Staff & Community Newsletter - Oct 5, 2023

The Portland Public Schools' Multilingual and Multicultural Center hosted Beyond Borders: A Conference on Migration and Integration at the University of Southern Maine. The conference focused on the successful integration in the economic, social, cultural, and political life of immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants to the United States, specifically in Maine. Keynote address and breakout sessions were led by experts on immigration, PreK-16 education, workforce development, and health and social services. We welcomed hundreds of attendees from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, including educators, policymakers, entrepreneurs, business leaders and members of community-based organizations.

Here’s the latest Portland Public Schools’ Staff & Community Newsletter! To better accommodate our busy families and staff, we’re making the newsletter more focused and streamlined and will be sending it out just once per month. The newsletter will be posted on our website and sent to families and staff on the first Thursday of each month. The PPS Communications Team welcomes your newsletter feedback at communications@portlandschools.org

Mr. Chard is one of four finalists for 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year and the 2023 Cumberland County Teacher of the Year. He was nominated by his principal and assistant principal. Colleagues say he builds relationships with every student, meets every student where they’re at, and finds joy in the uniqueness of each human.

It’s easy to see why people say that about him. On a recent morning visiting Mr. Chard’s class, he and his Chardlings were happily seated on a colorful carpet, passing around a stuffed bear and telling their visitors what’s great about their school.

For Portland students heading back to Lyman Moore Middle School and Ocean Avenue Elementary School on Wednesday, it was exciting to be back on Ms. Lisa's bus.

Lisa Martel slowed to a stop in front of a cluster of parents and children standing on a street corner in Portland’s Back Cove and opened the door of her brand new school bus.

Martel enthusiastically welcomed each student as they flooded towards the bus and ascended the stairs, excited for the first day of school.

Can any of my professional certifications, work or military experience be turned into credits? Can I apply my previous credits or my associate degree toward a bachelor’s degree? What online degree programs are available? Find answers to the questions and more at an Adult Degree Completion Night hosted by the University of Southern Maine. Click here to learn more and register.