Good afternoon SAU6 Families,

While we face unprecedented challenges in the Claremont School District, our elementary school teachers, staff, and principals have kept their focus on the health and well-being of our students. I want to thank all the staff of Bluff, Disnard. and Maple Avenue Elementary Schools. Your unwavering dedication is so critically important to helping our students grow in safe and nurturing environments. For transparency, we would like to keep you updated prior to this information being voted on at the Claremont Board meeting on Wednesday evening, October 1st.

I also wish to thank our families and the PTOs of our elementary schools, CMS, as well as the Stevens High School Alumni Association. Your ongoing support and your donations of school supplies and/or fundraising efforts have been greatly appreciated by all. Taken all together, it shows that working with each other makes us a stronger school community.

Immediately following the Claremont School Board’s decision to close Bluff Elementary School, we began plans to make sure the move is as welcoming and as smooth as possible for all involved. Maple Avenue will house Bluff K-3 students and staff, as well as PRIDE Program students/staff. Disnard Elementary will house Bluff Grades 4-5 students and staff.   

Important details are below, and we will continue to update you as information becomes available:

Visits to new classroom spaces:

• Bluff Grades K-1 students visit Maple Avenue School on September 30, 2025

• Bluff Grades 2-3 students visit Maple Avenue School on October 1, 2025

• Bluff Grades 4-5 students visit Disnard Elementary School on October 2, 2025

• Bluff teachers and staff being assigned at Disnard and Maple Avenue Elementary are visiting classroom spaces.

Moving Dates:

• October 6, 2025: Full day of school K-5 at current schools - Final Farewell to Bluff Day!

• October 7-8, 2025: All elementary schools closed for packing and moving of Bluff to Disnard and Maple

• October 9-10, 2025: K-12 SAU6 District (Claremont and Unity) closed for Bluff teachers to set up classrooms and all SAU6 teachers to plan and reorganize

• October 14, 2025: First day of combined schools- ALL SAU6 schools in session

Schedules and Room Assignments:

• A reminder that teachers and students will stay together in the new locations. Room assignments simply refer to where in the building they will be.

• A welcome packet and room assignments to Bluff Parents will be released by Friday, October 3, 2025, by Disnard Elementary and Maple Avenue Elementary School

• Schedules at both schools are being updated, particularly the specials schedule with the inclusion of art, music, and technology staff at Disnard and Maple.  All elementary students will continue to have art, music, physical education, technology, and library, important aspects of a robust elementary curriculum.

Welcome Opportunities for all of our elementary families at Disnard and Maple shortly after the move

• Disnard Elementary Annual Title I Meeting and Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21st, from 6:00 pm -7:00 pm

• Disnard Elementary LifeTouch Picture Day set for Tuesday, October 28th

• Disnard Halloween Parade at 2:30 pm for families 

• Maple Avenue School Annual Title I Meeting and Open House 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 28th

• Picture Day with LifeTouch set for Wednesday, October 29th

• Maple Avenue Annual Halloween Parade 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM down Maple Avenue for all families and the area community.

Other important information

• Disnard and Maple Avenue Faculty and Staff will participate in professional development activities, grade-level meetings, and academic data review meetings during the Bluff move and set up in their new classrooms.

• All students housed at Maple and Disnard will continue to have their same teachers and educational support.

• Classroom sizes, while larger due to cuts enacted earlier in the year by the district and Claremont School Board, will not exceed limits set by the Claremont Fire Department.  Largest class sizes are 25-26.

I understand that this will be challenging, both from practical and emotional perspectives. By working together, actively listening to each other, and showing understanding, we can get ourselves to the place we need so we can continue the good work of educating Claremont students. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your building principal or me. We’re all happy to help.

Sincerely,

Interim Superintendent

Claremont School District