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!!

04/09 DP Foundation Mtg 6:00pm

04/10 Kona Ice

04/10 Community Input mtg with Area Superintendent and Principal at 8:00am

04/11 Thursday MINIMUM DAY 2:00pm DISMISSAL

04/19 SGT 8:00am

04/26 Panther Bowling Night

Just before spring break, I sent a message to all 6th & 7th grade families regarding a potential change to the bell schedule for the 2024-25 school year. About half of our 6th & 7th grade families participated in the survey. 60% would like to maintain the current bell schedule and 40% would like to move to an 8:00 start time. The main concerns that were listed in the survey were related to drop off times with elementary and high school and after school care. Students can be dropped off early and stay after school. Currently, we probably have about 100 students who sit around before school starts. With a 2:30pm dismissal, we will keep the library open and staff available for tutoring until 3:15. Additionally, we will build in tutoring schedule with classroom teachers Monday - Thursday from 2:30 - 3:00. De Portola offer free PrimeTime for afternoon care. PrimeTime runs a very robust program that includes homework time, outdoor activities, and enrichment (lego building, dance, & theatre). We strongly recommend that you sign up now so that PrimeTime can begin planning to accommodate more staff and students.

Detailed information on survey results will be shared at the SGT meeting on Friday, April 19th. SGT will vote on the final schedule at this meeting. I will resend the survey to 6th & 7th grade families and update the school community with any new information in next week's Panther Parent Update.

A letter from Area Superintendent, Michelle Irwin, regarding a leadership change at De Portola

Leadership Input Google Survey

04/10 Community Input mtg with Area Superintendent and Principal at 8:00am

Community Input Meeting Zoom Link

As the weather warms up and our students retreat to their closets to pull out all their summer clothing, please note that many children have experienced changes to their bodies in the last few months. Here are a few notable lines from the DP Dress Code Policy.

Students Must Wear…

• Bottoms that are comfortable and do not expose the midriff or buttocks.

• The bottom of the shirt must touch the top of the pants/shorts/skirt.

Students Cannot Wear…

• Any clothing that reveals visible undergarments.

**Loose fitting running shorts have a tendency to expose a child's backside inadvertently when carrying a backpack.

Builders Club is hosting a toiletry drive for our unhoused teenagers in San Diego. Starting after spring break bring small toiletry items - shampoo, soaps, lotions, toothpaste and other items to your first period class. Items will be distributed through Stand Up for Kids. Class with the most donations wins a prize.

We will participate in state testing from May 7 - 17. Please avoid scheduling appointments (dr. dentist, ortho) before noon during these two weeks. We will send our our Testing Bell Schedule as we get closer. Thank you in advance for your suppot.

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.