The Brunswick School Department took a giant step forward to enhance our efficiency with the introduction of a pair of program additions that allow us to move many of our paper student forms online. Enrollment Express and Ecollect Forms, recently-added components of our PowerSchool information system, promise to save time and money while increasing the […]
Superintendent’s Notebook
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Attend school regularly to benefit from all PPS has to offer
As the new superintendent of Portland Public Schools, I’m excited to welcome students back to school. Students in grades 1-12 return Sept. 6, followed by our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students on Sept. 7. I look forward to our students showing up for day one – but also for every day of the school year. We […]
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Listening and learning to get to know Portland Public Schools
I am honored to join the Portland Public Schools community as the new superintendent. As I transition into the district, I look forward to listening and learning from all members of our community. Throughout the selection process, I had the opportunity to engage with students, families, staff and community members. While everyone answered the “What […]
Portland Superintendents’ Notebook: Powerful student voices represent the Class of 2023
We were honored this month to participate in commencement ceremonies for the Portland Public Schools’ three high schools: Portland, Deering and Casco Bay. Each school is unique and their graduation exercises for the more than 400 graduates of the Class of 2023 reflected their distinctive characteristics. However, what all three ceremonies had in common was […]
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: Celebrate our graduates and their new beginnings
The calendar tells us that the school year is winding down, and we will soon bid adieu to the Class of 2023. While we will miss our seniors as they leave Brunswick High School to begin the next stage of their life journey, graduation is a celebration, and we have much to celebrate. Let me […]
Portland Superintendents’ Notebook: Appreciating faculty, staff for dedication to Portland students
In this last month of school before regular classes end in June, it’s a good time to thank all our Portland Public Schools staff for their hard work throughout this year. We see them and we appreciate them – not just in May but all year long. May 8-12 was National Teacher Appreciation Week, and […]
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Let teachers know how much you appreciate them
In September 1970, my mother held my hand as we ascended the staircase of the primary school in Lincoln for my first day of school. The school was built in the early 1900s and I vividly remember the sound my new Buster Brown shoes made on those old wooden stairs. As I approached my kindergarten […]
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: Schools taking kids, classrooms outside
Remember how much we enjoyed class field trips? Whether it was a trip to the Museum of Science or a day at the beach studying the tidal pools with our classmates, it was fun and exciting to spend time outside of the classroom. And we learned a few things as well. Here in the Brunswick […]
Portland Superintendents’ Notebook: Let’s work together to ensure a successful school budget
June 13 is when Portland residents will vote on a school budget for the 2023-24 school year. Each year, a public referendum concludes our collaborative budget process. “Collaborative” describes something that is accomplished by working together with others. That’s exactly how the Portland Public Schools develops a school budget every year. We began the FY24 […]
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: A look into budget priorities for new year
The RSU 5 board of directors has worked diligently to develop a budget that is focused on the goals of the district and the needs of our students while remaining responsive to the needs of our taxpayers. The board of directors’ proposed operating budget for FY 24 is $39,080,569, which is an overall increase of […]