PPS in the Press
Below is a sampling of media coverage highlighting the great students, staff, schools and programs of the Portland Public Schools:
![Flyer for Grace Valenzuela's Lifetime Achievement Award Nov. 22]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732738333/portlandschoolsorg/b9r7gbrczlhfhdw92pm0/GraceValenzuelaMABEs50thAward.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732738333/portlandschoolsorg/b9r7gbrczlhfhdw92pm0/GraceValenzuelaMABEs50thAward.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732738333/portlandschoolsorg/b9r7gbrczlhfhdw92pm0/GraceValenzuelaMABEs50thAward.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732738333/portlandschoolsorg/b9r7gbrczlhfhdw92pm0/GraceValenzuelaMABEs50thAward.jpg","width":1152}])
Grace Valenzuela, Portland Public Schools’ director of communications and community partnerships, received a Lifetime Recognition Award from the Northeast chapter of the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education on Nov. 22. MABE is a nonprofit organization of educators promoting multilingualism and multiculturalism that was formed 50 years ago. Read more in this Nov. 27 article in The Forecaster.
![Superintendent Ryan Scallon photo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733407936/portlandschoolsorg/mdtyhq2dfabmkqamdct0/Ryan_Scallon_24-25.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733407936/portlandschoolsorg/mdtyhq2dfabmkqamdct0/Ryan_Scallon_24-25.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733407936/portlandschoolsorg/mdtyhq2dfabmkqamdct0/Ryan_Scallon_24-25.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1733407936/portlandschoolsorg/mdtyhq2dfabmkqamdct0/Ryan_Scallon_24-25.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1733407936/portlandschoolsorg/mdtyhq2dfabmkqamdct0/Ryan_Scallon_24-25.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733407936/portlandschoolsorg/mdtyhq2dfabmkqamdct0/Ryan_Scallon_24-25.png","width":1692}])
In PPS Superintendent Ryan Scallon's November column in The Forecaster, he discusses initiatives in the new Strategic Plan to grow the district's capacity to deliver special education services.
![Bulldogs celebrate their football win Nov. 23]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733407954/portlandschoolsorg/t8cemzashw4abjuw3vse/BulldogsStateGamescreenshotNov2024.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733407954/portlandschoolsorg/t8cemzashw4abjuw3vse/BulldogsStateGamescreenshotNov2024.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733407954/portlandschoolsorg/t8cemzashw4abjuw3vse/BulldogsStateGamescreenshotNov2024.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733407954/portlandschoolsorg/t8cemzashw4abjuw3vse/BulldogsStateGamescreenshotNov2024.png","width":928}])
On Nov. 23, the Bulldogs broke open a close game in the second half to beat Thornton Academy for their first state title since 2002. Read more in this Portland Press Herald story.
![Fiona Hopper Bridgid Neptune Doris Santoro at Common Good Award ceremony]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732722520/portlandschoolsorg/c3d2r8enoheidd6yn4ff/hopper-neptune-santoro-1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732722520/portlandschoolsorg/c3d2r8enoheidd6yn4ff/hopper-neptune-santoro-1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732722520/portlandschoolsorg/c3d2r8enoheidd6yn4ff/hopper-neptune-santoro-1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732722520/portlandschoolsorg/c3d2r8enoheidd6yn4ff/hopper-neptune-santoro-1.jpg","width":1000}])
Portland Public Schools Wabanaki Studies Coordinator Fiona Hopper and Indigenous Advisor Bridgid Neptune were honored with the Education for the Common Good Award for developing the new curriculum. Learn more in this Nov. 22 story in The Forecaster.
![Photo of King Middle School students on Maine Bioscience Day]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732721863/portlandschoolsorg/m9csn8juu7nc3xynp5dj/Screenshot2024-11-27at103639AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732721863/portlandschoolsorg/m9csn8juu7nc3xynp5dj/Screenshot2024-11-27at103639AM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732721863/portlandschoolsorg/m9csn8juu7nc3xynp5dj/Screenshot2024-11-27at103639AM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1732721863/portlandschoolsorg/m9csn8juu7nc3xynp5dj/Screenshot2024-11-27at103639AM.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732721863/portlandschoolsorg/m9csn8juu7nc3xynp5dj/Screenshot2024-11-27at103639AM.png","width":1244}])
On Maine Bioscience Day, Nov. 20, thousands of sixth-grade students across the state learned more about the field as employees of bioscience companies and research institutions visited more than 50 schools statewide. At King Middle School in Portland, students worked with four scientists from Advanced Instruments in Westbrook. Learn more in this Nov. 20 Channel 13 story.
![Photo of PHS standout athletes]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732721421/portlandschoolsorg/dmjamegopgpfbgtojdgr/PHSSoccerstandouts.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732721421/portlandschoolsorg/dmjamegopgpfbgtojdgr/PHSSoccerstandouts.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732721421/portlandschoolsorg/dmjamegopgpfbgtojdgr/PHSSoccerstandouts.jpg","width":750}])
Two Portland High School standout athletes enjoyed the well-deserved limelight Friday morning at a ceremony in the school’s Alumni Hall, where they announced their plans to compete next year at the Division I level. Read this Nov. 15 story in The Forecaster.
![Photo of Deering High School Rams football player]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733408000/portlandschoolsorg/agkyiduzmafoksym6gau/DeeringRamplayerNov2024.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733408000/portlandschoolsorg/agkyiduzmafoksym6gau/DeeringRamplayerNov2024.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733408000/portlandschoolsorg/agkyiduzmafoksym6gau/DeeringRamplayerNov2024.jpg","width":750}])
Going from winless as freshmen to the Class B South football final is quite an accomplishment for Deering High football seniors, like standout quarterback/safety/kicker Tavian Lauture. Learn more in the Nov. 14 Portland Press Herald story.
![Photo of PAE students' forum]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732720563/portlandschoolsorg/bbpjmqf3nprybr0nbgia/PAEESOLforumOctober2024.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732720563/portlandschoolsorg/bbpjmqf3nprybr0nbgia/PAEESOLforumOctober2024.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732720563/portlandschoolsorg/bbpjmqf3nprybr0nbgia/PAEESOLforumOctober2024.jpg","width":750}])
Instead of asking questions about the complexities of English grammar, a panel of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers taking English classes at Portland Adult Education peppered elected officials about the governmental workings of Portland and the United States. Read this Nov. 4 story in The Forecaster.
![Photo of issues forum led by PAE students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732663211/portlandschoolsorg/mk1wk8hgguqjm65rxgc0/PAEForumphotoOct2024.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732663211/portlandschoolsorg/mk1wk8hgguqjm65rxgc0/PAEForumphotoOct2024.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732663211/portlandschoolsorg/mk1wk8hgguqjm65rxgc0/PAEForumphotoOct2024.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732663211/portlandschoolsorg/mk1wk8hgguqjm65rxgc0/PAEForumphotoOct2024.png","width":970}])
Some of Maine’s newest residents are learning a lot more than just English. They are also figuring out what it means to be an American. On Oct. 29, 75 Portland Adult Education students took part in a forum to talk about local issues. They come from countries across the globe and had been researching and preparing questions for the forum.
![Promotional poster of Yo Yo Ma]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732662750/portlandschoolsorg/yno0eoisj5akgwci3pos/Yo-YoMaPSOrehearsal.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732662750/portlandschoolsorg/yno0eoisj5akgwci3pos/Yo-YoMaPSOrehearsal.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1732662750/portlandschoolsorg/yno0eoisj5akgwci3pos/Yo-YoMaPSOrehearsal.jpg","width":600}])
On Thursday, Oct. 10, world-famous and Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma visited Merrill Auditorium for a performance with the Portland Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 100th anniversary season. Thanks to some enterprising educators, Portland Public Schools (PPS) high school orchestra students had a unique opportunity to watch Ma rehearse earlier in the day before the concert. Learn more in this Maine DOE News article.