Attention Parents/Guardians: As you know, RSU 56 School Board Policy JICJ states that student cell phones “must be turned off and stored during the school day.”
Many parents asked that we allow students to keep their devices “stored” but still with them, such as in their iPad case or pocket. We worked diligently to be accommodating and still uphold the cell phone policy. Unfortunately, many of our students have continued to “sneak” and use their devices, especially in the bathroom. It has gone on long enough. Cell phone expectations need to change at TWKDMS. We sent a letter home last week with students to provide advance notice.
Starting Monday, students must store their cell phones at 7:45 am in either the Main Office or their locker. Students are welcome to place locks on their lockers, and we also have excellent camera coverage of the lockers to ensure the safety of stored content. Cell phones may not remain with students during the school day.
If a staff member sees a cell phone between 7:45 am and 2:25 pm, it will be delivered to the Main Office for safekeeping for the rest of the day. There will be no warnings, and we will make the enforcement of this clear. We will not search their phones.
Parents needing to contact their child during school may call the Main Office at 562-7552. We will bring the student down to make a call. Thank you for your support.
As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions. This may not be a popular change, but we are taking on this challenge because we believe it will help our students succeed. Go Cougars!
Wednesday, April 23, 2025, is Administrative Professionals' Day - and as everyone in the River Valley knows, Dirigo Middle School has a total mega-rock star in the Main Office! Thank you, Mrs. Sanborn! Enjoy your day, and as always, Go Cougars!
Spring Sport Photos will be taken after school on Wednesday, April 30th. After the April break, athletes will come home with an order form, but you may order online at any time.
RSU 56 Phone lines have all been restored, if you need anything from our buildings the numbers are as follows:
DES: (207)562-4207
DMS: (207)562-7552
DHS: (207)562-4251
Central Office & Transportation: (207)562-4300
Good Morning. RSU 56 is currently experiencing a phone outage with our phone provider. If you need to reach any of our schools, please use the emails listed below:
DES - Tricia Fletcher - tfletcher@rsu56.org
DMS - Lisa Sanborn - Lsanborn@rsu56.org
DHS - Devon Melcher - dmelcher@rsu56.org
Central Office - Cyndi Matthews - cmatthews@rsu56.org
Transportation - Terri Cox - tcox@rsu56.org
Class of 2025 Breakfast with the easter bunny 4/12/25
Attention Dirigo Community: The Autism Society of Maine will offer a free presentation on autism for families at TWKDMS from 4:30 to 6:00 on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. See the flyer below for more information. Go Cougars!
We celebrated second-trimester student achievements yesterday at TWKDMS. First, staff awarded "most improved" student awards as part of a program sponsored by the Portland Seadogs. Then we recognized the second-trimester Academic Achievement and Academic Excellence Award Winners. Coach Bradbury got us fired up for the TWKDMS wrestlers competing at the State Finals this weekend. Finally, we had our annual Unified vs Faculty Basketball Game - and the kids won, again. Go Cougars!
Tomorrow is the final day to order yearbooks! Order forms were attached to report cards, but you can also order online.
Good Morning from RSU56. Due to the inclement weather RSU56 will be having a remote learning day today, 4/3/25. Have a great day!
Just in case: With the morning weather looking uncertain, there is a real chance of a "remote learning" day tomorrow. We sent students home today prepared for this possibility. We reviewed "remote learning" plans and procedures with all students in February. The basic plan for a middle school remote day is available here as well: https://www.rsu56.org/o/twk-dirigo-ms/page/twkdms-remote-learning. Go Cougars!
Here is the schedule for sports next week.
No fooling, here is our April lunch menu!
Good morning from RSU 56. Due to some of our roads being icy this morning we will have a 1-hour delay in RSU56 today 3/31/25.
Report cards will be coming home with students on Friday, March 28th. Please look for them.
Early Release 3/24/2025 - Due to the impending storm, RSU 56 will have an early release day today, Monday, March 24, 2025. Student dismissal will begin at 11:30. Please be safe. Thank you and have a great day.
A huge congratulations, and Go Cougars, to Sawyer Lufkin! This past Saturday, he won his 83rd middle school wrestling match, breaking the previous middle school record. Go Cougars!
Dear TWKDMS families:
Today at 12:30 a “transient” threat was discovered written on a stall in a girl’s bathroom at T. W Kelly Dirigo Middle School. Upon report to the Main Office, the Central Office and law enforcement were contacted. An Oxford County Sheriff’s Deputy came to the school immediately and conducted a threat analysis, deeming the threat unsubstantiated. Additional follow-up began immediately while the school limited hallway traffic to assist with the investigation.
Law enforcement has deemed this incident as a hoax and opened a case to work collaboratively with the school to determine the origin of the vandalism. There are no identified safety concerns for anyone in the building or community. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the RSU 56 School Resource Officer, Justin Onofrio at jonofrio@rsu56.org or Middle School Principal, Jason Long at jlong@rsu56.org.
We are back to school as normal. Go Cougars.
Come join a conversation around Suicide Prevention Awareness presented by Mary Gagnon from NAMI Maine on Wednesday, March 6, 2025, 4:30 - 6:00 at Dirigo Middle School.
