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.

Greetings Joe Serna Jr. Families,

Hope you all enjoyed the beautiful weekend. Last week we had several events take place. We had a performance from Stockton Soul, celebrated Día Del Niño, and Campus Beautification. A BIG THANK YOU to our amazing staff and parents who supported with organizing and setting up these terrific events!

Please remind and ensure your child comes to school dressed in their uniforms each day.

Check out this weeks newsletter for friendly reminders and more details on events taking place.

In partnership,

Alejandra Estrada

Thank you to all who have responded!

The survey is open until Friday, May 2nd

We invite you to share your thoughts on our 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/978138385

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

Thank you.

Goal 1: JSJCS will promote and create a learning environment with highly qualified personnel to maximize access to the academic core for all students. Including English learners, homeless, and foster youth through the dual-language immersion in Spanish and English by providing enrichment opportunities to prepare students to be college and career ready and prepare students for the Pathway to the Seal of Biliteracy in a well-maintained facility.

Goal 2: All JSJCS students will demonstrate progress towards attaining proficiency by meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. English learners (ELs) will demonstrate progress in developing English language proficiency. An additional focus on Spanish Language Arts (SLA) and technology to prepare students for college and or career readiness.

Goal 3: JSJCS will provide a positive and supportive learning environment that is welcoming, safe, and engaging for students, parents, staff, and the community. All students and families will feel safe and connected at school as measured by climate surveys, attendance data and behavioral data.

Student safety is always our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining a secure and supportive environment for all. We want to take a moment to remind everyone of the important role we all play in keeping our school community safe.

Please take some time to talk with your student about the importance of sharing any concerns or rumors they may hear with a trusted adult. Open and timely communication helps us investigate and respond appropriately, ensuring that our school remains a safe place for learning and growth.

Remind your student that spreading unverified information can sometimes cause unnecessary worry, and that speaking up is a powerful way to help.

Thank you for your continued partnership in promoting a safe, respectful, and caring school community.

Please do not block the crosswalk when dropping off students. Pull forward in front of the crosswalk to drop off students. Thank you!

Stockton Soul is a Soul Orchestra dedicated to educating, empowering, and inspiring audiences through the performance of Black American Music. Our Modern Band students, lead by Mrs. Wells our music teacher, had the opportunity to play along with the incredibly talented musicians. It was an amazing performance!

Thank you Mrs. Valdez, Mrs. Jacky, and Mrs. Maldonado, for organizing this spectacular event! Thank you parents and staff for donating candy bags for each of our students! Thank you for your support!

I am deeply grateful to all the parents, students, staff and Serna PTA for their incredible support and participation in our Campus Beautification Day that took place on Saturday, April 19th. Your dedication and hard work truly transformed our campus into a more vibrant and welcoming place!

To our parents, thank you for your unwavering support and for encouraging your children to take part in this important initiative. Your involvement made a significant impact!

To our staff, Mrs. Aguirre, Mrs. Valdez, Ms. Teresa H., Mrs. Jacobo, Ms. Ejae, and Mr. Max, your commitment, enthusiasm, and efforts in organizing and leading various stations was invaluable.

To our students, your energy brought new life to our campus. Your willingness to contribute and work together showed the true spirit of our community.

Together, we have achieved something remarkable, and I am proud to be part of such a wonderful community. Thank you once again for making our Campus Beautification Day a success!

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide on April 22nd to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It serves as a reminder of the importance of taking action to preserve our planet for future generations.

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

Please make sure you or a member of your family is present, attendance will be noted. Thank you for your attention, and if you have more questions regarding the points to discuss, you can send an email to JSJCSPTA@gmail.com.

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 at ruramirez@lodiusd.net.

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 at ewright@lodiusd.net.

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

If you have any questions, contact Rubi Ramirez at ruramirez@lodiusd.net.

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. If you would like to purchase uniform shirts with the Serna Logo, you can purchase through the Link: https://uniform-q2-preorder.cheddarup.com.

We have one quarter left. A BIG thank you to the parents who have already met the 30 hours! We will be having a celebration for the families who have met the 30 hours in May. More details will be provided as we get closer to the event.

We believe that a strong school community is built on the collaboration of students, teachers, parents and guardians. 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.

We are in the fourth week of our fourth 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.

Dear Lodi USD Parent/Guardians,

Every year, California students take several statewide tests. When combined with other measures such as grades, class work, and teacher observations, these tests give families and teachers a more complete picture of their child’s learning. You can use the results to identify where your child is doing well and where they might need more support. Your child may be taking one or more of the following:

• California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) 3rd - 12th
• English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) for K -12th
• Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for 5th, 7th, and 9th

To see the full information on the above assessments, please visit LUSD's Assessment, Research, and Evaluation (ARE) Department website. Please select the Annual Notification of Testing, 2024-2025 link.

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!

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

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 and Mrs. Maldonado at imaldonado@lodiusd.net.

Please encourage your students to bring a water bottle. We have refill stations.

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.

We want to inform you about the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a new, free, 24/7 helpline for anyone in emotional distress or facing a mental health crisis. If you or your child ever need support, simply call or text 988 or call 1-800-273-8255 to connect with trained professionals who can help.

This is an important resource for your family’s well-being. Please save this number.

Laura Aguirre

laguirre@lodiusd.net

Teresa Mendieta tmendieta@lodiusd.net

Blanca Aranda bsantiago@lodiusd.net

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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