Campus Dining Welcomes IV Elementary Back to Portola

Starting in the fall, Portola Dining Commons renewed its partnership with Isla Vista Elementary School, bringing back an important tradition that had been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the pandemic, IV Elementary students regularly visited Portola as part of a special program designed to foster community connections and give students a unique dining experience. This year, Principal Reyes brought back the tradition, inviting small groups of sixth-grade students to join her for lunch at Portola once a month.

The students walk across the street, pick up their trays, and have lunch with their Principal in the lively college dining common environment. For the sixth graders, it’s an exciting opportunity to experience college life firsthand while enjoying the delicious variety of food at Portola. Principal Reyes’ goal is to ensure that every sixth-grade student has the chance to participate before they graduate.

The return of this program has been met with enthusiasm from both students and staff. It not only provides students with a fun and educational outing but also strengthens ties between Portola and the Isla Vista community.