Headmaster of TA Rene Menard

Jim Audiffred introduced the Headmaster of TA Rene Menard.  He has been at TA for 20 years and has been Headmaster for 3 years.

Headmaster started off by telling us that the public mission of TA is to serve as Saco High School to Saco, Dayton and Arundel.

TA has a Student Services Team consisting of 20 staff members who meet every other Wednesday.  The team’s duty is to identify and assist the students at risk.  It is critical to attempt to keep students in school as there are few jobs available for drop outs.  There is also a Substance Abuse counselor available since this is a very pressing issue in these times.

TA has 1400 students, 150 of whom are foreign students,.  Every day approximately 170 students come to school hungry and lacking other basic needs.  They try to identify these students by collaborating with SMS and TAMS.  Staff members add to the list as they become aware of student needs.

TA has incorporated a Breakfast Program and they also have mini Food Pantries around the campus with snacks available.

In addition Good Shepherd provides meals to about 30 families of TA students weekly.

A number of students have worked together to set up a Cinderella’s Closet to collect prom dresses, homecoming dresses, etc., available to students.  The realization is that many girls have dresses hanging in their closets that they will never wear again and will be greatly appreciated by someone else.

In addition students collect clothing, jackets, sneakers, etc., and personal hygiene items for those less fortunate.

The goal is to inspire students to help others and also to develop empathy.  Above

all else they need to maintain the DIGNITY of students and their families.

On a different note Headmaster Menard commented how TA is collaborating with UNE and UMO to develop rigorous AP courses.  For engineering students they are developing a national curriculum that if completed during high school will allow students to enter UMO as sophomores and graduate in 3 years.  They are also working on a similar program with UNE in the Arts and Sciences.  This will also allow students to enter as sophomores.

Mr. Menard also believes that the state should work harder in the area of vocational education.  TA is working very hard with Arundel Machine to train and provide more opportunities to students.

He wrapped tings up by saying that 50% of their foreign students are from mainland  China and the remainder are from Europe and Central Asia.

Mr. Menard gave a very impressive presentation of the opportunities available to students as well as trying to provide their basic needs.  He did however state that there is still a lack of opportunities for many of their students.