VRA and IS Newsletter 11/24/24

Hello Independence School and Valley Robotics Academy Families,

This will be a short but exciting week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday on. A reminder that school is still in session Monday & Tuesday for both IS & VRA. VRA has a virtual learning day on Wednesday. Only the teaching and administrative staff will be on campus. The office is closed Wednesday-Friday.

Both the Independence School and Valley Robotics Academy teaching staffs, the clerical, custodial and security staffs along with Mrs. Jawanda and I, wish you and your family an incredible Thanksgiving.

Reminder: If you need to get ahold of anyone on our site regardless of which program (Independence or VRA), we can be reached at one phone number — (209) 331-8008.

Thank you for all you do as parents/guardians!

All high school students should be enrolled in at least 1 college class for Spring. Please check their MyDelta online to see if they are enrolled. If your student does not have a class, then this is a problem, and we should meet ASAP. Parents, please email me at ganunez@lodiusd.net.

Transportation

We will NOT have a bus for Wednesday, November 27th, the day before Thanksgiving. We ask that parents ensure that their students make it to Delta College. If there is an issue with transportation, then please reach out to Mr. Scott at (209) 331-8008.

Class Updates for Wednesday, November 27th

Students, if you have a different class that is not listed below, then I recommend emailing your professor to find out if they are going to cancel class for that day.

• BIO 10 with Professor Ustach, you DO NOT have class.
• AJ 21 with Professor Terry, you DO have class.
• PSYCH 1 with Professor Baker, if you do not plan on attending class, then let me know ASAP per Professor - If I let him know which students will miss, then he will give them any points for assignments during the class.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Gabby Nunez, High School Counselor

Dear High School Students:

If you have any issues or questions about your graduation status, then please make an appointment to see me. There is a sign-up sheet at Miss Sarah’s office where you can schedule to meet me. Outside of class time is preferable. You can also reach me at jhunt@lodiusd.net

Sincerely,

Mr. Hunt

Happy Thanksgiving! School will not be in session for both VRA and Independence from Wednesday, November 27th to Friday, November 29th. The Wednesday on VRA’s calendar was originally an Instructional Day but has been changed to a Virtual Learning Day.

If you have lost an item such as a sweater, then please look at the Lost and Found box right outside the Cafeteria on the green tables near the Staff Parking Lot. There are also some items at the front office as well, so be sure to check there too.

Starting this week, staff members will give out “Caught Being Good” cards to VRA students whenever they are caught being good! With these cards, students can purchase prizes and snacks at the store right after school on every other Friday. The first one will be held on Friday, December 6th. Students, be on your best behavior, and maybe you will get caught being good. 🙂

Students, are you interested in 3D printing? If so, then compete in Lodi Unified School District’s 3D Printed Catapult Competition. It will be held at Tokay High School on Friday, April 11, 2025. If you are interested and would like more information, then join the Google Classroom page. The code is 4ykbqoe.

San Joaquin County of Education is hosting the 2025 Steam Fair and Expo on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Wentworth Education Center! Students, if you are interested, then please see Mrs. Colburn in K-6.

The annual NorCal Science Festival is coming back to Lodi High School on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.! There will be food trucks and hands-on activities for the entire family. For more information, please check out their website.

San Joaquin County Office of Education is hosting their Open Trail Saturday events for all students who are interested in learning news skills and enjoy a rejuvenating outdoor experience at the Durham Ferry Outdoor Education Center. All events are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with all-skill levels guided hike, time in nature, canine companions, and bring-your-own picnic lunch.

The next event is on Saturday, February 22, 2025 where students will harvest nettles and mugwort, and discover unique medicinal properties with a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) demo and tastings. If you are interested, then please register at the Google Form.

Juniors and Seniors, are you interested in building leadership and mentorship skills? If so, then consider becoming a Science Camp Cabin Leader where you will help 5th and 6th grade campers feel happy and secure. You can apply by filling out the Google Form application or scanning the QR code shown in the flyer below.

Join VRA’s 8th Grade VEX Robotics Team as they compete in the VEX Robotics Competition Leagues. The dates, times, and location can be found below in the flyer. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to cheer them on! More information can be found at this website.

The second competition is on Saturday, December 14th at 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at San Joaquin County Office of Education’s FabLab.

At this last competition, our 8th Grade VEX Robotics Team won every match against all their competitors! Please give them a round of applause and congratulate them when you see them.

VRA Families, please notify the office of student absences at (209) 331-8008. For makeup work, you may contact their teacher(s).

Independence 7th to 12th Grade Families, please notify the office of student absences at (209) 331-8008. Your student must notify their teacher(s) as well.

VRA Families, please continue to follow the signage and cones to complete the oval. Please pull forward for a quick drop-off or pick-up. If you need a little more time to get situated, then please pull into an empty parking spot, so that others can completely pull forward to safely drop off or pick up their students.

Just a reminder that the gate will open at 7:45 a.m. for drop-off and close at 8:45 a.m. If you are running late, then please drop off your student at the front gate where the office is located at for them to be buzzed in. Student drivers, if you are running late, then please use the call button at the gate to be buzzed in.

For afternoon pick-up, the gate will open at 2:25 p.m. If you arrive early and the gate happens to open because someone is exiting, then please help us keep our campus safe and secure by remaining outside the perimeter until 2:25 p.m.

Independence High School Students, are you interested in arts and crafts? If so, then consider joining the Scrapbooking Club! The club meets every Thursday in Mrs. Wong’s classroom, Room I-4. For more information, please see Mrs. Wong.

High School Students, are you interested in planning fun school events and activities? If so, then consider joining the Student Planning Committee. For more information, you may contact Victoria Reynolds at v.reynolds1@lodiusd.org or (209) 693-0252. You can also see Mrs. Sarah at her office for more information as well.

The 8th Grade VEX Robotics Team’s practices are held from 2:35 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays in Room P-5, Robotics Lab. See Ms. KG for more information!

Season 1 has officially ended! Season 2 will be in January, and the team will be playing VALORANT and Rocket League. There will be more information to follow.

The team meets every Mondays and Tuesdays right after school. For more information, see Mr. Warner in P-15.

Dear Parents/Guardians of 7th to 12th Grade Students,

We are very excited to introduce our new college and career readiness platform, SchooLinks!

All of the SchooLinks features are designed with students in mind to help them become career, college, and life-ready. As parents/guardians, you will have access to SchooLinks through your own account. This allows you to join your students in their career and college exploration process and discuss their future with them.

SchooLinks allows you to have informed conversations with your students by:

• Viewing your student’s career interest, strength, and mindset assessments
• Seeing what colleges and careers your student has favorited
• Comparing college costs and explore expected financial aid, scholarships, and out-of-pocket expenses