A Message from Rick Riley-Benoit

A very special welcome goes out to all our 5th graders and students who are new to our community. Also welcome back to all our returning students! We missed your energy and are thrilled to see all your happy faces. This year will be full of new discoveries, exciting challenges, and great memories. We can’t wait to see what you accomplish.

Something new this year: Community event flyers will be available on the MSAD 15 website instead of being a part of our school’s newsletter. This will cut out the redundancy of parents receiving the same information about a community event from all schools. You can access the Community Events tab at the bottom of the MSAD15.org page under the title Who We Are or by clicking on the Community Events link: click here, going forward this link will be located on the first page of the Middle Minutes under Dates to Remember.

                                                  Absence guidelines and State Requirements

Attendance

There have been some questions about what constitutes an excused absence. This is what our handbook says.

To be considered an “excused absence” and not truancy from school under both Board policy and Maine Law, a verbal or written excuse must report one of the following:

  • Personal illness.
  • An appointment with a health professional that could only be scheduled during the regular school day.
  • Observance of a recognized religious holiday, when observance can only be done during the school day.
  • A family emergency.
  • A planned (notify main office in advance) absence for personal or educational purposes that has been approved.
  • Main office: 657-4994

Dismissal

The following will help with the dismissal of students throughout the day. These items are beneficial for parents, students, office and classrooms as well as safety concerns.

  • Please contact the office by 11:00 A.M. to let us know time of dismissal.
  • Arrive no later than 1:30 if you are dismissing early.
  • After 1:30 we ask all dismissals to please wait until our 2:00 P.M. parent pick up time outside. Our office staff needs this time to prepare for announcements and other end of day duties.
  • Allow the necessary time to dismiss your child. We will call your student out of class when you come into the office to sign them out.
  • Please do not park in front of the building in the bus loop after 1:20. Our vans and buses begin arriving at this time and the area should be clear of all other vehicles.
  • Park in the side parking lot designated for morning and afternoon drop off and pick up.
  • Bring an ID with you until we get to know you.
  • If your child is not being dismissed early for an appointment prior to 1:20 P.M. please wait for them in the parent pickup line so we can minimize classroom interruptions. Our last class does not end until 1:45P.M. We know this is not always convenient and appreciate your understanding.

From the Health Office

Welcome to the new school year! If your student requires medication to be administered at school please reach out to me. If they have emergency medication that they are required to self-carry we will also need documentation and physician signed medication forms to keep a copy in the health office.

All medication forms can be found on the school website under Health Services as well as our medication policies.

Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Tracey Ross, BSN, RN

Vaccine Clinic Information

MSAD 15 GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL

31 Libby Hill rd, Date/Time: October 02, 2026, 10:30 AM – 01:00 PM

Gray, ME 04039

Phone Number: 657-4994

Clinic Contact: Tonia Gilley Pratt RN

Email: tgilley-pratt@sad15.org

CVS Clinic Contact Information:

Name: Christopher Mauer

Email: Christopher.Mauer@CVSHealth.com

Please remember to bring insurance cards to the clinic.

Scan the QR code or click on the link to sign up ahead of time. Click Here

If you have any questions regarding your clinic, you may reach out to your CVS Clinic Contact listed above.

For additional assistance, please contact VaccineClinics@CVSHealth.com.

Thank you for choosing CVS Pharmacy® as your vaccine clinic partner.

© 2025 CVS Pharmacy, Inc.

One CVS Drive, Woonsocket, RI 02895

DRAMA CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT

GNG Middle School Drama Club Fall Session will be starting on Tuesday, September 15th from 2:00pm to 3:30pm in the cafeteria. Drama Club is offered as an after-school club to students in grades 5-8. There are two sessions for Drama Club. Sign-up for the Fall Session will begin on September 9th and will be on the bulletin board across from the office.

FOCUS: The Fall Session will focus on a Drama Work-shop format. Participants will be learning about improvisation, stage make-up, singing and dancing on stage and how to be effective on the big stage. All students will need to have a ride home at 3:30pm. Attendance is not mandatory for the fall session. For more information please email Miss Guerard, michelle.guerard123@gmail.com

More news for the Winter Session Musical will be released in November 2026.

Updated September 9, 2026