Principal's Message
Dear Tiger families,
After beginning our year in remote status, we had all hoped that by this time in the school year that we would be in total control of our new Learning Campus. While our frustration remains elevated, we are confident that our district, along with the Maine Department of Education, are working tirelessly to reach an agreement with our general contractor Nickerson O’Day. Our team at Sumner has done an incredible job of working against all odds to maintain a solid educational experience for each of our Tigers.
Here are a few of our many highlights so far this school year:
-- Both Sumner Middle and Sumner Memorial High School students performed above average, rising above our own district-wide averages on our fall math NWEA scores.
-- Our current 6th graders were 10% higher than our district averages in reading scores.
-- Both our 6th and 8th grade middle school math scores were nearly 12% higher than our overall district-wide scores.
-- Sumner Middle School students have a year-to-date attendance rate of 92%!
-- Eight of our teachers were nominated for Hancock County teacher of the year!
-- Mrs. Wheaton, our PE/Health teacher, was selected as Maine PE/Health Teacher of the Year!
-- Mr. Lord, a math teacher and coach, was selected as Downeast Athletic Conference(DAC) Coach of the Year for Cross Country and PVC Coach of the Year for Indoor Track!
-- Mr. Dillan Harmon, our high school boys basketball coach, was selected as DAC Basketball Coach of the Year
-- Despite being prohibited from playing games in our new gymnasium, being restricted to only certain times that our teams could practice, and being forced to have all road games and showcases: our high school boys made the playoffs and our girls basketball team made it to the quarter-finals in tournament at the Cross Center, our middle school cheerleaders won their first ever division title; our indoor track team had multiple runners place at the State Championship meet; and our Varsity cheering team was awarded the MPA Sportsmanship Award for Class C North.
High school Varsity cross country, girls soccer, and cheering each won the DAC Championship.
-- We have had a few athletes win DAC player of the year in their respective sport, and many more that have been named to All-Conference teams.
-- Our Tigers (6th through 12th grade) were introduced to our first ever robotics team.
-- While our Industrial Arts classes could not occupy their respective areas of the new school, we were able to transform an off-site garage into a functional classroom and build one of the most amazing sheds for the Mountain View Youth Sports Winterfest at Flanders Pond.
-- Twenty-two of our Tigers were recognized by the Portland SeaDogs, receiving free tickets to a game later this season, as “Most Improved Students.”
-- Our National Honor Society students attended the state conference for the first time in decades!
-- Our middle school students won a $500 grand prize for their participation in WinterKids.
-- Tori Webber, a senior, will hopefully be attending the FBI Teen Academy in Boston this spring.
-- Mr. Jason Bricker, an educational technician, was selected to attend the National Conference in California, one of only three people in the state to be selected.
-- Our current 6th graders were 10% higher than our district averages in reading scores.
-- Both our 6th and 8th grade middle school math scores were nearly 12% higher than our overall district-wide scores.
-- Sumner Middle School students have a year-to-date attendance rate of 92%!
-- Eight of our teachers were nominated for Hancock County teacher of the year!
-- Mrs. Wheaton, our PE/Health teacher, was selected as Maine PE/Health Teacher of the Year!
-- Mr. Lord, a math teacher and coach, was selected as Downeast Athletic Conference(DAC) Coach of the Year for Cross Country and PVC Coach of the Year for Indoor Track!
-- Mr. Dillan Harmon, our high school boys basketball coach, was selected as DAC Basketball Coach of the Year
-- Despite being prohibited from playing games in our new gymnasium, being restricted to only certain times that our teams could practice, and being forced to have all road games and showcases: our high school boys made the playoffs and our girls basketball team made it to the quarter-finals in tournament at the Cross Center, our middle school cheerleaders won their first ever division title; our indoor track team had multiple runners place at the State Championship meet; and our Varsity cheering team was awarded the MPA Sportsmanship Award for Class C North.
High school Varsity cross country, girls soccer, and cheering each won the DAC Championship.
-- We have had a few athletes win DAC player of the year in their respective sport, and many more that have been named to All-Conference teams.
-- Our Tigers (6th through 12th grade) were introduced to our first ever robotics team.
-- While our Industrial Arts classes could not occupy their respective areas of the new school, we were able to transform an off-site garage into a functional classroom and build one of the most amazing sheds for the Mountain View Youth Sports Winterfest at Flanders Pond.
-- Twenty-two of our Tigers were recognized by the Portland SeaDogs, receiving free tickets to a game later this season, as “Most Improved Students.”
-- Our National Honor Society students attended the state conference for the first time in decades!
-- Our middle school students won a $500 grand prize for their participation in WinterKids.
-- Tori Webber, a senior, will hopefully be attending the FBI Teen Academy in Boston this spring.
-- Mr. Jason Bricker, an educational technician, was selected to attend the National Conference in California, one of only three people in the state to be selected.
Just as our team has been committed this far, we are equally dedicated to ending the school year just as strongly! For example, a team of faculty and staff members recently began to strategize and plan alternative ideas for graduation, if we are not allowed to occupy our gymnasium on graduation night. I am beyond excited about the proposals that we are developing together. Once we finalize estimated costs and connect with strategic community partners, we will be working with our senior class to have them select an option that best fits their wishes, as it is their graduation. In addition, we are equally as committed to providing our 8th grade Tigers with an end of the year promotion ceremony that is reflective of their historical significance being the first class to be promoted within the walls of our new Learning Campus.
Although we have been dealt a difficult hand, we are SUMNER STRONG and throughout this entire endeavor we have kept our heads high and focused on what really matters… reaching, connecting, and educating each of our Tigers!
Best regards,
Mr. Green