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.
2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
A graphic featuring a young Black boy sitting at a desk holding a pencil, looking up thoughtfully. Text over a teal background reads: "Election Day is May 5, 2026. Be Informed."
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!
2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a little girl dressed up as Beyonce standing in front of a posterboard
a little boy stands at a military salute next to a poster about the man he's dressed up as
two students dressed as Barack Obama pose for a photo
four students pose for a photo in front of their posterboards
a boy wearing a cowboy hat and fake mustache poses for a photo
a girl smiles for a photo posing in front of her project
a student dressed like an airplane pilot reads from a paper
a boy dressed as a baseball player poses for a photo
a boy wearing a cowboy hat and fake mustache poses for a photo
a boy wearing boxing gloves poses for a photo in front of his project
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.
2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a photograph of three women and one woman on a graphic that says thank you social workers
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!
2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a graphic advertising schools of choice. text in caption
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.
2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a graphic for y5 kindegarten registration, text in caption
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.
2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a flyer, details in caption
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!
2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a girl prepares to shoot a basketball in a school gym
a boy running with a basketball during a game
fans cheer loudly in the background during a basketball game
students cheering inside a school gym
a boy runs with a basketball during a game in a school gym
a girl shoots a basketball during a game in the school gym
fans watch in anticipation as a basketball player shoots a basket
a girl shoots a basketball during a game in the school gym
a girl shoots a basketball during a game in the school gym
students cheer in the stands in a gym

"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.

2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a man speaking in front of a sign that says black history is american history
a student listens to a man speaking in a cafeteria
a man and student stand together for a photo
a man speaking to students gathered in a cafeteria
a sign seen behind students gathered in a cafeteria listening to a man speak
a man speaking into a microphone
a man speaking to students gathered in a cafeteria
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/.

2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a woman sitting in a library holding a book
a woman sitting in a circle of people in a library
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! 👏
2 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a woman wearing pool floaties walks down a school hallway
families cheer with signs outside an elementary school
a teacher helping a student choose letters on a touch screen
cheerleading performing stunts outside on a football field
girls and their teacher pose for a photo
a teacher and students walk with hands on shoulders through a school
a teacher crouching down beside a student's desk inside a classroom
three boys helping another boy in a wheelchair throw a basketball
two police officers hand out back packs to students
kids dancing on a dance floor
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.
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a group of students pose for a photo holding plaques
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!
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a little girl posing for a photo in a school hallway holding up her "teacher badge."
a teacher dressed in mismatched clothing and bright shoes
a boy wearing suspenders smiles for a photo in a school hallway
a group of kids dressed like their teacher including khakis, badges and fake mustaches
a little girl holding her badge smiles for the camera
a girl standing in a school hallway posing for a photo
a group of kids standing in a school hallway pose for a photo
a teacher wearing pajama pants and slippers
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!
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a group of students smile for a photo sitting at a restaurant table
a student speaking to a waitress inside a restaurant
two girls smile for a photo sitting at a restaurant table
a group of students smile for a photo sitting at a restaurant table
a group of students smile for a photo sitting at a restaurant table
a waitress speaking to students sitting at a table in a restuarant
two students smile for a photo sitting at a restaurant
a group of students smile for a photo sitting at a restaurant table
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.
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
students sitting on a stage in an auditorium
It's time to enroll in preschool at PPS for the 2026-2027 school year! PPS is proud to continue our partnership with Great Start Readiness Program and PreK for All to offer preschool to 4-year-old students in Kalamazoo County. The Common App for the 2026-2027 school year is now open to families. Find the application online at dreambigstartsmall.org or learn more about preschool at PPS at portageps.org/preschool.
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a graphic about preschool. text is in caption
It's time to show our utmost gratitude to Officer Burleson and Officer Garrison for their tireless dedication to the safety of our entire school community! Happy National SRO Appreciation Day!
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
two police officers pose for a photo together in front of a building
PPS is now enrolling for the 2026-2027 school year! 🎉 To learn more and enroll today, visit portageps.org/enrollment
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a graphic that says now enrolling for the 2026-27 school year with photos of students on it
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.
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a graphic for y5 kindegarten registration, text in caption
While our students are enjoying a day away, our staff are leaning into learning. 📚✨
Professional Development Day = fresh ideas, stronger skills, and even more ways to support our learners.
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
two women smiling sitting at a table
a woman smiling sitting with others at a table in a library
a group of women sitting around a table in a library
people sitting around a table together
a man working on a laptop in a classroom
three people huddled together looking at a laptop
a woman smiling standing near a white board in a classroom
a woman speaking to a classroom full of teachers
Vinny Degani is one of dozens of PPS high school students who spend part of their day at the new Career Connect campus. February is Career, Technical Education Month, and we spoke to a handful of students about why they love their CTE courses.

Degani said his favorite part about attending classes at the Career Connect campus is the dedicated learning spaces they provide.

"I love how we have a dedicated space where we are simulating real-life cases," the Rehab Therapy student said of his classroom, which looks much like a regular therapy office.

To read more, visit portageps.org/news.
3 months ago, Portage Public Schools
a boy smiles for a photo standing in a rehab lab
a girl wearing scrubs poses for a photo in front of a shelf of medication
a girl smiling for a photo while sitting at a classroom desk
a girl poses for a photo in a mechatronics lab
a boy poses for a photo in a mechatronics lab