District Services
Our goal is to ensure that all staff and families have the tools, resources and supports to feel safe and comfortable returning to school.
Food Service Plans
Portland Public Schools is committed to helping children eat a healthy diet so they can be attentive and ready to learn, at home or in the classroom. Meals will be free to all students. Please continue to fill out and return Meal Benefit Applications and CEP Surveys.
Elementary Level:
Breakfast will be served in the classroom.
Lunch will be served in the cafeteria.
We will be offering three meal options, hot meal, vegan meal, OR Sun butter and Jelly Bundle each day.
Fruit and Vegetable options will be served by staff.
Lunch periods have been extended to allow for social distancing while eating in the cafeteria.
Middle School Level:
Breakfast will be served “grab and go” as students enter the building.
Lunch will be served in the cafeteria
We will be offering three meal options daily.
Fruit and Vegetable options will be pre-wrapped or served by staff.
Lunch periods have been extended to allow for social distancing and additional eating spaces are available in addition to the cafeteria.
High School Level:
Breakfast and Lunch will be served in the cafeteria. Multiple options will be available.
Each meal option will be pre-wrapped.
Fruit and Vegetable options will be pre-wrapped or served by staff.
Open campus allows students to social distance around campus during lunch periods.
All menus are available on the district website home page under “Families” or on the Food Service page, on the menu tab.
Transportation
The Transportation Department will continue to implement safety measures that were carried out this summer & past school year. Bus capacities for the upcoming year have been restored to “full capacity.”
Bus Safety
All students and staff will be required to wear a mask while on the bus. Masks will be provided to students if they are needed.
Bus drivers and attendants will also wear masks or face shields.
Bus drivers will perform wipe downs of all frequently touched surfaces following every school day.
Bus Routes: Student's bus route, stop and time information will be communicated via mail with postcards the week before school starts.
Drop-Off / Pick-up Zones: A designated area will be clearly marked near the school entrance for families to drop off or pick up students. Parents are not to park, exit vehicles or congregate at drop-off/pick-up locations.
Adult Education
Portland Adult Education has established the following protocol around learning scenarios:
Red: Full remote online courses
Yellow: In person classes following standard health and safety protocols; remote classes; and hybrid (online classes with some in-person, one-on-one or small group activities for intake/orientation/tech support, etc.) following standard health and safety protocols.
Green: Same as Yellow scenario
Athletics
PORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL CO-CURRICULAR COVID-19 INFORMATION (FALL 2021)
Masks (Regardless of Vaccination Status)
Must be worn by everyone inside the school facilities at all times.
Must be worn on all school transportation.
All individuals must have a mask with them to be able to put on when going indoors.
Screening
For after-school activities, unlike in the 2020-2021 seasons, there will be no electronic daily screening form. However, it is important, for the safety of all individuals, that parents/guardians and their children self screen daily prior to attending any school sponsored activity. If you are not feeling well or have any symptoms of COVID-19, stay home! To help with self screening we have linked two tools below.
Pooled Testing
All non-vaccinated students participating in winter athletics are required to participate in pooled testing. Vaccinated students may choose to participate in the program.
Pooled Testing Program Expectations:
Students are required to participate in the weekly testing for the duration of the season or until they are fully vaccinated (at which time they can choose to continue).
Students must report every Wednesday and Friday morning at the time and location determined by the school administration starting the week of January 3rd.
If a student fails to report for weekly testing on Wednesday or Friday, they are not allowed to participate in athletics until the following week or until they are able to provide a negative PCR test.
Students would be responsible for obtaining their own testing in this situation.
For more information about the district’s pooled testing program, please click HERE.
To acknowledge these expectations and register for pooled testing, please click HERE.
Water
Each individual must arrive to practice with a personal water vessel large enough to get them through their event.
Refill stations will be available at Fitzpatrick Stadium, Quinn Field and the Portland High Gymnasium.
Isolation & Quarantine
**All isolation and quarantine procedures will be followed as outlined by the Maine CDC and the Maine Department of Education. Some important information regarding isolation and quarantine is below. If additional clarification is needed, please contact a member of the athletic department staff or the school nurse.
The close contact definition is exposure within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes within a 24-hour period or any direct physical contact. Close contacts must quarantine for 10 days from COVID-19 exposure from school and school activities except if at least one of the following conditions applies to the close contact:
The close contact (staff or student) is vaccinated, has provided the co-curricular department with a copy of their Covid-19 vaccination card, and if the exposure occurred more than 14 days after the individual’s completion of the vaccine series. If the exposure occurred after vaccination but prior to the 14 days, the close contact must quarantine for the full time period.
The close contact (staff or student) has a previous positive COVID-19 test result (molecular or antigen) collected within 90 days of the exposure.
State of Maine CDC COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Due to the fluid nature regarding the rules and regulations of COVID-19, please reference the State of Maine CDC FAQ document ⇾.
Clearance for COVID-19 positive individual
As with any illness that limits activity for any period of time, a physician's (MD, DO) clearance will be required prior to returning to athletic activity.
Staffing Considerations
Additional support staff will be hired to reinforce daily operations, including permanent substitute teachers, custodial services and nursing. Other support roles will be added as necessary.