ACTON • ALFRED • BUXTON • CORNISH • HOLLIS • LIMERICK • LIMINGTON • LYMAN • NEWFIELD • SANFORD/SPRINGVALE • SHAPLEIGH • WATERBORO FREE OMMUNITY NEWSPA YOUR C PER VOLUME 18, ISSUE 29 PO Box 75, North Waterboro, ME 04061 • 247-1033 • www.waterbororeporter.com THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 Sen. Collins meets with RReopeningeopening sschoolschools MSAD 6 leaders in Hollis Discusses plans to safely reopen schools this fall On July 9, U.S. Senator Susan students continue to achieve their Collins visited Hollis Elemen- educational goals,” said Senator tary School to meet with leaders Collins. “I had a productive dis- of the Bonny Eagle School Dis- cussion with leaders from MSAD trict (MSAD 6) and discuss how 6 about the steps they are taking the District is preparing to safely to keep their school community reopen for in-school instruction safe.” amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Public schools are prepar- Senator Collins also toured the el- ing to welcome students back to ementary school. school this fall by procuring ad- Those in attendance included equate supplies of personal pro- Paul Penna, Superintendent of tective equipment, reconfi guring Schools for MSAD 6; Lori Napol- classroom spaces, installing Plexi- itano, Assistant Superintendent of glas shields, and adding new bus Schools; and Clay Gleason, Prin- routes,” Senator Collins continued. cipal of Hollis Elementary. “Congress needs to provide addi- “Despite signifi cant disrup- tional funds in the next COVID-19 tions to our education system, relief package to help school dis- teachers and staff at MSAD 6 and tricts implement these changes to schools throughout Maine have protect students, teachers, staff, gone above and beyond to help (Continued on page 2) Sen. Susan Collins at Hollis Elementary School on July 15 with Hollis Elementary School Principal Clay Gleason, left, Assistant Superintendent Lori Napolitano and MSAD 6 Superintendent Paul Penna, right. MSAD 6 has released their plans for reopening (See page 2). COURTESY PHOTO Land trust receives grant for community garden upgrade The Sanford-Springvale Mousam Extension Service’s York County Way Land Trust is happy to an- Master Gardener Volunteer Program nounce that it has been awarded a helps the community gardeners with “Walmart Community Grants Team” any issues that may crop up during grant, from the company’s Sanford the growing season, such as pest, Store, to support the Trust’s Sanford weed, and disease managements, Community Garden. This $750.00 various raised bed growing methods, award was used to buy, build, and and healthful gardening practices. install a Produce Wash Station to en- All community gardeners along with able gardeners to clean their produce the Master Gardeners help care for grown from their raised beds in San- the several raised beds set aside for ford Community Garden. growing fresh produce for local The Garden, built within the food pantries. Trust’s McKeon Environmental Utilizing the precedes from the Reserve in Springvale, is part of grant, industrial-rated stainless the Trust’s commitment to support steel sink, wash table, and faucet the local community’s interest in were obtained, a water supply was not only growing their own food, extended to the station, and the but also its interest in promoting equipment was all tied together. healthful and rewarding gardening Work was accomplished by joint- practices. The Trust’s joint partner- ly by Trust members and Master ship with the University of Maine Gardener Volunteers. Master Gardener Patty McKeon demonstrates use of the Sanford Community Garden’s new Produce Wash Station installed with a grant from the Sanford Walmart. COURTESY PHOTO is still hiring! START DATE: AUGUST We are looking for Visit jobs.spectrum.com today! customer service representatives for our billing department! PAID TRAINING: 6 weeks, Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. • STARTING PAY: $16.50/hour, plus .75 shift diff erential for shifts that start at or after 11 a.m. BENEFITS: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 K w/ 6% company match, Retirement plan, Free and discounted employee cable, internet & phone package (must live in service footprint), Accrued paid vacation, personal days, annual paid holidays, accrued paid sick time, and annual tuition reimbursement of $5,250. PAGE 2 Thursday, July 23, 2020 REPORTER REOPENING MSAD 6 Team will review data provided by not feeling well or displaying symp- maintaining hygienic practices in the SCHOOLS several agencies including the Gov- toms will be sent home. At this time, classroom and teaching students how PANDEMIC PLAN ernor’s Office, the Maine CDC, the the MSAD 6 Health Team has deter- to learn and play together safely. (Continued from page 1) 2020-2021 Maine School Management Associ- mined that it isn’t prudent to take the • Students in grades 3-12 will be This pandemic has caused un- temperatures of every student each custodians, food service and other ation, and the American Association required to wear a face covering in precedented disruption to our stu- of Pediatrics in order to determine day in the building. employees.” the classroom, on the bus, in com- dents and traditional school. As we the flexible learning level. MSAD 6 MSAD 6 is composed of Bux- mon areas, in group bathrooms, and consider how to safely return students is planning for the likelihood that the ton, Hollis, Frye Island, Standish, At home health when within close proximity of other and staff to schools this fall, the fol- District will have periods of time in and Limington. It serves more students. Students will have opportu- lowing questions have been top of all three levels during the 2020-2021 screening: nities to take breaks from wearing a than 3,500 students and employs • Take your student’s tempera- mind: When to reopen, for whom, school year. face covering periodically throughout approximately 600 faculty and staff. ture. If their temperature is 100.4 F or and with what health and safety pre- Decisions about whether or not to the day, as long as social distancing is The District operates the largest pub- greater, they are to stay home. cautions in place? operate in Level I, 2, or 3 at the start maintained, as directed by the class- lic sector bus fleet in Maine. There • If your student has any ONE (1) MSAD 6 is developing a flexible of the school year will be made in room teacher. are six elementary schools, one mid- of the following symptoms, they are learning plan that will govern how late July or early August. At this time, For Example: A teacher will re- dle school, and one high school. to stay home. school and educational programming the most likely scenario is for school quire the students to wear a face cov- As a senior member of the Ap- - Worsening cough will operate based upon the external to begin at Level 2 (yellow) for the ering when sitting at a table in groups propriations Committee and a mem- - Shortness of breath or difficulty conditions that exist across the State month of September. The District ad- where students are 3 feet apart, but ber of the Senate Education Com- - Diarrhea of Maine and Cumberland and York ministration plans to review data and will allow students to take a break mittee, Senator Collins is working to - Vomiting Counties. This plan is purposefully “flu- recommendations to adjust levels as from wearing a face covering when provide the resources schools need - Sore throat id.” The MSAD 6 plan is divided into needed. Plans may change with little students are sitting at individual desks to safely reopen. - Change or loss in smell or taste three core levels; red, yellow and green. advance notice. that are six feet apart. At a hearing last month, Senator - Has an immediate family mem- Collins questioned Dr. Anthony Fau- ber who has 1 or more of the above ci about a new method to more effi- Flexible learning plan Level 2 (Yellow) symptoms or known close contact Classroom precautions ciently test large groups of people outline with levels plan specifics for the with anyone with COVID-19 In the classroom, additional pre- for COVID-19. This cost-effective LEVEL 1 (RED) - All Instruc- cautions will be taken to minimize strategy, known as pool testing, can 2020-2021 school year the risk of exposure to students and tion is Remote (Distance Learning) OVERALL SCHEDULE be used in settings such as schools Transportation plan staff. In Level 2 (yellow) smaller At this level the Governor has is- Students at each grade level will In Level 2 (yellow) students will to detect the presence of the virus. groups of students will be assigned to sued a “stay-at-home” order, and/ be divided into two groups. One be transported in smaller groups on At a separate hearing, Senator Col- classrooms so that their desks/work- or the Department of Education and group will attend school on Mondays buses so that social distancing can be lins, questioned college presidents stations can be arranged to optimize the Maine CDC are recommending and Tuesdays, and the other group maintained. Students will be asked to and a public health expertabout their social distancing. a school closure. During Level 1, will attend school on Wednesdays wear face coverings on the bus. The work to help students, faculty, and Teachers will modify seating at only essential workers are allowed and Thursdays. drivers and monitors will wear PPE staff safely return to campus this fall. tables so that students have adequate in school facilities and all instruction When the student is not attending and hand sanitizer will be available. In May, Senator Collins joined space. Tables and desks will be wiped will be remote in nature. school, independent learning oppor- All buses will be disinfected after ev- a bipartisan group of Senators in in- down routinely throughout the day LEVEL 2 (YELLOW) - A Hy- tunities will be provided.