The Lion Letter
Weekly Update - 5.4.2026 - Issue 30
State testing is coming for 3rd-5th graders, and at the end of May, all students will work on i-Ready to show their progress. Set your students up for success by making sure they sleep well, avoid electronics near bedtime, get a nutritious breakfast, and remind them to charge their Chromebooks.
If your student is nervous about their tests, practice their calming tools with them, like deep breathing or thinking positive. You can even plan something special at the end of testing to help them celebrate their work. Let’s go Laurel students!
The City of Oceanside Parks and Recreation Department provides scholarships for qualifying low income Oceanside Residents. The new scholarship program will increase the annual scholarship allocation to $300 per child with an additional $250 per child allocated specifically for summer camps. Each child in a family that meets the income limits will have access to $550 per year for scholarships. The intent is to provide each child with sufficient scholarship funds to participate in after school programming and 2 weeks of summer camp, but each family will have the flexibility to register for any Parks and Recreation Department program they select. If a child prefers to only register for camp, they can use all $550 in scholarships to attend summer camp.
The Food 4 Kids Backpack Program, established in 2006, provides weekend food packages to chronically hungry elementary school students from low-income households who are at risk of hunger over the weekend when free school meals are unavailable.
Every Friday afternoon students on the program are called out of class, often to the school nurse’s office, and discretely given a bag of food which is tucked into their backpacks. Each bag contains enough food to see the students through the weekend, and the discreet distributions remove the stigma that might be attached to the program.
The For Kids Sake After School Program is designed for elementary-aged children (ages 6–12). Participants will enjoy a variety of fun activities, including crafts, games, and sports in a group setting. They'll also have the opportunity to learn new games and receive homework help from the dedicated FKS staff.
Staff will pick-up children after school at Laurel Elementary School and walk to the Joe Balderrama Recreation Center. Staff will meet children in front of the tree at the main gate of the school.
The program follows the Oceanside Unified School District calendar.
No For Kids Sake Program on the following dates:
September 1st - Labor Day
November 11th - Veterans Day
November 24th - 28th - Thanksgiving Break
Please contact Joe Balderrama Recreation Center directly at 760-435-5530 if you have further questions.
We are excited to share our cell phone policy, "During the Day, Off and Away," for the 2025-2026 school year (Board Policy 5131.8). Our goal is to create a safe and focused learning environment for all students by minimizing distractions and promoting their mental well-being.
Key Points:
Cell Phone Usage: Students must turn off (ringer/tone/sounds off) and store their phones in their backpacks upon entering campus. Phones should stay off until they leave.
Communication: Classrooms have landlines for students to contact parents when necessary. Phones will be accessible in emergencies.
Academic Benefits: Reducing phone usage helps students stay focused and engaged in class.
Safety and Security: This policy helps prevent cyberbullying, ensures students focus during emergencies, and reduces the risk of theft or loss.
Support and disciplinary measures are in place for policy violations to help students adjust.
Thank you for your support as we work together to enhance our students' learning experience and well-being.
May 4 - 15 Statewide Testing - 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades
May 21 - Health & Human Development Lesson - 5th Grade
May 22 - Health & Human Development Lesson - 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades
June 2 - Kindergarten End-of-Year Celebration! - 9:30 am
June 5 - 5th Grade Promotion - 9:30 am