Panther Parent Update
September 5, 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
09/14 Picture Day
09/16 SGT
09/21 Back to School Night 5:00-6:30 (DATE CHANGED from 9/22 to 9/21)
Fun around town
I ran into some students at the SDSU football game on Saturday. I was probably more excited to see them than they were to see me, especially when I insisted on taking a picture. Then, I ran into two more families at church on Sunday. I love seeing our families around town!
We are very grateful to have some reprieve in the weather this week. The heat and rain was a lot last week. Our students are really doing a great job following our lunch time rules, respecting each other in classrooms, and working hard on assignments.
Clubs underway
Many of our clubs have started. Two clubs starting up this week are Builder's Club and Bible Club.
Bible Club:
Hello from Munnelly and Frick! We welcome everyone who wants to come to make friends, ask the deep questions of life, and see how the bible answers to the Common Grounds Club in room 702 every Monday. It's your club, so let's explore what youd like to do! We will start next week on the 19th. Bring your lunch and come enjoy some fellowship!
Builder's Club:
Are you interested in community service that benefits our school and our community? Builders Club is the place for you! We will have our first introductory meeting on Wednesday in room 706. Hope to see you there!
Parent Committees
We have a need for parent members on two committees.
School Governance Team
SGT meets on the third Friday of the month at 8:00am on zoom. We discuss school policies and programs. This committee is comprised of parents, students, and school staff.
School Site Council
SSC meets on the second Friday of the month and oversees our Title 1 funding and reviews the School Plan for Student Achievement SPSA. The SPSA governs how we spend our Title 1 funding and is closely monitored by SDUSD finance department and is reviewed by the School Board.
Please email Mr. Steven at sfong@sandi.net if you are interested. If we get more volunteers than needed, we will run an election. Thank you for considering this once a month commitment.
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
For the 2022-23 school year, De Portola Middle School will provide both BREAKFAST and LUNCH for all students. Breakfast will be served from 8:30-8:45 AM. Students just need their four digit PIN number, which can be found on their schedules. Please remind your children to be respectful with their trash for both meals.
No Food Deliveries
We do not allow fast food deliveries at De Portola. If you want to bring food from any fast food restaurant, we ask that you stay and have lunch with child. Thank you.
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.
Drop off and Pick Up Procedures
All parents must drop off students at the front of the school. When you enter the school parking lot, you must turn left and drive all the way down as the staff directs you. The staff will signal when it is time for your student to exit the vehicle. Please follow the directions of the staff to ensure the line moves. We kindly ask that you drive slowly enough so that you can roll down your window and call out an "I love you honey. Have a great day!" as this is every middle school child's expected departure procedure (insert embarrassing sarcasm here).
The parking lot is closed after school until 3:55. Please make arrangements to meet your student on the street or the rec center.
Also, please DO NOT use the residential parking lot across the street from school. We try to be really good neighbors and not disturb them with our dismissal procedures.
Adherence to these rules keep our students and staff safe and gets everyone on their way with a smile in their heart.
Parent Portal NOW OPEN
It is critical that everyone updates their information in the Parent Portal AND completes the LCFF information also located in the Parent Portal. Completing these two tasks should take no longer than 2 minutes and secures critical funding for our schools.
Updates can only be made on a desktop and NOT mobile devices.
If you need help accessing the Parent Portal, please email Mr. Hamilton at ehamiltonjr@sandi.net or stop by the office and he can assist.