Biddeford Schools
December 6, 2019
BHS Senior Leaders Involved in Senator Olympia Snowe’s Women’s Leadership Institute
BIS Gifted & Talented Students Visit BHS AP Biology Class
For the second year, Biddeford High School's AP Biology program hosted students from Biddeford Intermediate School. The high school students taught Ms. Tighe's gifted and talented (GT) students about cell membranes using bubbles. The 4th and 5th graders were introduced to the concept of how cell membranes are semi-permeable. BIS students learned about the function and properties of cells by learning how to blow bubbles inside of bubbles and how to pass their hands through a bubble without popping the bubble. The high school students were responsible for making sure the younger students were able to understand these concepts but at their level. The visit was concluded by a huge bubble blowing party in the courtyard. Each group strived to create the largest bubble and to see who could catch bubbles with their hands, and even their nose! The 4th and 5th graders hope to return the favor and invite the high schools to BIS in the spring to learn about what they are doing in their classes!
Alumni Profile: In Their Words
Justin Gagne '09
I graduated from BHS in 2009 and went on to graduate from the University of Maine with my degree in Economics. As of now, I am managing Product Analytics team for athenahealth. Athenahealth is one of the leading healthcare IT companies, our company has diverse interests from our EHR to our standalone applications that doctors leverage throughout their day. The Center of Technology really helped me find what my passion was, and in doing so prepared me for the next stage to further that education. Both academics and athletics prepared me well for most of life’s endeavors thereafter.
Being so fortunate to take part in all of Mr. Crepeau’s business classes and Mr. Stebbins' economics classes, I found that I went into college with a leg up on many of my counterparts. The athletics were helpful to me as there was such a strong bond between teammates and coaches alike. My coaches were my role models and pushed me to improve both on and off the field. I am forever grateful for the opportunity that Biddeford offered me, and I am happy that my youngest brother is now able to step into those halls and be offered the same opportunity, if not better, that set me up for success.
Elementary Music Arts Reach Crescendo
Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) excels as the largest music program throughout the Biddeford Schools. Current enrollment tops 360 students at BIS with 200 of those students participating in the band program--representing 55% of the entire 4th and 5th-grade student population. The band program in Biddeford is unique in that students have an opportunity to start playing in 4th grade when most districts in this area don’t start until 5th grade.
“It is our goal to ensure students have the opportunity to expand on their music education so the BIS band program is open to all students,” said Music Teacher Jillian Cote. “If a child wants to play an instrument, we will make it happen! I am extremely proud of these students as they give up their time at recess and spend hours practicing at home to showcase their talents at our many concerts throughout the year.”
BIS has a supply of school instruments that are purchased and maintained through fundraising efforts which allow students to participate even if their family cannot afford the rental fees. There is a strong sense of pride at BIS when it comes to the band, and we are proud to share the students’ dedication and hard work with those donors and the community-at-large.
BMS Band/Chorus Concert
Snow Date: Wednesday, December 11th at 6:30pm.