SPHS Update

SPHS Community,

Spirit week and Homecoming were fantastic. Students showed their #RiotPride by showing up dressed for the theme days, attended a great pep rally, came out in force for the football game, and finally had a great time at the Homecoming dance last night.

As the Chamber singers were finishing singing the national anthem at the football game on Friday, we had the SPHS version of a flyover when a Southwest flight to Baltimore took off at JUST the right time. The team put together a very solid game, and it was great to see such a large turnout.

Earlier in the night I got to see some of the Cross Country meet and then caught the coaches honoring Seniors. The way the teams cheer for everybody is inspiring.

The sold out Homecoming Dance was great fun too.

Coming up this week is Picture day on Friday, September 29th. Be sure to look your best!

Scheduling for Teacher Conferences on October 12th and 19th opens on Thursday, September 29th. Click the button below on the 28th to schedule conferences with your students teachers.

Remember that this year at SPHS we're going to be focusing on four community ideals called The SoPo Way...

RESPECT

INCLUSIVITY

OPEN-MINDEDNESS

TRUST

SAFETY

Remember also that we have a new website and WE HAVE AN APP!!! This is where we'll communicate to you about everything SPHS. The SPHS update will be posted there as well. Links to the Android and iPhone apps are below.

Take care and be well,

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

Principal - South Portland High School

Our school day begins at 8:10am, with a warning bell at 8:05. Please be sure your student arrives on time.

Meals: All students will once again receive free breakfast and lunch. Breakfast will be available until 8:35 am.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Monday 9/25

First Team Boys Soccer v. Sanford

JV/V Volleyball v. Windham

JV/V Field Hockey @ Biddeford

JV Football @ Gorham

Tuesday 9/26

JV Golf v. Cheverus (Portland Country Club)

V Golf v. Cheverus (Nonsuch River Golf Course)

JV/V Boys Soccer v. Biddeford

Wednesday 9/27

JV/V Field Hockey v. Thornton Academy

V Golf v. Falmouth (Falmouth Country Club)

JV/V Girls Soccer @ Scarborough

Thursday 9/28

First Team Boys Soccer v. Scarborough

First Team Girls Soccer v. Scarborough

JV/V Boys Soccer @ Marshwood

First Team Football v. Noble

Friday 9/29

JV/V Field Hockey v. Gorham

JV/V Girls Soccer @ Thornton Academy

V Football @ Noble

Saturday 9/30

Cross Country @ Belfast

JV/V Volleyball @ Thornton Academy

JV/V Girls Soccer @ Windham

JV/V Boys Soccer @ Massabesic

In an effort to accommodate changes in school schedules, please be advised that beginning this Monday, September 25th, there will be a change in bus pick up time for students who ride bus number 16 and bus number 23.

Students should arrive at their bus stop 10-12 minutes earlier than their current pick-up time. The new pick-up information should be reflected in your student's transportation information on the Ride 360 App.

If you have any questions regarding this time change, please contact our Transportation Office at 207-767-7714 or email taylorst@spsdme.org

All Things Yearbook-Related:

For Seniors:
For any senior who didn't receive the code last spring, or when it was resent it earlier this week, the Join Code is 5bsvmxy

Senior Photos – Submission Deadlines:

If mailing or Google classroom, October 1.
If submitting to the high school, before block 1 on October 2.

Senior Recognition Ad Contract and Yearbook Website:
Attached is the contract for Senior Recognition Ads. Parents are offered two options for
creating the ads:

Option 1: Parents create the ad themselves online at www.jostensadservice.com. The deadline is February 1, 2024 to complete the ad.

Option 2: Parents have the yearbook staff create the ad for them using the attached form. The deadline for this is December 1, 2023. There are three ad sizes that are only available by using this option (2/3 page, 1/3 page, and 1/16 page).

The yearbook website containing details about submitting senior photos (and optional baby or
childhood photos) is https://sites.google.com/view/headlightyearbook/2024-headlight-yearbook/2024-senior-section

For All Students:
Yearbook Early Bird Order Form:

Submit an order for your 2024 by September 30, 2023, and you get a discounted price of $55.00 ($78.00 with the Signature Package)!

We are able to assist with the purchase of yearbooks should circumstances require it. Please see an Assistant Principal for help.

If you would like to purchase a yearbook for a student who needs assistance, please reach out to Mr. Tombleson.

General Information for Seniors and their Families:
2024 Parent Facebook Group: For those who have Facebook accounts, you may access
information here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/248051131136625
Please note that we will include all Senior info in our daily announcements, which are uploaded to the high school website. Additionally, there is a Senior Graduation News page:
https://sites.google.com/spsdme.org/sphsgraduation
Check this site often for updates!

Friday, September 15th marks the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through until October 15th.

From the National Archives:

"We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988."

The Learning Commons will have a display of books by Hispanic and Latino authors for you to check out. We have also created a resource guide on Hispanic and Latino history and heritage. While it is in no way complete, it offers a nice starting point to read about the rich history, contributions, and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

National Hispanic Heritage Month Resource Guide

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.

Check Balance

Skip the cash and check! Make paying for lunch easy and secure. Make sure your student has lunch money for the week. Check their balance anytime at

MySchoolBucks.com or on-the-go with the app!

Log in or create your FREE account today: https://hssk12.co/2BF7qWx

Mobile App

Take MySchoolBucks with you wherever you go. Get the app to view purchases, add funds, and check balances anytime, anywhere!

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

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.

• September 29th - Picture Day
  
• October 6th - Staff In-Service, No school
• October 9th - Indigenous Peoples Day, No school
• October 12th - Fall Conferences
• October 13th - PSAT Day
• October 18th - Early Release, 11:55am
• November 10th - Veterans Day (Observed), No school