Scarborough Public Schools
Weekly Newsletter - January 22, 2021
Your Feedback is Requested
As you have been reading in previous correspondences, Scarborough Public Schools is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity at all levels. Two new components of this work include the creation of a district steering committee and the formulation of a partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium.
The next key early action step involves gathering feedback from stakeholders, including students, staff, families and the larger community.
Please endorse this work by taking a few minutes to complete this Parent/Community Climate Survey designed by the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium, the link to which is here. All results will be anonymous. Your feedback will be critical in assisting the Steering Committee in the development of a long term action plan for Scarborough Public Schools.
Surveys will be open until February 5. We understand that everyone’s time is valuable, and thank you in advance for taking the time to share your experiences and perspectives
The Start of a Safe Return to After School Activities
On Wednesday, January 20, 2021 the Maine Principals Association, along with State of Maine agencies, informed member schools that the Maine DOE's color coding would no longer be connected to school-based after-school activities. This means that school-sanctioned clubs, activities, and athletic programs may return to in-person activity. All programs must abide by all Community Sport Guidelines, sport specific guidelines as directed by the Maine Department of Economics and Community Development, the Maine Principals Association, as well as Maine Department of Education guidance related to band, chorus, etc.
We will begin to proceed forward with in-person practices and meetings beginning next week, with all safety precautions and protocols in place. More specific nformation is being sent out from both the high school and middle school. You can also find updates regarding the return of club and athletic programs by visiting www.scarboroughathletics.org/covid-19 and clicking on the stay-informed button.
Weekly SPS COVID-19 Update
We continue to notify staff and families of positive cases as they occur in individual buildings or sites, via communication from building principals. All school level communications in regards to COVID are uploaded on our district communications webpage as they occur for those of you who want to be informed more than once a week.
Cumberland County continues to be in the yellow category which suggests that our county has an elevated risk of COVID-19. As a reminder, color category data are publicly posted on the Maine CDC website. The next assessment for color coding by the state will take place on January 29.
Please continue to reach out to your school nurse if your student tests positive and share any information about contact that may have been had with anyone affiliated with Scarborough Public Schools, even if that contact occurred outside of school.
In a typical year, it is our classroom staff who create a world of learning for our students and find ways to engage each student to meet their individual needs. This year has demanded new ways of doing things on a daily basis including engaging in person and remote students at the same time, recreating plans and lessons, and reminding our students a smile CAN be seen behind the mask. Our staff has done all of this and more, demonstrating their dedication to and mastery of their profession.
Our teachers are the role models, the innovative leaders, the committed advocates, and trusted resources our students depend upon each and every day. This is our chance to share this knowledge with the rest of the state by nominating that special someone for County Teacher of the Year!!
Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education will be selecting 16 recipients for this honor; recognizing those teachers who advocate for their students at every opportunity, ensuring they have the tools and resources necessary to accomplish their craft, and more importantly are nominated for their dedication by their community. Please take a moment to nominate a member of our staff for their work. The nominations are open until February 5th and the winners will be announced in May! Let’s show the state what we already know - the teachers of Scarborough Public Schools are the best!
Where Are The High School Students This Week?
Getting Ready for Band
Upcoming SPS Events - Mark Your Calendar!
- February 4 - School Board Meeting
- February 15 - Presidents' Day
- February 15 - 19 - School Vacation
Fully Remote Preparedness Plans
SPS District Email Newsletter Signup
Health & Safety
Please make sure you review the UPDATED Student Health Self Assessment questions EVERY DAY before sending your child off to school.
TOGETHER, we can make our schools as safe as possible!
Links to Our Schools
Services & Information
Spec. Services | Alison Marchese, amarchese@scarboroughschools.org
Food Services | Peter Esposito, pesposito@scarboroughschools.org
Athletics & Activities | Mike LeGage, mlegage@scarboroughschools.org
Curriculum I Monique Culbertson, mculbertson@scarboroughschools.org
Community Services | Todd Souza, tsouza@scarboroughmaine.org
Tech Support
For technology assistance with SPS student laptops, please send a message to techsupport@scarboroughschools.org and someone from Technology will be in touch to assist you.
Scarborough Schools
Website: www.scarboroughschools.org
Location: 259 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA
Phone: (207) 730-4100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scarbmeschools/
Twitter: @scarbmeschools