Helping students from a young age — and giving them ways to be creative — are key to their success, said leading children’s advocate Geoffrey Canada in a recent presentation to PPS educators.

Benson Polytechnic High School's 92nd annual open house — featuring pig dissections, airbag explosions, Model T rides and live radio broadcasting — gives prospective students and families a close look at the focus school.

George Henry Atkinson, whose foundational role in establishing public schools in Oregon earned him the title "the Father of Public Education," gets his due in a new book. Author Donald J. Sevetson is donating half of the profits from the book to the Atkinson Elementary School Literacy Program.

Portland Public Schools’ "techiest" classroom offers options beyond hand-raising to help students engage.

In addition to offering families online access to their students' grades, Portland Public Schools is making attendance information available at select schools.

Free workshops for families — on topics ranging from school choice and the teenage brain to healthy cooking and household finances — return in February through the PPS Parent Academy.

Schools across the district are busy sharing information with prospective kindergarten, middle and high school students during the annual Ready Set Connect campaign.

Peter Senge, internationally recognized for his work in systems change, brought his vision of more collaborative, holistic and engaging learning environments to Portland Public Schools employees. His lecture is available to the PPS community via its television channel and on demand.

Hot on the heels — cleats? — of sports facilities improvements at other PPS high schools, Franklin High School is making plans to upgrade its track and football field.

A traveling exhibit created by Roosevelt High School students that honors Portland civil rights leaders is on display through January.

High schools through PPS are poised for live productions this winter, including "South Pacific," "Company," "The Pirates of Penzance," "Modern Millie," two choices of "Hairspray" and Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night."

A day-long series of basketball games gave Portland Public Schools teams a rare chance to play and interact together.

Two former PPS students have been honored for their continued contributions to the district's radio station, AM 1450 KBPS.

Portland Public Schools and the Portland Federation of School Professionals have announced a tentative agreement on a two-year contract for nearly 1,300 employees.

Through a volunteer effort stretching across the country, a former Portland-area bookstore has been stocked with thousands of children’s books available at little or no cost to families.

The volunteers who organize Wilson High School's annual sale of handbags look for all the publicity they can get, but even they were surprised when it stretched overseas.