The Talbot Sunday Update

• Early Release on Wednesdays - Students Dismissed at 1:10

• ACCESS Testing CONTINUES this week.

• No School for Students-Teacher Workday-February 7th

• No School-Winter Break-February 17th-February 21st-School resumes on February 24th

Congratulations to Ms. Symonds' class for earning Dojo cafeteria points last week!

Breakfast:

Our primary goals are to serve breakfasts that are higher in protein and fiber, with increased variety and quality of fruit, and more items made from scratch.

Lunch:

Our program restructured this year, to allow for a District Chef position. With experience at NYC Public Schools, LA Unified, and Noma in Copenhagen, Tyler Guerin brings vast knowledge and skill to our program. He is developing new recipes, training staff and working with Chef Khadija Ahmed from the Halal School Meals Network to introduce new lunch menu options throughout the year.

SuperSnack:

For our schools that serve dinner/SuperSnack at after school programs, we are making improvements here as well. I sampled the bento box pictured below, with cold sesame noodles, chicken, cucumbers and mandarin oranges. I thought it was bright and delicious, and I believe students will enjoy it as well.

The FY26 school budget process will start off with a public hearing before the Portland Board of Public Education at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The PPS community is invited to share their input on budget priorities for the 2025-2026 budget! The meeting will be in person at Casco Bay High School or you can join virtually at: tinyurl.com/FY26Pub Feedback from this hearing will help inform Superintendent Ryan Scallon’s recommended school budget, which he will present to the Board on March 4.

At Talbot, unless it is raining, we are committed to getting children outside to play each day. When it is cold, we use the Child Care Weather Watch Chart (attached below) to determine if it is safe for children to be outside. If it is safe to go outside, it is very important that children come to school each day prepared for the elements with winter jackets, hats and gloves.

If your family has difficulty obtaining winter clothing for your child, please let us know. We have a wonderful support network that is more than happy to support children who are in need of appropriate winter clothing.

Please write your child's name in their winter clothing!

Snow Day Plans

In cases of inclement weather, the Portland Public Schools will use up to three traditional "snow days." Our schools will be closed on those days and students will not be expected to go to school in person or learn remotely. No school meals will be provided on snow days. Those days would be made up on June 16, 17, and 18th. This would mean that the last day of school for students would be Wednesday, June 18th, and the last possible day for teachers would be Friday, June 20. (June 19 – Juneteenth – is a holiday)

If there are more than three days of inclement weather requiring school cancellation, we will have remote learning days in lieu of a snow day. On remote learning days, students will stay home and will be expected to complete academic assignments. Remote learning days will not need to be made up at the end of the year.

If an inclement weather remote day is called, the district will make school meals available for families to pick up (see details below).

Remote Learning Expectations

• Elementary (grades PK-5) – Students will be provided with hard copy materials to be completed at home and returned to school the next day.

Attendance Guidance

• Elementary: Attendance will be taken for students who return/complete their packet.
• *Student absences will be excused on any remote learning day.

Food Service Plans for Remote Learning Days

Meals will be available for pick up at nine school locations, typically from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m:

· Lincoln Middle School – Leland Street, back parking lot delivery door

· King Middle School – Front door, drive-up service available

· Lyman Moore Middle School – Front door, drive-up service available

· Peaks Island Elementary School

· Portland High School – Delivery door next to garage on Chestnut Street side

· Presumpscot Elementary School – Front door, drive up service available

· Reiche Community School – Current building entrance on Clark Street side

· Rowe Elementary School - Front door, drive up service available

· Talbot Community School – Front door, drive-up service available

*Families may pick up meals at any location most convenient to them.

Communication

• Final decisions regarding snow days and remote learning days will be communicated by ReachMyTeach and through various media outlets no later than 5 a.m. The information will also be on the district’s homepage banner and on social media.