Week 35 - Tuesday, May 26 - Friday, May 29

Dear Memorial Parents and Guardians,

I hope that you had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. It was a busy holiday for many of our students, parents and staff as the members of our band marched in the South Portland Memorial Day parade on Monday morning. The students assembled at SMCC and paraded down Broadway, lead by the students in the color guard. The students' rehearsals and practices definitely paid off as they looked and sounded great! Congratulations to Mrs. Quinn for leading our kids (yet again)! Thank you to all of the students who came out to support their friends. Thank you also to all of our parents who accompanied our students to both performances. Your ongoing support makes these kinds of experiences possible.

It is hard to fathom that we are quickly approaching the end of May. Sometimes we see some "let down" after Memorial Day weekend, as students look ahead to the end of the year. This year, there are three full weeks of school and then a short week before we break for the summer. Members of our grade level teams report that they are encouraging their students to focus on their studies so that they experience academic success, which is necessary for kids to be eligible for athletics in the fall. Parents and students are encouraged to keep track of the progress that is being made in classes by checking the gradebooks on Infinite Campus. A link to the parent portal of Infinite Campus is available on the Memorial website.

Even when the school year is over, we hope that our students continue to pursue some academically healthy endeavors. Our English/Language Arts teachers have worked with Nancy Hutto, our Intervention Strategist, to create the summer reading lists for each grade. You can access these lists by clicking on the Literacy Education link on our website. The lists can also be found through the Library link on our site. All students are strongly encouraged to read at least two books on the list this summer. We are also finalizing plans for our Middle School Summer Academy, a program that is open to incoming 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. The purpose of the Summer Academy is to provide structure and academic support while easing students from the summer routine to the school routine. At this time, the dates are being finalized, but we expect this program to run four days each week the first three weeks of August from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. (A similar program is also going to run at Mahoney and will take place from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. If students prefer a morning session, the Mahoney program may be able to accommodate our students.) The cost of this program is $40 with $20 reimbursed to families if/when the student successfully completes the program.

For our outgoing 8th graders, South Portland High School will, once again, offer the South Portland Transition Academy. The purpose of this program is to provide a "jumpstart" into their 9th grade year by providing support for students throughout the summer between 8th and 9th grade and into the first quarter with a focus on developing strong literacy, organizational and study skills as well as orienting them to the High School. The cost of this program, which is a bit longer than the Middle School Summer Academy, is $100 with $75 returned upon successful completion of the course. In both summer programs, a sliding scale is possible. If you are interested in either program, please contact your childs Guidance Counselor.

On May 30, Skillin will host its Spring Fair. Members of the Spring Fair organizing committee is hoping to gather a few of our helpful students to act as volunteers for the activities of the day. Please talk with your child about this. If they are interested, we will have sign-up sheets for students in the Main Office. Please encourage your child to be involved!

Our athletic teams are participating in their final competitions over the next two weeks. Our teams have enjoyed some amazing games and meets so far and I'm certain that the exciting competitions will continue through the end of the season, as well. As the students in our Drama Club gear up for their June 9th performance, their rehearsals are also intensifying.

On Tuesday, June 9, South Portland citizens will be able to vote on the School Department's Budget.
Also included on the ballot will be a school bond referendum; some of that money is targeted for health & safety and security needs at Memorial. Citizens can vote at the Community Center from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

As always, you are encouraged to contact the school should you have questions or concerns. Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,
Megan Welter

This week:
Tuesday, May 26 - Day #2
Connections day
NWEA testing continues today
2:30 p.m. - Homework Club - Room 108
3:30 p.m. - Boys and Girls' Outdoor Track vs. Mahoney @ SPHS
3:30 p.m. - Boys' Lacrosse vs. Scarborough @ Wainwright
3:45 p.m. - Girls' Lacrosse vs. Scarborough @ Wainwright
3:30 p.m. - Baseball vs Bonny Eagle @ Memorial
3:30 p.m. - Softball vs Bonny Eagle@ Wainwright

Wednesday, May 27 - Day #3
NWEA testing continues
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - Real Game classes continue in 7th grade classes
2:30 p.m. - Homework Club - room 108
6:00 p.m. - 8th Grade Social meeting - Cafeteria at SPHS
7:00 p.m. - 5th and 6th grade concert - SPHS Auditorium

Thursday, May 28- Day # 4
NWEA testing continues
REACH trip to Unity College
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - Real Game classes continue in 7th grade classes
2:30 p.m. - Homework Club - room 108
3:30 p.m. - Track meet @ Scarborough vs Westbrook, Lincoln & Scarborough
3:30 p.m. - Baseball vs. Moore @ Moore Middle School
3:30 p.m. - Softball vs. Moore @ Moore Middle School
3:30 p.m. - Boys' Lacrosse vs. Saco @ Memorial
3:45 p.m. - Girls' Lacrosse vs. Saco @ Mahoney

Friday, May 29 - Day # 5
NWEA testing continues
REACH trip to Unity College
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. - Real Game classes continue in 7th grade classes

Next Week + a few dates of note:
Tuesday, June 2 - 7th & 8th Grade Band & Chorus concert @ SPHS
Wednesday, June 3 - Grade 7 to Funtown
Wednesday, June 3 - 5th Grade Parent Night - Library
Saturday, June 6 - 8th Grade Social - SPHS