Podesta Ranch Newletter 04/20/2025

Can you believe we’re already in the final stretch of the school year? With just six weeks to go, we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership—it truly makes a difference!

Last Thursday, our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Music In Our Schools (MIOS) event. It was such a joy to see their dedication and talent shine alongside students from other elementary, middle, and high schools. We are so proud of their hard work and amazing performances!

This week also marks the beginning of state testing for students in grades 3–6. Your support at home—making sure they get a good night’s sleep and arrive at school on time—goes a long way. To encourage and celebrate readiness, we’re holding a daily raffle for students in grades 3–6 who are on campus and ready to learn by 8:15 AM. Let’s keep the positive momentum going!

As we approach the end of the year, we’re reminding all of our Red-Tailed Hawks to finish strong by demonstrating our core PBIS values: responsibility, kindness, and safety. Let’s work together to ensure these final weeks are meaningful, productive, and full of success. Please consider checking in with your child and their teacher to help reinforce the behavior expectations we all share.

Thank you for being an essential part of what makes Podesta Ranch Elementary such a special place to learn and grow. We’re grateful to have you on this journey with us!

Sincerely,

Alyssa Barban, Principal

Our CAASPP testing will be starting soon for our 3rd - 6th graders from Monday, April 14th, 2025 - Friday, May 9th, 2025. Please be sure that your child comes to school fully rested (8+ hours of sleep), had breakfast (they're free at school!), and on time.

Please click on the blue words LETTER below to see the parent letter being sent home.

LETTER

Students may practice the test at home on a guest account to be familiar with the questions asked. Link to the website can be accessed by clicking on the image on the right.

The 2024/2025 school year is almost over! Be sure to buy your yearbook for $15 by Shoob to store those memories! Scan the QR code to order today.

Click on the QR code for the digital flyer.

Friendly reminder: Attention 2nd - 6th grade parents

Last day for students to receive an end of the year reading medal/trophy is Friday, May 9th, 2025. Word count total for each grade level to receive an award is below:

2nd - 150,000 words

3rd - 300,000 words

4th - 400,000 words

5th - 500,000 words

6th - 600,000 words

• 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.

Attached is Podesta's calendar of events for April 2025.

Please click on the image for the pdf file of the calendar.

Upcoming minimum days are the following:

• Wednesday, May 7th, 2025
• 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.

SAVE THE DATE! Join us for dinner on Friday, April 25th, 2025 at Panera to help fundraise money for our school! Proceeds will go towards our end of the year events.

Please click on the image on the right for the digital flyer.

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.

You may also click on the blue words PAYMENT below for the digital form to turn in to pay.

PAYMENT

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.

SLIDES

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.

COUNSELING

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.

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

If you have any questions, contact Rubi Ramirez.

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

If you have any questions, contact Elizabeth Wright.

Lodi USD invites you to share your thoughts on the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)! Your input is essential in shaping our priorities and ensuring our students receive the support they need.

Please take a moment to participate in our Thought Exchange by clicking the link below:

🔗 https://tejoin.com/scroll/308859188

Your feedback will help guide the development of our LCAP moving forward. Thank you for being a valued part of our community!

Use the link above or QR code to access Thought Exchange survey.

Please click on the image on the right to see the digital flyer for teacher jobs in the District.

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.

MENU

For more information about lunches and nutrition on the LodiUSD website, please click on the BLUE words below.

FOOD SERVICES

Friendly reminder that every WEDNESDAY is College and Career Wear Spirit Day and every FRIDAY is School Spirit Wear Day.

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.

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. 👍

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.

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.

As the weather becomes colder 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.