Portsmouth School Department

01/10/2024

Come follow us to Facebook.com/PortsmouthSD! As the district works to better coordinate our social media to meet the needs of our community, we need to shift addresses. We hope you come and follow us. This page will come down soon, so we hope you’ll come join us at the new place! There is already content waiting for you!

01/05/2024

Come follow us to Facebook.com/PortsmouthSD! As the district works to better coordinate our social media to meet the needs of our community, we need to shift addresses. We hope you come and follow us. This page will come down soon, so we hope you’ll come join us at the new place! There is already content waiting for you!

K-12 Public School District

01/04/2024

In order to better provide social media content we need to shift our page. Please come and follow us at: Facebook.com/PortsmouthSD

10/26/2023

Good afternoon Portsmouth School District parents, faculty, and students,
Earlier this afternoon, the Police were called to the Portsmouth Public Library adjacent to the middle school. While there appeared to be no immediate threat, Portsmouth Middle School went into a “Secure Campus” posture out of an abundance of caution. During “Secure Campus,” hallways are cleared and students return to classrooms. Normal academic activity continues while we don’t allow people to come and go from the building.

it is important to note that there was no threat to those in the library, and the library remains safe and open for normal business hours.

Thanks to the Portsmouth Police Department for their ongoing partnership. Below we are attaching the Police Department’s information release on this event.

Thank you for your continued support of your schools.
___________________________________________________
On 10/26/23 at 2:22 PM, the Portsmouth Police Department received a call reporting a male subject behind the Portsmouth Public Library who matched the description of the suspect male in the Lewiston Maine shooting. Officers who were in the area of the Middle School on directed patrol were able to quickly determine the male in question was not associated with the incident in Maine.
As a precautionary measure, the Middle School was temporarily placed in a “Secure Campus” posture until first responders could ensure the area was secure for school dismissal.
The Portsmouth Police Department continues to encourage the public to report suspicious persons and or situations.
Thanks to the Portsmouth Police Department for their ongoing partnership. Below we are attaching the Police Department’s information release on this event.
Thank you for your continued support of your schools.
___________________________________________________
On 10/26/23 at 2:22 PM, the Portsmouth Police Department received a call reporting a male subject behind the Portsmouth Public Library who matched the description of the suspect male in the Lewiston Maine shooting. Officers who were in the area of the Middle School on directed patrol were able to quickly determine the male in question was not associated with the incident in Maine.
As a precautionary measure, the Middle School was temporarily placed in a “Secure Campus” posture until first responders could ensure the area was secure for school dismissal.
The Portsmouth Police Department continues to encourage the public to report suspicious persons and or situations.

10/26/2023

Good morning parents, students, and staff of Portsmouth School Department,

As we all wake up to start the day, you undoubtably will hear the news of the shootings in Lewiston, Maine. My heart breaks for the people of Lewiston as they grapple with this tragedy.

I have been in contact with the Portsmouth Police Department. While the suspect remains at-large, there is currently no information that points to the suspect being in the Portsmouth area. We will have a police presence at our schools today, and we will continue to monitor the situation. Schools will be open.

I ask that you keep the people of Lewiston in your thoughts today.

Dr. Zach McLaughlin
Superintendent of Schools

10/23/2023

Portsmouth School Department and our transportation partner Student Transportation of America are looking for bus drivers! Come be a part of the team that helps students get to where they need to be.
Online Application: https://join.ridesta.com/ridesta/form/FormstackReplica/formperma/sKZnfRyXZAw8Q5PkiJTCWPwAeipIumb85vewiIWA1O0?jobid=ZR_20_JOB&source=PortsmouthSchoolDistrict

10/03/2023

Imagine if this was your middle school…

09/19/2023

Dondero School Recognized as One of the Nation’s Best!!

Mary C. Dondero Elementary One of Three NH Schools Selected as National Blue Ribbon Award Winners

On Tuesday, Mary C. Dondero Elementary was announced as one of three New Hampshire schools to receive the prestigious recognition of 2023 National Blue Ribbon School. This year, the U.S. Department of Education recognized 353 schools nationwide for their overall academic performance.

Dondero, along with Rye Elementary School, and Riddle Brook School in Bedford, was selected to the program for being an "exemplary high-performing school."

“The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a press release. “The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”

“Dondero is honored to be designated as a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School as it acknowledges the faculty's commitment to the academic, social, and emotional growth of all learners," said Principal Kate Callahan. “The inner workings of our school do not exist without support from parents/guardians and the greater Portsmouth community. As Dondero's principal, I am not only humbled by this recognition but also proud to be a parent of a student who attends an amazing school.”

“This award is a great testament to the collaborative work being done by the staff, students, and parents of the Dondero School community. This work is being skillfully led by an engaged principal who lives just blocks away and cares deeply about the students as a whole. The people of Portsmouth should rejoice in knowing the strengths of their public schools,” said Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Dr. Zach McLaughlin.

“We are so proud of our staff, students, and families in our school district. This special honor for Dondero is a true reflection of the many talents of the collaborative group of our teachers, administrators, and support staff,” commented School Board Chair Nancy Clayburgh. “We also are very grateful to the community for the support we have received for our schools throughout the years.”

In November, the US Department of Education will hold an award ceremony for the winners in Washington, D.C.

09/15/2023

Beautiful sky for Portsmouth vs Dover at Daubney Field

09/09/2023

Want a high school experience? How about playing the national anthem in front the Air Force's "Spirit of Portsmouth" to kick off an air show?