Happy Pride Month! 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ South Portland Schools will be marching in the Portland Pride Parade on Saturday, June 21, and we hope to see you there as we celebrate and support our LGBTQ+ community.
☀️ Please note summer hours are now in effect at District Office: Monday–Thursday: 9 am to 3 p.m. Fridays–Sunday: Closed. District Office will also be closed: June 19–20 and June 30–July 4. Hours are in effect through August 1.
The last day of school was filled with lots of fun, laughter, smiles, and hugs! ☀️ Together, we've grown, learned, and created countless memories–from our youngest learners completing their first year in school to our graduating class beginning an exciting new chapter. We hope you have a wonderful summer break, and look forward to welcoming students back in September!
SPHS Junior Ahmed Mohamed created a drawing of SRO Caleb Gray and had it signed by staff and students as a parting gift to him. We wish Officer Gray the best as he moves into a different role at the South Portland Police Department, but he will be truly missed at SPHS!
As we near the end of the school year, we celebrate the hard work, growth, and achievements of our students. At the same time, we extend our deepest gratitude to our retiring teachers in the district. Thank you for your years of passion and dedication to our students! (A combined total of 242 years of service to be exact!) Retirees with 15+ years in the district were recognized at this week's School Board Meeting.
- Becky Dadmun, First Grade Teacher, Small Elementary: 18 years.
- Beth Dolley, School Counselor, Brown Elementary: 27 years.
- Diane Lang, Principal, Small Elementary: 18 years.
- Robin Legere, Ed Tech, South Portland Middle School: 25 years.
- Susan Richman, Science Teacher, South Portland High School: 23 years.
- Lee Ann Rosenblum, Art Teacher, South Portland High School: 32 years.
- Craig Skeffington, Band Director, South Portland High School: 31 years.
- BJ Weeks, Second Grade Teacher, Brown Elementary: 40 years.
- Deb Wray, Librarian Education Technician, South Portland High School: 28 years
Thank you, voters! We are so grateful for your support of the School Budget Referendum.
Congratulations, South Portland Class of 2025! 🎓 The Red Riots celebrated together at their graduation ceremony with family, friends, and South Portland Schools educators and staff. Thank you to everyone who attended to support this graduating class–it was the perfect send off for this incredible group of graduates!
☀️ Get information about South Portland's Summer Meal Program and SUN Bucks online at spsdme.org/summermeals
Students at SPHS and SPMS partnered up and participated for the first time in years as a team to compete in the Special Olympic Spring Games at Bonny Eagle High School! They competed in games including the Shot Put, Softball Throw, 100 Meter Walk and Run, Standing Long Drop, and others.
Our phone service provider repaired a piece of equipment and all phones are now operational. Families can always call the District Office at 207-871-0555 or use email/ReachMyTeach to communicate with staff. Thank you for your patience as we addressed this problem.
Phones are down at SPHS, Dyer, Kaler, Skillin and our Transportation Office. Attempted repairs to the phones yesterday were unsuccessful. Our phone vendor is attempting a few more things early this morning. If you need to reach a school or the transportation office please call the district office at 207-871-0555 and we can transfer you call to any school. As always, email/ReachMyTeach is the best way to communicate.
We are looking for donations of new and gently used adult-sized swimming goggles for grant funded learning to support swim lessons for students at SPHS. 🏊 Donations are being accepted in the lobby of the South Portland Community Center. Please reach out to to Gretchen McCloy, Director of Community Partnerships, at mccloygr@spsdme.org with questions or to discuss other ways you can support this programming.
At this week's Pops Concert at SPHS, students performed a tribute to Craig Skeffington to the tune of "My Way." 🎼 Mr. Skeffington, distinguished composer and Maine Music Educators Hall of Fame Inductee, will be retiring at the end of the school year after being SPHS's Band Director since 1994. We wish him the best and express our deepest gratitude for the knowledge and inspiration shared with students during his time at SPHS!
Spring is in full bloom! 🌷💛 The yellow tulips that were planted in the fall last year are now blooming in the courtyard at South Portland High School, South Portland Middle School, and the South Portland Police Department. These Hope Gardens were created by students in collaboration with the Yellow Tulip Project, an organization dedicated to smashing the stigma around mental illness. Read more about this project here: www.spsdme.org/article/1953213
The Yellow Tulip Project is hosting their annual Portland Hope Day this Sunday, May 25 at Mayo Street Arts to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month. Enjoy an afternoon of community, storytelling, and good food. SPHS junior Logan Shepard will be speaking about his experience losing a friend to suicide and subsequently creating SPHS Advocates for Mental Health. For more information and to register to attend, visit: https://theyellowtulipproject.org/events/in-person-portland-me-hope-day-2025/
The 6th Annual Youth Triathlon in honor of Nathan Savage is happening June 21 at 9 am at the South Portland Community Center for ages 7-14. Register online at: https://southportlandme.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=31535
Registration is open for summer sessions of Driver's Ed! Sessions are happening June 16-July 3 and July 28-August 14 for ages 15+. Sign-up online: https://southportlandme.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=31479&fbclid=IwY2xjawKULB9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuWXhXd0pteHc4a3VBdHdFAR52UQ4deJI-q9CPX8v1E__5E2omWpE-oTOoYcNMFciORD87vULwgzM9ZIojhw_aem_hiZKr0AABOwsWSl0lmqcbg
SoPp Unite May Tip of the Month: Talking With Young People About Problem Gambling
Join us at tonight's webinar! Supporting Youth Emotional Well-Being: Tuesday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. For middle/high school parents and caregivers to help better understand the mental health challenges facing today's youth–such as anxiety, depression, and perfectionism–and learn effective strategies to support your child's needs. Register here to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AnUv9XbkSlerpcRC8r7v-Q#/registration
SpringFest is a South Portland community celebration that will return to the Red Bank neighborhood on Friday, May 16, and to Mill Creek Park on Saturday, May 17, 2025, bigger, better, and even more fun! For more information, visit: spspringfest.com
