Podesta Ranch Newletter 05/04/2025

It’s hard to believe we’re already in the final four weeks of the school year! As we head into this last stretch, our campus remains full of energy and activity. I continue to be incredibly proud of our students, staff, and families who together make our school community so strong and vibrant.

We’ve officially completed state testing, and I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible dedication our students demonstrated throughout. Their focus, perseverance, and effort were truly commendable. A heartfelt thank you to our families for your encouragement and support at home—it played an important role in helping our students feel prepared and confident.

Even in this busy season, we remain committed to reinforcing our PBIS values of being Responsible, Kind, and Safe. These values continue to shape how our students learn, grow, and support one another each day.

Next week, we’re excited to kick off Staff Appreciation Week, beginning May 5! This is a special time to celebrate and thank our amazing teachers and support staff for their unwavering commitment to our students. Their hard work, passion, and care make a lasting difference every single day. We invite families to join us in showing our staff just how much they are appreciated!

Inside this newsletter, you’ll find key updates and important dates as we approach the end of the year. Please take a few moments to review them so you and your child can stay informed and involved in all the exciting events ahead. Thank you for being such a vital part of the Podesta Ranch family. We’re grateful to partner with you in creating a school where every student can thrive!

Sincerely,

Alyssa Barban, Principal

Thank you to all who helped purchased popcorn to help our 6th grade violinists to go on their music competition trip! We reached our goal of $500 and could not have done this without you! We love and appreciate your support to our student body. PRE families RocKS! 🦅

We celebrated National Physical Education and Sport Week on Monday, April 28th, 2025 to Friday, May 2nd, 2025 to appreciate our awesome P.E. teacher, Ms. Lord! We are so lucky to have such a wonderful P.E. teacher who teaches our kids about healthy lifestyles, great sportmanship, and teamwork. Thank you Ms. Lord for ALL that you do for the staff and students! We love our P.E teacher!

We celebrated School Principal Day on Thursday, May 1st, 2025 to our awesome principal, Mrs. Barban! We are so thankful to have her support our teachers, staff, and students! Be sure to thank them for all the hard work they've done to keep our students feel safe and engaged. We love our school principal!

We celebrated our School Lunch Heroes Day on Friday, May 2nd, 2025 to our awesome nutrition staff, Mrs. Baledio, Mrs. Moua, and Mrs. Kaur! We are so lucky to have a strong and committed staff to ensure our students get their nutritious meals everyday. Because of their hard work, our students are growing fast and strong! We love our school lunch heroes!

It's STAFF Appreciation Week starting Monday, May 5th, 2025 to Friday, May 9th, 2025! We appreciate all their hard work and dedication to ensure that all the students' needs are met and with the best possible education! Be sure to drop a thank you to ALL the teachers who has worked alongside your child. We love our school teachers!

Also, a special shout out to YOU, your child's first teacher! Thank you for all the support at home and partnering with us to help your child's academic career. We appreciate and see all that you do at home to help your child achieve their best! Podesta's parents RocKS! 🦅

It's School Nurse Day on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 to our awesome nurse, Mrs. Hortelano! Be sure to thank her for all that she does for our school. Our students' medical needs and support are met everyday because of her great work. We love our school nurse!

PRE is having a STEM DAY on Thursday, May 8, 2025. If you have been fingerprinted and would like volunteer by assisting at a STEM station, please email Mrs. Ortega at sortega@lodiusd.org. Volunteers are welcome to come for the whole day or even an hour. Thank you for your support!

Click on the image on the right to see openings.

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 May 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! Our Spring Book Fair is coming soon 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 let your homeroom teacher know so they can communicate to our PTA members.

More information is to come!

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.