
Panther Parent Update
May 4, 2025
Our School Vision
De Portola is a welcoming diverse learning community. We foster individuality by empowering and developing students’ communication, curiosity, and critical thinking skills through a growth mindset. We are Panthers! Rooooaaaarrrrrrrr!!
Important Dates
5/6 - 5/8 - State Testing
5/7 - Mr. White's Taylor Guitar Field Trip
5/7 - Kona Ice (Lunchtime)
5/9 - 8th Grade Career Day (Period 1)
5/9 - ASB Knotts Berry Farm Field Trip
5/13 - 6th Grade Field Trip (SeaWorld)
5/13 - Spring Music Department Concert 6PM
5/13 - Textbook Check In 7th & 8th Grade (PE Classes)
5/14 - Textbook Check In 6th Grade (Math Classes)
5/15 - AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam
5/16 - Band/Choir Knotts Field Trip
5/19 - 5/23 Futsal (Lunchtime Activity)
5/20 - Foundation Meeting @ 4PM OFF SITE
5/22 - Spanish Medal Ceremony 5PM
5/26 - Memorial Day (No School)
5/27 - Yearbook Distribution (Period 1)
5/28 - 8th Grade Promotion Practice 8:40AM-9:40AM
5/28 - 8th Grade Field Day 9:45AM-12PM
5/29 - 8th Grade Promotion 9:15am
5/29 - Last Day of School (1PM Dismissal)
8/11 - First Day of School 2025-26
Panther Bowling was another great night in good company with a really fun crowd. Many thanks to Emily Krause, Sally Viavada, and Lauren Karkenny for all their time and efforts in planning and organizing this great event. Another thank you to Denise Sautter and Andy Waggoner for their behind the scenes work with all the financials needed to run this event. We also appreciate Mr. White and his students for 3D printed trophies. It truly was a great evening with lots of laughs and big time bowling style points to some hidden talents in our community.
Staff Appreciation Week 5/1 - 5/8
We started to celebrate our Staff last Thursday, May 1st and will continue until this Thursday, May 8th.
- Thursday, May 1st - Staff Ice Cream Social
- Friday, May 2nd - Fill the Fridge (Variety of Beverages for Staff)
- Monday, May 5th - De Portola Swag for Staff
- Tuesday, May 6th - Bagels & Coffee for Staff provided by Foundation
- Thursday, May 8th - Taco Cart for Staff provided by Foundation
If your student would like to create a card, bring a small treat or maybe even a flower to one of their favorite staff members they are more than welcome too!
CAASP Testing 4/29 - 5/8
We continue our state testing this Tuesday 5/6 thru Thursday 5/8. We are asking families to encourage/remind students to be well rested, charge Chromebooks nightly and to eat a nutritious breakfast. All students have access to free breakfast available at the DPMS Cafeteria from 7:30 - 7:50 AM. Try to limit your student's absences during the next two weeks. Also, note the below testing period times to try and schedule appointments before or after this window.
Kona Ice 5/9
Kona Ice will be on campus this Friday, May 9th during lunch. 6th graders will be released to lunch 5 minutes early this Friday. This will help with the Kona Ice lines.
Small - $5
Medium - $6
Large - $7
Refillable - $8
Students can pay with cash. Kona Ice also accepts Apple Pay, so students will be permitted to use their phone at point of purchase. The sales from Kona Ice go directly to the PE Department for equipment.
Yearbooks - UPDATED INFO
You only have until May 13th to pre-order your yearbook at www.yearbookforever.com for $60. The yearbooks are selling quickly this year, so get yours before we run out of our limited supply. After May 13th, the online store will close.
Pre-ordered yearbooks will be distributed through 1st period on Tuesday, May 27th. If you would still like a yearbook, the online store will open back up after that time (around 9am). We will NOT be accepting cash or check for yearbook purchases. Once you order it online, you will be able to pick up your purchased yearbook from Ms. Dora in the financial office. The online store will close for the final time this school year on Friday, May 30th. No yearbooks will be able to be purchased after that date.
Please email Ms. McIntosh (smcintosh@sandi.net) with any questions. Thank you!
IMPORTANT TO UPDATE LCFF IN PARENT PORTAL
LCFF - A Message from Fabi Bagula, Ph.D., Superintendent (Interim)
Dear San Diego Unified Families,
At the San Diego Unified School District, we are committed to ensuring that every student is set up for success—both inside and outside the classroom.
One way you can help make that vision a reality is by completing a short survey that directly impacts how much state funding your child’s school receives—just two quick questions. No income documentation is required. Your information is completely confidential.
When you complete the Local Control Funding Formula Survey, your student and family benefit with additional funding for classroom resources and technology, afterschool and summer programs.
This is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support your child’s education. Please complete the survey in any of the following ways:
Online via the unique link emailed to you from survey@sandiegounified.org via SurveyMonkey
In-person, by printing out and returning the paper form HERE to your child’s school
Through the PowerSchool Parent Portal (click HERE or scan the QR code below for easy access). The LCFF Form icon is located in the lower left corner. If you don't have a Parent Portal account, click HERE to view a tutorial. Please reach out to Steven Fong with any Parent Portal questions, Sfong@sandi.net
Together, we can ensure every school gets the resources it needs—and every child gets the opportunities they deserve.
IMPORTANT TO UPDATE LCFF IN PARENT PORTAL
8th Grade Promotion Requirements
Please review the below Promotion Requirements with your 8th grade students.
- You can only have one “D” or one “F” (no combinations) on final report card in S2 column.
- No “U’s” for citizenship, period!
- Beginning Grading Period 4 (March 17th), no more than 9 tardies.
- Beginning Grading Period 4 (March 17th), no suspensions.
- Deadline for raising grades: May 16th!
If you have any questions/concerns, please contact your student's counselor;
Students with the last name that begins with A-L - Mrs. Hudson Lhudson@sandi.net
Students with the last name that begins with M-Z - Mrs. Ericson - Aericson@sandi.net
Promotion will be held on Thursday, May 29 at 9:15am.
Repeated information from previous weeks.
Not Attending De Portola Next Year?
Appointments and Absences
Full day absences need to be reported to Charisma Johnson at cjohnson7@sandi.net. Please include your student's full name, DOB, reason for illness and the day or dates they are absent.
Food Deliveries
We do not accept food deliveries for students. Additionally, parents cannot drop off fast food for their student (Subway Included). If a student forgets their lunch, we offer free lunch every day. If a parent drops off a student's lunch bag, we will have the student come up to office at 12:00pm. If a parent brings lunch from Cotijas (or anywhere else), we ask that you stay and enjoy it with your student.
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
For the 2024-25 school year, De Portola Middle School will provide both BREAKFAST and LUNCH for all students. Breakfast will be served in the lunch arbor from 7:30 - 7:50 AM. Students just need to input their six digit student ID number and make their food selection.