Portland Public School Department

Zachary Scrutchfield, a Portland High School junior and YOUTHINK youth board facilitator, has been named one of the Top 100 national finalists for the Case Foundation’s Make It Your Own Awards.  If he succeeds, YOUTHINK will receive funding for a Portland youth summit to bring young people together to build a sense of community, constituency and to create an agenda of priority issues throughout the city. 

Scrutchfield’s proposal, one of 4,641 submissions, describes plans for the summit. YOUTHINK, a Portland-based, youth-driven organization that empowers young people to speak and act on issues that affect their lives, will sponsor the summit in January or February.  Scrutchfield is one of the leaders in planning the event.  His proposal calls for engaging other student leaders and groups such as the Portland Youth Advisory Council.

“I’ve realized there are deep issues that keep youth and adults from working together to create a better Portland, and grants alone won’t fix them,” Scrutchfield explained in his application.  “Many teens don’t feel valued, and leave Maine as soon as possible.  We want to bring the youth community together so that we can brainstorm the different issues in neighborhoods, and start thinking about actions we can take as young people, and just get to know each other.  There aren’t many chances for people to mix it up with people who aren’t like themselves.”

As a Top 100 finalist, Scrutchfield will receive a subscription to “GOOD” magazine, a personalized webpage and fundraising “widget” for the project, $100 to begin fundraising and a copy of Peter Karoff’s book, “The World We Want.”  The Case Foundation will assign him a “proposal coach” to help strengthen his application. Scrutchfield will submit an extended proposal by November 12 for one of twenty $10,000 awards. Online voting will choose four of the top 20 projects for additional $25,000 prizes.

The Make It Your Own Awards “are a direct response to research showing that many people feel disconnected from public leaders and institutions and don’t believe they have the power to make a lasting difference in their community,” according to the Case Foundation’s website. 

Scrutchfield has been involved with YOUTHINK since 2005.  He also serves on the Portland Youth Advisory Council.

The Maine College Transition Program has awarded Portland Adult Education (PAE) a $30,000 grant to help adults prepare for college.  PAE was one of 22 organizations in Maine chosen to implement such programming.

Maine Education Commissioner Susan Gendron congratulated the grant recipients at a recent, statewide adult education directors’ meeting in Augusta.  Rob Wood, co-director of PAE, participated in the ceremony.
 
Funding for the program was included in the two-year state budget proposed by Gov. John Baldacci.  The initiative won strong support from the Maine Legislature.

The goal of the College Transition Program is to help Maine adults successfully transition to college and earn a degree. Adult education programs provide classes in subjects such as study skills, college writing, algebra, biology and chemistry.  They also help with completion of applications and financial aid forms and provide college counseling and career planning. Services are available at low cost to the individual.
 

Riverton Elementary School and Community Center has completed a $3.2 million expansion and renovation project.

The 14-month project added new wings at both ends of the building, a discovery room, a new Dental Health Center and a new Recreation Department all-purpose room.  A new ventilation system and energy efficient windows were installed.  The project also improved school security. 

The College Board has recognized 24 students and recent graduates from the Portland Public Schools for their outstanding achievement on Advanced Placement (AP) exams last May.
   
The Advanced Placement program offers college-level courses for high school students.   AP exams are graded on a five-point scale.

Fiona Wilson, the 2007 valedictorian at Portland High School, was named an AP Scholar with Distinction for receiving an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of the exams.

Twenty-three students from Portland and Deering high schools were named AP Scholars for earning an average grade of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams taken in May.

The AP Scholars from Deering are: Gavin Beirne, Jessica Hedrich, Anthony Loring, John Moore, John Neidig, Kevin Pedro, Karin Skalina, Adam Sleeper, Emily Walker, Jonathan Witt and Eliza Wood.

The AP Scholars from Portland High are: Gavin Bauer, David Bruenjes, Ryan Carmichael, Samuel Cory, Crystal Cron, Rachel Heasly, Priscilla Knox, Bly Lauritano-Werner, Aaron Peisner, Cezar Postolache, Nathaniel Walden and Adrian Williamson.

Nationwide, about 18 percent of the more than 14 million high school students who took AP exams earned recognition as AP Scholars.
   

Jane Jameson, a second and third grade English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Riverton Elementary School in Portland, won recognition as an outstanding teacher and $1,400 in classroom supplies through OfficeMax’s “A Day Made Better” program.

Employees from OfficeMax’s Portland distribution facility surprised Jameson by delivering a digital camera, printer, art supplies and other gifts to her classroom on October 2.

Jameson was one of about 1,000 teachers throughout the country recognized through the program, which is a partnership between the office supply store and the nonprofit group, Adopt-A-Classroom.

“A Day Made Better” recognizes that teachers typically spend hundreds of dollars of their own money on classroom supplies each year.  OfficeMax donated more than $1 million to schools such as Riverton through the program. 

The Portland School Committee voted unanimously to appoint Riverton Elementary School Principal Jill Blackwood as acting assistant superintendent of schools for kindergarten through eighth grade.  The committee promoted Nancy Kopack, Riverton’s assistant principal, to acting principal.

“Jill Blackwood has been an outstanding leader in the Portland Public Schools for many years,” said Jeanne Whynot-Vickers, the acting superintendent.   “I feel fortunate to be able to tap her expertise for the district as a whole.”

Blackwood achieved “master teacher” status in the Cape Elizabeth school district before becoming Riverton’s assistant principal in 1993.  Five years later, she was named principal. 

During Blackwood’s tenure, Riverton evolved from a fairly homogeneous student body to one in which 40 percent of the students come from different cultures and/or speak a language other than English at home.  Blackwood oversaw the introduction of four English as a Second Language classes at Riverton.  She helped create a culture of tolerance and acceptance of newcomers among students and staff.

Blackwood also worked to nurture Riverton’s Parent Teacher Organization and to expand the school’s partnerships with businesses and community groups such as the Center for Grieving Children.  She has served on several district committees, including one that oversaw Riverton’s recent renovation.

Blackwood holds a bachelor’s from Mount Holyoke College, a master’s in education from the University of Southern Maine (USM) and a certificate from the Maine Academy for School Leaders.  She served on the South Portland Board of Education from 1987 to 1990, including a term as chair.

Kopack has worked at Riverton since 1991.  She has taught math, special education and served as an English as a Second Language teacher for grades three through five. 

Since becoming assistant principal in 2005, Kopack has worked to establish a positive building climate through community meetings, her presence in the hall at transition times and helping students when their behavior interferes with their learning.

Kopack earned a bachelor’s degree in exceptional student education and learning disabilities from Florida Atlantic University, a master’s in education from Cambridge College and a certificate of advanced study from USM.

More than 40 percent of the juniors at Casco Bay High School in Portland are taking college courses on topics ranging from oceanography to American Sign Language and business this semester through a new Casco Bay program called U. Start Ahead.

“We are committed to providing early college experiences for all Casco Bay students,” said Principal Derek Pierce.  Students who successfully complete college courses receive both high school and college credit.  Pierce cited research by Dr. Lynne Miller, an education professor at the University of Southern Maine (USM), showing that college freshmen who arrive on campus with three to six credits are more likely to earn their degrees on time.

A college-level “Introduction to Business” course taught by a Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) professor will be offered this fall on the Casco Bay campus.  Tuition is free.

Kevin Kirby, a Casco Bay junior, enrolled in the class.  “At some point in my life, I am going to go into business, so I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity,” Kirby said. 

Nearly 20 other Casco Bay students are taking USM classes tuition-free, under an arrangement between the university and the high school.  A similar number of Casco Bay students are expected sign up for USM courses next semester.  The goal is for every Casco Bay student to have the opportunity to earn college credit before graduating.

“I wanted to see what college was like, and I felt ready for the challenge,” said Chaney Burlin, a junior, who signed up for an “Introduction of Sociology” course.  “It is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about a field I may want to pursue as a career.”

SMCC’s Office of School-College Partnerships approached Casco Bay High School with the idea of offering a course.  Business was chosen as the subject because it is relevant, matches the school’s expeditionary approach and would likely appeal to students, said Pierce.

Robert Chiozzi, an SMCC adjunct business professor, will travel to Casco Bay High School every Wednesday beginning on Oct. 3 and teach for a 2 ½-hour block.   Topics covered will include understanding the role of business in society, developing a sense of negotiation and recognizing how science, engineering and technology contribute to business success.

The Casco Bay course is part of an SMCC pilot program designed to give more students early college opportunities with the aim of increasing the number who pursue higher education, said Susan Williams, SMCC’s director of School-College Partnerships.  The college also is offering an early childhood education class at Portland Arts and Technology High School as well as courses at two other high schools in the area.

“We are thrilled that so many of our juniors are ready and willing to do college work,” said Pierce, Casco Bay’s principal.  “We expect the early college experiences will both enlighten and empower students in their final years of high school.”

The Portland School Committee has unanimously approved Jeanne Whynot-Vickers’ appointment as interim superintendent, effective immediately.

Whynot-Vickers brings 32 years of experience as a teacher and administrator.  She has worked for the Portland Public Schools for 26 years and has served as assistant superintendent since 1999.

“I am honored to become the leader of our vibrant and educationally innovative learning community,” Whynot-Vickers said.  “I am committed to restoring public confidence in our schools and look forward to having a sound financial basis so that we can again turn our primary focus to our students - assuring that all students are learning for their futures.”

Whynot-Vickers holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in elementary counseling from the University of Southern Maine.   She taught for two years at the American Community School in London before joining the Portland Public Schools in 1977.

Whynot-Vickers taught at Hall, Riverton and Lyseth elementary schools for nine years.  She was a finalist for Maine Teacher of the Year in 1986.  She served as assistant principal at the former Jack Elementary School and principal of Sawyer School in South Portland before becoming principal of Portland’s Riverton Elementary School in 1991.

Whynot-Vickers was hired as the district’s assistant superintendent for elementary education in 1999, but her duties broadened last year to include work across all grade levels.

She has served on district committees working on services for at risk students, an evaluation process for teachers and teaching standards for the Portland Public Schools.

Whynot-Vickers and her husband, Trevor, live in Portland.  They have two children who graduated from the Portland Public Schools. 
  
   

The Portland School Committee asked me to assume the interim superintendent position beginning today and ending June 30, 2008.

I am honored to be called to lead such a vibrant and educationally innovative learning community of students, teachers, staff and administrators, and am thrilled to be able to continue to serve Portland in a new capacity.

As the interim superintendent, I will continue to build upon the educational programming that currently creates opportunities for Portland students and adults as they personalize their own learning.

Continuing our commitment to professional learning communities will ensure that our staff will be highly qualified and our students will leave our doors with the knowledge, skills and beliefs that will enable them to realize their potential and successfully meet their future goals.  To do this we must be responsible to our changing community and student needs, and we must meet those changing needs with innovative and effective educational programming.

I also acknowledge the need for strong fiscal management.  I am committed to collaborating transparently with city staff and elected officials as we work through the challenges before us. 

Specifically, I intend to focus on developing a financial recovery plan that compensates for last year’s over expenditures while developing a 2008-2009 budget that is fiscally responsible and meets our students’ educational needs.

The Maine School Consolidation law requires that Portland create an Alternative Plan.  The continuing collaboration on Portland’s Alternative Plan will be an important step as we strategically address our fiscal challenges. 

Finally, I am committed to restoring public confidence in our schools and look forward to having a sound financial basis so that we can again turn our primary focus to our students – assuring that all students are learning for their futures.  

The Portland Public Schools is exploring possible ways to work with nearby school districts in providing such services as special education, bus maintenance and staff development.

A new Maine law requires school districts to either consolidate or create an alternative plan.  The Portland Public Schools is exempt from consolidation because of its large size (7,100 students).

The district has notified the Maine Department of Education that it intends instead to pursue a plan that could lead to some regional services as well as a combining of some city and school district operations.

Portland school administrators are talking with their counterparts in Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth and South Portland about the possibility of jointly providing services for students with anxiety disorder. They also have discussed collaborating on professional development opportunities.

Portland also is looking into the possibility of having the district’s school buses maintained at the South Portland School Department’s garage.  In addition, Portland city and school administrators are exploring ways to work together more efficiently in such areas as facilities and maintenance.

All of those initiatives were outlined in a “notice of intent” sent by the Portland Public Schools to the Maine Department of Education.  Education Commissioner Susan Gendron has informed the district that the notice of intent complies with the new law.