Portlock Primary -

Next week, we have some exciting events going on at Portlock Primary!

-Family Fun and Fitness Night: On Monday, March 23, join us for a brief PTA meeting, followed by family friendly fitness and literacy activities, demonstrations, free healthy snacks, and shop the Book Fair. Be sure to wear comfy clothes and tennis shoes! 5:30-7:00 p.m.

-Shop the Book Fair: The Scholastic Book Fair arrives next week. It will be open during the school day in the library and in the evening during Family Fun & Fitness Night. Here's the website with all the information, including setting up an e-wallet and how to shop online.

-Vocabulary Parade: On Friday, we will wrap up our reading month celebration with a Charlotte's Web themed Vocabulary Parade. Each student may choose one vocabulary word from the book, Charlotte’s Web. They will write the word on a poster and create a simple costume that shows the meaning of the word. Costumes can be simple and made from items you already have at home. The goal is to help students understand and celebrate new vocabulary in a fun and creative way!

Example, if a student chooses the word “brilliant,” they might write the word on a poster and wear bright colors to help show its meaning. Need help picking a word? Check out this list

Important Calendar Updates & Reminders! 📅

April 6 - 10 is Spring Break. Schools will be closed. We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing break! 🌸

April 13 is a Teacher Workday. No school for students.

April 21 is now an Asynchronous Day for all students. Meals will also be available at select school sites. More information is available here: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=53908933

As a reminder, you can full our full calendar of events here: https://www.cpschools.com/events

Reminder that Friday is our Vocabulary Parade!

• Choose a vocabulary word from the book, Charlotte’s Web

• write the word on a poster, index card, post-it, etc.

• create a simple costume that shows the meaning of the word
  Need help picking a word? Check out this list

Don't forget! If you have been working on your choice boards at home, turn those in for free Norfolk Tides Baseball tickets. Deadline to turn into your teacher is April 3!

🎶 Fine and Performance Arts Month Spotlight! 🎙 Our latest district podcast episode highlights the powerful impact of music education across our division. In “From First Note to Full Ensemble,” Supervisor of Music Orion Burke and Deep Creek Middle School chorus director Taylor Mercier share how Chesapeake’s K–12 music pathway helps students discover their voice, build confidence, and find a sense of belonging. From the first notes in elementary music class to full ensembles in middle and high school, this episode celebrates the teachers, opportunities, and experiences that help students grow as musicians and leaders. 🎙️ Listen to the episode at cpschools.com/amplified or wherever you get your podcasts!

🍎 Your future starts here!

Whether you are a new graduate or an experienced educator, we want you on our teaching team in the City of Chesapeake! Join us at one of our upcoming hiring events:

1️⃣ Title I In-Person Job Fair

• 🗓️ March 11, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• 📍 Oscar Smith Middle School

• ⚠️ Must be eligible for a VA teaching license.

• 📝 Apply here:https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=51819906

2️⃣ Virtual Teacher Job Fair

• 🗓️ March 23 – March 27, 2026

• 📝 Deadline to Register: March 13 (Required)

• 🔗 Register: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=51833839

✨ We offer incredible perks for our educators, including:

• ✅ Low-cost health insurance

• ✅ Our own dedicated pharmacies & health clinics

• ✅ A supportive professional community

🔗 See all benefits: https://www.cpschools.com/page/benefits

🎥 Check out this video highlighting our pharmacy: https://youtu.be/G5Do-FMSsaU

🌟 NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, MARCH 6th, FOR ALL ELEMENTARY STUDENTS! 🌟
Why not use that extra time to sign up for our Read-a-thon fundraiser and log those minutes? 📚
https://www.read-a-thon.com/readers/tool/323331383039/3

It's Read-A-Thon launch day! 🚀 Watch this video to see how easy it is to register. Then, head here to register your reader
Let’s Read + Raise BIG for our school! 📚💰

¡Hoy comienza nuestro Read-A-Thon! 🚀  Miren este video para ver lo fácil que es registrarse. Después, vayan aquí para registrar a su lector.
¡Leamos + Recaudemos en grande para nuestra escuela! 📚💰

🍎Don't miss our Title I Teacher Job Fair!
This is your opportunity to connect with principals and leaders and explore rewarding careers in Title I schools.

📅 March 11, 2026
⌚ 5-6:30PM
📍 Oscar Smith Middle School

What's Included:
✨ Casual networking with school leaders
✨ Career insights & resources
✨ On-the-spot interviews

Who Can Attend: Experienced teachers AND new candidates welcome!

Before You Come: ✓ Must be eligible for teaching license ✓ Apply at cpschools.com/o/cps/page/teach ✓ Register at the link below

📍 Oscar Smith MS Cafeteria, 2500 Rodgers St, Chesapeake, VA

For more information and to register for this event, please visit: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=51819906

Can’t make this event? Check out our Virtual Job Fair March 23-27: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=51833839 

To view our open positions and other upcoming job fair events, visit: https://www.cpschools.com/o/cps/page/careers

Tuesday, February 17th, is the 100th day of school!

Students may choose to dress up as if they are "100 years old" or display 100 in other creative ways. We look forward to celebrating being 100 days smarter on Tuesday!

Week 2 of our Holiday Spirit Week:

• Monday - Grinch Day

• Tuesday - Holiday Socks

• Wednesday - Holiday Head Wear

• Thursday - PJ day

• Friday - Ugly Sweater

📢 Calling all future Chesapeake Public Schools families in the City of Chesapeake!

We are exploring the establishment of new preschool centers to meet the growing need for high-quality early childhood education. If you live in our district and have children ages 0-4 or are planning to have children, your voice is essential!

Help us plan for the future of our youngest learners by sharing your needs and priorities in our new Early Childhood Education Survey. Your input will shape these vital programs! 

📋 Survey is open NOW - December 18: www.cpschools.com/surveys

Monday starts the kick-off of our Holiday Spirits Days! This week is:

• Monday-plaid day

• Tuesday-wear holiday colors (red, green, white, blue)

• Wednesday - elf day

• Thursday - Crazy Holiday hair (and the 67th Day of School :)

• Friday - light it up day

🚌 Join the Chesapeake Public Schools Team!

We're hiring for multiple classified positions at our ONE STOP Job Fair. Come prepared to interview on the spot!

📅 Wednesday, December 10
⏰ 11 AM - 2 PM
📍 School Administration Building

💼 Now Hiring:
Bus Drivers
School Nutrition Workers
Custodians
Substitute Teachers

📋 Bring With You:
Two forms of ID (all applicants)
Transcript copies (substitute teacher applicants)

❗ This is your chance to become part of the CPS family! We can't wait to meet you.

💻 Learn more and explore additional opportunities at: https://www.cpschools.com/careers

Once again, our amazing Community Partners will be providing a limited number of Holiday Meal Baskets for Portlock families this year. If your family could benefit from one of these meals and you have the ability to pick it up during the school day, please click the link below to complete the form. This will be on a first come, first served basis. Someone will contact you later next week with your pick up date/time if you have been selected to receive a meal.

Holiday Meal Sign-Up

Fall Picture Retake Day
Thursday, November 20th

Pictures will be taken for all students who missed picture day on October 17th or for any student that would like a retake. If you would like your child to do a retake, please notify their teacher in writing or by email.

Final United Way Fundraiser: Holiday Movie and Popcorn Event
Friday, November 21st during the school day
$5 cash donation