SPHS Update

SPHS Community,

I hope this message find you well at the end of another late start.

Today I share three great things with you. First, the performances of the Adam's Family Musical were fantastic! Hopefully you got to see one of the shows. I'm so impressed by everyone who was involved. It was great to see so many students involved in such a great production.

Second, we received word that our School Resource Officer Caleb Gray was named the Maine Association Of Police School Resource Officer of the year. Day in and day out Officer Gray works hard to keep us all safe. He's truly the best SRO that I've ever worked with and he's incredibly dedicated to SPHS.

Finally, on January 19th and 20th South Portland HS hosted the District 1 Honors Festival.

SPHS was well represented with 20 students who auditioned and qualified for this event. Congratulations to Aubree Whitelaw, Miles Wetzel, Gabriel Domingos, Richard Vangu, Max Davis, Rush Morrison, Maya Whitelaw, Catherine Gibbons, Linnea Whitton, Ailee Jones, Grace Brassard, Courtney Kulig, Eden Hanley, Audrey Lebleu, Amoy Rowe, Elsa Henriksen, Howard Saffer Meng, Nelson Kebokere, David Falconer, and Jake Wagner. Thanks also to all the SP music staff and volunteers for their support and hard work making this event happen.

Finally, just a quick note that Semester 1 grades are visible in the Family Portal.

Peace,

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

Principal - South Portland High School

If you would like to help supply the athletics office with donations, check out their Amazon Wishlist.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2XJNL2RAOLICL/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2#

Planning for our Project Graduation Event is in full swing. Please check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/248051131136625 or visit us at our next meeting Thursday FEB 8th at 5:30pm at the community center to see how you can help out.

Project Grad informational sign-up:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc16Hj-fscbt3Qct1J65u-GC1mPU7A98P4GyyS-ghNfG0JNTA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

This form is providing some base information (T-Shirt size) and initial parent contact information for Project Graduation. This is not committing them to attending, but merely helping us to plan headcounts and order proper T-shirt sizes so we are ready. Official sign-up forms will be sent to the Seniors in Mid March to start getting them excited.

• Animal Welfare Society program over February vacation. Animal Care Intensive (ACI) is a series of workshops for high school students interested in a career with animals. With daily field-trips and interactive presentations, students learn from animal care and veterinary professionals. The next Animal Care Intensive takes place over February School Vacation and focuses on Veterinary Medicine. High school students (in grades 9-12) with an interest in veterinary sciences or a strong desire to pursue a career in veterinary medicine are encouraged to apply. Mon, Feb 19 – Fri, Feb 23. 9 am – 2 pm. Click here for more information and to apply. For questions or more information please see Mrs. Inman in room 328.
  

• Blunt Youth Radio is a free after school media program for Maine high school students. We’re part of WMPG, the nonprofit community radio station broadcasting from USM’s Portland campus.

  Blunt Youth Radio is hosting a kickoff & information session at USM next Thursday, February 1, at 4 PM. High schoolers are invited to learn more about our group and about how they can get involved in producing our weekly radio show.

• Applications for the 2024 Maine Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture Apprenticeship Program are now open!
  

  This is a one-year, full-time, hands-on program for individuals 18+ (more details below). Applications must be submitted by 5 P.M. on Friday, February 9th. Please feel free to access this link for further information.

  The Maine Shellfish & Seaweed Aquaculture Apprenticeship program is seeking applicants for its 2024 cohort, which will launch in April. The apprenticeship is a ~1 year full-time job for U.S. residents that includes additional schooling, mentorship, and training. Apprentices will, under the guidance of an experienced business owner and/or employee, complete 2,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training. In addition, apprentices will complete 144 hours of coursework and training through Southern Maine Community College along with supplementary experiences.

  
  

With the new year we wanted to share some reminders about attendance policies.

• Attendance Notification: If a student is going to be absent or tardy a guardian should notify the front office by calling 207-767-3266 or emailing hsattendance@spsdme.org.
• Maine recognizes the following reasons for Excusable Absences: (1) personal illness, (2) an appointment with a healthcare professional that MUST be made during the regular school day (documentation may be requested), (3) observance of a recognized religious holiday when the observance is required during the school day, (4) a family emergency, at the discretion of the administration, (5) a planned absence for a personal or educational purpose which has been approved in advance by school administration via Planned Absence form, found in front office.
• Dismissals: All dismissals must be processed through the nurse or the main office. Students who leave school premises without being dismissed and checked out will face disciplinary consequences for leaving school without permission.
• Tardy Policy: Arriving at school after 8:10 a.m. is considered tardy to school. If a student is marked unexcused tardy two or more times in one week they will receive after school detention.
• Senior Privilege: Seniors who are passing their courses and maintaining appropriate behavior and attendance are eligible for Senior Privilege during Workshops. In order for a senior to receive privilege, they must return a signed permission form by their guardian. Students must sign in and out at the main office for their privilege blocks and must return to school on time for their next class. Privilege may be revoked at any time by school administration or guardians. Having a substitute teacher does not not qualify as a period eligible for Privilege.
• Attendance Alerts: SPHS uses the program Reach My Teach to send alerts to families when their student has been marked absent. This is a tool used to give reminders to notify the school of excused absences as well as to keep guardians aware of class absences.
• Chronic Absenteeism: The State of Maine determines students to be chronically absent if they miss 10% of the school year (18+ days), regardless of the reason. Any student who is chronically absent will work with our student engagement coordinator to improve attendance.
• Athletics: In order to participate in a game or practice, the student is expected to be in school on time (8:10am) and must attend school for the full day of the game or practice, (or the day before if school is not in session on the game/practice/activity date) unless she/he was previously excused by the school.

If you would like to read more about SPHS guidelines please check out the student handbook. https://docs.google.com/document/d/12bAPb_OGSuvYGdv6t6LvLqmY26Na4UqWBJkNaJLOKXs/preview

SPHS Musical: The Addams Family

January 25th - 28th

ACDA Eastern Region Honors Festival

Wednesday February 28th-Saturday March 2nd

Omni Providence Hotel, Providence RI

High School/Middle School Combined Chorus Concert

Tuesday, March 19th, 7:00PM

Students who ride the METRO Bus 24B into Portland. Please be advised that there is a change to the bus stops near SPHS. The stop on Highland Ave has been eliminated.

Students traveling TO Portland on Bus 24B after school should wait at the bus enclosure near the Community Center (corner of Nelson Rd and Evans St). When you see bus 24B coming up the hill (from Amatos) press the cross walk light, and cross Evans street to catch your bus on the opposite side of the road to head into Portland.

• February 19th-23rd - Mid-Winter Break - No School