We are a quarter of the way through the school year and, while there are always challenges, it looks like another year of positive growth for Deering. Our ninth graders are raising the bar for all, and our older students are making exciting moves toward career and college. Inclusivity remains the core of our identity, and we are also getting traction on raising academic expectations. Thank you for being part of it all. Here are some November updates:

ALL ONE SCHOOL

Election Day. Deering High is a polling place. We take several measures to keep polling and the activities of the school insulated from each other and have outside resources to support us in that. Students have had and will continue to have structured, respectful opportunities to discuss the election as part of understanding civics and of functioning in a society with diverse viewpoints. Our support staff is also, of course, available to those experiencing stress about the election.

Ram Athletics. Football has its best record in around 20 years, and all of our fall teams made it to playoffs this fall! Congratulations to all our coaches, players, and fans. Winter Sports begin November 18. Sport sign-ups are open at deeringathletics.org. A current physical examination is required. Co-op Girls Ice Hockey begins November 4. 

Senior Pictures. Yearbook requests that any seniors who got outside professional photos done send them to wickec@portlandschools.org by December 1. They are also requesting baby pics of seniors. If you would like to purchase an ad or a dedication page, inquiries can go to the same address. For all, please include “yearbook” in the subject line.

LEARNING TOGETHER

Attendance and Grades. You will receive a ReachMyTeach message on Friday sharing current academic grades and attendance. Please look at it closely and reach out to teachers with any questions.

Advisory and Learning Center

Our school starts with Advisory at 8:20 each day and ends with Learning Center each day but Wednesday. Advisory is when students get information they need to participate fully in the school. Learning Center is when students can get academic support. Regardless of what your student tells you, these are real parts of the school day where attendance is expected–most especially for students whose grades are not excellent. The only exemptions are Advisory for students who don’t have a block 1 and are not in the building yet and for Learning Center for students who don’t have a block 4 and have left the building. Starting soon, families will receive text alerts if their students miss advisory.

Artificial Intelligence. Your student was introduced to PPS High Schools' Student Guidance for using AI with Integrity recently in advisory. These guidelines can be found in the Family Handbook.

EVENTS

Blood Drive. Senior Asa and the Red Cross are hosting a blood drive at Deering on November 15th, from 8 to 1. Please consider registering to donate.

Travel Abroad Info Session. CIEE is a local group that offers three- and four-week summer abroad programs around the world. They are generous with partial and full scholarships for Deering students. Learn more on Thursday, November 14 at 6:30pm at a virtual meeting. Register here.

Safety Drill. We regularly rehearse safety protocols with students. We will practice an evacuation on November 25 during Learning Center. Students will prepare for this in a prior Advisory.

Family Teacher Organization. December 3, 6-7pm in the DHS library. Hear general information about opportunities for students and get your questions answered.

BEST PLACES TO GET THE LATEST

• Year-at-a-Glance Calendar
• DHS Instagram
• Rams Athletics Instagram
• Current Announcements to Students

Let us know if you have any questions.  You are important to us!

Sincerely,

All of us at Deering High School