April 4, 2024 - Portland Public Schools

DISTRICT NEWS

The Portland Board of Public Education is scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote next week on an FY25 school budget to recommend to the City Council. The Board’s hybrid meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 9, beginning at 6 p.m. in person at Casco Bay High School and also virtually via Zoom. Joining information and the agenda will be posted on BoardDocs.

Read More about FY25 Budget Update

PPS Update COVID-19 Guidance

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has recently updated guidance on COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Please click HERE to learn about the new guidance and how it impacts staff and students at the Portland Public Schools.

Community Invited to Upcoming ‘High School of the Future’ Meeting

Portland has an amazing opportunity in 2024 to apply for funds through the Maine Department of Education to reimagine and consolidate our high schools, our career and technical high school (PATHS), Portland Adult Education, and post-secondary partnerships into a cutting edge, 9-16 learning environment on one campus.

PPS Students ‘Draw Outside of the Box’ Finalists

Five Portland Public Schools students are among the 30 K-12 finalists in Otto Pizza's 2024 "Draw Outside of the Box" contest. These 30 design entries have moved on to the next phase of the contest in which Otto's panel of design experts and former winners will select, by way of ranked choice vote, the first, second, and third place winners in each category.

PPS to Give Eclipse Glasses to Students

There will be a full solar eclipse viewable in Maine on Monday, April 8, at 3:28 pm. While the full eclipse will only be visible elsewhere in Maine, there will be a partial eclipse visible in Portland. To help Portland Public Schools students be able to view the eclipse safely without harming their eyes, the Foundation for Portland Public Schools has protective purchased solar eclipse glasses for all students that will be distributed in school on April 8.

Moore To Host Citizenship Event April 5!

Lyman Moore Middle School students will deepen their understanding of what it means to be an American when the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalizes 55 candidates for citizenship during a ceremony at the school on Friday, April 5.

Hosting naturalization ceremonies is a decades-long tradition at Moore, said grade 7 social studies teacher David Hilton, who leads the effort to have USCIS select the school as a host site.

PPS 10th Annual STEM Expo Underway

The Portland Public Schools 10th Annual STEM Expo, which PPS kicked off on March 22 at Portland High School. WMTW-Channel 8 TV was on hand to cover the event, which PPS puts on each year in partnership with EnviroLogix, and TV8 meteorologist Ted McInerney made a presentation to students on forecasting the weather. Watch: Portland Schools STEM EXPO: Portland High School

PHS Students Visit SMCC to Prepare for College

On Friday, March 22, school counselors at Portland High School took a group of 36 seniors to Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) to register for classes. Students were able to tour the campus, eat lunch, get their SMCC ID's, and connect with SMCC staff and advisors.

All City Concert Celebrates Music!

On March 13, the Portland Public Schools held its 44th annual All City Concert at Deering High School, celebrating Music in Our Schools Month.

Outdoor Adventure Activities at Rowe

A new partnership between Rowe Elementary School and Rippleffect has resulted in the introduction of a climbing wall and ropes course at the school.

Lyseth Pre-K Students Celebrate Learning!

On March 7, pre-K students at Lyseth Elementary School held a Celebration of learning. “This was the culmination of our "World of Color Unit," the completion of our Side x Side project, and a showcase of the children's art and writing,” explained teacher Christine Wirth.

Central Office to Display Student Art from “Black History is Made Every Day” Contest

Thanks to the Continuum Arts Collective and Colby Senior, a community coordinator in the PPS Multilingual and Multicultural Center, for securing a very generous donation of art supplies for our middle school Make It Happen Art Competition.

Clarifying Message Regarding Allegation

Dear PPS community: To address some confusion among members of the public, please note that it is the Portland OREGON Public Schools district – NOT the Portland MAINE Public Schools – that is alleged in a recent lawsuit to have failed to protect a student from sexual assault. Our school district is committed to providing a safe and equitable educational environment.

PPS IN THE PRESS

WGME Channel 13 TV, March 20, 2024: Kindergarteners explore sugar house and Wabanaki origins of maple sugaring in Portlandof maple sugaring in Portland (opens in new window/tab)

PORTLAND (WGME) - Kindergarteners in Portland made a “sweet” trip on Wednesday to check out a sugar house and learn about the indigenous origins of maple sugaring. Portland Public Schools says it's part of a Wabanaki studies unit.

The Forecaster, March 29, 2024: Deering Rams Winter Athletes of the Year

Deering High School state champion wrestler Pedro Lombi wins again and is joined by hoops standout Natalie Santiago.

The Forecaster, March 29, 2024: Portland Bulldogs Winter Athletes of the Year

Portland High School swim champion Maria DelMonte and track star Nathan Blades are both honored for second time.

RECOGNITIONS

It’s Assistant Principals Week!

National Assistant Principals Week, April 1-5, 2024, is a time to honor and celebrate the contributions of our assistant principals to the success of our students. Assistant principals have complex jobs. Their duties include supporting teachers and their principal, motivating students and creating a positive learning community – as well as facing the many unpredictable challenges that land on their desk each day. Portland Public Schools is deeply grateful to all these key staff members for all they do to ensure that our students succeed. Thank you!

Technology Coordinator Wins MASL Award

Courtney Graffius, the Portland Public Schools’ technology integration coordinator, received the 2024 School Administrator of the Year award presented by the Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL).The award honors administrators who have helped to develop strong and effective school library media programs in their district. Courtney was nominated by PPS librarians in recognition of all she has done to help build and advocate for library programming in the Portland Public Schools.

PPS Students Win Awards at Maine State Science Fair

The 2024 Maine State Science Fair took place on March 23 at the University of Maine. The Portland Public Schools students distinguished themselves at the event. The following students received awards:

Violet Blum Levine, Deering High School, second place, Chemistry & Materials
Olivia Chong, Casco Bay High School, Reach Award from the Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance
Fiona Johnson, Casco Bay High School, special award from the Association for Women Geoscientists
Ben Medd, Casco Bay High School, third place, Animal Sciences – Behavior & Ecology
Ella Sobol, Casco Bay High School, $2,000 scholarship from the University of Maine’s School of Forest Resources

DHS Trivia Team’s Quiz Bowl a Success!

The Deering High School Trivia Team hosted a Winter Invitational Quiz Bowl Tournament on March 2 – to great success! The inaugural event brought together high school students from across Maine to showcase their knowledge and compete in a daylong battle of wits.

DHS Athletic Trainer is Exemplary!

Congratulations to Greg Tosi, Deering High School longtime athletic trainer, for receiving the Bill Cox Service Award in April! His dedication to athletes’ well-being and his professionalism are exemplary.

DHS Students Promote E-waste Awareness

Deering High School seniors Jamie Smith and Isaac Rojas tackled e-waste in their capstone. Collecting electronics campus-wide, they set an example in environmental stewardship

PHS Student Selected for Youth Leadership Institute

Lucas Pérez, an 11th-grade student at Portland High School, was recently selected for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Youth Leadership Institute, to be held this summer at the University of Southern California. “This is a huge honor,” said PHS school counselor Marisa Emerson. “He was one of only around 400 applicants selected from a field of over 4,000.”

PATHS Students Excel at SkillsUSA Conference

Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS) students racked up multiple outstanding achievements at the 2024 Maine SkillsUSA State Conference in March. These talented PATHS students have showcased exceptional skills, dedication, and perseverance, setting the bar high for excellence in their respective fields,” said PATHS Director Kevin Stilpen. Listed are the PATHS students and their sending schools:

Gold Medal State Pin Design: Julia Marquardt-Luesma, Casco Bay High School
Gold Medal Health Knowledge Bowl: Annabelle Fearon, PATHS; Nadiya Feroze, Casco Bay High School; Trinity Grenier, Falmouth High school; and Sloane Redan , Falmouth High School
Gold Medal Diesel Equipment Technology: Trevor Low, Falmouth High School
Gold Medal Automotive Maintenance & Repair: Nolan Swett, Gray-New Gloucester High School
Gold Medal Carpentry Knowledge: Jason Hargesheimer, Falmouth High School
Silver Medal Medical Math:Ian Gallagher, Portland High School
Silver Medal Carpentry Knowledge: Eden Saylor Greely High School
Silver Medal Automotive Service Technology: Will Cuttler, Gray-New Gloucester High School
Silver Medal Diesel Equipment Technology: Tove Pranger, South Portland High School
Bronze MedaL Early Childhood Education:Megan Torok , Gray-New Gloucester High School

Exemplary Students Win Principal’s Awards

Each year, Maine high school principals nominate one senior from their schools to receive an MPA Principal’s Award. The award, sponsored by the Maine Principals' Association, is given in recognition of a high school senior's academic achievement and good citizenship.

The 2024 MPA Principal’s Award winners from the Portland Public Schools’ three high schools were: Caden Hemond, at Portland High School, selected by Principal Sheila Jepson; Trip Marston at Deering High School, selected by Assistant Principal Halima Noor; and Olivia Chong at Casco Bay High School, selected by Principal Derek Pierce.

A Heartfelt ‘Thank you!’ to Our School Librarians!

April is National School Library Month and April 4 is National School Librarians Day – both of which celebrate the essential role of school libraries and school librarians in transforming learning. The Portland Public Schools is deeply grateful to our school librarians for your dedication and service!

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Enjoy Food, Dancing & Fun for a Cause at Rock Around the World!

Secure your ticket now to experience the exciting festivities on tap for this year’s Rock Around the World! Join us on Friday, April 26th at Ocean Gateway as we celebrate the resurrection of the Multilingual & Multicultural Center’s dance and music extravaganza, overlooking Portland’s idyllic waterfront.

Summer Employment Opportunity for Educators

LearningWorks, the Portland Public Schools’ community partner for 21st century extended-day programming, is providing a summer program for 270 PPS elementary students this summer.

Time for Spring for Teachers!

Mark your calendars for May 15 and join the Foundation for Portland Public Schools at Spring for Teachers, a benefit for PPS students and for the Equity and Innovation Teacher Grant program.

Lincoln Middle School Handbell Choir to Perform April 27

The Lincoln Middle School Handbell Choir is participating in the Maine Spring Ring at Auburn Middle School on Saturday, April 27. This will be a day of rehearsing with 12 other bell choirs, followed by a concert at 4 p.m. that is open to the public.

DHS 150th Anniversary Open House May 11

Deering High School is excited to announce its 150th Open House celebration, set to take place on Saturday, May 11 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. As part of Deering’s ongoing commitment to our community and alumni, the school invites everyone to an unforgettable journey through the halls of history.

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Staff & Community Newsletter - April 4, 2024

DISTRICT NEWS

PPS IN THE PRESS

RECOGNITIONS

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

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