Podesta Ranch Newletter 11/01/2026

Welcome to Week 13!

As we head into another exciting week at Podesta Ranch, we have a few important reminders and upcoming events to share with you!

🗳️ Election Day at Podesta Ranch

On Tuesday, Election Day polling will take place in our school library from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. We anticipate increased traffic around campus as members of our community visit to participate in the voting process.

The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priorities. Security measures will be in place to ensure that members of the public do not have access to classrooms or student areas. We appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation as we support this important community event while maintaining a safe learning environment for our students.

🤧 Cold and Flu Season Reminders

As we enter cold and flu season, we appreciate your help in keeping our school community healthy. If your student is absent due to illness, please remember to contact the school office to report the absence. This helps us maintain accurate attendance records and ensures we know when students are out sick. Thank you for helping us promote the health and well-being of all our students and staff!

📚 Minimum Day and Report Cards

Wednesday will be a Minimum Day for all students. Report cards will be sent home on Friday, November 13th. We look forward to sharing our students' progress with families!

🎬 PTA Movie Night – Friday, November 6th

Get ready for a fun-filled evening with our amazing PTA! Join us on Friday, November 6th, for a special Movie Night featuring Toy Story 5. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend time together as a school community, enjoy a great movie, and make lasting memories with family and friends. Food will be available for purchase, so come hungry and ready for a fun night!

We are so grateful for the continued support of our PTA and the many ways they help make Podesta Ranch such a special place for our students and families.

Thank you for your continued partnership, flexibility, and support. We hope you have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to another great week at Podesta Ranch!

With Red-Tailed Hawk Pride,

Magenda Cruz
Principal
Podesta Ranch Elementary School

🎨🏆 Congratulations to our five Art Club winners for winning an opportunity to display their artwork at the Sandhill Crane Festival art competition for Podesta Ranch Elementary next weekend! 🎉 🦩 Come support our talented artists and see their artwork at the FREE Sandhill Crane Festival from Friday, November 6th through Sunday, November 8th! 🖼️✨

For more information about the festival, click on the image on the right.

A big shout out to the McNair High School students for the wonderful health fair they held for our 5th and 6th graders on Tuesday, October 27th! 🩺🎉 Thank you so much for teaching and inspiring our students about possible health careers in their future and how to take care of their growing bodies! 🌟👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

A huge thank you to our wonderful families and PTA for hosting and volunteering another fantastic and successful Harvest Fest! 🍂🎉 We see your hard work, and we truly appreciate everything you do for our students. 🙌 We love our Hawk Families! 🦅❤️

Friendly Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1st, 2026! Be sure to FALL BACK one hour so you're not too early for school the next day! :)

For the safety of the students, NO PARENTS are allowed on campus beyond the front desk. Please drop off your child with a staff member in front and they will be guided to their designated area.

On Tuesday, November 3 our campus will serve as a polling location for the Midterm General Election. Due to this, you will notice additional activity on campus during the school day. Polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm in the library.

Our school and district staff have planned accordingly to ensure that there will be minimal disruptions to the school day during voting times. Barriers will be utilized to restrict public access to students and classrooms. Additionally, hired security will be present on campus to help ensure that voters remain within designated voting areas.

Thank you for your understanding and feel free to call the office if you have any questions.

Upcoming minimum days are the following:

• Wednesday, November 4th, 2026
• Wednesday, November 18th, 2026
• Wednesday, December 9th, 2026
• Friday, December 18th, 2026

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.

School will be closed on Wednesday, November 11th, to honor our veterans! 🎖️ Thank you to all our military families for your service. 💙 We are grateful for your sacrifice in keeping our freedoms safe. 🕊️

Join us for our monthly Coffee With the Principal event! ☕ Missed the last two gathering or want to come back? We're brewing up another FREE coffee and light breakfast session to connect with our amazing principal, Ms. Cruz! 🎉 Friday, November 6th in room 211 @ 9:30 AM is your chance to ask questions, share what's on your mind, and get to know our school leader. Hope to see you there! 😊

📝 Report cards will be coming home on Friday, November 13th! 🎒 Please be sure to ask your child for theirs. 🌟

🦃 Happy Thanksgiving break! 🍂 There wil be NO SCHOOL from Monday, November 23rd through Friday, November 27th. School campus will also be closed. 🙏 We are so thankful for all you do for our classrooms and for partnering with us in your child's achievements at school. 🌟 Enjoy the time with your family and see you all again on Monday! 🥧

School resumes Monday, November 30th @ 7:45 AM!

📸 Our yearbook orders has started! 📚 Capture the memories of this amazing year for just $15. Head over to shoobphoto.com to place your order and bring home a keepsake of all the wonderful moments we've shared together. Don't miss out! 🎉

Click the image on the right to place an order online.

🎨 Calling all creative minds! Our annual yearbook cover competition is here, and we want YOUR artistic vision to shine on next year's cover. This is your chance to make your mark and see your design celebrated by the entire school community. ✨

The deadline is this Friday, November 13th, so don't let this opportunity slip away! 📅 Whether you're a seasoned artist or just love to create, we'd love to see what you come up with. Your imagination could be the masterpiece that represents our whole year together. 🌟

Get those entries in by Friday and show us what you've got! 🎉

Click on the image on the right for the digital flyer.

🌉 Exciting news! Bridge After School program is here! If your child is interested in joining in on the fun, just click the link below to get them registered.

Please click on the image on the right for more information about the program.

Mark your calendars for our third annual Turkey Trot fundraiser on Friday, November 20th! More information to come!

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 your child is riding an E-Bike or scooter to school, please review the following information provided to Lodi USD by law enforcement to ensure that your child is following regulations and is riding with safety.

• E-Bikes - There are three classifications of e-bikes. All e-bikes must have an electric motor of less than 750 watts.
• Class 1 and 2: These e-bikes are similar to regular bicycles. They can be identified as pedal assisted with an electric motor that reaches a maximum speed of 20mph. Class 1 and 2 riders must wear a helmet while riding and adhere to the same regulations as regular bicycles.
• Class 3: These e-bikes are pedal assisted with an electric motor that ceases to provide power at 28mph. These e-bikes have age restrictions, riders must be 16 years or older, and must be wearing a helmet at all times when riding.

• Motorized Scooters - Motorized scooters are two-wheeled devices with a floorboard or seat, and are powered by an electric motor.
• Riders of motorized scooters must be 16 years of age or older, and must have a valid driver's license or learner's permit to legally ride. Riders must also wear a helmet.

Please help us keep students safe by ensuring these regulations are followed. Thank you!

Please click the image for our next school year calendar for planning.

To ensure compliance with California Senate Bill 848 (SB 848), all school volunteers who meet the requirements outlined in the law must complete Mandated Reporter Training before serving in a volunteer capacity.

Click on the image on the right for more information or the button below to create an account and complete your training.

Safety First for Our Red-Tailed Hawks

To ensure a safe and smooth experience for all students, please review and follow the guidelines below. Thank you for partnering with us in keeping our campus calm, safe, and welcoming!

⏰ Morning Arrival – Begins at 7:45 AM

• 7:45 AM is the earliest students may arrive on campus.

• Breakfast is served at 7:45 AM in the MPR.

• Upon arrival, students line up outside and will begin entering the front doors starting at 7:45.

🚸 Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures

• The bus loop is for school buses and SDC families only. If your child is in an SDC class and you are using this loop, a visible parking pass must be displayed.

• Drop-Off Lane Guidelines:

  • Stay in your vehicle at all times.

  • Follow posted signage and staff directions.

  • Pull all the way forward to keep traffic flowing.

• If you need to exit your car (even briefly), you must park in a designated parking space and walk with your child using the crosswalks. Please do not leave your car unattended in the drop-off lane.

🏁 Dismissal Time Reminders

• The same traffic rules apply at pick-up:

  • If you plan to get out of your car, please park and meet your child at a designated crosswalk or sidewalk.

  • Do not ask your student to cross the parking lot or street at an unsafe location.

  • If you're in the pickup lane, remain in your running vehicle and move with the flow of traffic.

• No double parking, U-turns, or unsafe driving will be allowed. Your patience and cooperation helps us keep all students safe.

❤️ Thank You!

We know pick-up and drop-off may take a few minutes, but your patience and safety-minded choices are critical to ensuring every Red-Tailed Hawk arrives and leaves safely. We appreciate your cooperation!

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.

T1 MENU

For more information about lunches and nutrition on the LodiUSD website, please click on the BLUE words below.

FOOD SERVICES

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 click on the blue words student and family handbook for the pdf of school rules/policies for 2026/2027 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 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, slippers/UGGS, 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.