Skip To Main Content

Header Holder

Header Right

Schools Navs

Header Utility

Translate

Search Container

Mobile Menu Trigger ( don't delete )

Breadcrumb

Staff & Community Newsletter - May 2, 2024


DISTRICT NEWS

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. Imagine a unified high school campus that incorporates the best of our high schools and more. We are in the process of building a shared understanding as we apply for these state funds. The community is invited to a virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 8, from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. to learn more about the High School of the Future proposal, via Zoom at tinyurl.com/hs-redesign Please join us! Learn more about our High School of the Future vision.

Read More about Community Invited to Upcoming ‘High School of the Future’ Meeting
Rowe, Lyseth OM Teams Shine at Tournament

Fledgling Odyssey of the Mind teams at Rowe and Lyseth elementary schools distinguished themselves at the Northeast tournament in Biddeford April 27.

Last year, Rowe Elementary School started a parent-led Odyssey of the Mind (OM) club. The club sent three teams to the Northeast tournament and two teams placed first and second. This year, Rowe was able to send four teams of seven students each to the tournament and two teams placed in the top three.

The Classics team placed second in their problem and division, and the Rowe Technical team placed first, with the special achievement of a perfect score. In addition, Lyseth Elementary School has a newly formed parent-led OM club at Lyseth elementary. That club fielded two teams at the tournament, with their Vehicle team placing third, and their Technical team placing second.

Read More about Rowe, Lyseth OM Teams Shine at Tournament
Presumpscot Students To Improve Hiking Trail on Better World Day

Presumpscot Elementary School students are gearing up for Better World Day, which will take place on May 3 from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. This annual event is celebrated by schools in the EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) network  across the globe. The students will work with community partners to create a learning walk and restore the Presumpscot trail, making a positive impact on their community. 

Read More about Presumpscot Students To Improve Hiking Trail on Better World Day
Rock Around the World 2024 photo of dragon dance

The Portland Public Schools’ first Rock Around the World celebration since the pandemic, hosted by the district’s Multilingual and Multicultural Center at Ocean Gateway on April 26, was an unqualified success. The sold-out night of international food, dance and music was attended by 250 members of the community and raised funds to support Make It Happen, the award-winning college-readiness program for PPS multilingual middle and high school students.

Read More about Rock Around the World A Success!

PPS IN THE PRESS

 Photo from Bangor Daily News, April 5, 2024: Maine students welcome new citizens to the 'American salad bowl'

Lyman Moore Middle School students deepened their understanding of what it means to be an American when the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalized more than 50 candidates for citizenship during a ceremony at the school on April 5. Hosting naturalization ceremonies is a decades-long tradition at Moore. In the nearby cafeteria, seventh-graders handed out American flags, bottled water, hot coffee and cake, welcoming the new citizens to what students were once taught to call the “American melting pot” but are now learning to think of as the “American salad bowl.” 

Read More about Moore Students Host Successful Citizenship Ceremony

RECOGNITIONS

Bravo! To Students Learning French at Portland High School

French students at Portland High School participated this spring in the 89th annual National French Contest (Le Grand Concours), a competition sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French. The test evaluates written, oral and listening comprehension skills in French. Please extend congratulations to these students who have ranked nationally: Theodora Dugas, Nell Fernald, Andrea Lancia, Miradie Nguala, Ella Vinkemulder, Emma Walsh, Wyatt Wander and Riley Wildes, with the distinction of mention honorable awarded to Nell Fernald, Ella Vinkemulder and Emma Walsh.

Read More about Bravo! To Students Learning French at Portland High School

EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Upcoming Events

Asian American & Pacific Islander
Clothing and Textile Exhibit
Opening May 3rd at 3:30PM
Runs all through May
Central Office
353 Cumberland Ave.
 
High School Redesign
May 8, 2024
6-7:30PM

Meeting link:   https://tinyurl.com/HS-Redesign  

Seal of Biliteracy
May 20, 2024
4-5PM

Make It Happen Senior Celebration
May 21, 2024
4-7:30PM