BIDDEFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
June 16, 2026
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.
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!
Open Meal Sites
As we head into summer, we 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.
SUN Bucks
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Free Food Distributions
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Beginning August 1, 2026, all public schools across Maine must adopt and 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 students in grades K–12 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.
Our district has already taken important steps in this direction with our current cell phone policy JICJ; however, this will be more restrictive and include smart watches. Over the past year, high school students have surrendered their phones upon entering their classrooms, with limited use during lunch, while elementary and middle school students have kept devices in lockers or at home. These efforts have provided a strong foundation, and we have seen firsthand how reducing phone access can positively impact focus, engagement, and school culture.
As we align with the new state law, we are in the process of finalizing a consistent, district-wide approach. Clear expectations and consistent consequences will be in place to support the new policy, along with limited exceptions as outlined in the law.
This new law reflects a growing understanding nationwide that minimizing cell phone use during the school day supports stronger learning environments and healthier social interactions for students. We are committed to implementing this transition thoughtfully and will continue to share updates, including the final policy, procedures and expectations, as we prepare for the upcoming school year. Thank you for your partnership as we take this important step together in support of our students’ success.
Contact Us
Email: sdescoteaux@biddefordschools.me
Website: https://biddefordme.sites.thrillshare.com/o/bms
Location: 25 Tiger Drive, Biddeford, ME, USA
Phone: (207) 284-6400
Facebook: facebook.com/ourschool