IMPORTANT UPDATE
March 15, 2020 (9:00 PM)
**GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES CIVIL STATE OF EMERGENCY** PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ ALL CONTENTS.
Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff,
As per Governor Mills’ declaration of a civil state of emergency, the Maine Department of Education has recommended that schools be closed to students. It is uncertain at this time how long our schools will remain closed, and it will depend on future recommendations. The purpose of the closures is to encourage “social distancing” practices which include avoiding a gathering of large groups (now identified as no more than 50 people).
Our team worked through the day again Sunday and will reconvene in the morning to refine and add to plans to confront this unprecedented challenge for families. In the coming days, we’ll continue to update you on matters including:
- child care and community assets
food distribution
distance learning
I want to emphasize, that at this point in time, I have not received any report of a student or School Department employee exposed to COVID-19. Moreover, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in York County. Essential staff will report to work at least through tomorrow as we expand our online communications capacity, secure our buildings, ensure continuity of essential business functions of the schools, and begin to deep clean every inch of our buildings.
I know this is a stressful time for everyone. Parents, I know you worry about your family’s health, and how you’ll balance child care and your obligations to employers. Please take extra care of your children, friends, and neighbors. Attend to personal wellness, get plenty of rest, and try to reframe the paradigm of our situation: class time lost can also mean family time gained. In the next 48 hours, we’ll share some suggestions for how to bring a sense of routine and normalcy to the “school day” for your child.
As always, please stay connected with us at biddefordschools.me/health, and direct questions to closurequestions@biddefordschools.me or use our special closure hotline at 207-391-6868. My team will post an FAQ for Parents document on the webpage page tomorrow morning.
Take good care--I’ll be providing more information via Facebook video shortly.
Stay Well,
Jeremy Ray
Superintendent of Schools
Official Links/Contact Information
Email: closurequestions@biddefordschools.me
Website: www.biddefordschools.me/health
Location: 18 Maplewood Avenue, Biddeford, ME, USA
Phone: 207-391-6868
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/biddefordschooldepartment/
Twitter: @BiddefordSchDpt