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EECS Educator 2024 Teacher of Year

Joshua Chard, a second- and third-grade looping teacher at East End Community School, has been named 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year.

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Bus Drop-Off Procedures for Pre-K, Kindergarteners & Students With Specialized Needs

The Portland Public Schools is committed to the safety of all students not only at school, but also when they are being transported to and from school. Read the steps that will be taken to ensure students’ safety.

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Attendance Awareness

Did you know missing 10%, or about 2 days each month over the course of a school year, can make it harder for elementary school students to learn to read?

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Our calendar contains upcoming events, holidays, and early release reminders!

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East End News

Catch up on the latest news and events.

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Deering Players Class A Trophy Winners!

The Deering Players came out on top at the Maine Drama Festival Class A regionals, held March 8 and 9 at Thornton Academy in Saco. The Deering High School team beat out several local powerhouse schools in the One Act competition with their production of Peter Bloedel’s The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet. The win means the Deering Players are now headed to the Maine Drama Festival State Class A Finals in Rockport later this month.

  • Deering High School
  • East End Community School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Deering Players Class A Trophy Winners!
2024-2025 School Year Calendar Approved

At its March 5 meeting, the Portland Board of Public Education voted to approve a calendar for the 2024-2025 school year. The first day of school for students in grades 1-12 will be Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 – the day after the Labor Day holiday. Pre-K and kindergarten students will start on Thursday, Sept. 5. The last day of school for students is expected to be Friday, June 13, 2025. Please note that the last day of school may be subject to change, depending on the number of snow days taken.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about 2024-2025 School Year Calendar Approved
PPS 10th STEM Expo Kicks Off March 22

This year marks the Portland Public Schools 10th Annual STEM Expo, which PPS puts on each year in partnership with EnviroLogix.

The STEM Expo features exhibits put on by PPS students, local businesses, postsecondary schools and other organizations. It’s a way to showcase the STEM learning occurring in Portland Public Schools’ classrooms. The Expo also expands students’ STEM knowledge and exposes them to exciting career opportunities in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.The STEM Expo will look different in 2024.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS 10th STEM Expo Kicks Off March 22
Student Work on Display for Youth Art Month

Creative artwork from Portland Public Schools students is included in the Portland Museum of Art’s annual Youth Art Month exhibition showcasing the incredible talent of art education programs across Maine. Youth Art Month, a collaboration of the PMA with the Maine Art Education Association that takes place each year in March, also is an opportunity to highlight art educators and the importance of and access to quality art programs.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Student Work on Display for Youth Art Month
Superintendent Presents FY25 Budget Proposal

On March 5, Superintendent Ryan Scallon presented the Portland Board of Public Education with a recommended $161 million budget for the 2024-2025 school year that centers students, invests in schools and is aligned to the district’s emerging strategic plan. This is the first time that the district has presented a comprehensive budget of all revenues and expenses. The budget addresses significant fiscal challenges with strategic reductions and restructuring. It would raise the school portion of the property tax rate by 6.85%, adding just under $16 per month to the annual tax bill of the median-priced home in Portland. This tax rate increase is significantly below the 17.41% that would be necessary to replace all the lost revenue and the increasing expenses that the district faces.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Superintendent Presents FY25 Budget Proposal
Q&A with 2024 MaineTOY Joshua Chard!

Joshua Chard, a second- and third-grade looping teacher at East End Community School, was named the 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year last fall. Now he’s starting off the new year by sharing his insights about teaching in a Q&A with the Maine Department of Education. Find out why this veteran educator still loves teaching – one reason is that he gets “to be playful and joyful all day long with a bunch of small people” – and also how being Deering High School’s drama director helps him in the classroom. Learn more.

  • East End Community School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Q&A with 2024 MaineTOY Joshua Chard!
Parent University 4th Grade Health Curriculum Overview

This upcoming Parent University session will offer an overview of the three-lesson fourth-grade health curriculum, which outlines the physical, social, and emotional changes that come in puberty. Also discussed will be why teaching this material is important, and what we can do together to partner to ensure a successful experience for your child

  • Elementary Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Parent University 4th Grade Health Curriculum Overview
State of Schools 2023 Presented

Portland Board of Public Education Chair Sarah Lentz presented the 2023 State of the Schools address to the City Council and the public on Monday, Dec. 18. The City Charter requires that the Board chair deliver an annual address to the Council on the state of the public education system in Portland. Here's a summary of her presentation (and you can also click on links below to read the full address and watch on YouTube).

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about State of Schools 2023 Presented
Update on Power Outages

The storm on Monday, Dec. 18 caused power outages in six of Portland's public schools. Read a message from Superintendent Ryan Scallon on how the district handled the outages and the plan for Tuesday, Dec. 19, if power is not restored by early morning:

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Update on Power Outages
Free COVID Tests Available

As a reminder to staff, students and families: Free COVID tests are available from the U. S. Government. Click HERE to learn and order your tests. 
Every U.S. household can order 4 more free COVID-19 self-tests. Self-tests (also called at-home tests and over-the-counter tests) are one of several tools that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.
If you are ill or have been exposed to COVID,  please test at home before coming to school.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Free COVID Tests Available
Board Inauguration Held Dec. 5

One returning Board member, two new members and six student representatives were sworn in at the Portland Board of Public Education’s Dec. 5 Inauguration ceremony. The Board also voted for Sarah Lentz to serve for the second time in a row be the Board’s new chair for the coming year and for Abusana “Micky” Bondo to again be vice chair for a second year.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Board Inauguration Held Dec. 5
Snow Day Plans 2023-2024

It's the time of year in Maine to expect snow storms and other types of inclement weather events. In advance of the changes in the weather, Superintendent Ryan Scallon presented the Portland Public Schools' snow day plans for the 2023-2024 school year to the Board of Public Education meeting at its Nov. 14 meeting. Here are the details:

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Snow Day Plans 2023-2024
Deering Drama Presents '12 Angry Jurors'

The Deering High School Players are set to stage an enthralling rendition of Reginald Rose's classic drama, "12 Angry Jurors." Under the guidance of Mr. Joshua Chard, 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year and Deering drama director, the Deering Players promise a compelling performance on Friday, Dec. 1, at 7 PM, and Saturday, Dec. 2, at 3 PM and 7. Suggested donation is $5+, Free for Deering students.

  • East End Community School
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Deering Drama Presents '12 Angry Jurors'
Board Chair, Vice Chair Chosen at Caucus

At its Nov. 14 meeting, the Portland Board of Public Education held a caucus to take an informal vote to select new leaders for the coming year. The Board unanimously chose current Board Chair Sarah Lentz to lead the Board again and also unanimously endorsed current Vice Chair Micky Bondo to continue in that role for the next year.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Board Chair, Vice Chair Chosen at Caucus
PPS Grieves Loss of Community Member

The Portland Public Schools mourns the loss of Joshua Seal, a beloved member of the Portland Public Schools community, who died Oct. 25 as a result of the shootings in Lewiston. Joshua, 36, who was deaf and the father of four children also part of the PPS community, was director of interpreting services for the Pine Tree Society and a former educational technician at East End Community School. “Josh was a wonderful colleague and parent, but an even better person – smart, funny and kind,” East End Community School Principal Boyd Marley said. “He did work as an ed tech with the MECDHH [Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf] program at East End for a number of years and continues to have many friends here."

  • East End Community School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Grieves Loss of Community Member
PPS Educators Awarded FPPS Grants

The Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS) announced Oct. 31 that 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 concerts, or bringing in guest lecturers. These grants will benefit thousands of students from preK through Portland Adult Education in 16 schools across the district. This year is the 15th year of the Equity and Innovation Grants Program.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Educators Awarded FPPS Grants
Podcast Features PPS Maine TOYS

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has launched a new podcast hosted by Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin featuring conversations with educators, school staff, and students. The podcast launched Oct. 19 with a conversation between Makin and two Portland Public Schools teachers who are Maine Teachers of the Year: Casco Bay High School social studies teacher Matt Bernstein, the 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year, and the newly named 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year Joshua Chard, a second- and third-grade looping teacher at East End Community School and Deering High School’s drama director.

  • Deering High School
  • East End Community School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Podcast Features PPS Maine TOYS
Wabanaki Studies & Black History Update

An update on the progress that the Portland Public Schools is making on developing and implementing a Wabanaki Studies curriculum and a Local Black History curriculum was presented at the Board of Public Education's Sept. 19 meeting. Both curricula are essential to help students gain an accurate, full and inclusive history of their state and nation. Both curricula also offer opportunities for interdisciplinary learning across all content areas, not just social studies.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Wabanaki Studies & Black History Update
Super Principal Boyd Marley

October is National Principals Month and the Portland Public Schools is taking this opportunity to shine a spotlight on our principals, who are super. We celebrate and appreciate them not only this month but always! To showcase them, we have asked our principals to answer five questions about themselves and their leadership role. We also asked what superpower they'd like to have to aid in their jobs. We're featuring each principal individually during this month. Read on to learn more about Super Principal Boyd Marley of East End Community School.

  • East End Community School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Super Principal Boyd Marley
Parent U: Left to Their Own Devices

How can we support and guide our kids safely through the challenges of the “digital wilderness”? During a Portland Public Schools Parent University session titled “Left to Their Own Devices,” and scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, we’ll look at some reasons behind this difficult-to-navigate journey for parents and how to support media balance and well-being.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Parent U: Left to Their Own Devices

Testimonials

Read testimonials about East End Community School.

"East End Community School recognized opportunities for growth, collectively established a vision, and systematically worked together to take action.”

  • The International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE)

“It is you, the young and fearless at heart, the most diverse and educated generation in our history, who the nation is waiting to lead.”

  • Barack Obama
  • President

The Windy Hill Hippo was sculpted by Irene Wanjiru.  In Swahili the word hippopotamus is Kiboko.  Thus East End’s mascot, the EECS Kiboko. 

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East End At A Glance

Facts About Our School

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386

Students Enrolled

Our students come from a wide variety of culturally rich backgrounds. We believe that learning in diverse groups prepares students to thrive.

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16

Languages Spoken by Students

Top 10 most spoken languages in the district includes: English, Somali, Arabic, Lingala, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Vietnamese and Kinyarwanda.

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44%

Free and Reduced Lunch

Free-and-reduced lunch paperwork is low due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal and state funding has enabled every student to receive free meals without requiring income verification.

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