Vinewood Weekly Bulletin 10-30-23

There are many ways to measure your child’s learning. Your child’s teacher uses report card grades, classroom work, teacher observations, and end-of-year statewide test results to get a complete picture of your child’s learning. Each year, students participate in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). Your child will take the following tests, depending on their grade level or instructional program:

 Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English language arts and

math, required tests in grades 3–8 and 11

 California Science Test (CAST), a required test in grades 5 and 8 and once in

high school

The testing schedule is listed below:

• ELA and Math Tests (3rd-6th): Monday, April 28 through Thursday, May 1st
• Science Test (5th only): Friday, May 2nd
• Make-Ups: Friday, May 1st through Friday, May 9th

You are an important part of your child’s education. Here’s what you can do to help prepare your child for success.

1. Please make sure your child’s chromebook is fully charged every day during the week of testing (4/28-5/2).

2. A good night’s sleep before the test helps your child do his/her best on a test.

3. Eat a healthy breakfast. Test taking uses a lot of energy. Our cafeteria serves breakfast between 7:45-8:15 daily.

4. Make sure your child is on time for school as testing occurs in the morning.

5. Encourage your child to do his/her best; even if the questions seem hard, to keep trying and don’t give up; let your child know that this test can be hard, but that taking the state test gives him/her a chance to show how much he/she can do. Remind your child that he or she is not expected to know the answer to every question.

6. If you want to see what type of questions students will be asked or how the test will be presented, there is a practice test available online at http://caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html. Then, click on “Student Interface Practice and Training Test” and sign in as a guest. The scoring guide (answers) can be found in the same link but click on “Test Administrator Resources.” Also, you can go to https://www.caaspp.org/ta-resources/parent-resources.html for additional parent resources.

You will receive your child’s results at or before the beginning of the next school year. The results will identify where your child is doing well or needs more help, so you can better support their learning at home and teachers can better support their learning in the classroom.

To learn more about these tests go to the CAASPP Starting Smarter website at

ca.startingsmarter.org, or review the CDE Parent Guides to Understanding web page at

www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/parentguidetounderstand.asp.

Student Registration Link: HTTPS://WWW.EZCHILDTRACK.COM/LODI/PARENT

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 19, 2025

For more information, see program flyer below:

English Flyer: Elementary Summer School 2025

Spanish Flyer: Escuela de Verano - 2025

Student Registration Link: Summer STEAM Program

For more information on the Summer 2025 STEAM Program, see program flyer below:

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 19, 2025

• English: STEAM Flyer 2025

• Spanish: Verano de STEAM 2025

Student Registration Link: M.S. Student Registration 2025

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 19, 2025

For more information, see program flyer below:

English Flyer: M.S. Summer School 2025

Spanish Flyer: Escuela de Verano - 2025

Thank you to those who came on Saturday to Love on Vinewood! Special thanks to Whitney Kesterson and Jenna Santoyo for heading up this committee!

A BIG thank you to our JogAThon Sponsors:

Lenzi Incorporated

Source Building Products USA

Our LAST Parent Club meeting will be Monday, May 12th. We will be reviewing the proposed budget and looking ahead to events for the 2025/2026 school year.

Do you have questions or comments that you’d like to ask Parent Club? Submit via this form and they will be addressed at our next meeting: https://bit.ly/AskVPC

We need some parents to head up Spiritwear for the 2025/2026 school year. If we do not have committee leads, we will not be able to have Spiritwear next year. Please let us know if you can take this role on.

Our library still has books that need relabeling - sign up to volunteer on a Wednesday: bit.ly/3WJDIGp

Our Mustang Buck store has the following dates that need volunteers: 4/30, 5/14(treat shop). Sign up at: bit.ly/MustangStore24

Have questions? Contact vinewoodparentclub@gmail.com.

Purchase gift cards from 750+ popular brands through our Scrip program, and a portion of each purchase goes directly to the Vinewood Parent Club. Whether you're buying groceries, gas, or your morning coffee, you can raise funds for our school with your everyday spending!

Click this link to get started! http://bit.ly/3G3A30i

This important update is being shared regarding smartphone use during school in 2025-2026.

Beginning next school year, students will be required to keep their smartphones turned off and stored in their backpacks during the regular school day. This practice, already in place at many of our elementary and middle schools, aligns with Lodi Unified School District’s Board Policy 5131: Student Conduct.

This Board of Education approved change is designed to reduce distractions, support student mental health, minimize instances of cyberbullying and support student academic discourse throughout the school day. Research strongly supports limiting phone use during the school day, and similar policies are being adopted in schools across the state. In fact, California’s Assembly Bill 3216 will require school districts to adopt such policies by July 1, 2026. Please note that exceptions will be made for students with medical needs or accommodations outlined in their IEPs.

We understand that this may change how you communicate with your child during the day, even though they will be able to retrieve messages or return calls at the end of the regular school day. Our school offices are always available to relay important messages, and students can use office phones if needed. In the event of an emergency, it's essential that students stay focused on staff instructions. First responders recommend limiting phone use to ensure safety and clear communication.

We’ll share more information as the school year approaches, but we appreciate your support in preparing your student for this shift. Please take a moment to discuss these expectations with your child.

Thank you for partnering with us to create a safe and focused learning environment.

Lodi Unified's Board Policy:

Lodi USD Board Policy 5131 states the following:

No Devices During Instruction

• Cellular phones, smart watches, and similar devices are not for use during class time

Turned Off Requirement

• Devices must be off unless used for approved instructional or school-related activities

Authorized Activation

• Devices may be used when specifically directed by a district employee

Privacy Protection

• Camera, video, or recording must not be used on campus

Medical Exception

• Essential health devices, per a licensed physician’s recommendation, are allowed for health-related use

Vinewood Policy Starting 2025-2026 School Year:

Cell phones and smart watches are permitted on campus. However, student use of cell phones, smart watches, and other devices is limited. Cell phones and smart watches are not to be used during the school day and are always placed in their backpack.

Misuse of any rules can result in the loss of cell phone and smart watch privileges:

First offense – Phone or watch is held by a staff member, student is counseled, and the student will receive their phone back at the end of the school day

Second offense – Phone or watch is held in the office, and a parent/guardian must come to pick it up from the school

Third offense – Phone or watch is held in the office, parent/guardian must come and pick it up from the school, and loss of privileges for the rest of the grading period

Fourth offense – Phone or watch is held in the office, parents must come and pick it up from the school, and loss of privileges for the rest of the school year

• Smart phones and smart watches can be immediately revoked based on severity of offense.

Current 6th Graders: The annual 7th Grade Millswood Quick Peek Tour is May 21st.

Students are invited to arrive at Millswood anytime between 6:15 and 6:45 for a very brief tour and a treat. They will be dismissed to leave as soon as the tour is complete. Everything will wrap up by 7:15. Parents are invited to wait outside the gate. This is not mandatory, just an opportunity to see the school before July!

Parents and guardians: Please remember, students need to have the TDAP immunization prior to the first day of 7th grade!

The 5th Annual High Five for Teachers 5K is a walk/run event created to celebrate and recognize educators everywhere. Launched in 2021 as a way to promote mental wellness, it has grown into a vibrant community event featuring local vendors, businesses, and student involvement.

Participants will receive a race shirt, medal, and a chipped bib to track their official start and finish times.

Special Bonus for Educators: Every teacher who registers will be entered into a raffle for an all-expenses-paid vacation to Jamaica!

Click on the link below for the flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IfAvlSY4UzkM4AbTSnpL8kiHrIldo465/view?usp=sharing

Click on the link below for the flyer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1spy4kOPRTxApdBIEVTTKy7Q6KOuiiOcJ/view?usp=sharing

Please click on the link below for the 2025-2026 Instructional Calendar:

https://www.lodiusd.net/families/calendars

3rd Trimester Important Dates

April 28-May 2: CAASPP State Testing (3rd-6th Graders)

Wednesday, April 30th – College Logo Day

Thursday, May 1st – Student Council Meeting (12:30-1:00)

Thursday, May 1st – Music In Our Schools (MIOS) Concert (7 p.m. @ Tokay High)

Saturday, May 3rd - Lodi USD Elementary Track Meet (8-12 at Lodi High)

May 5-May 9: Makeup Week for CAASPP State Testing (3-6 Grade Students)

5/5 – 5/9 Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week

Tuesday, May 6th – Kona Ice Truck Fundraiser (2:25 on Virginia Street)

Wednesday, May 7th – Common Planning / Minimum Day

Wednesday, May 7th – Spirit Day! (Beach/Hawaiian Day)

Wednesday, May 7th – Dance With a Loved One (6-8pm at Vinewood)

Friday, May 9th – Jog-A-Thon

Saturday, May 10th – Vinewood’s Band to Music in the Parks & Six Flags Vallejo (6am-9pm)

Monday, May 12th - Last Parent Club Meeting for the School Year (6-7 p.m. in the Cafeteria)

Tuesday, May 13th – 2nd Grade Spring Concert for Families (5:30pm-6:00pm in the Cafeteria)

Wednesday, May 14th - College Logo Day

Wednesday, May 14th – Open House (6:00-7:00 p.m.)

Wednesday, May 14th – Dine Out at Tony’s Pizza

Sunday, May 18th – Vinewood’s 4th-6th & Choir Sing The National Anthem at the Sacramento River Cats

Tuesday, May 20th - Senior Walk (Time TBD)

Wednesday, May 21st – Assessment & Collaboration Day/ Minimum Day

Wednesday, May 21st – Spirit Day! (Anything But A Backpack Day)

Monday, May 26th – Holiday: Memorial Day

Wednesday, May 28th – College Logo Day

Wednesday, May 28th – End of the Year Awards 8:35-9:10 4th Grade; 9:30-10:00 5th Grade; 10:20-10:50 3rd Grade

Wednesday, May 28th – 6th Graders to Lodi Lake (10-1)

Thursday, May 29th – 6th Grade End of the Year Award Assembly (1:30-2:15 in the Cafeteria)

Friday, May 30th – Spirit Day! (Class Color Day)

Friday, May 30th – Minimum Day - 12:25 Dismissal/ Last Day of 2023-2024 School Year

Friday, May 30th – 6th Grade Birthday Cake Walk (8:20-8:40 at the Birthday Cake)

Friday, May 30th – Class Color Day! (K- Red, 1st- Purple, 2nd- Orange, 3rd- Green, 4th- Yellow

5th- Blue, and 6th- Tie Dye)

Friday, May 30th – Field Day (9-10)

Friday, May 30th – Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony (9:30-10:00 at the Birthday Cake)