Author: vimes
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Meet Amy Naegely, Dean of Students at Atwood Primary School
August 18, 2025Meet Amy Naegely, Dean of Students at Atwood Primary School!
Personal Motivation
When asked what she enjoys most about working in education, Amy Naegely shared that her greatest joy comes from being a small but meaningful part of a child’s journey. For her, each day brings new opportunities to make a difference—whether it’s helping a student learn something new, feel proud of themselves, or simply feel seen and supported. Watching students grow and succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.The Role of Families and Community
Naegely believes that families and the community play an essential role in the success of schools. She views education as a team effort, one that thrives when strong and respectful partnerships are built among families, schools, and community members. Before joining the Atwood community, Naegely taught at a school where her own children attended, which made the home-to-school connection especially meaningful. She continues to carry that value with her, emphasizing how important it is for every child to feel seen, valued, and supported through the shared efforts of parents, educators, and the wider community.Balancing Academics and Social-Emotional Learning
For Naegely, academic excellence and social-emotional learning go hand in hand. She believes that when students feel safe, connected, and supported, they are more engaged and ready to learn. Emotional well-being, she explains, is the foundation for academic success. Rather than viewing academics and social-emotional learning as separate, she sees them as deeply intertwined—both essential to helping children thrive.Message for the School Year
As the new school year begins, Mrs. Naegely is excited to learn and grow alongside students and families. She looks forward to a year filled with new adventures, big questions, fun, and plenty of opportunities for children to try their best—even when challenges arise. To families, she extends her gratitude for being cheerleaders and teammates in education. To students, she offers this reminder: you are brave, smart, kind, and ready for all the amazing things ahead. For now, she encourages everyone to enjoy the rest of summer and come back ready to make the 2025–26 school year one to remember! #WeAreRSU18 #AtwoodAwesome
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Meet Shelly Moody, Principal of Atwood Primary School
August 18, 2025Welcome back! We are all so excited to open our doors and welcome our community back into our school houses for another spectacular year of learning and growth here at RSU 18! Before we kick off the school year, we wanted to introduce our building administrators! First up is Shelly Moody, Principal of Atwood Primary School in Oakland!
Personal Motivation
When asked what Principal Moody enjoys most about working in education, she shared that there are countless things to love about public schools, especially in RSU 18. For her, the very best part of the job is building meaningful relationships with students and families. Having spent her entire career teaching in the district—primarily in Oakland—Moody now has the unique privilege of working with the children of former students. She describes it as both a gift and an honor to witness the growth and success of students year after year. She is especially passionate about supporting the youngest learners, helping each child begin their educational journey with joy and confidence.Leadership Style and Vision
This year, Moody’s top priority at Atwood Primary is ensuring that all students are seen, supported, and celebrated. She emphasizes the importance of strong connections between staff and children, paired with high expectations and individualized teaching to meet the needs of every learner. Moody hopes to create opportunities for all children to be curious, creative, and persistent in reaching their goals—while also developing a lifelong love of learning.The Role of Families and Community
Believing firmly that “it takes a village to raise a child,” Moody is grateful for the strong support of the Oakland community. She encourages families to partner with teachers by reading at home, engaging in school events, and collaborating to support each child’s growth. Mrs. Moody and Mrs. Naegley are excited to continue beloved Atwood traditions—such as the Halloween parade with Costumes for a Cause and the annual June Carnival—while also introducing new family and community events this year. A weekly affirmation, such as “I can do hard things,” or “I am kind,” will also be introduced for students to share both at school and at home, reinforcing a growth mindset and positive outlook.Favorite Children’s Book
As an avid lover of children’s literature, Shelly Moody finds it impossible to choose just one favorite. Reading aloud to students has always been a highlight of her role as both teacher and principal. A recent favorite, however, is I Am We: A Book of Community by Susan Verde. Moody admires its powerful message that every person is a valued and important member of the community. The book concludes with a line that resonates deeply with her own vision: “… if we put our heads and hearts together, and if we keep on caring for ourselves AND each other… everything is possible.”Message for the School Year
Moody holds close the words of Ralph Atwood, who once said, “Insist your school is a happy place.” At Atwood Primary, her mission is to ensure that every child feels happy, welcomed, and supported each day. She fondly recalls her own children’s memories of Atwood—earning fish for hard work, dancing with Mrs. Blaisdell, and enjoying the famous Atwood Carnival—and she is committed to helping today’s students create joyful memories of their own. With teachers, families, students, and the wider Oakland community working together, Moody believes that WE make Atwood AWESOME!Below are some photos of Mrs. Moody’s family when they were students at Atwood Primary School! #WeAreRSU18 #AtwoodAwesome
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A Full Circle Connection
June 13, 2025By: Anne Roberts, Kindergarten Teacher at Atwood Primary School
Sofia DeRosby, a 2025 graduate of Messalonskee High School, first met Mrs. Roberts in 2012 as a Kindergarten student in her class at Vassalboro Community School. While there are no photos of them together from that year, one special memory remains—a photo of their feet, capturing the moment Sofie expressed her wish to have Mrs. Roberts’ boots.
Years later, both Sofie and Mrs. Roberts found themselves in RSU 18 once again. Upon reconnecting, they discussed the idea of Sofie volunteering in Mrs. Roberts’ current Kindergarten classroom at Atwood Primary School. During the 2023–2024 school year, Sofie began volunteering to earn community service hours and soon expressed interest in continuing her work into the 2024–2025 school year.
Sofie quickly became a valued part of the classroom. The Kindergarteners adored her and would eagerly ask each day if it was a “Sofie Day.” She jumped right in, helping students with their work and becoming a positive and supportive presence in the room.
The connection between Sofie and Mrs. Roberts has truly come full circle—from a bright-eyed Kindergarten student to a capable and caring young woman with a natural gift for working with children. #WeAreRSU18
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The 2025 Atwood Awesome Carnival
June 12, 2025On Tuesday, June 11, Atwood Primary School hosted its end-of-year carnival, welcoming elementary students and their families for an afternoon of fun and celebration. The event featured a wide array of attractions, including face painting, classic carnival games, a dunk tank, and treats like snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, and ice cream from a visiting truck.
A special highlight of the day was the chance to see exotic animals up close, including a wallaby, crocodile, snake, and tarantula. Students also enjoyed exploring a fire truck and police vehicle, adding to the excitement and curiosity of the day.
Families and students alike soaked up the sunshine, creating joyful memories as they celebrated the end of the school year. One of the most anticipated moments was seeing Principal Moody and Mrs. Naegely, Dean of Students, take their turns in the dunk tank—a fun reward inspired by persuasive second graders after the school surpassed its Read-A-Thon goal of 150,000 minutes back in March! #WeAreRSU18 #AtwoodAwesome
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Field Day 2025
June 2, 2025On the morning of Tuesday, May 13, students at Atwood Primary School embraced the “Spirit of Play” during their annual Field Day. The event was thoughtfully organized by the school’s dedicated Physical Education Teacher, Mrs. Blaisdell, who planned a fun-filled day of relays, games, and outdoor activities for the entire school community. The day was made even more memorable by the sunshine, blue skies, and the enthusiastic support of parent volunteers, whose contributions helped make the event a tremendous success.
In the afternoon, teachers joined in the outdoor fun during their early release training, participating in spirited word relays and enjoying a well-deserved moment of play themselves. #WeAreRSU18 #AtwoodAwesome
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From the Principal’s Pen: June 2025
June 2, 2025 -
Looking for a Good Book?
May 23, 2025Second grade writers at Atwood Primary recently concluded their opinion writing unit by crafting persuasive book reviews. Students offered detailed reasons to support their recommendations and shared their reviews in small groups or with the entire class. After each presentation, classmates provided thoughtful feedback and compliments. Anyone in search of a great book should be sure to consult one of these enthusiastic second grade readers! #WeAreRSU18 #AtwoodAwesome
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Most Improved Students 2025
May 21, 2025Congratulations to Atwood Primary’s “Atwood Awesome – Most Improved Students!” While all students have shown incredible growth this year, special recognition was given to those who demonstrated outstanding academic, social, and emotional development. #WeAreRSU18 #AtwoodAwesome
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PTA Bingo Night and Special Prize Winners
May 14, 2025A few weeks ago the Williams gymnasium was filled with Atwood and Williams families eager to play BINGO. Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Solis called the numbers while Mrs. Moody and Mrs. Naegely managed the prize table. Several Atwood students were lucky enough to win special prizes, including extra recess with friends, a pizza lunch with Mrs. Moody and Mrs. Naegely, a ride to school in a fire truck, and a ride to school with Chief Stubbert. The Atwood community extends thanks to all the families who participated in this fun-filled evening. #WeAreRSU18 #AtwoodAwesome
