Staff & Community Newsletter - Aug 24, 2023

Dear Portland Public Schools families, staff and community members,

We are truly in the countdown to the start of the school year. As of Friday, there will be 12 calendar days until most students return to school on Wednesday, September 6, (pre-K and kindergarten start on Thursday, September 7). It is hard to believe that we are almost there! As someone who has spent the majority of my time in Portland without most of our students in buildings, I am excited to see classrooms filled and students engaged.

At this time, everyone in the District is busy preparing to make sure that students have a great start to the school year. This includes sharing and updating bus routes, ordering food, professional development for leaders and teachers and a final cleaning of buildings. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank all of our staff and especially our operational staff. These individuals are often the unsung heroes of the District. Without them, we would not be ready for our students.

The Board of Public Education recently approved the appointments of the five assistant principals. In addition, the Portland Public Schools has filled four key leadership positions at Central Office. See the following articles to learn more:

New Leaders at Central Office & Moore, Talbot and Rowe

New Leaders at Central Office, DHS

New Assistant Principal at Presumpscot School

The Portland Public Schools is committed to the safety and welfare of our students, our staff and visitors in our schools. To ensure that everyone is prepared in the event of an emergency, the district is enhancing its procedures, frameworks and training related to student and staff safety.

In recognition of Attendance Awareness Month, which is celebrated every September, students ages 4-17 are invited to create media celebrating why they go to school. Deadline to Submit is September 30, 2023.

In a concurrent enrollment partnership with the University of Maine at Augusta, students in the Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS) Cybersecurity Program are able to earn college credit and save money while in high school.

Superintendent Ryan Scallon writes a  monthly column in The Forecaster newspaper. Check out his August column: “Attend school regularly to benefit from all PPS has to offer”

One of the last stories in the Portland Phoenix is about new Superintendent Ryan Scallon: "City of Portland, Maine Public Schools new school district leader on the job ahead" https://portlandphoenix.me/scallon-for-superintendent-portlands-new-school-district-leader-on-the-job-ahead/

The number of multilingual students in schools is growing in Maine and nationwide, including in Portland, which saw a large spike in the enrollment of multilingual students this past school year. The students are a tremendous asset to the Portland Public Schools, which is taking numerous steps to help students who have limited English learn and succeed.

Deering High School junior Sherlindary Berrios, who came to Maine about 10 months ago from Venezuela, debuted in “CarmXn,” this summer. “CarmXN” is a reinterpretation of the classic opera by Cape Elizabeth-based arts residency Hogfish, one of two young theater companies presenting works in Portland this summer that center on immigrant stories.Learn more in this Portland Press Herald story from July 26: “A city growing in diversity is attracting more diverse theater this summer.”

The annual Portland Kids Duathlon took place July 23 this year.  More than 150 kids ran and biked along Back Cove, with the event raising  more than $14,000 for the Portland Public Schools. Learn more in the WMTW-Channel 8 report: 

“Annual duathlon raises money for Portland Public Schools”

This June 21 article in the Portland Phoenix details how the  Portland Public Schools’ “Living Schoolyards” program “offers a new way to learn, inviting students to digest their curriculum through real experiences, bridging opportunity gaps and making outdoor space accessible to all students.” Read: “Portland’s outdoor-learning program levels the field.”

Check out these great community service projects by Portland Public Schools students who received Painting for a Purpose grant during the 2023-2023 school year: https://www.paintingforapurpose.net/grants-awarded-2223 Painting for a Purpose is a local nonprofit organization that brings creative people together to paint whimsical decorative items that they sell to raise money to fund service-learning projects led by PPS students who want to make a difference.

A Deering High School sophomore is featured in this story about the Pihcintu Multicultural Chorus, of which a number of PPS students are members, and the chorus’ efforts to use music to raise awareness about the challenges of war. Check out: Portland-based Pihcintu makes music video to encourage aid for Ukrainians

Deering High School Class of 2023 graduate Mae Carroll was recently named as a WMTW Scholar/Athlete for her accomplishments as a figure skater and academics. Learn more in this WMTW Channel 8-TV report: Celebrating Excellence:WMTV Scholar Athlete, Mae Carroll. A shining graduate of Deering, As we celebrate her accomplishments, we extend our heartfelt best wishes for her future pursuits. 

The Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine (HHRC Maine) announced in June that Quinn Bolster, a Casco Bay High School junior (check) was the recipient of the Mathilda Schlossberger Outstanding Student of the Year Award, for their remarkable painting, titled “Agnes and Her Mother.” 

Emily Paton, who’ll be a senior at Portland High School this fall, worked with world-class researchers on cutting-edge technologies this summer as part of  the inaugural cohort of the Roux Institute’s Young Scholars’ Program.

Register now! The Beyond Borders conference features a keynote address following a full day of breakout sessions led by experts on immigration, PreK-16 education, workforce development, and health and social services. Learn more on our website: https://www.portlandschools.org/get-involved/beyond-borders-2023-conference

Volunteers play a significant role in the success of our students! PPS welcomes volunteers and community involvement and sincerely thanks you for your generosity and support. Last year parents and community members volunteered over 94,000 hours to our schools. Each volunteer made a real difference in the lives of students. We invite you to learn more about volunteering for our schools and how you can make an impact at Portland Public Schools: Click Here

The Portland Public Schools extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of David Galin, a former PPS administrator and educator, who passed away July 9.

Beloved longtime Portland Public Schools custodian Jean Claude Phanor, 64, passed away on Aug. 16, following a brief illness. Jean Claude spent 30 years with the district, most recently working at Lyseth Elementary School, where Principal Sara Goodall shared this message: "Jean Claude was one of the kindest people; he loved his grandkids and his sons, and while the last year was hard for him, he was always a dedicated and hard worker for kids and staff and a member of the Portland Public Schools and our community for many, many years. He will be missed.