SPHS Update

SPHS Community,

I hope you are all well on this cold and wet Sunday. The SPHS Band concert this past week was fantastic, and I'm looking for ward to the Choral concert this Tuesday as well.

Check out this article in the Press Herald that mentions several SPHS students who took part in the Tree lighting ceremony. Congratulations to the winners of the Poetry contest. Lucy Dow and Divina Gomes Jacque read the winning poems, “Because I Do” and “Light of Humanity” by Madolyn Roy. The third-place poem was “Beware; A Happy Ending” by Amelia Hughes. You can see a video of the event here.

Students who know, know that Ms. York is AWESOME! She was invited to speak at the White House to share her views on Equitable AI in the Classroom as part of a panel of esteemed speakers from around the country. She's just one of the many fantastic teachers who we're lucky to have at SPHS.

Meanwhile, Ms. York ALSO helped lead a great Computer Science Week with Ms. Nelson and the CS Honor Society this past week. They had guest speakers and activities that highlighted the phenominal opportunities in Computer Science available to our students as well the cool things that they are doing.

Winter athletics season are getting into full swing so there are lots of opportunities to see our great SPHS Student Athletes in action. Check out the schedule below.

Take care and be well,

Scott Tombleson (He/Him/His - What is this?)

Principal - South Portland High School

SPHS's amazing Julie York was invited to speak at the White House on Tuesday regarding equitable AI in the classroom representing SPHS and SPSD on a national level.

She met with Senator King staff and Representative Pingree staff and brought up all the incredible work being done in Maine and in SP schools. She learned a lot from various government organizations and had the opportunity to meet a lot of computer science professional organizations including Google, Amazon, Code.org, and more.

We had a great representation by South Portland students and PTO groups at the 12/1 Millcreek Lighting of the Trees.

Highlights included:

-South Portland High School Chorus and Chamber Singers performances, under the direction of Darrell Whidden

-South Portland Middle School Chorus performance, under the direction of Jamie Swenson

-Student poetry read by Lucy Dow, and Davina Gomes Jacque read a piece by Madolyn Roy on the theme of Light for Humanity; Caring for One Another.

-Concessions sold by Skillin PTA, Kaler PTA, Small PTA, SPMS PTA and SPHS Project Grad.

Other moments of joy included a mini horse and donkey dressed as reindeer for folks to take their photos with.

THANKS to everyone involved- especially our partners at South Portland Parks and Rec, the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Chamber, South Portland Fire Dept and all of the event sponsors.

The SPHS Interact and Spanish clubs are hosting a Winter Food Drive for the SOPO Food Cupboard November 27 - December 15, 2023

Donation drop off bins are located at SPHS Main Office, also rooms 55 and 211. Contact Ms. Esten or Ms. Smith for more information.

http://southportlandfoodcupboard.org/

SPHS FOOD DRIVE ITEMS NEEDED

If you would like to help supply the athletics office with donations, check out their Amazon Wishlist.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2XJNL2RAOLICL/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2#

Tuesday, December 12th, at 7:00PM, The music department is proud to present "A Winter Choral Concert"! This event takes place here at the high school in the auditorium, and features the high school chorus, chamber singers, and "Scales of Sopo". Hope to see you there!

The Teen Center is a program for Middle School and High School Students (grades 6-12) who live in South Portland and/or attend school in South Portland. The South Portland Teen Center’s mission is to provide a comfortable, safe and fun environment for teens. As such, each teen is held responsible for their behavior.

Respect for the Redbank Community Center facility, other teen participants and program staff/volunteers is required of everyone. All students who want to have access to the Teen Center must fill out the registration packet and have all sections signed by a parent/guardian. We recently had our Teen Center registrations translated into Spanish, French, and Portuguese to make it easier for families to sign their kids up.

If students would like to join STAGE CREW for the ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL, they can come to the AUDITORIUM on any MONDAY after school from 2:30 - 4:30.

Join in if you are interested in: Lights. Sound, Set, Painting, Costumes, Make-Up, Props, or Stage Management, please join us! Please email Mr. Fitze if you have any questions!

• December 12th, Tuesday - 7 pm - Vocal Music Concert
  
• December 21st, Thursday - Pep Rally
• December 22nd-29th, Friday-Friday - Winter Break, No school
• January 1st, Monday - New Years Day, No school
• January 15th, Monday - Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No school