During the month of February, we are shining a spotlight on the core value of kindness. This year our theme "Let Kindness Light the Way" was tied into a many of our school-wide and classroom activities. Here’s a sneak peek of our Outdoor Kindness Celebration
about 23 hours ago, Marisa Penney
Screenshot 2026-03-06 at 7
We are excited to kick off our Read Across America celebration with a schoolwide reading challenge ​to tag along with our Boomer's Bookworm Challenge that was introduced today.

This year, our goal is for ​each homeroom to “trek” from Shapleigh, Maine to Eureka, California ​for a total of 3,311 miles. Each minute your child reads will count as one mile toward our journey. Together, we’ll see if ​e​ach child can read at least 15 minutes a day ​so their classroom can make it all the way to California!

Thank you for supporting your child’s reading journey​ and this fun activity!​ Please see all the activities for our Read Across America Month!
3 days ago, Marisa Penney
Calendar of Events
Adventure came to the classroom last month as Registered Maine Guide Jake Rackliff led our Pre-K explorers on a wild journey! Through his Skins and Skulls program, children got hands-on with the wonders of Maine’s wildlife, from the impressive antlers of a moose to the soft winter fur of a mink. The excitement moved outdoors as the class trekked into the woods to play nature detective, uncovering a hidden world of tracks crisscrossing through the fresh snow. It was a morning of discovery that brought the Pre-K For Me curriculum to life in the best way possible: through touch, tracks, and curiosity.
5 days ago, Marisa Penney
Maine Guide in Pre-K
On February 12th, we celebrated the 100th day of learning! Check out how our learners marked this special milestone, from their family projects to celebrating our 100th child at school, and even dressing up as if they were 100 years old! It was a heartwarming reminder of the support and collaboration that make education such a fun and enriching experience. We’re thrilled to share the video showcasing all the amazing contributions! Video: https://youtu.be/8oDfzJn3BQA
6 days ago, Marisa Penney
100th day
We proudly extend our congratulations to the Shapleigh Math Team for earning a tie for third place this week! Your hard work, perseverance, and teamwork truly paid off. We are so proud of the way you represented Shapleigh. Way to go, Mustangs!
6 days ago, Marisa Penney
Math Team
Elementary March Menus
23 days ago, Vanessa Richardson
Breakfast
Lunch
Elementary February Menus
about 1 month ago, Vanessa Richardson
Breakfast
Lunch
Fourth and fifth grade students recently began a geology unit investigating features and processes of the Earth’s surface. As part of this study, we are using lessons from the Mystery Science program. The kids love watching “Mystery Doug’s” explanations of the changing Earth’s surface. Students explored both the rapid process of volcanic eruptions and the gradual Earth processes of weathering and erosion through fun hands-on activities.


After plotting the “Ring of Fire” on a map, they realized that it was unlikely that a volcano would appear in Shapleigh, ME. Next, they learned the difference between lava and rocks from shield and cone volcanos. Finally, they learned about how rocks are jagged at the top of mountains and become smooth through erosion. They also learned about how weathering will break down rocks over time. We will continue to learn about the relationship between weathering, erosion, and deposition through other activities. Finally, students will apply their knowledge and think about solutions for these processes.
about 2 months ago, Marisa Penney
4/5 Geology Unit
Before the holiday break, our classrooms came together for the 1st Annual Winter Sing-Along, sharing festive songs and spreading holiday cheer. It was a joy to see so many families attend and celebrate with us. Your support truly made the event special! This festive gathering was a wonderful way to connect as a school community and enjoy the magic of music together. Check out our sing along video here: https://youtu.be/dr5tC9IrWas
about 2 months ago, Marisa Penney
Last week, during mentor lunches, groups created their own “recipe” for a good friend using ingredients like kindness, honesty, and respect. Some groups chose to designed a "Friendship Soup," coloring and assembling a soup pot filled with qualities they value in friendships. These activities encouraged creativity, reflection, and meaningful discussions about what makes friendships healthy.

These mentor lunch activities support our ongoing goal of helping students build empathy, communication skills, and strong, positive relationships both at school and beyond.
about 2 months ago, Marisa Penney
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Elementary January Menus
3 months ago, Vanessa Richardson
Elementary Breakfast
Elementary Lunch
Good morning, due to the weather the PTC sponsored cookie walk will be postponed to tomorrow from 6:00-7:00pm at Shapleigh Memorial School. Cookies can be dropped off at the school anytime on Monday. Stay safe today!
3 months ago, Marisa Penney
Elementary December Menus
4 months ago, Vanessa Richardson
Breakfast
Lunch
Our Fall Family Night and Book Fair was a wonderful success, with over 271 people in attendance! It was fantastic to see so many families enjoying time together, exploring books, and connecting with our school community. A heartfelt thank you to our families, PTC, Title I staff, and all of our volunteers for helping make the evening such a memorable event.
4 months ago, Marisa Penney
Family Night
Family Night
Elementary November Menus
4 months ago, Vanessa Richardson
Breakfast
Lunch
Good Morning, Mustang Nation! This is a friendly reminder that tomorrow, October 22, 2025, is an Early Release Day for all RSU 57 students. Thank you.
5 months ago, Caitlin Carroll
Mentor Lunch is a special program designed to foster relationships and build a strong sense of community within our school. Each early release day, students in grades K–5 are grouped into mixed-grade mentor groups and enjoy lunch with a staff mentor.

Our last mentor lunch, each child created their own paper "All About Me Shield" to share with the group. This fun and creative exercise encourages self-expression while helping peers learn more about each other, fostering empathy and connection within the group.
5 months ago, Marisa Penney
Mentor Lunch
During the most recent Early Release Day (ERD), our Title I team led a fun and engaging STEM activity with children in grades 1 and 3. The session began with a read-aloud of If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen, which sparked their imaginations and got them thinking creatively about what their dream house might look like. After the story, children worked to design and build their own models using a variety of hands-on materials like Legos, Magna-Tiles, and other building tools. It was a wonderful opportunity to apply STEM concepts, collaborate with peers, and let their creativity shine!
5 months ago, Marisa Penney
STEM Activity
Elementary October Menus
6 months ago, Vanessa Richardson
Breakfast
Lunch
Just a reminder that Shapleigh is hosting our open house this Thursday from 5:00-6:30pm. This is a chance to meet the teachers, check out the classroom, and connect with other families. Plus, the PTC is sponsoring a fun ice cream social during the event! We’d love to have you join us to kick off the new school year together!
6 months ago, Marisa Penney
open house