Dear Parents, Guardians, and Staff,
I hope you all had an enjoyable Winter Vacation and holiday celebrations with your families. I’d like to start out by thanking the University of New England (UNE)’s Sigma Sigma Phi Fraternity and Pediatric Club for donating over 350 gifts to students at John F. Kennedy School, the local Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club for providing gifts to 177 kids throughout Biddeford, Dayton, and Saco, and the many staff and businesses who supported additional families not included in these programs. It is phenomenal how people in our community care for each other.
As we enter the second half of our school year, the winter months allow students an opportunity to build upon the basic skills they learned throughout the Fall. Depending on their grade, students will:
continue with their second round of NWEA assessments for math, reading, and/or language in January;
participate in February’s Read to ME Challenge and complete school projects;
enjoy athletic competitions, including another year of cheering on the Unified Basketball Team; and/or,
impress us with their performing arts skills at spring concerts and shows.
A significant part of academic success is ensuring our student’s basic needs are met so they can focus on learning. I encourage all students to take advantage of the FREE breakfast and lunch nutrition program and urge parents to reach out to their child’s school Resiliency Coordinator for any winter wear needs. We want to be sure our students have the necessary building blocks to stay healthy this winter so they can participate fully in the above activities.
COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS - BIDDEFORD
I am excited to share an important initiative that will guide Biddeford Schools through the remainder of this decade: our Commitment to Students – Vision 2030. This renewed focus reflects our dedication to ensuring every student thrives academically, socially, and emotionally.
Biddeford’s vision is built around three core pillars:
Transformative Learning Experiences: We aim to make learning feel like a journey of discovery, with hands-on, authentic, and engaging opportunities that put students at the center.
A Positive Culture and Climate: By fostering a strong sense of belonging, we create schools where students feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their potential.
Whole-Child Support: Recognizing the challenges many students face outside of school, we commit to addressing their needs holistically, with a focus on building strong relationships and providing stability and support.
Our caring teachers and staff are dedicated to nurturing resilient, healthy students who are prepared to excel in any path they choose after graduation. This commitment reflects our belief that together, we can help each child succeed in an ever-changing world. As we move forward, I encourage your continued partnership in this important work.
Here’s to a happy and healthy 2025!
Jeremy Ray
Superintendent of Schools
Biddeford will be holding a Municipal Election for eligible voters on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Biddeford High School’s Tiger Gym. The below Referendum Question will be included regarding the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, with polls open from 7am-8pm.
Question 1: Shall the Mayor and the Treasurer of the City of Biddeford be authorized to issue bonds or notes in the name of the City for minor capital purposes in a principal amount not to exceed $491,500 to acquire advanced industry-standard equipment to modernize career and technical education programs at the Biddeford Center of Technology and train students for careers in high-demand fields? The debt service on the bonds or notes shall be paid by
the State of Maine with no impact on local educational taxes.
Biddeford WinterFest
Mark your calendar! Biddeford’s WinterFest returns for a cabin-fever-busting weekend of snow and fun-filled events for the whole family! This will be a “snow or shine” event the weekend of February 7 through February 9, 2025!
Visit biddefordwinterfest.org for schedule and programming updates, sponsorship information, and more.
Explore Screen Deep: A Must-Listen Podcast for Parenting in the Digital Age
Season 1 of Screen Deep is packed with expert insights on how digital media impacts child development. Hosted by Kris Perry, Executive Director of Children and Screens, it covers:
The impact of screens on early childhood development;
How screen time affects sleep patterns;
The connection between adolescent brain development and social media use;
The neuroscience behind digital and behavioral addictions in teens;
How “technoference” from parent media use affects children and relationships;
Insights into attention, learning and screen use in young children; and
The effects of digital media use on adolescent body image.
Tune in to Screen Deep for research-backed tips to navigate parenting in the digital age! Available on –Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Pandora, or YouTube–or visit their online archive.
The Consortium for Engaging Families Across Maine (CEFAM) is completing a needs assessment and has invited all parents and caregivers to participate in a survey to identify ways to better support families and address challenges in education settings across Maine.
CEFAM assists families to leverage evidence-based, high-impact, and culturally responsive programs and resources that support the development and well-being of every child. Over the next four years, their efforts will include coordinating technical assistance and training services to reach educators, families, community-based members, and students.
As family members of children living in Maine, CEFAM wants to hear from you about your needs, as well as any barriers or challenges you and your family experience in your child’s education setting. Your feedback is essential to shaping impactful, culturally responsive programs for children and families.
The survey takes just 5 minutes and is available in six languages: English, Spanish, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Somali, and Arabic. The survey can be found by clicking this link, or by scanning the QR code. Responses are anonymous. After you submit the survey, there will be a link to a separate form where you can enter your information for a chance to win a $50 Target gift card.
For questions or to request a paper version, please email evaluationteam@maec.org.