Podesta Ranch Newletter 05/11/2025
05/11/2025
Podesta Ranch Families,
It’s hard to believe we’re already in the final three weeks of the school year! As we enter this final stretch, our campus continues to buzz with energy and excitement. I remain incredibly proud of our students, staff, and families who together create such a strong and vibrant school community.
This past week was truly special, filled with hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. Students had the opportunity to explore the Star Lab and enjoy an interactive on-campus assembly on Thursday. It was a joy to see them learning, collaborating, and having fun together! A heartfelt thank you for making Staff Appreciation Week so meaningful—we truly felt the love and support!
Looking ahead, we’re excited for the Book Fair this week and our Open House this Wednesday from 6:00–7:00 p.m. We invite you to visit your child’s classroom to see their incredible work and stop by the Book Fair, which will remain open late for your convenience.
Even during this busy season, we remain focused on our PBIS values—being Responsible, Kind, and Safe. These principles continue to guide our students in how they learn, grow, and care for one another.
Inside this newsletter, you’ll find important updates and key dates as we wrap up the school year. Please take a moment to review them so you and your child can stay connected to all the exciting things still to come. Thank you for being such an essential part of the Podesta Ranch family—we’re so grateful to partner with you in creating a school where every student thrives!
Sincerely,
Alyssa Barban, Principal
🏃🏻♀️Track Meet Results
Below are the results for the LodiUSD Track Meet on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. We are so proud of all 13 students who bravely competed and represented our Hawks!
Hannah Regan - 2nd mile 6:36, 2nd in 50m, and 1st in 100m
Matthew Regan - 4th in 400m
Daniella O'Neill - 7th in 50m, 8th in 100m, and 2nd in 400m
June McGee - 1st in softball throw 117'3", 3rd in 100m, and 4th in 400m
Malory McGee - 4th in softball throw 116', 6th in Long Jump 11'6", and 3rd in 400m
Makai Gibson - 5th in Long Jump 11'8"
Maxwell Fisher - 8th in softball throw 100', and 6th in 100m
Kiara S.- 5th in Long Jump 11'2", 6th in 100m, and 1st in 400m
Ashton Brown - 4th in 50m, 1st in 100m, and 4th in 400m
Dylan Thiboutot - 1st in softball throw 102'6"
Kethric C. - 6th in softball throw 106'6" and 9th in Long Jump 11'7"
Marx C., Zeke, and Quinn S. also participated in 3 events.
Relays: Matthew, Makai, Malory and Max took 2nd
Hannah, June, Kiara, and Daniella took 1st.
🎤Happy Speech Pathologist Day!
It's Speech Pathologist Day on Sunday, May 18th, 2025 to our awesome speech pathologists, Mrs. Emily, Ms. Gartland, and Mrs. Gannon! Be sure to thank them for all that they does for our school. Our students' speech needs and support are met everyday because of their great work. We love our school pathologists!
🚸TK and Kindergarten Enrollment
- When: Starting Saturday, February 1st, 2025
- How: Online Enrollment (Lodiusd.net or scan the QR code on attached flyer)
- TK Eligibility: Children turning 4 years old by Monday, September 1, 2025
- Kindergarten Eligibility: Children turning 5 years old on or before Monday, September 1, 2025
- 1st grade Eligibility: Children turning 6 years old on or before Monday, September 1, 2025
Please click on the image on the right for the digital flyer for more information.
Upcoming minimum days are the following:
- Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 - Lunch on the Lawn
- Friday, May 30th, 2025 (last day of 2024/2025 school year)
Please be sure to pick up your children at their designated dismissal time as staff have meetings and professional development immediately after school. All PM TK and Kindergarten classes start at 8:15 AM.
📚 Spring Book Fair
Our Spring Book Fair is HERE starting on the week of Monday, May 12th, 2025 - Friday, May 16th, 2025. All purchases benefits towards purchasing new books for our school library!
We can't do it without you! Please consider volunteering to help at the Book Fair. The story starts with you! If you would like to volunteer, please scan the QR code on the digital flyer to sign up for different slots!
Please click on the image on the right for more information on the digital flyer.
💵Making Payments
If you are in need to make library book payments or would like to purchase Chromebook Insurance through the District, please click on the image on the right or scan the QR code for access. Friendly reminder that ANY unpaid fines WILL AFFECT their 12th grade graduation participation.
You may also click on the blue words PAYMENT below for the digital form to turn in person to pay.
🤳SEL Self Regulations
Please click on the image on the right for the digital flyer of ways families can help their child with self regulation and understanding their emotions.
Click on the blue words SLIDES below for more strategies of how to walk your child through test anxiety.
👪Family Resources in San Joaquin Area
Click on the image on the right for family resources avaliable in the San Joaquin area.
Please click on the BLUE words below to access the LUSD Counseling Website.
🍱Summer Meals (Preschool - 12)
Lodi USD Nutrition Services is proud to offer free meals to all children ages 2–18 this summer at multiple locations across the district. The Summer Meals Program will run during June and July, providing nutritious breakfasts and lunches to help keep kids healthy and fueled all summer long.
Please help spread the word to families in your school community.
You can find a full list of participating meal sites linked below:
Click on the link below for the flyer - English:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v-0zI_7EbZIHJ2PT2TltFDR4bm8kb_KT/view?usp=sharing
Click on the link below for the flyer - Spanish:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qTCqH1hpkbzfWzJo6-EX6SjwKttewZXG/view?usp=sharing
✋San Joaquin County Public Service Announcement (K-12)
San Joaquin County Public Health Services asks that your school please share this letter to the parents and guardians of all children enrolled in your school to ensure all students do not miss any necessary school days this upcoming school year.
- Students currently in 6th grade who will be entering in the 7th grade next school season.
- Students currently in TK or any child who will be entering into kindergarten this next school season.
- Any newly enrolled students who will be starting school this next school season.
- Any children who are conditionally enrolled and are due for vaccinations.
Click on the link below to access the Immunization Program Advisory Letter:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFjBVv7fXhUmwUfIE1AyI6H2T-_bLTG2/view?usp=sharing
If you have any questions, call Erin Genevieve Dizon, SJC Public Health Services at 209-468-8400 Ext. 28030.
📵Cell Phones Usage Starting 2025/2026
Lodi Unified School District Families:
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.
🥪 Trimester 3 Cafeteria Menu 2024/25
Join us for FREE nutritious breakfast each morning at 7:45 AM!
Please click on the image on the right to see a live view of the cafeteria menu for our school. Make sure to click on the drop down menu for Podesta Ranch Elementary School.
Click the BLUE WORDS MENU below for the digital pdf copy of the lunch menu.
For more information about lunches and nutrition on the LodiUSD website, please click on the BLUE words below.
🥞Free Breakfast Hours
Free breakfast is served every school day at 7:45 AM - 8:00 AM. If your child intends on eating free breakfast at school, they may arrive no earlier than 7:45 AM. If they are not eating breakfast, children should not arrive at school before 8:00 AM in lieu to safety concerns. No adults are supervising the students before 7:45 AM.
🚸Drop Off and Pick Up
Please remember to NOT pick up or drop off your child in the bus loop or parking lot area, especially by the DEAD END section of the parking lot. Bus loop is ONLY for our SPED students and busses, and families are highly advised to accompany their child when walking through the parking lot. We do not have adults supervising these areas. Please park your car in the parking lot if you are planning to pick up your students directly from their teachers. Please leave the drop off area ONLY for moving vehicles that are picking up/dropping off quickly, and refrain from double parking, as we need ease of car movement for student and driver safety. Lastly, please do not exit the entrance area into the parking lot during drop off/pick up times to avoid collision from oncoming traffic.
Thank you for partnering with us and modeling to our students the importance of following traffic and road safety rules. 👍
⏰ Attendance
One of our site goals, and our challenge from the Superintendent, is to improve attendance and curb truancy. The law states that students will attend every day, on time, and ready for school. With a new system in place, absences are carefully tracked, and notices are automatically sent to guardians. You have 10 days to clear an absence. On the 11th day it reverts to all unexcused and is considered truancy.
If you request IS, it must be requested 2 weeks prior and approved by IS administration. Please do not wait until the night before.
📖Student Handbook
Please click on the blue words student and family handbook for the pdf of school rules/policies for 2024-2025 school year, as it has important information about all school expectations.
You may also click on the image on the right for the same document.
👟 Student Dress Code & Safety Policy
As the weather becomes warmer and as a safety reminder, please send your student to school in appropriate attire, including shoes. Our dress code can be found in the Student Handbook in your student's planner or online. Students are expected to wear closed toe/heeled shoes. Students with sandals, slides, or Crocs will be asked to sit out during recess and PE to ensure student safety on the playground, stairwell and in the bark box.
Please click on the image on the right for the digital Student Handbook regarding their dress code.