It’s hard to believe we are in the final stretch of the school year! As we enter the fourth quarter, I want to take a moment to reflect on all the incredible growth our students have made and the exciting opportunities ahead.

This time of year is filled with important learning, end-of-year activities, and celebrations of student achievements. Students in grades 3-6 will participate in state testing at the end of April, and we appreciate your support in ensuring they are well-rested and ready to do their best.

We are also excited to bring back Lunch on the Lawn—a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy lunch with their students. Mark your calendars: April 9 and May 21 will be our Lunch on the Lawn events. We look forward to seeing you there!

As we finish the year strong, we encourage all of our Red-Tailed Hawks to stay focused, responsible, kind, and safe—our core PBIS values. Let’s work together to make these last few months positive, productive, and full of success! Please connect with your student and teacher to encourage and reinforce all of our behavior expectations.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making Podesta Ranch Elementary a supportive and thriving learning community. We cannot wait to see you back at school, tomorrow, Monday, March 31st! Let’s finish the year as our best Red-Tailed Hawks!

Sincerely,

Alyssa Barban, Principal

Friendly Reminder that school begins Monday, March 31st, 2025 @ 7:45 AM.

We celebrate all our Paraprofessionals on Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025 for Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! We are so glad to have their helpful hands in the classroom to help our students feel safe and reach their educational success! Be sure to thank a paraprofessional this week for all the hard work that they do!

On Friday, April 4th, 2025, we celebrate all our sub school librarians and Mrs. Rom for School Librarian Appreciation Day! We are so glad to have them on our team, helping our students be excited about reading, and taking care of our chromebook needs. Be sure to thank the subs and Mrs. Rom for her kindness and hard work! Mrs. Rom's last day was Friday, March 14th, 2025. We miss her bright demeanor and wish her all the luck in the world with her new job!

SAVE THE DATE! Lunch on the Lawn is on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025. Please see below for the lunch times.

TK - Kinder: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM

1st - 3rd, SDC: 10:50 AM - 11:35 AM

4th - 6th: 11:50 AM - 12:26 PM

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

Kona Ice will be there as well if you would like to purchase a Kona Ice!

Our CAASPP testing will be starting soon for our 3rd - 6th graders from Monday, April 21st - Friday, May 9th, 2025. Please be sure that your child comes to school fully rested (8+ hours of sleep), had breakfast (they're free at school!), and on time.

Students may practice the test at home on a guest account to be familiar with the questions asked. Link to the website can be accessed by clicking on the image on the right.

• 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 April 2025.

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

Upcoming minimum days are the following:

• Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 - Lunch on the Lawn
• 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 annual See's Candy Fundraiser will begin on Monday, March 31st, 2025 for any Spring/Easter celebrations! More information 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.

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

PAYMENT

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

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 colder 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.