Downeast School -

All Bangor Schools are closed November 11, 2024, in observation of Veterans Day. Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It coincides with other holidays, including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. At the urging of major U.S. veteran organizations, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

The office of Pupil Services is experiencing telephone issues this morning, 11-4-24. Please email Linda Poirier at lpoirier@bangorschools.net to contact the office. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Have a fang-tastic Halloween! Remember to stay safe and spooktacular. Keep an eye out for ghosts and goblins while driving. Trick-or-treat with a buddy, use reflective tape, and carry a flashlight. Let's make this a boo-tiful and safe night! Happy Halloween!

Happy Diwali! (The Hindu Festival of Light) Diwali celebrations may vary in different communities, but its significance and spiritual meaning is generally “the awareness of the inner light” Learn more about Diwali by clicking the link: https://tinyurl.com/5a9r2xmt

Free tickets for the Encanto: Sing-a-long show on Oct 15 at 6 PM are available for BSD families, courtesy of the Cross Insurance Center. Grab yours on Tuesday at Abraham Lincoln, Downeast, Fourteenth St., Fruit St., and Vine St. Schools. Tickets are first come, first served!

Today, we celebrate the diversity of our students, staff, and families! The BSD believes that being our authentic selves strengthens our community. Happy National Coming Out Day! Learn more: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/why-do-we-need-national-coming-out-day

The BSD wishes all students, staff, and families observing Yom Kippur a meaningful day of atonement! May today bring reflection, forgiveness, and renewal. For more info on Yom Kippur, visit: https://www.calendarr.com/united-kingdom/yom-kippur-history-significance-and-celebration/

Text or call 988 if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide. If you're having suicidal thoughts, get help now. Don't wait. Many people have thoughts of suicide at some time in their life. This can be a very isolating experience, but you're not alone. What should you do? Call or text 988 for 24/7 help Tell a loved one Call your provider Call 911 Go to your local ER Suicide is the second largest cause of death among people between the ages of 10 and 24. In 2020, Congress designated the 988 dialing code to be operated through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides access to trained crisis counselors offering support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States. The lifeline is composed of a national network of over 200 local crisis centers, combining custom local care and resources with national standards and best practices. https://988lifeline.org/ also offers helpful information on prevention and responses. The Bangor School Department shares this commitment to mental health access. Students and families have access to school counselors, social workers, therapists, and school psychologists. Through community partnerships with PCHC and funding through the City of Bangor, we are expanding our school based health clinics to provide resources to our students and their families.

IT is looking into a phone issue this morning affecting some of our schools.

During cold and flu season, remember to stay home if you're sick. Return only after symptom improvement and being fever-free for 24 hours without medicine. Practice good respiratory etiquette and wash your hands frequently!

All city K-8 Schools are looking for help starting chess teams . Help teach the next generation of kids this fun and challenging game! Learn more: https://forms.gle/YEiTYRSfXZ3t2hCZ9 No chess experience needed!

Shana Tova to our friends in the Bangor School Department! As we welcome the Jewish New Year, let's celebrate a sweet year ahead. Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection, growth, and new beginnings. Learn more about Rosh Hashanah Significance: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/rosh-hashanah-101/ Explore Rosh Hashanah Recipes: https://cooking.nytimes.com/topics/our-best-rosh-hashanah-recipes Wishing our Bangor community a year of learning and unity!

Join us for "Song of Silk " a mesmerizing concert of Beijing opera and Chinese music! Date: 09/14/2024 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Location: Bangor High School, Peakes Auditorium Reserve your free tickets here: https://forms.gle/7rAR4cJUwLXjaR8F8

Downeast School Picture Day is scheduled for September 19th. Our event order code is: 90445SF Online ordering is availble before and after Picture Day. Shipping and handling charges may apply to orders placed after Picture Day. Order before picture day to receive free shipping to the school. Order online at https://inter-state.com/FlyerEntry/90445SF.

The BSD and Maine DOE are excited to host a community meeting to bring educators, parents, students, and business leaders together to discuss a shared vision for our schools. Sign up to join us on 9/11 at 5 PM at Bangor High School: https://biz.maine.gov/measurewhatmatters

Today marked a brand new chapter in our students educational journey, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome you back! The Bangor School Department is thrilled to see all of our students in the classroom, ready to learn, grow, and make new memories. We hope you found many familiar faces and some new ones, all eager to support you today. Our district administrators have been busy preparing for this day, and they can’t wait to connect with you. Here are a few snapshots of them visiting our schools: We hope you’re as excited for the rest of the school year as we are! Remember, every day is an opportunity to learn something new and to make lasting friendships. The teachers and staff are here to support you every step of the way.Let’s make this school year the best one yet!

Take ‘lunch money’ off your to do list! Set up AutoPay in MySchoolBucks to automatically add money when your student’s balance gets low. See How at https://blog.heartlandschoolsolutions.com/msb/set-and-forget-heres-how-to-get-started-with-autopay

Dear Bangor School Department Families, We are excited to welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year! Please mark your calendars for the following open house events across our Bangor schools: Bangor High School: 9th Grade Orientation: August 29, 8-11 AM Open House: September 17, 6-7 PM August 28 Fourteenth Street: 4-5 PM Vine Street: 4-5 PM Mary Snow Grade 4: 4:30-5:30 PM William S. Cohen 6th Grade Orientation: 6-7 PM August 29 Abe Lincoln: 4-5 PM Downeast School: 4-5 PM Fruit Street: 4-5 PM Bangor Regional Program: 4-5 PM Mary Snow Grade 5: 4:30-5:30 PM Fairmount: 5-6 PM James F. Doughty: 6-7 PM William S. Cohen: 6-7 PM We look forward to seeing you at these open house events to kick off the new school year. It's an excellent opportunity to meet your child's teachers, tour the school, and learn about the curriculum and activities.

The Bangor School Committee meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, August 7th, will have a change in entrance location. Attendees are asked to use the administrative entrance of Bangor High School and to follow the signs to the library. This change is to ensure the safety and security of all participants while floor waxing and construction projects wrap up in the building. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to seeing you at the School Committee meeting this Wednesday at 6 PM.