VRA and IS Newsletter 11/17/24

Hello Independence School and Valley Robotics Academy Families,

This was a short but exciting week due to the Veteran's Day National Holiday on Monday, November 11th (No School on 11/11). As we are in a sprint to the December Break please make sure your student is working diligently and staying healthy.

Thanksgiving Break is around the corner please be mindful of the school schedules and let your student's teachers know if they are going to be missing in advance. Communication will ensure success.

For Valley Robotics Academy Wednesday, November 27th is a Virtual Learning Day. There is no bus service to Delta College for the few classes in session. Should your student need transportation on Wednesday, November 27 you must let Mr. Scott know by this Friday, November 22 - (209) 331-8008. It is a non-district school day so Independence School students are already out.

Report cards for the end of the first Trimester went to all students on Friday for Kindergarten through 6th Grades ONLY.

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

Students, there is a Lost and Found box right outside the cafeteria on the green tables near the Staff Parking Lot. If you have lost an item such as a sweater, then please look in the Lost and Found box. The front office also has some items as well, so be sure to check there.

VRA Students, there is a See’s Candies Fundraiser that is currently going on until Friday, November 22nd. All elementary classes should have received the flyer and envelope on Friday, November 8th.

7th to 12th Grade Students, if you are interested in selling or have families who are looking to purchase, then you may pick up an order form and envelope in the front office. For more information, please see Ms. Reighme.

Here is your winner!

There will be a new equipment from Magnitude called ExoLab in the Library where students can experiment the conditions of an organism called Medicago truncatula (barrel medic or barrel clover) that is sending to grow on the International Space Station. Students will track and measure the temperature, humidity, lux level, and carbon dioxide level in the ExoLab. M. truncatula provides valuable insights into legume biology, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, and plant genetics. It is a great model organism for research in plant biology and agriculture. For more information, check out their website.

The flyer and diagram of the ExoLab are shown below.

UPDATE: The ExoLab will be available to use starting on Monday, November 18th.

Students, are you interested in 3D printing? If so, then compete in Lodi Unified School District’s 3D Printed Catapult Competition. It will be 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 before this month ends.

San Joaquin County Office of Education is hosting their Open Trail Saturday events for all students in the county 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.

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