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All PPS high school seniors and their parents are invited to attend FAFSA Nights this month at Deering High School and Portland High School for assistance completing the online FAFSA form. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Representatives from the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), high school guidance counselors, and Make It Happen! staff will be on hand to provide processing support. Interpretation will be available.

The Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS) is thrilled to bring vision vans to the Portland Public Schools (PPS) to provide students with free eye exams and glasses. On January 6-8, 2025, a van from Boston-based 20/20 Onsite will provide vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to dozens of PPS students at no cost to their families. The van will visit Reiche Community School, Gerald E. Talbot Community School, and Portland Adult Education.

The fifth monthly meeting of the district’s new Community Advisory Committee on Attendance Boundaries for PreK-8 Schools ("Attendance Boundaries Advisory Committee") took place on Dec. 19. The agenda included a review of crossing guard data and also a review of capacity per building. If you missed the meeting, you can catch up on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7mhiM8PbbIE

Led by their teacher, 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard, third-graders from East End Community School designed original ornaments for Maine’s tree in Washington, D.C. this year as part of the “America Celebrates” ornament program. Through this annual program, ordinary Americans from each state, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia create ornaments to symbolize the history, heritage, and culture of their homelands. The ornaments adorn trees representing each state, territories and D.C. that are part of the 2024 National Christmas Tree display at the White House in Washington, D.C.

On Monday, December 9, 2024, high school leaders came together and drafted an organizational structure for the high school community that honors our district's Portrait of a Graduate and Portrait of a School Community. This structure also addresses key areas outlined in the Integrated Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facility application. Read on to view the drafted organizational structure of the school community. While we will make space for feedback and revisions, this framework provides the foundation to build out and refine the rest of the design.

Board of Public Education Chair Sarah Lentz presented the annual State of the Schools address to the City Council at its 5 p.m. meeting on Monday, Dec. 16, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The City Charter requires that the Board chair deliver an annual address to the Council on the state of Portland’s public education system.

The higher education goals of students at Casco Bay High School (CBHS) will be on public display on Friday, Dec. 13, when CBHS seniors hold the school’s annual “College March” down Congress Street to the downtown post office. The 2024 College March will mark the 12th year that students have held a parade to showcase students’ educational aspirations. The entire senior class of nearly 100 students will participate in the event, mailing college applications or letters to a significant adult in their life who has supported their educational journey. The community is encouraged to come and cheer the students on!

Students and a math teacher at Deering High School recently distinguished themselves in debate, civics and research. Read on to learn more:

Rowe Elementary School physical education teacher Rene Custeau said students in grades 3 through 5 recently had an exciting opportunity to push their limits, build confidence, and experience the thrill of adventure—all thanks to the support of the FPPS Equity and Innovations Grant Program. This year, the grant, titled Empowering Students Through Outdoor Adventure: A Partnership with Ripple Effect, made it possible for all students in these grades to participate in a high ropes course challenge led by Ripple Effect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to outdoor education.

At Rowe Elementary School physical education teacher Rene Custeau shared this report on a running initiative at the school this fall: “September and October were filled with energy, enthusiasm, and a sense of community thanks to the Recess Runners Program. Kicking off on September 24th, this month-long initiative encouraged students to get moving, challenge themselves, and raise funds to support their school. And when the program culminated in a Walk-a-Thon fundraiser on October 25th, it was clear that this was more than just a fitness event—it was a celebration of student health, school spirit, and the power of working together as a community.

Construction kicked off again the week of Dec. 2 at historic Fitzpatrick Stadium, according to an announcement from Portland Hearts of Pine (“Hearts”), the new professional USL soccer club that will begin play in March 2025. Hearts said in a press release that it is coordinating with the Portland Public Schools and the City of Portland’s Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department to ensure that the construction goes smoothly and with minimal disruption.

The fourth monthly meeting of the district’s new Community Advisory Committee on Attendance Boundaries for PreK-8 Schools took place on Nov. 21. The committee’s agenda called for defining neighborhoods, identifying hazard zones and reviewing and assessing the district’s walking guidelines.

One returning Board member, two new members and five student representatives were sworn in at the Portland Board of Public Education’s Dec. 3 Inauguration Ceremony. The Board also voted for Sarah Lentz to serve for the third consecutive time as Board chair for the coming year and for Abusana “Micky” Bondo to be vice chair for a third year.

Flags painted on lobster buoys by multicultural students to resemble the flags of their birth countries formerly were exhibited at the Portland Jetport, but now are on display at PPS – just in time for Portland’s Dec. 6 First Friday Art Walk. The brightly colored “Flags on Lobster Buoys” display in the window of the district’s Multilingual & Multicultural Center sends a message of welcome and inclusion to Portland’s diverse students and families.

Jonathan Graffius, Deering High School computer science and technology teacher/building technology coordinator, is the New England Region winner of a Computer Science Teaching Excellence Award from the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). 

Dr. Grace Valenzuela, a Portland Public Schools administrator who is a long-time education and social justice advocate for multilingual students and their families, received a Lifetime Recognition Award from the Northeast chapter of the Multistate Association for Bilingual Education on Nov. 22.

Bowdoin College’s Education Department recently presented Fiona Hopper and Bridgid Neptune with its 2024 Education for the Common Good Award. Hopper is PPS’ Wabanaki Studies and Black History coordinator, who led the development of the district’s new Wabanaki Studies curriculum. Neptune, a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Nation and a former PPS parent, served as a key advisor in the development process. The award honors educators who have created positive change and dedicated themselves to the community.

The traditional Turkey Day football game between Portland and Deering high schools is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday. Nov. 28, at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Kickoff is at 10:00 a.m. this year for the 112th edition of the game. The Portland Public Schools looks forward to seeing the Portland community come out to celebrate this tradition and cheer on our students while enjoying the game. It’s also an opportunity to reconnect with former classmates and friends, while working up an appetite for the Thanksgiving meal!

Read a message from Pamela Otunnu Thomsen, PPS Director of Secondary Innovation and Outcomes, on our recent High School for the Future Listen and Learn community engagement events. Read on to learn more information and watch the final Nov. 6 virtual Listen and Learn session for PPS parents and community members on YouTube.

In cases of inclement weather, the Portland Public Schools will use up to three traditional "snow days." Our schools will be closed and students will not be expected to go to school in person or learn remotely. No school meals will be provided on snow days. 

Three Board of Public Education seats were up for election on Nov. 5: an at-large seat and the District 1 and 2 seats. Newcomers to elected office, Maya Lena and Abdulkadir Ali, who prefers to be known as Ali Ali, won the at-large and District 2 seats, respectively. Incumbent Abusana “Micky” Bondo, the current Board vice chair, was re-elected to her District 1 seat. Also, current at-large Board member Ben Grant won a City Council seat so will be resigning his Board seat by December. 

Over the past few weeks, students at Lyseth Elementary School practiced being engaged citizens as they learned about the Nov. 5 election. They learned about the Maine state ballot, including the referendum question on whether Maine should have a new state flag, and about the presidential candidates and candidates for Congress. Then, on Oct. 29, the entire school participated in the Maine State Mock Election.

At Rowe Elementary School, physical education teacher Rene Custeau does much more than teach the basics of physical education. Custeau creates opportunities for students to be engaged and excited while overcoming challenges and having fun.

World-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium on Oct. 10 and Portland Public Schools high school orchestra students had a unique opportunity to attend as Ma rehearsed with the Portland Symphony Orchestra that day – thanks to the efforts of their enterprising music teachers.

Having multilingual books in the school library is creating fun “book buddy” experiences for students at Ocean Avenue Elementary School, says Eva Platt, the school’s teacher librarian.