DISTRICT UPDATE
December 1, 2022
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,
I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving with your family and friends. As I sat down with my own family, I was grateful for the many local businesses that donated and the staff that delivered Thanksgiving meals to over 100 of our student families in Biddeford, Dayton, and Saco. We are so fortunate to live in a community where our neighbors care for each other, especially during this difficult time of rising costs.
As we head into the winter months ahead, I urge families in need to reach out to their child’s Resiliency Coordinator within the schools for winterwear or access to food. We know students cannot focus on learning if their basic needs are not met, so we are doing all that we can to meet those needs. In addition, I have been informed that the local Rotary Club has already exceeded its usual capacity by adopting nearly 150 children for the upcoming holidays! Our deepest gratitude to those business professionals who have stepped up to help others.
I have included below several FREE holiday performances and concerts in our community. I hope you are able to attend one or more of these to brighten your December. Please remember that schools are closed for vacation from December 23rd to January 2nd. Our first day back in 2023 will be on Tuesday, January 3rd.
Stay Healthy,
Jeremy Ray
Superintendent of Schools
Thursday, December 1: Up in ‘Smoke’ - A Vaping Awareness Presentation (5:30pm at Kennebunk High School)
Friday, December 2: Biddeford’s Downtown Holiday Festival (5:30-7:30pm)
December 2 & 3: Elf The Musical JR. (7pm @ BMS Performing Arts Center)
December 3 & 10: Winter Coat Giveaway (10am-3pm @ McArthur Library)
Wednesday, December 7: Early Release Day
Friday, December 9: BMS Holiday Music Concert (6:30pm @ BMS Performing Arts Center)
Friday, December 9: Alumni Band Holiday Concert (6:30pm @ BHS Little Theater)
Wednesday, December 14: Youth Full Maine Food Distribution (2-4pm @ Biddeford Ice Arena)
Saturday, December 17: Wreaths Across America Placement (9am; Various Cemeteries)
Saturday, December 17: Tri-City Community Chorus Holiday Concert (7pm @ BMS Performing Arts Center)
December 23-January 2: No School - Vacation (Return on Tuesday, January 3)
YOUTH FULL MAINE'S 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 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., at Biddeford Ice Arena.
Hannaford Supermarkets will be supplying large boxes of fresh produce from their local and national farm partners. No income or geographic restrictions. This is a drive-up event: boxes will be loaded into participants' vehicles by volunteers. In case of storm conditions or for more information, contact Youth Full Maine at (207) 391-0185 or info@youthfullmaine.org, check https://www.youthfullme.org/our-calendar and https://www.facebook.com/YouthFullME/
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA
On Monday, December 12th, the Biddeford School District will have the honor of welcoming the Wreaths Across America convoy as they make a scheduled stop at Biddeford Middle School en route to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. 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.
Students at Fairfield and CK Burns Schools will line Main Street in Saco with flags as the convoy passes through. Students at John F. Kennedy, Biddeford Primary School, and Biddeford Intermediate School will have the opportunity to be along Hill Street in Biddeford to participate in welcoming the convoy on their journey to Arlington. Please be sure to send your child to school dressed appropriately for the weather on December 12th.
We are excited to offer our Biddeford Middle School students an opportunity to participate in a school-wide assembly featuring veteran speakers. Due to the limited seating capacity in the Performing Arts Center, we are unable to invite parents to attend. We are working on a live stream option and will provide more details about this as the date approaches. 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.
BIDDEFORD'S DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY FESTIVAL
Friday, December 2 from 5:30-7:30 PM
ELF THE MUSICAL JR.
WINTER COAT GIVEAWAY
LOCAL COAT & BLANKET DRIVE
HOLIDAY CONCERTS - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
PARENTING EDUCATION & RESOURCES
NEW! Indoor Playground to Keep Children Active: The playLOT
Just in time for the cold Maine winters, southern Maine's newest indoor playground, The playLOT, opened in the mills in Biddeford. They are open every day from 9am-4pm with free admission for adults and no additional fee for leaving and returning the same day (naptime is important!). For more information, click here.
Up in ‘Smoke’ A Vaping Awareness Presentation
Kids Free to Grow Parenting Classes (Winter 2022/2023)
HAVE TIME TO BE A SUB? JOIN OUR TEAM!
BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS
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