ST. GEORGE — With Knox County moving to a yellow designation in the Maine Department of Education’s COVID-19 health advisory system, St. George School officials released a letter to families Nov. 6 updating its educational plans. 

With the yellow designation: 

K-5: Students in grades K-5 continue five days per week of in-person instruction.

Middle Level (6-8): Student in 6th-8th grade will move to a hybrid model, in which middle level crews rotate between in-person and remote instruction with two crews at the school, one crew at Blueberry Cove, and three crews at home learning remotely. No middle level crew will have more than two consecutive school days of remote learning.

Day Treatment, Life Skills, and the ARC Program: Middle-level students in our most intensive special education programs will continue to attend school 5 days per week.

School breakfast and lunch will be provided for all middle level students learning remotely.

Remote students can sign up for breakfast and a cold lunch option (i.e., Sandwich of the Day, PB&J, or Chef Salad) using the online signup form.

Middle level students were given printed schedules for next week indicating where their crew will be learning each day (i.e., at school, Blueberry Cove, or remotely at home).Schedules and additional information will be emailed to middle level parents. 

In the school building, the school community will continue to be vigilant about mask wearing, social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting, and the other health and safety protocols required in the Maine CDC Guidance for Schools.

“I share your disappointment and frustration that next week some of our students will not be in school every day,” said Superintendent Mike Felton. “At the same time, we want to keep our school-community safe and follow the plan that was developed through months of hard work and research by our Return to School Committee and subcommittees. The Return to School Committee will meet next week to review the Yellow Plan and recommend necessary changes.”

General questions or concerns can be directed to:

Academic Instruction & Scheduling: Instructional Administrator Adam Bullard (a.bullard@stgeorgemsu.org)
Special Education: Assistant Special Education Director Jessica Berry (j.berry@stgeorgemsu.org)
Food Service: Food Service Director Janet Harjula (j.harjula@stgeorgemsu.org)
Transportation: Transportation Director Randy Elwell (r.ellwell@stgeorgemsu.org)
Student Health: School Nurse Autumn Belajonas (a.belajonas@stgeorgemsu.org)
Food Security & Social Services: Social Workers Stephanie Simmons (s.simmons@stgeorgemsu.org) and Amy Hufnagel (a.hufnagel@stgeorgemsu.org)

“As with every challenge we’ve faced over the past seven months, we do so together, as a school community,” said Felton. “We will persevere, take care of one another, and do whatever it takes for our children to learn, grow, and thrive despite the challenging times we are living through. This is who we are and that’s what we do. It’s what makes us Dragon Strong.”