Portola News!
Weekly Update: 9/18/2020
Happy Friday!
Hello, my wonderful Portola families,
Week 3 is complete! You made it through another week at a distance; I hope you gave your self some grace! I have visited quite a few classes now, so I have a better sense of the struggles from both sides of the camera. While I can't solve all of your home environment challenges, I can offer suggestions on how you can improve the overall learning experience. I am repeating my post from last week, as there are several issues that have not been addressed at home. Look at my list and see if there are any you missed; I am adding two new ones this week. And as far as your challenges at home, let me know how I may assist you, perhaps with a Zoom call with you or your child to have a chat with the Principal. Have a relaxing weekend!! Fondly, Dr. Krotz
Supporting Our Amazing Teachers
Teachers are also feeling the strain of trying to engage a large group of children online. It is really important that you revisit the rules and etiquette of being in front of a camera with other people. I believe a little checklist by the computer before they log on is in order.
Please remember to RENAME their Zoom screen to reflect their name (not yours--and no nicknames) so that teachers can easily recognize and remember them! It is similar to when they are in school in person. We try so hard to put a name with a face, and that applies to online as well. Help the teachers know your child by name by displaying it!
Remind your child how to mute and unmute themselves. The quickest way is to make sure they are muted and teach them to use the space bar to talk; it must be pressed and held down while they are talking.
Ensure that the microphone is working and the volume is turned up! I sat in on several classes this week where a child was unmuted and talking, but could not be heard. These are new skills, to be sure, but they are essential to the learning environment.
Set up a Zoom meeting with your child to practice!
During Zoom sessions, please try to refrain from giving your child the answers. We know that it’s hard, but we really need students to think for themselves. Sometimes even wrong answers turn into great learning moments. It’s okay for them to fail or take a little more time to think things through.
PLEASE do not hover in the background, the only help your child should need is with technology, and you should practice and troubleshoot those skills before class. If you need any help at all with the technology, I am happy to practice with you and your child.
REMOVE any distractions from your child's learning environment; this includes any toys or stuffed animals.
REPLACE chairs that swirl/twirl or have wheels! I understand that any person, child, or otherwise who is put on wheels is going to move, however, watching a child twirl in their chair for an entire hour is not acceptable and I feel for my poor teacher who had to watch that!
Dr. Krotz's Leadership Assembly Wednesdays @ 8:30
Description:https://sbpsd-k12-ca-us.zoom.us/j/5210443248?pwd=NjhMcUhnMFJOVmNqeUl0andzUmNiQT09 Meeting ID: 521 044 3248Passcode: Panda
I recognize that our Kindergarteners have not had the experience of a Krotz Dot yet, so I am working on a plan for them~stay tuned Kinder parents!
Food Pantry at Portola
Free Food Pantry at Portola
The PTA is starting a free food pantry to help support our families in need. Starting on Monday, Sept 21, the pantry will be stocked with non-perishable foods as well as school supplies and clothing. Please come take what you need, or leave what you can. The pantry will be located in the foyer of the school and will be open during school hours.
Bath, Brush, Books, and Bedtime
There is a lot to be said for children getting enough sleep each night. Doctors recommend that children ages 3 to 6 need about 10-12 hours of sleep each day. And 7- to 12-year-olds do best with 10 or 11 hours. Why? Not getting enough shut-eye can lead to poor school performance, weight gain, as well as taking a toll on their physical, emotional, and social health.
This handy chart could help ensure your children are getting enough rest. As for how to get them actually in bed and sleeping soundly, pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu recommends creating a nightly routine that helps kids wind down, like the "4 B's: bathing, brushing teeth, books, and bedtime."
Mind Food for this week!
Office Updates: Please take the time to read thoroughly; we are still missing more than half of our First Day packets!
Attendance: We are tracking attendance and engagement/participation. Teachers are submitting daily attendance; if a child is not showing up in the morning Zoom meeting, they will be marked absent. It is important to remember that attendance rules and policies will be adhered to in the same manner as though children were on campus. Parents are to NOTIFY THE TEACHER if they anticipate their child will be absent for any reason. Students will be marked as unexcused if there isn’t communication between home and school. This is important for your child’s success. If you are having problems with the schedule, please contact your child’s teacher.
Engagement: Students are required to show up for their morning meeting every day at 9:00 am. The ONLY excuse is if there are connectivity issues which must be documented with the teacher. Connectivity is defined as not having Internet access/a hotspot--and nothing else! Sleeping in is not a connectivity issue! Please schedule all appointments during asynchronous (not live) learning time, but preferably after 3:00.
All teachers are responsible for reaching out to parents if children are not in class. Please help our teachers by reporting absences to them directly.
Important Dates: Every Wednesday is Early Dismissal at 1:20 pm
Technology
This year will look a bit different than distance learning did in the spring. All students will be expected to be online, attending classes, and completing work from 9:00 - 3:00 daily. If you are in need of a device for your child to assist in the learning, please come by the office during the hours of 9:00 - 3:00 to check out a laptop for your child.
Back to School Paperwork
First Day Packets can be downloaded here. A VERY limited number of printed packets will be available in the office.
The following is the procedure for returning these forms:
We ask that you scan and email these documents back to the Portola School office.
Student's with last names starting with A-L, email to Lisa Chapman, lchapman@sbpsd.k12.ca.us
Student's with last names starting with M-Z, email to Deni Meyerhoff, dmeyerhoff@sbpsd.k12.ca.us
Please indicate your child's NAME, GRADE, and TEACHER in the email subject line when submitting these forms.
If you are unable to scan and email documents, you may drop them off at the school office in the bin outside of the lobby. Please place forms in an envelope with the NAME, GRADE, and TEACHER noted.
Food Services
COMPLIMENTARY Lunch distribution will be:
8 am - 9 am at Portola
If you are unable to pick up food in the morning, please drive-through at 2:00 - 3:30 at Parkside5th grade Outdoor Ed Cancelled
ELPAC Testing for English Language Learners is coming soon!
Family Distance Learning Contract
Set some expectations of your own as well. When can your child expect to spend time with you? When should they avoid interrupting you? What can they do in their downtime? Come up with a list of "must-dos" and "may dos" together to cover the essentials and activities of choice.