Join the parent Yahoo chat site (contact Carla O'Sullivan at cjs@maine.rr.com for set up). This is where parents go to ask questions from other parents and share ideas about anything relating to the MSSM experience. Also use the MSSM Parents Association web site www.mssmvoice.org. Information about Parents Association activities and events will be posted there. Information will be placed in the daily announcements to inform parents of new postings.
You are the person that knows your kid the best. If an issue arises concerning your student, don't hesitate to call and talk to the teachers or administrators involved. The first semester can be a real adjustment, and often an early intervention phone call can be a real help to all concerned.
Remember that your student will be responsible for the following items make sure to practice them:
Laundry
Time Management, ie. Homework, exercise, shopping, relaxing, work job, extra curriculas
Waking up in the morning
Hygiene (roommates really appreciate practice in this area)
Using an ATM
Using Phone Card
Using a credit card
Managing Over the Counter Medicines
In the Fall, students may not have internet access for the first few weeks while the school checks over their laptops and computers prior to them accessing the system.
An answering machine/phone combo is helpful, as catching students in their rooms is difficult before 10 pm on weeknights and 11 pm on weekends. Cell phones have spotty reception, but can work (and will be using Canadian towers at international rates). Contact your provider to have the accidental roaming charges removed from your bill.
Establish a 'Say hey' time for once a week. This is a time for either you or your student to call and connect. Scheduling a fixed time that works into the students schedule is an easy way to stay connected.
A cordless phone will allow your student to call without disturbing others.
A reloadable phone card is very useful.
Skype, a VOIP (voice over internet protocol) service, is free and can save on toll charges. Here is the internet link to find out more information: Skype.com
If MSSM information is coming to your home email address, you can place a rule in your email to forward messages from mssm.org to your work accounts. That way daily announcements and email sent to you by your student(through their mssm account) will go directly to you at work.
A credit or debit card can be used at most places the students go (the grocery store, Mall, Walmart, etc.) and eliminates the need for a bank branch in Limestone. Remember that most ATM machines charge $2.00 fees for use. When using an ATM to get money, get enough money each time to reduce the reuse of the machine and in turn reduce fees.
Limestone has a storage facility near the school where students can go in with friends and store dorm items over the summer.
Laundry is $3 per load (often needs 2 dryer cycles), so providing your student with a few rolls of quarters each extended weekend can be helpful. M & M mini containers make great quarter containers. Advise your child not to overload machines so they work more efficiently. This may mean more loads per week, but not as many dryer loads.
Get risers for the bed legs. Sturdy ones are available at Linens & Things for about $15. With risers you can store totes underneath the bed, adding storage space.
Bring a small fan to school. The rooms are often hot at the beginning and end of the school year.
Pillow top mattress pads can make all of the difference with a marginal mattress.
Send "care" packages often they really appreciate food. Sending breakfast items can help them to sleep-in in the morning. (Most students need a small refridgerator to store their food.) Let your student know a package is coming, especially if you send perishables. Packages can sit for days in the MSSM office before being delivered.
Load the student's laptop with all conceivable contact information they may need.
Don't stress about your child's lack of sleep or study habits. The first few months are an adjustment period for every student. Eventually, each child figures out what they need to succeed and will be so much more prepared when they start college. (Lack of sleep has been an issue for some students- sleep deprivation is not always a matter of "choice" or "poor decisions" on the student's part. If your student seems to need help in this area, speak to someone at the school.)
Birthdays and other celebratory events:
Chef Tom will make a birthday cake for your student. Cakes are in half and full sheets. The cake is delivered to your student the night of their birthday around 9-9:30PM. Chef Tom asks for a minimum of 1 week lead time on the cake. He will also want to know if the cake is to be shared with friends or with the whole wing. You can contact Chef Tom for his current pricing. In 2007 a full sheet cake cost $35.00. His cakes are very popular with the students. You can contact him at 325-3303 or email at robinsont@mssm.org.
Many parents notice significant changes in their kids after the first year. The maturity that they gain and independence that MSSM fosters go a long way towards their personal and academic growth. They start taking control of their own lives, are able to solve their own problems, and take great pride in their accomplishments. Initially, it may be hard for parents to "let go", but the rewards are well worth it.
MSSM Parents Association Executive Committee Contacts: (2008-09)
Steven Symonds, President
symonds@roadrunner.com
668 Augusta Rd
Belgrade ME 04917
207-495-3355
Dale Gordon, Past President
dgordon4@maine.rr.com
207-498-3583
Thersea Torrent-Ellis, Vice President
Thersea.torrent-ellis@maine.gov
619 Post Rd
Bowdoinham, ME 04008
207-666-5803
207-322-7887
Laurie Cornwall, Secretary
cwall@suscom-maine.net
17 White St
Topsham, ME 04086
207-729-1370
Stacy Benjamin, Treasurer
benjamin@fairpoint.net
95 Main St South
Searsmont, ME 04973
207-342-2929
Kathleen Carter, Communications/Publicity Chair
KatCarter@reddawg.net
Kennebunk, ME 04043
207-967-0936