K: Good afternoon families! We have a wonderful opportunity for students to attend PK four-days a week! See the attached letter and contact us with any questions: https://5il.co/ym1v
Please join us to reduce quarantining and sign up for Pool Testing today.
As soon as we have at least five(5) people/students consenting for pool testing participation in any classroom or grouping we will be able to begin Pool Testing for that group and those participating would ONLY be required to quarantine IF they test positive themselves. This includes those ALREADY vaccinated. Please consult your School Nurse with additional questions.
Below are the two (2) consent forms that must be completed for participating in Pool Testing
https://5il.co/xr29
https://5il.co/xr28
You can also get a hard copy of these forms in any school office.
RES: As we head into our second week of school, please make sure your child feels well before sending him or her to school. If they are coughing, have a sore throat, fever, vomiting or diarrhea, please keep them home until they feel well. Let's make it a great week!