CHS Report

Board of Education Report – October 2025

This report provides an overview of the positive activities and initiatives at Carrabec High School. We have had a smooth opening to the school year, and I am pleased to highlight several excellent student and staff achievements.

Senior Class Community Involvement - Our senior class demonstrated a commendable sense of community service during the New Portland Fair. Students volunteered their time to manage parking for attendees and were instrumental in the cleanup efforts after the fair. Their hard work and dedication were a significant help to the community and a credit to the school.

Poland Spring Resort Field Trip - Mr. Jack Kaplan planned and executed an incredible learning opportunity for students in the Lifetime Fitness class. The group, along with several chaperones, visited the Poland Spring Resort on September 11th. The trip began with a moment of conversation to honor the significance of 9/11, allowing students to learn and share new information before even reaching the resort.

Upon arrival, students were guided by the resort's knowledgeable tour guide, Laura Brown. They learned about the historic Maine State Building, originally constructed for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and relocated to the resort. The building is a marvel of Maine craftsmanship, built with all-Maine materials, and was one of the first of its kind to be wired for electricity. The tour also included a visit to a beautiful church, the original Poland Spring location, and the historic bottling plant. A poignant moment of the tour was the monument dedicated to Togo, the famous sled dog from the 1925 serum run to Nome, who lived his final years at the resort.

After the historic tour, students had time for some recreational activities, including fat biking and swimming in the outdoor pool. The students' excellent behavior and engagement so impressed the tour guide that she opened the resort's ice cream shop—which is normally closed after Labor Day—just for them. This trip successfully combined Maine history with the curriculum's focus on "Quality of Life" and camaraderie.

Health and Wellness Initiatives - We are proud to report that we have conducted two successful fire drills, which have ensured our students and staff are prepared for emergencies. Additionally, Mr. Dostie recently met with Kaleigh Trask from the Somerset Wellness program. They are collaborating on a new after-school substance prevention program that will involve students applying to represent Carrabec High School.

Upcoming Events - We are gearing up for our annual Homecoming week, which is set to begin on Monday, October 6th. The week will be a great opportunity for our school community to show its spirit. On Monday, we will also be holding an open house starting at 6:00 p.m. This year's games will be held on October 7th under the lights, with the girls' game starting at 6:00 p.m. and the boys' game to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Additionally, all staff will participate in a pivotal NWEA training on Friday, October 10th. This training is a cornerstone of our "Raising the Bar" initiative, providing our educators with the tools to support student growth.

"Raising the Bar" Initiative - We have officially begun our "Raising the Bar" initiative, with initial discussions focusing on improving both academic and behavioral standards. A key part of this initiative is also a focus on improving student attendance, recognizing its direct impact on academic success and overall school culture. This school-wide effort aims to challenge our students to achieve their full potential in all areas of their school lives.

In summary, the school year is off to a wonderful start. Our students are demonstrating positive character, our staff is creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences, and we are laying the groundwork for key initiatives that will benefit the entire school community.

Thank you for your continued support of Carrabec High School!

Bruce Dostie

GO COBRAS!!!