Welcome to the start of the 2nd quarter! I hope you had a restful break and are ready for the exciting weeks ahead. As we move into this next chapter of the school year, I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for the dedication and enthusiasm of our students, families, and staff. The first quarter was filled with learning, growth, and memorable moments, and I am confident that the 2nd quarter will bring even more success.

This is a great time for students to reflect on their achievements so far and set new goals for the remainder of the year. As always, we are here to support them in every way possible. Whether it's through academic guidance, emotional support, or extracurricular opportunities, our mission remains the same: to create a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.

Please stay tuned for important updates and upcoming events as we continue to work together for the success of our students. Your partnership is invaluable, and I look forward to another fantastic quarter of learning and growth.

Red-Tailed Hawks are Responsible, Kind and Safe! Red-Tailed Hawks, Our school RocKS! Thank you for your continued support, and let's make this quarter even more amazing!

Sincerely,

Alyssa Barban, Principal

School Pictures Retake is on Thursday, October 17th, 2024. If you would like for your child to retake their photos, please let your homeroom teacher know so they can send your child to the photographers. Reminder that school photos and yearbooks can be purchase through https://www.shoobphoto.com/

You may also click on the image on the right to go to the ordering site.

Attention all 3rd - 6th graders! Our Running Club is back on this year! If your child is interested in participating, please see Mrs. Ortega and Mrs. C for a permission slip! Running Club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:25 PM - 3:25 PM. Running Club will begin Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024. Last day to sign up is Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024.

Please click on the image on the right to see the digital flyer!

Save the Date! Red Ribbon Week is on Monday, October 28th, 2024 to November 1st, 2024.

Attention all 3rd - 6th graders! Starting Monday, October 14th, 2024, we will be accepting permission slips for the Graphic Design and Art Club. Please have your child see Miss Lo for more information and permission slips. This is a first come, first serve basis. Last day to turn in permission slips is Friday, November 1st, 2024.

Art Club will begin Monday, November 4th, 2024.

Attention all 4th - 6th graders! Starting Monday, October 14th, 2024, we will be accepting permission slips for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Club. Please have your child see Mrs. Bou for more information and permission slips. This is a first come, first serve basis. Last day to turn in permission slips is Friday, November 1st, 2024.

STEM Club will begin Monday, November 4th, 2024.

Upcoming minimum days are the following:

• Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024

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.

Attached is Podesta's calendar of events for October 2024.

Please click on the image for the pdf file of the calendar.

Our annual Candy Wars is here! Save the date for Monday, October 21st, 2024 - Friday, October 25th, 2024!

Our annual Harvest Fest is among us! Save the date for Friday, October 25th, 2024 for this fun filled family event! Hours are from 5 PM - 8 PM and don't forget to dress up in your Halloween costume.

Attached is our PTA's calendar of events for the school year of 2024/2025.

Please click on the image on the right for the pdf file of the calendar.

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.

You may also click on the blue words PAYMENT below for the digital form to turn in to pay.

PAYMENT

Meet our new school counselor Ms. Harbin! Click on the picture on the right to see September's newsletter.

We are excited to announce that your child’s/children’s school is having a spelling bee for students grades 4th through 6th. The Spelling Bee is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their spelling skills and compete in a friendly and encouraging environment. Participants will be tested on their ability to spell a variety of words; the event will include several rounds. The competition aims to foster a love of language and promote academic excellence. Podesta Ranch's spelling bee will take place on Friday, October 18th, 2024. The winner of each school site will go on to the district wide spelling bee (Stockton Thursday, 11/7 and Friday, Lodi 11/8). We encourage you to click on the link below for rules and practice lists or you may click on the image on the right for the practice spelling list.

Spelling Bee Rules (sjcoe.org)

LodiUSD is opening a writing competition to all Lodi Unified School District students in fifth and sixth grade. Students will be judged on content and relevance to the theme (50 points), effective expression (30 points) and grammar and originality (10 points each). Please turn in all submission to their homeroom teacher.

Deadline for entries: Friday, November 1, 2024

Winners will be notified in December.

Contact Linda Hammons ljhammons@sbcglobal.net with any questions.

Please click on the image on the right for the writing prompt and official flyer.

Prizes:

1st Place: $100

2nd Place: $75

3rd Place: $50

Honorable Mentions: $25

Please confirm and update your contact information for EACH child on AERIES to complete their school registration for their 2024/2025 school year.

Click on the blue words below to watch how to login to AERIES.

YOUTUBE

You may click on the image on the right to login into the AERIES Parent Portal website.

Want to volunteer in a classroom or go/drive for class trips? You need to be cleared through fingerprinting at the District office. If interested, please notify your homeroom teacher and they will direct you how to sign up.

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.

Please click on the image on the right for more information about the Chromebook Care Plan Insurance page that is avaliable for purchase in the District.

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.

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.

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, please click on the link below.

https://www.lusdnutrition.org/

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.