DISTRICT UPDATE
August 12, 2026
NEW! BELL-TO-BELL CELL PHONE POLICY & PROCEDURES
As of August 1st, all public schools across Maine had to adopt and must enforce a new “bell-to-bell” cell phone policy in accordance with recently updated state law (LD 2212 - Committee Amendment A; Part GG). This means all students will be required to keep personal devices, including cell phones, smart watches, and other devices with internet or cellular capabilities, stored away for the entire school day–from the first bell to dismissal. The goal of this statewide effort is to reduce distractions, support student mental health, and limit opportunities for cyberbullying during the school day.
All schools will be cell phone and smartwatch free during the school day. This expectation supports our school policy on personal communication devices (Policy JICJ). Only school issued devices will be permitted during the school day. No personal computer, tablet or other electronic devices will be permitted. Earbuds and headphones may only be used when a staff member has authorized their use.
BPS, BIS, BMS, and DCS will have the same protocols as previous years.
For Biddeford High School Only: Upon arrival each morning, students will lock their cell phones and smartwatches into an assigned Yondr pouch. Devices must stay secured in the pouch for the entire school day and may only be unlocked once school is dismissed. Magnetic unlocking stations will be available at the Main Entrance, Student Services, Science, and Leadership Office doors at dismissal.
Parents and guardians may reach their student during the school day by contacting the Main Office or connecting through Reach My Teach. Students may also use an office phone with staff permission when needed.
We know this is a significant change for BHS, and we expect it to be a learning experience for our students, families, and staff alike. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your child’s school administration with any questions.
COMMUNICATION: STAY IN THE KNOW!
Newsletters: I will continue to send monthly newsletters via email, which will also be posted on the website, social media, and mobile app. Please take the time to thoroughly read through these newsletters for important information on upcoming events, transportation, parent portal registration, medication usage, food services, achievements, and more.
ReachMyTeach: We utilize ReachMyTeach as a two-way communication platform that makes it easy to connect families through the languages they speak and the devices they use every day. This platform also 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 (see below for exact links).
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.
We encourage parents and guardians to follow the school and district social media pages, read the newsletters to stay informed, and ask questions for clarification.
District Mobile App (See below for downloadable links)
Sincerely,
Jeremy Ray
Superintendent of Schools
We understand that starting at a new school can be anxiety-provoking for many students and their parents, so we want to ease those fears and minimize any barriers to a successful return to school. Therefore, all schools have set up open houses to give families and students a chance to meet their teacher(s) and hear some basic information about what to expect as we head into a new school year. If you are unable to attend the open house, please contact the principal directly.
Biddeford Primary School (BPS) - Grades PreK-2:
August 26th from 4:00-6:00pm
Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS) - Grades 3-4:
August 26th from 4:00-6:00pm
Biddeford Middle School (BMS) - Grades 5-7:
August 31st from 4:30-6:30pm
Biddeford High School (BHS) - Grades 8-12
September 17th from 4:30-6:30pm
Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT):
September 17th from 4:30-6:30pm
Dayton Consolidated School:
August 27th from 6:00-7:00pm
September 4: NO SCHOOL
September 7: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 8: Dayton’s School Committee Meeting at 6:30pm at DCS
September 9: Biddeford’s School Committee Meeting at 5pm at BHS Little Theater
September 16: Our first early release day. As a reminder, the early release times are as follows:
Pre-K (Biddeford only): No school on early release days.
BPS & BIS: Dismissal at 12:00pm
BMS: Dismissal at 12:50pm
BHS & COT: Dismissal at 12:25pm
Dayton Consolidated (PreK-5): Dismissal at 12:30pm
September 23: Biddeford’s School Committee Meeting at 7pm at BHS Little Theater
September 30: Dayton Early Release
With school starting in approximately three weeks, finalizing bus routes is a major undertaking. Please complete your child’s transportation registration by Thursday, August 20th. After this date, we will finalize routes and cannot accept new bus registrations until after school begins. If you have previously called or emailed about your child riding the bus, you DO NOT need to contact us again.
Approximate bus stops/times will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal under the 2026/2027 School Year tab by August 24th. If you have not yet registered, please visit the school’s transportation page and complete the School Bus Request Form. If your child does not need transportation, please complete the Walker Form so we can remove students who do not need a bus.
Please see walking boundaries here for BMS/BHS students.
Families registered for transportation can download the BusRight App to follow their student’s bus. You must receive an invitation to log in. BusRight invitations will be sent in the coming days from support@busright.com. So please monitor your spam folder. For more information on BusRight, click the button below.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we finalize transportation plans and work through the normal adjustments at the start of the school year. Our priority is getting every student to and from school safely.
In public schools in Maine, youth have access to free breakfast and lunch, which meet nutrition standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Although there is no charge, parents will be asked to complete the economic status questions during online registration, as the data provided is used to determine our school funding, including Title 1 funds for special education programs, before/after and summer school programs, discounts on laptop insurance and internet, aid packages via the FAFSA for rising seniors, and teachers' student loan forgiveness.
Please take the time to read the important health information update from the school nurses below to ensure your child(ren) have a smooth, healthy transition and that you have all the information you need to prevent any disruptions to starting the school year. This update addresses everything from required immunizations to medication use to head lice protocols.
Every student in the Biddeford and Dayton School Departments will be assigned a school-owned device for the 2026-2027 school year, with the expectation that students and/or parents will be responsible for returning them in similar condition.
Students in Grades PreK through 4 will each be assigned a device that will stay at school but will be ready to go home in the event of unexpected circumstances. Students in grades 5-8 will be issued a device that may go home with them each day (as determined by their teachers/building). Devices will be distributed during the first week of school. Students in grades 9-12 kept their devices over the summer and should return with them in the fall. Students should bring their device to school each day—charged.
Device Protection Plan:
The Device Protection Plan is strongly recommended for students in Grades 5-12. These students are considered to be in a “one-to-one take-home” device program. They are allowed to keep the device with them and will use the same device for several years. Device Protection Plan and cost details here.
For Grades PreK through 4, whose devices will be left in the classroom, the Device Protection Plan is not seen as necessary.
For Problems/Issues with Devices:
Students/parents should immediately inform the student's teacher, who will contact the Technology Department. This will keep the teacher and others at the school aware of the situation and the remedy.
Stay informed by downloading the school district’s mobile app! It will allow parents to choose the school(s) they would like to get notifications from, see the dining menu quickly, access the live feed, sports schedules and scores, important documents, emergency notifications, and more! Simply download the relevant app below:
BIDDEFORD:
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3fu8z4q
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/2QFUBST
Video - https://youtu.be/IEc79nbB43c
DAYTON:
Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3ubORP7
Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/2Ps31fY
Video: https://youtu.be/YABUu1YruGI
Saturday, October 10th at 6:00 pm
The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford
Tickets: $50 each (Purchase Here)
The Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) is pleased to announce its 9th Annual Pillars of Pride Dinner and Silent Auction. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 10th at 6:00 pm at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. This year, we are honored to recognize two outstanding Pillars of Pride whose dedication, service, and commitment have made a lasting impact on our school community: Robert Davies (1942–2024), beloved longtime Biddeford High School educator, and MaineHealth Sports Performance & Physical Therapy in Saco, a steadfast community partner and supporter of student wellness and success.
Through their generosity, leadership, and countless contributions over the years, these honorees have enriched students' lives and strengthened our schools. We are excited to celebrate their remarkable legacies and invite you to join us for an evening of recognition, reflection, and community.
Tickets are $50 per person, which includes entry to the event, heavy hors d’ouevres, and one drink ticket. All proceeds support the needs of students that fall outside of the regular school budget. Through grant monies and fundraising efforts, the BEF is able to provide food, clothing, rent relief, and teacher mini-grants to enrich students' educational experiences. For more information, please contact skane@biddefordschools.me.
Yodel is brought to you by your friends at the City of Biddeford, Biddeford & Saco Chamber of Commerce, Biddeford Schools, and Heart of Biddeford.