SoPo Unite Tip of the Month: Support for Youth Nicotine Use in South Portland
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
The SPHS Marching Band competed in the Maine Band Directors Association State Finals Saturday evening and came home with a gold medal! The group received an overall 5 Star Rating and were one of four bands from Maine to earn a gold medal.
First graders at Kaler had a special visitor while creating their self portraits! Superintendent Entwistle stopped by to see two classes hard at work, adding words to their drawings that describe who they are. It was a wonderful celebration of creativity and individuality!
📣✨ R-I-O-T-S! Students expressed their Red Riot pride at the SPHS Pep Rally on Friday.
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.
Soulful Sounds in Portland: Friday, October 24 at 7 p.m. in the South Portland High School Auditorium. Step into a world where the Harlem Renaissance meets today’s vibe with the sensational Music & Comedy of Acute Inflections! Get tickets online at https://acuteinflections.com/product/10-24-2025/
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.
SoPo Unite Tip of the Month: Everyone in the community plays a role in youth substance use prevention. It's important to know your local health center staff and the many ways they can support teen health.
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.
Shark swag is here! 🦈 The SPMS PTO is selling t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, hats, and more through October 9th. Buy now for Shark holiday gifts at https://tinyurl.com/spms-swag-sale.
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.
Drivers Ed is starting up for ages 15+! Register for classes through SoPo Parks and Rec: https://southportlandme.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=31600
It’s time to harvest! 🫑🍅🧅 Last week, 5th and 6th graders at SPMS met with South Portland Park Rangers to learn about gardening, harvest vegetables, and make their own salsa.
