The annual food drive is happening next week at South Portland Middle School, December 15-19! Students, staff, and community members are invited to bring non-perishable food items to SPMS to support the grade of their choice (5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th). All donations will support the SPMS food pantry and The Locker Project, who partners with the district to provide food assistance to members of the community. The grade that raises the most food will win the honor of being the 2025 FOOD FEUD CHOMP-IONS! 🦈
SoPo Unite Tip of the Month: Choose to be Reliable to Avoid Being Liable
As a part of the OpenSciEd Ecosystems and Matter Cycling unit, students in Ms. Gartman's class engaged in a food web activity. 5th grade students took on roles of different producers, consumers, and decomposers in the nurse log system. They created a food web as they passed the blue yarn to represent matter being passed among organisms. Students had fun and learned an important concept!
South Portland Schools celebrated the holiday season at the Mill Creek Tree Lighting with a poetry reading by SPMS student Sloan Willows and musical performances by the SPMS Chorus and SPHS Chamber Singers. ✨ Thank you to everyone in our community who attended, including the PTA groups and SoPo Unite!
Welcome to our new and returning School Board members Daniel Feller, Eleni Richardson, George Risch, and Tyler Smith! Rosemarie De Angelis will serve as School Board Chair and Adrian Dowling as Vice Chair. The next School Board meeting will be happening on Monday, December 8 at 6 p.m. in the SPHS Lecture Hall. For the agenda and upcoming meeting dates, please visit: www.spsdme.org/schoolboard
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.
This past Saturday, the SPHS Chess Club hosted their 5th annual SoPo US Chess rated tournament. 42 players entered the tournament from over 11 area schools and featured everyone from first-timers to national masters. Together SPHS earned 13 points on the day, putting us atop the leaderboard in the state! ♟️
Join us Monday, December 1 at 4 p.m. in the South Portland High School Lecture Hall for the Inauguration Ceremony for City Councilors and School Board members. The School Board will also appoint Rosemarie De Angelis as Chair and Adrian Dowling as Vice Chair. We hope to see you there!
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!
Enjoy this fun throwback to earlier in the school year! The 6th grade team at SPMS had an exciting field trip with SailMaine, where students participated in STEM activities and had the opportunity to sail Casco Bay. ⛵
The PBIS celebrations continue at South Portland Schools! At Skillin Elementary, students earn Skyhawk tickets for demonstrating expected behaviors of being safe, responsible, respectful, and kind. All of the tickets are collected and added to the school-wide "nest." The nest was recently full, and students chose to celebrate with a Glow Dance Party, including a visit from the school’s beloved mascot!
Last week, SPHS held its first Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) school-wide assembly! Students were nominated by teachers for being responsible, engaged, safe, and respectful. The four students who were recognized for demonstrating the Red Riot Way received a certificate and were able to make a charitable contribution to a nonprofit organization of their choosing in the Greater Portland area. Congratulations Doug, Charlotte, Israel, and Zachary!
The first SPMS Family Potluck Dinner invited families to bring their favorite dish to share with their school community! Families, students, and teachers connected over a shared meal and enjoyed open gym, music, activities, and a Welcoming Party hosted by the 7/8 Civil Rights Team in the Library.
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
The South Portland Drama Club presents: Bedlam & Breakfast by William Prenette 🎭 Performances are happening in the SPHS Auditorium for one weekend only: November 8-9! Get more information and tickets at spsdme.org/bedlamandbreakfast
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.
SoPo Unite Tip of the Month: Support for Youth Nicotine Use in South Portland
