Biddeford Primary School
Biweekly Update
March 24, 2021
WOW! Thank you so much for all that contributed towards our CLYNK Challenge over the weekend. We met our goal and collected 400 bags, and are planning our whole school celebration! You can still donate to our CLYNK account until March 28th. Thank you for all the support in helping our school. I continue to be amazed by this community.
The last few days have been a nice taste of spring, warm weather, and more outside fun! Please make sure your child has a sweatshirt for the mornings as teachers may be taking students outside for learning activities. It is also important to continue to send your child to school with a water bottle each day.
A few reminders:
Progress Reports go home March 25th.
Drop off is between 7:40-8:00. After 8:00 your child is considered tardy and they will not be present for the announcements and morning meeting.
We will be on remote learning Monday 4/26 and Tuesday 4/27 after April vacation. Parents can still purchase insurance for their child’s iPad before they are sent home. Please see below for more details.
Respectfully,
Margaret Pitts
Principal
Will There Be a Remote Week After April Vacation?
Superintendent Jeremy Ray presented to the School Committee a proposed remote week plan to have students in school; yet, also plan for the reality that people may travel and positive cases have increased following each break. While educators are currently being vaccinated and average daily cases are down overall, there has been a recent spike among young people. In fact, in our own schools, the majority of parents have reported a COVID-positive result on Monday or Tuesday of the remote weeks which follow vacation. Considering these factors, the following was approved at last night's School Committee meeting:
Week of April 26-30
Grades PreK-4:
Remote Monday, April 26th and Tuesday, April 27th
Return in-person on Wednesday, April 28th
Grades 5-12:
Remote Monday, April 26th and Tuesday, April 27th
Flex Day as usual on Wednesday, April 28th
Return in-person on Thursday, April 29th
We continue to ask parents to complete the screener during the remote week and report travel to the School Nurse. Please be aware a negative test result or quarantine is a requirement to return after most travel. For current travel guidelines and expectations, please click here.
Community Conversation around Managing Difficult Behaviors
Join the Biddeford and Dayton Community Outreach Committee for a Community Conversation around managing difficult behaviors. Often students' behaviors stem from a different issue or problem. This will be an open forum in which caregivers have a safe space to discuss challenges they may be facing, learn about resources and strategies to eliminate any barriers and finish with a question/answer period.
March 31, 2021
7-7:30 PM
Zoom Link: https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/84255159122
Guidance Update
Access to the Basics: Food & Housing
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a continuation of needed flexibilities for the school lunch and summer food programs through Summer 2021. The newest extension will allow Maine schools to continue to provide free meals in creative ways at school, remotely, and on weekends to children of all ages through the summer months.
The federal eviction moratorium is set to expire on March 31st. The emergency Rental Assistance program also offers help with overdue utilities. People can apply online or by filling out a PDF form. Click here for more information and the application. If you become evicted or displaced, please let us know as we may be able to help, in addition to these resources available.
