9 PPS high school students write songs in unique project for the Smithsonian

Aspiring songwriters can struggle to find topics to write about, but nine high school students from Portland Public Schools were given a unique opportunity that was the polar opposite. They received access to source material from the world’s largest museum, education and research complex from which to take on the challenge of writing songs.

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Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero delivered an urgent message regarding racist incidents at the March 3 Board of Education meeting. Responding to incidents and issues in PPS, both recent and historic, and informed by his personal background, Superintendent Guerrero delivered a powerful message and vow.

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Roosevelt High School senior Kaiya Laguardia was named one of Oregon’s top two youth volunteers of 2020 by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

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Families in Portland Public Schools navigating the challenges of having a student who needs special education services have a new tool to help. Multiple departments in PPS collaborated to create the Special Education Family Toolkit, a set of cards that use family-friendly terms and easily-recognized visuals to help families in their special education journey.

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A combined choir of high school singers from Grant and Cleveland were given a unique opportunity to be mentored by a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer. Caroline Shaw shared her vision for her work “To the Hands” with the young singers, demonstrating the uncommon approach to vocal tones and rhythms required when performing the 17-minute piece. The two schools will be traveling to Seattle next month to perform the work at St. James Cathedral.

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The District is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all its educational and employment activities. The District prohibits discrimination based on race; national or ethnic origin; color; sex; religion; age; sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; pregnancy; marital status; familial status; economic status or source of income; mental or physical disability or perceived disability; or military service.