VRA and IS Newsletter 12/08/24

Hello Independence School and Valley Robotics Academy Families,

Welcome Back! It will be great to see everyone back tomorrow morning as classes resume at 8:30 AM. The second term January to May is going to add on to the positive momentum we created in the first term. Please pay attention to the email communications about our recruitment for 2025-26 for both programs -- IS/VRA, the Spring Innovation Night, and of year festivities including graduations & promotions, course selection and other celebrations/events.

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 students multiple times in late November & early December. This form is required for book orders and to reserve their seat on the bus.

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!

Parents, your student was emailed a Google Form to complete once their college grades are posted to their transcripts. Please make sure that these are completed to ensure that your student gets credit for taking college classes. I uploaded directions on my Google Classroom page.

Thank you, and have a happy holiday.

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.

Have a happy holiday!

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.

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.

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.

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 third competition is on Saturday, January 11th at 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at San Joaquin County Office of Education’s FabLab.

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.

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.

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