It is with great excitement and pride that we announce the recipients of the Model Mustang Staff Award for the month of December! This award is a tribute to those outstanding individuals who embody the qualities of a true “Model Mustang”; they inspire, lead, foster positivity, persevere, and excel in all that they do. Each Model Mustang was nominated by colleagues who took the time to acknowledge and celebrate their coworkers’ exceptional contributions to our district. Their hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed, and we are grateful for the positive impact they have within RSU 57! This month's raffle winner is Sean Falasca from our RSU 57 Special Services department!
"Sean knows his students and is always ready to give suggestions to help with their success as well as our classroom struggles."
Click the link below to view the full list of Model Mustang Award recipients. Congratulations to all of this month's Model Mustangs!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15Ol_i-UJ714-lxJ8TYmMW-RUCw3fhlO-GSadKLUlQwM/edit?usp=sharing
Hello Mustang Nation! You can view the latest edition of the RSU 57 Community Newsletter by clicking the link below. Have a wonderful evening. https://secure.smore.com/n/ncvb3g
In Science, 4/5 wrapped up their EiE unit on Designing Water Filters. Learners worked in groups to test various materials for their ability to filter different types of particles from water. Using their findings, they then designed and built their own water filters. Once the filters were ready, they poured a solution through them and measured both the clarity of the filtered water and the time it took to filter. It was a hands-on experience that helped learners understand the science behind filtration and the importance of material selection in real-world applications.
Trimester 1 Model Mustang Awards: These awards are designed for team teachers to recognize learners who consistently demonstrate the core values of our school community—kindness, responsibility, respect, and safety. Congratulations to: Grant Stoddard, Elena Medico, Carley Wallace, Miles Menard, Isla Stoddard, Ariana Medico, and Liam Gudbrandsen.
Staff Highlight: Meghan Hobson - Pre-K Ed Tech: I was born in May and grew up in York, Maine. My family and I have lived in the area for about 12 years, and currently, we reside in Alfred. My husband, Neil, and I have two wonderful kids: Cory, who’s 12, and Raegan, who’s 3. I’m someone who truly enjoys the outdoors, and I love spending time with my family and friends. Whether it’s trying new foods at restaurants or soaking up the sun at the lake in the summer, I always find joy in these simple pleasures. My family and I love hiking year-round, and we’re always up for a new adventure. We also enjoy taking motorcycle rides together, and during the spring and fall, we love getting muddy while 4-wheeling. Winter brings out my love for snowmobiling, skiing, and snowshoeing. Fall is by far my favorite season—there’s something magical about the crisp air, colorful leaves, and of course, Halloween! I also have a few favorite animals: skunks are my favorite woodland creatures, pigs are my favorite farm animals, and monkeys are my favorite zoo animals. I’ve always been passionate about working with children, and that’s why I pursued a degree in Early Childhood Education, with a minor in Social Work, from Plymouth State University. I graduated in 2008, and I’m excited to continue my journey working with young children in the Shapleigh community.
As part of our focus on gratitude, we created a Gratitude Tree here at school! This activity invited students and staff to reflect on the things they are thankful for and share those thoughts with our school community. Each child has the opportunity to write or draw something they’re grateful for on a leaf, which is then added to the tree. The Gratitude Tree serves as a beautiful reminder of the many blessings we have and encourages our children to cultivate an attitude of appreciation. We’re excited to see the tree grow and are grateful for the positive energy it brings to our school! Ask your child about their leaf and what they’ve added to the tree!
To celebrate the completion of our empathy lessons, be sure to check out the wonderful song that Aubrey and Scarlette performed at Share Time. It was a beautiful way to close out this important work. https://youtu.be/QcgyoBRIAnw
Good evening RSU 57 Community! Click the link below to view the latest edition of the Community Newsletter from Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Stephen Marquis. Have a safe and happy holiday break! https://secure.smore.com/n/qm0a9
Staff Spotlight: Donna Smith - Speech and Language Therapist: Hello Shapleigh Families!
My name is Donna Smith and I am the speech and language therapist here at Shapleigh Memorial School.
This is my 39th year with RSU 57 and I have had the pleasure of working in every school in the district at some point in my career. I live in Shapleigh and I absolutely love working with the children and families in my community. I have even worked with grandchildren of some of my former students!
I have four grown children who have gone through RSU 57 schools and I am a grandmother to an almost three year old. In my free time you can find me enjoying time with my grandson or at our camp up north, four wheeling and exploring with my husband and children and dogs.
We are thrilled to share a wonderful achievement from one of our 2nd grade students, Miles Menard, who recently earned 1st place in the Maine Clean Water Week 2024 Poster Contest! Sponsored by the Maine Water Environment Association (MeWEA), this contest received over 500 entries! As part of this recognition, Miles’ artwork will be featured in the 2025 MeWEA Calendar that he is pictured with, which is a tremendous honor. We wanted to take a moment to celebrate this great accomplishment and share it with our school community. It’s moments like these that remind us of the creativity and talent our students possess. You can also check out the full list of winners, including Miles, by visiting the MeWEA website. Congratulations to Miles for his outstanding work and for representing SMS with such pride!
Staff Spotlight: Erin Hunter - Special Education Social Worker: I’m excited to introduce myself as the new Special Education Social Worker here at Shapleigh Memorial School. I split my time between Shapleigh and Alfred Elementary, and I’m eager to become a part of this wonderful school community.
I’ve been working in the social work field for over 22 years, with the majority of my experience focused in mental health. I’ve also had the opportunity to work in Child Welfare, Medical Social Work, and School Social Work, which has given me a diverse and well-rounded perspective on supporting students and families.
I’m originally from Rhode Island but spent many childhood vacations in Maine, which made the move here feel like a natural choice. After serving in the military for over 20 years, we settled in Colorado before deciding to move to Maine to be closer to family and to help our youngest son manage a lung disease that requires a lower elevation.
At home in Springvale, I live with my husband Ehren, our son Riley, our black golden doodle Bruno, and our cat Jake. We also have several sweet chickens. We’re incredibly excited to welcome our first grand baby in April! As a family, we have a special connection to Disney—our son Riley was granted a Make-A-Wish trip to Disney in 2014, and that experience has kept us coming back every year since.
We enjoy spending time outdoors—whether it's riding four-wheelers, camping up north, walking the trails in our neighborhood, or fishing on Maine’s beautiful lakes. In winter, we switch to ice fishing, still on those same lakes we love.
I’m thrilled to be part of the Massabesic Mustang family and look forward to all the learning, growth, and challenges that lie ahead in this role. I’m excited to work alongside you all to support our students and make a positive impact.
This is a friendly reminder that progress reports were sent home today. This is a great opportunity to check on your child's progress so far this year. If you have any questions or concerns about the report, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher. Thank you for your continued support and have a great weekend!
Now that the winter weather is here, children will need a hat, mittens/gloves, a warm jacket, and snow pants and boots when it snows to access the full playground at recess. It is always helpful to send in your child's winter gear in a reusable bag with all the items labeled so that it is easier for your child to keep together. We have some extra items in the office for those daily need but please let reach out to the office if you need help getting any of these items for your child.
Staff Spotlight - Sarah Mehlhorn, Librarian: I am very excited to be the new Librarian at Shapleigh Memorial School. I attended Line Elementary School and graduated from Massabesic High School. I love this community and I am so excited to be working in the district that I went to school in. I LOVE to read and that I have a job where I get to share my love of reading. When I am not in the library, you can find me reading and hanging out with my husband, my three children (Tommy, Pippa and Natalia), our yellow lab-Daphne, and our new kitten-Clover. I have enjoyed getting to know all of the students and am excited about this year in the library. Happy Reading!
Elementary January Menus.
Hello Mustang Nation! Check out all of the exciting things happening in RSU 57 in the latest Community Newsletter by clicking the link below! Have a wonderful evening. https://secure.smore.com/n/j9qk1d
On November 22, we had the wonderful opportunity to watch a performance by the music education students from the University of Southern Maine at Line Elementary School. The group brought an engaging, live musical experience to our second through fifth-grade learners. Through a dynamic performance, the university students introduced a variety of musical styles and instruments, captivating the students with both the beauty and excitement of live music.
Good evening Mustang Nation! Click the link below to view the latest RSU 57 Community Newsletter from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stephen Marquis. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! https://secure.smore.com/n/9ne1m
Staff Spotlight: Jen Marshall - K-1 Teacher. I hope this message finds you well! I’m Jen Marshall, and I’m excited to share that this is my 24th year in education. I have spent the majority of my career teaching Kindergarten, and I have truly enjoyed every moment. This marks my 5th year at Shapleigh, and my 2nd year as the K-1 Writing, Science, and Social Studies teacher. Some of my favorite moments at Shapleigh include our Veterans Day assemblies, Family Nights, and the various activities we do to promote and celebrate kindness. I feel incredibly fortunate to teach in such a special and wonderful school! When I’m not at school, I cherish spending time with my family. I have three nieces who keep me busy, and I love attending their soccer games, gymnastics meets, and chorus concerts! We enjoy a variety of experiences together, from beach outings to performances at different theaters, and even ice skating. These moments mean a lot to me, and I truly appreciate the time we spend together.
Tuesday in the Trees with pre-k is a magical outdoor learning experience where our learners engage with nature to spark curiosity and foster early literacy skills. As they explore the woods, children practice observational skills and engage in hands-on learning activities. By connecting language development with the wonders of the natural world, Tuesday in the Trees becomes a vibrant classroom where children learn, play, and grow together. Please see the video that highlights this outdoor learning time.: https://youtu.be/kG53RO6mFhs.
