Friday, April 11 at 7:00 pm & Saturday, April 12 at 2:00 pm

Thornton Academy's Harry P. Garland Auditorium

If you have a child turning the age of four (4) for Pre-K or five (5) for Kindergarten before October 15, 2025, please pre-register them as soon as possible via this link to ensure screening is completed prior to Fall. Tours will be made available in the coming months, and additional paperwork may be required. Please note returning student registration for current Pre-K-7th grade students will be open in early August. Parents will receive a SnapCode to the email address on file.

The Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (COT) is now accepting applications for Fall 2025 so apply today! Classes in trades, engineering, CNA, EMT, athletic training, business, computer science, culinary, and hospitality management are available, with many offering dual enrollment for college credit. Visit us online at the COT website or schedule a tour through your high school guidance counselor to learn more. The BRCOT services students from BHS, TA, OOBHS, KHS, and MHS, and spaces fill up fast. Step-by-step directions on how to apply are linked here.

Congratulations to Olivia Blais (SMS), Marko Marjanovic (CK Burns), Leo L’Italien (SMS), and Donny Denton (CK Burns) for being among the qualified students to participate in the York County Spelling Bee last month! Twelve talented spellers in grades 5-8 from schools across southern Maine, including Biddeford, Saco, Bonny Eagle, and Wells, competed for the county title in a contest that came down to an intense tie-breaking spelldown lasting two extra rounds.

Representing Saco Middle School, Olivia Blais secured the runner-up position after an impressive performance, while Scarlett Lantz of Wells Junior High ultimately broke the tie and claimed the championship. Marko Marjanovic (CK Burns) tied for third place, Leo L’Italien (SMS) finished in a three-way tie for fifth place, and Donny Denton (CK Burns) competed fiercely but exited in the early rounds.

Per rules, misspelled and winning words are not allowed to be published as other regions conduct their bees. The Maine State Champion will move on to the prestigious Scripps National Spelling Bee this May, marking the 100th anniversary of the national competition, which will be broadcast on the ION network.

First Row (L to R): Howard Conklin, Joe Bailey, Jeremy Nielsen, Leo L’Italien, Marko Marjanovic, and Jahvied Joseph. Back Row (L to R): Reed Direnzo, Olivia Blais, Donny Denton, Tyler Donahue, Brycen Drake, and Scarlett Lantz.

Congratulations to the talented student musicians of Saco Middle School who dedicated themselves to rigorous preparation and performed at the prestigious York County Junior High Music Festival. The festival included exceptional musicians who participated in band or chorus. Band Director Nicole Wise and Choral Director Chelsey Hazelwood had the following students performing in the festival:

• BAND: Angel Bambi (Trumpet), Kayla Burnett (Flute), Carter Charland (Clarinet), Mia Douville (Alto Saxophone), Charlotte Ramsey (Clarinet), Eleanor Studtmann (Flute), and Rayv Thornburg (Clarinet).

• CHORUS: Cam Apte, Elinor Austin O'Toole, Olivia Blais, Lydia Bishop, Mia Bucci, Raylin Collins, Alex Gagne, Olivia Garland, Layla Goodrich, Maebelle Koch, Aubrianna LaFreneire, Spencer Pahigian, Raelyn Parzych, Isabelle Pelletier, Leah Temm, and Czarina Velasquez.

The Saco Unified Basketball Team, under the guidance of the Maine Principals’ Association and the Special Olympics of Maine, played their first competition last Wednesday, February 26th, on the Saco Middle School (SMS) home court. Unified Sports partners students with developmental disabilities with students without developmental disabilities to help promote physical activity, teamwork, sportsmanship, and social inclusion.

In its fifth season, the SMS Unified Basketball Team has a strong group of participants and a greater force behind them. The team consists of 9 unified athletes, 8 partners, Coaches Jessica Donovan and Eric Wirsing, a strong Pep Band, and a supportive cheering section. Please join us in celebrating these fantastic athletes by attending a future game. A complete schedule can be found on the athletics page on the Saco Middle School Website.

Saco Middle School student Bentley Day and Mrs. Marshall accompanied Mrs. Howard to Hannaford to purchase supplies for the upcoming Food Group lesson in Wellness class. This lesson will connect to the Sebago team’s Science Energy unit by exploring various energy transformations in cooking, including thermal, kinetic, and mechanical energy, through the preparation of quesadillas—a meal that incorporates all five food groups.

Bentley is part of the COAST program, a special needs program at SMS. He has been working toward applying his skills in real-life settings. Recognizing an opportunity for meaningful cross-curricular collaboration, Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Frey have worked together to integrate their respective curriculums in a way that supports Bentley’s learning while enhancing the overall educational experience.

CK Burns School received a $7,000 grant from Special Olympics Maine to support the Unified Champion Schools Project. CK Burns currently offers Unified Soccer and, with this funding, will now be able to offer Unified Basketball, Unified Bocce and send a team to the York County Special Olympic Spring Games to compete in the Unified Relay 4x100. This grant will allow our students meaningful opportunities to develop leadership skills and build connections. Thanks to April Noble, Kelsey McVey, and the Special Education staff for their work in securing this funding.

Here are some of the incentives:

• Extra school-wide recess if reading goal is met
• Two (2) donut parties per grade for top fundraising and top minutes read logged.
• Students who read over 500 minutes and log them are entered to win two (2) Funtown tickets

Happy reading and make sure to log those minutes and share!

Thanks to the PTO, the students and staff at Young School are having a lot of fun in the snow thanks to their generosity in purchasing sleds. So many sledding Someday wishes have been granted, along with students enjoying the sleds at recess, too. Thank you, Young School PTO!

Next up is the Spring Flower Fundraiser which runs through March 13th. Oders can be placed online via this link and using Group ID# 87673 or using the paper catalog sent home with students. Check out the wide variety of fruits, vegetables, flower bulbs, and floral mats to choose from and help Young School at the same time. All orders can be picked up on April 11th and 12th.

Thank you to Fairfield School's PTO and our amazing community for providing over 350 Saco Schools T-shirts for all their staff and students. The below photo was captured during a recent school-wide assembly. Students and staff appreciate this generous gesture, which fosters a wonderful sense of unity and school spirit. Thank you!

DON'T FORGET! Join us Friday, March 7th from 4-6pm for Fairfield Family Night and Book Fair. There will be free pizza, face painting, music, and raffle baskets. This is a family event so please plan to attend with your child.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

5:00-7:30 PM

Biddeford Regional Center of Technology

Get ready for a culinary showdown! FYOOD (pronounced "feud") is an exciting, fast-paced cooking competition where amateur home chefs go head-to-head in a battle of creativity, skill, and flavor. Taking place during Biddeford & Saco Restaurant Week, this event will highlight the passion for food in our community while supporting the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology’s (BRCOT) Culinary Program.

Competitors will face two mystery ingredient challenges: a Savory Round and a Sweets Round. Their final dishes will be judged by a panel of professional chefs, local celebrities, and BRCOT Culinary Program Director Chef Steve. Only two teams will emerge victorious, winning a trophy and serious bragging rights!

Audience Tickets—Watch the Action Live!

For just $15, you can be part of the FYOOD experience!

• Enjoy a live cooking competition with front-row views from the BRCOT dining room.

• Watch the chefs in action through kitchen windows and a live video feed.

• See students in the culinary program showcase their skills through special demos.

• Ticket includes a meal from the made-to-order pasta station and other refreshments.

• Cheer for your favorite team and witness the judges’ final tasting and award presentation!