SPHS Update

SPHS Community,

I hope you and your families are as well as can be expected. It's been a tough week on a number of fronts, and we're ready to welcome students back to school on Monday. As noted by the superintendent today, we will be following a one hour delay schedule on Monday, October 30th. The schedule is below. It will be a RED day.

Support will be available throughout the week and beyond for any student struggling with the impacts of the events in Lewiston this past week.

A few important notes about Halloween at SPHS on October 31st. Given the events of last week, we ask that students not wear costumes that could be construed as violent or scary.

Also, as is always the case, no weapons or look alike weapons will be allowed at school, no costume that disrupt the learning environment will be allowed, and the faces of students may not be obscured on campus except for the use of medical grade masks for health purposes.

Please note, this week we'll be starting up a system that texts or emails families and students each period that students are out of classes unexcused. If you know your child will be absent or tardy for any portion of the day, please call (207)767-3266, or email hsattendance@spsd.org by 8:30 AM.

Finally, we'll be providing an opportunity for students to express sympathy support for the Lewiston and Winthrop communities in the wake of the unimaginable tragedies that they faced last week. We'll have banners in the lobby that students and staff can leave messages of support. We'll make sure they get to the schools, and as a small gesture of solidarity and support, many schools in the area are wearing blue tomorrow which is Lewiston High School's colors. I will be doing so, and I invite everyone to join me in that small gesture.

Take care and be well,

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

Principal - South Portland High School

Auditions for this year's musical: ADDAMS FAMILY will be from 3:30-6:30 on Tuesday, November 7th and Wednesday, November 8th in the Auditorium.

If necessary, callbacks will be from 3:30-6:30 on Thursday, November 9th. Students should prepare 32 bars (or about 60 seconds) of a song of their choice, preferably a musical theatre song. Anyone auditioning for a specific role is encouraged to sing from the show. Auditioners should come to auditions ready to dance and read from the script. The show will be performed January 25 - 28.

Students who are in marching band that want to audition as a performer (not pit) in the show are encouraged to audition on November 8th (please reach out to Taylor if this won't work for you). If you have any questions you can email Mr. Fitze or Taylor Gervais.

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.

Holiday Assistance: South Portland families who need help for the holidays are encouraged to apply for holiday gifts through the community based South Portland Toy Drive. Families should complete the Holiday Gift application by Nov 1. Please connect with your School Counselor if you need help with this application process.

Volunteering Opportunities: Are you looking to volunteer or donate items to the holiday efforts? If so, please check out the winter volunteer and donation opportunities listed here. Contact Bryna Latham (lathambr@spsdme.org) with questions about these opportunities, or check the SPSD Volunteering page with general questions about volunteering.

Free Winter Coats: South Portland Police Department is sponsoring "Cop a Free Coat" during the Trunk or Treat event at the South Portland Community Center on Oct 28, from 11-3 (while supplies last). See this flier for more information: English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Arabic.

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#

Theme: Light for Humanity; Caring for One Another

Deadline: Nov 15th

A poem or short essay on the theme of “Light for Humanity; Caring for One Another” can be submitted to Gretchen McCloy (mccloygr@spsdme.org) by November 15th. Works must be original works, and must be able to be read outloud in under 4 minutes. Please submit the poem or essay via email, or a printed copy sent to Gretchen McCloy at SPHS. This contest is open to all students at SPMS and SPHS.

Gift cards to local stores will be awarded to the top submissions, and the grand prize winner will be invited to read, or have their submission read for them, at the Lighting of the Trees at Millcreek on Dec 1st at 6pm.

Any questions, please reach out to Gretchen McCloy, mccloygr@spsdme.org

Though Free Breakfast and Lunch (including a second serving of certain items) is provided every day for every student, there are other items available for purchase. For these items, SPSD has the My School Bucks Meal Accounts.

Download Today: https://info.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/msb-app

• RESECHEDULED TBA: Portland Ballet will be presenting two shows: Tales by Poe - Friday 7pm and 2pm, and Thrills and Chills (for a younger crowd) - 10am Sat

• Nov 3 -5: The SPHS Drama Club presents: Will Peter meet Alice? A mash-up retelling of the Peter Pan and Alice and Wonderland Stories - Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm & 7pm, Sunday 2pm
  

South Portland High School is partnered with Greater Portland Health to provide a School Based Health Center (SBHC) and a School Based Dental Clinic

The School Based Health Center offers a variety of healthcare services to students directly in schools. This allows for easy access and scheduling for healthcare & saves time for student and parents/guardians.

Services offered include:

1. Primary medical Health Services, Sports Physicals, Treatment of Minor illnesses, Management of Chronic conditions, Vaccines, and Family Planning services. Behavioral Healthcare.

2. Dental cleanings, fluoride and sealants.

School staff will coordinate with the School Based Health Center team to connect students to care.

All students must have an enrollment signed by a parent/guardian (if less than 18 years old) in order to be seen in the clinic by a medical provider or behavioral health provider. Return your enrollment form to the School Nurse.

We welcome ALL students to enroll in the SBHC, even if they have a primary care provider elsewhere. We coordinate care with Primary Care Providers while providing easy to access services within school.

Please see the school nurse for an enrollment form to the School Based Health Clinic and Dental Clinic.

• October 31st - Halloween (Please see notes above)
• November 10th - Veterans Day (Observed), No school
• November 16th - Picture Retake day
• November 20th - Parent Teacher Conferences
• November 21st - Early Release
• November 22nd-24th - Thanksgiving Break, No school