These Pioneers are going above and beyond at school! 🤩 West Middle 8th graders who chose to participate in this year's Extension Project presented their projects based on the book "Watership Down." Each student did the project a little bit different -- some wrote poems or epilogues, some created artwork or graphic novels while others created children's books or compared book characters to historical figures. The creativity was unmatched!
What is the Special Education Millage? It’s a renewal of the existing 1.5-mills property tax that funds special education services in Kalamazoo County. This means continued support that’s been in place for years. The millage helps all local school districts pay for mandated special education programs. Learn more and read the full FAQ at KRESA.org/millage.
You are invited!
Join us Wednesday, March 11, at Portage Central High School for One Choice: Protecting Futures - An Opioid Education Event.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a Community Resource Expo, followed by an evening with the author Becky Savage starting at 6:30 p.m. The FREE event is open to the public!
Becky Savage is an author, nurse educator and national speaker who educates teens and families about the dangers of prescription drug misuse.
Join us Wednesday, March 11, at Portage Central High School for One Choice: Protecting Futures - An Opioid Education Event.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a Community Resource Expo, followed by an evening with the author Becky Savage starting at 6:30 p.m. The FREE event is open to the public!
Becky Savage is an author, nurse educator and national speaker who educates teens and families about the dangers of prescription drug misuse.
More than a decade has passed since Becky Savage's teenage sons Nick and Jack died after mixing alcohol and opioids while with friends, she told an auditorium of students gathered at Portage Central High School Monday, March 9.
But the memory of finding them in the morning stills haunts her today.
Becky is an author and nurse educator who travels the country telling her sons' story and warning students and families about the dangers of drug misuse. Monday's assembly was the first of many she will hold in the District this week as part of "One Choice: An Opioid Education Event."
The District is also hosting a community event that is free and open to the public Wednesday, March 11, at Portage Central High. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a Community Resource Expo, followed by an evening with the author starting at 6:30 p.m.
But the memory of finding them in the morning stills haunts her today.
Becky is an author and nurse educator who travels the country telling her sons' story and warning students and families about the dangers of drug misuse. Monday's assembly was the first of many she will hold in the District this week as part of "One Choice: An Opioid Education Event."
The District is also hosting a community event that is free and open to the public Wednesday, March 11, at Portage Central High. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a Community Resource Expo, followed by an evening with the author starting at 6:30 p.m.
It's time to say thank you to our Maintenance staff at PPS!
Our team of 10 workers, including plumbing/HVAC, electrical, grounds, general maintenance and tradesmen, work to keep our 18 facilities running smoothly. Did you know this team of 10 manages about 400 acres of property, including 1.75 million square feet of buildings?
Join us in sharing a huge THANK YOU!
Our team of 10 workers, including plumbing/HVAC, electrical, grounds, general maintenance and tradesmen, work to keep our 18 facilities running smoothly. Did you know this team of 10 manages about 400 acres of property, including 1.75 million square feet of buildings?
Join us in sharing a huge THANK YOU!
Portage Public Schools has established strategic commitments anchored in four key pillars: Student Success, People and Culture, Service Excellence, and Stewardship.
In Superintendent Johnny Edwards’ 90-Day Report, he emphasized the importance of refreshing these commitments—honoring the strong foundation that has already been built while exploring meaningful ways to bring them to life in our daily work. To kick off that work, the District sought feedback from families, students and staff on our current Strategic Commitments and how they should shape the future of PPS.
The voices of our entire school community are essential as we work to ensure these commitments remain relevant, actionable, and reflective of our shared goals.
In Superintendent Johnny Edwards’ 90-Day Report, he emphasized the importance of refreshing these commitments—honoring the strong foundation that has already been built while exploring meaningful ways to bring them to life in our daily work. To kick off that work, the District sought feedback from families, students and staff on our current Strategic Commitments and how they should shape the future of PPS.
The voices of our entire school community are essential as we work to ensure these commitments remain relevant, actionable, and reflective of our shared goals.
Mark Your Calendar: May 5, 2026, is Election Day for the KRESA Special Education Millage. This proposal is strictly a renewal, so a YES vote would continue the 1.5 mills levy at the same rate, and a NO vote would end it. Make sure you’re registered and know your polling place or absentee ballot deadlines. Find voter information at Michigan.gov/vote or contact your local clerk.
Our Amberly Tigers were living, breathing heroes in honor of Black History Month this week. The annual Wax Museum is a chance for students to dress up as their favorite hero and present their biographies much like a museum. Push the button and hear them speak!
Our team of social workers at PPS deserve all the love this week! It's School Social Worker Appreciation Week, a time to celebrate the vital role school social workers play in supporting students' mental health, academics, and families.
The Schools of Choice window to attend Portage Public Schools is officially open! Families who live outside of our District who wish to attend PPS can apply now through April 1 online at portageps.org/schoolsofchoice.
The deadline will come quickly -- apply today!
The deadline will come quickly -- apply today!
Do you have a kiddo at home ready to start kindergarten or Young Fives at PPS? You can enroll today for the 2026-2027 school year! Families are also invited to join us at Kindergarten/Y5s Registration Night, Thursday, March 19, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., where you can enroll with help of on-site staff and meet your child's new principal!
RSVP online and learn more about K/Y5 at portageps.org/enrollment/kindergarten.
RSVP online and learn more about K/Y5 at portageps.org/enrollment/kindergarten.
You are invited!
Join us Wednesday, March 11, at Portage Central High School for One Choice: Protecting Futures - An Opioid Education Event.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a Community Resource Expo, followed by an evening with the author Becky Savage starting at 6:30 p.m. The FREE event is open to the public!
Becky Savage is an author, nurse educator and national speaker who educates teens and families about the dangers of prescription drug misuse.
Join us Wednesday, March 11, at Portage Central High School for One Choice: Protecting Futures - An Opioid Education Event.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a Community Resource Expo, followed by an evening with the author Becky Savage starting at 6:30 p.m. The FREE event is open to the public!
Becky Savage is an author, nurse educator and national speaker who educates teens and families about the dangers of prescription drug misuse.
It was Mustangs v. Wildcats -- but in the end, it was about unity and fun. The annual Portage Central High Unified Club Basketball game was against students from Mattawan High. The stands were packed, the cheers were loud and the signs were made with love. Way to go, PC & Mattawan!
"You, too, can change the world," Superintendent Johnny Edwards told North Middle School students Wednesday during a presentation on the first African American Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Justice Marshall is behind the monumental Brown v. Board of Education case that made segregation in schools illegal in the U.S. in 1954. The superintendent, who was invited to visit by 8th grader Clare Li, spoke on Marshall's legacy of fairness and equal rights for all.
To read more, visit portageps.org/news.
Former student Candace Williams returned to Portage Central High School last week as a published author. The 2025 graduate joined her former classmates in the library Friday, Feb. 20, with copies of her first published novel Pawn.
"I've dreamed of becoming an author almost my entire life," Candace said to the Book Club gathered in the library. "You guys are making my dreams come true."
You can read more about Pawn, order your own copy and follow along with Candace on her journey as an author at calliopemore.substack.com/.
"I've dreamed of becoming an author almost my entire life," Candace said to the Book Club gathered in the library. "You guys are making my dreams come true."
You can read more about Pawn, order your own copy and follow along with Candace on her journey as an author at calliopemore.substack.com/.
Public schools are the heart of our community! ❤ For Public Schools Week, we are celebrating what makes PPS great -- our staff, students, families, and community partners! 🥳
📣Give a shout-out to your favorite school, teacher, principal, staff member, SRO, student or even comfort dog! 👏
📣Give a shout-out to your favorite school, teacher, principal, staff member, SRO, student or even comfort dog! 👏
Students who have overcome obstacles such as homelessness, physical disabilities or other hardships in life are resilient. At Portage Northern High School, the Houston Award aims to honor those students for their perseverance amid adversity.
Staff gathered with students and their families Friday, Feb. 20, for the annual Houston Awards where this year's award winners told their stories of obstacles and the steps they've taken to overcome them. To read more, visit portageps.org/news.
Staff gathered with students and their families Friday, Feb. 20, for the annual Houston Awards where this year's award winners told their stories of obstacles and the steps they've taken to overcome them. To read more, visit portageps.org/news.
Badge? Check. Cardigan? Check. Khakis and jean jacket? Double check.
Pajama pants and mismatched dresses? Also check. 😄
Students dressed like teachers. Teachers dressed like students. Dress Like a Teacher/Student Day at Lake Center was a hit!
Pajama pants and mismatched dresses? Also check. 😄
Students dressed like teachers. Teachers dressed like students. Dress Like a Teacher/Student Day at Lake Center was a hit!
8th graders in Ms. Rua's Spanish class at North Middle took a field trip to La Finca to practice ordering their lunch in Spanish. Great job!
Congratulations to all of our students for their amazing performance at this year's Battle of the Books! Thanks to Board of Education President for sharing this photo.
