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  • Portsmouth Schools Newsletter 6.17.22

    That's a wrap.  Wishing all Portsmouth families and staff a happy and healthy summer! Portsmouth Grade 8 Drive-Thru Graduation celebration was a blast. New Franklin Grade 5 students shared their lessons learned and hopes and dreams for the future at Thursday's graduation celebration. A lesson in geometry becomes art as second graders constructed LHS out of various triangles and quadrilaterals. Dondero's bee hives produced 72 ounces of yummy honey this year  with more to come.  STEM students from Portsmouth Middle School test out their ROVs (Remote Operated Vehicles) at the UNH pool and tour the marine robotics lab. Students worked with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard over the past few months to construct submersibles. Our mailing address is: Portsmouth School District 1 Junkins Avenue, Suite 402 Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-431-5080 https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/school

    Friday, Jun 17 2022

  • Portsmouth Schools Newsletter 6.3.22

    Message from the Superintendent's Office Dear School Community, The gutting events of the last week remind us of the importance of strong community connections. The tragic death of Quarius has shaken us all, but also prompted an immediate community partner response to support grieving and healing. We continue to keep the Dunham family in our thoughts. The Little Harbour PTA has also put together a GoFundMe site to help the family. The shooting in Uvalde at Robb Elementary School has understandably heightened anxiety across all schools. In Portsmouth we are fortunate to have a very strong partnership with our police and fire departments who are not only well trained to respond to any threat, but also assist us greatly in our security planning and protocols. Attached and  linked here , please see a joint letter from Portsmouth city leadership. Be good to each other and have a good weekend. Sincerely, Stephen Zadravec                         George Shea Superintendent                              Assistant Superintendent     Friday, June 17th will be a half day early release for all students. On Wednesday, community members gathered to re-dedicate the Charlie Howard Memorial Bench at Portsmouth High School. Howard, a PHS alum, was the victim of a hate crime murder in Bangor, ME in 1984. Frida Kahlo, Malala Yousafzai, Milton Hershey, and Gloria Steinem were but a few of the historical figures represented at the Little Harbour Grade 5 Living History Museum  last week. Dondero 4th graders using jump ropes to model short and long wavelengths of sound waves. PHS Senior Capstone research presentations have been extremely interesting and impressive.  PHS students are doing the Forest Watch Lab from UNH's Earth, Ocean, and Space Institute.  The students conduct species identification, canopy closure, ground cover assessment, and identify the relationship and interdependence of abiotic and biotic factors within their quadrant. Congratulations to the PMS Bands and Choirs on their performance at the Portsmouth Music Festival. 6th, 7th, and 8th grade musicians travelled to PHS to perform for a panel of adjudicators. Each ensemble performed very well and was awarded medals for their success and achievement. 6th Grade Band - 92 - GOLD 7th & 8th Grade Band - 94 - GOLD 6th Grade Choir - 91 - GOLD 7th & 8th Grade Choir - 89 - GOLD Chamber Singers -  96 - PLATINUM Going down! Mayor McEachern's pressed suit took on some damage as he plunged into the dunk tank at the New Franklin Lawn Fete yesterday.   Our mailing address is: Portsmouth School District 1 Junkins Avenue, Suite 402 Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-431-5080 https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/school

    Friday, Jun 03 2022

  • In sadness and solidarity...

    We are deeply saddened by the news out of Texas of the school shooting yesterday. Our hearts go out to the families of Robb Elementary School and the community of Uvalde. School counselors are available to help any student who may need support. Also, Mayor McEachern is hosting a vigil tonight for the community in Prescott Park at 6 PM. In times like these it is important for communities to come together for support. Student safety remains our number one priority and we will continue to work collectively every day to ensure it.

    Wednesday, May 25 2022

  • Portsmouth Schools Newsletter 5.6.22

    Message from the Superintendent's Office Dear School Community,  As we celebrate teacher appreciation week, we would like to pause and acknowledge the dedicated educators and support staff who play vital roles in the success of our children here in Portsmouth schools. A week just doesn’t cut it. There are so many ways our educators touch the lives of our students that it is impossible to put into newsletter words or acknowledge over a five day span. Let this simply be a reminder that we should thank our local educators at all times of the year. After all, the work they do isn’t measured in time, it’s measured in the success and happiness of educated, engaged, and responsible citizens. We’re grateful to work amongst such a strong mosaic of committed individuals supporting each other and Portsmouth students. Sincerely, Stephen Zadravec                         George Shea Superintendent                              Assistant Superintendent PHS Careers in Education students gave "rock star" status to some highly appreciated teachers this week. Congratulations to our Clipper Foundation grant recipients and thank you to the Clipper Foundation for their support of innovation in our schools. Dondero Grade 5 Living History Museum It's harder to move up to top dog status when you're playing 9-square at New Franklin. Portsmouth School Department/SAU 52 Portsmouth Early Education Program Annual Child Find Screening Make an appointment today! Friday June 3, 2022 9-1 pm Portsmouth Early Education Program Little Harbour School -The Portsmouth School Department will be conducting a free screening for Portsmouth children ages 2.5 – 5. -The purpose of the screening is to identify children who may require special education services. -Screenings will be conducted in the areas of language, motor, and early academic skills. Appointments are required! Please call 422-8228 to make an appointment today! Our mailing address is: Portsmouth School District 1 Junkins Avenue, Suite 402 Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-431-5080 https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/school

    Friday, May 06 2022

  • Reminder: PHS Principal Candidates Finalist Day 5/3

    PHS Principal Finalist Day Tuesday, May 3rd On Tuesday, May 3 both finalists will meet with various groups throughout the school day. After school, both candidates will participate in moderated question and answer sessions with staff and parents. The evening community forums will take place via Zoom webinar, and a moderator will be asking the candidates questions previously submitted by the community. If you would like to submit a question to be asked of the candidates, you may do so here:  PHS Principal Candidates Questions . A digital feedback form will be available for both candidates on 5/3. Click here for the full schedule and Zoom links.

    Monday, May 02 2022

  • PHS Principal Candidates Question Submission

    Do you have a question you'd like asked of the PHS Principal candidates at tomorrow night's forums? Submit it here. 5/3 Community Forum Zoom links: Steve Chinosi     6:00 PM Andrew Korman 6:45 PM

    Monday, May 02 2022

  • Portsmouth Schools Newsletter 4.22.22

    Message from the Superintendent's Office Dear School Community,  Spring is certainly in the air, which cues up the interviewing and hiring season for the Portsmouth School District. We have search teams forming at every building, working hard to identify key attributes of ideal candidates, screening and interviewing, and making decisions about the next great fit for a grade level, department, school, and district. It’s a time consuming, but extremely important process. Even in a tight market for educator talent, we’re fortunate to still attract the best in the region. We’re grateful for all our staff, students, and community members who are putting in a lot of legwork to ensure we find the best complements and supplements to our outstanding staff. Initial interviews for the eight candidates for the Robert J. Lister Academy Program Director wrapped up on Thursday. That search team should be announcing finalists soon. Last week the Portsmouth High School Principal Search Committee announced Steve Chinosi and Andrew Korman as finalists for that position. The community will have the opportunity to engage with the two finalists for PHS Principal on May 3.   Please click here for the details. Here’s wishing a happy break to everyone in the Portsmouth School community. Sincerely, Stephen Zadravec                         George Shea Superintendent                              Assistant Superintendent Portsmouth DPW, the city arborist, and Dondero third graders collaborating to plant flowering crabapples trees to for Dondero’s hive to pollinate. The official unveiling of the Health Occupations lab in the CTE Center at PHS was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and equipment demonstrations on Wednesday. 5th graders prepping the garden beds at New Franklin. PHS mentors with LHS Grade 3 students exploring the salt marsh Hanging with Utah at NFS. Our mailing address is: Portsmouth School District 1 Junkins Avenue, Suite 402 Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-431-5080 https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/school

    Friday, Apr 22 2022

  • Portsmouth High School Principal Search Update

    Thanks to all who submitted their thoughts on key characteristics and priorities for the next principal for Portsmouth High School. We have assembled a search team of staff, students, parents, and administrators who have synthesized the community input to inform interview questions and the selection of finalists for the position. Below are the members of the PHS Principal Search Committee: Staff Doreen George Jackie Chisholm Sarah Mundy Amy Donovan Students Ava Caldwell Nick Dahlen Ryan Nash Panella Alice Weir Parents Wayne Barrows Margaret Honda Heather Pettis Wendy Tauber Administration Shawn Donovan Courtney Ritchings George Shea Steve Zadravec School Board Rebecca Audet, SAU 50 Lisa Rapaport, SAU 52 We had twenty one applicants for the position and the team has reached out to nine candidates to interview during the week of April 11. The plan is to select 2-3 finalists after the first round of interviews. These finalists will be invited to participate in community forums on April 19 . We will have in-person and remote opportunities for community members to meet the candidates, ask questions, and provide feedback. We will provide more details on the forums once we have selected finalists. The team is also planning on conducting site visits to candidate’s districts where possible.  

    Tuesday, Apr 05 2022

  • Portsmouth Schools 3.25.22 Newsletter

    LHS Grade 4 mismatched socks in honor of Down's Syndrome Awareness Day this week. Message from the Superintendent's Office Dear School Community, We want to first thank all those who gave feedback on our use of federal ESSER funds survey. There were many themes that emerged from the results including adding resources for mental health and wellness, as well as for academic support and infrastructure improvements. One element of our draft spending plan we are happy to update you on is the use of ESSER funds to move our Robert J. Lister Academy Program to Community Campus. Thanks to alternate funding options with the city we are pleased to let you know that ESSER funds will not be used for this purchase and that the RJLA Program will still be able to relocate to Community Campus at some point next school year when the space is ready. We would also like to give you an Athletic Director Update. Our search committee of teachers, parents, staff, coaches and administrators has completed review of all candidates and interviews of semi-finalists. We are pleased to announce the Tom Kozikowski or “Koz” was the unanimous choice of the committee to move forward as the only finalist for the position. Koz has been serving as Interim Athletic Director with distinction this year and has many years of experience at the high school as well as with the Recreation Department. He is uniquely positioned to help our athletic programs grow and expand with even greater opportunities for students across the district. The search committee placed a priority on a broader vision of athletics and wellness for students, and we look forward to Koz’s leadership in guiding that work. Sincerely, Stephen Zadravec                         George Shea Superintendent                              Assistant Superintendent Maple Sugaring at RJLA What a great turnout last weekend at Lister Academy to learn about the maple syrup making process. SkillsUSA Winners Students from the PHS Culinary and Auto Technology CTE programs competed in the statewide SkillsUSA competition in Nashua this week. The following students earned medals that placed them in the top of their field of studies across New Hampshire: Culinary Arts, GOLD medal- Elisabeth “Betsy” Townsend Power Equipment Technology, GOLD medal- Nick Kyrousis                                                  BRONZE medal- Calvin Puglisi Diesel Equipment Technology, BRONZE medal- Ethan Lantz Automotive Service Technology, GOLD medal, Adam Croteau Gold medalists will be traveling to the national competition in Georgia. Good luck! Grade 8 students in the sun and having fun in NYC. Students feeling the burn in the new fitness room at PMS.   Congratulations to PHS Junior Amanda Scally for being recognized as a 2022 Scholastic Art & Writing Award winner.  Amanda received Honorable Mention for her personal essay titled "Three Seconds Is a Thousand Words" which will be published in Middle/High School Voices this spring.       Our mailing address is: Portsmouth School District 1 Junkins Avenue, Suite 402 Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-431-5080 https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/school

    Friday, Mar 25 2022

  • Portsmouth Schools Newsletter 3.11.22

    Message from the Superintendent's Office Dear School Community,  We invite your input on the use of the federal funding we are receiving through the ESSER funds. These funds are targeted to actions we can take to “prevent, prepare for, or respond to COVID-19.” The use of funds is broad enough to consider everything from academic support due to learning loss, to mental health supports and facilities upgrades. Although the best use of short term funds is typically for “one time” expenses, we have contemplated limited additional staffing with these dollars as well. We sent out a survey last October and presented a draft spending plan at our ESSER public forums the week before vacation. As we revise that plan we invite additional public input. Our current draft spending plan includes funds for: Elementary and middle school extended day programming Expansion of instructional and student technology Expansion of outdoor education at the elementary schools Increased social worker resources Summer programming (next two summers) Student and staff wellness programming Expansion of air conditioning at Little Harbour and Dondero (Cooling zones) Capital partner in purchase of Community Campus for expanded programming and RJLA program Please take a moment and give us your feedback on the form below. ESSER Survey Have a great weekend! Sincerely, Stephen Zadravec                         George Shea Superintendent                              Assistant Superintendent   The sap runneth over. These Little Harbour 3rd Graders had to stop pulling buckets of maple sap on Clough Field today after they filled their 50-gallon tank to the brim.     Careers in Education and Educators Rising collected 100's of school supplies. Some were sent to the Costa Rican schools that our students are visiting and others are being shared across the building to any students or classrooms in need.    To order Maple Syrup Makers swag, visit   https://forms.gle/4Z2bxH7mFSzAkSN79     COVID Dashboard Data     Upcoming Events 3/16   Chamber Music Festival, PHS Cafe 6:30 PM 3/17 Grade 8 Open House, PHS 6:30 PM 3/22 School Board Meeting, City Hall 7:00 PM 3/25 Teacher Workshop Day, No school for students   '   Our mailing address is: Portsmouth School District 1 Junkins Avenue, Suite 402 Portsmouth, NH 03801 603-431-5080 https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/school

    Friday, Mar 11 2022