Good afternoon Highlander families,
There is a great deal to celebrate as we head into the final stretch of the school year. This week's newsletter is filled with student and staff accomplishments, special events, and highlights that showcase the many outstanding things happening at Portland High School. I encourage you to take a few moments to review the spotlights and information included throughout this edition.
As a reminder, Graduation will be held on Monday, June 15, as we celebrate the Class of 2026 and all they have accomplished during their time at PHS. It is always one of the most meaningful events of the year, and we look forward to recognizing our graduates as they begin the next chapter of their journeys.
Please also note that the last day of school for students in grades 9, 10, and 11 will be Monday, June 22.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support throughout the school year. Let's finish strong together.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Kate Lawson
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JUNE
6/10 - Sideliners Meeting, 7:00pm, PHS Cafeteria
6/11 - Music Boosters Meeting, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Mary Flood Room, Portland Library
6/15 - Class of 2026 Graduation
6/22 - Last Day of School for underclassmen, 11:00am dismissal
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Please email phsattendance@portlandct.us to report an absent or tardy student. To request an early dismissal please send in a note with your student or call 860-342-1720 x 0. |
This last month has been quite busy in Spanish 3, 4 Honors, and AP. All classes have participated in taking various components of the AAPPL test, which upon satisfactory passage levels of all sections, can lead to receiving the Seal of Biliteracy on the PHS diploma.
Congratulations to the Spanish 5 AP students who all took the Spanish Language & Culture exam in May. Best of luck for favorable results over the summer.
Finally, currently all classes are diligently working on their final projects. Spanish 3 is creating a novel piece of technology to help the world in a positive way, Spanish 4 honors is researching a health & wellness topic of their choice, and AP is creating a travel itinerary for an exciting trip through a Spanish-speaking country. All students will share their visual and oral presentations to their classmates.
As the school year comes to a close, we continue to inspire and encourage each other to expand our knowledge and appreciation for the Spanish language and seek out authentic opportunities to utilize our blossoming skills.
¡Felicidades a todos mis estudiantes!
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In our current Spanish 1 unit, students will learn to describe their family members, relationships, and pets using essential family vocabulary. They will also master regular present-tense verbs to talk about what their families do together in their everyday lives. By the end of the unit, students will be able to introduce their families and share their favorite traditions entirely in Spanish.
In our current Spanish 2 unit, students will dive into health and wellness vocabulary to describe how they feel, discuss common illnesses, and talk about healthy habits. They will also master the preterite tense, allowing them to share past experiences like a previous doctor's visit or a time they recovered from being sick. By the end of the unit, students will be able to confidently narrate a past health event and explain what they did to feel better entirely in Spanish.
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Liliana demonstrates an exceptional work ethic and a consistently positive attitude in every class, along with a genuine enthusiasm for learning the language and culture. She collaborates effortlessly with her peers, offering support and encouraging others in class. |
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Congratulations to all our Seal of BIliteracy recipients. We are so proud to recognize these students who have demonstrated their proficiency in English and another world language as follows :
Xioating Zhang in Chinese
Lillian Gaetani in French
Gerry Hall in French
Allison Tine in Spanish
Christina Austin in Spanish
As these exceptional students step into the future, we look forward to seeing the ways in which they continue to use their linguistic gifts to bridge cultures, foster global understanding, and open doors to incredible opportunities.
To our recipients: may your bilingualism be a lifelong asset that empowers you to lead, connect, and thrive in an interconnected world. We cannot wait to see where your journeys take you!
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There is a lot happening in our Advanced Manufacturing and Construction courses as we wrap up the school year! In Intro to Engineering, students are utilizing a host of modern manufacturing tools and software to build mousetrap-powered cars, with the ultimate goal of developing the vehicle that travels the farthest. Zoe Robinson currently holds the record for the farthest-traveling prototype at an impressive 64 feet!
Students in Architectural Design and Construction have been investigating tiny homes and just wrapped up their third design project. They are now starting to get their feet wet in site prep and planning, and will soon learn how to create site plans that account for structures, utilities, septic systems, and wells.
Our Metals Processing students are currently hard at work on multiple projects. Recently, they began learning the art of blacksmithing—forging raw steel into usable products using nothing more than heat, hammers, and anvils. When they aren't at the forge, students can be found fabricating large metal sign stands that are being built specifically for the Portland waterfront park.
Last but not least, Woods Processing students are putting the finishing touches on their independent projects. Each project was individually chosen by the student, allowing them to utilize the diverse woodworking skills they have been developing all semester long to bring their own unique visions to life.
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Zoe has excelled in both areas of CTE as she is taking both Intro to Engineering and Videogame Design. She consistently goes above and beyond in her school work and elevates her projects to higher levels. In Videogame Design she is very creative and has developed engaging games across all of the platforms we have used thus far. In Intro to Engineering she has mastered entry level CAD skills and is currently leveraging them to design, manufacture, and test a mousetrap powered car. Her prototype holds the class record currently at 64 feet. |
Welcome New and Continued Friends of Portland Music!
We are a group of parents and community members who support the PM/PHS music departments through fundraising and volunteering our support throughout the school year. We are starting our monthly meetings next week and would love to see you there!. Attendance at the meetings is not required to be a booster, but you are all welcome to join us! There will be virtual options for each of the meetings also - check out our calendar on the boosters website ( https://www.portlandctmusic.org) for details.
Our final meeting of the year will be on June 11 at 6:30pm.
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Spring sports are underway and it’s the perfect time to stock up on your favorite Portland Highlander gear! Highlander blankets are a must-have in every Highlander household! Please see attached flyer to order. You can also visit our Highlander store to purchase custom sweatshirts, pants, hats, shirts, socks, and more. Home | Portland Sideliners (inksoft.com)
Thank you for your continued support and as always, GO HIGHLANDERS!!
Venmo: @Portland-Sideliners
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Want to stay up to date with what's going on at Portland High School? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay informed! Important announcements, sports updates, student life photos, events and more are a regular part of our posts each week. Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @portlandct712
Please also follow our YouTube Channel for student broadcasted news at WPHT Broadcasting.
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95 High Street, Portland, CT 06480
860.342.1720
phsinfo@portlandct.us
portlandctschools.org/high-school
@portlandct712
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