March 20, 2020
Dear AOS 47 Parents, Staff and Community Members,
Governor Mills recently announced that all Maine schools should cease classroom-based instruction for the duration of the recently announced civil emergency which is, initially, a 30-day period. The local area Penquis Superintendents’ Association has agreed that all school districts in our region continue with the school closure through April 17th, then break for the regularly scheduled April Vacation.
As a result, and based on the rise of COVID-19 cases being discovered in Maine, I am announcing that all AOS 47 Schools will extend its school closure through Friday, April 17, 2020 that will be followed by the scheduled April vacation from 4.20.2020 through 4.24.2020. We will continually reassess this situation to determine if it is possible to reopen on April 27th and will update you regularly.
Please know I do not take this action lightly. We have tried, through the first week, to make sure that the Airline, Dedham & Orrington School Departments are acting in a calm, deliberate manner and I am proud of how our school leaders, staff, and students have handled themselves throughout the early days of this crisis. As we enter this new stage we will introduce other additional supports for your family and student(s) as we move through uncharted waters.
To that end, we want every student to be healthy and to manage their worries and any anxiety they might be feeling. If you are concerned with how your child is doing emotionally you can contact the NAMI MAINE HELPLINE. Their number is 800-464-5767, press 1 (helpline@namimaine.org). Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at AOS 47’s Central Office, (207) 825-3364. You can also use the number 2-1-1 to get general information regarding the Coronavirus outbreak.
Thank you very much for your continued support and patience as we work together to take care of our students and our community.
Sincerely,
James Stoneton II