Panther Parent Update
December 11, 2022
Our School Vision
De Portola welcomes individuality by empowering and developing students’ communication, curiosity, and critical thinking skills through a growth mindset. We are Panthers! Rooooaaaarrrrrrrr!!
School Phone Number 619-605-4800
Important Dates
12/13 Winter Concert @ Canyon Hills (Orchestra & Choir)
12/14 Winter Concert @ Canyon Hills (Band)
12/14 8th grade walk to Canyon Hills
12/16 Minimum Day 2:00 DISMISSAL
12/17 - 01/02 WINTER BREAK
01/03 School Resumes
01/05 Minimum Day 2:00 DISMISSAL
5th Grade Chill on the Hill with TES
Last Week of 2022
It is crazy to see that 2022 is coming to a close. We have packed in a lot of fun these last few weeks and this week is no different. We have spirit week, 8th grade trip to Canyon Hills, and two concerts. Please be sure that your students take extra care of their laptops during the rain. Due to a staffing shortage, our library will be closed all week with limited access to loaners. A friendly reminder to your student to bring their laptop fully charged is greatly appreciated. Also, some students could really use some extra encouragement to turn in missing assignments before we go on break. There are only 18 instructional days, two of which are short days, left before the semester ends. A quick visit into the Parent Portal/Powerschool might help Santa know who has been naughty or nice. If you have any concerns about missing assignments or low test scores, please reach out to the specific teacher for inquiry.
PE Uniform
Our PE Department holds a strong line with the uniform requirements. Many students have been wearing additional garments for warmth since it has been colder. Students are only allowed to wear gray crewneck sweatshirts and navy sweatpants. Students cannot wear hoodies or anything with pockets. They can wear any beanie or hat, plain gray crewneck sweatshirts, and navy sweatpants. We sell DP sweats in the front office for $15 each. You can also purchase your own grey sweatshirt or navy sweatpants at a retailer of your choice, but it must be plain and not have any logos, pockets, zippers, or hoods. Additionally, students still have to dress out when it rains as PE teachers take the students inside. Finally, PE teachers will be strongly encouraging all students to take home their PE clothes over the winter break to be laundered. Thank you for touching base with your student about this.
Please read the DP PE Syllabus for more details.
Yearbooks
The De Portola 2022-2023 Yearbook is now on sale! It can be purchased digitally from www.yearbookforever.com and there is also a link on the "Parents" section of the DP website. The book is currently priced at $50, but will go up to $55 on March 1st, so get yours today! Information about purchasing 8th Grade Ads will come out after Winter Break. Please email smcintosh@sandi.net with any yearbook questions.
Soccer and Volleyball
Winter Middle School Sports Registration is Open. Athletic teams are available to all SDUSD students grades 6-8, free of charge. Sign ups are closed. Tryouts will begin when we resume from winter break and practices will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00-5:30pm. For questions please contact Lonnie Jones at ljones3@sandi.net.
Front Office Help
Recently, we have had a lot of absences in our front office due to one on maternity leave, one retirement, one promotion, and one transfer. We are down to the bare bones. If you are interested in becoming a clerical substitute, please complete the job application linked here. Please direct any questions to Mr. Steven at sfong@sandi.net. Mr. Steven is managing a lot right now, so additional help would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering, we could use help with morning supervision from 8:30 - 9:30 and or after school from 3:40 - 3:55. We will graciously provide a snazzy yellow vest. I mean if that doesn't lure you, I just don't know what will. Ha! Ha!
PrimeTime hiring Youth Leaders
Know someone looking for a part time job? PrimeTime is hiring Youth Leaders. This job pays $18 an hour and comes with great perks such as YMCA gym membership, paid sick leave, and a great work environment. Job description and application linked here.
Reporting absences
Absences outside of illness such as death in the family, military deployment leaves, injuries, regular appointments such as doctor, dentist, and orthodontist are excused. Absences outside of the above listed examples should be reported as "personal reasons, non-Covid related". Thank you for your honesty with reporting absences. We are far more concerned about the health and safety of our students and staff than we are with unexcused absences.
Please call the office at 619-605-4800 and press 3 or email Miss Dora at dbriggs@sandi.net for all absences.