
Today was our annual Turkey Parade to kick off our break. Students decorated balloons, hats, and turkeys to strut through the halls. We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! See you back Monday morning!




🍂 We are grateful for our amazing students, families, and staff who make our school community so special. Wishing you a joyful and restful Thanksgiving filled with love and laughter! 🦃
Reminder: All schools and offices will be closed November 27 - November 29.


🍂 We are grateful for our amazing students, families, and staff who make our school community so special. Wishing you a joyful and restful Thanksgiving filled with love and laughter! 🦃


🎙 Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming education with Maria Kainz, a first-year English teacher at Oscar Smith High, and Andrew LeClair, a technology innovation coach from Hickory Middle. Together, they discuss the opportunities and challenges of incorporating AI into classrooms, offering insights on how it can enhance personalized learning and prepare students for a tech-driven world. This episode highlights their dedication to creating thoughtful, ethical approaches to using AI while inspiring meaningful conversations about its role in education. Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or visit https://www.cpschools.com/page/amplified! 🎧


🌍 Calling all students! Join us for Geographic Information System (GIS) Day with a fun virtual scavenger hunt adventure! Use GIS technology to solve clues and uncover answers along the way. Complete the quest for a chance to win a prize! 🎉
🗓️ The GIS Quest is open now through December 4 and can be accessed using these links:
🔗 Elementary (K-5) Link: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=35377731
🔗 Middle/High (6-12) Link: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=35377710
📍 Don’t miss out on this exciting journey—start your quest today! 🗺️✨ #InspireCPS


💻 Military families, join us for a valuable online session covering ways to make college more affordable! We'll discuss financial aid, GI Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill, scholarships, and more. 💲
👉For more info and to register, visit https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=35542436


Thank you River Oak Church for our warming tree! Every year they assemble the tree in the hall and cover it in new gloves and hats to keep our Tiny Tigers warm.


🚍 One Stop Job Fair for Bus Drivers 🚍
Join us on November 21 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the School Administration Building!
🎉 Turkey Giveaway
🚌 Test Drive a Bus
For more info and to see other job openings, visit: https://www.cpschools.com/o/cps/page/employment-opportunities


📙 The Anxious Generation Book Club 📙
Join us as we dive into “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.”
📅 Pre-register by December 13th. Meetings will begin in January 2025
💻Please complete the questionnaire for your preferred day of the week and meeting style: tinyurl.com/CPSBookClub2025


Happy Veterans Day! Thank you to all veterans for your service and a special thanks to our very own Portlock veterans: Mr. Braden, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Scheller, Mrs. Hartman, and Mrs. Kirby.


🏫💬You are invited to attend the Gifted Advisory Committee Meeting to help advocate in the interest of gifted students. These meetings are open to the public. 💻For more information, visit our website: https://www.cpschools.com/o/cps/page/advisory-committees-gifted-education


Upcoming Calendar Reminders:
✔️ Nov. 5: Teacher Workday
✔️ Nov. 11: Veterans Day - Holiday
💻 You can view complete district calendar online: https://cpschools.com/calendar


Our book character day was a hit! Here are just a few of the many characters that roamed our halls yesterday.




Does your child have an IEP or a 504 plan? Then SEAC is your voice:
JOIN US:
When: Nov 12
Time: 6:30pm
Where: School Administration Building
TOPIC OF DISCUSSION: IEP ROAD MAP
For more Info: https://www.cpschools.com/o/cps/page/special-education-advisory-committee


During October, classes were invited to decorate pumpkins like their favorite book. Classes had the opportunity to vote at school and attendees of our Fall Festival were able to vote too. Cookie Monster was our winner! Check out our creative pumpkins!


On Thursday, students are invited to dress up as their favorite book character. Save the scary stuff and masks for home, please. We can't wait to see all of our characters tomorrow!


Portlock Primary has the honor of displaying art at the South Norfolk Memorial Library. From now until December 3rd, stop by and check out some of our Tiny Tiger's artwork.


Friday is PINK OUT Day! Students are encouraged to wear pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Also, Friday is the last day to shop at the Book Fair. It will be open until 12:00 p.m.



🎙🎧 In our latest podcast episode, Dr. Jeffrey Faust, our Chief Technology Innovation Officer, explores how we are starting to incorporate artificial intelligence in our schools. He shares AI’s practical applications, addressing how it helps streamline teacher workloads, while also touching on critical considerations such as data privacy and the ethical implications of AI in learning environments. Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of education technology and the importance of equipping students and teachers with the skills and best practices needed to thrive in a future shaped by AI. Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platforms or visit https://www.cpschools.com/page/amplified!


Shout out to all 16 of our Portlock Bus Drivers and Assistants! Thank you for transporting our Tiny Tigers daily and keeping them safe. We appreciate you! 💙 💛
