Classroom supplies to bring

Dear Parents,

In our community meetings last spring and this summer regarding school climate, one of the changes we parents asked for was more consistency across the school regarding rules, consequences, and expectations.

As you know, the Portola staff has been working together these last three days planning for the year and they agree with us about consistency!

Let me tell you about the first change in expectations. When your child comes to class tomorrow, s/he will learn that each teacher expects every student to bring to class daily, by THIS THURSDAY:

a 2- or 3-inch binder
6 binder dividers
binder paper
pencils
pens
a one gallon zip bag for a pencil pouch

First period teachers on Thursday will teach a lesson on organizing and using these essential supplies for school success.

So, if you don't have these supplies already, try your hardest to get them by Thursday morning.

Now we all that with these tough times and just the regular challenges of getting teens and preteens out the door each morning there will be some students who show up without these supplies. That is where you fantastic Portola PTSA parents come in.

Please consider donating an extra or two of some of these supplies. Donations should be sent to Room 122, ASAP, and will be accepted all year. Each first period teacher will be given a stockpile of extras to make sure that every student has what he/she needs, every day. The teachers say, "No excuses, and no problem." Learning will not be stopped for lack of supplies.

Thank you for supporting this consistent expectation by our Portola staff.

---Joanna Pace, Portola PTSA President

P.S. Thank you to Linda Takimoto, 6th grade teacher, for helping pass this message along.