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.

I hope you all enjoyed your winter break and took time to enjoy spending time with your loved ones.

We return for the 3rd quarter tomorrow, Monday, January 13, 2025. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Check out this week's newsletter for friendly reminders and details on events taking place especially the information on our TK and Kinder Round Up. At the end of the newsletter is our school calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.

In Partnership,

Mrs. Alejandra Estrada

The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday is a day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader's life and legacy.

Every year our school is scheduled for a series of emergency drills in preparation for real incidents. We conduct fire drills, earthquake drills, and lock-down drills. On Thursday, January 16, 2025, we are scheduled to conduct a lockdown drill.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office at 209-331-7809.

Thank you for your support!

This is a great opportunity for parents to get involved and learn about what is going on at our school. Join us at our meeting.

Thank you and see you there!

Lodi USD is providing a great opportunity for our students who would like to advance their studies in Spanish. Students who have taken Spanish in middle school or are native speakers and are reclassified English Learners can take a placement test. The results of the Spanish placement test will advise the high school counselor what level of Spanish the students will take their 9th grade year. Our Serna 8th graders will be taking the assessment at the end of January.

If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Aguirre via email at laguirre@lodiusd.net

We are pleased to announce that the University of the Pacific Summer High School Institute will be taking place on June 2-12 and June 17-27. For eligible 8th - 11th grade Lodi Unified School District students, the tuition and registration for one 2-week session is 100% sponsored by the school district. Attendance, grades and behavior will be taken into consideration for eligibility. See details below:

· Click here for more information: Pacific Summer Institute LodiUSD 2025

· Fill out this Pre-Registration form by Jan 31st

· Attend an optional virtual meeting via Zoom on January 23rd to learn more and ask questions: https://pacific.zoom.us/j/93708656379

· Educational Services staff will send an email notification by the end of February regarding eligibility, waitlist status, or denial

· Questions? Email pacificsummer@lodiusd.net

Click on the link below for the Parent Information Meeting Flyer (English):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14mihw_qHPRTz2S32waHpvAJKBWl7jfGP/view?usp=sharing

Click on the link below for the Parent Information Meeting Flyer (Spanish):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15B1paZDpOQ0eN8sFWNjrLDCOwNULePOs/view?usp=sharing

Click on the link below for the Pacific Summer High School Institute flyer (English):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ARjjbVP9859_xC7czen5EJGvTkXyIRT_/view?usp=sharing

Click on the link below for the Pacific Summer High School Institute flyer (Spanish):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QobJyF_T79XbvmcIySppdsDKxFc-4Wtr/view?usp=sharing

LUSD invites families to attend the virtual educational partner meeting that will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to review the plan the district developed to enhance the educational and social-emotional opportunities for students. We look forward to your involvement!

Click on the link below for the flyer:

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

This is a free program for middle school students free while on spring and summer breaks that offers great opportunities. See flyer for details. Questions about the camp, please reach out to Nancy Lira at 209-269-4503

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.

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.

We are in the first 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.

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 , Ms. Jacky at jamendoza@lodiusd.net, and Mrs. Maldonado at imaldonado@lodiusd.net.

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!

We believe that a strong school community is built on the collaboration of students, teachers, parents and guardians. That's why this year we are bringing back the 30 hours of volunteer hours. 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.

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

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.

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.

Laura Aguirre

laguirre@lodiusd.net

Teresa Mendieta tmendieta@lodiusd.net

Blanca Aranda bsantiago@lodiusd.net

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