Ellen Flores, left, and Jamie Pratt at the Maine Psychological Association’s annual conference in Freeport on Nov. 4. Contributed

Portland special education teacher honored

Ellen Flores, a special education teacher at Lincoln Middle School, is the recipient of the 2022 Maine Psychological Association Educator Recognition Award in honor of her commitment to advancing positive mental and behavioral health outcomes for Maine students. Flores was selected for “her skills in conducting functional behavior assessments and developing individualized behavior intervention plans; her ability to establish and maintain strong, trusting relationships with students that serve as catalysts for their growth; and her unconditional acceptance of and compassion for all students,” according to Jamie Pratt, president of the Maine Psychological Association and associate professor of educational and school psychology at the University of Southern Maine.

PAE receives nearly $1.5M for workforce projects

Portland Adult Education has received at total of $1,480,500  in Maine Department of Education grants for three Strengthening Maine Workforce projects. The funding will be used to develop, implement, continue and/or expand, workforce training programs in collaboration with employers; partner with employers to address workforce shortages in sectors impacted by the pandemic; develop and provide English language acquisition services; and improve the availability, relevance and access to English language acquisition courses.

SuperSnacks program continues in Portland

Portland Public Schools, for the fifth school year, is continuing its participation in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program for its federally assisted “SuperSnack” afterschool snack program. The program provides snacks to students in afterschool programs in qualifying schools. The district’s Food Service Department is working with the city of Portland’s Recreation Division’s Afterschool Program and the Learning Works programs.