Orientation 2014-2015 - Gaspar De Portola Middle School

Orientation 2014-2015
Orientation Stations
Ø Purchase PE Uniforms
Ø District Forms & Paperwork
Ø Resident
Ø Enrollment Packet
Ø Open Enrollment/Permit
Ø Enrollment Packet, Immunization, Birth Certificate, Proof of Address
Ø Meal Application
Ø Tied to Title I Funding – VERY IMPORTANT
Ø Parent Organizations
Ø Friends of Portola (FOP)
Ø After School Enrichment
Ø After School Programs
Ø Youth Services
Ø Locker Assignments (6th Grade Only)
Ø Textbooks
Grade Level Support Teams
•  Academic Support & Discipline
•  Counselor & Administrator Teams
•  6th Grade
•  Counselor: Mr. Lee
•  Administrator: Ms. Garcia
•  7th Grade
•  Counselor: Mrs. Siegel
•  Administrator: New (Dr. McClay, interim)
•  8th Grade
•  Counselor: Mrs. Wright
•  Administrator: Ms. Galvan
Participation in 8th Grade Culmination
•  Participation in culmination will be determined based on
the marks earned in the core subjects of English/ELD,
math, social studies and science in seventh and eighth
grades. Students must earn 21 points out of the possible
30 points to be eligible for a Culmination. Marks earned in
PE will also be part of the criteria.
•  Grade 7:
•  Students earn one point for each semester course in English/ELD,
math, social studies, science and PE with a mark of “C” or better.
•  Grade 8:
•  Students earn two points for each semester course in English/ELD,
math, social studies, science and PE with a mark of “C” or better.
•  A minimum of 8 points must be earned in the Spring of 8th grade.
Participation in 8th Grade Culmination
•  Grades
•  Participation in culmination will be determined based on the letter
grades earned in all courses – core and elective.
•  No more than two Fails in the Fall Semester – which MUST be raised to a C
or higher in the Spring Semester.
•  No Fails in the Spring Semester
•  Maintain acceptable grades in cooperation and work habits
•  No more than two ‘U’s in Work Habits – which MUST be raised to ‘S’ or
higher in the Spring Semester
•  No more than two ‘U’s in Cooperation – which MUST be raised to ‘S’ or
higher in the Spring Semester
•  No more that two ‘U’s TOTAL in the Spring Semester
•  Discipline
•  Frequent or serious violations of school regulations can disqualify a
student from participating in culmination and other 8th grade activities.
•  Other Obligations
•  Students must clear all fines and stop clearance penalties including
textbooks, fundraising obligations, and library books.
8th Grade Activities
•  8th Grade Steering Committee
•  Application process – first two weeks of school
•  Plan 8th Grade Activities
•  Last Year’s Activities
•  8th Grade Dance
•  8th Grade Picnic (FOP)
•  Magic Mountain (FOP)
•  Class of 2015 Spirit Wear
•  8th Grade Dues (determined by Steering Committee)
•  Last year = $80.00
Student Placement
•  6th Grade
•  Consideration of Identified Programs
•  Gifted, Special Education, English
Learners
•  Articulation with Elementary School
•  5th Grade Teacher
•  Assessment Data
•  CST (4th Grade)
•  Placement Tests (Portola)
•  7th & 8th Grade
•  Grades & Classroom Performance
•  6th Grade Math Placement Test Data
•  Teacher Recommendations
Organization of Master Schedule
•  Cores & Teams
•  6th Grade Cores
•  Most students have two teachers for core subjects
•  1 for Math/Science | 1 for English/History
•  One team of four (Geidel, Kowalick, Marjani, Shores)
•  1 Math/Science | 1 English | 1 History | 1 Science
•  7th & 8th Grade Teams
•  The same 4 core teachers work with a cadre of students
•  Physical Education
•  6th Grade classes are restricted to only 6th graders during set periods
•  7th & 8th Grade classes are mixed in the same period, but not in the
same class
Cores & Teams
6th Grade
7th & 8th Grades
•  Geidel, Kowalick, Marjani,
•  7th Grade
•  Haddad, Greer, Lee, Grober
•  Coda, Medina, Gutierrez, Ogata
•  Ballabio, Goldstein, Chamanara,
Aghassy (split)
Shores
•  Sheriff & Wynne
•  Strickland & Aeen
•  Wilcox & Meisel
•  Moss & Diana
•  Sweet & Edwards
•  8th Grade
•  Ballabio, Goldstein, Chamanara,
Aghassy (split)
•  Silberstein, Sterbinsky, Zapata,
Bakenhus
•  Kinney, Ohlund, Meza, Schmidt
Elective Program
•  6th Grade Elective Wheel
•  Study Skills – first 10 weeks
•  A new elective every 10 weeks
•  Semester/Year Courses
•  Drama (semester)
•  Instrumental Music (year)
•  7th & 8th Grade Electives
•  Student Choice (core schedule priority)
•  Semester/Year Courses
•  Art (6th Grade Only)
•  Instrumental Music
•  Band
•  Orchestra
•  Choral Music
•  Drama
•  Foreign Language
•  Spanish
•  French
•  Creative Writing
•  Journalism
•  Yearbook
•  Film
•  Computer Technology
•  Media/Video Production
•  Intervention Courses (ELA &
Mathematics)
Instructional Day
•  Length of School Day
•  Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday, & Friday
•  8:00 AM – 2:59 PM
•  Tuesdays (Common Planning)
•  8:00 AM – 1:29
•  6 Period Day
•  4 Core Classes
•  Math, Science, History, English
•  2 Electives
•  PE (Required)
•  General Elective (Student Choice)
•  Rotating Bell Schedule
Rotating Bell Schedule
MON.
TUES
WED.
THURS.
FRI.
Homeroom
Homeroom
Homeroom
Homeroom
Homeroom
1
2
3
4
5
2
3
4
5
6
Nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition
3
4
5
6
1
4
5
6
1
2
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
Lunch
5
6
1
2
3
6
1
2
3
4
Dress Code (in enrollment packet)
•  Tops
•  Must cover…
•  Sleeveless shirts ok – no tank
tops
•  Avoid controversial topics
•  Pants
•  Must cover…
•  Must fit
•  Shoes
•  Must cover…
•  Must be safe and appropriate
for school
•  Hats
•  Don’t wear them
•  50 degrees or cooler - knit cap/
hoodie (outside only)
LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Gaspar de Portola Middle School
and Highly Gifted Magnet
18720 Linnet Street, Tarzana, California 91356
Phone (818) 654-3300
Fax (818) 996-0292
Dr. John Deasy
Superintendent of Schools
Byron Maltez
Instructional Area Superintendent
Dr. Stephanie McClay
Principal
_______________________________________________________________________
DRESS CODE
As a student at Portola Middle School & Highly Gifted Magnet, you are preparing for current
and future opportunities in education and employment. Learning to “dress for success” is part of
your school experience. The dress code at Portola concerns safety and behavioral issues that
may arise due to inappropriate dress. You and your parent/guardian need to thoughtfully discuss
and plan for appropriate school attire. All students are expected to use common sense and good
judgment to support our learning environment and to take an active, positive role in preventing
distractions to our instructional program. Our dress code is in effect during ALL school
functions, on or off campus. The dress code may be enforced by all faculty and staff.
The following are more specific elements of the Portola Middle School & Highly Gifted
Magnet Dress Code:
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•
•
•
•
•
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Shoes must be enclosed or have a closed toe with a heel back or heel strap.
Appropriate athletic shoes must be worn for physical education class.
Sleeveless shirts that extend to the edge of the shoulder/top of arm (no tank tops)
Dresses, skirts, or shorts must reach the fingertips when arms are held at sides and fingertips
are extended downward without being adjusted or pulled down. Leggings may be worn under
skirts or shorts and must meet the same length requirements.
Shirts must be long enough so that the midriff is covered at all times.
When the temperature is below 55 degrees, beanies (no logos) and/or hoods may be worn
during non-instructional time.
Belts must fit around the waist and tuck into belt loops.
Students are not permitted to wear:
• Any clothing that reveals undergarments. Undergarments may not show when student leans
forward.
• Halter tops, tank tops, tops with spaghetti straps, bathing suit type tops, blouses, or shirts
which expose the midriff
• Pants that are too large to stay at the waist without a belt
• Tops or clothing with profanity, sexual overtones, suggestive or derogatory/inflammatory
phrases, or references to alcohol, drugs, smoking, gangs, violence, illegal acts or morbidity
• Hats and other headgear, including handkerchiefs, bandanas, “rags,” head wraps of any type,
unless proper documentation of religious or medical reasons is provided by parent/guardian.
• Any items of clothing associated with any off campus group or gang.
• Oversized belt buckles, belt buckles with initials, extra long belts, chains, spikes or other
dangerous objects.
• Sunglasses
Portola Middle School Mission
Portola Middle School and Highly Gifted Magnet will provide all students a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum to foster maximum
academic achievement and positive character development in a safe learning environment.
Before & After School Pick Up
•  Please adhere to all traffic regulations.
•  Avoid double-parking and honking your horn.
•  Watch for students in the street.
•  Discourage jaywalking.
•  Morning
•  Gates open at 7:00 am – no campus supervision until 7:40.
•  Afternoon
•  Front of school pick up until 3:30.
•  After 3:30 ALL pick up at Youth Services Gate on Yolanda.
•  No loitering in front of school – subject to discipline
After School Programs
•  Youth Services (open until
6 PM at no cost)
•  Athletics
•  Dance
•  Learning Zone
•  Tuition-based Programs
•  Fine Arts & Crafts
•  Visual & Performing Arts
•  Musical Theater
•  Improv and Comedy
•  Instrumental Music
•  Technology and Programming
•  Robotics
Parent Engagement
•  Events
•  Parent Education
•  Coffee with the Principal
•  Volunteering
•  Parent Organizations
•  Friends of Portola
•  friendsofportola.com
Parent Communication
•  Connect Ed
•  Sunday @ 7 pm
•  Phone & email
•  School Web Site
•  portolams.org
1"3&/5"$$&4446110354:45&.1035"-
Created especially for LAUSD Parents!
The LAUSD PASSport provides parents and guardians with
"one stop" access to a variety of online tools for families.
Monitor your child's attendance and grades
Connect with your child's teacher
Update the emergency information form
Complete the school meal application
And much more!
•  LAUSD PASSport
•  Monitor Grades
•  Attendance
•  Update contact
information
passport.lausd.net
keep connected
First Day of School
•  Tuesday, August 12th
•  Homerooms will be posted
•  6th – Counseling Office Window & Raymond Hall
•  7th & 8th Grade – Main Office & Library
•  Look for People Wearing Vests for Assistance
•  Shortened Day – Dismissal at 1:30 pm
•  Schedules given in Homeroom
Homeroom Assignments will be posted on the Portola Web
Site (Enrollment Information Page) by Friday, August 8th.
For more information, check
our web site: portolams.org