Biddeford Center of Technology

It has been an exciting first quarter at BRCOT as we welcomed more than 500 students to a new school year filled with energy and enthusiasm. We were delighted to meet so many parents and family members during our Open House — your support plays a vital role in our students’ success. Throughout the fall, students have been engaging in off-site visits to local industries, while teachers have brought guest speakers into the classroom. These hands-on learning experiences help students connect their classroom knowledge to real-world applications and explore potential career pathways.

We know raising teenagers can be a challenging time. We also know they want adults involved in their lives. Perhaps just in a different way. We know first hand how your partnership in your child’s education is invaluable. The end of the first quarter is October 24th and Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, November 5th, 3:30 - 7:00 p.m. You will receive an invitation from your child's instructor through the ReachMyTeach system. You can choose a time available that will work for your schedule. If for some reason, this method does not work for you, you can call or email the instructor to set up a meeting time. We hope you are able to make it to hear all about the good things your child is doing while they are at COT!

Please Note: The School Committee voted to provide asynchronous learning for students who attend Biddeford High School (Grades 8-12) or Biddeford Regional Center of Technology on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th. As result, COT will not be holding in-person classes for all students on the 4th. Our instructors will prepare them for what is expected on that day and students will be able to access their lessons/assignments for the day via Google Classroom.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us or your child’s teacher with any questions or concerns at 207-282-1501.

Paulette Bonneau

Director

One of the unique characteristics of our school's programming is that each of our programs has a Program Advisory Committee (PAC). The committee is made up of industry representatives, a parent, current and past students, and college representatives. Committee members play multiple roles and the primary function is to advise us on current and future trends, equipment needs, internship and work opportunities so that we are always focused on improvement and innovation. The committee meets at least twice a year. If you should receive an invitation, you are encouraged to participate as your feedback is valuable. If you would like to participate, please contact your child's instructor. It is a great way to learn more about the intricacies of the program. We have advisory meetings scheduled in October and November and again in the spring.

10/24: End of the First Quarter
11/2: Daylight Savings Time Ends-turn clocks back one-hour

11/4: Election Day - Asynchronous Day for Students, No In-Person Classes
11/5: Early Release & Parent Teacher Conferences 3:30-7 PM
11/11: Veterans Day - No School
11/15: BHS/BRCOT College & Career Fair

Parent Teacher Conferences

We will be using the Reach My Teach platform to schedule meeting times with instructors on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025, between 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM.

For more information or to view instructional videos, please [click here].

Thank you to Bridgestone/Firestone Auto Care for their generous $3,000 donation and contributions of equipment and supplies to the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT). As the first Firestone Complete Auto Care location in Maine, their support directly benefits our high school students from Biddeford, Saco, Dayton, and Waterboro, providing hands-on learning in trades like automotive repair, welding, and plumbing. Community partnerships like this strengthen BRCOT’s programs and help students gain valuable skills for their future careers.

Read the full news article here.

Our students had an incredible opportunity to explore their futures at the NEACAC College Fair hosted by the University of New England. With over 100 colleges and universities from across the U.S. and Canada in attendance, students were able to ask questions, gather information and discover exciting possibilities for life after graduation. We are so proud of or students for taking this step toward their future success!

On October 1st, several programs from BRCOT attended the 2nd Annual Maritime Industry Day at Albacore Park in Portsmouth, NH. October is Manufacturer Month in Maine and Maritime Industry Day provides an opportunity each year for students to interact with industry experts, explore a variety of career opportunities and learn how manufacturers support and collaborate with the maritime industry.

Students were able to meet with engineers, welders, machinists, and other members of the maritime field to learn about career opportunities and growing trends in the job market. Hands-on activities from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard gave students the ability to use and explore cutting edge training technology in today's workplace. Students were also able to explore the USS Albacore, one of our nation's most influential submarines and a lasting reminder of the importance of STEM in the maritime and manufacturing industry.

Over 400 students from Maine and New Hampshire were in attendance and the event raised approximately $10,000 in scholarships funds. These funds will help support students who pursue careers in these industries.

We want to let you know that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026–27 school year is now open. Completing the FAFSA is an important step for students planning to pursue college or career training after high school. It determines eligibility for federal and state grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans.

We encourage all families—regardless of income—to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to maximize opportunities for financial aid. You can access the FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov.