Dear Lent Community,

I am pleased to announce that Richard L. Smith will serve as principal of Lent K-8 School. Richard is an experienced educational leader with an established track record of raising student achievement, improving discipline and increasing parent involvement.

Teachers who can unlock students’ passion. Guidance in preparing for an unknown future. Smaller class sizes. Recognition of students’ lives beyond school. And free coffee.

Those were some of the recommendations offered Thursday by a five-member panel of current and former Portland Public Students during a one-hour forum that provided an inspiring kickoff to Day 2 of PPS’s Leadership Institute at Roosevelt High School.

The start of fall sports is a week away, with high school teams allowed to hold official practices on Monday, Aug. 13. That means the clock is ticking for athletes to complete a required physical to participate.