Why Valley Unified Still Makes Sense

 During the last Valley Unified Board of Directors meeting, a short presentation to the board titled, "Why does Valley Unified still make sense for our communities" was delivered to the board.  In summary, even though the Valley Unified Regional High School project is no longer possible, shared services are still part of the Valley Unified Education Service Center, which benefit each district both financially and with enhanced opportunities.  With these shared services, each VU member district (MSAD33, MSAD27 and the Madawaska School Department) share services that each district could not maintain if they were on their own.  By sharing these services, each member district has the advantage of discounted services, that keep local taxes down.  

Please click on the presentation below for a summary of the shared services in the form of educational opportunities and operational efficiencies.

Click here or the image above. 

Valley Unified Works with NMCC and UMFK to Develop New Business Program at SJVTC

As part of its Early Post-Secondary Expansion Initiative, the Valley Unified Education Service Center (VUESC) is working with Northern Maine Community College (NMCC) and the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) to develop a Business and Entrepreneurship program at the St. John Valley Technology Center (SJVTC) - the Career and Technical Education arm of the three Valley Unified high schools.

The new Business and Entrepreneurship program of study will begin serving students in August, 2022.  Students in the program next year not only will earn high school credit but also will accumulate the following 12 tuition-free early college credits through NMCC and UMFK:

Fall Semester

NMCC BUS 101 - Introduction to Business

UMFK BUS 260 - Business Ethics

Winter/Spring Semester

UMFK BUS 222 - Introduction to Marketing

NMCC BUS 109 - Entrepreneurship

While working with a live high school instructor in a classroom at the SJVTC, students will be accessing these on-line NMCC and UMFK college courses for a blended learning experience.  

In year two of the program, students will have the opportunity to earn up to 12 additional tuition-free college credits through NMCC and UMFK and to participate in community-based business internships for high school credit.

The Business and Entrepreneurship program is being developed in response to a needs assessment conducted with local employers and the results of student interest surveys.

For more information about this new Career and Technical Education early college program, click here or on the image below.  To enroll in the program, students and their parents/guardians should contact their high school Guidance Counselor.

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Still Time to Register for the Upper St. John Valley Carpentry Training Program

Upper St. John Valley adults and high school students interested in a career in carpentry are advised that the Valley Unified Continuing Education program, the St. John Valley Technology Center, and a Community Development Block Grant manager from Northern Maine Development Commission are teaming with Curtis Saucier of Home Solutions in Fort Kent to deliver a second Upper St. John Valley Carpentry Training Program on Saturday mornings from 9 AM to 12 Noon, beginning Saturday, March 12 and ending Saturday, May 21, 2022.

To review preliminary information about this workforce development opportunity, click here or on the image below.

For more detailed information:

1. local contractors who want to get involved should contact Curtis Saucier at 207-231-0624;

2. area adults interested in participating should contact Valley Unified Continuing Education at either 834-3536 or 728-6314; and 

3. high school students interested in taking part should contact Kevin Lavoie, Director of the St. John Valley Technology Center, at 543-6606.

Registration deadline is March 3.

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Early Dismissal Today

Due to storm conditions worsening throughout the day, all Valley Unified Schools will dismiss at noon today, Tuesday, February 8, to allow for our buses and those driving to take their time going home during daylight hours.  All after school activities are cancelled for today.  

Please take your time driving home.  Be safe!

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10th Valley Unified Strategic Plan Progress Report

With the first semester of the 2021-2022 school year completed and grades and progress reports soon to be sent home to students, parents and families, we have prepared our 10th Valley Unified Strategic Plan Progress Report for review by the citizens across our Upper St. John Valley service region. 

To access the report go to bit.ly/3B9cooN or click on the image below.

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January 2022 School Reintegration Update

To review the January, 2022 Valley Unified School Reintegration Update for Students, Parents, Families and Staff, click here or on the image below.  Stay healthy and stay warm.

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