A Message from Rick Riley-Benoit
On Friday, May 15th, NJHS is hosting a social for fifth and sixth graders from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. As usual, the social will include gym games, activities and games in the cafeteria, and a G-rated movie in the band room. Students attending the social must have permission slips with them the day of the social. These will be sent home soon. We are asking parents of NJHS members to donate individually wrapped snacks and beverages to be sold. (Please no caffeine or nuts.) NJHS members will be running the activities. We are also looking for a few parent chaperones. (Chaperones must have previously completed the volunteer forms and have had a background check.
Currently, new NJHS member applications are being reviewed by a group of staff members. Nominations were made by teachers in March, and student applications were due May 1st. For new members who are accepted, there will be an induction ceremony on May 26, 2026 starting at 6:00. Current members will be conducting the ceremony, and we are requesting NJHS parents to send in refreshments and beverages, as well as paper goods to be shared after the ceremony. Eighth grade students will be receiving their NJHS medallions as part of the ceremony. We are looking forward to inducting our newest members!
Reading Reasons from our RTI Literacy Specialist, Ms. Haber
Encouraging Youth to Read: Strategies and Activities
“Incorporate Technology: Leverage technology to engage reluctant readers. E-books, audiobooks, and interactive reading apps can make reading more accessible and enjoyable for tech-savvy youth.” from The Significance of Reading and Literacy; Academic Achievement.
https://www.focuos.org/the-importance-of-youth-reading-and-literacy
Message from the Health Office
Spring is finally upon us! The vaccine clinic at your location is coming up fast on May 15th! We’re offering the following vaccines:
HPV: For all people ages 11-45.
A highly contagious but often invisible disease spreads by touch and causes many cancers.
Meningitis ACWY: Ages 11-12 and 16
A disease spreads through the air and lives on surfaces that damage the brain.
Meningitis B: Ages 16+ for those in shared living such as college, military, etc.
A disease spreads through the air and lives on surfaces that damage the brain.
TDAP: Ages 11-12 and for all people every 10 years thereafter for life. Also for families expecting newborns.
Diseases that spread through the air or through wounds that attack the lungs, heart, and brain.
Hepatitis A&B: For all people born before 2006 and any who haven’t received it.
A disease that spreads through unknown means and is the leading cause of liver cancer.
Pneumonia: Ages 50+ or those with a chronic disease condition such as diabetes, asthma, etc.
Diseases that spread through the air and damage the lungs.
Shingles: Ages 50+ or those with a chronic disease condition such as diabetes, asthma, etc.
A highly contagious and very painful disease that spreads through touch and attacks nerves in the skin, eyes, and brain.
This is the registration link for 31 Libby Hill Rd: https://www.cvs.com/scheduling/clinic-details?lob=rximz&flow=clinicinfo&clinicID=11654E0A038A9C3E1726D210B1C98066
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month in Maine~
We are already seeing ticks in our area even after a very cold winter! Here are some helpful tips to avoid Lyme disease;
Wearing skin repellent, protective clothing, frequent tick checks, and avoiding areas such as wooded areas, leaf piles.
The most important thing is removing the tick properly (use fine-tipped tweezers, grab close to the skin, pull upward, no twisting, no Vaseline, no matches). Then watch for symptoms: fever, rash, fatigue, joint aches. If you find an attached tick and are in a high-risk area for Lyme disease, it’s worth calling your doctor if it was attached for more than 36 hours.
Resources for more information;
https://mainelyticks.com/protickme-idguide.html
Updated May 4, 2026