Biddeford Schools
February 26, 2020
Ready, Set, ACTION! BIS brings back Drama Club
This school year, Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) reinstated its Drama Club with overwhelming interest from students. BIS currently has almost 40 fourth and fifth graders involved and has put on several shows to date. Their most recent show, led by teacher Rob Petit, included three skits: The People Against George Washington, Blocky Battles the Books, and Down on the Farm.
“I love theater!” exclaimed cast member Brooke Archambault. “It is the one thing I can put my mind to and my sister cannot wait to come to BIS to be in Drama Club. My Dad was one of Mr. Petit’s students and played ‘the big bad wolf’ as a kid.”
Mr. Petit adds, “It is heart-warming to see kids find their passion. I have been doing drama club since the ’80s at Emery School because I feel it is important for kids to have another outlet besides sports. Each child plays an important role-- from the main actor to the stage manager to the props coordinator. This club provides a solid foundation for the Biddeford Performing Arts program as students move toward middle and high school.” In fact, at least 22 of the BHS students involved with last year’s production of The Addams Family started out in drama at BIS and/or BMS.
“I like being in charge of the lights and music,” said Light, Sound, and Stage Manager Colby Wilson. “It was actually easy to learn. I don’t love being on the stage but I do fill in if someone is absent.”
Upcoming shows include Footloose The Musical by BHS on March 6-8, Shrek The Musical Jr. by BMS on March 26. To stay informed or learn more, please “like” the Visual and Performing Arts at Biddeford Schools Facebook page.
Dallaire selected as BHS winner for MPA’s Principal Award
Biddeford High School (BHS) Senior Marguerite “Maggie” Dallaire has been selected as the winner of the 2020 Maine Principals’ Association Principal’s Award. This award is given annually to a senior from each high school who displays excellence in academic achievement and citizenship.
“Maggie is genuinely one of the sweetest students we have walking the halls of Biddeford High School,” said BHS Principal Jeremie Sirois. “She absolutely treats everyone with respect. She has an infectious personality and most importantly she enjoys life and being a part of her high school.”
In addition to her kind manner, Dallaire has achieved academic success with a 3.81 GPA is ranked 15 out of a class of 189. She is an athlete having competed in soccer, track, and was a partner for the newly formed Unified Basketball team. She has narrowed her college search down to the University of Southern Maine and York County Community College and plans to study Medical Biology.
Dallaire along with the recipients from every high school in Maine will be honored at a Maine Principals’ Association sponsored luncheon. The luncheon will take place on April 4th at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer, Maine. At the luncheon, Dallaire will be in the running for one of several $1,000 scholarships.
Meet School Committee Member Rebecca Henry '98
Rebecca Henry grew up in Biddeford and graduated from BHS in 1998 as Class President. She continued her education at the University of New England (UNE), earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences and a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. Rebecca currently works as an Inpatient Therapist at Southern Maine Health Care, a Staff Therapist at Carlisle Academy Integrated Sports & Equine Therapy, and as an adjunct professor at UNE.
“I have always been passionate about being involved in my community and leading Biddeford in a progressive direction; to that end, I have been serving on Biddeford's Project Canopy committee for several years now, making a positive impact by improving and increasing the green spaces in the city,” said Rebecca. “I simply love volunteering in each of my sons' classrooms and being a part of this community so it seemed a natural fit to become a liaison between the school board and our teachers and parents. I believe in our schools and teachers and hope to be able to advocate to support them and their students as I continue to learn the many facets of Pre-K through grade 12 education.”
Rebecca and her husband, Matt, are raising two sons, Benton (8) and Jacques (6), who both attend Biddeford Primary School. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, running with the Biddeford Unicorns’ running group, rock climbing, horseback riding, and hanging out with fellow parents at the local playgrounds.
U.S. Census 2020 - Every Body Counts!
In mid-March, the US Census Bureau will send out invitations to all homes to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you can respond in one of three ways: online, by phone in 13 languages or via the traditional paper questionnaire. The online, self-responding link will go live on March 12th and the sooner you respond, the less likely you will have a Census worker knocking on your door.
Your Privacy Matters
Under Title 13, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. The law ensures that your private data is protected and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. You are kept anonymous. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or anyone else in your home.
Furthermore, the Census Bureau will NEVER ask for:
Social Security number
Bank account or credit card number numbers
Citizenship information
Money or donations
In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.
The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics which serves as the basis for distributing federal and state assistance to schools, including Title I funding (to help low-income families), the National School Lunch Program, and special education grants but also determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives.
BHS Drama Performance of Footloose
There are three shows:
Friday, March 6th at 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 7th at 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 8th at 1:00 PM
This performance is open to the general public and will be held in the BMS Performing Arts Center. Tickets are sold at the door--Adults $8 and Seniors $5.