Joe Serna Jr. Charter School provides a supportive dual-language educational experience with high expectations for all staff, students, and families. We strive to ensure that our students are: Proud to be bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish; valued members of our collaborative learning community; and college and/or career bound critical thinkers and problem solvers in a global society.

Greetings Joe Serna Families,

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend. We are in need of your assistance to remind your student(s) to leave their toys at home. This past week, we noticed an increase of toys being brought to school. There are times when teachers allow for items to be brought for a class activity and this is okay, but the item must be used during class and not during recesses and lunches. We appreciate your support.

Also, please check the lost and found for your student's items.

Furthermore, we have a three-day weekend coming up. Check out this weeks newsletter for friendly reminders and more details on events taking place.

In partnership,

Mrs. Alejandra Estrada

We are excited to announce that we will open up our first TK class for the 2025-2026 school year. We will have one class with 20 spots. Per our Charter, admission preference we will be given to siblings of students admitted to or attending the Charter School admission preference.

Applications must be completed in person and are not available on-line. Applications will become available on Monday, February 3, 2025 through Friday, February 14, 2025 in our office from 9:00am – 3:00pm. In order for your child to participate in the lottery to be selected to attend our school, you must have submitted all of the required paperwork to the office by Friday, February 14, 2025. In addition, you are required to attend an orientation meeting on one of the dates below.

Required paperwork includes the following documents:

1. Original Birth Certificate with the county seal.
2. Child's immunization record. Immunization record must be current by the first day of school.
3. Proof of residence. (Utility service contract, statement or payment receipt; Property tax payment receipt; Rental property contract, lease, or payment receipt.)

4. Proof of dental screening per California law. The screening must be completed by May 31, 2024

and performed by a licensed dentist or other licensed or registered dental health professional

within 12 months of enrollment.

Location, dates and times for the orientations:

*Location: School Library

* English: Monday, February 24, 2025 at 4:00pm

* Spanish: Monday, February 24, 2025 at 5:00pm

The lottery meeting will take place on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 4:00pm in our school library.

You are not required to attend the lottery meeting. You will be notified of the results by mail within one week of the lottery. Please call our office with any questions about this process.

Applications must be completed in person and are not available on-line. Applications will become available Monday, February 3, 2025 through Friday, February 14, 2025 in our office from 9:00am – 3:00pm. In order for your child to participate in the lottery to be selected to attend our school, you must have submitted all of the required paperwork to the office by Friday, February 14, 2025. In addition, you are required to attend an orientation meeting on one of the dates below.

Required paperwork includes the following documents:

1. Original Birth Certificate with the county seal.
2. Child's immunization record. Immunization record must be current by the first day of school.
3. Proof of residence. (Utility service contract, statement or payment receipt; Property tax payment receipt; Rental property contract, lease, or payment receipt.)

4. Proof of dental screening per California law. The screening must be completed by May 31, 2024

and performed by a licensed dentist or other licensed or registered dental health professional

within 12 months of enrollment.

Location, dates and times for the orientations:

* Location: School Library

* English: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 4:00pm

* Spanish: Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 5:00pm

The lottery meeting will take place on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 4:30pm in the school library.

You are not required to attend the lottery meeting. You will be notified of the results by mail within one week of the lottery. Please call our office with any questions about this process.

Black History Month is an annual observance that celebrates achievements, contributions, and history of African American individuals and communities. It was established to honor the legacy of African Americans and their impact on history, culture, and society.

We will have our third ELAC meeting on Thursday, February 13 at 1:30pm in our Library. The ELAC is a school level committee compromised of parents, staff and community members designated to advise school officials on English learner programs. Questions about the meeting, please reach out to Mrs. Maldonado at imaldonado@lodiusd.net.

In observance of President's Day.

Join us on Wednesday, February 19 at 5:00pm in the school Library for our second meeting to discuss important updates regarding transportation arrangements to ensure a smooth transition for all our students who currently ride the bus.

We will have our Winter Performance on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at Ronald E. McNair High School Theater, 9550 Ronald E. McNair Way, Stockton, CA 95210. Details will be shared as we get closer to the performance.

Flyers went home last week with your student(s).

LOCATION:

LOEL Senior Center

105 S. Washington St.

Lodi , CA

TIME: 5:00pm - 10:00pm

$35 ticket includes one bingo packet & taco dinner

Additional Bingo Cards - $10

Dinner at 5pm

Bingo begins at 6:30pm

Space is limited to the first 150 people

21 and older

Link to purchase tickets: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/bingo-brews-2025/items?cart

Click on the link below for the flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1The_M4WD_YfbxJIqLMNTU1u4rkUjD5os/view?usp=sharing

Click on the link below for the flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1joQ22Z9M9MCOdEOb1gT9cot94fyrOXyD/view?usp=sharing

We are excited to announce that the NorCal Science & Technology Festival will again be hosted at Lodi High School on February 22nd, 10am to 3:00pm. The festival is a student-organized, FREE one-day celebration of science and technology featuring STEAM career professionals, fun presentations, hands-on activities, and special exhibitions designed to entertain all ages. This event is student organized. Please encourage your students and their families to attend!

Attached are digital posters (English & Spanish) for posting in Google Classrooms, etc. Printed half sheet flyers will be delivered to all elementary schools for distribution home about a week or two prior to the event. Here is also a link to a folder with other file options NorCal Science Festival Poster Files for distribution.

We hope that you and your students will be able to attend!

If you have any questions, contact Elizabeth Wright.

Click on the link below for the English flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zJuxtgqdCA1Drq4PXkWf_NJdVqpfZwl7/view?usp=sharing

Click on the link below for the Spanish flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J9i-8uHO09CR77uIV7Q8iy2voXOVZDnt/view?usp=sharing

New this year is our first-ever art competition, "Junkyard Masterpieces", sponsored by Cal-Waste. Students Pre-K through 12 are invited to create collages and/or sculptures from recycled and reused materials that will be showcased at the festival. All of the information regarding this competition is in the attached flyer and in this folder Art Show Poster & Submission Files.

We are asking teachers to help promote our competition by either making it a class assignment or simply encouraging students to get creative and send in their submissions. Submissions can be either dropped off in person in the Lodi High School Library or sent via district mail to “Lodi High-Library”.

Thank you for all you already do promoting STEAM in your classrooms!

If you have any questions, contact Elizabeth Wright.

Click on the link below for the English flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P0Ym21diDya6NF82gACfk8GLDc4x3RAF/view?usp=sharing

Click on the link below for the Spanish flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xvlMLzICwTMOBZ9JBaragcWYbbQ3APm-/view?usp=sharing

We are excited to announce the inclusion of 7th and 8th grade in the 8th Annual Spring Art Show! This is intended to give middle school students an introduction into the Spring Art Show.

Each middle school may submit up to five pieces of art. Students do not need to be in an art class, just be a Lodi USD student. The art will be judged in a separate category, no matter the medium. The 7th-8th Grade Category will be awarded a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and an opportunity to win Best in Show.

Mrs. Aguirre is the art contact who will oversee a selection committee to select the five art pieces from our school site, assist in getting the art mounted, and registered.

If you would like your 7th or 8th grade student to submit an art piece, please bring it to Mrs. Aguirre by Tuesday, April 1.

Our school is currently hiring for the positions of Head Custodian and Bridge Paraeducator. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our dedicated team, please visit the job links for more details and to apply. Our school website also has the job posting links Home - Joe Serna Jr. Charter School

Posting Head Custodian:

https://edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/2037450

Posting for Bridge Paraprofessionals:

https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/2037557

It's hard to believe that we are half way through the school year!

We believe that a strong school community is built on the collaboration of students, teachers, parents and guardians. Your involvement has a profound impact on both your child's experience and the overall success of our school community. We have many activities taking place this year. If you can contribute a few hours a week, help with specific events, or support with behind-the-scenes activities, every bit of help makes a difference. By volunteering, you're not only helping our school but also showing your child the importance of giving back and being involved.

Volunteer slips are available in the office. If you are interested in learning about volunteer opportunities, please feel free to reach out to our Serna PTA via email at jsjcspta@gmail.com. Thank you for being an essential part of our community.

We are moving through what is left of our old logo uniforms! Select types and sizes are available at 50% off. Order between February 1 - February 28 and pick-up in the office the first week of March.

Here is the web address:

https://serna-uniform-closeout.cheddarup.com

Dear Lodi USD Parent/Guardians,

Every year, California students take several statewide tests. When combined with other measures such as grades, class work, and teacher observations, these tests give families and teachers a more complete picture of their child’s learning. You can use the results to identify where your child is doing well and where they might need more support. Your child may be taking one or more of the following:

• California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) 3rd - 12th
• English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) for K -12th
• Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for 5th, 7th, and 9th

To see the full information on the above assessments, please visit LUSD's Assessment, Research, and Evaluation (ARE) Department website. Please select the Annual Notification of Testing, 2024-2025 link.

Click on the link below for the flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Votq7Ybt0c2PSy8x0o67NiEtGKqcQ-KE/view?usp=sharing

We are in the fourth week of our third quarter. Please continue to check in with your student's teacher if you have any questions or concerns about your student's academic progress.

Middle school parents, please make sure you are checking your students' grades in Aeries, checking Google Classroom, and checking in with their teachers.

If you have these items, please drop them off in the office. We have a collection basket where they can be dropped off. Thank you!

Any questions about joining our PTA or attending PTA Board meetings, please reach out to Veronica Reich (209)329-6157, reich.v@gmail.com or our PTA email at: jsjcspta@gmail.com

Serna PTA website:https://jsjcspta.com

Students who are in 3rd-8th grade are welcome to join our Club Folklorico. Practices take place on Fridays, 1:15 to 2:30pm. Questions about Club Folklorico, please reach out to Mrs. Valdez at mavaldez@lodiusd.net and Mrs. Maldonado at imaldonado@lodiusd.net.

Wearing school uniforms supports in school unity across grade levels, promotes equality, reduces distractions and helps create a focused learning environment where students can concentrate on their learning without worrying about fashion trends.

Tops:

· *Students may wear a hunter green, blue, white, light pink or maroon shirt. The shirt can either be a button down, polo style shirt or Joe Serna logo t-shirt. The Joe Serna spirit shirt may be worn on any day but Friday is the spirit day where we want all students to wear the Serna tie-dye shirt.

Bottoms:

· *Students may wear khaki or black shorts, pants, or skorts and jeans.

Dresses:

· *Dresses/jumpers can either be khaki or blue with green plaid.

You are welcome to purchase uniforms at any retail store. If you would like to purchase uniform shirts with the Serna Logo, you can purchase through the Link: https://uniform-q2-preorder.cheddarup.com.

Please encourage your students to bring a water bottle. We have refill stations.

We want to bring to your attention the importance of discussing the proper care of district-issued student Chromebooks with your children. We have observed an increase in incidents involving damage, often linked to carelessness or misuse. As we address these situations, we want to remind you of the importance of engaging in discussions with your child about the proper care of their district-issued Chromebook. Students will be held responsible for any damages, and charges may apply for repairs. Principals will conduct thorough investigations in collaboration with students to ensure fair outcomes. Additionally, please remind your students to charge their Chromebooks overnight, ensuring they are ready for the next day's learning activities. Your involvement in these discussions is crucial, and we appreciate your attention to these matters.

If your student is sick and will not be attending school, please call our office at 209-331-7809 to notify us.

Please plan family trips during our school's designated breaks and holidays. Our school calendar is linked at the end of this newsletter and paper copies are available in the office. If you plan a trip outside the designated breaks, please contact the office.

We want to inform you about the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a new, free, 24/7 helpline for anyone in emotional distress or facing a mental health crisis. If you or your child ever need support, simply call or text 988 or call 1-800-273-8255 to connect with trained professionals who can help.

This is an important resource for your family’s well-being. Please save this number.

Laura Aguirre

laguirre@lodiusd.net

Teresa Mendieta tmendieta@lodiusd.net

Blanca Aranda bsantiago@lodiusd.net

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Regular Day (Monday – Thursday)

Kindergarten

Start: 8:20 am

Dismissal 1:25 pm

1st – 5th Grade

Start: 8:20 am

Dismissal 2:35 pm

Middle:

Start: 8:09 am

Dismissal 2:45 pm

Minimum Day/Fridays

Kindergarten

Start: 8:20 am

Dismissal 1:05 pm

1st – 5th Grade

Start: 8:20 am

Dismissal 1:05 pm

Middle:

Start: 8:09 am

Dismissal 1:05 pm