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!!

07/29 Office opens for enrollment only

07/31 Office open DAILY for enrollment, packet pick-up, and PE sales 7:00 - 3:30

08/07 Office CLOSED for staff meeting

08/08 Panther Orientation 3:00-4:30

08/12 First day of school (FULL DAY)

08/15 MINIMUM DAY with a 1:00 Dismissal (EVERY THURSDAY)

09/05 Back to School Night 5:00-7:00

Whoa! That was a quick summer! The weather is telling us that summer is just getting started, but our calendars are telling us it's officially "Back to School" season. This will be the start of my 24th year in SDUSD and my sixth year at De Portola. During our very brief summer, the Jaramillos were able to get in a glamping trip to Santa Barbara for the 4th of July and a five-day tent camping trip to San Clemente. We ended our summer vacation with an epic experience at Yummy Sushi in Coronado with All You Can Eat Sushi. It was a dream come true for my teenage boys, Marco (17) and Donovan (19). We live in the neighborhood and I love running into families at the grocery store, taco shop, and community events.

We are excited to welcome Kelly Lowry to our De Portola family as our new Associate Principal for the 2024-25 school year. Kelly brings 20 years of experience in education serving various roles: Special Education Teacher, Athletics Coach, Special Education Resource Teacher, High School Vice Principal, High School Principal, and Principal on Special Assignment. Additionally, Kelly served 10 years as an Officer in the Army Reserve and the California Army National Guard. He holds a Bachelor's in Psychobiology from UCLA and a Master's in Special Education from National University; and earned his special education credential from National University and his Administrative credential from the University of San Diego. Kelly is passionate about creating equitable systems where all students can learn and thrive. He believes in developing trusting, collaborative relationships to help create safe and supportive spaces for all. He is originally from Riverside County, California, Kelly lives in San Diego with his wife and two young children, ages 4 and 7.

All students must return a completed packet on August 8, 2024 at DP Orientation in order to receive their student schedule. 6th graders attend at 3:00pm. 7th graders attend at 3:30pm. 8th graders attend at 4:00pm.

Annual Registration Packet Pick Up and PE Sales will be available daily beginning July 31, 2024 from 7:00am - 3:30pm. Registration packet includes address verification, SDUSD information, health questionnaire, DP Foundation, bell schedule, and PE order forms.

Click here for a list of PE items and prices. We DO NOT sell locks for PE Lockers. We highly recommend purchasing an old school Master Lock. They are the most durable. Please have your student practice their combination prior to the first week of school. Students will be expected to start dressing on Friday, August 16, 2024.

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 from 7:30 - 7:50 AM. Students just need to input their six digit student ID number and they are on their way to a delicious start to their day (cinnamon rolls are my personal favorite).

We will be reviewing all of our student policies with students during the first week of school. Here are some of the basics to get you started:

Dress Code:

Our expectation is that students understand the fine line between self-expression and being presentable. Please review some very basic rules about dress code.

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

• No hoods indoors

• Hats are at the discretion of each teacher

• No undergarments showing

• No slippers or blankets

• No clothing with foul language or adult behavior (drinking, smoking, etc).

Our school is a beautiful place for learning and we uphold the dress code for everyone who is on campus. We celebrate all styles as long as they adhere to the the above listed expectations.

Cell Phones:

Students cannot be on their phones between 8:00am-2:30pm. Phones will be confiscated and returned to students at the end of the day. Repeat offenders will result in phone calls home. Your child may ask any staff permission to text or call home. We value our instructional time and understand that middle schoolers are easily distracted by constant phone notifications.

Parent Portal is currently disabled while we spend the next two weeks finalizing schedules and enrolling new students.