We Know You're Wondering

As we approach the end of this school year, we know, based on the number of questions we've received, that many young people, parents, staff, family members and other area citizens are wondering if Valley Unified students will be able to return to school for the start of 2020-2021 school year.

Please know, in an effort to a provide a firm answer to this question as soon as possible, we are continuing to monitor guidance from the Governor's Office, the Maine Department of Education, and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention about Return to School Planning.

In the meantime, four teams of Valley Unified staff are meeting regularly to work out the many details of a safe, efficient Reintegration to School Plan.

Each of the four teams is developing options based on the following three potential situations:

• School begins on time and remains open
• School begins on time and closes due to a second wave of COVID-19
• School opening is delayed

More concrete information will be provided to staff, students, parents, and community members as elements and details of our Reintegration to School Plan are finalized based on information from state offices and officials.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these uncertain times.

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School Lunch Delivery Reminder

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From Kitchen to Cooler: 145,000 Meals Served

As of today, the Valley Unified Education Service Center Remote Learning School Lunch Program has prepared and delivered 145,000 meals across the Upper St. John Valley region in communities served by MSAD #27, the Madawaska School Department, and MSAD #33!

Kudos to all staff from each school unit who make the Remote Learning School Lunch Program work for Valley Unified students and families! 

Valley Unified recently learned that United States Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, has extended three nationwide waivers through the month of August for school nutrition programs to continue feeding children while promoting social distancing and keeping families safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Valley Unified Begins Reintegration to School Planning Process

The Valley Unified Regional Education Center has created four planning teams to develop a road map and timeline for a safe and efficient return to school for students and staff from MSAD #27, MSAD #33, and the Madawaska School Department for the 2020-2021 school year.

Each planning team will consider multiple possibilities and formats in order to develop a flexible, fluid plan that can be quickly adjusted to ensure our schools, students, staff, families, and communities remain safe and that teaching and learning continue as local, regional, and state developments take place relative to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Guidance from the Governor's office, the Maine Department of Education, and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention will guide our progress through each phase of the plan.

On-going communication with health and safety professionals, school staff, students, parents, families, and community members will be a critical part of the on-going planning process.

Information and notifications concerning each phase of the plan will be sent through SwiftReach and will appear here, on the Valley Unified Facebook page, and on both school and school unit websites and social media pages as steps are finalized.

For preliminary, general information concerning the components of the reintegration plan, the planning teams, and the plan timeline, go to bit.ly/3dJXbNJ or click on the image below.

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Revised 2019-2020 School Year Calendar

Notice to All Valley Unified Parents, Guardians, Staff Members, and Students

A revised current (2019-20) school year calendar has been approved by the Madawaska School Committee, the MSAD #27 Board of Directors, and the MSAD # 33 Board of Directors. 

This calendar revision has a final student school day of June 5, 2020. This will be the final day of the 2019-20 school year and our current remote learning plan. 

Our educators will be working the week of June 8 and June 15 on plans to refine and improve remote learning plans, should we need to implement them again in the future. 

Soon, you will receive a survey about remote learning, specific to what we have done well and what we need to improve upon. We appreciate your feedback as we look to improve the remote learning experience for all involved.

Finally, plans are currently underway for summer school offerings. The method of summer school delivery is contingent on the Governor’s plans for a phased re-opening of the state's economy and businesses and the related guidance provided to schools. 

More information on summer school offerings will be available as we receive guidance from the Maine Department of Education.

As always, we appreciate the support and dedication so many of you have put into our remote learning plan. We couldn’t have accomplished all we did without you!

To view the Valley Unified Revised 2019-2020 School Year Calendar, go to bit.ly/3dFvBRP or click on the image below.

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Hear Students Discuss SJVTC

Don't miss this two-minute video featuring Valley Unified learners discussing their experiences in programs at the St. John Valley Technology Center, the Career and Technical Education arm of the Valley Unified Education Service Center.

To access the video go to bit.ly/3dxwn3g or click on the image below.

Students and parents from Madawaska High School, Wisdom High School in St. Agatha, and Community High School in Fort Kent who are interested in learning more about the programs of hands-on study available at the St. John Valley Technology Center are encouraged to contact their Guidance Counselor or Mr. Kevin Lavoie, center director, at 543-6606.

Enjoy the video!

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May, 2020 Remote Learning School Lunch Menu

To view the Valley Unified Remote Learning School Lunch menu for May, 2020, go to bit.ly/3bYXuE0 or click on the image below.  Eat well.  Stay healthy.

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Remote Learning to Continue as Businesses Slowly Reopen

While Governor Janet Mills has released a plan to slowly reopen Maine's economy and businesses, schools across the state and in the Upper St. John Valley will remain closed. 

Consistent with April 7 guidance from the Maine Department of Education, Valley Unified schools will continue with remote learning for the balance of the school year in order to ensure the safety of our students, staff, families, and communities.

To read a letter from Valley Unified Superintendent of Schools, Benjamin Sirois, concerning these matters, go to bit.ly/2VSiVkr or click on the image below. 

Thank you for your continued understanding and support.  Please stay safe and healthy.

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