News & Events

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.

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. Those days would be made up on June 16, 17, and 18th. This would mean that the last day of school for students would be Wednesday, June 18th, and the last possible day for teachers would be Friday, June 20. (June 19 – Juneteenth – is a holiday)

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.