​June 15, 2020
Dear Parent / Guardian
As the 2019-20 school year draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reach out to you regarding a couple of items that we are working on as a school district.  
First, I want to thank all of you for your support of both your own child’s learning and the efforts of our staff as we finished the year using remote learning strategies amid the COVID crisis.  I recognize that many of you may have been unaccustomed to implementing home schooling strategies and therefore this was a new experience for your family.  My principals have reported to me anecdotal feedback they have received that outlined both successes and challenges faced by our resident families and I wanted to reassure you that this feedback has not gone unheard.
Secondly, I am also very certain that many of you have questions regarding the upcoming school year and what that might look like.  At this point, I must emphasize that student safety is the highest priority in our planning for next year.  I also would point out that in my professional opinion a return to the “normalcy” of previous years is highly unlikely at this time. With this in mind there are two possible global frameworks that are guiding our thinking at this point and they include: a sort of hybrid model incorporating a variety of both on-site as well as remote educational approaches and the continuation of a distance education model taking the above referenced feedback into consideration as much as possible.
As our district-wide planning efforts continue, I want to alert you that a survey will be sent to you with questions designed to further guide our thinking.  I strongly encourage you to respond to this survey as soon as possible to ensure the greatest amount of time to finalize our strategy for next year and also to subsequently give you the greatest amount of time to prepare as a family.
Thank you for your support during these challenging times.
Respectfully,
 
Kenneth Johnson
Superintendent of Schools AOS 77

​April 10, 2020
 
 
 
Dear Parent/Guardian:
 
On Tuesday, April 7, Commissioner of Education Pender Makin and Governor Janet Mills made the recommendation to continue distance learning services until the end of the school year.  The schools within AOS 77 will follow this recommendation and services like the ones you have grown accustomed to during the previous three weeks will continue.
 
Please be advised we will be observing April Vacation week as a vacation and will only be distributing meals according to the regular schedule in your town.  I feel that both families and staff who have been working diligently during these challenging days need that respite.
 
At the present, no formal decision has been made regarding graduation exercises for 8th grade and 12th grade students, however, I will be asking the respective school boards for their input.  
 
Thank you for your support during these challenging times.
 
Respectfully,
 
 
 
Kenneth Johnson
Superintendent of Schools 

​March 23, 2020 

Dear Parent or Guardian: 

At this time I must inform you that I am extending the closure period for all AOS 77 schools until Monday, April 27, 2020. During this time families will continue to receive meals and homework in the same manner that has been implemented by the individual schools your children attend. 

During the week of April 20-24 (April Vacation) there will be no homework sent as we will observe April vacation but meals will still be provided. 

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding during these challenging days as we continue to work on behalf of students in the safest manner available to us. 
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Sincerely,
Kenneth Johnson
Superintendent of Schools
AOS 77 – Sunrise County School System ​

March 18, 2020
 
Dear Parent or Guardian:
 
I regret to inform you that in light of the threat posed by the coronavirus (COVID 19) schools in AOS 77 will be closed at least until April 1, 2020.  At that time the decision will be revisited in the light of all information available at that time.

This action was taken in response to Governor Janet Mills’ declaration of a civil emergency on Sunday, March 15, 2020.  Additionally, schools have received guidance from the Maine Center for Disease Control and the Maine Department of Education.  Information from both agencies can be found on the Maine Department of Education homepage.  https://www.maine.gov/doe/covid-19

During this time, each member school of AOS will be issuing its own guidance pertaining to the protocols for the distribution of food to those families in need, dissemination of educational materials to students, the availability of staff and access to the school building.   Parents need to refer to the letters received from the principal of their particular school for specific instructions.
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While I am sure that our students will be disappointed it is paramount that we keep their safety firmly in focus.  Thank you for your understanding during this challenging time.
 
Respectfully,
 
Kenneth Johnson
Superintendent of Schools AOS 77