The Lemon Crest ROAR

This week on Wednesday, we had an incredible opportunity for our 2nd graders!

Melissa Mecija from ABC 10 News and North Island Credit Union surprised our 2nd graders with not only a Pete the Cat read aloud, but a backpack AND 6 free books! We know how important building a love of reading to grow our students' reading skills is, and we are so grateful for this special event!

Here is a video that the amazing Karen and Ron Cook created for us to spotlight the event, and we shared a video recording of the news broadcast on our school's Instagram: @lemoncrest_lusd

Here is the link for the news story! https://www.10news.com/videos/community/storytime/storytime-lemon-crest-2026

Volunteer Opportunities!

Families, as I shared at our Back to School Night presentation, we need amazing people like you to volunteer and support our school! Here are a few ways we are looking for parent/caregiver volunteers

• We need more people to join our School Site Council! The first meeting is Oct. 8 at 2:30pm right after school. This team is important in looking at our SPSA (School Plan for Student Achievement), and I'll explain everything at the first meeting!
• Not all grade levels utilize volunteers inside the classroom; some like help making copies, laminating or cutting materials - reach out to your child's teacher to see what volunteer needs they have!
• Join Us for Our First DPAC/DELAC Meeting of the Year! All Lakeside Union School District families are invited and encouraged to attend our upcoming District Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC) / District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) meeting.
• Monday, September 21, 2026 from 9:00-10:30am at Lakeside Middle School – Library
• Come learn more about what is happening across our district and how you can stay informed and involved in your child's education. Topics will include student assessment results and how to understand your child's DIBELS and MAP data, support for English Learners, district programs and resources, and opportunities for parents to provide input and ask questions. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend! Spanish, Farsi, Arabic, and Pashto interpreters will be available. Interpretation in additional languages is available upon request. We hope you can join us and be part of the conversation!

Jog-a-Thon is coming!

Lemon Crest is gearing up for our annual Jog-A-Thon!! More information will be distributed October 2nd and our Jog-A-Thon will be October 23rd. Right now the PTA is looking for business donations. If you own a business or know a business owner, please share the flyer below!

After-School Opportunities for our Lions!

I've attached flyers to the bottom of the newsletter, but we've got some pretty cool after-school activities for students this year!

• Soccer Shots is Wednesdays
• AYOP Karate is in our MRP on Wednesday evenings
• Haus of Dance is starting in October on Thursdays right after school!

Scroll down to the flyers for more info and pricing!

Our October All-School Assembly is coming up on Friday, October 2!

All parents/caregivers are welcome to join us on the blacktop at 8am. We'll have a dance demo from Haus of Dance (one of the new after-school opportunities we offer here at Lemon Crest), as well as some information from Kids Zone in Parkway Plaza! We'll have our top 3 classes with highest attendance recognized, as well as recognizing our students who got a Positive Office Referral in August or September AND our Teacher and Classified Staff of the Month! We hope you can join us!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Take care,

Jen Price

Principal, Lemon Crest Elementary

Special Opportunity for 4th & 5th Grade Students with Medi-Cal Insurance

Lemon Crest is partnering with Fred Finch Youth & Family Services to provide FREE skills groups to support social emotional learning. The groups will take place at Lemon Crest during the school day and will reinforce skills essential for academic success including emotion regulation, healthy relationships, and problem solving skills. Please fill out this form if you would like your child to participate and we will follow-up with you!

Next week, our school is proud to participate in Start With Hello Week, a special program created by the national nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise. Social isolation can deeply affect a child's well-being, mood, and success. This program empowers students to turn small moments of connection into big waves of belonging. Throughout the week, students will engage in fun daily activities focused on empathy, learning names, and including others. Take a look at the schedule below:

• Ask your child: "Did you say hello to someone new today?"
• Practice simple conversation starters or role-play welcoming a classmate who feels left out.
• Model inclusive behavior in your neighborhood and community.

Thank you for helping us build a kinder, safer, and more connected school community!

Do you need help with your Infinite Campus Parent Portal?

Click the rectangle link below for answers to questions you may have about the Parent Portal!

Click the round link below for help getting your username and/or password! Please note if you have more than one student in the district, you are linked to all of them, so you can just provide information on one student.

ALL Parents/Caregivers will need to have your Parent Portal set up in order to...

-See your child's teacher assignment

-Receive important messaging from the school

-View your child's progress report for each trimester

-Update your contact information

-Provide/update emergency contact information

Safety is one of our top priorities at Lemon Crest Elementary. Read the following safety information for our drop-off and pickup times. The image on the left is for TK/Kinder & 1st-5th Grade Drop-Off & Pick-Up. The image on the right is for our SDC Drop-off and Pick-up only.

• Use designated drop-off zones only. You can park in the lots and walk your child in/out using the crosswalk where a staff member is directing traffic OR you can use the drive-through option for your child’s grade. All grades dropped off via car use the back driveway through the basketball court. ONLY TK and Kindergarten use the inside driveway for Pick-up only. DO NOT DROP OFF YOUR STUDENT AT THE CURB, BUS LANE OR IN THE PARKING LOT.

• In the drive-through line, make two lines and look for staff directing traffic. We have signs and staff to help support smooth traffic flow. Please be kind and respectful to our staff - they work hard to ensure your child’s safety. Pull all the way up.

• Do not park in front of the yellow Bus Lane curb OR in front of the red Fire Lane curb. This is for buses and emergency vehicles only.

• Follow all traffic laws for car seats, booster seats and speed limits. We work with law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

• Exercise extreme caution around pedestrian areas; Slow down, be mindful of crosswalks, and follow the traffic patterns.

• If your child rides a scooter or bike, they MUST wear a helmet.

1. To Learn

2. To Stay Safe

3. To Have Fun!

This aligns with our three School Plan for Student Achievement goals (aka the SPSA) which are:

1. Academic Improvement

2. Social-emotional Wellbeing & Student Safety

3. Attendance Improvement

To help achieve these goals, we ask that you please read our Lemon Crest Family Handbook A-Z 2026-2027 with important school information! This handbook was created with staff and student input, and references our school rules, expectations and district policies and procedures. Please carefully review this handbook as a family, and refer to it if you have a question.

Please note that we have added sections for AI, student’s personal devices including smart watches, smart phones, smart glasses, etc, appropriate and responsible use of district tech (including iPads, Chromebooks and internet). Please review these sections with your child.

Our Lemon Crest School Pledge 2026-2027 will be shared at the PTA Meet-and Greet on August 15. Please pre-read this, review with your child so you can sign and return to school the first week of school.

ROAR is our school-wide expectations for student behavior: We are Respectful, On Task, Always Safe and Responsible. All students TK-5th grade are expected to show ROAR every day wherever they are at Lemon Crest Elementary, so that all students can learn, stay safe and have fun!

Each Friday, we will send out our Weekly Family ROAR, which is our our family newsletter. The newsletter will have updates, reminders, announcements, as well as lots of important information for you and your Lion to know! Please be sure to read the Weekly Family ROAR so you're up to date with what's going on at Lemon Crest!

The link below will be the page that has ALL of the ROARs for the year:

https://secure.smore.com/u/lioncrestlions

This year, our school-wide theme is Growing Stronger Together, inspired by the book The Together Tree by Aisha Saeed. In the story, a tree grows stronger as the animals around it work together, support one another, and celebrate their unique strengths. It reminds us that when we care for one another and work toward a common goal, our entire community flourishes.

At Lemon Crest, we believe every student, family, and staff member plays an important role in helping our school grow. Together, we create a place where students feel safe, valued, challenged, and inspired to do their very best. By building strong relationships, showing kindness, and working as a team, we help every child reach their full potential.

Here is a Read Aloud by Principal Price of the book, The Together Tree. Each classroom also has this book to read and enjoy with the class this year.

September:

• Sept. 21-25 - Start with Hello Week

• Friday, September 25 - Minimum Day (district professional development in the afternoon); TK and Kindergarten dismisses at 11:10am and 1st-5th grade dismisses at 11:30am on Minimum Days. Please note Minimum Days are different than Early Release Wednesdays!

October:

• October 6-9 - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Soccer Shots at Lemon Crest Elementary

• Wednesdays, 12:25 PM-1:10 PM

• $79/month

• On-campus at school

No extra driving for parents! Join Soccer Shots for a fun and active program teaching social-emotional and soccer skills. Who knows, maybe your child will help us win one of these World Cups?! Dreams start here.

Check out the flyer below if you are interested in your child joining AYOP Soccer in our MPR on Wednesday evenings!

Haus of Dance is coming to Lemon Crest to offer dance classes for TK-5th grade on Thursdays starting October 15! It's $55 for Oct. 15-Nov 15, and if you need a scholarship for a lower cost, reach out to Coach Kira! Please see the flyer below to sign up if interested!

⭐ Lemon Crest is a TK-5 elementary school. Here are our school hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Breakfast: 7:30

Arrival (if not having breakfast): 7:40

School Begins: 7:50

TK & K Dismissal: 1:55 (please do not arrive before 1:45 as it will impede bus access)

Grades 1-5 Dismissal: 2:15 (please do not arrive before 2:05)

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Wednesday

Breakfast: 7:30

Arrival (if not having breakfast): 7:40

School Begins: 7:50

TK & K Dismissal: 11:55 (please do not arrive before 11:45 as it will impede bus access)

Grades 1-5 Dismissal: 12:15 (please do not arrive before 12:05)

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⭐ School Website: https://www.lsusd.net/lemon-crest/

⭐ School Breakfast & Lunch Menu: https://schools.mealviewer.com/district/lakesideunionsdca
⭐ Address: 12643 Lemon Crest Drive, Lakeside, CA, USA
⭐ Front Office Phone: 619-390-2527

⭐ PTA Instagram: @lemoncrestpta

⭐ Lemon Crest Elementary Instagram: @lemoncrest_lusd

⭐ LUSD Calendar for 2025-2026

⭐ Lemon Crest Family Handbook A-Z for 2025-2026

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Families, you are always invited to our All-School Assemblies! We have them the first Friday of each month at 8am on the blacktop (unless there's inclement weather, then we'll reschedule):

• September 4, 2026

• October 2, 2026
• November 6, 2026
• December 4, 2026
• January 8, 2027
• February 5, 2027
• March 5, 2027
• April 9, 2027
• May 7, 2027

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Lemon Crest Food Pantry Dates: We are continuing our FREE Feeding San Diego food distrubition here at Lemon Crest 1-2 times a month! This is open to all Lakeside families, but we prioritize our Lemon Crest families. We ask that you bring your own bags and/or wagon to carry your groceries. Food is distributed on a first come, first serve basis on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 11:30am-1:30pm (after our early release Wednesday dismissal)

• September 9, 2026
• September 23, 2026
• October 14, 2026
• October 28, 2026
• November 18, 2026
• December 2, 2026
• December 16, 2026

We'll have dates for January to June 2027 as we get closer to the new year.

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Each Friday, we will send out our Weekly Family ROAR, aka our family newsletter. The newsletter will have updates, reminders, announcements, as well as lots of important information for you and your Lion to know! The link below will be the page that has ALL of the ROARs for the year:

https://secure.smore.com/u/lioncrestlions

Coming to school every day on time matters! Attendance is directly linked to academic success, social-emotional development, and future opportunities! We pledge to work with you in order to support your family in getting your child to school every day on time!

If your child is sick, please call the Front Office at 619-390-2527 and press option 1or email: lcattendance@lsusd.net

1. Missed Lessons = Falling Behind: Even one day can mean missing critical instructions and activities, making it harder for your child to catch up.

2. Impact on Future Success: Consistent attendance is a strong predictor of academic achievement and future opportunities.

3. Building Resilience: Regular attendance teaches your child the value of perseverance and responsibility—essential skills for success in life.

4. Stronger Friendships: Daily presence helps your child develop and sustain friendships, which are crucial for emotional and social development.

5. Healthy Routine: Attending school every day establishes a stable routine, promoting better mental and physical health.

If you're finding that your child doesn't want to come to school, please reach out to your child's teacher or our School Counselor, Ms. Pfab, so we can work together to support your family! Below is an article about what you can do when your child doesn't want to go to school.

If you have a question or concern about your child, we encourage you to speak with your child's teacher first. Please note that during the instructional day, teachers and staff may not be able to respond to your message, email or call since they are busy doing what they do best: teaching! Your child's teacher will respond to you when they are able. Thank you for understanding!

Contacting Principal Price:

• Email: jprice@lsusd.net

• Call the Front Office: (619) 390-2527 - The front office staff will take a message, and Principal Price will call you when she is available

• In-Person: Call the office so Mrs. Whitehurst or Ms. Madina can help us set up a meeting so I can dedicate time to you!

Many of your questions may be answered in our Lemon Crest Family Handbook A-Z . We ask that all families read this.

Please know that there is a 24-48 hour "grace period" in my response time. When I respond, call or meet with you, I need time to get informed in order to have possible answers to your questions. I am prioritizing getting to know our students so I can support their success and am often not readily available in the office. Thank you for your understanding and support.