february 6, 2026

Inside our newsletter this month:

District News

February Tech Tip: Healthy Habits

Recognitions

Standout PHS Quarterback Finalist for Fitzpatrick Trophy

PPS in the Press

Events & Opportunities

In Memoriam

Geraldine Ann Thompson Day

Join School Budget Workshop Feb. 10

On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Board of Public Education will hold a Community Budget Workshop to hear the community's priorities for the 2026-2027 school budget, as the superintendent prepares to present his fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget proposal to the Board on March 10. Read on to learn more about important FY27 school budget dates coming up soon. For agendas and Zoom links for Board meetings, go to the Board Agendas and Meetings page on our website.

Board's CIP Plan Heads to City Council

At its meeting on Jan. 27, 2026, the Board of Public Education approved a series of capital improvement projects for inclusion in Portland’s upcoming Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). These projects prioritize safety, building integrity, and the continued operation of safe, warm, and dry learning environments across the district. The plan now goes to the City Council to consider for approval. The Council typically considers the CIP in March.

The total cost of the approved projects is $5.9 million. To reduce the amount of new capital funding required, staff propose applying approximately $1.1 million in remaining bonded funds from previously approved capital projects that have been completed under budget or are no longer required as originally scoped.

Board Holds Jan. 29 Special Meeting

In light of significant student absences in the wake of a surge in immigration enforcement, the Portland Board of Public Education held a special business meeting on Thursday, Jan. 29, to consider a targeted and limited emergency remote school plan. After public comment and discussion, the Board voted not to approve an emergency remote option at the present time but to continue to monitor attendance daily; and if absences rise to 20 percent district-wide, the Board will hold an emergency meeting.

Dual-Language Survey Closes Feb. 13

As part of the district's strategic initiatives that focus on language development and support for multilingual learners, we are exploring a variety of program options, including dual language immersion programming, and are looking for community input. Please take a moment to complete this SURVEY by Friday, Feb. 13.

Pre-K Lottery Deadline: February 15

The Pre-K Lottery for the 2026-27 school year is open now! If you have a child born between October 16, 2021, and October 15, 2022, please apply right away! The lottery closes on February 15—applications received after the deadline will be added to a waitlist. Apply now.

Snow Days/Last Day of School Update

The Portland Public Schools has had to close schools due to bad weather three days so far this school year — on Tuesday, Dec. 2, on Wednesday, Jan. 7 and on Monday, Jan. 26. Those three days were traditional “snow days,” when students were not expected to go to school in person or learn remotely. These days will be made up in June.

PPS to Participate in READ Program

The READ program is a partnership between the Portland Public Library and PPS, designed to expand access to resources for young Portland residents to enhance literacy and promote a love of reading and learning all year long. All PPS schools will begin participating in the Read Program, beginning in March.

Poster image of Soccer Project coming to Talbot

Soccer Project Comes to Talbot

Hearts of Pine recently announced the expansion of its Portland Soccer Project to Talbot Community School, beginning in February. Following a groundbreaking first year of programming at East End Community School, Talbot will become the second location to host the free after-school program that helps kids develop skills in conflict resolution, self-regulation, leadership, and teamwork, all through the game of soccer.

EECS Students Visit PHS Museum

Back in March 2025, the Foundation for Portland Public Schools announced the opening of the Rosenthal Museum of Natural History at Portland High School. Thanks to a generous donation from Sam Rosenthal, PHS Class of 1971, the museum features an impressive collection of fossils, including ammonites, ancient alligator jaws, massive megalodon teeth, and dinosaur bones.

Photo of Reiche School teacher Roberta de Sousa

New Bilingual ESOL Class at Reiche

Knowing that research shows that being bilingual not only improves students’ academic outcomes but leads to better cross-cultural understanding and opportunities in today’s global world, Reiche Elementary School teacher Roberta de Sousa is leading a new initiative at Reiche this year: teaching an ESOL class to Portuguese-speaking students that focuses on both academic English and academic Portuguese to further accelerate students’ language acquisition in both languages.

DHS Pilots 'Saddle Up for Success'

Deering High School students in the Alternative Education program are participating in weekly sessions at Riding To The Top in Windham, as part of a pre-employment transition services pilot program. The program focuses on helping students develop strong communication and team-building skills, explore their strengths and gain a wide range of insights into post-secondary opportunities.

Rottkov New Head Football Coach

Dylan Rottkov, who has been Falmouth High School’s associate head coach and defensive coordinator the past two years, is now Portland High School’s new head football coach. Rottkov helped lead the Falmouth Navigators to their first ever state championship in 2024. During his time at Falmouth, the team compiled a record of 20-4 and had one of the state’s top defenses.

DHS Students attend IdeaJam at Roux Institute

A group of Deering High School Make It Happen students recently attended the IdeaJam at Northeastern University's Roux Institute, which operates as a tech talent and innovation hub for Maine and beyond. DHS Make It Happen students had the opportunity to collaboratively problem solve with international students from the Hyde School. They worked in small groups to come up with solutions to the following three-pronged challenge.

Mobile Clinic Provides Vision Exams at PPS Schools

Since December, the Greater Portland Health mobile health van has visited eight Portland elementary and middle schools to provide on-site comprehensive vision exams and glasses for students. About 65 students have participated. School nurses coordinated visits for students who needed follow-up care after vision screenings. Greater Portland Health recently added optometry services with the addition of optometrist Dr. Kathryn Regan.

PPS Network Security Incident Community Notice

The Portland Public Schools sent a notice to the PPS community on Jan. 30 about a February 2025 network security incident that caused the district to take down certain technology systems and immediately engage experienced cybersecurity professionals to determine what happened and whether there was any impact on network data. The notice speaks to the results of the investigation and to notification letters sent to impacted community members on Jan. 30.

King, PHS Partner in Supporting ACCESS Test-Takers

King Middle School in January held an assembly filled with words of encouragement and test-taking tips for seventh- and eighth-graders getting ready for the ACCESS test. In addition to viewing a video titled “Identity and ACCESS,” King students had the chance to hear from and ask questions to an expert group of Portland High Make It Happen students who shared advice and personal experience with their younger peers.

February Tech Tip: Encouraging Healthy Technology Habits

Healthy habits for children extend beyond daily routines like brushing teeth or getting enough sleep. As technology plays an increasing role in everyday life, digital well-being is an essential part of overall health.

Teaching healthy technology use does not require technical expertise. The same skills families already use—supportive conversations and positive role-modeling—can help children build awareness of how screen time affects their minds and bodies. These practices encourage balance, regular breaks, and thoughtful use of devices alongside offline activities. Common Sense Media’s 2025 Family Tech Planners, offer guidance for starting these conversations at home, with resources tailored to different age groups.

Standout PHS Quarterback Finalist for Fitzpatrick Trophy (opens in new window/tab)

Portland High School senior quarterback Cordell Jones was named in January as one of four finalists for the renowned Fitzpatrick Trophy award. Congratulations for the well-deserved honor, Cordell! Read a Jan. 15, 2026 story in the Portland Press Herald about the nomination: Meet the four Fitzpatrick Trophy finalists

UNE Students Promote Health Care at Longfellow (opens in new window/tab)

A Jan. 22, 2026 story in the news section of the University of New England's website is about dental and medical students honoring MLK Jr.’s service legacy to benefit local students. On Jan. 21, students in UNE's Colleges of Dental Medicine and Osteopathic Medicine — Maine’s only dental and medical schools — embodied the civil rights leader’s spirit of service and community by reading to youth at three locations in Portland, including LongFellow Elementary School, to answer their questions about health care. Read: UNE dental, medical students honor MLK Jr.’s service legacy by reading to local youth

Story Features EECS Efforts to Boost Student Attendance (opens in new window/tab)

The Portland Press Herald story on Dec. 27, 2025 published a story about proactive ways the district is working to improve student attendance. The work that East End Community School is doing is prominently featured. Improving attendance aligns with the Whole Student and Achievement goals of our Strategic Plan. Check out the story: How Portland is getting chronically absent students back in the classroom

Nominate Distinguished Alumni

Do you know a Casco Bay, Deering, Portland High, or Portland Adult Education graduate you think deserves recognition? If so, here’s your chance to get them the acknowledgment they deserve! The 3rd Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented at Spring for Teachers, a celebration of teachers hosted by the Foundation for Portland Public Schools, on May 6, 2026.

Apply for Scholarship by March 31

The Lindsey Vonn Foundation’s Spring 2026 Scholarship Program is open. This programmatic scholarship helps girls ages 10–18 access enrichment and sports opportunities, including training, teams, camps, competitions, arts and STEM programs, leadership experiences and related costs.

Learn about Girl Scouts February 25

Girl Scouts of Maine will be hosting a hands-on introduction to Girl Scouts through the lens of their camp and outdoor programs. Girl Scouts grow their courage, build confidence and make lifelong friends—at camp, in troops and beyond. From hiking and camping to STEM and community service, Girl Scouts offers many ways to explore, connect and lead.

A smiling elderly woman with gray hair and glasses, set against a warm, pastel-colored background.

Remembering Geraldine Ann Day

It is with great sadness that the Portland Public Schools acknowledges the passing of Geraldine Ann (Thompson) Day, a long time member of our PPS community. Ms. Day, who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, worked as a guidance counselor at Portland High School for two years before transferring to Deering High School, where she worked until her retirement in 2005. Ms. Day, 84, died on Jan. 24, 2026. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. A memorial service was held on Jan. 31. Read Ms. Day’s obituary.

The image depicts a mosque with a golden dome and minarets, along with the text %22RAMADAN%22 and information about the expected dates of the holy month.

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