Is there a Casco Bay, Deering, and/or Portland High School graduate you think deserves recognition? The 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes Casco Bay, Deering, and/or Portland High School graduates who have notably distinguished themselves in some aspect of their lives. Make your nominations here. Awardees would be expected to attend a celebratory event in Portland on May … Read more
Anonymous donors have given the Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS) a $50,000 matching donation to launch the Ed Feeney Athletics Fund, named after retired Portland High School girls basketball coach Ed Feeney. When Portland Public Schools coaches, teachers, or school social workers learn of a student who lacks basic athletic gear to play sports, … Read more
In the last months of Gina Stivaletti’s life, she thought deeply about her legacy. She traced her 37-year career at Unum to the solid education she received in Portland Public Schools, graduating from Deering High School in 1979. She wanted to leave a gift to show her gratitude, providing 21st-century students with the same high-quality … Read more
Bangor Savings Bank is supporting the launch of a new Halal School Meals Network. Halal is a dietary law derived from Islamic teachings, meaning “lawful or permitted.” The objective of the project is to ensure that Muslim students who observe halal have equitable access to Maine’s universal school meals. As far as we know, the … Read more
A new mural at Rowe Elementary School promotes learning and beautifies the school, according to Rowe art teacher Jean Rank. Marissa Joly, a Wabanaki artist and recent graduate of the University of Southern Maine, collaborated with Rank to create the mural, which was painted by Joly and funded through a grant from the Foundation for … Read more
Starting with the December First Friday Artwalk, Central Office will begin hosting student art shows. The first exhibit will open on Friday, Dec. 1, Central Office, at 353 Cumberland Avenue. Parents, staff and community members are invited to come from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to enjoy the artwork lining the halls and in the … Read more
The Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS) has announced it is awarding $64,299 to Portland Public Schools staff members through the FPPS Equity and Innovation Grant program. Seventy-three teachers, ed techs, librarians, and other staff members will receive up to $1,250 each for classroom resources and experiences such as robotics clubs, purchasing math manipulatives, attending … Read more
Joshua Chard, a second- and third-grade looping teacher at East End Community School, has been named 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year. East End staff and students and state and local education officials celebrated Chard’s selection at that school on Wednesday morning, Oct. 11. He received multiple standing ovations from students and staff. This is the third time in … Read more
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FPPS Equity and Innovation grant applications are available now. Please note that the guidelines have changed this year and all PPS staff are now eligible to apply (not just teachers). You can read the full guidelines and apply here. The goal of this program (formally called PEF Teacher Grants) is to allow staff to invest … Read more