april 3, 2025

To make up for the two snow days the district has had so far (on Feb. 6 and Feb. 13), the current projected last day of school for students will be Tuesday, June 17, 2025, and the last teacher day will be Wednesday, June 18. If we need to have a third storm day, those dates will be pushed back another day in June to make up for that. The last student day is an early release day.

The Board of Public Education held two workshops April 1. One was on the proposed 2025-2026 district calendar, for which the Board held a first read that evening. The calendar under consideration would include the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur and the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr as school district holidays. The other workshop was on possible wording revisions to the district's equity policy, for which the Board also held a first read. The changes are designed to ground the policy in the new Strategic Plan and bring the policy in alignment with recent judicial rulings. The Board is expected to vote on both the calendar and the policy changes at its next meeting on April 8. Watch the Board workshops on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QUhRFFwj670

Do you want your kindergartner to start learning Spanish this fall? Lyseth Elementary School has limited kindergarten spots available in its award-winning Spanish Immersion program. This opportunity is open to all Portland families by lottery, even if they don’t live in the Lyseth neighborhood! (Please note, however, that bus transportation is only available to Lyseth neighborhood students.) Application deadline is May 15, 2025.

Students: We’re in the final stretch of the 2024-2025 school year. For a strong finish to the school year in June, BE HERE in school every day! You will get many positives – not just success in academic subjects but you’ll feel part of the school community and you’ll  grow your curiosity, creativity and sense of responsibility.

Portland High School students studying ocean science presented their work at the Coastal TRACERS Student Symposium, held at the University of Maine, Orono, in March. The PHS students were among other students from schools along the coast of Maine presenting their work at the symposium.

This years’ STEM expo kicked off on March 21 at Portland High School. The event marked the beginning of the Portland Public Schools’ 11th annual STEM Expo – a three-day event that PPS puts on each year in partnership with EnviroLogix. The STEM Expo features exhibits presented by local businesses, postsecondary schools and other organizations. 

As the weather warms and maple sugaring winds down, we are about to hear the first nocturnal sounds of peepers and  wood frogs filling the air – reminding us that spring is here! Yes, It is nearly BIG NIGHT, the first warm (above 40+ degrees), rainy spring night,  which results in amphibian migration all across the region.  Salamanders and frogs travel up to a quarter mile and have a 1 in 5 chance of being hit by a car as they traverse the wet roads to their breeding grounds. 

In March, PATHS students participated in the SkillsUSA State Championship, distinguishing themselves competing against students from Career and Technical Education schools across the state in career-focused skills competitions. During the event PATHS students put their talent, dedication, and skill on display, bringing home an impressive 10 medals! 

For the second year in a row, the Portland Public Schools has achieved gold status as a Northeast Behavior Interventions and Supports (NEPBIS) District of Distinction. This honor is awarded to districts that have met rigorous criteria for implementing district level Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and have a high percentage of schools that have met the benchmark for Tier 1 PBIS fidelity. Having schools reach this Tier 1 benchmark is listed as one of PPS’ measures in the strategic plan. 

The students in our Make It Happen Program (MIH) have been hard at work practicing their performances for the Sips, Sweets and Stories event coming up on April 16th. Don't miss your chance to hear students share their personal journeys—stories of resilience, culture, and dreams for the future, while enjoying a delicious selection of international drinks and desserts. Your ticket helps support college readiness opportunities for our multilingual students! Tickets available now: tinyurl.com/MIHevent

The Portland Public Schools has four open leadership opportunities at our elementary schools: Lyseth principal, Rowe principal, Reiche lead teacher, and Peaks/Cliff island schools teaching principal. If you know someone who would love to be part of Maine's largest, most diverse school district – whose mission it is to ensure a challenging, relevant, and joyful education that empowers every learner to make a difference in the world – please urge them to apply. We offer competitive wages and a full range of benefits. 

CBHS is looking for host families! From June 18-25, you have the incredible opportunity to open your home and your heart to a student(s) participating in the American Exchange Project. That unique domestic exchange program connects young Americans from diverse backgrounds  and different communities around our country with students and other members of another community – such as Portland – to foster understanding and build bridges across our nation.

The Portland City Clerk's office is seeking volunteers to serve on a new Social Housing Task Force. Mayor Mark Dion will select the members with input from the City Council. Interested applicants can apply by submitting a resume and cover letter via email to cityclerk@portlandmaine.gov. The deadline is Wednesday, April 30, or until filled. The primary objective of the group will be to study and propose a framework for government-led social housing, prioritizing permanent affordability, environmental sustainability, and inclusivity.

The season begins in early April and ends early June–no experience required! Openings are available for three age groups, both boys and girls:

• 3&4 Grade
• 5&6 Grade
• 7&8 Grade

For further information or questions please email: president@backbaylax.com. Register at: www.backbaylax.com

Cinderella Project of Maine will be doing a prom dress giveaway Friday and Saturday, April 11-12 in Searsport. This is free to all Maine High School students and will be by appointment only! Register at:

• Facebook.com/CinderellaProjectMaine
• Online at waldocap.org
• Or call (207) 338-6809