JeffersonHigh School names Ashley Echang as its’ new Head Softball Coach

We are excited to announce the hiring of Ashley Echang as the Head Softball Coach at Jefferson High School. Ashley is a graduate of PPS and has a love and appreciation for the sport of softball.

Ashley Echang - “I grew up a block away from Peninsula Park as a child and many days were spent playing softball throughout the public parks of Portland.  My greatest childhood memories come from smashing the softball across the fields of Columbia, Wilshire, and Delta Park.  Not only do I love this sport, but I also appreciate the history of the sport as the greatest American pastime but also can speak to the importance of softball for my Palauan culture.  Back home in Palau, softball is a way of life and I was lucky enough to experience real island competition when I lived in Palua in 2017.  My passion for the sport is something that I would like to spread among the students of Jefferson High School.”

Ashley currently works as the TRIO Assistant Director of Talent Search at Portland State University.  She works to recruit, retain, and engage low-income, first-generation students in PPS to enroll in college on full or partial scholarships. 

Ashley is thrilled to bring her diverse background and expertise to Jefferson High School's Softball program. She is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, teamwork, and personal development among the student-athletes while ensuring a competitive edge for the team. She is excited to work within the Jefferson community while maintaining strong partnerships and developing hardworking student-athletes but also respectable young women to serve our community and world as outstanding citizens.

Please welcome Ashley Echang, Head Softball Coach at Jefferson High School.

Demos I Say!!

We’re thrilled to announce that two PPS teachers were recently awarded the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). 

Krishnan Ranjani,  a teacher of advanced mathematics and Career and Technical Education (CTE) computer systems at Lincoln High School and Nick Nohner, a computer sciences and data sciences teacher at Ida B. Wells High School, were both selected for the honor which is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The award recognizes outstanding educators for their contributions to the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Each awardee will receive a certificate signed by President Joe Biden and a $10,000 award from NSF. Awardees will also travel to Washington, D.C., for an awards ceremony at a future date. 

Congratulations to these two exceptional teachers!

We are thrilled to celebrate an incredible achievement by 96 of our outstanding PPS music students, who have earned spots in the prestigious All-State Ensembles for the Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA). 

This annual statewide competition recognizes the "best of the best" in student musicianship, bringing together top performers from across Oregon to play in cross-district ensembles at the state music education conference this weekend, January 17-19.

PPS is hosting a series of events that focus on belonging, equity and inclusive practices where we will screen powerful, award-winning documentaries that will challenge each of us to consider what is possible in the systems we create for our children with disabilities.

As part of this series, we will be holding a free screening of "Forget Me Not” on Thursday, January 16th at 6:30 PM at Franklin High School.

"Forget Me Not" is a moving story about 3-year-old Emilio whose family finds itself embroiled in a challenge all too common for children with disabilities: that of securing the right to an inclusive education. Filmmaker Olivier and his wife, Hilda, turn the camera on themselves and their child as they navigate an often frustrating system on their way toward ensuring that their son gets the education he needs and deserves.

Staff, families, and community members are all invited. Parking is free and light refreshment will be provided. We hope to see you there!