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Ocean Avenue Friday Notes

Check out this week's Friday Notes for October 10, 2024. Find important dates, learn about school happenings, and read updates from our PTO. 

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Summer Nutrition Program for Kids

Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) addresses summer hunger by offering meals to children.

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View Our Calendar

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

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Ocean Elementary Calendar

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News/Announcements

Ocean Ave News

Catch up on the latest school news and events.

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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!
School Flu Vaccine Clinics in October

The Portland Public Schools will again be partnering with Northern Light to offer flu vaccines in our schools for students and staff. Students and staff must enroll a week prior to the clinic. Unlike previous years, there will not be any same-day enrollments for the flu clinics.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about School Flu Vaccine Clinics in October
Announcement of ribbon-cutting celebrations for Presumpscot, Longfellow and Reiche elementary schools

On Saturday, Sept. 21, the Portland Public Schools will hold ribbon cuttings to celebrate the completion of the renovation projects at Presumpscot, Longfellow and Reiche elementary schools! City voters in 2017 approved a $64 million Buildings for Our Future (BFOF) bond for renovations to Lyseth, Presumpscot, Longfellow and Reiche elementary schools. The renovations to Lyseth were finished in 2021, and a community celebration was held then.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS to Celebrate School Renovations
Flyer for All Staff Welcome Event Aug. 28, 2024

The entire PPS employee community gathered together on Wednesday, Aug. 28, in Merrill Auditorium to launch the 2024-2025 school year as one team, generating energy, inspiration, and a shared sense of belonging. The All Staff Welcome event also included a foundational overview of the district’s new strategic plan and priorities for the new school year.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS in 2024-2025: One Team, One Plan
Boundaries Committee Members Appointed

At its Aug. 20 meeting, the Portland Board of Public Education unanimously approved the appointment of the members of the district’s new Community Advisory Committee on Attendance Boundaries for PreK-8 Schools. The new Boundaries Committee is tasked with evaluating whether, and how, the district should redraw the enrollment boundaries for some or all of its elementary and middle schools to achieve more equitable enrollment and demographic balance. Also, the committee will consider whether changes should be made to the district’s current middle school model to better reflect current and future enrollment and better promote equity and achievement.

  • Elementary Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Boundaries Committee Members Appointed
New School Leaders Appointed

At its Aug. 6 meeting, the Board of Public Education approved the appointment of Darralynn Jones as Lyman Moore Middle School Principal and also of three assistant principals: Alberto Morales at Casco Bay High School, Kristin Rogers at Talbot Community School; and Rebecca Schouvieller at Deering High School. The Board also approved the appointment of Spencer Allen as Portland High School’s co-curricular director and was introduced to David Briley as a new teacher leader at Reiche Elementary School, a teacher-led school.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about New School Leaders Appointed
Three School Board Seats on Ballot Nov. 5

Three Portland Board of Public Education seats are up for election on Nov. 5: an at-large seat and the District 1 and District 2 seats. Only the at-large seat is contested on the ballot.

That seat is currently held by Board member Nyalat Billiew, who is not seeing re-election. Two candidates are vying for that at-large seat: Maya Lena and John Rousseau, both newcomers to Portland politics. Lena is a substitute teacher and artist in Portland and a PPS parent.

  • Elementary Schools
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  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Three School Board Seats on Ballot Nov. 5
Invite to join the PrkK-8 Community Advisory Boundaries Committee

Families, students, staff and members of the community are invited to apply for the district’s newly created Community Advisory Committee on Attendance Boundaries for PreK-8 Schools.

The new committee will be evaluating whether, and how, the district should redraw the enrollment boundaries for some or all of its elementary and middle schools to achieve more equitable enrollment and demographic balance. Also, the committee will consider whether changes should be made to the district’s current middle school model to better reflect current and future enrollment and better promote equity and achievement.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Apply for the New Boundaries Committee!
Summer meals image of children eating

The Portland Public schools will be operating various summer meal sites at 11 locations across the city of Portland this summer. All children and teens 18 years and younger can receive a nutritious meal free of charge to be enjoyed on site. Most sites will begin serving on Monday, June 24.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Summer Meals Program Starts June 24!
Rachsombath “Rex” Rasmey obiturary in English & Cambodian with photo

The Portland Public Schools family mourns the loss of a sixth-grade student in about a tragic incident that occurred June 16. Rachsombath “Rex” Rasmey, a beloved member of the King Middle School family, passed away in a drowning accident at the Presumpscot River. Rex’s smile, sense of humor and positive energy will be deeply missed.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Grieves Loss of King Student
Pride Portland parade invite 2024

The Pride Portland! Parade is on Saturday, June 15, starting at 1 p.m. from Monument Square in Portland. Come out and celebrate with the Portland Public Schools as our community joins the parade to march for acceptance, equality, and inclusivity.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Join PPS in Pride Parade June 15!
City Voters Approve FY25 School Budget!

Portland voters on June 11 resoundingly approved the Portland Public Schools’ $161.4 million budget for fiscal year 2025. The vote was more than 70 percent in favor of ratifying the FY25 budget.

“We are deeply grateful to Portland voters for approving our school budget for the 2024-2025 school year,” Superintendent Ryan Scallon and Board of Public Education Chair Sarah Lentz said in a joint statement. “In the face of daunting fiscal challenges, this budget is as responsive as possible to the needs of our students, staff and families, while also keeping in mind the concerns of taxpayers. The budget is grounded in equity, centers students, supports staff, provides additional resources to schools and is aligned to our emerging strategic plan. Thank you to Portland voters for demonstrating once again at the polls the value you place on a quality public education for our City’s children.”

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about City Voters Approve FY25 School Budget!
Last Day of School Reminder

The last day of school for students this year will be Friday, June 14, 2024, and the last day for teachers will be Monday, June 17, 2024. 

Those end dates reflect an extension of the school year by two days due to the inclement weather "snow days" that the Portland Public Schools called on Monday, March 25, and Thursday, April 4, following storms and power outages.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Last Day of School Reminder
retirement

More than 40 Portland Public Schools employees have retired or will soon retire this school year. The retirees were honored by the Portland Board of Public Education and the district in a ceremony on Tuesday, June 4. Those recognized have served throughout the district and held a wide variety of roles in service of students and families. 

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Retirees Honored June 4
Social Media flyer encouraging vote on FY25 School Budget June 11

The school budget for the next school year goes to Portland city voters on Tuesday, June 11. Please make sure to make your voice heard by casting your vote. Everyone’s participation is crucial in ensuring the best for our schools and students. Every vote counts to get our budget for the 2024-2025 school year approved! Go to the City of Portland’s Elections & Voting page to learn more and find your polling place.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about School Budget Vote Is June 11!
Elementary and Secondary Education Act image

The Portland Public Schools accepts funding through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. As part of ESEA, Portland is required to provide reasonable opportunity for public comment on the consolidated application and consider such comment prior to the submission of the application. Portland is accepting public comment on the ESEA application through June 30, 2024. Here’s a description of proposed programming. Here is the Feedback Form to share your thoughts about the application’s goals and priorities.

  • Elementary Schools
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  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Public Feedback Invited for ESEA Application
Council Approves FY25 School Budget

The City Council voted unanimously on May 20 to approve the 2024-2025 school year budget recommended by the Portland Board of Public Education. The vote now sends the budget to City voters on June 11. The budget includes strategic funding for increased student mental health, reading support, special education and school climate, as well as increased rigor in the classroom, while maintaining funding for athletics, extracurriculars, and class sizes. It also is cognizant of Portland taxpayers in the face of unique fiscal challenges, including the loss of more than $9 million in federal COVID relief funds. The budget totals $161.4 million in local and non-local funds. The Council’s vote was on the $154 million local portion of the budget.

  • Elementary Schools
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  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about Council Approves FY25 School Budget
PPS Honored for Environmental Learning

The Portland Public Schools recently was recognized with the School of the Year Award from the Maine Environmental Education Association. PPS was among the honorees at the MEEA Annual Awards Ceremony on May 10 that were selected for representing "the many diverse ways educators, students, school staff, organizations, and businesses contribute to Maine’s thriving environmental education ecosystem."

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about PPS Honored for Environmental Learning
City Council Receives FY25 School Budget

The proposed school budget for the 2024-2025 school year is now in the hands of the City Council, which sets for the bottom line of the school budget. On Monday, April 22, the Council voted to receive the $161.4 million fiscal year 2025 school budget that the Board of Public Education approved on April 9.

  • Elementary Schools
  • High Schools
  • Middle Schools
  • Portland Adult Education
  • Portland Public Schools
Read More about City Council Receives FY25 School Budget

Testimonials

What students, parents and faculty have to say about our school.

“I am repeatedly impressed with the level of my daughter's academics...the quality of the teachers is remarkable."

  • PPS Parent

"I'm proud to work for an educational system that constantly tries to improve and values everyone."

  • PPS Faculty

Ocean Ave at a Glance

Facts About Our School

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345

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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12

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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