Frank I. Brown Elementary

Why reconfigure schools? (➡️ Swipe for Español, Français, Lingála, and Português)

Reconfiguring elementary schools could help make sure students have the optimized resources, support, and space they need to learn and grow. Reconfiguration can help balance enrollment and demographics, give equal access to educational supports, and use community resources wisely. With the closing of one elementary school, the time is now to explore these options.

Join the conversation: We invite you participate in our upcoming Community Forum and Listening Session to review and discuss reconfiguration options currently under consideration.

Community Forum
🗓️: 5:30-7 PM Wednesday, October 7
🎶 Music by Baba Ly / Desert Blues: 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
📍: Redbank Community (Center 95 Macarthur Cir W)
Child care (for ages 4-10) and interpretation will be provided.

Listening Session
🗓️: 10-11 AM Thursday, October 8
📍: South Portland Community Center (21 Nelson Rd)

Please visit spsdme.org/reconfiguration for more information and upcoming engagement opportunities.

October 2 is National Custodian Appreciation Day! From keeping classrooms and common areas in order to responding to unexpected messes and helping our buildings run smoothly, their hard work makes a meaningful difference in our school communities. Thank you for helping make our schools places where everyone can learn, work, and feel welcome.

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What is reconfiguration? (➡️ Swipe for Español, Français, Lingála, and Português)

Reconfiguration means changing how schools are organized and where students go to school. In South Portland, the School Board is considering changes to elementary school attendance zones and grade levels at each building.

It has been at least 15 years since South Portland last adjusted school boundaries, and a lot has changed between then and now.

Join the conversation: We invite you participate in our upcoming Community Forum to review and discuss reconfiguration options currently under consideration.
🗓️: 5:30-7 PM Monday, September 28with musical performance starting at 5 PM
📍: South Portland Middle School Multipurpose Room

🎶 Musical performance starting at 5 PM from Baba Ly, a Fulani Musician and storyteller from Mauritania in West Africa. Baba shares traditional Fulani stories and performs Fulani and Mandinka melodies on the acoustic guitar, adapting music that was traditionally played on the hoddu and kora. The Mandinka musical tradition—rooted in one of West Africa’s major cultural groups—is celebrated across countries such as Senegal, Guinea, The Gambia and Nigeria.

Child care (for ages 4-10) and interpretation will be provided.

Please visit spsdme.org/reconfiguration for more information and upcoming engagement opportunities.

Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 and honors Hispanic and Latino histories and cultures. To celebrate, the South Portland High School Learning Commons has a display with an assortment of books by Hispanic and Latino authors. There are also resources, book recommendations, music playlists, and more available on our district website: www.spsdme.org/page/hispanic-latino-american-heritage

Join us next week for a Community Forum on Elementary School Reconfiguration:
🗓️ 5:30-7 PM Monday, September 28
📍 South Portland Middle School Multipurpose Room

We invite you to participate in our upcoming forum to review and discuss the options currently under consideration for elementary school reconfiguration in South Portland. Childcare and interpretation will be proviced.

For more information, visit spsdme.org/reconfiguration.

Every day matters. Every student counts.

Regular attendance helps students stay connected to learning and strengthens classroom communities.

🔗 Find resources about building good attendance habits for the rest of the school year and beyond at spsdme.org/attendance.

It's Arts in Education Week! 🎨 🎭

Art education–including both visual and performing arts–supports students’ creativity and imagination. It develops critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and self-expression while deepening students’ understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and perspectives.

This week and beyond, we recognize and celebrate the power of the arts in education and the lasting impact they have on our students and communities.

There will be a School Board Meeting today, Monday, September 14th at 6 p.m. in the South Portland High School Lecture Hall.

For the School Board meeting agenda, visit spsdme.org/schoolboard.

To stream the meeting live on SPC-TV, visit tinyurl.com/SPSDBoardMeeting.

First week of school: ✅

We have made it through the first week back to school! We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend and we look forward to seeing students back in class on Tuesday, September 8.

Yesterday morning, we welcomed all staff from across the district to come together and kick off the start of the school year. We celebrated being together as a district, reflected on the year ahead, and heard heartfelt messages from staff and students, including special guest speakers Mayor Elyse Tipton and School Board Chair Rosemarie DeAngelis. We can’t wait to welcome our students back next week!

Last week, South Portland Schools held an orientation for new teachers and ed techs joining the district. They had the opportunity to meet one another, learn more about the district, and get acquainted with their new roles. We can’t wait to welcome them back alongside all of our staff this week as we prepare for the new school year and the return of students!

Families, mark your calendars–below is the schedule for the first week of school!

✏️ Monday, August 31: First day for Grades 1-12
✏️ Tuesday, September 1: First day for Kindergarten / Kindergarten only early release
✏️ Wednesday, September 2: First day for PreK / Kindergarten only early release
✏️ Thursday-Friday, September 3-4: Full day for all grades

🗓️ Visit spsdme.org for the full 2026-27 school year calendar.

The countdown is officially on... just ONE MONTH until the first day of school on August 31! 🎒📚

We're excited to welcome everyone back and kick off a new year of learning, growth, discovery, and connection. Here's to a fantastic school year ahead—we'll see you in 30 days!

There will be a Regular Board meeting next week on Monday, July 20th at 6 p.m. in the South Portland High School Lecture Hall. Following the meeting is a Workshop on Elementary Reconfiguration to review the work that has happened thus far and discuss guidelines for any potential changes at 7 p.m. (The agenda for this meeting and workshop is coming soon.)

Please note: If you cannot attend this workshop, please do not be concerned. Over the next month, the district will release a full schedule of future engagement events so that all families and staff have multiple, flexible options to participate and make their voices heard.

More information about the Elementary School Steering Committee is available online at www.spsdme.org/reconfiguration.

South Portland Football: FREE Girls Flag Football Clinic 🏈

WHO: Anyone entering grades 3-8 interested in a fun and FREE clinic! No experience necessary!

WHEN: July 1, 6, 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: South Portland High School (637 Highland Ave, South Portland, ME 04106) Out back practice field behind the track.

WHAT: No official registration! Just show up wearing sneakers/cleats and bring a water bottle!

CONTACT COACH FILIEO WITH ANY QUESTIONS AT SOPOFOOTBALL1@GMAIL.COM