DISTRICT UPDATE

Did you know that on a typical school day, Biddeford and Dayton School Department buses travel approximately 1,155 miles per day, which is equivalent to driving round-trip to Cleveland, Ohio every single day? Our Transportation Team navigates crowded neighborhoods, busy intersections, and changing weather conditions in their commitment to safely transport our students to and from school. Behind every route is a caring, professional bus driver who takes that responsibility to heart.

Safely transporting students is one of our highest priorities. Our buses are routinely inspected and maintained, our drivers receive ongoing safety training, and clear procedures guide every run. Just as importantly, our drivers build relationships with students and families, keeping a watchful eye at every stop and taking extra care during boarding and drop-off times.

Even with these safeguards in place, we cannot do this work alone.

We have seen an increase in reports of vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses while red lights are flashing and stop arms are extended. These violations put children at serious risk—particularly when they are crossing the street or stepping on or off the bus. Even a moment of inattention can have life-altering consequences. We continue to work closely with law enforcement to report these incidents and ask all motorists to slow down, stay alert, and remember that a few seconds of patience can save a child’s life.

Families also play an essential role in keeping students safe before, during, and after their bus ride. Here are a few ways parents and guardians can partner with us:

• Escort younger children to and from the bus. An adult should accompany younger students to the bus door upon boarding and meet them at the bus door when they return home. We strongly encourage families not to wait in their vehicles and send children to board or exit the bus on their own, as students may not be easily visible to the bus driver. Being present at the bus stop helps ensure children enter and exit safely and are clearly seen by both drivers and passing motorists.
  
  

• Talk with your child about being a safe and respectful bus rider. Calm behavior, quiet voices, and following rules help reduce distractions for drivers, allowing them to stay focused on traffic, road conditions, and student safety.
  
  

• Review bus stop expectations. Students should wait a safe distance from the road, allow the bus to come to a complete stop, and watch for the driver’s signal before approaching or crossing in front of the bus. Running near the bus or touching the exterior can create dangerous situations.

• Practice safe riding habits. Once on board, students should remain seated, face forward, keep aisles clear, and follow the driver's instructions at all times. This not only reduces distraction but also prevents injuries, especially during sudden stops or turns.
  
  

• Increase your child’s visibility at the bus stop. Early-morning and late-afternoon routes often occur at dawn or dusk. Light-colored or reflective clothing, backpacks with reflective strips, and adequate lighting near the bus stop can help ensure students are easily seen by drivers and passing motorists.

• To the degree you are able, limit bag size, the number of items your children carry. Limit keychains, stuffed animals, and other bag adornments that are easily snagged in doors.

• Review the district’s transportation policy: School Committee Policy JICC.

We are thankful for the strong partnership we share with our families and the Biddeford community. With attentive drivers, engaged families, and responsible motorists, we can help protect our most precious passengers.

The Biddeford Tigers Unified Team is gearing up for another exciting season, and our BHS athletes are inviting the community to show their support through this year’s merchandise fundraiser. Proceeds from each purchase help provide essential equipment, uniforms, and team experiences that make the season meaningful for our student-athletes and partners. Orders are open through January 11 and can be picked up at Brady’s Screen Printing once ready. To browse the store and support unified sports, click the button below. Go Tigers!

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 Biddeford Athletics Hall of Honor inductees! Our formal induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in the Biddeford High School Little Theater. Tiger Pride!

As we reflect on the holiday season, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible generosity shown to our students and families by our community partners. Because of your kindness, hundreds of children across Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton experienced a brighter, more hopeful holiday.

The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club helped make the season special for nearly 200 children through their annual holiday giving efforts. The University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM) hosted a toy drive that resulted in more than 300 toys donated to Biddeford Primary School families. We are also grateful for a $1,000 donation from Saco Valley Credit Union and a generous $10,000 gift from Marie and Otto Lazareth Sr., both supporting the Biddeford Education Foundation and its vital backpack programs.

We extend a special thank you to Union Church in Biddeford Pool for their remarkable $5,000 donation in gift cards to support school families, as well as their ongoing monthly food collections that help sustain our backpack programs year-round. Partnerships like these are a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together in support of its children.

We are equally proud of our students. Members of the National Honor Society demonstrated true leadership and compassion by collecting and sorting toys for Toys for Tots, adopting seven local children for the holidays, and purchasing and wrapping gifts for families in need. Their efforts beautifully reflect the NHS pillars of leadership, character, scholarship, and service.

To every organization, donor, volunteer, and student who stepped up this season—thank you. Your generosity makes a lasting difference in the lives of our students and families, and we are deeply grateful for your continued support.

Front Row (L-R): Amy Clearwater, Student Rep Cordelia Kane, Marie Potvin, and Michele Landry

Back Row (L-R): Committee Chair Mayor Liam LaFountain, Tim Stebbins, Meagan Desjardins, Karen Ruel, Emily Henley, and Student Rep Marcus Perkins.

Born and raised in Biddeford, Liam LaFountain attended Biddeford Intermediate School and Biddeford Middle School in his early years. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Gonzaga University and is currently a Senior Data Analyst for the Healthcare Purchaser Alliance of Maine and the Mayor of the City of Biddeford. LaFountain’s public service includes serving as chair of both the City Council and the School Committee, and as an ex officio member of the McArthur Library Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Boards of York County Community Action and Nasson Health Care. Prior to becoming Mayor, LaFountain represented Ward 7 on the City Council and served as Council President, during which time he contributed to or chaired several municipal committees, including the Policy Committee, Recycling and Solid Waste Commission, Capital Projects Committee, and the York County Ice Arena Association. His earliest civic involvement includes serving on the Biddeford Recreation Commission.

“Serving on the School Committee is a core responsibility of the Mayor, and the chance to help strengthen the foundation for Biddeford’s future leaders was an important part of choosing to run. It is a way to give back to a system that has shaped generations of families in Biddeford and will continue to shape those who come after us,” said Mayor LaFountain. He hopes to bring a steady, future-focused perspective centered on academic excellence, long-term planning, and strengthening the supports that help students and educators thrive, from enrichment and career pathways to day-to-day stability across the schools.

Mayor LaFountain and his spouse enjoy hiking in Clifford Park, kayaking on the Saco River near Rotary Park, and walking through downtown. He added, “Those moments outdoors are some of my favorite ways to stay connected to the city.”

Originally from Readfield, where she graduated from Maranacook Community High School, Amy Clearwater is now deeply engaged in civic life in Biddeford through a range of public service roles. Professionally, she works as a Senior Vice President in Investor Services for a global financial firm. Clearwater holds a Bachelor of Arts in Critical Social Analysis from the University of Maine at Farmington and a Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law. Her public service includes current board membership with the McArthur Library, the Biddeford Housing Authority, and the My Place Teen Center, as well as prior service on the Biddeford City Council from 2018 to 2023.

“I hope to be of service to my community and am a passionate advocate for education,” said Clearwater. “My previous service experience gives me insight into the municipal and state policy landscape, which I believe will help in crafting skillful solutions to complex problems.” As a member of the School Committee, she hopes to help amplify the successes already being achieved by staff, reinforce those efforts with targeted resources, and thoughtfully navigate demographic shifts and regional collaborations to best support students and schools.

Clearwater and her wife are raising two young children—a four-year-old son and a one-year-old daughter. Outside of work and civic service, they enjoy gardening and are in the midst of transforming their yard into a native pollinator meadow, a project they hope provides both environmental benefits and a little entertainment for the neighborhood.

Emily Henley grew up in Readfield and moved to Biddeford when it was time to buy a home, choosing the city for its affordability, great coffee shops, walkable downtown, and the chance for her children to grow up close to their cousins. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies and Master’s Degree in Education. A former middle school social studies and social-emotional learning teacher—including time at Biddeford Intermediate School—Henley now works as a Curriculum Coordinator for 240 Tutoring, a national organization that supports teacher certification, preparation, and in-classroom success.

“I have always been passionate about education, and my brief time teaching at BIS made me fall in love with Biddeford Schools,” said Henley. “Everyone I met was so dedicated to students and to providing support as the school community recovered from the pandemic. I miss teaching every day, and serving on the School Committee allows me to use my experience, education, and skill set to support our schools. I firmly believe the best way to strengthen a community is through education.” She hopes to bring a strong focus on curriculum, evidence-based instructional models, and collaborative problem-solving to address the challenges facing today’s teachers and students—from literacy and engagement to the growing influence of technology in the classroom.

Henley and her husband have two young children, ages 4½ and 10 months. Outside of work, she loves musical theater and singing, and enjoys sharing music with—and making music for—her kids.

A lifelong Biddeford resident and an alumnus of the BHS Class of 1980, Tim Stebbins has long been committed to public education and community service. Now retired from the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, he serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of New England. Stebbins’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Economics, a Master of Science in Education Leadership, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Administration. His service to the community includes membership on the City of Biddeford Recreation Commission and prior service as a school board member for St. James School.

“I ran for the School Committee to support the local educational system and give back to the community that has afforded me many opportunities throughout my professional life,” said Stebbins. “I have been a teacher, coach, and administrator, and I always felt supported by the people around me—I want today’s educators to feel that same level of support.” He is passionate about strengthening Biddeford’s schools for the future by supporting initiatives that enhance educational quality, helping address budgetary challenges through wise, student-centered spending, and ensuring the district remains a draw for families seeking excellent educational opportunities.

Stebbins and his wife, Karen—both BHS alumni— have two adult sons and have dedicated much of their professional and personal lives to the Biddeford school community. Like many parents, they sought a safe, welcoming city with a responsive and strong school system, and he remains committed to giving back to a system that has meant so much to him and to continuing to support the outstanding work educators do every day.

Watch future issues for bios of Meagan Desjardins, Michele Landry, Marie Potvin and Karen Ruel.

Are smartphones and social media making us less connected, more lonely, and addicted to the endless videos on our feed? On this episode of Screen Deep, Dr. Meredith David shares evidence on how social media use contributes to feelings of loneliness and FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), how design features of popular short-form video platforms facilitate addictive behaviors, and how “phubbing” – phone-snubbing – negatively impacts a myriad of social relationships.

Listen to Screen Deep on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, or iHeartRadio. Each 30-to 40-minute episode offers fresh perspectives, cutting-edge research, and practical advice for raising children in the digital age.

Check out all the upcoming events in Biddeford! The Yodel community calendar compiles activities from across the City of Biddeford to help you find family fun, live music, art events, outdoor adventures, and more! Anyone can download the Yodel app, and any organization can set up a Yodel login to add their event.

Yodel is brought to you by your friends at the City of Biddeford, Biddeford & Saco Chamber of Commerce, Biddeford Schools, and Heart of Biddeford.

Throughout the school year, we will strive to maintain clear and open lines of communication. Our school websites, newsletters, mobile app, and social media will keep you informed about important dates, achievements, menus, and exciting happenings within our school community.

• Newsletters: Superintendent Newsletters will be sent the first Wednesday of each month and Principal Newsletters will be sent the third Wednesday of each month via email. They will also be posted on the website, social media, and mobile app.

• ReachMyTeach: This two-way communication platform makes it easy to connect families through the languages they speak and the devices they use every day. This platform allows 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 will feature 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: Biddeford (website | iPhone Download | Android Download) and Dayton (website | iPhone Download | Android Download).

• Social Media: We encourage parents and guardians to follow the District's social media page, as well as their child's school Facebook page: Biddeford & Dayton.

• 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.