MATADOR NEWS
FRIDAY FOCUS
Portola Middle School
Email: PortolaPrincipal@orangeusd.org
Website: https://www.orangeusd.org/portola-middle-school-6-7-8
Location: 270 N Palm Dr, Orange, CA 92868, USA
Phone: 714-997-6361
Welcome Back Matadors
Message from Mr. Morgan
Jeff Morgan is excited to start the 2021-22 school year at Portola Middle School. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Jeff graduated from Chico State with a BA in Spanish and later earned his teaching credential from Cal State Fullerton. This is Jeff’s fifteen year in education, all within OUSD. He has served as a Spanish teacher and Activities Director at Villa Park High School and as an Assistant Principal at Orange High School for four and a half years. Jeff began he is looking forward to his 4rd year and kicking off the year celebrating the many successes from the previous school year during unprecedented times. Jeff looks forward to building and growing programs at Portola Middle School. Currently he is focused on growing the AVID and ASB programs as well as being one of two of the first middle schools in Orange County to be a part of the Verizon Innovative Schools Program (VILS) at Portola. When students are involved he believes that they are more engaged in their education. This philosophy comes from his time as an Activities Director and witnessing the direct correlation between extracurricular activities and student achievement. The belief is that all programs support each other.
Throughout his time in education, Jeff has seen the value in building relationships with parents and the community to support the overall vision of the school site. As a community we have the ability to foster the growth of our youth to prepare them for what is next. In this case that would be high school. Jeff believes that we must prepare students for the academic rigors of high school and for being a citizen of character as well. We continue to give our students the tools needed for success, so they can pursue and reach their goals and passions.
DATA CONFIRMATION- Must be completed prior to August 18th
Welcome New Staff Members to the Portola Family
- Jonathan Pongco, AP
- Crystal Meyer, VILS Instructional Specialist
- Holly Nelson, Hist/Eng
- Eric Schultz, Math/Sci
- Viridiana Mora, LMS
- Arlene Wesson, Cook/Baker
- Cesar Sanchez, Kitchen Manager
- Silvia Martinez, Psychologist
- Sandy Huynh, Counselor
New Bell Schedule
School uniform
Students will be expected to be in uniform. See information below.
We will be selling Portola uniform polo shirts and sweatshirts from the office.
- Polos- $10.00
- Crew Sweatshirts- $15.00
HEADGEAR
Hats, bandanas, beanies, hoods or any other headgear is prohibited.
SHIRTS/TOPS
Uniform shirts will be polo style shirts in solid navy, black, gray or white. Polo shirts and sweatshirts must be size-appropriate and can be purchased at school. Undershirts must be appropriate size and cannot hang out at the bottom. PE clothes may not be worn as part of the school uniform.
OUTERWEAR
Sweatshirts and Jackets must be navy, gray, black or white with or without the Portola logo. Other logos acceptable but must be school appropriate. Flannel shirts may not be worn as jackets. If questionable, school administration determines appropriateness of student outerwear.
BELTS
Belt buckles must be plain with no initials/logos on them. Belts will be of appropriate length for student waist size and the belt must be kept in the belt loops.
PANTS/SKIRTS
Pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, or skinny pants that are Navy, Black, Grey and Khaki are allowed. Denim jeans are also allowed in the same colors. Sweatpants, athletic type pants or shorts and PE shorts are not considered uniform pants. Overly tight pants and shorts must be size appropriate (within one size of a student’s actual waist and inseam measurement) and be worn at the waistline. Pants and shorts that have enlarged legs are not allowed. The legs of pants and shorts must be hemmed (not frayed or slit) at the seams, and may not have any holes or tears. All skirts, shorts and skorts must be at least mid-thigh length.
SHOES
Shoes must be worn at all times. Flip-flops, slippers, backless shoes or sandals are not allowed. Shoes with high heels higher than 1 inch may not be worn. Laced up tennis shoes must be worn during P.E.
JEWELRY/ACCESSORIES
Jewelry that is deemed dangerous or a distraction by administration may not be worn. Over-sized earrings, chain belts, studded jewelry or accessories, any type of pointed jewelry or accessory, and wallet chains could be considered dangerous and may be confiscated. Piercings with pointed studs are not allowed. No items may be hanging out of uniform pants’ pockets.
CLUB SHIRTS
Authorized school club shirts may be worn in place of the Portola polo shirt.
HAIR COLOR/FACIAL PIERCINGS
Body markings (which are done with markers, pens, or other writing utensils), facial piercings (on the nose, eyebrow, lips, or any part of the face) or unnatural colored hair may be considered a distraction to the educational process. If administration identifies something as a distraction to the campus or learning environment, parents will be contacted to address the situation.
Portola on Social Instagram
Follow us on the following social media platforms to see all of our exciting activities, information, and more!
@portolamatadorsousd
@portola_avid
@portola_asb
@potola_music
@portola_art_class
@portola_counselor
School Site Council Members Needed for the 2021-22 School Year
Website
Visit Portola’s webpage for updates, Parent Information & Resources
Nutrition Services Information
Please view letter to complete the Alternative Funding form (all families are asked to complete):
COVID Guidelines and Mask requirements
- Students enrolled at Portola will attend in-person, 5 days/week.
- Students MUST wear masks while indoors.
- Students have the option to NOT wear mask while outdoors.
- While in the classroom, no social distancing is necessary.
- Staff MUST wear masks indoors when students are present.
- At this time, NO volunteers allowed on campus (only essential adults allowed).
- Back to School Night will be Virtual.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures & Materials
Gates will open at 7:15 AM for breakfast.
We will have a single point of entry and exit: The front gate will be the single point of entry. Students will follow COVID guidelines.
Please also have the following materials:
- · fully charged laptop computer (also bring charging cord) & Headphones (we will supply all students with a laptop on September 2nd)
- · personal water bottle (water fountains will not be used)
- · paper/pencils
- · Colors/Art supplies
- · book to read
- · MATADOR Agenda
- · pages needed from consumable textbooks or workbooks for Math, English, History, and Science
Transportaion and Bus Passes
Paper Tutoring
Introducing the NEW Paper Education
This is available to all students in OUSD. Free and no application.
Students can access this program with live tutors any time, 24 hours/7 days a week.
So far, the Portola students really liked this app and can get immediate help.
It is available through their dashboard.
Quick video on how to get there and how to use it:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qJwkk4SVWJDfsBOki1pipjCZ7c1Tbl_t/view?usp=sharing
Medications
THINK TOGETHER- After school program
For more information please contact Ms. Yesenia Toledo at 714.326.3442 or email: portolams@thinktogether.org
Also, you can visit our website
https://sites.google.com/view/portola-ms-think-together/home
ATTENDANCE OFFICE
We appreciate your communication with us whenever your student is absent from school, even during distance learning. Please call our Attendance Hotline (714) 997-6361 on the day of the absence. Thank you!
Attendance WILL COUNT this year. Please make sure that your student is in school, on camera every day. In the event they are sick and unable to attend virtually, you still must call in their absence.
After 3 consecutive absences, teachers, counselors, or other staff will be reaching out to make a connection with the family.
If students continue to be absent to class, the school district will go through the steps of our Re-Engagement Plan.
PORTOLA WELLNESS CENTER
Wellness supports and resources for our students and families while virtual and when we return live:
https://sites.google.com/orangeusd.org/portolamatadorwellnesscenter
Free Public Education
Section 5 of Article IX of the California Constitution guarantees students a “free and appropriate public education”. The State Supreme Court concluded in the 1984 case of Hartzell v. Connell, “that all educational activities carried on by public school districts, extracurricular as well as curricular, must be without cost to the students who participate in such activities”. This same ruling found that “mandatory fees for participating in such extra-curricular activities as drama, music, and athletic competition were illegal under the State constitution”. Furthermore, the State Supreme Court also rejected the argument that “fees could be charged as long as the district waived fees for students who were financially unable to pay”. I would like to assure you that Cerro Villa Middle School does not engage in a “pay for play” system.
OUSD Bully Prevention Handbook
Please click on the following link to download the handbook.
Stay healthy and safe Matadors…We miss you!
Project Alert
All students in 7th and 8th grade receive a program of instruction on drug education and the effects of the use of tobacco. Portola Middle School utilizes Project Alert as the prevention program. The main goals of the program are to prevent adolescent non-users from experimenting with drugs and to prevent youth who are already experimenting from becoming more regular users. The program began in 1984 and is based on an approach that helps motivate young people to avoid using drugs and teaches them the skills they need to understand and resist pro-drug social influences. These influences may come from peers, other adults or family members, and/or the media. The program uses small-group activities, question-and-answer sessions, role-playing, and the practice of new skills to stimulate students' interest and participation in the ALERT curriculum, which focuses on alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and inhalant use.
If you have questions about the program, please contact your child’s principal. He/she will be happy to discuss Project Alert with you.
Right to Know Professional Qualifications of Teachers and Paraprofessionals
Date: 8/16/21
Dear Parents,
In compliance with the requirements of the Every Students Succeeds Act, Portola Middle School would
like to inform you that you may request information about the professional qualifications of your student’s teacher(s) and/ or paraprofessional(s). The following information may be requested:
• Whether the student’s teacher:
- has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction;
- is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived; and
- is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.
- Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
If you wish to request information concerning your child’s teacher’s and/ or paraprofessional’s qualifications, please contact Jeff Morgan at 714-997-6361
Sincerely,
Jeff Morgan
Principal