South Portland School Department

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

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

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

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.

📣✨ 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.