Happy Wednesday, BIS families,

We are enjoying every day as we wrap up the year at BIS. Our BIS Special Olympians competed last week. Supporting BIS classes came to watch and cheer on their superstar athletes. Yesterday's trip to the Sea Dogs was also a great success. Our students received many compliments from Sea Dogs staff about their outstanding behavior and respect towards other guests and staff. The weather was perfect, and our students and teachers had a blast!

Our students are finishing their NWEA testing this week. Our team has been raffling off prizes and extra recess for students working hard and showing responsibility and perseverance. We are so proud of their dedication during testing.

Thank you for everything you do to support your child's education at BIS.

Date Reminders:

• May 30 - No School (Memorial Day)
• June 1 - Elementary Family Engagement Night (4:30-6:30 at BPS)
• June 6-10 - Spirit Week
• June 10 - Step Up Day
• June 13 - BIS Color Derby Day (replacing the old field day)
• June 15 - Last Day of School

Sincerely,

Lindsey Nadeau

Biddeford Intermediate School Principal

Current 4th grade students: Rising 5th grade students who would benefit from an academic boost are eligible for Jumpstart supports this summer! In our rising 5th grade program, your child will work towards targeted academic goals with a classroom teacher and interventionist. Students will have opportunities for outside time and fun activities and families will have regular communication from their child's teacher on their activities, progress, and ways to supplement learning at home.

Date: July 5th- July 29th (Monday-Thursday)

Time: 8:00-Noon

If you are interested in learning more about qualification and registration for your 4th grade student, please reach out to Kelsey Langill at klangill@biddefordschools.me.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has provided the school department with a limited supply of at-home COVID-19 test kits. Test kits will be available to staff and families upon request while supplies last. If you are interested in receiving a kit please contact your school nurse.

Links:

• Home Test Kit Instruction Sheet - linked here
• CDC Close Contact Guidelines - linked here

The Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce our 5th Annual Pillars of Pride Silent Auction. The event is scheduled for October 1, 2022. More information about the event and ticket sales is forthcoming. Biddeford Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to support the needs of students within our community that fall outside of the regular school budget. Through grant monies and fundraising efforts, the foundation has been able to assist in providing food and clothing to families in need. In addition, the Foundation has focused on supporting our increasing homeless population by helping to identify affordable housing to ensure children have a safe place to sleep each night. The foundation also supports teacher mini-grants allowing educators to think outside the box for innovative learning opportunities that would not otherwise be funded. For more information about BEF, please visit our website.

A Grade Level Configuration Committee has been established with representation inclusive of school board members, district administrators, teachers, and parents. Meetings were held on April 28, May 5 and May 19, where the committee began discussing what grade levels will be housed in each building. Over the coming weeks, the committee will explore multiple options to develop the best plan to meet the needs of our students. Information can be found on the district website by selecting the Grade Level Configuration tab.

If you have a child turning the age of four (4) for Pre-K or five (5) for Kindergarten before October 15, 2022, please pre-register them as soon as possible via this link. A projection of our enrollment for next year will allow us to plan more effectively and be better prepared for your children when they come to school in September. Tours will be made available in the coming months and additional paperwork may be required. Please note returning student registration will be open in early August.