DISTRICT UPDATE
October 5, 2022
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,
Our students are settling in nicely to their new routines for this school year. October not only brings cooler weather, but it is also a time for some exciting happenings across the district. I have highlighted a few below but included more information throughout this newsletter.
Students in Grades 3-5 are participating in Cross Country. The three towns of Biddeford, Dayton, and Saco, have once again joined together to offer cross country for their younger students. This offers students, including those attending St. James School, the opportunity to stay active in a free, after-school sport while also removing any barriers to participation through a partnership with A Running Passion in which youth can access free running shoes.
Students will be completing NWEA testing this month. This computer-based test, which is part of the Maine Comprehensive Assessment System, helps teachers understand students’ areas of strength and areas for growth in Math, Reading, Language, and/or Science (testing based on grade). The test adapts as each student answers questions correctly or incorrectly to try to identify their current achievement level. To support your child in doing their very best, we encourage the recommended hours of sleep, a healthy breakfast at home or at school, and conversations at home about taking their time and doing their best. Please review the letter included below, which explains more, and reach out to your child's teacher if you have any additional questions regarding NWEA testing.
National Red Ribbon Week is October 23-31. Students will engage in age-appropriate activities during the week that promote a drug-free and healthy lifestyle. Please partner with us and discuss this message at home, at the dinner table, at family outings, and with friends and extended family. Below is a video about a photo contest which is a fun way to start or continue the conversation about drugs with your children AND win an iPad for your child and $1,000 for their school!
In closing, please help our district receive the critical funding we need which is based on parents’ completion of the Meal Benefit Application. Regardless of eligibility and free meals to all students this year, the data provided is used to calculate our school funding, including Title 1 funds for special education programs, before/after and summer school programs, discounts on laptop insurance and internet, and more. Click here or below to complete online or request a paper form directly from the school.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Ray
Superintendent of Schools
October 3-19: NWEA Testing throughout schools
Friday, October 7: No School for Students - Teacher Development Day
Monday, October 10: No School - Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Wednesday, October 12: Bike to BMS Day (see below)
Wednesday, October 19: Watch email for Principal’s Newsletter
Saturday, October 22: Pumpkin Harvest Festival (11am-4pm in Downtown Saco)
Friday, October 28: Wear Red Day (Red Ribbon Week - see below)
- Saturday, October 29: Odyssey of the Mind Fall Family Fun Day (9am-2pm at BIS)
Monday, October 31: Heart of Biddeford’s Creepy Craw (3-5:30pm in Downtown Biddeford)
Wednesday, November 2: Early Release Day
Sunday, November 6: Daylight Savings Time Ends - Set clocks back one hour
Tuesday, November 8: Election Day
Sunday, October 30: STEM 5K (10am at BMS)
RED RIBBON WEEK: OCTOBER 23-31
BEF'S PILLARS OF PRIDE RECIPIENTS RECOGNIZED
On October 1st, the Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) held its 5th Annual Pillars of Pride event to honor two generous community partners and longtime contributors to learning, Denise D’Entremont, and Apex Youth Connection. The dinner and silent auction raised over $7,500 for the Foundation. The Foundation provides resources not afforded through the general school budget, enhancing learning opportunities, providing assistance to students in need of food, clothing, and shelter, as well as supporting teacher initiatives in the form of mini-grants in an effort to maximize educational opportunities for students Pre-K through Grade 12.
Denise D’Entremont and Apex Youth Connection reflect BEF’s goals, and we are fortunate to have these pillars in our community. Denise is a one-of-a-kind champion for students. She began her career in Biddeford in 1973 as a special education teacher, eventually becoming a guidance counselor. She served our district as an educator for 40 years and continues to serve on special projects supporting our staff so they can better serve our students.
For the first time, the Foundation recognized an organization as a Pillar. Apex Youth Connection has been a school department partner for over ten years, providing afterschool service-learning programs for our middle school students. Apex plays a vital role in providing support services to the students of the Alternative Pathways Center, assisting them with community-based learning opportunities. They also assist in providing support to students in the school department who are at risk, helping to ensure a level of stability they may lack in their daily lives.
The Foundation would like to thank the generous sponsors, silent auction donors, and all those who came out on Saturday evening to help make the event a huge success. Our sponsors included: Biddeford Savings Bank, Saco Biddeford Savings Institution, Paquin & Caroll, Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Bangor Savings Bank, Biddeford Saco Rotary Club, FMI-A Spirt AreoSystems Company, TruChoice Federal Credit Union, Camden National Bank, Rousseau Insurance, and Saco Valley Credit Union.
(L-R) Melissa Cilley of Apex Youth Connection, Superintendent Jeremy Ray, and Denise D'Entremont.
Denise D'Entremont thanks the Biddeford Education Foundation and School Department.
Apex Youth Connection staff are honored to attend the event.
SCHOOL EVENTS
Bike to BMS Day: October 12
Odyssey of the Mind Family Fun Day: October 29
STEM 5K: October 30
BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Official Links/Contact Information
Email: supt@biddefordschools.me
Website: www.biddefordschools.me
Location: 18 Maplewood Avenue, Biddeford, ME, USA
Phone: 207-282-8280
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biddefordschooldepartment/
Twitter: @BiddefordSchDpt