Staff & Community Newsletter - Nov 10, 2022

Dear Portland Public Schools families, staff and community members,

We recently submitted our enrollment numbers to the state and we have just six fewer students this school year as compared to last year. We continue to serve close to 6,500 students, which is good news after a couple of years of decreasing enrollment. We continue to be the State’s largest and most diverse school district.

A Congressional Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U.S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made Nov. 11 of each year a legal holiday—”a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day.'” Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954, replacing “Armistice” with “Veterans,” and it has since been known as Veterans Day. The Maine Department of Education has provided some educational resources to help observe the day. Learn more.

The Portland Public Schools is inviting parents to join the High School Design Team to help reenvision our high schools to better meet the changing needs of our community. Portland’s high schools have many wonderful features. We are rightly proud of much of what our schools are able to offer our diverse student body. All three of our general high schools have a rich set of traditions and unique characteristics. At the same time, we all recognize that as we focus on creating equitable outcomes for all of our students, we have a responsibility to look deeply at our high schools and continue to evolve them to meet the changing needs of our community.

Check out this Nov. 7 WGME-TV Channel 13 story on the Portland Public Schools’ amazing “Make It Happen!” program: To college and beyond: Unique Portland program shows students how to 'Make It Happen'

Painting for a Purpose, which funds PPS students' service learning projects, will hold a Holiday Mix & Mingle Open House on Nov. 19, 3-6pm, at 5 Harris Drive in Falmouth. Original, hand-painted artwork for sale! www.PaintingforaPurpose.net

The Telling Room, a literary arts education organization in Maine, has opened submissions for a statewide writing contest. Youth youth ages 6 – 18 can submit writing samples in all forms of creative and personal writing – the theme is open.The grand prize winner will receive a $250 award and will be published in The Telling Room’s Annual Anthology. Submissions close on November 30, 2022. For more information and to make a submission visit The Telling Room website.