Welcome to Portola Middle School! Our outstanding teaching staff is committed to developing a positive school environment in which students can achieve success in all areas: academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. This year promises to be another outstanding one and each of you has a part in that success. From the very first day, when schedules are distributed, to the last, with yearbook signing, use each minute to learn everything you can.

Both homeroom and academic teachers will review this Agenda handbook with students. Parents and students are expected to read and be familiar with everything in this handbook. Using the Agenda's assignment calendar pages will be important for your success. Conscientiously using this Agenda, with the support of your parents, to record assignments and important dates will help you to be more successful in meeting the academic challenges of secondary school. Parents: check and sign your child’s Agenda and homework each day. Middle school students often argue that they’re old enough and parents no longer need to check on them. Don’t make that mistake. Moving to middle school is difficult for all students. They need parental monitoring now more than ever. If you check their Agenda and homework daily, your child will be more successful, meeting the academic challenges of secondary school. Monitoring will help ensure their success. The old line about nothing breeds success like success is very true for middle school students.

Your Agenda contains tips for achieving better performance on tests, projects and reports; challenging learning puzzles; motivational quotations; and spaces for daily communication, as needed, between home and school. All of these features are available to make this school year your most successful and enjoyable yet.