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Portland Public School

Community - Inquiry - Agency

Highlander Highlights - September 4, 2026

Posted Date: 09/04/26 (02:10 PM)
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Principal's Message

Dear Portland Families,

What a fantastic start to the 2026–2027 school year! It has been wonderful to welcome our students back to Portland High School and see our hallways once again filled with energy, laughter, learning, and Highlander pride.

This week’s Spirit Week was the perfect way to kick off the year! From the creative outfits and enthusiastic participation to the laughter and school spirit throughout the building, our students and staff jumped right in and reminded us what makes PHS such a special community. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the week so much fun!

Thank you to our students, families, faculty, and staff for helping us start the year on such a high note. We are officially off and running, Highlanders, and it is going to be a great year!

Kate Lawson
 

Noteworthy Dates

SEPTEMBER
9/7 - No school
9/10 - PHS Music Boosters, Portland Library, 6:30pm
9/16 - College Planning Meeting for Parents of Seniors - PHS Library, 6:30pm
9/15 - BOE Meeting, PHS Library, 7:00pm
9/23 - Two-Hour Delay - School starts at 9:45am
9/24 - PHS Open House, Portland High School, 5:00pm to 8:00pm
9/30 - Project Grad Meeting, all senior parents welcome, PHS Library, 6:30pm 

OCTOBER 
10/1 - Music Boosters Meeting, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Van Beynum Room, Portland Library
10/6 - BOE Meeting, PHS Library, 7:00pm
10/8 - PHS Music Boosters, Portland Library, 6:30pm
10/12 - No School
10/14 -  Juniors - PSAT/NMSQT - Digital exam
10/15 - College Funding Workshop - via Zoom, 6:00 pm  All are welcome
10/15 - Freshmen - PSAT 8/9 Digital exam
10/20 - BOE Meeting, PHS Library, 7:00pm
10/28 - Two-Hour Delay - School starts at 9:45am

NOVEMBER
11/1 - Free College Application Day for Seniors - All CT public state universities
11/5 - Music Boosters Meeting, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Van Beynum Room, Portland Library
11/11 - No School
11/12 - PHS Music Boosters, Portland Library, 6:30pm
11/17 - BOE Meeting, PHS Library, 7:00pm
11/18 - PHS Winter Concert, PMS Auditorium, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
11/23 - Early Dismissal, 11:00am
11/23 - Parent/Teacher Conferences, info to follow
11/24 - Early Dismissal, 11:00am
11/24 - Parent/Teacher Conferences, info to follow
11/25 through 11/27 - No School

DECEMBER 
12/1 - BOE Meeting, PHS Library, 7:00pm
12/9 - Two-Hour Delay - School starts at 9:45am
12/10 - PHS Music Boosters, Portland Library, 6:30pm
12/3 - Music Boosters Meeting, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Van Beynum Room, Portland Library
12/9 -  Two-Hour Delay - School starts at 9:45am
12/23 - Early Dismissal, 11:00am
12/24 through 1/1 - Winter Break
 
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Mr. Ott Brings Museum Learning Back to PHS

PHS social studies teacher Mr. Ott was one of 37 teachers and professors from around the country selected to attend the "Connecting Collections" Summer Teachers Institute at the Met, MoMA, and Guggenheim museums in New York City this year. 

The week-long training program was led by museum education specialists and art historians sharing object analysis strategies, methods, and activities. The training program was not in classrooms, rather, it took place in the three museums, with daily tours of the galleries alongside some of the greatest art in the world. Mr. Ott is excited to incorporate the new strategies and activities into his US History, Psychology, and Black & Latino Studies courses.
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Term Dates

Term 1: August 26 - October 30
Term 2: October 31 - January 20
Term 3: January 21 - March 30
Term 4: March 31 - June 9 

College Visits

University of Hartford
Tuesday, September 8th
11:30am-12:00pm

St. Mary's College of Maryland
Wednesday, September 9th
11:00am-11:30am

Bryant University
Thursday, September 10th
11:30am-12:00pm

Interested students should register in Naviance.
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Youth Mental Health & Substance-Use Prevention

Thursday, September 24 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Portland Middle/High School Auditorium

Power Up Portland invites parents, guardians, and community members to hear national speaker Stephen Hill share his powerful story of recovery and practical guidance for raising resilient children. Attendees will learn how to support youth mental health, discuss substance use, and help children make decisions that protect their goals and future.

Stephen will also speak with students during the school day, giving families an opportunity to continue these important conversations at home. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to attend.
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Free College and Career Fair

The Southern Connecticut College & Career Fair will be held Wednesday September 23 at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport.

This is the largest college fair in our state, is free to attend and open to all high school students and their families.
 
Information is at www.ctcollegefair.com
 
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Click here to visit the PHS Athletics Website!

Highlander Shoutout

Congratulations to Rowyn Kootz, who was selected to represent Portland High School at the A Shot For Life Softball Pitchers Challenge!

Rowyn will compete alongside standout athletes from across Connecticut on Saturday, September 5, from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at Northwest Catholic High School.

Good luck, Rowyn—throw some gas and make Portland proud!
 

In Other News...

Parents of the Class of 2027

Volunteers are needed to help with Project Graduation. The kickoff meeting will be held on September 30th 2026 at 6:30 in the library. Please come to help start brainstorming ideas for fundraisers to raise money for the graduation party for our Seniors. 

The all night grad party gives our kids a safe place to have one last night of fun together and celebrate the end of their high school journey. But it takes some volunteers to help make it all happen. 

Please attend if you are interested in helping out!
 
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Notes from the Music Boosters

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.

NEXT MEETING:
9/10/2026 - Music Boosters Meeting, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Mary Flood Room, Portland Library

Hope to see you there!
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Message from Sideliners:

Still searching for the perfect Holiday gift for family?? Portland Highlander gear makes a great gift and helps support our boys and girls sports teams!

Highlander blankets and scarves will keep you warm during the cold winter months, OR you can visit our Highlander store to purchase custom sweatshirts, pants, hats, shirts, socks, and more.  Home | Portland Sideliners (inksoft.com)

We’re also looking for help working concessions during boys and girls basketball games this winter. Please email us at portlandsideliners@gmail.com to volunteer. 
 
Thank you for your continued support and as always, GO HIGHLANDERS!!
 
Venmo: @Portland-Sideliners
Portland High School Sweatshirt
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Stay Connected

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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Portland High School

95 High Street, Portland, CT 06480
860.342.1720
phsinfo@portlandct.us
portlandctschools.org/high-school
@portlandct712