welcome

Welcome to Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School! This is a very exciting time for all of us as grades pre-kindergarten through grade eight are under one roof. The elementary portion of our school covers grades pre-kindergarten through grade four and the middle school portion of our school covers grades five through eight. Mrs. Peterson-Roper is the principal of the elementary portion and I am the principal of the middle school portion. With a total of 800 students and well over 100 staff members, we are huge!

I'm thrilled to be the principal for grades 5-8! We have a wonderful new and renovated facility and, after a few years of moving around, all of our classrooms and program areas are at last in their permanent locations. This will certainly enhance everyone's comfort level and will allow things to run more smoothly.

While learning is certainly the main purpose for students attending school, our school's mission notes that we are committed to our students' emotional growth. A great deal of effort was invested in addressing this last year, and our teachers and staff will, again, be diligent in maintaining a school climate where students feel safe and feel welcome. Practices such as Restorative Justice, Response to Intervention, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports are initiatives taking place throughout our RSU to help our schools be communities where students' social and emotional needs will be met.

I certainly look forward to working with all of you this year and invite you to contact me if you have a question or concern. The school's phone number is 667-6241 and my email is jnewett@rsu24.org. Together, we will make this a great year.