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DISTRICT UPDATE

August 16, 2023

DISTRICT UPDATE August 16, 2023

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,

The new school year is upon us, with staff returning next week to set up their classrooms and new staff attending orientation. We are looking forward to students returning and all the energy they bring with them. Our first official day of school is Wednesday, August 30th, for Grades 1-9 (see below for all grades and start dates).


To ensure a smoother first day of school, we recommend a few tips:

  • Begin an early-to-bed, “school night” routine a week prior to the first day.

  • Communicate any changes with the school prior to the first day.

  • Dress for the weather! It is still summer, and the schools can get hot, so those new jeans may not be the best option if we return on an 80-degree day.

  • Assure your child they can enjoy free breakfast and lunch at school but feel free to pack a water bottle!

  • Be extra aware of your surroundings as kids begin gathering (and playing) at bus stops.

  • Plan ahead for traffic as bus drivers and students learn their new routine.

  • Greet your kids at the bus stop at the end of the day, if possible (older children really appreciate this one!).


Both building principals and I will send monthly newsletters via email, which will also be posted in the below communication avenues. Please take the time to thoroughly read through these newsletters for important information on upcoming events, transportation, parent portal registration, medication usage, food services, achievements, and more.


We encourage parents and guardians to follow the school and district social media pages, read the newsletters to stay informed, and ask questions for clarification.


Sincerely,

Jeremy Ray

Superintendent of Schools

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL BY GRADE


Please refer to the updated 2023-2024 School Calendar below for school times and important dates, including early release, vacations, etc. The first day of school will be based on your child(ren)’s grade:


  • PreK: First Day is September 7th

  • Kindergarten: First Day is September 5th

  • Grades 1-9 (Biddeford) and Grades 1-5 (Dayton): First Day is August 30th

  • Grades 10-12: First Day is August 31st


If you have not yet registered your child(ren) for Pre-K or Kindergarten, please register them as soon as possible via this link: Biddeford or Dayton. To attend, they must be turning the age of four (4) for Pre-K or five (5) for Kindergarten before October 15, 2023.

OPEN HOUSES

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We understand starting at a new school can be anxious for many students and their parents, so we want to ease those fears and limit any barriers to a triumphant return to school. Therefore, all schools have set up open houses to give families and students a chance to meet their teacher(s) and hear some basic information about what to expect as we head into a new school year. If you are unable to attend the open house scheduled, please contact the principal directly.


  • John F. Kennedy School (JFK) - Grades PreK/K:

    • August 30th from 4:30-6:30pm

  • Biddeford Primary School (BPS) - Grades 1 & 2:

    • August 29th from 4:30-6:30pm

  • Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) - Grades 3 & 4:

    • August 29th from 4:30-6:30pm

  • Biddeford Middle School (BMS) - Grades 5-7:

    • August 28th from 4:30-6:30pm

  • Biddeford High School (BHS) - Grades 8-12:

    • September 21st from 4:30-6:30pm

  • Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT):

    • September 21st from 4:30-6:30pm

  • Dayton Consolidated School:

    • August 29th from 6:00-7:00pm

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES TO KNOW

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  • Wednesday, August 23: BPS Drop N’ Shop Event from 3:30-6:30pm at Biddeford Primary School and School Committee at 7pm at BHS Little Theater

  • Friday, September 1: NO SCHOOL

  • Monday, September 4: NO SCHOOL

  • Wednesday, September 13th: Our first early release day. As a reminder, the early release times are as follows:

    • Pre-K: No school on early release days.

    • JFK (Kindergarten only): Dismissal at 11:50am

    • BPS & BIS: Dismissal at 12:00pm

    • BMS: Dismissal at 12:50pm

    • BHS & COT: Dismissal at 12:25pm

    • Dayton Consolidated: Dismissal at 11:30am

TRANSPORTATION

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Coordinating transportation needs is a major undertaking to finalize bus routes, stops, times, and number of runs required and record in Infinite Campus. With school starting in two weeks, completing transportation information is extremely impactful to our administration.


Approximate bus stops/times will be noted in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal under the 2023/2024 School Year tab by August 29th. If you have previously called or emailed about your child riding the bus, you do NOT need to call again. Otherwise, please contact the Transportation Department 282-0909 or email alovejoy@biddefordschools.me.


Please see walking boundaries here for BMS/BHS students.

REQUIRED FOR ALL: Registration & Parent Portal Set-Up


It is very important for parents to complete the registration process in order to stay connected and informed about your child(ren)’s education. If you have not yet set up your Infinite Campus Parent Portal, or need to make any edits to your information, please do so by clicking on the links below. Step-by-step instructions (apply to both Biddeford and Dayton) are available by clicking here.

FREE MEALS + 2 QUESTIONS = MILLIONS IN SCHOOL FUNDING

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In public schools in Maine, youth will again have access to free breakfast and lunch this year which meet nutrition standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Although there is no charge, parents will be asked to complete the economic status questions during online registration as the data provided is used to determine our school funding, including Title 1 funds for special education programs, before/after and summer school programs; discounts on laptop insurance and internet; and teacher's student loan forgiveness.

HEALTH UPDATE

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Please take the time to read the important health information update from the school nurses below to ensure your child(ren) have a smooth, healthy transition and that you have all the information you need to prevent any disruptions to starting the school year. This update addresses everything from required immunizations to medication use to head lice protocols.

DEVICES

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Every student in the Biddeford and Dayton School Departments will be assigned a school-owned device for the 2023-2024 school year with the expectation that students and/or parents will be responsible for returning them in similar condition.


To begin the year, students in Grades PreK through 4 will each be assigned a device that will stay at school but will be ready to go home in the event of unexpected circumstances. Students in Grades 5-12 will be issued a device that may go home with them each day (as determined by their teachers/building). Students should bring their device to school each day—charged. Devices will be assigned during the first week of school.


Device Protection Plan:

The Device Protection Plan is strongly recommended for students in Grades 5-12. These students are considered to be in a “one-to-one take-home” device program. They are allowed to keep the device with them and may end up with the same device for several years.


For Grades PreK through 4, whose devices will be left in the classroom, The Device Protection Plan is not seen as necessary, UNLESS these students end up in a Remote Learning situation or need to quarantine at home at some point and will be taking their devices home. At that time, it would be recommended that parents consider purchasing the Device Protection. Device Protection Plan and cost details here.


For Problems/Issues with Devices:

Students/parents should immediately inform the student's teacher, who will then contact the Technology Department. This will keep the teacher and others at the school aware of the situation and the remedy.

DOWNLOAD THE SCHOOL'S DISTRICT MOBILE APP

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Stay informed by downloading the school district’s mobile app! It will allow parents to choose the school(s) they would like to get notifications from, see the dining menu quickly, access the live feed, sports schedules and scores, important documents, emergency notifications, and more! Simply download the relevant app at the link below:



BEF's PILLARS OF PRIDE DINNER & SILENT AUCTION

The Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce its 6th Annual Pillars of Pride Dinner and Silent Auction. The event is scheduled for October 21st at 6:00 pm at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. This year the guests of honor will be Roger Raymond, Biddeford's first Special Education Director, and the late Joe Fairfield, longtime maintenance supervisor. Both of these individuals contributed countless hours to making our school system a better place, and we are excited to celebrate their legacy.


Tickets are on sale for $50 each, which includes entry to the event hors d’ouevres and one drink ticket. All proceeds support the needs of students that fall outside of the regular school budget. Through grant monies and fundraising efforts, the BEF is able to provide food, clothing, rent relief, and teacher mini-grants to enrich students' educational experiences. For more information, please contact skane@biddefordschools.me.

Biddeford & Dayton School Departments
Jeremy Ray, Superintendent of Schools