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Remote Learning Plan Guidance for Students and Parents
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Students and Parents are advised to take a look at the following document which is a guide for getting parents and students through this remote learning process. This document will not only outline expectations, but also gives some good ideas on how to handle the process.
| Attachments:
Remote Learning Plan Guidance for Students and Parents.pdf
Schools Closed to the General Public
 As a result, all Valley Unified offices, including schools and central offices will not be open to the general public for the next 14 days except by appointment for essential services. For more information, read a letter from Superintendent of Schools, Benjamin Sirois, at https://bit.ly/39mUUFW or click on the image below. We apologize for any inconvenience. |
| Attachments:
Coronavirus_Letter_6_-for_Public.pdf
Letter to Seniors
 TO: All CHS, MMHS, and WMHS Seniors, Parents, and Guardians FROM: Benjamin Sirois, Superintendent of SchoolsRE: COVID-19 Impact on Senior Year Dear Class of 2020, The final months of your senior year were not supposed to be like this. You were not supposed to be sent home from school for an indefinite period of time. You were not supposed to be entering into a remote learning plan that has never been attempted before. You certainly were not supposed to be separated from one another after all your years of working together, earning the right to experience all the wonderful things that senior year brings. I know this is not what you expected and I know this is unfair. It is perfectly understandable to be upset and to feel disappointed. I’m very sorry this is happening to you during your senior year. Although it may seem possible right now, we will get through this. As each day passes, and you have one less day remaining in your senior year, please know that we are working hard to support your needs as you make preparations for your future. We want to ensure that this shift to remote learning does not harm your future plans and goals. Please continue to reach out to your teachers on a regular basis. Please continue to connect with your guidance counselor, your school administrators, and your network of school supports. We are still here for you! Regarding major senior year milestones, such as prom, senior week, and of course, graduation, we will be monitoring the coronavirus impact on our local region before making any changes or recommendations regarding these events. That being said, please know that regardless of when or how, these major milestones will still occur, even if they need to be delayed or if they need to be restructured. As a senior, you have earned the right to participate in these events, so we will find a way to ensure that they happen for you. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times. Please take care of yourselves. Please support one another. And please continue to enjoy your senior year, making the most out of this challenging situation. You deserve nothing less. Respectfully, Benjamin Sirois Superintendent of Schools/Executive Director Valley Unified Education Service Center |
| Attachments:
Senior Year Memo - Valley Unified .pdf
Student Contact
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Valley Unified Lunch Plan Info
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Madawaska Schools Closing
 Dear Valley Unified Parents and Community Members: Our three Upper St. John Valley School Administrative Units (MSAD #27, MSAD #33, Madawaska School Department) together with other Aroostook County school units, the Maine Department of Education, and the Maine School Management Association, have been closely monitoring the news and best practices regarding the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). After reviewing all of our options, we have determined it is both wise and necessary to take the precautionary measure of closing our schools for the next two weeks, effective tomorrow, Monday, March 16. There will be an emergency meeting of the collaborative boards of MSAD27, MSAD33, and the Madawaska School Committee tomorrow evening @ 6:30pm to share plans and details. The closure affects all school programming, including before-school and after-school activities, all athletic and extracurricular practices and competitions, and all weekend events. This is not a decision we take lightly. We realize school closures pose challenges for many families in our region. Still, closing schools to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 will help lessen the burden on local healthcare entities and emergency service responders, if either confirmed cases or a local outbreak should occur. We are not aware of anyone in our region who has been infected or exposed to the coronavirus. This is a purely precautionary measure to help safeguard our communities. District teachers and staff have been developing and will continue to prepare Remote Learning Plans for our students. Your teachers will be providing more information soon. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s building principal. Arrangements to provide individualized services to children identified with special needs will be made by teachers who will be contacting families soon. If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher or your school unit’s Director of Special Education. We are making arrangements to continue providing school lunch services at school and community sites throughout our region, with the possibility of bus delivery. We will be making these plans public and providing this service by Wednesday, March 18. This two-week school closure is a precautionary response. We will continue to monitor news about and consider best practices relative to COVID-19 and will update you on a regular basis concerning our plans for continuity of learning and services for our students moving forward. Updates will be forwarded via our SwiftK12 Message System and will be posted on school, school unit, and Valley Unified social media platforms. Sincerely, Benjamin Sirois Superintendent of Schools Valley Unified Education Service Center |
| Attachments:
Coronavirus Letter 3.pdf
Coronavirus Letter #2
 Dear Valley Unified Parents, Guardians, Staff Members, and Students, As we continue to learn more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and to receive guidance on best practices to slow its spread, we are monitoring closely recommended actions and precautions from the State of Maine and the Maine Department of Education. We are also making careful determinations regarding upcoming school-sponsored travel, conventions, and any other event that requires students to gather in large groups. Yesterday, Maine Governor Mills issued a restriction on gatherings of 250 or more people; therefore, several of these events have already been canceled for our students. In addition, many staff members have canceled plans to attend professional development conferences and events. We realize that families and staff members will still choose to continue to follow through with travel plans as we near spring break. Valley Unified and it’s member School Administrative Units cannot make determinations on personal travel plans, nor will we advise you to avoid or proceed with travel. Please note that the Governor has advised that all non-essential travel out of state or out of the country should be avoided. The best way to avoid infection is to minimize exposure to infected people. If you do choose to travel, we ask that upon your return, you use extreme caution prior to entering our school buildings. If you display any symptoms associated with the virus, do not come to school. Staff members have a responsibility to keep their students safe, and parents have a responsibility not to send their sick children to school. We will be spending a great deal of time and effort on disinfecting our buildings to minimize the risk for infection. Furthermore, we highly suggest that upon return from a trip outside the region, you contact your primary care physician to determine if a self-imposed quarantine is necessary or suggested. Valley Unified will continue to keep you updated on any new information we learn specific to COVID-19. As new information comes to us, we will share it with you. Please check back regularly on our school websites, or go to https://valleyunified.blogspot.com/ for the most up to date releases of new information. Respectfully, Benjamin Sirois Superintendent of Schools Valley Unified Education Service Center |
| Attachments:
Coronavirus Letter 2.pdf
Soap Screeners
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VUESC Meeting #14 Agenda
 The 14th meeting of the Board of Directors for Valley Unified Education Service Center is scheduled for March 11, 2020 beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the St. John Valley Technology Center in Frenchville.
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| Attachments:
14th VURSC Board Agenda_ 3.11.20.pdf
Anticipated EdTech Openings 20-21
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| Attachments:
2020-2021 Anticipated Vacancies.pdf
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