Principal's Message
Dear Tiger Nation,
The first semester of our 2023-2024 school year is now officially behind us. As we move into February break, Tiger Nation should stand proud! This school year marked the first complete year totally in our newly constructed building! As we navigate the use of our new campus, the freedom from last year's restrictions has been a true blessing, allowing us to come together without hindrances. Our Sumner team remains dedicated, delivering an outstanding experience for our Tigers.
Here are a few of our many highlights so far this school year:
ACADEMICS
--For the 2nd straight year, both Sumner Middle and Sumner Memorial High School students performed above state averages on both math and reading assessments.
-- 52% of our current 6th graders scored higher than the 61st percentile in math, with 37% being higher than the 80th percentile!
-- 62% of our current middle school students (6th - 8th) grade demonstrated marked growth on their most recent NWEA assessment. 55% of those students were at or above the 61st percentile.
-- Every high school grade (9th - 12th grade), on average, scored in the “High Growth / High Achievement” quadrant of the data on both the math and reading NWEA assessments, with 63% and 62%, respectively, of our seniors being proficient. To compare, according to the Nation’s Report Card, only 22% of students across our nation are at or above proficiency.
-- 47% of our current sophomores were at or above the 81st percentile in reading!
-- Sumner Middle School students have a year-to-date attendance rate of 92.84%, while our high school students are closely following behind at 90.02%.
-- 52% of our current 6th graders scored higher than the 61st percentile in math, with 37% being higher than the 80th percentile!
-- 62% of our current middle school students (6th - 8th) grade demonstrated marked growth on their most recent NWEA assessment. 55% of those students were at or above the 61st percentile.
-- Every high school grade (9th - 12th grade), on average, scored in the “High Growth / High Achievement” quadrant of the data on both the math and reading NWEA assessments, with 63% and 62%, respectively, of our seniors being proficient. To compare, according to the Nation’s Report Card, only 22% of students across our nation are at or above proficiency.
-- 47% of our current sophomores were at or above the 81st percentile in reading!
-- Sumner Middle School students have a year-to-date attendance rate of 92.84%, while our high school students are closely following behind at 90.02%.
BEHAVIOR
-- We have seen a 53% decrease in the number of behavioral referrals, compared to last school year at the same point in time.
-- Sumner Middle School began the B.A.R.R. (Building Assets and Reducing Risks) program this school year, which focuses on eight interlocking strategies that build intentional relationships.
-- Sumner Middle School began the B.A.R.R. (Building Assets and Reducing Risks) program this school year, which focuses on eight interlocking strategies that build intentional relationships.
ATHLETICS
-- Our High School Boys Cross Country Team won the DAC Championship, PVC Championship, Northern Maine Class C Regionals and Class C State Championship!
-- Kaleb Colson won the Boys Class C Cross Country Individual Championship!
-- Our High School Cheer Team won both the DAC Championship and PVC Championship! They were recently named Class C State Runner-ups!
-- Middle School won the PVMS Cross Country Championship
-- Our Middle School Cheer Team finished 4th at the Stackpole Cheer Competition in Ellsworth
-- Kaleb Colson won the Boys Class C Cross Country Individual Championship!
-- Our High School Cheer Team won both the DAC Championship and PVC Championship! They were recently named Class C State Runner-ups!
-- Middle School won the PVMS Cross Country Championship
-- Our Middle School Cheer Team finished 4th at the Stackpole Cheer Competition in Ellsworth
PROGRAM RECOGNITION
-- We have seen a wonderful revival of our music/band programs at both the middle and high school levels. We had a packed auditorium for their Winter Concert.
-- Our Industrial Arts classes are once again building and donating an amazing shed for the Mountain View Youth Sports Winterfest, which will be held at Flanders Pond.
-- Our Music and Band students were selected to participate in the Trills and Thrills Music Festival. They will be one of the only music programs in our entire state to attend the event, held in New Jersey.
-- Our Industrial Arts classes are once again building and donating an amazing shed for the Mountain View Youth Sports Winterfest, which will be held at Flanders Pond.
-- Our Music and Band students were selected to participate in the Trills and Thrills Music Festival. They will be one of the only music programs in our entire state to attend the event, held in New Jersey.
-- 50 of our Tigers were recognized by the Portland SeaDogs, receiving free tickets to a game later this season, as “Most Improved Students.”
-- Our science department developed a partnership in November with MDI Laboratory to study community based water samples and use this real data. Becoming Citizen-Scientists, taking samples, presenting remediation suggestions, and collaborating with the laboratory on this authentic learning experience.
Some examples of middle school GT projects this year include: A 3D design and model build of a 2-cylinder combustion engine, construction of a remote control Piper Cub airplane from 3D printed parts, study and construction of marionette puppets, building a raspberry Pi personal computer, writing plays, and building a video game with the Unreal Engine.
-- High school GT projects include projects with outreach potential beyond the four walls of the school such as involvement of students with Jackson or MDI Labs, digitizing artwork, learning C++ coding to build Apps, recreating a medieval lute design to build on a CNC wood machine in conjunction with Eagle Hill and a artist from France. In all cases, students are given the opportunity to build on their strengths and explore areas that would normally be outside their comfort zone.
-- Our science department developed a partnership in November with MDI Laboratory to study community based water samples and use this real data. Becoming Citizen-Scientists, taking samples, presenting remediation suggestions, and collaborating with the laboratory on this authentic learning experience.
Some examples of middle school GT projects this year include: A 3D design and model build of a 2-cylinder combustion engine, construction of a remote control Piper Cub airplane from 3D printed parts, study and construction of marionette puppets, building a raspberry Pi personal computer, writing plays, and building a video game with the Unreal Engine.
-- High school GT projects include projects with outreach potential beyond the four walls of the school such as involvement of students with Jackson or MDI Labs, digitizing artwork, learning C++ coding to build Apps, recreating a medieval lute design to build on a CNC wood machine in conjunction with Eagle Hill and a artist from France. In all cases, students are given the opportunity to build on their strengths and explore areas that would normally be outside their comfort zone.
INDIVIDUAL TIGER PRIDE
-- Mrs. Hunt, one of our middle school English Language Arts teachers, was nominated for the John and Claudette Brassil Distinguished Educator Award!
-- Jessika Bridges, a current senior, received a MPA Principal’s Award for 2024.
-- Dulcinea (Dulcey) Lacey was selected as one of the top High School singers in the entire state and participated in the All-State competition!
-- Josh Cramer and Nova Dennison, two members of our Sumner Student Government Association, were elected to serve on the state student council, representing ALL Maine high school students.
-- Five of our teachers were nominated for Hancock County Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Cramer, Mrs. Edgecomb, Mrs. Hunt, Mr. Solares, and Mrs. Ulecka!
-- Two of our teachers were nominated for the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Khederian and Mr. Mason.
-- Jessika Bridges, a current senior, received a MPA Principal’s Award for 2024.
-- Dulcinea (Dulcey) Lacey was selected as one of the top High School singers in the entire state and participated in the All-State competition!
-- Josh Cramer and Nova Dennison, two members of our Sumner Student Government Association, were elected to serve on the state student council, representing ALL Maine high school students.
-- Five of our teachers were nominated for Hancock County Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Cramer, Mrs. Edgecomb, Mrs. Hunt, Mr. Solares, and Mrs. Ulecka!
-- Two of our teachers were nominated for the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Teacher of the Year – Mrs. Khederian and Mr. Mason.
MUCH MUCH MORE
-- In November, we held the 1st ever “Lights On” Alumni basketball tournament, which attracted a diverse range of alumni!
-- To honor our veterans and provide students with a once in a lifetime opportunity, we worked with the Maine National Guard to land a Blackhawk helicopter on our softball field, as part of our Veterans Day celebrations.
-- Building off last year's 1st and 2nd place wins at the spring Robotics Track Meet in Brewer, the Middle School team registered for the 2023/24 season with the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Lego Challenge. Students built a competition practice table with donated materials from the Ellsworth Home Depot and are working on a robot for February's competition.
-- Eighth Graders attended Schoodic Education Adventure (SEA) camp this past fall. Sixth graders will attend in the spring!
-- On February 3rd our FIRST Robotics LEGO team (The Robo Tigers Club) participated in the state championship!
-- Our Makerspace became only the 4th recognized MakerSpace in Maine, recognized by The Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) at the University of Maine.
-- We officially started a Unified Robotics Team, under the leadership of Mrs. Martha Ames!
-- To honor our veterans and provide students with a once in a lifetime opportunity, we worked with the Maine National Guard to land a Blackhawk helicopter on our softball field, as part of our Veterans Day celebrations.
-- Building off last year's 1st and 2nd place wins at the spring Robotics Track Meet in Brewer, the Middle School team registered for the 2023/24 season with the F.I.R.S.T. Robotics Lego Challenge. Students built a competition practice table with donated materials from the Ellsworth Home Depot and are working on a robot for February's competition.
-- Eighth Graders attended Schoodic Education Adventure (SEA) camp this past fall. Sixth graders will attend in the spring!
-- On February 3rd our FIRST Robotics LEGO team (The Robo Tigers Club) participated in the state championship!
-- Our Makerspace became only the 4th recognized MakerSpace in Maine, recognized by The Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) at the University of Maine.
-- We officially started a Unified Robotics Team, under the leadership of Mrs. Martha Ames!
As we continue through the 2023-2024 school year, our Sumner community stands united in celebration of a semester marked by remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication. From the inauguration of our state-of-the-art campus to the flourishing of academic excellence, athletic triumphs, and innovative programs, Tiger Nation has exemplified resilience and unity. Our students' outstanding performance on assessments, athletic prowess, and participation in diverse initiatives showcase the collective commitment of students, faculty, staff, and families. Through the revitalization of music and band programs, the success of gifted and talented projects, and the recognition of individual achievements, our community has demonstrated a steadfast pursuit of excellence. As we look to the future with optimism and enthusiasm, we remain poised to embrace new challenges and opportunities, fortified by the spirit of Tiger Pride that defines us.
With gratitude for the unwavering support of our Sumner family, we look forward to continued success and growth. Go Tigers!
Jackson Green, Principal
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