Public Information and Announcements

I am writing to you this evening to provide an update on the positive cases of COVID-19 so far this week. The district was informed of 43 additional cases of COVID-19. These cases impacted students and/or staff at Bloomfield Elementary School (2 cases), Canaan Elementary School (1 case), Margaret Chase Smith School (5 cases), Mill Stream Elementary School (11 cases), Skowhegan Area High School (10 cases), Skowhegan Area Middle School (11 cases), and Marti Stevens Learning Center (3 case).

I want to thank our staff who have been working tirelessly to keep school open and keep our students safe and learning. Over the past few months I have seen staff step up to help out others in so many ways. Some are covering classes when there are not enough substitutes, driving a bus route when that is not their primary job, and putting in extra time to support each other and our students. Our nurses and administrators continue to support our students and families when they need assistance. Our nutrition staff continue to provide healthy meals each day. Our maintenance, custodial and grounds staff keep the facilities up and running and keep things clear. Our office staff at the buildings and the central office field a plethora of questions and situations that need attention each day. Our transportation department ensures that students have a safe trip to and from school and our instructional staff put the needs of our students as their priority each day. Our guidance staff work with individuals each day to help them process what is going on in their lives and our coaches and club advisors provide opportunities for students to grow and shine. There are literally thousands of actions that our staff do every week to support our students' success. The extra time, effort and support has not gone unnoticed. Thank you and we appreciate you. 

I am also writing to you this evening to provide an update on the positive cases of COVID-19 this week. The district was informed this week of 82 additional cases of COVID-19. These cases impacted students and/or staff at Bloomfield Elementary School (10 cases), Canaan Elementary School (6 cases), Margaret Chase Smith School (4 cases), Mill Stream Elementary School (23 cases), North Elementary School (7 cases), Skowhegan Area High School (12 cases), Skowhegan Area Middle School (19 cases), and Marti Sevens Learning Center (1 case).

At the SAD 54 School Board Meeting of 8/12/21 I recommended the board require the use of masks in school for everyone in school, regardless of vaccination. The Board supported this recommendation and committed to reviewing the decision monthly throughout the year. At the Board meetings of 10/21, 11/16, and 12/16 the Board affirmed/reviewed the decision and my recommendation that masks continue to be required for this school year unless the following criteria were to change. Since that time the changes to the state SOP has provided additional reasons to support universal masking to ensure our students can remain in school. Below is a summary of why the recommendation stands and the key items that would each need to change for that recommendation to be adjusted.

I am writing to you this evening to share that over the past two days the district was informed of 45 additional cases of COVID-19. These cases impacted students and/or staff at Canaan Elementary School (4 cases), Bloomfield Elementary School (6 cases), Margaret Chase Smith School (2 cases), Mill Stream Elementary School (3 cases), North Elementary School (1 case), Skowhegan Area High School (18 cases), Skowhegan Area Middle School (10 cases) and one district case. Those 45 positive cases resulted in 307 close contacts; 158 of which needed to community quarantine.

I am writing to you this evening to share that over the past two days the district was informed of 12 additional cases of COVID-19. These cases impacted students and/or staff at Canaan Elementary School (1 case), Bloomfield Elementary School (1 case), Somerset Career & Technical Center ( 3 cases), Skowhegan Area High School (4 cases), and Skowhegan Area Middle School (3 cases). Those 12 positive cases resulted in 159 close contacts; 77 of which needed to community quarantine.

I am writing to you this evening to share that over the first three days of this week, the district was informed of 38 additional cases of COVID-19. This is a very large number and is among the highest total for this year. These cases impacted students and/or staff at Canaan Elementary School (5 case), Bloomfield Elementary School (5 cases), Mill Stream Elementary School (4 cases), North Elementary School (7 case), Skowhegan Area High School (13 cases), and Skowhegan Area Middle School (4 cases). Those 38 positive cases resulted in 312 close contacts, 108 of which needed to community quarantine.

Good evening, am writing to you this evening to share an update on COVID-19 cases in our district during the holiday break and the first days of this week. During the vacation the district was informed of 10 additional cases of COVID-19. These cases impacted students and/or staff at Canaan Elementary School (1 case), Bloomfield Elementary School (1 case), Mill Stream Elementary School (2 cases), Margaret Chase Smith School (1 case) Skowhegan Area High School (4 cases), and Skowhegan Area Middle School (1 case). Those 10 positive cases resulted in 7 individuals needing to quarantine.