Believe it or not, we are about six weeks from the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The annual "big" middle school mailing will go home in mid-August. In the meantime, here is the school-wide supply list for those who want to sale shop. Have a great summer, and as always, Go Cougars!
Current list of open teaching positions:
Dirigo Elementary School: Music Teacher
Dirigo Middle School: Math/Science Teacher
To secure and submit an application or letter of interest, please contact: Lisa Sanborn - 207-562-7552, careers@rsu56.org.
RSU56 Job Posting Update
Here is the link to the DMS Final Assembly today 6/13/24 at 9:30am
https://youtube.com/live/a6PegCRtu_s?feature=share
We have made it to our final week of school. Here is some important information for you.
On Tuesday, we will be collecting laptops. Students must bring their computer, charger, and bag to school to turn them in. Mr. Hodgkins will review each device and bill for any missing pieces or damages.
Our school-wide field day is tomorrow. We have a fun day planned for everyone. Be sure students wear sneakers, as we will have indoor and outdoor activities. We will have a hydration station, but bringing your own water bottle would be a good idea. Students should bring sunscreen and bug spray if they can. It is essential that all 8th graders attend on Tuesday, as we will be reviewing the last assembly, learning how to march in, and going over important details.
On Wednesday, all students will be going to Mt. Blue State Park. Students are welcome to bring their fishing gear. There will be a truck to put them in so they don’t come into our building. Remove the hooks from the line if you need to bring your fishing pole on a school bus. Be sure to arrive on time, as the bus leaves by 9:15. We will return to school by 2:00.
Our final assembly will be on Thursday at 9:30. Family and friends are welcome to attend. Our doors will open at 9:15, and our students will be released for summer vacation at 11:30.
The Spring State Testing is over at TWKDMS. This year we held a raffle to celebrate student growth. Students earned raffle tickets depending on growth scores. Out of 280 tickets, 7th Grader Duncan Knox won two drawings(!), a wireless headset, and the Grand Prize: An American Bison cooler (donated by the PTO, valued at $250) filled by Mr. Long with 50 ice-cold Izzies. Testing isn't something most kids enjoy, but we think it is important to honor effort. Whatever you do, do your best! Go Cougars!
Attention Parents/Guardians: Today we sent home the Mt Blue Day permission slip for all students AND the 8th grade Class Trip permission slip for 8th graders. All forms must be returned to the office by Wednesday, June 5th. The 8th graders must bring the slip home and have their parent/guardian ALSO complete the Urban Air online waiver (the extra waiver is mandatory to jump at the jump park). Go Cougars!
Congratulations to our Choir for an excellent performance this spring at the Dixfield Congregational Church on the Hill. Go Cougars! Hear a clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOqfBavNMxg
Today has been a painful and scary day for many in our community. We would like to offer some cheer with a clip from our recent concerts. This post will feature the Band - here is the clip prepared by Mr. Hamalainen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjm5Q9eZcpE
Good Morning from RSU 56. There will be no school in RSU 56 today, 5/29/24 due to route 108 being closed still from the incident that occurred last night in Peru. This closure will not change the last day of school, more information will be coming out later today. Thank you and have a great day.
TWK Dirigo Middle School is searching for a Math and Science teacher for Grade 6 and an Ed-Tech III to support intervention in English Language Arts. For an application or more information, please contact Lisa Sanborn at lsanborn@rsu56.org or call 207-562-7552. Go Cougars!
Here is our June lunch menu. Please note that we have changed the date to go to Mt. Blue State Park to Wednesday, June 12, and will have our Field Day on Tuesday, June 11th.
Dirigo Elementary School - Teaching Openings
* Music Teacher
To secure and submit an application or letter of interest, please contact: Lisa Sanborn - 207-562-7552, lsanborn@rsu56.org.
Attention Parents/Guardians: TWO announcements follow. 1) This Saturday is the 7th & 8th-grade semi-formal dance (not a dance for 6th graders). The tickets are free this year but must be collected in advance. Students must be eligible to attend, and we will not permit entry after 7:30 (start time is 6:30 with the red carpet introductions, students can start arriving at 6:00-6:15 for their pictures). Students MUST be in attendance the day before the dance to attend the dance. 2) The entire 8th grade is headed to Region 9 for a field trip this Friday, and we sent home the permission slips today. Please get those back to us ASAP. Students will get bagged lunches from TWKDMS, and spend the day learning about the various programs so that when they are older they will have an idea of what is offered. Things are moving quickly! Go Cougars!
As you know, this is Teacher Appreciation Week. Today our staff enjoyed an assortment of treats provided by community businesses and we want to say thank you for their support: Franklin Savings Bank, Conant Acres, On the Go Toes, Dixfield Discount Fuel, and Houghton Homestead. If you have a staff member you particularly appreciate, this is a great week to send an email or thank you note. Go Cougars!
Last Friday we honored our AMAZING school nutrition workers with gifts from the Student Council and PTO. This week ahead is Teacher Appreciation Week. It has been a tough year - floods, local tragedies, etc - and our staff has made many sacrifices to support the kids and their academic progress. Go Cougars to ALL of the amazing people that keep our school going!
Attention Parents/Guardians: TWKDMS is conducting spring state testing one test at a time. The 8th grade will take the NWEA in reading on 5/9 and in math on 5/14; both times will be in the morning so that the students with DHS classes in the afternoon will keep a regular schedule. The 7th grade will take the NWEA in reading on the same dates but in the afternoon. The 6th grade already completed its reading NWEA on 5/1 and will take the math NWEA on 5/8. The 8th grade also will complete the required MEA Science exam on 5/16. That should wrap up another year's worth of assessments. To try and make things a little more positive for our students, the PTO has sponsored some prizes that students can earn raffle tickets to try and win. Go Cougars!
On this National Principals Day, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible leadership of our Principal, Mr. Long. His dedication to fostering a positive learning environment and ensuring the success of every student does not go unnoticed. From his tireless efforts to his unwavering support, he goes above and beyond each day! Thank you for making DMS a better place!
Attention Students and Parents/Guardians: RSU 56 Policy JICJ prohibits using personal electronic devices in most situations during the school day in grades 6-8. It is a difficult policy to enforce, but we try our best. Unfortunately, the increasing number of students with wireless headphones has made that even more difficult. Despite repeated announcements and warnings at school, students continue to "pair" their wireless headphones with cell phones (even with their peers' cell phones). This allows them to bypass the content firewall in place at the school via personal cell phone data plans. We have tried to manage this problem one student at a time, but it has become too prevalent and contentious. Effective immediately, wireless headphones may not be used at TWKDMS during the school day. Students may continue to use wired headphones connected to school laptops to access appropriate music at the appropriate times. Students without wired headphones will be provided a pair upon request by the Main Office. Thank you for understanding. Go Cougars.
https://core-docs.s3.us-east 1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1021/RSU_56/3571885/POLICY__JICJ-_Student_Use_of_Cell_Phones_and_Other_Electronic_Devices__5_.pdf