As a continued effort to better engage with students and their families, including New Mainers in our community, the Biddeford and Saco School Departments are hosting their annual Biddeford & Saco Rising gathering on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Biddeford High School, 20 Maplewood Avenue, Biddeford. The event is focused on families of PreK-12 students in Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton, with free childcare, transportation, translation services, and light refreshments provided.
“Strong connections between schools, families, and community partners are essential to helping every student thrive,” said Jeremy Ray, Superintendent of Schools. “This event brings together a wide range of local resources that support not only the academic success of our students, but also the overall health and well-being of their families. By making these connections, we ensure that our schools remain a place where every child is supported both inside and outside the classroom.”
The event aims to achieve several key goals, including enhancing school-to-home communication and connecting families with community resources, such as athletic and camp opportunities for kids and social services. The event will offer free bike helmets, car seat checks, a raffle with giveaways, free family portraits, and information on essential community services such as medical and dental care, legal support, financial assistance, housing, and nutrition services to build trust and engagement between the community, schools, and families.
Community organizations that will be present to provide local resources include: Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition, Disability Rights Maine, Kids Free to Grow, Adult Education, Michael Goulet Foundation, Stay for Life, Center for Grieving Children, MaineHealth, OUT Maine, Partners for Healthier Communities, The Reach, Caring Unlimited, YMCA of Southern Maine, York County Community Action Corporation, Spurwink, United Way of Southern Maine, Youth Full Maine, and many more.
Transportation will also be provided to ensure the event is accessible to all families. A bus will run a continuous loop through Saco and Biddeford, beginning at 4:15 p.m. at Young School. Pickup locations in Saco include Young School and Fairfield School, while pickup locations in Biddeford include the corner of Bacon and Emery Street and the former JFK School. The last shuttle will depart from Biddeford High School at 6:30 p.m.
Biddeford and Saco School Departments believe that every student benefits when schools and families are supported by strong community partnerships. A diverse student body enriches our classrooms, and we are committed to ensuring all students and their families can access the resources they need to thrive. In addition to hosting events like Biddeford & Saco Rising, our schools hold annual multicultural fairs to celebrate and learn from the rich cultural backgrounds represented in our community. We also operate a tri-district Welcome Center, with offices at Biddeford Middle School and a satellite office at Young School in Saco, which serves as a hub for connecting families to school services and vital community supports. Whether registering new students or linking families to vital social services, the Welcome Center underscores our commitment to making sure every child and family feels welcomed, supported, and connected. The services of The Welcome Center are made possible by several grants, including grants from Catholic Charities, Governor Mills’ Office, and the McKinney-Vento office at the Maine Department of Education.
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