DISTRICT UPDATE
August 15, 2025
COMMUNICATION: STAY IN THE KNOW!
Newsletters: I will continue to send monthly newsletters via email, which will also be posted on the website, social media, and mobile app. 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.
ReachMyTeach: We have transitioned from Talking Points to ReachMyTeach as a two-way communication platform that makes it easy to connect families through the languages they speak and the devices they use every day. This platform will also allow families to communicate directly with classroom teachers effortlessly through text, email, or WhatsApp, on-demand video interpreters, and scheduled conferences. There is no need to download an app and families can learn more by clicking here.
Website & Mobile App: Our website platform syncs directly to a mobile app! The mobile app features important news, a live feed for updates, daily menu, and more. Parents also have the option to choose the district and specific schools to stay updated and receive notifications directly to their phone (see below for exact links).
Emergency Text Alerts: District-related text alerts are sent from the number 98900, and while families are legally allowed to opt out of receiving these messages, doing so means you will no longer receive emergency updates via text—only by email. If you’ve previously opted out and would like to start receiving text alerts again, simply text START to 98900. Please note that it can take up to 48 business hours for the change to take effect.
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
We understand that starting at a new school can be anxiety-provoking for many students and their parents, so we want to ease those fears and minimize any barriers to a successful 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, please contact the principal directly.
Biddeford Primary School (BPS) - Grades K-2:
August 26th from 4:00-6:00pm
Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) - PreK & Grades 3-4:
August 26th from 4:30-6:30pm (for 3 & 4)
September 2 from 4:30-6:30pm (for PreK)
Biddeford Middle School (BMS) - Grades 5-7:
August 25th from 4:30-6:30pm
Biddeford High School (BHS) - Grades 8-12:
September 18th from 4:30-6:30pm
Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT):
September 18th from 4:30-6:30pm
Dayton Consolidated School:
August 26th from 6:00-7:00pm
August 29: NO SCHOOL
September 1: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 9: Dayton’s School Committee Meeting at 6:30pm at DCS
September 10: Our first early release day. As a reminder, the early release times are as follows:
Pre-K: No school on early release days.
BPS & BIS: Dismissal at 12:00pm
BMS: Dismissal at 12:50pm
BHS & COT: Dismissal at 12:25pm
Dayton Consolidated: Dismissal at 12:30pm
September 10: Biddeford’s School Committee Meeting at 5pm at BHS Little Theater
September 18: Biddeford & Saco Rising Family Engagement Event from 4:30-6:30pm at Biddeford High School’s Tiger Gym
September 24: Dayton Early Release & Biddeford’s School Committee Meeting at 7pm at BHS Little Theater
Coordinating transportation needs is a major undertaking to finalize bus routes, stops, times, and the number of runs required and record them in Infinite Campus. With school starting in two weeks, completing transportation information is extremely impactful to our administration. The transportation request link was included in the registration process.
Approximate bus stops/times will be noted in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal under the 2025/2026 School Year tab by August 22nd. 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 at 207-282-0909 or email transportation@biddefordschools.me.
Please see walking boundaries here for BMS/BHS students.
Families who have signed up for transportation can download the BusRight App to follow their students' bus. BusRight App invitations will be sent from “support@busright.com” so monitor your spam folder. For more information on BusRight, click the button below.
We recognize that mistakes may happen and delays may occur as we work out the kinks at the start of the year. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding as we ensure all students are transported safely.
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, aid packages via the FAFSA for rising seniors, and teachers' student loan forgiveness.
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.
Every student in the Biddeford and Dayton School Departments will be assigned a school-owned device for the 2025-2026 school year, with the expectation that students and/or parents will be responsible for returning them in similar condition.
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 5-8 will be issued a device that may go home with them each day (as determined by their teachers/building). Devices will be distributed during the first week of school. Students in grades 9-12 kept their devices over the summer and should return with them in the fall. Students should bring their device to school each day—charged.
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 will use 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. For cost details, click here or below.
For Problems/Issues with Devices:
Students/parents should immediately inform the student's teacher, who will contact the Technology Department. This will keep the teacher and others at the school aware of the situation and the remedy.
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 below:
BIDDEFORD:
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3fu8z4q
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/2QFUBST
Video - https://youtu.be/IEc79nbB43c
DAYTON:
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3ubORP7
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/2Ps31fY
Video: https://youtu.be/YABUu1YruGI
Saturday, October 18th at 6:00 pm
The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford
Tickets: $50 each (Purchase Here)
The Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce its 8th Annual Pillars of Pride Dinner and Silent Auction. The event is scheduled for October 18th at 6:00 pm at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. This year, the guests of honor will be Joyce Tarpy, a devoted educator and mentor for over 35 years, and Maureen Grandmaison, a talented photographer who generously donates her time and services to capture our most treasured moments. Joyce and Maureen have each made lasting contributions to make our school system a better place, and we are excited to celebrate them.
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 Community Calendar
Yodel is brought to you by your friends at the City of Biddeford, Biddeford & Saco Chamber of Commerce, Biddeford Schools, and Heart of Biddeford.
Free Kids Soccer Event
September 6th & 7th
Click Image to Register
Cub Scouts Event
September 8th
Click Image to Enlarge