News & Calendars

Three students at Portland High School have won a Painting for a Purpose grant of $471 to launch an inclusive dance club at the school. The “I Am The Drama Dance Club” will welcome students from all backgrounds and those eager to learn, according to the founding leaders of the club, juniors Praise Mugisha, Renata Banga-Barroso and Naomie Luzingu. "We are passionate about this project because we love dancing and we grew up loving it,” the students said in their grant application to Painting for a Purpose.

School meals continue to be free of charge but for students that purchase extras such as drinks and chips, families should be aware that the Portland Public Schools Food Service is transitioning to a new payment software in the spring of 2026 — and the current payment software, PayPAMS, will no longer be taking online payments for students’ meal accounts after December 31, 2025. The system will still be available for students to be able to deposit cash or checks at their schools.

Casco Bay High School seniors didn’t let frigid temperatures and a biting wind prevent them from participating in the school’s 13th annual “College March” on the afternoon of Dec. 12. The students paraded briskly down Congress Street to the downtown post office, where they mailed college applications or letters to a significant adult in their life who has supported their educational journey. The CBHS annual "March to the Post Office" celebrates every senior completing at least one college application. 

Portland High School art teacher José Gouveia recently led his students in a unique project that combined creating art with being a connected member of the community — holding an online auction of the students’ artwork to help Maine Needs. That Portland-based nonprofit works in support of asylum seekers, students, the unhoused population, survivors of domestic violence, and those facing financial adversity to make sure that no one goes without the basics.