VRA and IS Newsletter 12/08/24

Hello Independence School and Valley Robotics Academy Families,

As the calendar turned to December and there is a mad dash to the end of the semester, a new year (2025) and many holidays. This is the final week of instruction for Valley Robotics Academy. VRA will go out on a three week Winter Break after a minimum day on Friday, December 13. Independence School and the office have regularly scheduled school until Friday, December 20.

Valley Robotics Academy has a virtual learning days on Wednesday, December 11. This week is the National Week of Code and VRA will be participating as a school site throughout the week

As of now, all VRA high school students should be enrolled in Spring classes. Parents, please be sure that your student completes the Spring 2025 form that was emailed to them earlier last week. This form is required for book orders and to reserve their seat on the bus.

Independence School Friday, December 20 is your last day of classes before Winter Break.

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!

Dear High School Students:

As we near the final stretch of the college semester, we encourage students to reflect on all their hard work and dedication and to take this time to recharge and relax.

As of now, all students should be enrolled in Spring classes. Parents, please be sure that your student completes the Spring 25 form that was emailed to them earlier this week. This form is required for book orders and to reserve their seat on the bus.

• If your student did not yet meet with a college counselor, then they will need to call for an appointment at (209) 954-5151 ext. 6276. Students must make the phone call.
• Permission slips for Spring 25 went out earlier this week, so please be sure to send them back completed.
• Monday, December 9th is the last day for Biology 10 since there is no class for Wednesday, December 11th. Students who did not complete Biology will need to take it in summer school. There will be more information to come.

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

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.

Staff members will give out “Caught Being Good” tickets to VRA students whenever they are caught being good! With these tickets, students can purchase prizes and snacks at the store right after school on every other Friday. The next store will be on Friday, December 13th, and it is located at the basketball court near the student drop-off and pick-up parking lot. Students, be on your best behavior, and maybe you will get caught being good.

Students, showcase your holiday spirit in Holiday Spirit Week from Monday, December 9th to Friday, December 13th! Each day will be a different theme. More information can be found below in the flyer.

Wednesday, December 11th does not have a theme as it is Virtual Learning Day for VRA students and Minimum Day for Independence students.

VRA Students, Model UN is doing Winter Grams! Treat your friends to a candy cane for $1.00 each. If you are interested, then please see Ms. Reighme either during lunch or after school between Monday, December 9th to Thursday, December 12th. It will be delivered on Friday, December 13th.

VRA and Independence 12th Grade Students, sign up for a Cash for College Workshop at San Joaquin Delta College to receive assistance from a financial aid outreach specialist in filling out a FAFSA or CA Dream Act application! Listed below in the flyer are the dates, times, and locations for each workshop. You can register here.

We all dream of a bright future of our children. In today’s technology-driven world, their success will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works.

That is why our school is excited to join the largest event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (December 9th to 15th). With over 100 million students worldwide participating, the Hour of Code is a powerful way to prepare our students with essential 21st-century skills. During this week, your children will learn things like basic coding concepts, problem-solving skills, and collaboration and teamwork, which will help them in many dynamic and professional fields in the future.

We want to make our Hour of Code event at Valley Robotics Academy truly impactful. To do this, we need your help! Please consider volunteering, spreading the word through local media and social channels, and even hosting additional Hour of Code events in our community.

This is our chance to make a real difference in the future of education. For more details and to get involved, visit hourofcode.com

City of Stockton is having a Winter Discovery Camp where ages 5-12 will learn STEAM, do arts and crafts, play games, and partake in active recreation along with many more activities. A lunch, two snacks, and a refillable water bottle from home will be required daily. For more information, please see the flyer below.

Registration is on their website.

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 here.

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