It is National Coming Out Day, and we would like to give a special thank you to Out Maine, who held three sessions at today's conference on intervention strategies that prioritize LGBTQIA+ safety, education, and student leadership in schools. South Portland Schools is committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for our LGBTQIA+ students, educators, and staff.
Today was an exciting conference day for our educators and staff! Sessions held throughout the day offered immersive and thought provoking opportunities for SPSD staff to advance their knowledge and personal growth on topics of key relevance to their role as champions of education justice. We welcomed presenters from organizations including Atlantic Black Box, Jobs for the Future, Marigold Mindfulness, New England Arab American Organization, Portland Museum of Art, South Portland Historical Society, South Portland Human Rights Commission, The Telling Room, and so many others. Thank you to all of our presenters who helped make today so successful!
We hosted the first of two tours of the South Portland High School Athletic Complex last night. Community members are welcome to join us again next week, Wednesday, October 16 at 4 p.m., to learn more about the current status of the SPHS stadium and hear about the proposed improvements with Athletic Director, Todd Livingston. Read more about the school referendums on the November 5th ballot here: www.spsdme.org/referendums
Thursday, October 10: 7th & 8th Homework Club is canceled today. Today's boys & girls soccer games and tennis match have been canceled due to transportation issues. There will be practice instead.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine is hosting two special programs: Fun Fridays for elementary-aged students and Basketball Open Gym for 7th graders and up. For more information, email mlee@bgcmaine.org or call (207) 874-1075.
Wednesday, October 9th: 5th & 6th Grade Yearbook and 5-8 Outdoor/Biking Clubs are canceled today. Soccer photos are happening today at 2:10 at the school; there is no practice after.
Tuesday, October 8th: Sports photos for tennis and cross country are happening today! 7th & 8th grades will have photos taken at 2:10 and 5th & 6th grades at 3:00 at the school. Students are able to take late buses home. There is no tennis practice today, but cross country will still practice.
Monday, October 7th: Today's 5th & 6th grade afterschool garden program is postponed until October 16th.
Tennis and soccer are both canceled today due to the weather.
Cross country will practice in the gym.
Friday, October 4th: Girls soccer and tennis practices are canceled today.
10/3/24: Today's boys 7th & 8th grade soccer games today have been canceled. There will be practice instead.
South Portland School families and community members are invited to take a tour of the High School stadium facilities on Wednesday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 16 at 4:00 p.m. Please meet at the ticket booth for the tour. During the tour, you’ll learn about the current status of the SPHS stadium and athletic facilities and hear about the proposed improvements. Read more about the school referendums on the November 5th ballot here: www.spsdme.org/referendums
It's National Custodian Day! Thank you to the hard work of our custodial team who helps keep our schools safe and clean every day.
The Out of the Darkness - Greater Portland Community Walk is happening this Saturday, October 5 at 10 a.m. at the Eastern Promenade. Click here for more information and to register: https://supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=10223&fbclid=IwY2xjawFpT2hleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTz0gDvu6cU878o9ketwGkVPIfLFSRqptzmaz-rP_gP3Xk4K1FcjG5iRGg_aem__VVAUB328l66OrrFk9mPoQ
Attendance Awareness Month continues! School matters, and so does good attendance. 6% fewer students in the district missed a substantial amount of school last year than the year before, and we want to continue that success! Find resources about building good attendance habits for the rest of the school year and beyond here: www.spsdme.org/page/attendance
Early release day means professional development time for educators! Educators across the district met to go over curriculum work, complete trainings, and more. Pictured here, related arts teachers from the elementary schools met at Skillin to discuss adapting specials for inclusion.
Wednesday, Sept. 18th: Today is an Early Release day and there are no after school clubs.
The Teen Center at Redbank Community Center is a free afterschool program available for South Portland students in grades 6-12, Monday through Friday from 2:15 pm to 6:00 pm. Find more information online at https://southportlandme.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29983.
Flu Clinic Notice: If you would like your child to receive the flu vaccine at school, complete the permission form from Northern Light. Find the dates and online registration here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eWF9suvE-hjcqA1VioI1r_JP8qqoo7xFB1xG0DM_gaA/edit?usp=sharing
Thursday, Sept. 12th: 5/6 Help Desk (Homework Club) is cancelled today. 5/6 Help Desk will run Monday through Wednesday after school.
Cub Scouts Open House is happening Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m. for grades K-5! See the attached flier or visit beascout.scouting.org for more information.
