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The Automotive Technology program at the Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) has received ASE Training Program accreditation by the ASE Education Foundation. The accreditation enhances employment opportunities for students in the program and enables dual enrollment with colleges.
Fourth-graders in teacher Rebecca Weeks’ class at Ocean Avenue Elementary School have won a $500 Painting for a Purpose grant to buy new recreation equipment for the school. “We have over 300 students that attend Ocean Avenue Elementary School. This recess equipment could reach all of those children!” the students wrote in their grant application.
On January 7, a panel of women working in STEM fields spoke to students at Portland High School about what it’s like to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The event, held in teacher Rosalee Lamm's physics and engineering classroom, was open to all students, with a focus on strategies for success, and challenges specific to women and nonbinary people working in STEM.
The Ed Feeney Athletics Fund was created last year to allow any interested PPS students to participate in school sports – even if their family is unable to purchase the necessary athletic equipment. So far, more than 180 high school and middle school students have benefited.
Bululu Ngalamulume is the first graduate of Portland Adult Education’s Transportation Careers Program to secure a bus driver position with the Portland Public Schools. The district is hopeful it will be able to hire more drivers from the PAE program in the future.
All PPS high school seniors and their parents are invited to attend FAFSA Nights this month at Deering High School and Portland High School for assistance completing the online FAFSA form. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Representatives from the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), high school guidance counselors, and Make It Happen! staff will be on hand to provide processing support. Interpretation will be available.
The Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS) is thrilled to bring vision vans to the Portland Public Schools (PPS) to provide students with free eye exams and glasses. On January 6-8, 2025, a van from Boston-based 20/20 Onsite will provide vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to dozens of PPS students at no cost to their families. The van will visit Reiche Community School, Gerald E. Talbot Community School, and Portland Adult Education.