DISTRICT UPDATE

As the school year comes to a close, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make this year a success. Summer is a time for fun, family, and new adventures, but it's also an opportunity to ensure students are ready for a strong start in the fall. Below, you'll find information about free summer nutrition programs available to children and tips for helping students prepare for Maine's new bell-to-bell cell phone law that will take effect at the start of the next school year.

FREE SUMMER NUTRITION

As we head into summer, I want to highlight an important resource for families: free summer nutrition programs. For many children, school breakfast and lunch are essential meals during the year, and we want to ensure no child goes hungry when school is out. Thanks to the USDA, free meals are available at designated summer sites for all children 18 and under—no registration or ID required. Additionally, Sun Bucks is back and Youth Full Maine will continue to support families through free food distributions across the area. We encourage all families to take advantage of these valuable resources (see below for more details) to help keep our students nourished and ready for the year ahead.

HELPING STUDENTS PREPARE FOR MAINE’S NEW SCHOOL DEVICE LAW

Beginning August 1, 2026, all Maine school districts will be required to implement a new state law limiting student access to personal electronic devices during the school day. The proposed policy reflects the state’s “bell-to-bell” expectations, meaning students will not be permitted to access personal cellular devices from the starting bell to dismissal. This includes cell phones, smart watches, and other personal electronic devices with internet or cellular connectivity capabilities. The goal is to support focused learning environments, reduce distractions, and encourage stronger face-to-face interactions throughout the school day.

While the policy framework is now in place, district leaders are continuing to evaluate the specific implementation strategies that will best support students and staff. Options under consideration include approaches such as “off and away” expectations or secure storage systems. More information regarding implementation procedures will be shared with families before the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

As families prepare for this transition, summer is a great opportunity to begin conversations at home about healthy technology habits and what a phone-free school day may look like. Families are encouraged to:

• Talk with children about why reducing distractions during the school day matters.

• Practice time away from devices during meals, activities, or outings.

• Discuss how children can communicate with families during the school day through the school office when needed

• Help children build routines for powering off and storing devices before the school day begins

• Reinforce that while devices may still travel to and from school, they may not be accessed during the school day

• Review the importance of following school expectations and talk openly about the consequences students may face if they choose to violate the policy, including the understanding that these expectations are part of a new statewide law for all Maine schools

The district recognizes this change may feel significant for some students and families, but the goal remains centered on creating learning environments where students can focus, engage, collaborate, and connect with one another without the constant interruption of personal technology.

Enjoy Summer,

Jeremy Ray

Superintendent of Schools

Please mark your calendar to vote for the 2026-2027 School Budget:

• BIDDEFORD: Tuesday, June 9th (7am-8pm) at BHS Tiger Gym
• DAYTON: Thursday, June 11th (6pm) at Dayton Town Hall

The proposed budgets are available online at these links: Biddeford and Dayton. We appreciate your support as we continue to make a positive difference for students.

Many children face hunger during the summer when they lose access to school meals. This year, there are several ways to combat summer hunger, including Summer EBT SUN Bucks ($120 per school-aged child), open meal sites for those 18 and younger, free food distributions through Youth Full Maine, and delivery meal service for those in rural areas.

Learn more:

• Sun Bucks

• Open Meal Sites

• Youth Full Maine Free Food Distribution

The Don Wilson Memorial Fitness Center Campaign received a major boost this month thanks to a transformational $50,000 donation from the St. Louis Alumni Association, which was the largest gift in the association’s history. In recognition of the contribution, the renovated wellness wing at Biddeford High School will be named the St. Louis Alumni Wellness Center, honoring the shared legacy of St. Louis High School and Biddeford High School while supporting the health and well-being of today’s students. The $200,000 campaign has now reached $159,000 toward its goal to create a modern, inclusive space for fitness, athletic training, rehabilitation, and wellness education, with renovations expected to begin this summer.

To read the full story, click here.

The Biddeford High School girls and boys lacrosse teams recently turned a meaningful tribute into a record-breaking act of generosity via "Gloria’s Game," held in honor of Boys Lacrosse Coach Marsh Gray’s mother, Gloria (Townsend) Berkowitz, a 1972 BHS alumna. The teams raised $3,419.15 for the MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Oncology Department– the largest donation ever made to a local organization through a Biddeford High School athletic fundraiser. Funds were raised through concessions, a bake sale, and generous support from players, families, and community members, honoring Gloria’s memory while supporting cancer patients and their families across Maine.

To read the full story, click here.

Students in the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology’s Electrical and Plumbing programs are gaining valuable hands-on experience while making a real impact in the community. From preparing new Alternative Pathways Center space at the My Place Teen Center to helping complete electrical and plumbing work at the new Mayfield Softball concession building, students are applying their classroom skills to meaningful projects that also help reduce costs for taxpayers. These real-world learning opportunities continue to showcase the talent, dedication, and problem-solving abilities of our students while preparing them for future careers in the skilled trades.

To read the full story, click here.

The Biddeford Regional Center of Technology recently celebrated a milestone achievement, recognizing 225 students during its annual End-of-Year Awards Ceremony—the largest group of students honored in the school's history. The evening highlighted student accomplishments across BRCOT's career and technical education programs, including scholarships, industry certifications, apprenticeships, and postsecondary plans. The ceremony also featured remarks from Culinary Arts student Nicholas Poulin, BRCOT's Maine Career and Technical Education Student of the Year, who represented the graduating class as the student speaker.

To read the full story, click here.

Biddeford High School students spent their spring break making a global impact during a Culture & Service trip to Thailand through the BHS Sustainability Club and Science Department. From creating more than 1,000 mushroom grow bags to help combat food insecurity, to learning about ethical ecotourism and sustainable agriculture practices, students gained hands-on experiences that connected classroom learning with real-world service and cultural exchange. The trip highlighted the power of global citizenship, environmental stewardship, and meaningful community partnerships.

To read the full story, click here.

Since 2015, Biddeford Schools have sent students to the Odyssey of the Mind (OM) World Finals and this year was no different. Two teams from BIS and BMS attended the OM World Finals competition at Iowa State University last week. The BIS Performance Team tied for 33rd place in Division 1 and did one of their best performances in front of many judges. The BMS Technical Team tied for 23rd place in Division 2, improving their scores from the state tournament.

Each year teams from the United States have the opportunity to be paired with an international team which gives them a chance to learn about different cultures while the team from the United States can provide support navigating the World Finals. Buddy teams cheer each other on while competing, hang out together during meals and the dorms, exchange gifts from their counties, such as t-shirts, candy or favorite foods. One of the best things about buddy teams is exchanging pins! This year the BMS Technical Team had a Buddy Team from The Sixth Sense Academy from Jeju Island, South Korea. In the past few years, our teams have been paired with teams from Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea.

These students not only competed against students their age from all over the world, but they also experienced being on a college campus with over 15,000 people. The competition had more competitors than any Olympics, and students participated in a parade of countries during the Opening Ceremonies, lived in college dorms, had meals from college cafeterias, and traded pins and danced with students of all ages and nationalities. All 11 students were new to the world competition and they had an experience of a lifetime!

Congratulations to Brandy Rogers of Biddeford High School on receiving regional recognition at the MaineHealth Partners for Healthier Communities Annual Community Meeting for her outstanding contributions to student well-being and tobacco treatment efforts. During the event, Brandy was celebrated for the compassion, steadiness, and initiative she brings to her work with students and families. Her leadership within the Tobacco Treatment Initiative has strengthened community partnerships, expanded supportive services for students navigating nicotine dependence, and helped create a more restorative, educational approach to tobacco policy violations. Congratulations, Brandy!

Congratulations to this year's retirees who have dedicated a combined 286 years of service to our district and students. Their selfless commitment to education has shaped generations of young minds and future leaders. The positive impact they've had is immeasurable, and we wish them a future of relaxation, new adventures, and fulfillment in knowing the real difference they have made.

• Michelle Brackin - Leadership Office (6 years)
• Sharon Brinkman Young - Biddeford High School (17 years)
• Sandra Curlew - XXX (12 years)
• Jay Demick - XXX (19 years)
• Lynanne Haley - XXX (18 years)
• William Harriman - Biddeford High School (52 years)
• Sandra Levecque - XXX (25 years)
• Kathryn McTaggart - XXX (22 years)
• Alexander Millett - Biddeford Middle School (20 years)
• Dick Rouselle - XXX (10 years)
• Raymond Sampson - Biddeford High School (39 years)
• David Stebbins - Biddeford Middle School (5 years)
• Patricia Ann VanDerWoude - Biddeford Middle School (25 years)
• Lauren Wynne - Biddeford High School (16 years)

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.