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RSU 23 superintendent praises staff as students return under COVID-19 safety measures
Summary
Superintendent John Suttie told the RSU 23 board that mask compliance, sanitizing and social distancing have helped the district complete its second week of in-person learning; he urged daily wellness checks and warned any building could go remote for two weeks if necessary.
Superintendent John Suttie told the RSU 23 school board on Sept. 17 that, as the district concluded its second week of the school year, students and staff have adjusted to COVID-19 safety routines and in-person learning "in a heroic manner." He credited mask compliance, hand sanitizing, cleaning and social distancing, and praised staff across departments for supporting the return to school.
Suttie quoted Mr. Rogers to illustrate the district’s experience: "In times of crisis look for the helpers. You will always find people helping." He singled out the transportation department for assisting custodial staff on remote Wednesdays to support cleaning and sanitizing, and urged families to perform morning wellness checks and to notify school nurses of any health concerns.
Board members heard that, despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, administrators and support staff had worked to make the transition smooth. School leaders also cautioned that any RSU 23 building could be switched to remote learning for two weeks if a COVID-19 situation requires it, and they urged households to continue mask use in public and social distancing outside of school.
Administrators also gave brief updates to the board on how individual programs and schools opened this fall: JoAnne Dowd described the Remote Learning Academy; Kate Hersom reported on Jameson Elementary School; Matt Foster provided an update on Loranger Memorial School; and Eric Hanson spoke about Old Orchard Beach High School. The minutes record these presentations without detailing additional statistics or attendance figures.
