The Scholastic Book Fair will be at Small School this week, 11/17-11/21.
Students can bring money or use e-wallet funds to shop during their library class. There will also be times before school (Tues-Fri 8:30-8:55) and after school (Monday 3:15-4:30, Tuesday 3:15-6:30, Wednesday 3:15-4:30) when students can shop with an adult.
Visit our Book Fair Home Page for more information: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/doralsmallelementaryschool
or email Ms. Briley at brileyan@spsdme.org
South Portland Tree Lighting in Mill Creek Park: Friday, December 5, 4:30-6:30. Enjoy a festive and fun evening with family friendly activities and treats, countdown to turning the holiday lights, petting zoo, and more. Donations being accepted include non-perishable food items, unwrapped holiday gifts, and winter clothes.
Last chance to take the survey! What kinds of community spaces do you think we need in South Portland? Take the city's 3-minute survey at https://bit.ly/CommunitySpaceNeeds to help inform decisions about the future, including community-oriented spaces at the proposed new City Center at Mahoney. The survey closes Tuesday, December 9.
Happy National Special Education Day, which also marks 50 years since the passing of the nation's first special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. South Portland Schools celebrates the important work that special education teachers and staff do every day to support all students and create inclusive spaces for learning.
Due to impending weather, all South Portland schools are closed today, Tuesday, December 2nd.
It's Substitute Teacher Appreciation Day! Substitute teachers keep the learning going by supporting staff when they need to be away from their classrooms. Thank you for your invaluable work and service to our students!
Join us and give your input on specific community space areas at the proposed new City Center at Mahoney. Your input will help inform the design of the project. Coffee and snacks provided! Learn more and RSVP (helpful, but not required) at www.southportland.gov/mahoney
Thank you to the voters of South Portland for approving the bond referendum for a new grass field, track, lighting, and permanent bathrooms at the South Portland High School athletic complex.
Election day is right around the corner on Tuesday, November 4! There are two school bond referendum questions related to the South Portland High School Athletic Complex, so please make a plan to vote! You can learn more about the referendums on the ballot at spsdme.org/athletic-complex.
The City of South Portland and Mahoney City Center Committee are gathering input to better understand the community space needs in the city to help guide decisions about the future. A “community space” is defined as a public space to gather, connect, and participate in social, recreational, and cultural activities. A community space could be made available for use by groups, individuals, and/or businesses. Please take the 3-minute survey today! https://bit.ly/CommunitySpaceNeeds
❄️ Holiday Resources in South Portland ❄️
For the holiday gift application (due November 1), and volunteering and donation opportunities, visit: spsdme.org/holiday2025
For the holiday gift application (due November 1), and volunteering and donation opportunities, visit: spsdme.org/holiday2025
During School Bus Driver Appreciation Week (October 20-24), the district recognized the important work that bus drivers, bus aides, mechanics, dispatchers, crossing guards, and support staff do every day. Transportation staff shared meals together–including hamburgers and hotdogs cooked by Superintendent Entwistle and School Board Member Adrian Dowling, and a spread donated from Moe’s Original BBQ. Students also created cards and posters for transportation staff.
Read more from the Portland Press Herald about School Bus Driver Appreciation Week: https://www.spsdme.org/article/2510737
Read more from the Portland Press Herald about School Bus Driver Appreciation Week: https://www.spsdme.org/article/2510737
October 20-24 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Week and School Bus Safety Week! 🚌 Thank you to our bus drivers, bus aides, mechanics, dispatchers, crossing guards, and support staff who all play a vital role in keeping students safe on their daily journeys to and from school. Let's give a big shoutout to our amazing team!
It is the shared responsibility of our community to help ensure school bus safety. Please review tips online and learn more about the proposed Brake For Kids Act at spsdme.org/bus-safety.
It is the shared responsibility of our community to help ensure school bus safety. Please review tips online and learn more about the proposed Brake For Kids Act at spsdme.org/bus-safety.
Thanksgiving and Holiday Resources in South Portland
🍁 For information about Thanksgiving community meals and resources, visit: spsdme.org/thanksgiving2025
❄️ For the holiday gift application (due November 1), and volunteering and donation opportunities, visit: spsdme.org/holiday2025
🍁 For information about Thanksgiving community meals and resources, visit: spsdme.org/thanksgiving2025
❄️ For the holiday gift application (due November 1), and volunteering and donation opportunities, visit: spsdme.org/holiday2025
On Friday, South Portland Schools educators and staff participated in a professional development day focused on equity and belonging. Lex Horwitz opened the day with a keynote lecture highlighting ways to create spaces where every student feels seen, valued, and supported. The rest of the day was filled with sessions led by staff and speakers to reflect on barriers to belonging in classrooms and consider how daily interactions and school culture can foster inclusion for all.
October 2 is National Custodian Appreciation Day, so be sure to give a high five to the team for the important work they do! Thank you to our custodial team for making sure our schools are clean, safe, and welcoming for all our students and staff.
Save the date: Join the Toy Drive Kick-Off Party Wednesday, November 5th from 5-7 p.m. at North43 Bistro to learn about the South Portland Holiday Toy Drive and ways to get involved. Please see attached flyer for more information.
Join the City of South Portland for the Building Crawl! On Tuesday, September 30th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., swing by the former Mahoney School, Central Fire Station, the Police Station, the Main Library, City Hall, and Hamlin to learn about the Mahoney City Center and Public Safety Facilities project and share your ideas! We'll be giving tours every half hour on the half hour at each building, but drop in any time to connect with staff and Mahoney City Center Committee members, taste yummy samples from our local business sponsors, enter gift card raffles at each building, and more! Learn more: https://southportland.gov/724/Mahoney-Reimagined
September is Attendance Awareness Month, which coincides with the beginning of the new school year! Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn, grow, and connect with their peers and teachers. Find resources about building good attendance habits for the rest of the school year and beyond at www.spsdme.org/attendance.
