DISTRICT UPDATE

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,

I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving with your family and friends. As I sat down with my own family, I was grateful for the many local businesses that donated and the staff that delivered Thanksgiving meals to over 100 of our student families in Biddeford, Dayton, and Saco. We are so fortunate to live in a community where our neighbors care for each other, especially during this difficult time of rising costs.

As we head into the winter months ahead, I urge families in need to reach out to their child’s Resiliency Coordinator within the schools for winterwear or access to food. We know students cannot focus on learning if their basic needs are not met, so we are doing all that we can to meet those needs. In addition, I have been informed that the local Rotary Club has already exceeded its usual capacity by adopting nearly 150 children for the upcoming holidays! Our deepest gratitude to those business professionals who have stepped up to help others.

I have included below several FREE holiday performances and concerts in our community. I hope you are able to attend one or more of these to brighten your December. Please remember that schools are closed for vacation from December 23rd to January 2nd. Our first day back in 2023 will be on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Stay Healthy,

Jeremy Ray

Superintendent of Schools

On Monday, December 12th, the Biddeford School District will have the honor of welcoming the Wreaths Across America convoy as they make a scheduled stop at Biddeford Middle School en route to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Each December, on National Wreaths Across America Day (December 17th), their mission is to Remember, Honor, and Teach. They do this by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at 3,400 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea, and abroad, and making scheduled stops along the way to teach children the value of freedom.

Students at Fairfield and CK Burns Schools will line Main Street in Saco with flags as the convoy passes through. Students at John F. Kennedy, Biddeford Primary School, and Biddeford Intermediate School will have the opportunity to be along Hill Street in Biddeford to participate in welcoming the convoy on their journey to Arlington. Please be sure to send your child to school dressed appropriately for the weather on December 12th.