A Message from Mrs. Hennessey
This May, we are excited to continue our academic work as we maximize our learning time to prepare each Memorial School student for a summer break and a next step in the fall. We appreciate your continued partnership with Memorial School. It is a delight to be a part of our vibrant K-2 learning community in New Gloucester.
This May edition of the Memorial Messenger contains a great deal of important information about upcoming scheduling, end-of-year celebrations, and plans. Please review and reach out if you have any questions. Please feel free to contact me directly at ahennessey@sad15.org or by phone at 926-4322 if I can be of assistance.
Last Day(s) of School
The last day of school for current kindergarteners will be Friday, June 6th. This is a full day of school. The kindergarteners are ending their school year a little earlier so that our staff can hold a screening for the incoming kindergarten class.
The last day of school for first and second grade students will be Wednesday, June 11th. (This is subject to change if we have any additional unexpected no school days.) June 11th will be an Early Dismissal. Dismissal will be at 12:20 (this is earlier than on an ordinary Early Release Day).
Memorial School’s Title 1 Program
Annually, Memorial School renews its application to receive Title I funding for programs and staffing. Being a school-wide Title I school means that we receive federal funds to support student learning, and we are able to expend these funds across the whole school instead of only for specific students. To maintain this status and funding, the district must reapply annually. This re-application will be submitted to the state by June 1. Any member of the community who wishes to have more information or give input on our district’s Title 1 plans or applications should contact Amanda Hennessey, Memorial School Principal at ahennessey@sad15.org.
Reg. Education Summer Programming Update
For the past several years, MSAD 15 has run summer programs for K-2 students. These programs included the Patriots Arts Summer Program, Kindergarten Jumpstart, and Boost. These programs were made possible by various grant opportunities that are no longer available. For this reason, we will be unable to host these summer programs at Russell or Memorial School for Summer 2025. We are sharing this now so families can use this information to make informed decisions about their summer plans.
Counselor’s Corner with Ms. Michelle
The last few days of the school year are upon us, and we have been discussing our thoughts about next year. What will be the same and what will be different? What are students looking forward to for next year?
We are also learning about personal body safety and their safety network of trusted adults. The Maine Department of Education mandates that all school districts develop and implement child sexual prevention education, response, and policy.
While the conversation we are starting at school is an important foundation for your child, research shows that children understand these important concepts when the conversation is carried over in the home. We recognize that it can be uncomfortable to talk with your children about this topic; however, these discussions about boundaries, emotions, and safety will have a tremendous impact on their well-being later in life.
Here are some additional resources for you to check out:
www.childrenssafetypartnership.org
Lastly, we will be playing some cooperative games during our Guidance time to continue working on our pro-social skills. It has been a pleasure having your children all year, and I have enjoyed getting to know them.
~ Ms. Michelle
2025–2026 Kindergarten Registration & Screening
We have begun registering students for the kindergarten class of 2025-2026! Parents of students who will be five on or before October 15, 2025, please visit the Memorial School webpage and click the link to pre-register your child for kindergarten. We can’t wait to welcome our incoming students into our Memorial community!
More information to come on the K Screening Process. If you have any questions about the registration or screening process, please contact Amanda Hennessey at 926-4322 or ahennessey@sad15.org.
Registration Reminder
Please be reminded that registration for the upcoming school year is now open. Registration information was shared in the latest edition of The Superintendent’s Spotlight. Completing this now allows us the lead time necessary to complete schedules, placement, and bus routing for the upcoming school year. Please call Miss Lisa in the main office with any questions (926-4322).
Memorial School Students Participate in the District-Wide Science Fair!
On the evening of Thursday, May 1st, the Gray-New Gloucester High School gymnasium was home to our annual District-Wide Science Fair. Students from district schools were invited to complete science-themed research projects and experiments. About twenty-five students (including several Memorial students!) participated in the Science Fair, and their exciting projects were on display.
The entire GNG community was invited to view the projects, enjoy robotics demonstrations from high school science students, engage in make-and-take science experiments, and mingle with students, families, and staff. All participants were awarded certificates. We also raffled off science-themed prizes to participants.
We were so proud of our Memorial Scientists! Thank you to our student participants for taking the initiative to complete and display their impressive projects.
Report Cards & Class Placements for 2025-26
Trimester 3 report cards will be mailed out shortly after the end of the school year. We will also send home supply lists with report cards. Memorial School will plan to send out class placements for the 2025-26 school year via a mailing in early August. We appreciate your patience as we plan for next year!
Transition Meeting for Families of Second Grade Students
On Tuesday, May 27th, the Dunn School will be holding a parent information night for parents of next year’s 3rd grade students. The meeting will be held at 6:00 in the Dunn School gymnasium. Parents are encouraged to attend. If there are any questions regarding the parent information night, please do not hesitate to contact Geoff Robbins, Principal, at 657-5050 or by email at grobbins@sad15.org. We hope to see you there and look forward to having your students at Dunn School next year.
Field Day!
Memorial School Field Day will be held on Friday, May 30th. The rain date, if needed, will be on Friday, June 6th. Students should plan to bring a change of clothes on Field Day because some activities will involve water play. Ms. Croteau will be sending home (via Seesaw) all of the details in her Field Day 101 handout in the coming weeks!
Because of the generous donations from parents and staff, we were able to purchase Field Day shirts for every Memorial School student! Thank you so much for your generous support.
Summer Reading Program
Memorial School will promote a Summer Reading Program this summer. We are thrilled to provide an incentive for kids to continue their reading over the summer! More information will be provided soon.
Patriot Parent Update
Thanks to all of the families who participated in our Teacher Appreciation Week activities! A Coin Train Challenge is coming up next week! Please see the flyer in Totes this week.
Memorial Rep: Melissa Cote
Step Up Day for Second Graders
Second graders will have an in-person Step-Up visit to Dunn School on May 28th. Students will attend a 90-minute(ish) visit, and their second grade classroom teacher will be in attendance. Second graders will eat lunch at Dunn School and have the opportunity to visit the playground, too! Students will be transported by district bus.
Updated May 18, 2025