Superintendent's Office

November 23, 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

As we head into Thanksgiving break, I am reminded of how much we have to be grateful for as a school community. Each day, our students, staff, families, and community members show us what it means to learn, lead, and support one another with pride. I’d like to share just a few highlights from this past week that reflect the extraordinary spirit of the Winslow  School Community.

Earlier in the week, I visited the elementary school as they celebrated Readathon Week. Students and staff arrived dressed as beloved book characters, filling the halls with creativity, energy, and laughter. The joy on their faces made it clear that the event accomplished exactly what it set out to do, which is to celebrate the power of reading and spark a lifelong love of learning.

At the most recent school board meeting, Jr. High Principal Jason Briggs recognized students who were honored for their positive citizenship at the Remarkable Raider Assembly. He also recognized a growing number of students who earned Kennebec Valley Honors in choir and band.

Meanwhile, Winslow High School celebrated Futures Day, a signature experience that brings the entire student body of nearly 400 students together for hands-on exploration of life after graduation. Students traveled to colleges, training programs, military bases, and job sites, gaining first hand exposure to possible career paths. Thanks to continued support from the MELMAC Education Foundation, this initiative has become a cornerstone of  Winslow High School’s college- and career-readiness programming, empowering students to envision and prepare for bright futures.

The end of the week brought three evenings of outstanding performances by the  Winslow Drama Club as they presented their production of Disney’s Newsies, The Musical.

Our student-athletes and coaches completed a successful fall sports season, with several students earning individual recognition in their respective sports. In addition, our Varsity Girls Soccer Team earned Runner-Up honors in the Northern Maine Class C Championship, a hard-fought competition that went into two overtimes.

Our Varsity Football Team won the Northern Maine Class D Championship, avenging their only loss of the season to the John Bapst Crusaders. They went on to play in the Class D State Championship game, where they earned Runner-Up honors.

Across the district, all schools took part in the Adopt-a-Family Program, a PreK–12 effort that brings comfort and care to students and families during the holiday season. Through the thoughtful work of guidance counselors, social workers, teachers, and the generosity of staff and community members, confidential wish lists were created and fulfilled with gifts, clothing, food, and essential items. This year, more than 60 students and families will feel the warmth of this kindness over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Adopt-a-Family initiative represents the  Winslow Community working together at its very best.

In closing, I hope the information above brings a smile to your face, as it does mine, and fills you with a sense of pride and accomplishment. If you are a parent, guardian, or caregiver to one of our students, thank you for your continued support and for the honor of allowing us to work with your children.

If you are a community member or part of an organization that contributed to our Adopt-a-Family Program, you have every reason to be proud, for you have made a meaningful difference in the lives of many of our families. If you are a member of our staff or faculty, I commend you for your tireless efforts. Please know that you are truly exceptional.

To all, I wish each and every one of you a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving break. Thank you for your continued support of  Winslow Public Schools and for the honor of serving your students and your families.

With appreciation,

Peter Thiboutot

Superintendent of Winslow Public Schools

November 10, 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge and thank the members of the Winslow Elementary School PTO, along with the staff and community volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to making the November Craft Fair a success. Your efforts not only supported our schools, but also strengthened the wonderful sense of community that makes Winslow such a special place. Please know that your commitment and enthusiasm are appreciated.

In addition to our PTO, I would also like to recognize the many parents and caregivers who have been involved with one of our Booster organizations during the first quarter of the year. Like the PTO, your continued support and contributions are essential to our programs and to the success of our students. Thank you for the countless hours you devote to enriching our school community.

The beginning of November is a reminder that we are now settled into a new year. The successful transition from getting schools open to full operation comes as a result of hard work and dedication on the part of many individuals and departments. For example, the transportation department has been down two drivers since the start of the year. With a shortage of drivers statewide, our transportation department has worked extra hard to ensure we continue to safely transport our students both to and from school and their extra curricular events. That being said, I am pleased to announce that we have hired two drivers to fill our long term vacancies. The first driver will start this week and the second will be available to us in December. This will allow us to return to our regular runs and eliminate some of the double runs we have had to put in place.

As thrilled as I am about filling our bus driver vacancies, we could still use a larger substitute teaching and educational technician pool. If you or someone you know is interested in being a substitute in our district and would like to learn more about this opportunity, please contact me at the central office so that I can answer any questions you might have.    Please know that being a substitute teacher or substitute educational technician does not require you to commit to a daily assignment.

Our faculty and staff continue to grow as professionals through ongoing learning opportunities provided during our delayed start and professional development days. These designated times allow our educators, from PreK through Grade 12, to collaborate, refine their skills, and engage in meaningful discussions that directly benefit our students. If you would like to learn more about the instructional initiatives we’re focusing on this year, I invite you to visit our District Curriculum Website.

I also encourage you to take a moment to explore the “Proud Moments” section on our district website. This page is updated regularly with celebrations of student accomplishments, staff highlights, and the many wonderful things happening across our schools. I hope you’ll visit often and share in the pride we feel for our students and community.

As we move further into November, we know that colder weather and the possibility of delays or cancellations are just around the corner. As in previous years, we’ll continue to use our informational system called ReachMyTeach for important and time-sensitive updates, including snow days and other urgent notifications.

As always, if you have any questions about your child’s school or upcoming events, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher, building administrator, or to me directly. Our school websites are also a great resource for up-to-date information about what’s happening across the district.

In closing, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the privilege of working with your children and for the strong partnership we share in supporting their growth and success. I would also like to offer a special and heartfelt thank you to all of our veterans. This Veterans Day, we honor your courage, your sacrifices, and your unwavering dedication to protecting our freedoms. Our school community is profoundly grateful for your service and the example of commitment and integrity you set for our students.

Winslow is truly a remarkable community, filled with caring families, devoted staff, and dedicated neighbors who come together to make our schools thrive. I look forward to continuing our work together in the months ahead.

Thank you.

Peter Thiboutot

Superintendent

October 31, 2025 

Dear Parents, Caregivers, Staff and Community Members, 

In the past few days, I have received several inquiries about how the current government shutdown may affect the school's ability to provide meals for our students. In response to those inquiries, I would like to share the following information from a Maine Department of Education Priority notice I recently received. 

Maine Department of Education Priority Notice 

Child Nutrition Programs will continue to operate as usual. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified states that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued for November, this does not affect school meal programs. Child Nutrition Programs and SNAP are administered separately, and school meal operations will not be affected by changes to federal SNAP benefits. 

With that being said, this is a good time to remind everyone that each school offers a Raider Closet that can be accessed discreetly, with items such as food and clothing that can be taken home. If you are interested in contributing to a Winslow Public School Raider Closet, please contact the school office directly. 

Also, additional support for Winslow families in need of food assistance can be found at the following locations. 

Winslow Community Cupboard 

12 Lithgow St 

207-872-2544 

Hours: 2nd and 4th Thursdays. 

8:00am-12p.m. 

2:00p.m-3p.m. 

4p.m.-6:00p.m. 

St. John’s Food Pantry 

26 Monument St. 

207-680-6422 

Hours: 3rd Weds 10a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

Thank you. 

Peter Thiboutot- Superintendent of Winslow Schools 

October 17, 2025

Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

I hope this message finds you well. It’s hard to believe that we are already approaching the end of the first quarter of the 2025–2026 school year. The year is off to a strong and positive start, and I’d like to take a moment to share just a few highlights on some of the initiatives and achievements that are happening throughout our district.

I am proud to share that earlier this year, the Commission on Public Schools, at its June 2025 meeting, reviewed the Three-Year Report of Progress and Planning for Winslow High School and voted to award the school continued accreditation through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and administration. Their efforts ensure that our students continue to benefit from a high-quality educational experience, and the accreditation has been extended for another three years.

In addition, Winslow High School has once again been approved for recognition through the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools National Recognition Program by Special Olympics North America. This marks the second time our high school has received this national honor which is a testament to the inclusive and supportive culture fostered by our students and staff.

Earlier this fall, ten of our high school students attended the Female Athletic Leadership Conference, where they represented our school with pride and leadership. This inspiring event provided them with new ideas and strategies to bring back to their teams, helping strengthen relationships, build skills, and empower future leaders.

At the junior high, the Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) program is running its annual “Socktober” fundraiser to support local homeless shelters. Meanwhile, our Student Leadership Committee is organizing activities throughout the year to promote kindness and raise awareness about anti-bullying.

Our elementary school staff continues to provide exceptional instruction across all content areas, ensuring that students build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. In addition to academic growth and achievement, they continue to emphasize the importance of being respectful, responsible, and safe, fostering a positive and nurturing learning environment.

Our music, band, and chorus programs continue to shine, with many students auditioning for the Kennebec Valley Honors Music Festival (KV). Students selected will represent Winslow in the KV festival which will take place in the Winter.

Fall athletics are thriving as well, with over 40% of our students participating in fall sports. It has been an exciting season, and we’re looking forward to seeing several of our teams advance to the playoffs!

Finally, our staff professional development remains a priority. This summer, approximately 45 teachers, team leaders, and administrators participated in a Successful Leadership Team Workshop to review progress on our school goals related to academic achievement and fostering a respectful and responsible school culture. The data gathered during this workshop will help guide our professional learning and goal setting for the remainder of the year.

The highlights above are just a snapshot of the outstanding work happening in Winslow Public Schools. I would encourage you to visit our school website and explore the “Proud Moments” tab on an ongoing basis where we will continue to post future achievements .

As we near the end of the quarter, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff for their unwavering commitment to our students. I also want to thank our parents, guardians, and community members for your continued support.

Strong schools make for a strong community. Thank you for all that you do.

Peter