Panther Parent Update

De Portola welcomes individuality by empowering and developing students’ communication, curiosity, and critical thinking skills through a growth mindset. We are Panthers! Rooooaaaarrrrrrrr!!

03/18 Drug Awareness Assembly 6th grade

03/22 Marine Fitness Day - CANCELLED

03/29 FRIDAY MINIMUM DAY 2:00pm DISMISSAL

04/01 - 04/05 SPRING BREAK

04/26 Panther Bowling Night (save the date)

We had so much fun this weekend with our Matilda Jr. casts. They were INCREDIBLE. If you saw the show, you would know that "these little maggots" put in so much time and dedication to this production. They were led by our fabulous theatre director, Courtney Caballero. Mrs. Flynn and Ms. Leto were huge assets to this production as well. These women put in countless hours planning out every detail to ensure that all the kids committed to the end. The sense of belonging and empowerment that our students experienced is something not to be forgotten. We are so grateful for our growing program and can't wait to see what next year brings.

*Special thanks to the clean up crew, including Mr. Kenyon (Building Services Supervisor), who participated in the Strike Down so that we are ready to welcome our students back on Monday.

Thank you for your support as we strengthen our cell phone policy. Eliminating wireless headphones has resulted in significantly fewer power struggles and a strong rise in engagement. Our next phase consists of requiring students to keep their phones in their backpacks. Many students carry their phones in their pockets to check the time, answer texts, and check social media notifications. Placing phones in backpacks will help reduce this distraction and build tolerance for time disconnected. Increasing our self restraint from being connected to the phone is a skill that needs constant refinement starting in childhood and all the way through adulthood. We will continue to remind students to place their phones in backpacks for one more week. We will begin confiscating phones in pockets starting March 25.

Again, students are permitted to use their phone when they ask an adult as long as it is not in the middle of instruction. Additionally, you are always welcome to send a message to your student by emailing Charisma Johnson at cjohnson7@sandi.net. She is happy to print message and get it delivered to your student.

Thank you for supporting student engagement and time away from cell phones.

Buy the yearbook for $60 at www.yearbookforever.com. There are limited quantities, so get yours today!

We welcome Charisma Johnson to our front office as our new attendance clerk. Her email is cjohnson7@sandi.net. Please be sure to state your students full name, grade level, date of birth, and specific reason for absence. You can also email them if you need to pick up your student early. Please provide at least a two hour notice to ensure that we can write and deliver a pass for your student. You can also call the school at 619-605-4800 and press 3 for attendance.