News & Calendars
Latest District News
![Two PPS Employees RISE Award Finalists!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764957787/portlandschoolsorg/portlandschoolsorg/hk1cerapixlp6zrliftb/RISEAWARDgraphic.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764957787/portlandschoolsorg/portlandschoolsorg/hk1cerapixlp6zrliftb/RISEAWARDgraphic.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764957787/portlandschoolsorg/portlandschoolsorg/hk1cerapixlp6zrliftb/RISEAWARDgraphic.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1764957787/portlandschoolsorg/portlandschoolsorg/hk1cerapixlp6zrliftb/RISEAWARDgraphic.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1764957787/portlandschoolsorg/portlandschoolsorg/hk1cerapixlp6zrliftb/RISEAWARDgraphic.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764957787/portlandschoolsorg/portlandschoolsorg/hk1cerapixlp6zrliftb/RISEAWARDgraphic.png","width":1920}])
The Maine Department of Education has announced the top 10 finalists for the 2026 Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. The Portland Public Schools is excited that two of the district’s staff members are among the top 10 finalists for the award, which recognizes exceptional school workforce employees: Liz Meahl and Renee Quattrucci.
![CBHS 13th ‘College March’ Is Dec. 12]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1704376192/portlandschoolsorg/bbr8qijt6jqiodhe95rp/CBHSMarchtoPODecember2023.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1704376192/portlandschoolsorg/bbr8qijt6jqiodhe95rp/CBHSMarchtoPODecember2023.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1704376192/portlandschoolsorg/bbr8qijt6jqiodhe95rp/CBHSMarchtoPODecember2023.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1704376192/portlandschoolsorg/bbr8qijt6jqiodhe95rp/CBHSMarchtoPODecember2023.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1704376192/portlandschoolsorg/bbr8qijt6jqiodhe95rp/CBHSMarchtoPODecember2023.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1704376192/portlandschoolsorg/bbr8qijt6jqiodhe95rp/CBHSMarchtoPODecember2023.jpg","width":1920}])
It’s the time of year for seniors at Casco Bay High School (CBHS) to put their higher education goals on public display — when the students hold the school’s annual “College March” down Congress Street to the downtown post office. The 2025 College March, which will take place on Friday, Dec. 12, will mark the 13th year that students have paraded down the city’s signature thoroughfare to mail college applications or letters to a significant adult in their life who has supported their educational journey.
![Supt. Letter Rejecting Hateful Rhetoric]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1714656896/portlandschoolsorg/z1uuf1rp22fs9zqaxhcv/PPSLogoBlue.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1714656896/portlandschoolsorg/z1uuf1rp22fs9zqaxhcv/PPSLogoBlue.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1714656896/portlandschoolsorg/z1uuf1rp22fs9zqaxhcv/PPSLogoBlue.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1714656896/portlandschoolsorg/z1uuf1rp22fs9zqaxhcv/PPSLogoBlue.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1714656896/portlandschoolsorg/z1uuf1rp22fs9zqaxhcv/PPSLogoBlue.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1714656896/portlandschoolsorg/z1uuf1rp22fs9zqaxhcv/PPSLogoBlue.png","width":1920}])
On Dec. 3, Portland Public Schools Superintendent Ryan Scallon sent a letter to the PPS community disagreeing with recent hateful rhetoric regarding immigrants and specifically the Somali community. The superintendent reiterated the district's support for all students, staff and community members. Read the letter:
![McKinney-Vento Liaison in the Spotlight]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764697087/portlandschoolsorg/hdniwmms8dtfkkxrw6rk/MLMCimage.jpg","width":225}])
The work and dedication of Priscila Bitencourt, the McKinney-Vento liaison for the Portland Public Schools, are featured in the Maine Department of Education’s new McKinney-Vento Newsletter. Each month, the newsletter features model McKinney-Vento programs, the liaisons who lead them, and the teams of staff, administrators, and collaborative partners who support McKinney-Vento students and families every day. Bitencourt, who works in the district's Multilingual & Multicultural Center, was selected for the November 2025 McKinney-Vento Spotlight.The article about her focuses on how she and other PPS staff work creatively to support the 500 identified McKinney-Vento students they serve.
![Board Inauguration Set for Dec. 9]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764696912/portlandschoolsorg/eyqvikutw9nvl1vyogzy/BoardInaugurationSetforDec9.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1764696912/portlandschoolsorg/eyqvikutw9nvl1vyogzy/BoardInaugurationSetforDec9.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1764696912/portlandschoolsorg/eyqvikutw9nvl1vyogzy/BoardInaugurationSetforDec9.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1764696912/portlandschoolsorg/eyqvikutw9nvl1vyogzy/BoardInaugurationSetforDec9.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1764696912/portlandschoolsorg/eyqvikutw9nvl1vyogzy/BoardInaugurationSetforDec9.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764696912/portlandschoolsorg/eyqvikutw9nvl1vyogzy/BoardInaugurationSetforDec9.png","width":1920}])
Three returning members and four student representatives will be sworn in at the Portland Board of Public Education Inauguration on Dec. 9. The Board also will vote to elect a new chair and vice chair for the coming year. At its Nov. 25 meeting, the Board informally decided to support having current Board Chair Sarah Lentz and current Board Vice Chair Abusana "Micky" Bondo continue on in those roles for 2025-2026.
![Board Equity Letter to Community]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1696525766/portlandschoolsorg/fuzsiuzjvarno22th4mt/PPSNewsImage_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1696525766/portlandschoolsorg/fuzsiuzjvarno22th4mt/PPSNewsImage_1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1696525766/portlandschoolsorg/fuzsiuzjvarno22th4mt/PPSNewsImage_1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1696525766/portlandschoolsorg/fuzsiuzjvarno22th4mt/PPSNewsImage_1.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1696525766/portlandschoolsorg/fuzsiuzjvarno22th4mt/PPSNewsImage_1.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1696525766/portlandschoolsorg/fuzsiuzjvarno22th4mt/PPSNewsImage_1.png","width":1920}])
This fall, the Board of Public Education held listening sessions with students, staff, and community. At those meetings, the Board heard that many people love the Portland Public Schools and value the care shown to students, the district’s diverse community, and its long-standing commitment to equity. At the same time, others expressed deep concerns that the district is not living up to that commitment. Following those engagement sessions, the Board on Nov. 24 sent a letter to the PPS community pledging that "we are committed to doing better” to realize that equity goal. Read the Board’s letter:
![Turkey Day Tradition Has 2025 Twist!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763588473/portlandschoolsorg/drnopohae9mrl4fzz6f0/ThanksgivingDayFootballGame2025.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763588473/portlandschoolsorg/drnopohae9mrl4fzz6f0/ThanksgivingDayFootballGame2025.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763588473/portlandschoolsorg/drnopohae9mrl4fzz6f0/ThanksgivingDayFootballGame2025.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1763588473/portlandschoolsorg/drnopohae9mrl4fzz6f0/ThanksgivingDayFootballGame2025.jpg","width":1200}])
The 113th Thanksgiving Day football game between Portland and Deering high schools will take place at Memorial Field at Deering High School on Thursday, Nov. 27, with a 10 a.m. kickoff. The community is encouraged to come out to support our students and — new this year — to also bring a food donation for the Preble Street Food Pantry. Not only will that help local hungry families, but ticket prices will be reduced to $1 for each fan donating a food item.