The start of a new school year is almost upon us. This is always an exciting time at Portland Public Schools. As the summer is winding down, we are gearing up for a productive and fun year of learning and growing together.

The first day of school for most PPS students is Tuesday, August 29. There are some notable exceptions. See below for a detailed breakdown.

A little over 30 years ago, a Madison High School student named Joseph Janson had a simple wish. He wanted to go to a dance. But nothing was simple for Joseph, who was born with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy and was confined to a wheelchair. 

He confided his wish to Tony Nitz, who at that time was an educational assistant at Madison (now Leodis V. McDaniel High School). Tony had been working one-on-one with Joseph for months and he immediately went about making the young man’s dream come true.

“The truth is, I would have done anything for Joseph,” Nitz said. “He was a unique person, and we had a very special bond.”

Dear Llewellyn community,

I am pleased to announce that Diana Collins will be the new principal of Llewellyn Elementary School.

Madi Bourdon’s first book practically wrote itself. 

According to the Glencoe Elementary School counselor and Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) coordinator, it only took them an hour and a half to finish A Kid’s Book About Chosen Family, which came out this March with A Kid’s Co. publishing.

Dear staff and families,

I am pleased to announce that Lisa Ditto will be the new principal of Buckman Arts Focused Elementary School.