BIDDEFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year. The BMS staff is excited about this school year and getting to know each of your children.

I hope your summer was restful and relaxing, with some time spent together as a family. As we move through the year, I encourage you to read these newsletters and the Superintendent Updates for the latest news relative to your child's education.

Sincerely,

Mr. Scott Descoteaux

Principal - Biddeford Middle School

Open House for 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students will be held on Monday, August 28th from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm. This evening provides an opportunity for families to tour the building, meet teachers, see classrooms, open lockers, and review student schedules. We hope you will join us and show your excitement about your child attending BMS!

Our school day runs from 8:40am - 3:10pm. Students are allowed to be dropped off at 8:20 am. Unfortunately, we do not have supervision for arriving students prior to this time. The buses will not arrive until 8:30 am. The school will be locked and will only open at 8:30 am.

Upon arrival, students will report directly to their Tiger Time teacher and classroom. Breakfast will be available to each student as they make their way to their Tiger Time classroom.

Our dismissal process will begin at 3:15 pm. Additionally, I have included a link to the school schedule below, which includes what a normal day at BMS might look like for your child.

For the safety of our students, this once-a-year process is necessary in order for the school to have accurate, important student information, such as addresses, phone numbers, emergency contacts, permission forms, and medical needs.

To access the Online Registration

1. Log into your Campus Parent Portal
2. From the gray panel on the left, select "More"
3. Then select Online Registration
4. Begin Annual Updates

Student team placements and schedules may be found on Infinite Campus.

Accessing Infinite Campus:

It is through Infinite Campus where you are able to find all of the details regarding your child’s team, teachers, and specific schedule. It is very important for parents to stay connected to the school. 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. Step-by-step instructions are available by clicking here.

Tiger Time is a time at Biddeford Middle School where students work directly with an adult in the building. Every student is assigned to a Tiger Time Cohort where they will report directly upon arriving at school. Leading these cohorts are the teachers who will be working very closely with your child. The intent is for these teachers to check on the social-emotional development of your child while maintaining regular contact with you, and the family. Throughout the school year, please feel free to ask these teachers questions that you might have regarding all aspects of the school. You will be hearing from them shortly.

• Monday, August 28th - BMS Open House (4:30 - 6:30).

• Wednesday, August 30th: This is the first day of school for Grades 5, 6, and 7 at Biddeford Middle School. Staff will be present to direct your child upon arrival to school:
  - 5th Grade Students - Will report to the Auditorium.
  - 6th Grade Students - Will report to the Cafeteria.
  - 7th Grade Students - Will report to the Gym.

• Friday, September 1st and Monday, September 4th - No School (Labor Day Holiday Weekend).

• Wednesday, September 13th - Early Release (8:40 - 12:50)
  
  
• Wednesday, September 20th - School Picture Day

Please have a look at each of our teams and grade levels at Biddeford Middle School.

Every student in the Biddeford and Dayton School Departments will be assigned a school-owned device for the 2023-2024 school year with the expectation that students and/or parents will be responsible for returning them in similar condition (Device Protection Plan and cost details here). To begin the year, students in Grades 5-12 will be issued a device that may go home with them each day (as determined by their teachers/building). Students should bring their device to school each day-charged. Devices will be assigned during the first week of school.

Biddeford Middle School uses a software program called "Family ID" for student-athletes to sign up for participation. Parents will need to create an account on this website, which allows them to upload medical forms, fill out general medical information and select the sport the student is interested in participating in.

Scott Descoteaux, Principal

Email: sdescoteaux@biddefordschools.me
Website: https://biddefordme.sites.thrillshare.com/o/bms
Location: 25 Tiger Drive, Biddeford, ME, USA
Phone: (207) 284-6400
Facebook: facebook.com/ourschool