El Toro Weekly 10/11/2012

First SSC Meeting of the year
SSC meeting will be Friday Oct. 19th at 2:45 pm. Items to be discussed include the previous year’s test data and what programs will be continued to increase student achievement, and the School Site Plan for Student Achievement. All SSC meetings are open to the public. However, only council members may vote on any decisions.

Second ELAC Meeting of the year
ELAC is hosting its second English Learner Parent Informational Meeting on Friday Oct. 19, 2012 at 9:00 am in Room 7. You can learn all about the English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC), and how you can get involved to support and improve the English learners program and services at Portola. Only parents of English Learner students are asked to attend.

Fright Fest Update
Fright Fest, Portola’s first annual Halloween party, will take place over three days, Oct. 29-31, instead of the previously announced Oct. 31 date. Activities will occur during the 4th and 5th lunch periods. Planned activities for Oct. 29-31st include guess the pumpkin weight, and guess the number of candy in the jar. Scarecrow building contest is scheduled for Oct. 31st. See attached flyer for more details. (Fright Flyer PDF)

Teacher Treat Day goes Italian
The next teacher treat day will be Friday Oct. 19th (instead of the usual second Friday of the month). The suggested theme for food donations is Italian. Please let Tre Curran know if you can bring anything. Also, if anybody has a red and white checkered pattern tablecloth they are willing to lend to enhance the theme, please let Tre know at trecurran88@gmail.com.

Preparing for High School
The 8th Graders will be taking the ReadiStep assessment test on Oct. 18th and 19th during class. The assessment consists of three multiple choice tests in areas of Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills. Students will have 40 minutes to complete each section. For more information, please visit http://readistep.collegeboard.org/.

8th Grade hoodie design due date extended
Students who wish to submit a design for the 8th grade hoodie contest have until Monday Oct. 22nd. Winning artist will receive a free sweatshirt so make sure you have your name on your drawing! See attached flyer for more details. (8th Grade Hoodie design contest PDF)

PTSA Seeking Graphic Designers
PTSA would like to create more signage to announce events and direct appeal progress to hang on the fences along Moesser and Portola. We are in need of graphic designers to create the designs for the signs. We will take take care of the printing. If you can help, please contact Jenny Parks at jennylparks@hotmail.com.

More upcoming events:
Oct. 18th – Cross Country Team at 4:15 in Cerrito Vista Park
Oct. 24th – Portola Bands Halloween Concert at 7:00 pm in the El Cerrito High School Theater
Nov. 1st – Halloween Dance from 2:35-4:00 pm in the El Cerrito Community Center Main Hall
Nov. 1st – Portola Information Night from 6:30-8:00 pm. Program starts at the Café.