
Ayla Reynolds, the 20-month-old who has been missing for more than five years, has been declared dead by a judge.
More >> 5 years after disappearance, Ayla Reynolds declared dead by court
May 26, 2017
Dear Portland High School families:
This letter is to make you aware of an incident this morning involving a Portland High School student parking her car near Oxford and Chestnut streets. The student was not hurt and police are looking into the matter, but we’d like to remind students and their families to take precautions when it comes to driving to school.
At this time of year, many students have just acquired their driver’s licenses, so are driving to school. As a result of that, parking has become increasingly difficult. Because PHS is part of an urban campus, wherever they park, it is important for students to be aware of their surroundings and not travel alone to and from their vehicles.
As downtown parking near the school is limited, we urge families to ask students not to drive to school unless it is absolutely necessary. We encourage students to take convenient and safe public transportation instead. METRO buses provide free transportation to all our Portland Public Schools high school students and the bus stops are located close to the school.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at either 874-8205 or at jepsos@portlandschools.org.
Sincerely,
Sheila JepsonPrincipal, Portland High School
The parents of a Lewiston Middle School student who died by suicide this week say their daughter’s story reveals a complete breakdown in Maine’s mental health system. Anie Graham’s parents say there should be distinct protocols to help kids at risk of suicide, and properly trained providers who are available to help.
More >> Parents say Maine’s mental health system failed suicidal daughterI'm going to add that it isn't only the lack of available services that is the problem. It probably isn't only the bullying that drove her to this.
A legislative committee dealt a blow to Gov. Paul LePage’s bill that would designate drug or alcohol use by pregnant woman as child abuse.
More >> LePage push to treat drug, alcohol use during pregnancy as child abuse suffers setback
The state says there's a continued need for foster homes in Maine as more children come into state custody because of parental substance abuse.
More >> Maine DHHS says foster homes needed for kids with special needsOn top of that, the article goes on to say that Maine snatched 905 kids last year which is about 11 less than 2014, which I consider a significant improvement considering the leadership which has been directly responsible for an increase in state sponsored child snatching over previous years by cutting services available to families involved with the child welfare system that helped kids stay safe in the home.
Spurwink Services was awarded the A Family for ME contract by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This contract will allow Spurwink to relaunch A Family for ME, a statewide recruitment campaign to identify families interested in becoming foster and adoptive parents for children in custody of the Department.
More >> Urgent need in Maine for foster care