Following a tense week of increased immigration enforcement actions in the city, Superintendent Ryan Scallon sent a letter to the PPS Community on January 24, 2026. He wrote about the power of our community in standing together and for each other. He cited neighbors looking out for neighbors, PTOs organizing rides and food, and staff providing caring spaces for students. The superintendent also highlighted how the detention in the past week of a PPS parent — who also is a valued staff member with legal approval to work and who successfully passed a background check — has impacted the community. He also detailed plans for a predicted upcoming storm. Read the letter: 

January 24, 2026

Dear Portland Public Schools Community:

This past week has been a tense time for our community as increased immigration enforcement actions started. In this time, I continue to be reminded of the power of our community in standing together and for each other. I have seen neighbors looking out for neighbors, PTOs organizing rides and food, and staff providing caring spaces for students. I don’t know how long this reality will last for us, but I know that we will need to continue to rely on each other in this time.

You may have seen that a PPS parent, Micheline Ntumba, was detained. Micheline is not the only parent in this situation, but I share her name and story with her family’s permission, because it has already been widely reported in the news. What wasn’t reported is that, not only is Micheline a mother of four, but she is also a valued member of the PPS facilities team. Micheline is legally approved to work in the United States and had a background check approving her to work in schools. Her detention has hurt our community and left her children with no head of household.

Our schools are doing everything possible to support Micheline’s family, as well as other students, families, and staff who need it. In addition to the direct assistance provided by our own staff, we also work closely with community service-providers. This includes coordinating with partners to ensure that families get the food they need. Community groups are also helping students move to and from school safely.

We have received some calls to transition our schools to remote learning. Research shows that being in school is best for student academic progress and well-being, and so we will not shift to remote learning across schools unless necessary for safety reasons. However, with student absences on the rise this past week, we are working on a plan to offer limited remote learning for elementary and secondary students, when needed. The Board of Public Education will review that plan at their meeting on January 27. At Portland Adult Education, we are already expanding existing hybrid offerings to ensure on-going access to classes for all.

While we focus on supporting all students, we are also monitoring the snow storm that is expected to hit Portland on Sunday. Here’s what to know:

●      We will announce any closure or delay by 5 a.m. on Monday, January 26.

●      If we call a traditional snow day, this would be our third and final one. After our final snow day, we will shift to remote learning, meaning that students are expected to learn from home (elementary students using packets, which were sent home yesterday, and secondary students through online lessons). More information can be found here.

In the meantime, I wish you all a safe and warm remainder of the weekend.

Ryan Scallon, Ed.D.

Superintendent