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The student news site of Portola High School

Portola Pilot

The student news site of Portola High School

Portola Pilot

The student news site of Portola High School

Portola Pilot

Even virtually, students come together to benefit from one other. Students of all grades can peer tutor others, as long as they are excelling in that course subject.

Peer Tutoring Returns Online

Michelle Kim, Business Manager | November 17, 2020

In order to support individuals who are struggling with academics or simply want some extra help, Portola High will reopen its peer tutoring program through Zoom starting Nov. 16.  Students who are...

As a precaution against COVID-19, instrumental music teacher Kyle Traska sprays a series of bucket drums with cleaning solvent after a Wind Ensemble rehearsal. With one assigned to each student, the buckets offer unique flexibility in both maintenance and curriculum.

Two Sticks and a Bucket Lend Musical Opportunities Amid Constraints

Justin Tang, Staff Writer | November 13, 2020

Wind Ensemble students take their seats outside the theater, gathering around instrumental music conductor Kyle Traska. No sound of brass instruments tuning or woodwinds trilling fills today’s air; instead,...

After six months of COVID-19 restrictions caused the failure and bankruptcy of multiple movie theaters, corporations have started to lift shutdowns by showing movies at limited capacity.

Viewers and Experts Weigh Health Risks of Theater Reopenings

Madeleine Young, Staff Writer | November 12, 2020

Movie theater corporations such as Cinemark, Regal and AMC began to reopen their doors in late August following six months of shutdowns due to COVID-19 restrictions and have recently began to show new...

Teacher Shelley Godett and her daughter and math student, Maya Godett, stand together in front of a festive Christmas tree.

Shelley and Maya Godett Have a Parent-Teacher Relationship

Aryan Mittal, Staff Writer | November 12, 2020

Math department chair Shelley Godett and her daughter, Maya Godett, have a unique mother-daughter relationship at Portola High that comes with unexpected effects. Shelley Godett is a math teacher and freshman...

As seniors scramble to make finishing touches on their profiles and submit college applications, this year’s seniors have been burdened with another difficulty: the cancellation of SAT and ACT tests.

Seniors Travel Out of State for Standardized Tests

Grace Baek and Charlotte Cao | November 11, 2020

In California, approximately 224 out of the 316 testing sites were closed for the October SAT due to the COVID-19 pandemic according to Collegeboard, causing students to travel out of state for open testing...

Various Portola High teachers share their amusing Zoom-related stories and why they made them laugh. While virtual learning may cause a few mishaps and difficulties, these teachers believe it is worth it to keep students and staff safe.

Teachers Share Their Funny Zoom Moments

Aryan Mittal, Staff Writer | November 11, 2020

Zoom has played an integral role during the transition to learning models that require increased technology use, and many teachers have had positive and negative experiences on the service. From language...

This is one of the stickers that Liang sells depicting a personified ramen bowl.

Student Small Businesses : Stickers by Sydney

Celine Lee and Naila Talib | November 10, 2020

Adorable corgis, lively-looking ramen and minimalistic plant terrariums are only a few of the many designs that junior Sydney Liang was busy working on over the summer when she was planning her small sticker...

Junior, Khalil Dhanidina, has played lacrosse for five years now and continues to practice during the pandemic through off-season training at school which includes socially distanced drills. Pictured is Dhanidina playing against an El Dorado High defender.

Student-Athlete Reflects on Sports Before Quarantine

Naila Talib, Staff Writer | November 9, 2020

The pandemic and social distancing guidelines took in-person concerts away from choir, performances on stage from visual performing arts, and sports games from athletes across the world, including junior...

Junior Kate Brooks and senior Isaac Yang dressed up in creative costumes that also incorporated their masks to ensure they were both following CDC health guidelines.

Pandemic Scales Down Halloween Celebrations

Zara Shirwany, Staff Writer | November 6, 2020

For many people, Halloween is all about going door-to-door and receiving candy, or walking neighborhood streets in costume surrounded by other large groups, but the health guidelines put in place by the...

Before reviewing what they learned the previous class, dancers quickly perform a stretch routine along to one or two songs.

Dance Chassés into First Jazz Combo

Jaein Kim, Director of Photography | November 6, 2020

After clearing out garages to find space to dance and submitting video assignments, dancers of all levels are now back in the dance studio. By tradition, they are starting by learning a jazz combination...

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