Dear RSU 21 Families,

Just a quick reminder that the upcoming School Board meeting on Monday, January 29th will be remote-only due to ongoing equipment upgrades in the board room.

As you may have heard, we are once again seeking bus drivers! Details are included in this newsletter on the new $6,000 bonus that we are offering new drivers.

Next Wednesday is our second Family University session. Please RSVP below for a discussion on generative A.I. technology.

Finally, this week's video takes a look at various STEM classes at KHS--and the lifelong learning connections teachers make with students.

Have a great weekend!

Much Love,

Terri I. Cooper, Ed.D.

RSU 21 Superintendent

Bus Driver Bonuses Boosted to $6,000

RSU 21, being among the top-paying districts when it comes to wages for drivers, is making additional adjustments to its incentive program for new hires. In addition to boosting the base bonus from $5,000 to $6,000, the District is restructuring the total payout in three increasing installments: $1,000; $2,000; and $3,000. 

Successful applicants who are hired with a Commercial Drivers License (CDL), or upon completion of earning their CDL after hire, will immediately receive their first $1,000 bonus. Then, on the driver’s 1-year anniversary, the employee will receive an additional $2,000 bonus. When marking two years with the District, the driver will then receive $3,000.

“This new incentive program reflects how we value community members becoming part of our incredible transportation staff,” said Transportation Manager, Chris Pasciuto. “We believe this bonus structure allows for RSU 21 to attract well-qualified candidates with a strong incentive for continued service at RSU 21. ”

In addition to competitive salaries based on experience, drivers enjoy full benefits even if part-time at 25 hours. If you are interested in joining our team, please click here. If you have any questions, please send an email to Chris Pasciuto at cpasciuto@rsu21.net or call 207-985-2622, ext 5. 

No CDL is required to apply: if hired without a CDL, a new hire will receive training for the required certification and will work as a bus aide until receiving their CDL.

Drivers and bus aides participate in a discussion with Rachel Bratter, Special Services Director and Sandy Titcomb, Behavior Specialist. The group discussed support strategies and other topics related to student transportation. This was the second event this school year that allowed transportation staff to provide direct feedback to the administration team and ensure the full spectrum of student needs are being met. 

Special Services Hosts Parent Talk on Learned Helplessness

“Where’s the instruction manual?”

It’s a common question and feeling for all parents, but particularly for those with children who are neurodivergent. It’s what Betty Hallenbeck asked herself on the way home when discovering one of her children has Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Director of ACTS for Special Education says the key to navigating parenting and education children with special needs is balancing the tug-o-war of supporting a child’s independence against the practicalities of making family life go smoothly.

“You want to talk your child through zipping up their coat, but you have 15 minutes to get your family to an appointment,” Hallenbeck said, “and you have to remember to try to make decisions on when it’s time to teach and when life has a deadline.” 

Hallenbeck is the parent of two adult children with special needs. She’s trained educators at all levels. The most important thing to remember, she says, is that all parents are preparing their children for adulthood–and a healthy, happy adult life can take a lot of different paths.

“Your attitudes and behaviors toward your child have a tremendous influence on their self worth. And you are your hardest critic… ‘I should’ve let them do such and such,’ and you need to forgive yourself,” she said. 

CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS & DISTRICT SPECIAL SERVICES

Parenting children who develop atypically can be an incredibly lonely experience. At the same time, parenting kids who are atypical can be the most rewarding experience.

“You are in an amazing district with exemplary Special Services,” she said, “so ask school staff, ‘what can I do at home to make school most effective for my child?’ Remember that disability is just one facet of your child…communicate with your child about why they receive special education.”

WHAT IS LEARNED HELPLESSNESS?

When a person who has experienced repeated challenges comes to believe that they have no control over their situation. They then give up trying to make changes. Pandemic-era changes in society have left many people with a feeling of hopelessness or a sense that they lack control.

“For most of us, the pandemic at three years was a small percentage of our life, but for children, this was a significant portion of their life so far.”

Here are things adults often do that contribute to learned helplessness:

• Commenting on things that were once not done correctly when our kids try something on their own.

• Doing a task over after a child has done it because they did not do it as well as we would have.

• Protecting kids from the natural consequences of their own behavior if the behavior is not immediately dangerous. (Betty shared that a significant portion of 18- and 19- college students often expect to take a test until they pass it).

• Saying things like, “You’ve had a hard day today so I will do your chores for you” on a regular basis.

WHAT PARENTS CAN DO

• Discuss expectations; have a conversation that includes best time to do things.

• Ask about things that make a child feel overwhelmed.

• Make a visual schedule and go over it with your child.

• Make a menu of things that recharge your child and reduce and anxiety.

• Whenever possible, allow your child to do things independently–yet be kind to yourself when this is not possible.

• Share situations that are difficult for you and that require sustained effort, or are frustrating. 

“Every time you protect your child from a natural consequence, you are postponing a difficult reality of adult life, she said, reminding everyone that many children who aren't allowed to fail may expect to be protected from consequences as an adult. “But again, be kind to yourself. You are doing the best you can with the information that you have. Forgive yourself for missteps."

Last Chance to RSVP: Family U Session on Artificial Intelligence - January 31st.

Our second session in the Family University series is on

Artificial Intelligence: The Hype, Reality and Future.

Presenter Chris Babcock will facilitate a discussion

on practical uses in schools and the workforce.

There will also be a book raffle featuring several copies of

80 Ways to Use ChatGPT in the Classroom: Using AI to Enhance Teaching and Learning, by Stan Skrabut, Ed. D.

These sessions are for everyone in the RSU 21 School Community--staff and students, too! If any parent, student or family plans to join us in the MSK Library on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., please click the RSVP link below.

MSK Welcomes Five Exchange Students From Spain

MSK Students partnered up with Spanish Exchange Students to help them around school.

Kennebunk Firefighters + Facilities Latch New Rope & U.S. Flag After Storm Damage at KHS

River Tree Arts After-School Classes Starting Soon

T-RAMS Students Serve Lunch With Huntington Common at KHS

Students participating in transition skills class at KHS researched, prepared, served, and ate lunch at KHS with some friends from Huntington Common on Thursday 1/25. Students in the RISE program provided baked goods for the lunch. Participants dined on butternut squash macaroni and cheese, salad, and brownies; learning that vegetables can be used to make meals both healthier and delicious.

Backyard Bird Habitat Seminar Tomorrow

Weekly Attendance

*ADA = Average Daily Attendance

Sea Road School 5th Grade Boys Basketball Team Wins Noble Joust Tournament

- Here are the latest sports schedules -

Need some fan gear? Show your Rams pride by visiting the online apparel store.

Let's go Rams!

District Contact Information

2023-2024 School Calendar

Job Postings