Welcome to BIS!

Welcome back to a new school year! We understand that coming back to school can bring strong feelings with some of the uncertainty. We are here to help and will do our best to support you and your family through this transition. Over the summer we have worked hard to make our buildings safe for students and staff to return. We recognize some of these changes may be challenging and greatly appreciate your support, involvement, and patience.

School Times

The BIS school day is 7:50 AM-1:50 PM.

Drop off is from 7:40-7:50 AM (process/details below) and pick up is 1:50-2:00 PM.

Important Notes

• Please contact the BIS office if your address has changed.
• It is very important for parents to stay connected and activate their parent portal. If you have not yet set up your Infinite Campus Parent Portal or need to make any edits to your information, please do so by clicking on the link below: https://infinitecampus.biddefordschools.me/campus/portal/parents/biddeford.jsp

• All kids should bring a water bottle to school.

Newsletters/Communication

The Biddeford School Department will continue to follow the CDC and DOE guidelines this coming school year. Many of these recommendations and policies continue to change. Please check our website or mobile app regularly over the next few weeks for updates, and watch for a Smore letter via email on August 4th and 18th. To be sure you’re receiving Smore letters in your email, please update the parent portal in IC using the instructions included in this mailing.

In addition to the Superintendent’s bi-weekly district newsletter, each school will be sending out a bi-weekly newsletter to families on the opposite weeks which will include important dates, counselor or nurse updates, and highlights of programming, student participation, and staff. This is an opportunity to celebrate the great things occurring in our building. I encourage parents to read both newsletters and hope you find the information informative. If you have any suggestions for included items or story ideas to increase engagement, feel free to share them with me.

Open House

The BIS Open House details are TBD. A decision will be made closer to the start of the school year based on guidelines and restrictions.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we navigate this school year.

Sincerely,

Lindsey Nadeau

Biddeford Intermediate School Principal

With the prevalence of the delta variant in Maine, Governor Mills announced in a press release last week that the State of Maine will follow the U.S. CDC updated face covering guidance, which recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.

We suspect the Maine DOE’s Health and Safety Guidance, which aligns with the updated recommendations of the U.S. CDC for K-12 schools, may be in effect as we return to school on September 1st but we ask for your patience as guidance is changing weekly. Superintendents and educators across Maine attended a Zoom meeting with Dr. Shah and are awaiting additional information, including FAQs, to make final determinations for each district. We will communicate the final guidance prior to September 1st.

We understand there are many varying views on masking; yet, we must continue to follow the CDC recommendations to ensure a safe return to school five days a week. We encourage parents and guardians to remain positive in their messaging to children and prepare them for the first day back. We appreciate your continued support in keeping our students and families safe by adhering to precautionary safety measures such as wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, covering mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying home when any symptoms are present.

Mrs Aberle: Resiliency Coordinator (jaberle@biddefordschools.me)

Mrs Guay: School Counselor (alambert@biddefordschools.me)

Morning Drop Off:

Busses will come through the front bus loop at 7:40 AM. At that same time in the back of the school, cars may come through the drop-off loop, accessed by Tiger Way. Staff members will be available to assist in getting students into the building. There is no parking during morning drop-off, and parents are asked to stay in their car. We ask that you pull up and students are ready to exit the car.

Afternoon Dismissal:

Similar to drop-off, students will be released to the front loop as busses arrive. Parent pick-up will take place at the same drop-off location in the back loop. Please keep to the right, and do NOT DOUBLE PARK. Our staff will be out there to assist.