VRA and Independence 3/5

Good evening Independence School and Valley Robotics Academy Families.

• Independence School (Kindergarten-12th Grade) is on Spring Break - Monday, March 17th -- Friday, March 28th.
• Valley Robotics returns from Spring Break on Monday, March 17.
• The site will remain open for regular school hours.

VRA Recruitment materials for prospective (new) families is going great but we need your help to drive people to the VRA website <https://valleyrobotics.lodiusd.net/> to apply or come into the school where we have chromebooks ready for people to use to submit an application,

Please encourage new families to sign up using the links above or on the VRA website by going to the "how to apply" tab.

Last week a few parents approached me about looking into having an after school STEAM Program (FREE). We will be sending an interest form to all families in the next weeks. Please respond to it whether you will use it or not. Not only could this give our students an additional leg up on our mission of STEAM but provide current families assistance after school (and attract new families to our innovative program).

- The Grand Masquerade Ball Saturday, April 5th - for Valley Robotics Academy & Independence School 9th through 12th grade students (more info below)

- STEAM Night Tuesday, April 8th - 5-7 PM Please mark your calendars

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.

All great wishes!

The School Accountability Report Card (SARC) provides parents and the community with important information about each public school. Lodi Unified School District’s SARCs are available on the District’s webpage at https://www.lodiusd.net/about/sarcs. If you have questions regarding Lodi Unified’s SARCs or would like to receive a printed copy of a particular school, please contact Accounting at (209) 331-7141. For further information on School Accountability Report Cards, please visit the California Department of Education's web site at https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/sa/.

Valley Robotics Academy

We're off to a great start with our incoming freshmen! The majority of 8th graders have either already met with a college counselor or have a meeting scheduled to create their student education plan. This is fantastic news—keep up the great work!

If you have a student going into the 11th grade and they have not yet completed biology at Delta, they will need to take this class during summer school. Summer school will be held at Tokay High and Bear Creek High. You your location will depend on your home school. This is vital that your student completes this class as it is needed to meet graduation requirements. A flyer was sent to students last month with directions on how to sign-up, students are also welcomed to come by my office for assistance.

Mrs. Gabby Nunez, High School Counselor

High School Students: Our first term for the Spring is ending this Friday, March 14. A new term is beginning on March 31st when we return from our 2 week break. For many of you, this means a new and different schedule. I will be in my office from 8:00 to 12:00 every day this week working on schedules for the term beginning on March 31. Make sure to see me (drop in or make an appointment).

By the end of the week, Friday March 14, you should all have a print out of your schedule following our 2 week break.

Toward the end of April we will be choosing classes for the 2025-2026 school year

Summer school sign ups are here for interested students:

* Summer School Registration is now open for Credit Recovery or Advancement.

• Online Course request now Open to All studnets

• The message below has been communicated to all High School (students & parents) via Blackboard connect.

Attention H.S. Students in need of Credit Recovery or Advancement!

"Open Enrollment" starts Monday, March 3, 2025:

See your counselor for your credit recovery needs & determine what's the best Summer School Program for you!

Locations: Tokay H.S. & Bear Creek H.S.

Dates: June 9, 2025 - July 10, 2025

Deadline: May 12, 2025

For more information on H.S. Summer School programs, see links below:

Traditional Summer School: H.S. Summer School 2025

APEX Summer School: APEX - Learning Summer Program

For Additional Information, email your School Counselor or contact the

Summer School Office at: (209) 331-8903

Make sure to Make an appointment with me in April to get a copy of your updated transcript and review you plan for your high school as well as poet high school plans.

SEE YA SOON! "Plan your work and Work your plan"

High School Students, if you have any questions about your graduation status or credits, then please make an appointment to meet with me. You can schedule one by signing up at the sign-up sheet in Mrs. Sarah’s office or email me at jhunt@lodiusd.org. Outside of class time is preferable. Parents/Guardians, if you have any questions for me, then please email me at jhunt@lodiusd.net.

Mr. Hunt

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.

And now, presenting…

The GRANNY Awards

Introducing the 2025 1-5th grade musical!

Come to a parent meeting to learn about this year’s musical theatre opportunity and to sign your student up on

Monday, March 17th 2:45pm in the VRA cafeteria.

Practices will be Tuesday & Thursdays from 2:45-3:45 until performance week. Dress rehearsals 5/7/25 and 5/8/25. Performances on 5/9/25 for students at 9:15am, 10:30am and parent evening show TBA.

Contact Mrs. Bottoms for any questions Jbottoms@lodiusd.org. Remind messaging is preferred. Info to join the Remind group will be handed out during the parent meeting.

VRA enrollment applications for the 2025-26 school year are open! These applications are digital and ONLY for new students. If your child is continuing with VRA for the next school year, then please DO NOT fill out an application. Paper applications can be requested in the front office.

There are two separate applications for grade levels K-6 and 7-12. K-6 applications can be accessed here while 7-12 applications are here.

The 2025-26 school calendars are available on the District website! VRA Families, please follow the VRA Instructional Calendar. Independence Families, please follow the Lodi USD Modified Traditional Instructional Calendar. Physical copies can be found in the front office.

Parents/Guardians, when picking up your student for an appointment or any other reason during school hours, please report to the front office first. When dropping off your student after the school day has started, you must also check in at the front office.

Thank you for your cooperation in following these procedures!

To ensure a smooth start to the school day, we kindly ask that all parents/guardians exit the campus by 8:45 a.m. when the entrance gate closes. This allows our staff to focus on providing a safe and structured environment for all students. Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping us maintain a productive morning routine!

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.

Two more weeks and it will be Spring Break for Independence Families! Spring Break is from Monday, March 17th to Friday, March 29th. School resumes on Monday, March 31st, but the campus will be open if IS Families need assistance.

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 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.

High School Students, come enjoy a splendid evening at The Grand Masquerade Ball on Saturday, April 5th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Elite Events Lodi! Tickets are $20 each and only sold during pre-sale, so be sure to make your payment to Ms. Sarah in the Counseling Office.

VRA is having their annual STEAM Night on Tuesday, April 8th at 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.! There will be hands-on activities, food for purchase, science experiments and art exhibits to examine, and many more fun things.

We are thrilled to announce that our school yearbooks will soon be available for purchase! Capture the unforgettable moments of this school year with a keepsake your student will cherish for years to come. Yearbooks are $24 with a $1 processing fee for online orders. Order your yearbook now until Tuesday, April 15th! You can place an online order by scanning the QR code in the flyer below or at their website at https://plicbooks.com/go/QVJ19C

9th to 12th Grade Students, grab your tools and create an artwork for the 2025 Spring Art Show hosted by the school district in partnership with the GOT Kids Foundation! The last day to submit your artwork at the front office or Superintendent’s Office is Tuesday, April 1st. To participate, you must fill out the Entry Form. Once your artwork is completed, you will need to include an art tag on the back of the artwork. Art tags are located in the front office. The rules and guidelines can be found below.

UPDATE: 7th to 8th Grade Students, your artwork is due next Monday, March 10th. You must contact Michelle Armstrong at marmstrong@lodiusd.net or (209) 331-7004 if you want to participate. You DO NOT fill out the Entry Form. Once your artwork is completed, you will need to include an art tag on the back of the artwork. Art tags are located in the front office.

The Spring Art Show will be open to the public on Saturday, April 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the District office with the Awards Reception to follow for the artists and their families along with school staff. The winning art will move on to the San Joaquin County Art Show on Monday, May 5th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Wentworth Education Center.

Summer School is available for all high school students who need credits for graduation or wanting to advance in credits. Open enrollment opens this Monday, March 3rd until Monday, May 12th! More information regarding Summer School can be found in the flyers below or at their website at https://www.lodiusd.net/enrollment/summer-school. You can also contact your counselor for information, ganunez@lodiusd.org (for VRA students) or jhunt@lodiusd.org (for IS students). Physical flyers are located in the front office.

If you are in need of 15 or more credits, then please see your counselor for Summer School through Apex Learning! Registration is open until Friday, May 23rd. For more information, please see the flyer below or visit their website at https://www.lodiusd.net/enrollment/summer-school. Physical copies are provided in the front office.

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 11th. If you are interested and would like more information, then join the Google Classroom page. The code is 4ykbqoe.

San Joaquin County Office of Education is hosting their Open Trail Saturday events for all students who are interested in learning new skills and want to 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. For more information, please contact Katie Coelho at kcoelho@sjcoe.net

The next event is on Saturday, April 26th where students can befriend spring pollinators and craft a seed burst. If you are interested, then please register at https://bit.ly/4bXNppx

San Joaquin County Office of Education is hosting a variety of STEM Camps this summer from coding to engineering! More information can be found in the flyer below regarding each camp along with registration. If you have any questions, then please contact SJCOE STEM Programs at (209) 468-4880 or visit their website at sjcoescience.org.

Valley Air District is having an art contest for kindergarten to 12th grade students where their original artwork can be included in the 2026 Kids’ Calendar along with cash prizes! The deadline to submit an original artwork is Friday, September 26th. The guidelines of the contest can be found below in the flyers. Students can grab physical flyers and entry forms in the front office.

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.

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.

VRA 8th Grade to 12th Grade Students, consider joining Model UN if you are interested in debates on real-world issue. The club meets every Friday after school in P-14. If you are interested, then please see Mr. Woodfork in Room P-14.

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-16, Robotics Lab. See Ms. KG in P-9 for more information!

Update: The Robotics Lab has been moved to Room P-16.

Season 2 has begun, and the team is playing VALORANT and Rocket League! The team meets every Mondays and Tuesdays right after school in P-15. For more information, see Mr. Warner in P-15.

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 in her office for more information 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.

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.

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