As SAD 61 opened the new school year this week, Superintendent Al Smith addressed a couple of key items in a community letter.

One, with Covid-19 still in circulation, SAD 61 plans to follow these protocols in all schools:

• If your child is not feeling well and is showing symptoms, please keep your child 

at home. 

• SAD 61 nurses will send home any students who display symptoms. 

• Individuals who contract Covid may return to school after five days if they are no longer symptomatic. 

• Individuals will no longer need to wear masks for five days at school after their recovery from Covid. 

• SAD 61 is no longer contact tracing and quarantining close contacts or siblings. 

• The use of masks remains optional. 

Information with these updated protocols will be sent home with all students and posted on the district website. 

Two, the district added pre-Kindergarten programs at Songo Locks and Stevens Brook Elementary Schools. Smith noted that the classes will be half-day with sessions in the morning and afternoon. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our four-year-olds to learn and practice relationship-building, movement, wellness, language development, the arts, sensory play, social interaction, experiential learning and self-help skills,” Smith wrote.

Three, the new school year starts with two new administrators joining the SAD 61 leadership team — Valerie Young, as Assistant Principal at Lake Region Middle School and Michelle Gayne, as Adult Education Director. 

Four, for 2022-23, the State of Maine will be providing financial assistance so all students in Maine school districts will receive free breakfast and lunch. 

“We have no idea how long the State will support this initiative. Therefore, it is imperative for all Lake Region families to complete the Meal Benefit Application and return it to your child’s school,” the superintendent said. “Our district needs to provide that valuable data to the State to determine if this free food program may continue in future years and deliver long-lasting benefits for so many families.”

In other School Board news from Monday’s meeting held in-person at Songo Locks Elementary School in Naples:

Senior trip approved. After a student suffered a fatal medical emergency during a hike last year as part of the annual Senior Awareness trip, safety is a major emphasis for the upcoming Sept. 11-12 venture.

Senior Class Advisors Lynn O’Donnell and Amy Mayo outlined particulars for the upcoming trip, noting that O’Donnell is a registered Maine Guide with wilderness first aid training, and an EMT will accompany the group. O’Donnell is also looking to add a nurse to the mix. 

Accompanying food and beverage items, supplies will also include walkie-talkies for chaperones/staff supervisors for those on the trail and at the camp site. A portable AED (automated external defibrillator) will also make the trip.

The itinerary includes a scenic trip to New Hampshire’s Cathedral Ledge and Diana’s Bath waterfalls. Once the tour is completed, students will travel to Sebago State Park, set up their campsites and enjoy dinner along with special activities, possibly a storyteller and/or “appropriate” comedian. A full breakfast will be served the next day, along with fun games on the beach, before making their return to LRHS.

The advisors noted that once the School Board approved the trip, digital copies of the itinerary would be sent out to parents.

Nomination of Administrators 

Michelle Gayne, as Director of Adult Education, replacing Madelyn Litz, who retired. 

Valerie Young, as Assistant Principal at Lake Region Middle School, replacing Michelle Brann, who resigned. 

Nomination of Teachers 

Madelyn Hanna, as a 1st Grade Teacher at Stevens Brook Elementary School, replacing Elizabeth Ronca, who resigned. 

Maria Isabel Medrano, as a Spanish Teacher at Lake Region High School, new position. 

Elizabeth Newberry, as a Music Teacher at Steven Brook Elementary School and Songo Locks Elementary School, replacing Savanah Wright, who resigned. 

Heidi Bernier, as an 8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher at Lake Region Middle School, replacing Adam Potvin, who resigned. 

Michelle Hanson, as a Special Education Teacher at Lake Region High School replacing Anna Caiazzo, who transferred to another position. 

Kelly Scammon, as a Special Education Teacher at Songo Locks Elementary School, replacing Katie Dormady, who resigned. 

Nicole Volosin, as an 8th Grade Science Teacher at Lake Region Middle School, replacing Emma Ottenheimer, who resigned. 

Shelbea Makela, as a 2nd Grade Teacher at Songo Locks Elementary School, replacing Kristen Alexander, who resigned. 

Nomination of Educational Support Personnel 

Julia Lagace, as an Ed Tech at Stevens Brook Elementary School, replacing Diana Lohmiller, who transferred to a teaching position. 

Michael Toohey, as an Ed Tech at Stevens Brook Elementary School, replacing Linda Hamilton, who resigned. 

Cameron Rose, as an Ed Tech at Stevens Brook Elementary School, replacing Kimberly Bueler, who resigned. 

Charles Reed, as an Ed Tech at Lake Region Vocational Center replacing Shawn Rock, who resigned. 

Clarissa D’alvia, as an Ed Tech I at Songo Locks Elementary School, replacing Besty Maher, who transferred to another position. 

Constance Hodgdon-Rand, as an Ed Tech at Crooked River Elementary School, replacing Gail Brooks, who retired. 

Cassandra Lalemand, as an Ed Tech II (Special Education) at Songo Locks Elementary School, open position. 

Nomination of Non-Teaching Staff 

Cameron Arsenault, as a Computer Technician, new position. 

Retirements 

Robin Aaskov, Ed Tech III at Lake Region Middle School. 

Gail Brooks, Ed Tech at Crooked River Elementary School. 

Resignations

Michelle Brann, Principal at Lake Region Middle School. 

Kristen Alexander, 2nd Grade Teacher at Songo Locks Elementary School. 

Jennifer Beaulieu, Special Education Teacher at Lake Region Middle School. 

Kelsea Carter, 8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher at Lake Region Middle School, effective date to be determined. 

Marcus Devoe, Physical Education/Health Teacher at Crooked River Elementary School. 

Katherine Dormady, Special Education Teacher at Songo Locks Elementary School. 

Emma Ottenheimer, 7/8 Science Teacher at Lake Region Middle School.

Adam Potvin, English Language Arts Teacher at Lake Region Middle School.

Megan Magee, School Counselor at Songo Locks Elementary School. 

Ruth Murphy, Special Education Teacher at Lake Region High School, effective date to be determined. 

Rebecca Sadowski-Badeau, Social Worker at Songo Locks Elementary School and Crooked River Elementary School. 

Robert Cressman, Special Education Ed Tech III at Crooked River Elementary School.

Linda Hamilton, Ed Tech III at Songo Locks Elementary School.

Heather Blake, Ed Tech III at Lake Region High School. 

Angela Desrochers, Food Service Staff at Lake Region High School. 

Transfers
Samantha Parlin, Social Worker at Songo Locks Elementary School has transferred to a School Counselor position at Songo Locks Elementary School.

Gordon Smith, Special Education Teacher at Lake Region Middle School has transferred to a Technology Teacher position at Lake Region Middle School. 

Donations Accepted 

Bill Weese/Lake Region Security to the Baseball Program at Lake Region High School, $500. 

Bill Weese/Lake Region Security to the Softball Program at Lake Region High School, $500.