May 7, 2026

The Board of Public Education on March 31 approved the district calendar for the 2026-2027 school year. The calendar underwent revisions based on feedback from staff, families and the community before final approval. Because Labor Day is late in 2026—it’s on Monday, Sept. 7—students and staff will begin school before that date. This is consistent with the timing of other districts in our area and ensures that school will finish prior to the Juneteenth holiday on June 19. Teachers and ed techs will return on Aug. 24 and the first day for students in grades 1-12 will be Aug. 31. Pre-K and kindergarten students will start on Sept. 1. However, there will be no school on Friday, Sept. 4, making for a long holiday weekend. View the calendar and learn more details.

The Portland Public Schools had to close schools due to bad weather three days this school year—on Dec. 2, Jan. 7 and Jan. 26. Those three days were traditional “snow days,” when students didn’t go to school in person or learn remotely. These days need to be made up at the end of the school year, which means that the last day of school for students will be on Thursday, June 18, a half day. Friday, June 19, is Juneteenth, a district holiday, so teachers' last day will be on Monday, June 22. View the district's inclement weather plans on our website.

Portland families that are enrolling a new student or have a student moving between schools: Enrollment at the Portland Public Schools is open for the 2026-2027 school year and students also can still enroll for the current 2025-2026 school year. Registrations for the 2026-2027 school year opened on February 23, 2026 for kindergarten and on April 1, 2026 for grades 1-12. Ready to get started? Go to the Enrollment and Registration page on our website, a one-stop destination for joining our vibrant learning community.

Where do the candidates running to be governor of Maine stand when it comes to public education in our state? On Monday, May 4, the Portland Public Schools community had an opportunity to learn the candidates' positions on this important issue at a nonpartisan gubernatorial candidate forum. The event, held at Rowe Elementary School, was moderated by Deering High School students and provided an opportunity to hear how the candidates’ plans could impact students, families, and schools. The forum also showcased the civic learning that PPS provides students to help prepare them for the real world.

Just in time for this year’s prom, Maria Heilner of Portland business Wedding Angels graciously donated more than $25,000 worth of new prom dresses to Portland High School’s clothing and prom dress closet. The closet is run by PHS educational technician Amanda Kenneson. Kenneson received the dresses from Heilner and her associate, Allizah Mason, to distribute through the prom closet. Heilner also donated many dresses last year. Portland High School is very grateful for the generosity of Wedding Angels and other local businesses that help Portland Public Schools students.

Students in Renee Orcutt's third-grade class at Rowe Elementary School have won a $976 Painting for a Purpose Student Empowerment Grant for their “Kindergarten Centers” project. Working in conjunction with physical education teacher Rene Custeau, the students are creating  five movement centers in the school gym, with all four kindergarten and two pre-K classes participating. The centers will help students learn a variety of skills so they can play basketball, master an obstacle course and jump rope.

In the fall, Make It Happen 12th-graders were beginning to think about their post-graduation plans. Thanks to a grant from the Foundation for Portland Public Schools, a MIH group from Casco Bay, Deering and Portland high schools was able to visit Messina College, an undergraduate constituent part of Boston College that is designed to provide first-generation college students with an associate's degree and an option to continue at Boston College for a four-year degree. While there, the group stopped at the Boston Commons to see the bronze sculpture honoring Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

During the month of May, the Portland Public Library’s Lewis Gallery is hosting “Extracurricular: An Exhibit of Student Work”—a show curated by two Portland Public Schools students. Portland High School junior Charlotte Knake and Portland Arts & Technology HIgh School (PATHS) senior Samantha Hastings, a student in PATHS’ Commercial Art program, won a $500 Painting for a Purpose grant to work with the Portland Public Library to coordinate the students’ juried art exhibit. The show, which opened May 1, gives the community an opportunity to see, celebrate and interact with student artwork. 

On Saturday, April 11, students in the Commercial Art program at the Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) had a wonderful time volunteering and running a vendor table at the local comic convention, CAMP. With help from a Foundation for Portland Public Schools grant, students first created original comics and zines to sell at CAMP—Comic Arts Maine Portland—and PATHS was able to sponsor a table. At the event, students learned how to set up and run a vendor table and make connections with guests and they got experience managing sales. 

The Lincoln Middle School Handbell Choir, which meets before school every Thursday morning, participated in the Handbell Musicians of America Maine Spring Ring on Saturday, April 10 at Greely Middle School. There were 10 local bell choirs also participating that day. The students practiced from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a performance at 4 p.m. They rang in five "massed" ring pieces and also rang a solo piece, “Under the Sea.” The students are popular among the groups that participate as they love seeing young people ringing handbells, especially in a school environment.

On Monday April 9, Claire Chanis, Portland High School Class of 2016, visited teacher Susannah Green’s Honors French 3 class to teach the students all about cheese. Claire is the baker at Dutch’s in downtown Portland, an ACS Certified Cheese Professional and a former cheesemonger. Comté is her favorite cheese, and the one on which she centered her presentation. It is a French cheese produced in the Jura Mountains. The criteria for Comté is so specific that there is a 30-page rulebook on how to make it.

Casco Bay High School senior Rayan Altaee has won a $107 Painting for a Purpose Grant to provide safe bird habitats on the CBHS campus. “Maine appears to be a safe place because it has a lot of trees,” Rayan wrote in her grant application. “However, wildlife habitats are still being damaged. This occurs because climate change makes it difficult for wildlife. This leads to a decline in the number of wildlife. My vision for change is for the residents of Maine to improve the wildlife habitats and understand the impact they have on wildlife. As part of my Slice of the Solution, I want to place wren and bluebird houses throughout the CBHS campus.”

Presumpscot Elementary School celebrated Better World Week from April 27 to May 1. Presumpscot is a credentialed member of the EL Education network, utilizing a curriculum focused on active, project-based learning. As part of EL's national "Better World Week," Presumpscot students and staff highlighted and celebrated their school's character framework through community art projects, reflective conversations, and joy. Among activities, the school partnered with Little Chair printmaking to make wave t-shirts reflecting the diverse identities of everyone in the school community.

What do you get when PPS staff pick up their instruments, invite the community, and spend a Friday night raising money for kids? A pretty great party—and a reminder of just how much people here care. On Friday, April 3, adults from across the PPS community headed to the Portland Eagles Club for an evening fundraiser benefiting King Middle School's drama club. The draw? Live music from My Blue Monday, a band made up of PPS staff and friends: Christian Perry, AnneMarie Orth, Bobby Shaddox, and Titch. The crowd danced and rocked out to 80s music all night long.

The Ocean Avenue Elementary School fifth-grade Student Council, under the guidance of teacher Rebecca Weeks, has won a $1,000 Painting for a Purpose Student Empowerment Grant to unite the school community through free school t-shirts given to all students. "We, the students of Ocean Avenue Elementary fifth-grade Student Council, want to help bring our school community together by providing t-shirts to all our fellow students,” the students wrote in their grant application. “We believe by doing this every student will feel a sense of belonging in our school community."

Asher Banton, a Lincoln Middle School seventh-grader, auditioned and was accepted to the Maine Music Educators Association District 2 Honors Jazz Festival, which took place April 13 and 14 at Greely High School. Asher auditioned on the trombone. The middle school jazz band rehearsed for about 10 hours under a guest conductor and then performed in a concert in the evening of April 14, with other students from Falmouth, Greely and Waynflete middle schools. The Maine Honors Jazz Festival is a premier musical showcase featuring adjudicated performances for selected students.

The East End Community School PTO recently shared this account of a fun community event: On April 10, the EECS PTO hosted a fantastic family dance! We had 72 donated pizzas from six local businesses, as well as pastries and cookies. The gym and cafe were decorated with some beautiful decorations made by students and parents. There were many family volunteers running the kitchen serving pizza and snacks. Kids and families danced the night away to some sweet, sweet jams in the gym. Several people said it was an all-time favorite event. A huge thank you to all of the EECS staff who helped and supported!

At the Maine Odyssey of the Mind tournament recently held at Edward Little High School in Auburn, four separate teams qualified to go to World Finals in Iowa in May. One team, from Rowe Elementary School, placed first in a field of nine schools across the state. They performed the problem “The Epic Quest.” Three Portland Odyssey Club teams, which have PPS students as members, also qualified to go to World Finals. One performed the problem “Life's a Ball,” placing second in their division. Another two performed the problem “Off the Rails,” placing first and second in their division. Now the teams are raising money to go to World Finals, as each team (of five to seven students) will need around $2,000 per person. Learn more at the Portland Odyssey Club page. See tournament results.

Joshua Chard, a second-grade teacher at East End Community School and the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, has been named a National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow for 2026-2027. Chard is one of just 36 educators nationally and from Canada to be chosen for the fellowship, a professional learning opportunity for pre-K-12 educators who will embark on expeditions around the world. This year’s Fellows will travel to destinations such as the Arctic, Europe and the Mediterranean, Galapágos, and the Southern Ocean on board National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ state-of-the-art expedition vessels. Chard will be participating in an expedition starting in Iceland and traversing the coast of Greenland from August 16-27.

The Portland Public Schools Annual Student Art Show at City Hall is on display for the first two full weeks of the month—until May 15. An opening reception took place on Friday, May 1, during the May First Friday Art Walk. The show features a wide range of compelling student artwork from all of our schools—from elementary school to high school. This annual art show is a highlight of the year. It is a great opportunity to see the growth and development of students from their early art experiences in kindergarten through their senior year, guided by their outstanding PPS art teachers.

Join us for the PATHS Showcase on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m., at the Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS), 196 Allen Avenue. This exciting annual event includes something for everyone: Browse PATHS’ expanded plant sale; check out a lively car show; enjoy performances by talented students in PATHS' Music program; shop for unique items created by Landscaping and Commercial Art program students; and grab delicious food prepared by students in our Food Service and Culinary Arts programs.

The Alternative Education Association (AEA) of Maine is currently accepting nominations for the 2025-2026 Alternative Educator of the Year award and the 2025-2026 Martin Mackey Memorial Scholarship for graduating seniors. AEA of Maine is also seeking submissions for a program honoring alternative education teachers and support staff who are retiring at the end of this school year. Submissions for all three opportunities are due by May 15, 2026. Learn more.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AHPERD) Teacher of the Year awards. Maine AHPERD Teacher of the Year awards are presented to health education, physical education, and adapted physical education teachers who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their students and profession. Nominations are due by Saturday, May 30, 2026. Learn more.

The Lincoln Middle School Drama Club will present “Myth-Understood” on June 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Watch as the Greek gods get to tell their versions of the myths we thought we knew. The plot involves two students writing a report on Greek mythology who get a visit from Hermes, with his signature winged helmet. He whisks them away to Mount Olympus, where gods and goddesses retell their myths to the students in a more favorable light.

Educate Maine, a community partner of Girls Who Code and the Portland Public Schools, has shared that two Girls Who Code summer camps are happening in July in Bangor and Portland. These summer camps—one free and one requiring a $30 deposit—are for students to explore coding, leadership, and real-world tech career and are now open for registration. Read on for more details.