Update from Superintendent Matheney (April)
Dear South Portland families and staff members,
I’m writing today with a few updates:
Celebrate!
It’s that time of year when we have so many reasons to celebrate. Here are some examples:
It’s School Lunch Hero Day, so today we celebrate our award-winning Food Service and Nutrition Department. We express our thanks for that team whose efforts are so foundational to our district's work. They provide the power and energy for learning! Further, we congratulate the department on receiving the Innovation Award from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute for incorporating delicious local seafood in our school menus. Great job, team!
We also recognized our seven wonderful school principals this week. Wednesday was School Principals Day. We express our gratitude to Myra Caron, Bethany Connolly, Barb Fletcher, Beth Kellogg, Diane Lang, Rebecca Stern, and Scott Tombleson for their hard work every day on behalf of our students and staff members.
Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Our schools and School Board will be recognizing our wonderful staff members in several different ways. I encourage you to send a note of appreciation to an educator or staff member (past or present) who made a difference in your child’s life – or even your own!
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I hope you’ll check out learning resources here and here.
Vote for SPMS
Our SPMS architecture and engineering firm, WBRC Inc., has nominated our amazing new middle school for the American Institute of Architects Maine People’s Choice Award. Anyone can cast a vote so I hope you’ll consider showing your support for SPMS. Here’s a link to the competition.
We’re hiring!
We are conducting searches for several key positions. You can see our full list of available positions here.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Below are a few resources for you and your family:
National Alliance on Mental Illness Teen Text Support Line
For ages 13-23, text 207-515-8398 (Monday-Friday, 2:00-10:00pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12:00-10:00pm)
namimaine.org/teentextline988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988lifeline.org or just dial 9-8-8Our district’s anonymous reporting line
SpeakUp@spsdme.org
Phone: 207-835-1586Maine Department of Health and Human Services: Crisis Resources
Upcoming Calendar Items
Tuesday, May 7: City Council vote on School Board 2024-25 budget (6:30pm, Council Chambers)
Monday, May 13: Regular Board Meeting (6:00pm, SPHS Lecture Hall)
This meeting will likely include votes on the Elementary Boundaries and Configurations Steering Committee recommendations
Monday, May 27: Memorial Day holiday
Sunday, June 9: Graduation (2:00pm, SPHS Martin Memorial Field)
Monday, June 10: Regular Board Meeting (6:00pm, SPHS Lecture Hall)
Thursday, June 13: Early release for the last day of the 2023-24 school year
Please note that the calendar for the 2024-25 school year is available on our website.
Enjoy your weekend,
Tim Matheney, Superintendent of Schools
