I hope you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving with your family and friends. As I sat down with my own family, I was grateful for the efforts within our schools to support those facing food insecurity this holiday season, including an impressive effort led by the Student Council at Biddeford High School (BHS). Students and staff worked tirelessly to collect and assemble 100 baskets filled with essential Thanksgiving meal items, including turkey, stuffing, vegetables, etc., and donations to feed those in need throughout Biddeford and Saco. We are so proud of our students for looking out for others in our community and appreciate those who donated.

President of the BHS Student Council Rafah Shakir said, “Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for what we have, and we are so excited to be able to give back to our community. We are also grateful to our community partners, Brown Dog Carriers, for donating a refrigerated truck for storage, and Volk Packaging for providing all of the boxes we needed to pack the meals.”

As we head into the winter months ahead, I urge families in need to reach out to their child’s Resiliency Coordinator within the schools for winterwear or access to food. We know students cannot focus on learning if their basic needs are not met, so we are doing all that we can to meet those needs. In addition, our deepest gratitude to the local Rotary Clubs and local business professionals who have stepped up to help our families.

Please remember that schools are closed for vacation from December 22nd to January 1st. Our first day back in 2024 will be on Tuesday, January 2nd.

Take care,

Jeremy Ray

Superintendent of Schools

Youth Full Maine has transitioned back to our in-school pantries and discontinued some of the free food distributions. They will continue to do the weekly free food distribution at the Dayton Town Hall every Thursday from 2pm-3pm, as well as the monthly drive-thru free food distribution at Rotary Park in Biddeford every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10M-12pm. In case of storm conditions or for more information, contact Youth Full Maine at (207) 391-0185 check their website, or visit their Facebook page.

Congratulations to the Biddeford Middle School 5th Grade Chorus who were featured in a recent performance at the Biddeford Mayoral Inauguration. At the City Hall meeting last night, outgoing Mayor Alan Casavant was thanked for serving the City of Biddeford for 12 years and new Mayor Martin Grohman was sworn in. Grohman will also serve as the Chair in his role as an ex officio member of the School Committee.

Congratulations to the School Committee members recently elected to serve. Below is the full listing of members:

BIDDEFORD:

• Meagan Desjardins
• Randy Forcier
• Rebecca Henry
• Michele Landry
  
• John McCurry Jr.
  
• Marie Potvin
  
• Lisa Vadnais
• Mayor Martin Grohman (Chair, ex officio)

DAYTON:

• James Morin (Chair)

• Hilary LaPlant

Do you love Dayton School? Show your Panther Pride by purchasing apparel. Simply click here or on the image below to place your order today!

Friday, December 8th at 7pm at BMS Performing Arts Center

Open to All - General Admission; Cost: $10; Free for age 12 and under

Collecting non-perishable food donations for Biddeford Food Pantry

Biddeford Ready! launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library! This is a program any Biddeford parent with a child under 5 can sign up for. Children will receive free, high quality, age-appropriate books sent right to their house every month FOR FREE!

Thank you to Cowbell Burger for choosing Biddeford High School Unified Sports as their December "Good For A Cause - Charity of the Month". All month-long restaurant patrons can support our Biddeford High School Athletics Unified Teams when they receive their bill. In addition to donated funds, Cowbell will match donations dollar for dollar all month! So, if you are looking for a bite to eat, why not head to Cowbell and support our Biddeford High School Tigers at the same time!