Franklin High School

In an effort to restore as many instructional days as possible that were lost due to snow in December and January, PPS and the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) agreed to a number of terms that included extending the school year and converting a contractual grading and planning day into an instructional one.

As previously communicated, April 7 will now be an instructional day, which is particularly important to restore instructional time for Seniors before graduation (which takes place before the end of the school year where the other days were restored).

In exchange for this planning day, PPS and PAT agreed that third quarter grades would only be mandatory for:

• Seniors
• Students who otherwise need a grade (i.e. eligibility for athletics or college applications)
• Students in quarter classes

In subsequent negotiations, PPS and PAT also agreed that third quarter progress reports will be issued for:

• Students in danger of failing or whose behavior or achievement shows a significant decline
• Special education students

We can understand that parents may be frustrated by these terms. Nine instructional days is nearly two weeks of valuable instructional time. While all nine days could not be restored, the district worked with the union to add back as many as possible and as a result, PPS was able to meet more than the state’s minimum requirements.

While many students will not receive an official report card in the third quarter, you always have an open door policy with your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress and understand how your child is performing in school.

And end of year report cards and grades will be delivered to all families upon completion of the school year.

Thank you for your support and please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Bob McKean
Interim Superintendent