Portland Public Schools

08/31/2026

See historical photos of Portland High School from the 1960s to the ’90s

The school has been around for more than 200 years.

08/31/2026

Today, Monday, August 31, is the first day of school for PPS students grades 1-12. Portland drivers: Please help keep our students safe! The Portland Police Department is passing along some tips for drivers to keep in mind.
* Adjust your route to avoid school zones.
* Slow down! Speed limits in school zones tend to be five to 10 miles per hour below the normal posted speed.
* Stop for buses. Passing a stopped school bus is against the law.
* Watch for pedestrians, especially on sidewalks and around driveways, intersections and residential neighborhoods.
* If you must drive through a school zone, give yourself extra time. Being in a hurry near pedestrians is never safe. Especially in highly populated areas, pedestrians may assume that because they can see your vehicle, you can see them and will stop.
* Avoid distractions like using a cellphone or looking for something in your car while driving in a zone with pedestrians.

08/31/2026

Happy Back to School ! 📚✂📝School begins next week! Please take the time to refresh yourself with some safety rules regarding bus safety.

* Never pass a bus from behind - or from either direction if you're on an undivided road– if it is stopped to load or unload children.
* If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
* The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
* Be alert; children often are unpredictable and always maintain a safe following distance.
* Watch for buses that are loading or unloading children.
* Visit PortlandMaine.Gov/SchoolZone for more information.

08/31/2026

Jeff Peterson of WGME-Channel 13 interviewed Superintendent Ryan Scallon at Ocean Avenue Elementary School on what students and families can look forward to this new school year.

Back to school in Portland today! Got to experience it with superintendent Ryan Scallon. The good news…. he gave me no homework assignments 🎉

Portland Public Schools
FOX23 Maine
WGME CBS 13 News, Portland

08/28/2026

Happy Back to School ! 📚✂️✏️ School begins next week and Portland police will have officers patrolling school zones during drop-off and pickup times to promote safe driving, protect students and pedestrians, and help with traffic flow. Please take the time to refresh yourself with some safety rules regarding bus safety that police have provided:
* Never pass a bus from behind - or from either direction if you're on an undivided road– if it is stopped to load or unload children.
* If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
* The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
* Be alert; children often are unpredictable and always maintain a safe following distance.
* Watch for buses that are loading or unloading children.

08/27/2026

Looking for a role where you can learn, grow, and build experience that opens doors? Join PPS as a Pre-K Special Education Ed Tech! In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience, learn alongside skilled educators, and build transferable skills for your future. Apply today: tinyurl.com/prekedtech

08/26/2026

We’re kicking off the 2026–27 school year together! 🎉

More than 1,300 Portland Public Schools employees gathered at Merrill Auditorium for our all-staff welcome event, centered on this year’s theme: Belonging. Believing. Achieving.

The event celebrated our shared work, reflected on last year’s successes, and looked ahead to how we can help every student learn, thrive, and feel connected this year.

Read more about the kickoff and what’s ahead for PPS: https://www.portlandschools.org/calendars/news/~board/district-school-news/post/staff-welcome-2026-2027

08/26/2026

If you missed the Portland Board of Public Education's Aug. 25 business meeting, catch up by watching on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlOL96oBl5k
Highlights included an update by Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools, Dr. Tremain Holloway, on implementation of the district's personal electronic device policy, and a presentation by the leadership of Portland Adult Education on their strategic plan.

Business Meeting & Executive Session AgendaTuesday, August 25, 202...