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 had a nice weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mother figures. Your care, guidance, and endless support shape our children in the most meaningful ways.

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

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

In partnership,

Alejandra Estrada

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is celebrated every May in the United States. This month is dedicated to recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States

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

On behalf of the entire, I want to thank our PTA President Veronica Reich, Alana Weisz, and Janet Gumataotao for the incredible work they did in planning the daily events, providing delicious treats, and making Teacher Appreciation week so special. Your kindness reminded us how fortunate we are to be part of such a caring school community.

Thank you parents, families, and friends for coming out to support our dance performances last week. Your presence meant so much to our students and added joy and energy to the performances. Ms. Patti, the Arts-In- Schools (AIS) dance instructor, did an amazing job preparing our students!

Thank you parents, families, friends, and staff for coming out to support our dancers! Your presence meant so much to our students and added you ad energy to the entire performance.

A BIG thank you to Mrs. Valdez, Ms. Jacky and Mrs. Maldonado for teaching our students cultural dances and coordinating the event.

Thank you Ms. Teresa Hernandez for having our Bridge Program students participate in an exciting and enriching experience in a fun-filled Field Day alongside students from other Bridge Program Schools. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect with their peers, celebrate their efforts, and enjoy their time with laughter. Thank you to Ms. Vicky and Ms. Martha who supported our students through the event.

Join us on Thursday, May 15 at 5:00pm in the school Library for our fourth meeting to discuss important updates regarding transportation arrangements to ensure a smooth transition for all our students who currently ride the bus.

Also, we are in need of volunteers at 7:00 - 7:45am. Please email Mrs. Aguirre at laguirre@lodiusd.net or call her at 209-331-7809 to provide a date that you are available.

Mrs. Wells' modern band, Ray Band, along with other school band groups will be performing. Event begins at 6:30pm at Needham's multipurpose room. For more details, please reach out to Mrs. Wells at mwells@lodiusd.net

If you are available and would like to earn volunteer hours, please join us! If you have questions, please reach out via email to Mrs. Gonzalez at lgonzalez@lodiusd.net. Thank you!

The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions are recognitions provided to students who are on the path toward developing biliteracy. The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions are used to motivate students to pursue the State Seal of Biliteracy upon high school graduation.

**Teachers will notify parents of students who have earned the Pathway to Seal of Biliteracy.**

Assembly times:

♦K-2nd: 8:45am-9:10am

♦6th – 8th: 9:45am-10:10am

♦3rd- 5th: 10:22am-10:52am

We are looking for parent volunteers to help set up and run stations for our upcoming Field Day! I you're available, we'd love your support!

We are asking for volunteers to arrive at 8:30am to help with set-up. Your help will make the day fun and memorable for all the students!

If you're available to volunteer, please reach out to Mr. Williams at brwilliams@lodiusd.net

Thank you!

Please Has your student misplaced a sweater or sweat shirt? Please take time to look through the lost and found to see if any of the items belong to your student. All clothing items that are not picked up by Friday, May 30 will be taken to a donation center.

Love Lodi is organizing a City-Wide Backpack Drive this summer. They are working with our school district, Lodi Police, local non-profits, churches and businesses to provide 1500 backpacks. If you want to partner with us, please email timothy@lovelodi.org.

Parents/Guardians: We are planning to distribute backpacks on National Night Out (August 5) at Legion, Blakely, and Hale Parks. If your student is in need of a quality backpack for the 2025- 26 school year, please fill out the following form by clicking the link bit.ly/LoveLodiBackpackDrive

or scanning the provided QR Code:

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:

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

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 seventh 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