DISTRICT UPDATE

On December 4th, we reached an extraordinary milestone together as a community: the official groundbreaking for Saco’s new PreK–5 school campus. For more than twenty years, our city has envisioned a modern, equitable learning environment for our youngest students, and standing at the construction site with families, staff, city and state leaders, contractors, and students made it clear just how meaningful this project truly is.

This new campus—made possible through overwhelming voter support and more than $100 million in state funding—will include two state-of-the-art, climate-controlled buildings: a PreK–Kindergarten primary school and a Grades 1–5 elementary school. Each building is designed with flexible, future-ready classrooms; enhanced safety and security systems; expanded outdoor learning spaces; and a dedicated unified arts wing. Together, these spaces will provide stability, access, and opportunity for all of Saco’s elementary learners. Click here for the Groundbreaking Fast Facts Sheet.

During the ceremony, I also had the privilege of announcing the leadership teams who will guide our new schools. Principal April Noble will lead the Grades 1–5 Saco Elementary School with Assistant Principals Jeff Mears and Tom Patridge, and Principal Wendy LeBlanc will lead the PreK–K Saco Primary School with Assistant Principal J’aime Walker. Their expertise, dedication, and vision will be essential as we prepare to open these new buildings.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Mayor Jodi MacPhail, the City Council and School Board, the Department of Education, our educators, and the construction and design partners for their collaboration and support. And a special thank you to Go See Tyce BBQ for providing food at the reception after the ceremony, and Maureen Grandmaison Photography for capturing the moments.

This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new chapter for our district, one rooted in the belief that every child deserves the very best learning environment. I encourage you to view photos and read the full article on our website: https://www.sacoschools.org/article/2581189.

Warm regards,

Jeremy Ray

Superintendent of Schools

• January 14: Early Release Day & School Board at 7pm, Saco City Hall

• January 19: No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• January 28: Early Release Day & School Board at 5pm, Saco City Hall

• January 23 & 24: District II Instrumental Festival

• January 30 & 31: York County Jr. High Festival

Did you know that on a typical school day, Saco School Department buses travel approximately 2,287 miles per day, which is equivalent to driving round-trip to Nashville, Tennessee 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 Saco community. With attentive drivers, engaged families, and responsible motorists, we can help protect our most precious passengers.

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 Rotary Club budgets $9,000 annually–or $125 per child–for the Adopt-A-Family Program, which is made possible by the club's annual Mini Golf For Good Fundraiser. In addition to the individual Rotarians and community members who went above and beyond by sponsoring families, a heartfelt thanks goes to the Biddeford High School’s National Honor Society and Be The Change Team, Girl Scout Troop 1161, the Family of Maureen Grandmasion, Academy of Dance, Coastal Winair Co., Mick’s Sports Bar, Saco Elks Lodge, Pension Professionals, Rousseau Insurance, and ServPro.

“Our club is incredibly proud of this tradition,” said Haley Thompson, President of the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club. “Adopt-A-Family Program reflects the very heart of Rotary—neighbors helping neighbors. The impact goes far beyond December, and it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together.”

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.

A sincere thanks to Author Kathy Guillory, who joined the Saco Pre-K students last month to read her new children’s book, The Adventures of Belle Bear. The book is inspired by her personal story of immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, and focuses on courage and self-confidence. In addition, she generously provided bookmarks, coloring pages, and a donated classroom copy for every room.

Fairfield School is thrilled to announce its official launch of the Best Buddies program, which builds friendships and fosters a strong sense of community between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities through meaningful, inclusive activities. The program will begin meeting after the upcoming break and will include approximately 20 students across grades, supported by facilitator Donna Powell and additional staff volunteers. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to grow socially and emotionally while strengthening our school community.

We’re grateful to Sweets & Co. for adopting Fairfield School this year and showing what true community partnership looks like. In addition to multiple generous donations totaling $6,000 to our food pantry, Sweets & Co. is inviting every customer to round up their purchase to support Fairfield students and families. Last summer, they donated $3,000 and this month they donated another $3,000 from the Backpacks and Snacks Campaign they hosted at their bakery this fall. It’s a simple, sweet way to make a big difference—thank you for helping our school community thrive!

At their Whole School Morning Meeting, Young School students and staff celebrated Be the Yellow Day in December by highlighting the power of giving. Thank you to all the families who donated food, clothing, and other essentials to support local families in need. Your generosity truly makes a difference in our community.

Best Buddies is conducting a door decorating contest that will be "judged" by the Best Buddies participants on January 7th and a winning door wil be selected for each grade (see flyer here). The school has also started the 4th and 5th grade chorus club this week, which will culminate with a chorus concert in March.

Two events coming up for CK Burns, sponsored by the PTO:

• CK Burns Night at The Saco Scoop: January 9th (4th grade), February 6th (3rd grade), and February 27th (5th grade) from 5-7pm at 209 Main Street in Saco. There will be “Celebrity Scoopers” from CKB each night! With a school with over 600 students, they chose to split up the nights, but anyone is welcome to come to any date, or all! This is not a drop-off event, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the CKB PTO.
  

• CK Burns PTO Night with the Maine Mariners: Friday, January 23rd - the puck drops at 7pm at Cross Insurance Arena. Come out and support the CK Burns PTO as the Maine Mariners face off against the Trois-Rivieres Lions! When you purchase tickets through this special link, a portion of each sale goes directly to the CK Burns PTO. Plus, be sure to visit their concession stand during the game — a portion of those food sales will also help fund PTO programs and student activities. Come see some CKB staff & volunteers at concessions. It’s a great night of hockey, fun, and school spirit — all for a great cause!

Congratulations to SMS 7th-grader Jaxon Gauvreau, who was named Middle School Level Representative in the statewide Maine Engagement and Attendance Center (MEAC) Logo Contest — a remarkable honor that distinguishes him among middle school students across Maine. His logo, titled “Rooted in Learning: Be Pine Tree Present,” reflected the spirit of MEAC’s campaign— supporting engagement, consistent attendance, and a sense of belonging in school. The contest invited K-12 schools statewide to submit their winning local logos for consideration by MEAC; the overall statewide winner will be featured as part of the campaign encouraging students across Maine to stay engaged in school.

Team Sebago students and staff have been diving into a powerful coming-of-age unit while reading The Outsiders, and bringing that learning to life by creating podcasts in their digital media class. Last month, that work came full circle as SMS welcomed Blake and Kelly from the Coast 93.1 Morning Show into the classroom to talk with students about media, podcasting, journalistic integrity, and even some of their own coming-of-age challenges, including experiences with bullying.

The impact of the visit was clear in students’ reflections: “Listening to them talk made me think that when you see someone alone, sit with them, because you never know what they are thinking or going through. You might change someone’s life with a little act of kindness,” and "I listen to them every morning, so to actually meet them in person was really fun.”

It’s incredible to see learning come alive in ways that truly engage students and connect to them on a personal level. Thank you to Blake and Kelly, and to all of the teachers and students whose hard work made this experience possible.

The SMS Bobcat Players successfully completed their production of The Wizard of Oz! With a talented cast and crew, incredible costumes, and two packed houses, their trip down the yellow brick road was truly unforgettable.

Thursday night even brought an unexpected real-life tornado when the screen began to twitch, which followed with a glitch, and the screen fell down onto the ground t'was moved into a ditch! The workings of the witch, to satisfy an itch - the show went on without a hitch!

Thanks to a prompt visit from our amazing Facilities Department, the screen was back up in time for Friday’s performance, and the magic continued. A huge thank you to Drama Club Director Megan Orlandella, cast and crew, volunteers, and guests for making this year’s show such a memorable experience.

SMS Physical Education Teacher Ryan Martin has added a fourth Guinness World Record to his name, breaking the record for Most NBA Half-Court Shots Made in One Hour. Shooting from the official NBA half-court distance of 47 feet, Martin made 272 shots out of 828 attempts (33%), averaging one shot every four seconds and one made basket every 12 seconds over the course of the hour.

The record attempt took place at Saint Joseph’s College because the challenge required an NBA-length court and was supported by a five-person team that kept the pace steady throughout the hour. Congratulations to Ryan on another remarkable achievement that showcases dedication, teamwork, and perseverance.

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.

Tuesday, January 10th - Starting at 10am

Linnell Gymnasium, Thornton Academy

Join TA’s Basketball Teams for their annual fundraising event at Linnell Gymnasium, Thornton Academy! Enjoy raffles, a 50/50 drawing, apparel sales, and concessions, all in support of families facing the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis. The games will feature matchups with Kennebunk, Portland, and Wells. To purchase apparel or for more information, click here.

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: 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.

• 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.