Biddeford Primary School Newsletter
December 14, 2022
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
We've been having a lot of fun at BPS while we are learning! We had an outstanding book fair, fun dress-up days, and special treats for our hard-working staff. Please see our 'Festive Fridays' flyer for our next dress-up day on December 22nd, in which students can wear warm holiday pajamas!
Our school has been fortunate to receive lots of winter gear donations to assist those in need. If your child is in need of warm winter gear, please reach out to our School Counselor, Jen Schauber at jschauber@biddefordschools.me or our Resiliency Coordinator, Hilary Ventura at hventura@biddefordschools.me and they will do their best to assist.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season!
Warm Regards,
Margaret Pitts, Principal
IMPORTANT DATES
- December 14: Youth Full Maine Food Distribution (2-4pm @ Biddeford Ice Arena)
- December 15: Free Community Meal (5-7pm @ Biddeford Community Center)
- December 22: Wear Warm Holiday Pajamas
- December 23-January 2: No School - Vacation (Return on Tuesday, January 3)
- January 11: Early Release and Parent Council Meeting 8:30 a.m
- January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day; No School
YOUTH FULL MAINE FOOD DISTRIBUTION - DATE & LOCATION CHANGE THIS MONTH
Youth Full Maine's monthly community-wide free food distribution in Biddeford, usually held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, is being moved to the 2nd Wednesday for December: Wednesday, December 14 from 2-4 PM at the Biddeford Ice Arena.
Hannaford Supermarkets will supply large boxes of fresh produce from local and national farm partners. No income or geographic restrictions. This is a drive-up event: volunteers will load boxes into participants' vehicles. In case of storm conditions or for more information, contact Youth Full Maine at (207) 391-0185 or info@youthfullme.org, check https://www.youthfullme.org/our-calendar and https://www.facebook.com/YouthFullME/
SOMEDAYS
What is a Someday? A Someday is when each student and BPS staff member is asked to choose something fun or meaningful they would like to see happen at school. Our staff works together to give them this special moment before the end of the school year.
Liam
Sakyra
Caylee
Raya, Paislie, Lilah
Ellianna
Adrianna
Daimen
Adelynn
Elsie and Derek
Lucas
Aubree
Rita, Sean, and Malika
Finley, Thea, and Sean
Asher and King
Rital
Brooklyn
Maddox
Grayson
Jack and Joseph
Hunter
Amelia
Philomena
Xaiver
Angel
Lacie
Roqaya
Emmie
Austin
Fancy Italian lunch with his brother Bryce from BIS
Mardoche
Oliver, Gael, and Connor
Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 3,400 locations across the United States. And this December, our staff and students got to see the convoy and learn more about Wreaths Across America's mission.
If you would like to be involved, you are welcome to join local community members on Saturday, December 17 at 9:00 am at the following cemetery locations: St. Joseph’s, St. Mary’s, St. Demetrios, Woodlawn and Greenwood to place wreaths on Veteran graves.
Parent Council Meeting
The Parent Council Meeting will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, January 11th at 8:30am. For more information, please contact Nate Molleur at 207-282-8285 or nmolleur@biddefordschools.me We look forward to seeing you.
Nursing Update
There has been an increase in the number of reports of children in Maine, and across the U.S., with respiratory illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, enterovirus, influenza, and COVID-19. Our School Nurse would like to remind parents and guardians of the following:
Encourage children to stay home if they are sick to help prevent illnesses in the school setting:
COVID-19: Individuals should consider home testing, isolate for at least five (5) days with a positive test, and may return with masking depending on severity of illness. When to Leave Isolation.
Influenza: Individuals should stay home until 24 hours after fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medications. Fact Sheet.
Pertussis: Individuals should stay home until they have completed five (5) days of antibiotics. Fact Sheet.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV): Individuals with RSV are usually contagious 3 to 8 days. Most RSV infections go away on their own in a week or two. Fact Sheet.
Colds: There is no standardized recommendation for returning during/after a cold. Individuals with colds are typically infectious for 4-7 days after symptoms begin.
Please contact the school nurse if you have questions or concerns about your child.
BPS IN THE NEWS
PARENTING EDUCATION & RESOURCES
Children's Clothing Recalled Over High Lead Levels
According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, children's clothing sets manufactured from Bentex have been recalled because of dangerously high levels of lead in the textile ink.
Click Here to read the details.