Review of Title 1 Funds - Extra para hours and LTA position to Intervention Teacher
Move to approve and motion
Principal/Chair
15 minutes
Public Comments
No action may be taken at the meeting. Issues raised may be scheduled for another SSC.
Principal
5 minutes
Adjournment
Approval to adjourn the meeting
SSC Chair
1 minute
Upcoming Meeting: TBD
Principal Message
Posted by Elena GarciaYoshitomi on Thursday, Oct 12 at 2:02 PM in Portola Elementary School
Trunk or Treat- October 13, 2023 4:30PM-7:00PM
· Glow Sticks!
· Trick or Treating!
· Fun Car Decorations!
· Students and families may wear costumes that are appropriate and not too scary for our youngest Panthers!
· We will have Kona Ice and Tacos El Mexicano - 10% of sales goes to the school. Here are a couple of other things to look out for:
· Raffle Prizes!
· Lazy Dog Gift Certificates
· Prancer Pumpkin Patch Admission Tickets
· Pumpkins and Carving Tickets
· The Draft (Restaurant in Santa Paula)
Anti-Bullying Month
Bullying is a necessary topic in our schools. Portola Elementary School prides itself in welcoming parent feedback in regards to bullying and any other topics. One way we discuss anti-bullying is on October 18. October 18 is Unity Day where all Portola School community members can wear orange in order to support kindness, inclusion, and safety. I encourage all Portola School Community members to wear orange on that day! Our elementary school counselor Robert Barreto will be collaborating with our Portola teachers about how to go about bullying through classroom presentations. You may communicate with your child’s classroom teacher, site administration, and counselor if you have any questions about these challenging topics.
Parking Lot Expectations
Both parking lots in the front and the back of the school are our drop off and pick up locations. Please follow all traffic laws when dropping off your students and picking them up from school. Please watch the speed limit, do not park in red curb zones, and pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. Cars cannot enter the crosswalk until pedestrians are completely out of the crosswalk. Vehicles should also not be unattended. Double parking is not allowed. This causes a backup for vehicles and increases the likelihood of accidents.
Coffee with the Principal - 10/20/23
Meet the principal from 7:30AM-8:30AM for coffee or hot chocolate! We will be in the front of the school in the parking lot facing Eagle Street.
Important Reminders
October 18 - Unity Day - Wear Orange
October 20 - Coffee with the Principal
October 23-27 - Fall Break
October 30 - First Day Back from Fall Break
October 31 - Crazy Hair/Hat Day
November 6 - School of Choice Night at Buena High School
November 8 - ELAC
November 10 - Veterans Day - No School
November 14 - School Site Council
November 15-21 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (minimum days)
November 17 - Coffee with the Principal
November 22-24 - Thanksgiving Break
Principal Message
Posted by Elena GarciaYoshitomi on Thursday, Sep 28 at 5:06 PM in Portola Elementary School
After much time collaborating with teachers and staff in addition to receiving feedback from parents - here are the updated arrival and dismissal procedures. Please do not hesitate to communicate questions, concerns, or provide other suggestions that can be helpful.
Updated Arrival and Dismissal Procedures:
Portola Panthers are expected to walk independently to the classroom and cafeteria! We can provide additional support if needed! Here are a couple of adjustments that are unique to each grade level. Please communicate your after school routine with your child’s teacher!
Parking Lot Expectations
Both parking lots in the front and the back of the school are our drop off and pick up locations. Please follow all traffic laws when dropping off your students and picking them up from school. Vehicles should also not be unattended. Double parking is not allowed. This causes a backup for vehicles and increases the likelihood of accidents.
TK and Kindergarten Families Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
There will be a separate table for TK and K students that need extra help for walking to their classrooms in the cafeteria. TK and K parents may walk their students to the back gate and get direction from their teacher on how to walk their students to their classrooms.
1st Grade Families Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Families may walk their students up to the stars by the main building and/or the picnic tables near the back gate to see their students walk to class. 1st grade families can enter the front gate if they prefer to meet their child at dismissal. The back gate will be open for students to exit and for licensed daycare providers to enter and exit for pick up. Families may wait at the grassy area at the back gate so that our students can exit. 1st grade parents can also enter the campus through the front gate and be escorted by a staff member to their child’s classroom teacher. Older siblings may pick up their younger siblings. Please communicate your after school routine with your child’s teacher!
2nd and 3rd Grade Families Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
Families may walk their students up to the stars by the main building and/or the picnic tables near the back gate to see their students walk to class. 2nd and 3rd grade students are expected to have breakfast and walk to class independently. 2/3 Grade Parents will then wait for their students at the stars in front of the main office. 2/3 students can walk independently to the back gate if they made that arrangement with their parents. The back gate will only be for students meeting their families at the back parking lot and for licensed daycare providers to pick up first grade families. Families may wait at the grassy area at the back gate so that our students can exit. 2/3 students can wait for their siblings outside of their siblings’ classrooms. Please communicate your after school routine with your child’s teacher!
4th and 5th Grade Families
4th and 5th grade students are expected to have breakfast and walk to class independently. Families may walk their students up to the stars by the main building and/or the picnic tables near the back gate to see their students walk to class. 4th and 5th grade families will wait for their students outside the front and back gates of the school. 4th and 5th grade students are expected to walk peacefully from their classrooms at 2:30PM.
Wednesday Dismissal Procedures
Students in grades TK,K,1 can be picked up from their classrooms. Students in grades 2-5 may walk independently to meet their parents at the stars in front of the office or in the grassy area at the back gate. Grades 2 and 3 are dismissed at 12:20. Grades 4 and 5 are dismissed at 12:25. Grade 3 students are dismissed from the picnic tables. Grades 4 and 5 students are dismissed from the cafeteria.
Trunk or Treat! - Friday, October 13, 2023 4:30PM-7:00PM
· Food Trucks! Kona Ice! Tacos!
· We are seeking donations for candy and treats to be dropped off at the office!
· If you would like to participate in decorating your vehicle please call 805-616-3363 no later than Friday October 6. Limited spaces are available.
Important Dates
· September 28 - Boo Grams will be passed out
· October 4 - PFFO Meeting 6PM - Cafeteria
· October 5 - ELAC Meeting 5PM - Main Office
· October 5 - Picture Day
· October 9 - School Site Council 3PM - Zoom and Main Office
· October 11 - Fall Family Picnic
· October 13 - Trunk or Treat
· October 18 - Boo Grams are due
· October 23-27 - Fall Break
· October 31- Crazy Hair/Crazy Hat Day
Principal Message
Posted by Elena GarciaYoshitomi on Friday, Sep 22 at 1:15 PM in Portola Elementary School
Ventura Unified School District 2024-2025 Calendar
VUSD would like to inform you of some important updates to the 24-25 academic school year calendar. The Board of Education recently approved the 24-25 Academic Year Calendar which can be found on the VUSD calendar page. The most significant change to note is that the Fall 2024 school year will begin one week earlier than in previous years, with the first day of school scheduled for Aug. 14, 2024. While this adjustment will result in a one-week reduction in the upcoming summer, it will ultimately lead to a return to the customary duration of summer breaks in future years, as the school year will conclude a week earlier.
This decision has been the result of careful consideration and extensive discussions over several years. The primary objective behind this change is to ensure that our semesters conclude before winter break, eliminating the need for students and staff to return after the holidays to complete semester work. Additionally, this also aligns us with many other Districts in the county that have similar schedules.
VUSD understands that change can sometimes be challenging, but we believe that this adjustment will ultimately benefit our students and staff by providing a more efficient and productive academic calendar. Please review the updated calendar for further details.
Portola Elementary School ELAC Agenda 10/6/23
· Development of a detailed plan for English Learners submitted to the governing board in the school’s Single Plan for Student Achievement.
· Ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
National Hispanic Heritage Month Resources
National Hispanic, Latina/o/e/x, Chicana/o/e/x Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the contributions Latina/o/e/x Chicana/o/e/x Americans have made to American society and culture and honors seven of our southern neighbors who celebrate their independence in September. To help observe this month, the District has put together a website full of resources for families, students, and staff that incorporate fun activities, ideas, and books to be read to celebrate all month. Please visit https://sites.google.com/venturaedu.org/vusdcelebrateshispanicheritage/home today!
Important Dates
September 25 - No School
September 28 - Boo Grams will be passed out
October 4 - PFFO Meeting 6PM - Cafeteria
October 5 - ELAC Meeting 5PM - Main Office
October 5 - Picture Day
October 9 - School Site Council 3PM - Zoom and Main Office
October 11 - Fall Family Picnic
October 13 - Trunk or Treat
October 18 - Boo Grams are due
October 23-27 - Fall Break
October 31- Crazy Hair/Crazy Hat Day
Posted by Elena GarciaYoshitomi on Thursday, Sep 14 at 5:57 PM in Portola Elementary School
School Site Council, September 19 3PM
All Portola family members and staff are welcome to attend. Here is the agenda and zoom link for School Site Council
Agenda
1. Call to order
2. Meeting Notes
3. Roll call - Sign In Sheet
4. Role of the SSC
5. Bylaws
6. Review and adoption of SSC bylaws
7. Election of new SSC members, offices (chairperson, Vice chairperson & secretary) & terms of office
8. Parent involvement Policy & parent compact
9. Review and Approval of SPSA
10. Distribution of VUSD annual notice and uniform complaint procedure 2021
Currently families may walk their students to class and pick them up from their classrooms at dismissal for the month of September. Beginning October 2, students are expected to walk independently to class.
Pick Up Procedures
Starting October 2 we will have updated procedures for picking up students from school. Communication will be provided beforehand.
Birthday Treats
Portola Elementary School will continue to practice Ventura Unified School District’s policy for Healthy Food and Nutrition. Please communicate with your child’s classroom teacher about healthier alternatives for birthday treats. Any treats or goody bags will need to have teacher confirmation so that they will be delivered to the class. Any items that are not coordinated with the teacher will then not be taken to the classroom.
Important Dates
September 11 - October 6 Teachers in different grade levels will administer MAP testing
September 19 - School Site Council
September 22 - Crazy Sock Day
September 25 - No School
October 11 - Fall Family Picnic
October 13 - Trunk or Treat
October 23-27 - Fall Break
October 30 - Return from Fall Break
Principal Message
Posted by Elena GarciaYoshitomi on Friday, Sep 8 at 3:52 PM in Portola Elementary School
MAP Testing
Starting next week, some of your students might mention MAP testing. What is MAP testing? It is an assessment that all Ventura Unified School District schools complete in order to gage where our students stand academically and how we can support their learning throughout the year. Please communicate with your child’s teacher if you would like to know more about how your child is doing with MAP testing!
Attendance
Every day and minute of instruction help our students become outstanding scholars! This is a friendly reminder that we expect students to be on campus no later than 7:55AM so that they can be ready for instruction at 8:00AM. Right at 8AM is when learning begins! Here are some important reminders about attendance:
1. Being late to school slows down instruction as the teacher has to revisit concepts for students that arrive late
2. Students who arrive late do not have the opportunity to practice important literacy and math skills
3. Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
4. Missing a day or two once a week slows down learning and makes it very difficult for the child to keep up.
5. Satisfactory attendance is 9 or fewer absences.
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
Currently families may walk their students to class and pick them up from their classrooms at dismissal for the month of September. Beginning in October, students are expected to walk independently to class and to their destination after school. This helps communicate that we want our students to learn at the very beginning of the day and ease parking lot traffic at the end of the day.
Chick-Fil-A Fundraiser - September 12 - 4pm-7pm
Dine out with Portola Panthers!
Place a mobile order from your phone and Chick-Fil-A 101 & Telephone will donate 20% to Portola Elementary School!
You must place the order via the Chick-fil-A App on your mobile phone and mention the school in the end comments.
1. Download the Chick-fil-A App
2. Sign in and create the account
3. Select Support Community Care Event Option
4. Pick up your order for dine-in, carry out, or drive-thru
Important Dates
September 11 - October 6 Teachers in different grade levels will administer MAP testing
September 19 - School Site Council
September 22 - Crazy Sock Day
September 25 - No School
October 11 - Fall Family Picnic
October 13 - Trunk or Treat
Principal Message
Posted by Elena GarciaYoshitomi on Friday, Sep 1 at 10:26 AM in Portola Elementary School
September 1, 2023
Dear Portola Families,
Thank you all for attending Back to School Night! For those of you that were unable to attend, please know that we are more than happy to connect with you! At Back to School Night, a couple of important messages were communicated. They will be outlined in this message.
Annual Enrollment Forms and Yearbook Photos
Some of you may have already completed annual enrollment online and may have received an email from the district stating it is incomplete. Please try to log in again and complete all questions. Students whose annual enrollment forms are not completed will NOT have permission to be in the school yearbook or any class photos.
Start the update process here: https://www.venturausd.org/
Select Families
Select Q Parent Connect
Log in using either your email or pin and then your password. If using email, make sure you use the one you registered with the school district.
Select Annual Update on the upper right
Select Edit for the first Contact to get started.
School Site Council Nominations
We have many opportunities for families and community members to get involved on campus. One way to volunteer is to join our School Site Council. School Site Council brings school staff and parents/community members together to discuss and provide input on school plans and initiatives. This is an elected body serving two year terms. We currently have 3 openings for Parent/ community members. The group meets five times per year with in person or zoom as an option. If you are interested in nominating yourself or a peer - please complete this nomination form online or turn in a paper nomination form. Teachers passed those out at Back to School Night and we have copies available in the office.
Celebrating Birthdays
Portola Elementary School discourages bringing snacks, pizza, cupcakes, candy bags for children’s birthdays. Rather than bringing food that could potentially cause harmful allergic reactions, please consider bringing goodie bags with small gifts for all students in the classroom. Cupcakes and other outside food will then not be allowed in student classrooms.
Updated Drop off and Pick Up Procedures
Both parking lots in the front and the back of the school are our drop off and pick up locations. Do not double park and follow all traffic laws when dropping off your students and picking them up from school.
Kindergarten families may use their entrance to their classrooms and not the front of the school or back gate.
The back gate will also be closed at 8:00AM. Students that are tardy will then have to enter the front gate.
Please be mindful that fourth and fifth graders are dismissed at a different time from kindergarten through third grade students.
After September, parents will have to drop their children off at the gate
Students will be expected to walk independently to their classrooms and to their families at dismissal time.
Important Dates
September 4 - NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY
September 12 - Portola Family Dinner Night at Chick-fil-A 4PM-7PM
September 19 - School Site Council 3PM-4PM
September 25 - NO SCHOOL - NON-STUDENT DAY
Have a wonderful weekend!
Elena Garcia-Yoshitomi, Ed.D
Principal Message - August 25, 2023
Posted by Elena GarciaYoshitomi on Friday, Aug 25 at 3:27 PM in Portola Elementary School
August 25, 2023
Dear Portola Families!
Thank you for an awesome first week of school! It has been a pleasure not to mention enjoyable to have your children back on campus! Below are a couple of reminders and announcements as we get the year underway.
Before School Procedures
We will continue to allow parents on campus to drop off and pick up their children at their classrooms until September 1. After that we will expect all students to walk independently to their classrooms. Please remember that students are expected to be on campus by 7:55AM so that instruction can begin promptly at 8:00AM.
Importance of Attendance
Getting into the habit of daily attendance is more important than ever. It helps to:
· support learning
· make it easier to connect with friends and teachers
· increase school success
· reduce stress
· Please call us if you need help with attendance.
Back to School Night Schedule
August 30, 2023
5:30PM - Title 1 Presentation with Principal in cafeteria
6:00PM - Grades 1-2 Presentation in teacher classrooms
6:35PM - Principal Welcome
7:00PM - Grades 3-5 Presentation in teacher classrooms
TK and K Parents - please check with your classroom teachers about Back to School Night
*Daycare will be provided
Spirit Booth and Spirit Days
August 30 will be our first day for Spirit Booth! Our booth will be open at the front of the school at dismissal! Also, each Friday students and staff where Portola gear for school spirit on Fridays!
PFFO Membership Drive
More information about PFFO membership will be coming soon!
Earthquake/Aftershock Preparedness
As we continue to roll with the aftershocks of the Ojai earthquake, we wanted to share a few resources to help you explain what to do in an earthquake or during an aftershock at home and school. Please know that Portola Elementary consistently practices emergency drills throughout the year. We ask that you help reinforce these at home.
Grades K-4: We recommend showing this video to help explain what to do. We reinforce the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique during VUSD emergency drills. https://youtu.be/ay5lTN81u1Q.
We also recommend that children memorize the phone number of a relative or friend out of the area they can call if they cannot reach you. As we often try to get ahold of loved ones in an emergency, we get a busy signal; sometimes, it is easier to call a person out of the area to let them know you are okay and relay information. If you have a student that is driving, we also recommend preparing a small emergency kit that they keep in their car. We always have staff on campus who stay with students until their families pick them up during an emergency.
School Website - check it out for important dates and information!
Principal Message - online enrollment, important dates, and first days of school procedures
August 18, 2023
Important Dates:
August 22, 2023 - Kindergarten Orientation
School Cafeteria and Teacher Classrooms 1PM-2PM
Meet and Greet- School Cafeteria 3:30PM-4:00PM
August 23, 2023 - First Day of School! - Boo Hoo! Yahoo!
8AM-9AM School Library
Come meet PFFO representatives with bagels and coffee!
August 30, 2023 - Back to School Night
6PM-7:30PM
Again, we can’t wait to see you and our students! Here are a couple of important reminders!
Annual Enrollment Forms and Yearbook Photos
First Day Forms will be done online this year! These forms include emergency cards, updating addresses, making sure all immunizations are up to date, etc. Students will not be allowed to be in the yearbook until these forms are completed and submitted online.
Here are the expectations for all families and students for entering campus and dismissal from August 23-September 1. Parents will be allowed to come to campus to walk their children to their classroom. After September 1, we will update our procedures. Stay tuned! Please know that our parking lot is especially crowded. We strongly encourage and recommend that families carpool or walk to school. Please remember that double parking is not allowed in our surrounding neighborhood streets.
Before School
Students who eat breakfast in the cafeteria enter campus through Partridge Street.
Students who enter Portola through Eagle Street will wait at the gold stars in front of the front office. Parents who wish to walk their students to class should guide their students from the front of the school.
Dismissal
K students are dismissed at 11:20 AM until November 7th. Kindergarten families are to use the kindergarten entrance only
TK students are dismissed at 11:30AM from today until the end of the year. They are to use the TK entrance only
Parents may enter campus to pick up their students through the front of campus only.
1-3 are dismissed at 2:25 PM
4-5 are dismissed at 2:30 PM
2nd-5th grade students are dismissed from their classrooms.
August 2, 2023
Good Day Portola Families!
I hope all of you had a wonderful summer with your families and loved ones! Our teachers and staff are ready to get this school year started and cannot wait to welcome back our students! August 23 is already our first day of school! Let the countdown begin!
Here is some important information!
ParentSquare App
We strongly encourage and recommend that parents download the ParentSquare App to their personal devices. Having the app accessible makes communication with the school so much easier! The app is available in the App Store and Google Play.
Registration and Enrollment
The front office is now open for any questions about enrollment and registration! Feel free to swing by or give us a call!
First Day Packets
First Day Forms will be done online this year! These forms include emergency cards, updating addresses, making sure all immunizations are up to date, etc.
