Regional School Unit No. 5

Durham Elementary School office is in the process of moving and is unable to accept phone calls at this time.  The office will open at Durham Community School in mid July.

June 11, 2010

Dear Parents, Community Members, and Staff,

Over the past week, I spent time reading this year’s Falcon yearbook – admiring the spirit, tenacity and joy of this year’s senior class, as evidenced by their senior quotes. As always, I am humbled by the work that the entire RSU5 community – parents, teachers, staff, and administrators - do to prepare these wonderful young adults for the next leg of their journey.  It is bittersweet seeing them go, but this time of year we try to meet all of our inevitable good-byes with their spirit of enthusiasm and optimism.

Change is certainly in the air this Friday- teachers and administrators are retiring; children are leaving for the summer; teachers are packing up and finalizing grades for the year.  There is a great deal of anticipation in the air about summertime and the chance to relax and recharge. I hope it is a wonderful one for all of you. 

2010/2011 School Budget
Next year’s budget is in place after this week’s referendum vote (2345 in favor and 1607 against). Administration met early Wednesday morning to discuss the best use of the funds that were added at the town budget meeting with the public’s goals of reduce class sizes and increasing enrichment opportunities.  The Board approved the administrations recommendations, which can be found here. I’d personally like to thank you all for participating in the process this year. We had a larger turn out at the polls this year vs. last and I look forward to participation in the process by the community growing each year.

Celebrating Durham’s Change
As the doors close this year on the Durham Elementary School, they close not just on a successful year, but a successful fifty years. Come celebrate the “End of and Era” with us on Saturday, June 12th from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  There will be many activities held at the school with the final closing of the building scheduled for 1:15 p.m.  We’d love to see parents and children from across the RSU, so please join us tomorrow.

Schools Delivering on the Mission:  Royal River Field Work
Durham’s second grade students learn about rivers and history as they explore the Royal River in Yarmouth.  We’d like to thank parent Jennifer Galletta for writing the story and also Amy Thompson from the historical society for her presentation on the varied businesses that depended upon the river.  The support from community members in all of our schools makes a significant difference in the quality of educational experiences we can provide to our students.

Board Vacancy
The RSU Board has a Freeport vacancy.  If you would like to apply for this vacancy, please submit your letter of interest by June 24 to the Freeport Town Clerk’s Office located at the Freeport Town Hall.  The Freeport Town Council will appoint a member who will fill the term until November 2010.  Please consider taking on this important work to help shape the future of the RSU.

Sincerely,

Shannon