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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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2025-2026 district calendar

At its April 8 meeting, the Board of Public Education unanimously approved a 2025-2026 district calendar that includes Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr as new district holidays. Starting in the fall, students and staff at the Portland Public Schools, Maine’s most diverse school district, can observe those major religious holidays with their families without having to miss school. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Religious Holidays Added to Calendar
"Funding our Priorities" FY26 school budget logo

The Portland Board of Public Education voted on April 8 to approve a $171.7 million school budget for the 2025-2026 school year to recommend to the City Council. The Board’s fiscal year 2026 budget focuses on strengthening student experiences and outcomes and is directly aligned to the new Strategic Plan. The Board’s recommended FY26 budget now goes to the City Council, which moves forward its bottom line. A final Council vote on the school budget is anticipated on May 19 and it will go to voters on June 10.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Board Sends FY26 Budget to Council
Halal meals graphic of student enjoying a meal

As of April 1, the PPS Food Service team has been serving halal meals as a daily lunch option. Halal refers to foods that are permissible for Muslims to consume. Halal foods are free of ingredients like pork or alcohol, and comply with rules and standards around preparation and cleanliness. PPS halal meals are healthy, more inclusive menu items that all students can enjoy – not just students who follow a halal way of eating. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Offers Students Halal Lunch Options
Sips, Sweets and Stories fundraiser graphic

Join us for Sips, Sweets, and Stories, the Portland Public Schools’ Make It Happen spring fundraiser! This unforgettable cultural tasting experience will take place on April 16 at Ocean Gateway Pier from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All funds will go to support of Make It Happen, a program that provides multilingual students with a pathway to academic success and college readiness.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Sips, Sweets, & Stories Set For April 16!
graphic of dates and times of Board Conversations with the Community

You're invited to join the conversation on the proposed FY26 school budget! Portland families, staff, students, and community members—the Portland Board of Public Education's Conversations with the Community events are your chance to meet with Board members and Superintendent Ryan Scallon to ask questions, share your thoughts, and discuss the budget and the future of our schools. Attend one of the in-person events in March (check out the schedule in the graphic above) or join us virtually on April 2! Virtual link: tinyurl.com/PPS4225

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Join Board Community Conversations!
Two Candidates Vying for Board Seat in June

Two candidates have qualified to be on the ballot June 10 to fill a vacant seat on the Portland Board of Public Education: retired PPS music teacher Jayne Sawtelle and building contractor and PPS parent Cassidy LaCroix. They are vying for an at-large seat vacated by Benjamin Grant, who was elected to the City Council this past November.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Two Candidates Vying for Board Seat in June
"I Mörkret,” a portrait in colored pencil on paper by a Portland High School senior

It's Youth Art Month and in collaboration with the Maine Art Education Association, the PMA is hosting its yearly exhibit of artwork from students from around Maine in kindergarten through grade 12. This year, the Portland Public Schools has the largest showing of young artists of any district!

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Students' Artwork Displayed at PMA
"Funding our Priorities" FY26 school budget logo

Superintendent Ryan Scallon on March 4 presented the Portland Board of Public Education with a recommended $171.7 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The FY26 budget was developed after extensive engagement with the community, staff and school leadership, and proposes strengthening the music program at the high schools, increased rigor and support at the middle schools, adding reading support at the elementary schools, and additional staffing and programmatic support for special education district-wide. The proposed budget would raise the school portion of property taxes by 5.3%, resulting in an increase of $210 per year or $17.5 per month for the owner of a median-priced home.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Superintendent Presents FY26 Budget Proposal
Boundaries Committee graphic

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

  • Elementary Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Dec. 19 Boundaries Committee Update
Maine's tree in Washington, D.C. with ornaments from EECS students

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.

  • East End Community School
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about EECS Students’ Ornaments in D.C.!
High School for Future image of graduation cap

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.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about High School Design Update
State of Schools 2024 flyer image

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.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about State of Schools Address Dec. 16
Hayley Didriksen. Senior Director of Data & Assessment. August 2024

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.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about School Board Inauguration 2024
Lobster buoys painted as flags display

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.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about MLMC Art Display Celebrates Diversity
Fiona Hopper, Bridgid Neptune receive award from Bowdoin Professor Doris Santoro

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.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Wabanaki Curriculum Creators Honored
Snow Day Plans 2024-2025

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. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Snow Day Plans 2024-2025
Newcomers, Incumbent Win Board Seats

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. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Newcomers, Incumbent Win Board Seats
Ed Tech Contract Approved!

The Board of Public Education has voted to approve a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the union representing the district’s educational technicians. The new contract recognizes the important work of these valued employees and makes the Portland Public Schools more competitive with other districts.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Ed Tech Contract Approved!
Graphic advertising for volunteers at PPS

There are many ways to volunteer in The Portland Public Schools. Volunteers are always needed for classroom assistance, after-school tutoring, and chaperoning field trips. In addition, there are a wide variety of other volunteer opportunities. Check out the following examples and volunteer to make a difference in the lives of our students:

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Needs YOU – To Volunteer!
2024-2025 DOE Maine Teacher Leader Fellows group photo

Joshua Chard, East End Community School teacher and 2024 Maine Teacher of the Year, and Melissa Frans, PPS special education multilingual coordinator, have been named as Maine Department of Education 2024/25 Teacher Leader Fellows – a cohort of six extraordinary educators from across the state. The six will share their expertise in civics, personal finance, integrated arts, and multilingual learning, including teaching multilingual learners with disabilities, with other educators across the state.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Educators DOE Teacher Leader Fellows
Crossing Guard job ad flyer Fall 2024

The Portland Public Schools needs school crossing guards. Be a local hero to help students get to and from school safely! Rewarding work with no nights, weekends or holidays. Earn $20 per hour plus bonus time! For more information, call Area Supervisor Lenore at (207) 680-0180, text “KIDSSAFE” to 22100 or visit: https://acmssafety.com/careers/

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Crossing Guards Needed!

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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57%

Economically Disadvantaged 

Students are identified as economically disadvantaged based on eligibility for free or reduced-price meal programs or other criteria reflecting economic need.

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