Staff & Community Newsletter - April 28, 2023
April 28, 2023
Dear Portland Public Schools families, staff and community members,
We hope everyone had a restorative April break and that you’re geared up for a strong finish to the 2022-2023 school year.
May is right around the corner. It’s the last full month of school before we conclude regular classes in June, so it’s a perfect time to appreciate our staff for all their hard work throughout this year. In fact, we’d like to declare May 2023 as Portland Public Schools Employee Appreciation Month!
SCHOOL BOARD NEWS
On Thursday, April 27, the City Council’s Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend the Portland Board of Public Education’s $143.8 million school budget for the 2023-2024 school year to the full City Council. Members of that Council committee praised the collaborative way the district and Board worked with councilors to craft the FY24 budget and said they appreciated the efforts to meet student and staff needs while reining in costs.
DISTRICT NEWS
Due to the four snow days held this school year (on Jan. 20 and 23, Feb. 28 and March 14), the last day of school for students will now be Wednesday June 21. The last day for teachers will be Thursday, June 22. These dates have been updated on the live District calendar . You can also view and download a PDF version of the yearly calendar on that page.
This News Center Maine, Channel 6 story on the Naturalization ceremony that Lyman Moore Middle School hosted on April 7 showcases not only the new U.S. citizens but what students learned from the experience: New Americans welcomed during naturalization ceremony in Portland
In conjunction with this year’s STEM Expo, Envirologix President and CEO Bill Welch read “Libby loves Science” in this recording. In alignment with the Expo, held at district high schools March 31 and April 6 and 13, each pre-K through grade 2 classroom across the district received that STEM-related book along with the recording of Welch reading the book. The book donation was funded by Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company.
Check out this amazing video attached below on the Deering-Portland Unified Basketball Team’s season this year and feel uplifted.
Dear Portland Public Schools Community,
We are excited to invite you to a focus group for our “Portrait of a Graduate” vision on Monday, May 8, at King Middle School from 6 pm-8 pm. A Portrait of a Graduate is a shared vision of the knowledge, skills, and character traits that our students should possess upon graduation. It states what students should be able to do and what qualities they should have in order to succeed in college, career, and life. The Portrait of a Graduate vision guides curriculum and instruction, assessments, professional development for educators, and decision-making processes in the district to ensure that all students are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that await them after high school.
RECOGNITIONS
Casco Bay High School teacher Matt Bernstein, who is Maine’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, went to the White House April 24, joining other state teachers of the year from across the country for a recognition ceremony with President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Watch a YouTube video of the event.
Portland High School Principal Sheila Jepson was recognized this week for being the 2023 Maine Association of School Libraries School Administrator of the Year. The award honors administrators who, through individual leadership and sustained effort, have made worthy contributions to the operations of effective school library media services within the educational program.
EVENTS
You're Invited to Spring for Teachers, a Foundation for Portland Public Schools event.
What: A celebration and fundraiser to benefit PPS students
When: Tuesday, May 9th at 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Where: Bunker Brewing Co,17 Westfield St Unit D, Portland
Tickets: Available on Eventbrite
The inspiring sounds of the renowned Pihcintu Multinational Chorus will be heard in the acoustically superb performance space at the Franco Center in Lewiston at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are still required.
The Portland Public Schools is committed to ensuring that all students have a safe, equitable environment in which to learn. Over the last few years, the district has given particular attention to implementing policies and practices for addressing discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment, and this work involves important collaboration with many community partners. One of our partners, SafeBAE, has arranged an upcoming panel to share more about these collective efforts.
OPPORTUNITIES
Maine public high school students in the graduating classes of '24, '25, and '26 are eligible to use a tuition waiver for a two-week intensive University of Southern Maine course that introduces students to the fundamentals of design in the built environment. Students eligible for the waiver, should visit this portal. The process is complex so they should consult their guidance counselor to assist them.. Register here for the class, Art 199/299, called “The Complete City Spatial Design.”
CELEBRATIONS
Upcoming Events
Parent University
Portrait of a Graduate Focus Group
Monday, May 8, 2023 6:00-8:00 PM King Middle School
Spring for Teachers
Foundation for PPS
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 5:30-7:30 PM Bunker Brewery