Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,
As we celebrate Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week throughout our buildings this week, Iβd like to express our immense gratitude for their compassion and dedication on behalf of the Biddeford and Dayton School Departments and, more importantly, to the lives of our students. From teachers to bus drivers to custodial staff, their sacrifices do not go unnoticed. Throughout my years as Superintendent, I am often met with students who have a meaningful anecdote about a teacher or staff member who made a positive difference in their life, saw something special in them, or taught them a skill they will carry throughout their lives. While parents and guardians often share their gratitude for the staff's kindness, support, and patience.
The School Committee and the entire Administrative Team appreciate the unwavering commitment our staff has to the challenges our students often face--both academically and emotionally. This was evident as parents and guardians brought in special treats this week to join us in celebrating our teachers and staff this week. Each staff member is a vital component in the future success of the youth in our communityβ THANK YOU!
SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE
Please mark your calendar to vote for the 2023-2024 School Budget on Tuesday, June 13th for Biddeford and Thursday, June 15th for Dayton. Although itβs a challenging year, we continue to seek innovative ways to meet the budget constraints, and with your support, we can continue making a positive difference for students. In Biddeford, the second reading of the 2023-2024 School Budget will be this Thursday, May 11th from 6-9pm at City Hall or via Zoom (Linked here), and in Dayton, the proposed budget is available online (Linked here).
CENTER OF TECHNOLOGY EXPANSION
An official groundbreaking will occur in the coming weeks for the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (COT). The new build will address much-needed improvements and allow the COT to expand and offer new programming. The expansion will allow students increased choices in career pathways, including the creation of a new Culinary Arts and Hospitality program, an Athletic Training program, and expanding the EMT and Plumbing and Heating programs. It will also allow for future middle school programming to explore studentsβ interests and provide space for workforce training and skill enrichment classes through Biddeford Adult Education.
END-OF-YEAR EVENTS
As we begin our slide into home plate, the Spring yields many end-of-the-year events (see below and be sure to pay close attention to information sent home in the coming weeks). This is a hectic yet exciting time of year for our students and their families, and we look forward to celebrating the many achievements ahead. All events listed by school are linked here (scroll to the bottom for Dayton Consolidated School).
My Best,
Jeremy Ray
Superintendent of Schools
MAY
May 10: Biddeford School Committee Meeting (5pm) @ BHS Little Theater
May 10: Dayton Consolidated Schoolβs Family Folk Dance Night (6-8pm) @ Biddeford High School
May 13: Yard Sale to Benefit Odyssey of the Mind World Finals (8am-1pm) @ JFK Gym
May 11: BMS & BHS Chorus Concert (6:30pm) @ BMS Performing Arts Center
May 14: Motherβs Day
May 16: Sensory Friendly Vaccine Clinic (9:30am-1:30pm) @ BPS (Open to children and adults - see below info and consent links).
May 17: BIS Spring Concert (6:30pm) @ BIS Gym
May 18: BHS Senior Community Clean Up Day & Biddeford-Saco Rotary Clubβs 8th Grade Rotary Essay Contest (6:00pm) @ Biddeford High Schoolβs Little Theater
May 23: Dayton Consolidated Schoolβs Title 1 Night (6pm)
May 24: Biddeford School Committee Meeting (7pm) @ BHS Little Theater
May 25: Center of Technology Ceremony (6pm) @ BMS Performing Arts Center
May 26: BHS Seniors' Last Official Day of School
May 29: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day (Cheer on BMS Band in the Parade!)
May 31: APC Graduation (6pm) @ BHS Little Theater
JUNE *
June 1: Family Fun Night for Grades PreK-4 (4:30-7:30pm) @ BPS
June 2: BHS Graduation (6pm) @ Waterhouse Field & Dayton Community Clubβs Outdoor Movie Night & Food Truck Event (5:30pm) @ DCS
June 7: Biddeford Adult Education Graduation (6pm) @ BHS Little Theater
June 12: Biddefordβs Step-Up Day (12:30pm) District-Wide
June 13: Biddeford's VOTE on School Budget (7am-8pm) @ BHS Tiger Gym & BMS 8th Grade Promotion (5:30pm) @ BHS Steve White Gym
June 14: Dayton Consolidated School Late Dismissal by 1 Hour (3:10pm) & Biddeford School Committee Meeting (5pm) @ BHS Little Theater
June 15: Biddeford PreKβs Last Day of School; Dayton's VOTE on School Budget (6pm) @ Dayton Town Hall; & Dayton Consolidated Schoolβs 5th Grade Celebration (6pm) @ DCS Gym
June 16: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Early Release
* Watch Principal's Newsletters for Field Day and End-of-Year Celebration Info
On May 1st, Biddeford High School held its annual National Honors Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony, with 18 students receiving this honor. Hunter Frechette stood proudly with his classmates to be recognized. "As a child with Down Syndrome, Autism, Tourettes, and ADHD, things have not always been easy. Hunter has worked so hard to get to where he is today, and that is a testament to his perseverance, resiliency, and strength of character," said Diane Frechette, Hunter's mother. "I am so incredibly proud of him, and to watch him receive this honor brought me to tears and filled my heart.β
The NHS is a prestigious organization that recognizes high-achieving high school students nationwide. Membership is based on the four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. A leader in innovation and focused on removing barriers, Biddeford High School has taken the next step in recognizing that "high-achieving" means more than what many have come to think of in the traditional sense. Biddeford High School principal Martha Jacques notes, βThis is a monumental occasion towards inclusivity at Biddeford High School, and I am delighted that our staff and students recognized Hunter in this way.β
Hunter was nominated and voted by his peers to be inducted into the NHS. He participated in the NHS ceremony, which inducted the following students: Eva Aranovitch, Micayla Budd, Chloe Cadorette, Nikolai Davidenko, Xavier De La Torre, Benjamin Descoteaux, Eliza Doyon, Emily Frechette, Ella Ireland, Layla Keddy, Ayla Lagasse, Harris Leonard, Alec Martin, Theodora Quint, Tabrea Richardson, Gabriella Smith, Hannah Sonne-Loranger, and Honorary Member Hunter Frechette.
Despite his unique challenges, Frechette demonstrates outstanding character by being a positive role model. "We are extremely proud of Hunter for his accomplishments," said Jacques. "His dedication to his school, commitment to service, and leadership skills inspire all of us. He has shown that anything is possible with hard work and determination." Frechette has shown leadership skills at school and in the community by participating as the Assistant Director & Coach of Challenger League Baseball, helping at Rotary events, and volunteering at Maine Medical Center and is a part of the Freshman Mentor Program. Athletically, Frechette participates in adaptive surfing, adaptive sled hockey, horseback riding, Special Olympics track and field, and unified basketball.
Congratulations to Biddeford Middle School 7th graders Caiden Charland and Kyleigh Froehlich who competed in the state competition for National History Day at University of Maine (Orono). Both students worked very hard to prepare and qualify for this competition and Kyleigh took home 1st prize for individual performance! Kyleigh is known for her contagious enthusiasm and her characteristic ear-to-ear smile. Nicely done Kyleigh and Caiden on your hard work on NHD this year!
Register Early for Fall Screening!
If you have a child turning the age of four (4) for Pre-K or five (5) for Kindergarten before October 15, 2023, please pre-register them as soon as possible via links below to ensure screening is completed prior to Fall. If your child is already enrolled in the schoolβs Pre-K program, you do not need to re-register for Kindergarten. Tours will be made available in the coming months, and additional paperwork may be required.
Necessary documents to complete the process: Birth Certificate, Immunization Records, Proof of Residency (mortgage statement, property tax bill, lease agreement, or notarized letter from landlord), Health Insurance Card, and additional forms may be needed.
Runs Through May 27
Shop at Hannaford and easily raise money for our schools! For every four participating products you purchase (look for the shelf tags in the store or the apple symbol online), our schools will receive $3.00 simply by redeeming your receipt.
NEW for 2023: Deposit School Dollars online using the Hannaford Helps Schools app to donate to a specific school.
