DISTRICT UPDATE

Despite this week's heat wave, it is wonderful to have students back in the buildings; their excitement is contagious! As we begin a new school year together, the first week is always a time of adjustment and getting accustomed to new routines. We understand that there might be a mix of emotions for both students and parents, whether it's the first day of kindergarten, a transition to a new school, or the bus routes being finalized as new students are added. We appreciate your patience and understanding and applaud our staff for their continued professionalism, care, flexibility, creativity, and positive attitude as we address each situation.

I am always impressed by the sheer volume of work completed by our custodial and maintenance staff, food services and transportation staff, front office assistants and support staff, teachers, educational technicians, and administrators to provide the best possible return for our students. Please know that we are here to provide a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere where every student feels valued, respected, and encouraged to reach their fullest potential.

ATTENDANCE

On behalf of all our educators, we wish to remind parents and students alike about the importance of regular school attendance and on-time arrival (see below start times). Even once-monthly absences have a profound impact on student outcomes. Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most impactful ways that parents can bolster the work we do in the classroom. When parents emphasize the importance of showing up, it helps children develop healthy habits that last long past graduation.

FREE BREAKFAST & LUNCH

In public schools in Maine, youth will again have access to free breakfast and lunch this year which meet nutrition standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I encourage parents to review the menus each month on the district website and take advantage of this program–one less thing to think about in the morning! Although there is no charge, parents will be asked to complete the economic status questions during online registration as the data provided is used to determine our school funding, including Title 1 funds for special education programs, before/after and summer school programs; discounts on laptop insurance and internet; and teacher's student loan forgiveness.

STAY IN THE KNOW!

Throughout the school year, we will strive to maintain clear and open lines of communication. Our school websites, newsletters, and mobile app will keep you informed about important dates, classroom updates, and exciting happenings within our school community. If you are interested in community events endorsed by the district, they will be published in a separate Community Newsletter updated weekly, so be sure to bookmark this link.

Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of educating and nurturing your children. As we navigate this year together, let's remember that each child's journey is unique, and growth takes time. Here's to a year filled with wonder, discovery, and endless possibilities!

Sincerely,

Jeremy Ray

Superintendent of Schools

Approximate bus stops/times have been noted in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal under the 2023/2024 School Year tab. If you have any questions about your child(ren)’s transportation needs, please contact the Transportation Department at 282-0909 or email alovejoy@biddefordschools.me.

Please see walking boundaries here for BMS/BHS students.

It is very important for parents to complete the registration process in order to stay connected and informed about your child(ren)’s education. 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 links below. Step-by-step instructions (apply to both Biddeford and Dayton) are available by clicking here.

Our K-12 Odyssey of the Mind program will hold an information night on Monday, September 18th at 6:30pm in the Biddeford Middle School Cafeteria. If your child is interested in joining or learning more, please attend! If you are unable to attend, please click the image below to complete the interest form.

YARD SALE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

The Odyssey of the Mind Teams will host a Yard Sale on Saturday, September 16th from 8am-1pm at John F. Kennedy School Gym. Want to rent a table to sell your own items or donate items to sell for the cause? If so, click here. Come shop and support Biddeford OM Teams!

The Device Protection Plan is strongly recommended for students in Grades 5-12. These students are considered to be in a “one-to-one take-home” device program. They are allowed to keep the device with them and may end up with the same device for several years.

For Grades PreK through 4, whose devices will be left in the classroom, The Device Protection Plan is not seen as necessary, UNLESS these students end up in a Remote Learning situation or need to quarantine at home at some point and will be taking their devices home. At that time, it would be recommended that parents consider purchasing the Device Protection. Device Protection Plan and cost details here.

A HUGE shoutout to all those Local Heroes who step up each year and make the first day of school special for all of our students! Receiving donations of so many wonderful school supplies brightens everyone's day and makes the start of the year special.

Thank you to:

• Staples - Biddeford

• The Residents of the Lincoln Lofts

• FMI, a Spirit AeroSystems Co., Chinburg Properties

If your child is in need of anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Principal or Resiliency Coordinator so we can be of assistance. We do not want there to be any barriers to making students feel comfortable and welcome so that they may focus solely on academics.

On June 25, 2022, President Biden enacted the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), a significant legislative measure aimed at enhancing mental health services and bolstering safer, more inclusive school environments. The BSCA allocated $1 billion nationwide; Maine’s allocation was ~$4,500,000, with the maximum award to any school district capped at $500,000. Fifteen awards were made, and the Biddeford School Department was awarded $449,586--the second highest in Maine. These funds are intended to establish conducive learning spaces, counteract bullying, violence, and hate, and nurture positive school cultures.

Termed the Stronger Connections Grant Program, the funding aims to foster family-school partnerships, promote restorative practices, offer mental and behavioral support, advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and enhance school safety and emergency readiness. Family-school partnership initiatives encourage the active involvement of parents through education programs and collaborative decision-making. Restorative practices, emphasizing dialogue and relationship-building, reduce conflicts and create inclusive atmospheres. Mental and behavioral support funding enhances access to professional services, anti-bullying programs, and trauma-informed strategies. Lastly, the application addresses school safety through upgrades, emergency planning, and various interventions, aiming for comprehensive emergency responses.

By addressing these impact areas, the grant award and its support for various programs, building improvements, and staff support strives to create a holistic framework for nurturing resilient, supportive, and secure learning environments that benefit students, educators, and staff alike.

Stay informed by downloading the school district’s mobile app! It will allow parents to choose the school(s) they would like to get notifications from, see the dining menu quickly, access the live feed, sports schedules and scores, important documents, emergency notifications, and more! Simply download the relevant app at the link below:

• BIDDEFORD:

• Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3fu8z4q

• Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/2QFUBST

• Video - https://youtu.be/IEc79nbB43c

• DAYTON:

• Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3ubORP7

• Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/2Ps31fY

• Video: https://youtu.be/YABUu1YruGI

The Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce its 6th Annual Pillars of Pride Dinner and Silent Auction. The event is scheduled for October 28th at 6:00 pm at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. This year, the guests of honor will be Roger Raymond, Biddeford's first Special Education Director, and the late Joe Fairfield, longtime maintenance supervisor. Both of these individuals contributed countless hours to making our school system a better place, and we are excited to celebrate their legacy.

Tickets are on sale for $50 each, which includes entry to the event hors d’ouevres and one drink ticket. All proceeds support the needs of students that fall outside of the regular school budget. Through grant monies and fundraising efforts, the BEF is able to provide food, clothing, rent relief, and teacher mini-grants to enrich students' educational experiences. For more information, please contact skane@biddefordschools.me.

We are partnering with Northern Light Home Care & Hospice to provide flu clinics to our students this year. Please click on the link below for your child's school and complete the consent form.

• JFK - September 26

• BPS - September 28

• BIS - September 28

• BMS - September 27

• BHS/APC/BRCOT - September 28

• Dayton - September 27

Parents must type something into all highlighted fields, so please use NA if it doesn’t apply. Although the vaccine is provided at no charge, there is a cost to administer the vaccine. We appreciate it if you included accurate insurance information. Children presenting with an incomplete form will not receive their vaccine. There is no out-of-pocket cost; those without insurance will be vaccinated with the appropriate form completed.

All clinics will have injectable vaccines. In addition, FluMist (nasal spray) may be available at some clinics. We cannot guarantee it for all clinics. Unless you clearly mark which type of vaccine you prefer, and there is no contraindication to either type of vaccine, the nurse at the clinic will determine which type of vaccine to use for your child. For information about flu and the vaccine, click here.

Back to school is a busy time for families! To keep your child healthy and ready for the new school year, don’t forget to ask their doctor about testing for lead at their next checkup. Maine requires children to be tested for lead at one and two years of age, but children living in older homes or with other risk factors may need to be tested. Children with lead poisoning usually do not look or act sick, but exposure to any amount of lead can seriously impact their development.

This information was brought to you by Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition in partnership with the City of Biddeford, working to keep Biddeford’s children safe and healthy.