Joe Serna Jr. Charter School

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.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 🎃

The Fall Festival is this Friday, October 23. Thank you tall the families who have donated items!

Check out this week's newsletter for details on events taking place and friendly reminders.

In partnership,

Mrs. Alejandra Estrada

Every year our school is scheduled for a series of emergency drills in preparation for real incidents. We conduct fire drills, earthquake drills, and lock-down drills. On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, we are scheduled to conduct a lockdown drill. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office at 209-331-7809.

This week is a special time to honor and pay tribute to fallen DEA special agent Enrique Camerena in 1985. Red Ribbon Week is an alcohol, tobacco, smoking, and other drug and violence prevention awareness campaign observed annually in October in the United States. The celebration is an annual catalyst to show intolerance for drugs in our schools, workplaces, and communities.

Our 5th grade students are heading to Nature Bridge to create memories that will last a lifetime! This is a fun and wonderful experience where they get to explore nature and learn about science in exciting ways.

As a reminder, safety is our top priority and we need your help to keep our students and staff safe. When students are being dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon, please pull forward, do not block the crosswalk while waiting in the line of cars, and do not leave your car unattended. Our staff is there to quickly help students out and into the vehicles. Also, if you plan on helping your student out of the car, please park in a designated area. Thank you for your patience and support.

We kindly ask for your help in reminding your child to come to school each day wearing their school uniform. Please take a moment each morning to check that your child is dressed according to our school uniform expectations before leaving home. Your support and partnership make a big difference!

Thank you for helping us keep our Serna Stingrays looking sharp and showing their school pride!

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, reach out to Mrs. Maldonado via email at imaldonado@lodiusd.net.

TK Students are not required to wear uniforms.

As Lodi USD continues to move towards our goal of clear, timely, and transparent communication, we want to ensure that our families are receiving communication with ease. You should already be receiving communication through email and text - if you're not, please reach out to our school's office to let us know. The next step with staying connected is downloading the ParentSquare app! Available for both iPhones and Androids, downloading the app ensures instant access to updates, and provides an easy way to interact with posts, direct messages, forms, and more. Download the free app by following the link in the button below.

If you need help accessing ParentSquare, please reach out to communications@lodiusd.net.

Effective July 1, 2026, all volunteers are required to complete Mandated Reporter training (SB 848) annually as part of the volunteer approval process. Please see the instructions provided below for how to complete the mandated reporter training. For any questions or concerns, please reach

out to the Risk Management Department.

Link to register and complete training.:

https://lodi-nonemployee-keenan.safeschools.com/register/3489ef02

To complete mandated reporter training:

1. Sign up on Keenan SafeSchools with your email address.

2. Take the Mandated Reporter: Child Abuse and Neglect training course. (67 minutes)

3. Provide the completion certificate to our school office.

For assistance with the training process, please contact the Risk Management Department

TK students are always welcome to have breakfast in the morning when dropping off older children.

LUSD Nutrition Services

https://lusdnutrition.org/index.php?sid=2904102048414688&page=menus

TK - 8th Grade: Breakfast is served Monday - Friday starting at 7:45am in the cafeteria

Please note:

*** On FRIDAYS AM-TK & PM -TK BEGIN AND END AT THE SAMET TIME***

Monday - Thursday:

Start: 8:10 AM

Dismissal 2:37 PM

Fridays:

Start: 8:10 AM

Dismissal: 1:05 PM

To sign-up, please use the link provided -- all registrations must go through the link. All students will be placed on a wait list as spots are limited.

Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScv-0fQtvzOYAPk058YDXhWk-yfaz9vJ4FlM8GAq0H5FOpvHA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

If you have questions about the wait list, please reach out to:

Narey Soy

LUSD Administrative Secretary

Intervention & Supplemental Programs

209-331-8903 ext. 810010

email: nsoy@lodiusd.net

We have refill stations. Ensure to label your child's water bottle.

We are in the second week of the second quarter, please 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.

We believe that a strong school community is built on the collaboration of students, teachers, parents and guardians. That's why this year we are bringing back the 30 hours of volunteer hours. 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.

Earn your hours by:

*Volunteering in the classroom, at recess, and lunches

* Attending field trips

*Attending Parent meetings like PTA, Principal Chat, ELAC, etc.

*Supporting school wide events like Fall Festival, Club Folklorico performances, uniform sales, Scholastic book fair, 2nd grade Holiday Boutique, Otter pop sales, middle school dance/events, campus beautifications, float for Lodi Parade of Lights, school picture days, kinder and 8th grade promotions, and many more events.

Volunteer slips are available in the office. Once you complete an event, ensure you turn in your volunteer slip to 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.

Phones down, heads up. Creating connections in the classroom.

As we settle back into the routines of school, please help us remind your children that their phones should be put away during school. During school hours, campuses are a "no phone zone" and students will be expected to keep their phones off and put away.

This initiative is designed to support a more focused learning environment while encouraging real, in-person connection outside of the digital world. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.lodiusd.net/be-present.

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!

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.

Laura Aguirre

laguirre@lodiusd.net

Blanca Aranda bsantiago@lodiusd.net

Alejandra Yepez alyepez@lodiusd.net

Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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.