I hope that your February vacation was enjoyable and the weather allowed you to participate in both winter and summer activities. I continue to be hopeful that any spring snowstorms will avoid the communities of MSAD 6. This is also the time of year that the seniors will need to make final decisions about their plans for next year. We know that this can be both exciting and scary for students and parents, so make sure that you utilize the resources that are available in our District as you go through the decision-making process.
There has been a lot of coverage about the Florida school shooting and how our young people are responding. I want to reassure all of our stakeholders that the District administration will continue to provide a safe, orderly learning environment for all students. MSAD 6 School Board Policy GBIA, “Staff Participation in Political Activities” and Policy IMB, “Teaching About Controversial/Sensitive Issues,” outlines employees’ responsibilities with political or sensitive issues. However, Policy IMB specifically guides the schools, teachers, and students in the American academic tradition that stresses the free contest of ideas as a vital element both in the development of curriculum and in classroom teaching.
We are all aware that March 14th is being promoted as the day that students will walk out of classrooms for seventeen minutes in remembrance of the seventeen victims from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. I’m certain that in the communities of MSAD 6 we have parents and students who have different opinions about how to have their voices heard. However, as a public school, we must remain cautious about the message(s) that we communicate to our students. MSAD 6 has the important responsibility to educate all students, but it is also important to note that some of our core beliefs are, communicating positively and constructively, demonstrating mutual respect and integrity, fostering a safe and caring climate, and providing life-long-learning.
Upon the return from the February vacation, I will communicate to our employees the responsibility of maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment and the guidelines provided in School Board policies GBIA and IMB and our District’s core beliefs.
Please take the time to talk with your child(ren) about the events that are occurring in our society. Children need adults for their social and emotional development, and knowing that someone cares about them will make all the difference in their life.
Paul A. Penna, CAS
Superintendent of Schools
