BIS Newsletter
December 2022
Message from the Principal
Happy December BIS families!
This is our last newsletter for 2022. Our theme for December is compassion. We can create an even more beautiful school by teaching students the value of empathy and concern for others. Our 3rd and 4th graders are making us incredibly proud with their dedication to school themes and making our school a positive place for learning and fun. Last week some of our classes participated in the Hour of Code, a global movement to involve students in positive and educational experiences using technology. The Hour of Code is available year-round, but every December, classes can join millions of students around the world celebrating Computer Science Education Week.
Next Thursday (12/22) is Fun Thursday at BIS, and it is a school favorite - PAJAMA DAY! Students can join the fun by wearing their coziest and comfiest clothes or pajamas.
Outdoor Play: As the temperatures drop, please remember to send your child to school with a coat and layers for the cold weather. We will continue to bring students outside for recess and fresh air, so it is important that they are comfortable. Only students with snow pants, coat, gloves, and boots will be allowed to play in the snow at recess. Please reach out to Ms. Aberle (jaberle@biddefordschools.me) if your child is in need of a coat or winter gear.
NWEA Testing: BIS will be working to complete the Winter NWEA benchmark in January. The NWEA is part of the Maine Comprehensive Assessment System and will be our state assessment. Our third and fourth-grade students will be taking their Winter Benchmark Assessments in Math and Reading spread over the course of two weeks (January 9-20).
The NWEA test is a computer-based adaptive test that helps teachers understand a student’s areas of strength and areas for growth. This means that 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 reach out to your child's teacher if you have any additional questions regarding NWEA testing.
Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season,
Sincerely,
Lindsey Nadeau
Biddeford Intermediate School Principal
Dates to Remember
BIS IMPORTANT DATES
DECEMBER
- December 22: BIS Pajama Day
- December 23-January 2: Winter break - No School (we return Tuesday January 3)
JANUARY
- January 9-February 3: Winter NWEA Benchmark
- January 11: Early Release Day (BIS dismisses at 12:00)
- January 16: MLK Day - No School
- January 27: Fun Friday - Decades Day!
COMMUNITY DATES
- December 14: Youth Full Maine Food Distribution (2-4pm @ Biddeford Ice Arena)
- December 15: Free Community Meal (5-7pm @ Biddeford Community Center)
WHAT'S GOING ON AT BIS?
Guidance
Small group work with Mrs. Guay and Ms. Aberle ended this week! Our students worked hard learning all about coping skills, what makes a good friend, and practiced mindfulness. Our next round of small groups will begin when we return after winter break.
Each month, we celebrate a school-wide theme! So far, we’ve practiced being respectful, responsible, and kind. In the month of December, we’re going to encourage our students to show compassion towards others. Stay tuned to see what monthly themes we celebrate in…GASP…2023!
Social Emotional Learning
Music
In December, our Chorus club performed three short songs for each team. Chorus club is done for the year, but at the end of the year, 4th graders can look for information to sign up for chorus in 5th grade:) We have finally started our unit on piano lessons! Students can work sequentially through the songs at their own pace. Most of the students at BIS can now play “Mary had a little lamb.” Look for two songs you can print at home in the Thursday folders:)
Art
Art to Remember orders were delivered to school and went home with students on Thursday, 12/8. Did you know this year we’ll hold a district-wide art show March 13-16? We’re very excited to restart this biennial tradition!
Recently: Both 3rd and 4th-grade students learned about Dada art, an art movement that rejected logic and embraced the nonsensical. Third grade played a Dada drawing game, and fourth grade altered that game a bit to create large cardboard faces and employed another Dada game to name them!
Library
Physical Education
Wreaths Across America
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.
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.
Someday at BIS...
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.
Youth Full Maine Food Distribution Date & Location Change
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/
Our Social-Emotional Support Team
Please reach out to our team throughout the year for support with your child. We are eager to work with you and your child while they are at BIS.
Ms. Mckenzie: emckenzie@biddefordschools.me
Mrs. Guay: aguay@biddefordschools.me
Ms. Aberle: jaberle@biddefordschools.me
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.
Contact Us
Email: lnadeau@biddefordschools.me
Website: https://biddefordme.sites.thrillshare.com/o/bis
Location: 335 Hill Street, Biddeford, ME, USA
Phone: 207-282-5957
Facebook: facebook.com/biddefordintermediate