BIDDEFORD HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Please take a few minutes to read this newsletter thoroughly. We have included a lot of information regarding end-of-year activities, dates, and deadlines, as well as revised graduation information. With less than two weeks left of our school year for grades 9-11 and only two days left for Seniors, it is so important that you are really making a great effort to finish off the year strong! I would encourage students and families to stay on top of grades in Infinite Campus and continue to communicate with teachers and school staff.

Many thanks and be well,

Mrs. Jacques

Principal, Biddeford High School

• Monday, May 31st: Memorial Day - No School

• Wednesday, June 2nd: Half-day IN-PERSON instruction for all students K-12. Elementary grades will be released at 11:20am and BMS/BHS at 12:20pm.

• Friday, June 4th: BHS Senior Assembly (9:15am) & Graduation (6pm)
  
  

• Tuesday, June 8th: Biddeford School Budget Election, 7am-8pm

• Wednesday, June 9th:

• Full-day IN-PERSON instruction for all students K-12.

• COVID Vaccine Clinic for second doses (more information below)

• Thursday, June 10th: BMS Promotion, 6pm
  
  

• Friday, June 11th: Last Day of School for all PreK-12 Students & Remote Learners
  
  

Click here for a complete list of End of Year events by School.

As we have seen in the last year, the guidance is ever-changing from the CDC and Maine DOE. We have done a wonderful job adjusting to those changes and will continue to do so. Based on updated graduation guidance issued from the Maine DOE on May 20th, we have updated our BHS Graduation Plan. This guidance states, “On May 24th, the Maine DECD Large Venue checklist, which had informed graduation events, will sunset, and any requirements for masks or physical distance in public venues, inside or outside, will be lifted. Masks continue to be recommended for those who are unvaccinated."

• All requirements for masking will be lifted. Masks will be encouraged for those that are not vaccinated.

• Each graduate will receive eight (8) tickets for the ceremony at Waterhouse Field. Two (2) of those tickets will be field seats and six (6) will be bleacher seats. If all eight (8) of you would like to sit together, you may do so in the bleachers.

• We will have Prospect Street blocked off for foot traffic only.

• Graduates will enter the field through the gate near the visitor’s locker room on Prospect Street. Once the graduates have entered through the gate, an officer will then close the gate and supervise the area.

• There will be no gathering or photography on the field. Each family will be provided with a professional photograph of their graduate and their diploma. Families may gather to take photos outside of the Waterhouse gates on Prospect Street after the ceremony.

• Biddeford High School will provide photographers (on the field) to capture graduation ceremony pictures which will be posted online and families may access.

ALL students must return their school-issued device prior to the end of the year.

Seniors- please return your device and charger to your Block 4 or 5 teacher by end of day Friday, May 28th. If you are a remote student, you may return your device and charger to the BHS Main Office between 8am-3pm. You must return your device in order to receive your cap and gown.

9th-11th Grade Students- Please return your device and charger to your Block 5 teacher by Friday, June 11th to avoid being charged. If you are a remote student, you may return your device and charger to the BHS Main Office between 8am-3pm.

As noted in Superintendent Ray's update last Friday, there has been new CDC’s guidance lifting restrictions on capacity limits, physical distancing, and masking for those fully vaccinated. Although all of the new guidance does not apply to schools, below are the items that impact our programming the most:

• Indoor masking protocols for students and staff will remain in place.

• Eating and drinking still requires 6' distancing for all

• Outdoor masking and physical distancing protocols will no longer be in effect (students may take their mask off during recess and outdoor classes).

• Adult distancing requirements have been removed.

• Distancing related to music went from 14’ to 6’.

Due to Biddeford School Budget Election on Tuesday, June 8th in BHS Tiger Gym, all vaccine second doses will now occur on Wednesday, June 9th (see chart in this Parent Letter). As this day is now an in-person school day for grade 5-12 students, we have coordinated BMS and BHS students to have their second dose while in school, if desired. If parents prefer to accompany their child, they may attend the BHS clinic with them.

If your child missed the original clinic, you may schedule an appointment or attend a walk-in at various other clinics in our area through one of these links: MaineHealth Clinics, Northern Light Health Clinics, CVS, or Walgreens. If you would like more information, have concerns, or are still evaluating if your child (12+) will receive the COVID vaccine, please review this Fact Sheet for Youth Under 18.

Martha Jacques, Principal

Email: mjacques@biddefordschools.me
Website: https://sites.google.com/biddefordschools.me/bhs
Location: 20 Maplewood Avenue, Biddeford, ME, USA
Phone: (207) 282-1596
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biddefordhighschooltigers
Twitter: @BHSTigers3