Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!
Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 and honors Hispanic and Latino histories and cultures. To celebrate, the South Portland High School Learning Commons has a display with an assortment of books by Hispanic and Latino authors. There are also resources, book recommendations, music playlists, and more available on our district website: www.spsdme.org/page/hispanic-latino-american-heritage
Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15 and honors Hispanic and Latino histories and cultures. To celebrate, the South Portland High School Learning Commons has a display with an assortment of books by Hispanic and Latino authors. There are also resources, book recommendations, music playlists, and more available on our district website: www.spsdme.org/page/hispanic-latino-american-heritage
South Portland High School students may ride Metro routes 21, 24A, and 24B by showing the bus operator their South Portland High School student ID for free.
For more information, visit Greater Portland Metro's website: www.gpmetro.org/about-us/pass-programs/
For more information, visit Greater Portland Metro's website: www.gpmetro.org/about-us/pass-programs/
Join us next week for a Community Forum on Elementary School Reconfiguration:
🗓️ 5:30-7 PM Monday, September 28
📍 South Portland Middle School Multipurpose Room
We invite you to participate in our upcoming forum to review and discuss the options currently under consideration for elementary school reconfiguration in South Portland. Childcare and interpretation will be proviced.
For more information, visit spsdme.org/reconfiguration.
🗓️ 5:30-7 PM Monday, September 28
📍 South Portland Middle School Multipurpose Room
We invite you to participate in our upcoming forum to review and discuss the options currently under consideration for elementary school reconfiguration in South Portland. Childcare and interpretation will be proviced.
For more information, visit spsdme.org/reconfiguration.
Every day matters. Every student counts.
Regular attendance helps students stay connected to learning and strengthens classroom communities.
🔗 Find resources about building good attendance habits for the rest of the school year and beyond at spsdme.org/attendance.
Regular attendance helps students stay connected to learning and strengthens classroom communities.
🔗 Find resources about building good attendance habits for the rest of the school year and beyond at spsdme.org/attendance.
It's Arts in Education Week! 🎨 🎭
Art education–including both visual and performing arts–supports students’ creativity and imagination. It develops critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and self-expression while deepening students’ understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and perspectives.
This week and beyond, we recognize and celebrate the power of the arts in education and the lasting impact they have on our students and communities.
Art education–including both visual and performing arts–supports students’ creativity and imagination. It develops critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and self-expression while deepening students’ understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and perspectives.
This week and beyond, we recognize and celebrate the power of the arts in education and the lasting impact they have on our students and communities.
SoPo Unite Tip of the Month: Get Involved with SoPo Unite
There will be a School Board Meeting today, Monday, September 14th at 6 p.m. in the South Portland High School Lecture Hall.
For the School Board meeting agenda, visit spsdme.org/schoolboard.
To stream the meeting live on SPC-TV, visit tinyurl.com/SPSDBoardMeeting.
For the School Board meeting agenda, visit spsdme.org/schoolboard.
To stream the meeting live on SPC-TV, visit tinyurl.com/SPSDBoardMeeting.
We invite families, staff, and the public to attend community forums, listening sessions, Steering Committee meetings, and School Board events to help guide elementary reconfiguration.
Please visit spsdme.org/reconfiguration for upcoming engagement opportunities.
First week of school: ✅
We have made it through the first week back to school! We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend and we look forward to seeing students back in class on Tuesday, September 8.
We have made it through the first week back to school! We hope you enjoy the holiday weekend and we look forward to seeing students back in class on Tuesday, September 8.
Welcome back! 🚌📚 We hope all our students have a wonderful first week back to school filled with connection, discovery, and learning! Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!
Yesterday morning, we welcomed all staff from across the district to come together and kick off the start of the school year. We celebrated being together as a district, reflected on the year ahead, and heard heartfelt messages from staff and students, including special guest speakers Mayor Elyse Tipton and School Board Chair Rosemarie DeAngelis. We can’t wait to welcome our students back next week!
Last week, South Portland Schools held an orientation for new teachers and ed techs joining the district. They had the opportunity to meet one another, learn more about the district, and get acquainted with their new roles. We can’t wait to welcome them back alongside all of our staff this week as we prepare for the new school year and the return of students!
Parent Workshop - Breaking the Cycle: Empowering Your Anxious High Schooler
🗓️ Wednesday, August 26 from 5:45-6:45 p.m.
📍 South Portland High School
This 1-hour session provides parents and guardians with evidence-based strategies to shift from managing their child’s anxiety to building their capacity for resilience and:
Identify "Accommodation": Learn to spot the subtle, everyday behaviors that inadvertently maintain your teen's anxiety cycle.
Build Tolerance: Understand why avoiding discomfort prevents growth and learn how to foster "psychological flexibility," allowing your teen to face challenges rather than retreat.
Practice Effective Communication: Gain practical scripts and strategies to express empathy while remaining a steady, non-anxious presence during your teen's moments of high distress.
Implement Actionable Change: Learn how to create a "Graduated Exposure" plan at home, helping your teen navigate feared situations at their own pace without becoming overwhelmed.
Free and open to South Portland School parents and guardians.
🗓️ Wednesday, August 26 from 5:45-6:45 p.m.
📍 South Portland High School
This 1-hour session provides parents and guardians with evidence-based strategies to shift from managing their child’s anxiety to building their capacity for resilience and:
Identify "Accommodation": Learn to spot the subtle, everyday behaviors that inadvertently maintain your teen's anxiety cycle.
Build Tolerance: Understand why avoiding discomfort prevents growth and learn how to foster "psychological flexibility," allowing your teen to face challenges rather than retreat.
Practice Effective Communication: Gain practical scripts and strategies to express empathy while remaining a steady, non-anxious presence during your teen's moments of high distress.
Implement Actionable Change: Learn how to create a "Graduated Exposure" plan at home, helping your teen navigate feared situations at their own pace without becoming overwhelmed.
Free and open to South Portland School parents and guardians.
Families, mark your calendars–below is the schedule for the first week of school!
✏️ Monday, August 31: First day for Grades 1-12
✏️ Tuesday, September 1: First day for Kindergarten / Kindergarten only early release
✏️ Wednesday, September 2: First day for PreK / Kindergarten only early release
✏️ Thursday-Friday, September 3-4: Full day for all grades
🗓️ Visit spsdme.org for the full 2026-27 school year calendar.
✏️ Monday, August 31: First day for Grades 1-12
✏️ Tuesday, September 1: First day for Kindergarten / Kindergarten only early release
✏️ Wednesday, September 2: First day for PreK / Kindergarten only early release
✏️ Thursday-Friday, September 3-4: Full day for all grades
🗓️ Visit spsdme.org for the full 2026-27 school year calendar.
There will be a School Board Meeting today, Monday, August 17th at 6 p.m. in the South Portland High School Lecture Hall.
For the School Board meeting agenda, visit spsdme.org/schoolboard.
To stream the meeting live on SPC-TV, visit tinyurl.com/SPSDBoardMeeting.
The countdown is officially on... just ONE MONTH until the first day of school on August 31! 🎒📚
We're excited to welcome everyone back and kick off a new year of learning, growth, discovery, and connection. Here's to a fantastic school year ahead—we'll see you in 30 days!
We're excited to welcome everyone back and kick off a new year of learning, growth, discovery, and connection. Here's to a fantastic school year ahead—we'll see you in 30 days!
There will be a Regular Board meeting next week on Monday, July 20th at 6 p.m. in the South Portland High School Lecture Hall. Following the meeting is a Workshop on Elementary Reconfiguration to review the work that has happened thus far and discuss guidelines for any potential changes at 7 p.m. (The agenda for this meeting and workshop is coming soon.)
Please note: If you cannot attend this workshop, please do not be concerned. Over the next month, the district will release a full schedule of future engagement events so that all families and staff have multiple, flexible options to participate and make their voices heard.
More information about the Elementary School Steering Committee is available online at www.spsdme.org/reconfiguration.
Please note: If you cannot attend this workshop, please do not be concerned. Over the next month, the district will release a full schedule of future engagement events so that all families and staff have multiple, flexible options to participate and make their voices heard.
More information about the Elementary School Steering Committee is available online at www.spsdme.org/reconfiguration.
As we near the end of another school year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the staff members who are retiring. Thank you for the years of dedication, compassion, and commitment you have given to our students, schools, and community.
The School Board recognized retirees with 15+ years of service to the district its meeting last week. Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you for the difference you have made in the lives of so many!
Thank you to our community who participated in the election! The proposed school budget for the 2026-27 school year passed, ensuring that South Portland schools will continue to serve students and support the mission of enriching lives through quality learning for all.
🗳️ School Budget Referendum voting: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information on the school budget, visit: spsdme.org/budget27.
For more information on voting and to find your polling location, visit: southportland.gov/elections
For more information on the school budget, visit: spsdme.org/budget27.
For more information on voting and to find your polling location, visit: southportland.gov/elections
