SILVA Shark Report 2026-27
🌊Week of Sept. 7th - 11th 🦈

New Information
Principals' Corner
Hi Shark Families,
In our Silva Shark Handbook, one of the items mentioned is our dress code. Many of the dress code rules are to keep the students safe. For example, crocs can be a safety hazard while running around at recess or during PE, so we ask the students not to bring them. We also have some dress codes to minimize showing too much skin, so we are asking for no mid-riffs to be showing. If you would like to peruse the Silva Handbook, which includes the dress code, please feel free to do so.
Although it's just barely September, the PTA is busy conducting Harvest Festival meetings. The Harvest Festival is the biggest PTA event of the year. The Harvest Festival is from 5:00 - 8:00 PM on Friday, October 23rd where costumes are allowed and encouraged! PTA is asking for donations of unwanted and unwrapped items that they could include in raffle baskets. You could have your child bring these items into the office. If you would like to donate your time volunteering at the Harvest Festival, here's the link.
Some of you still would like to purchase a house shirt. You can do this before starting at 7:30 AM and after school starting at 11:50 AM on our next minimum date, September 9th. There's a limited supply left.
Let's make it another positive week of learning! Go Sharks!
Ms. Sutter (Vice Principal), Ms. Arredondo (Vice Principal), and Mr. Gehrke (Principal)
Shark Office Information: Keeping Our Community Informed
Have you reported your student’s absence?
Please make sure to call the attendance office when your student is absent at 209-953-9302, ext. 14904 or press #3. Please do your best to schedule medical appointments outside of the school day as much as possible.
Checking your student out early?
For student safety we ask that a valid ID be provided to the office upon checking out your student. Please be sure that the adult picking up your student is listed on your Aeries Parent Portal under your list of contacts.
Winning House for the Week
The Great White Shark house was the winning house with the Great White Shark students earning the most amount of points! Who will win next week?
Volunteer Mandated Reporter Training
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. Please click on the flyer to the right for how to register for the training. The training is available in multiple languages; directions for changing the language can be found here: How to Change the Language Please present the certificate of completion to the secretaries as they will be tracking who's completed the training.
Special Education Community Advisory Committee Meeting
You are invited to attend the upcoming Community Advisory Committee meeting hosted by the Student Services/SELPA Department.
Topic: Special Education 101
Presenter: Kelsey Dibner, Program Specialist
When: Monday, September 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Teams
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking the link below:
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Student Services/SELPA Department at (209) 331-7061. We look forward to your participation.
Lincoln Technical Academy Open House
Join us on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. for an evening to explore our programs, meet our staff, and learn more about the opportunities available to our students and community.
We would love to see you there and hope you can join us!
Imagine This...Story Writing Contest
The Imagine This... Story Writing Contest is now open, and we're inviting students in grades 3–8 to write and submit original stories—real or imagined—based on accurate information about California agriculture. This one-of-a-kind contest combines agriculture, creativity, and literacy. Each year, one state winner from each grade level is selected, and their story is illustrated by talented high school art students before being published in a beautifully bound book!
Important Dates:
📅 November 1 – Story Submission Deadline
🏅 December 1 – Regional Winners Announced
🏆 December 1 – State Winners Announced
Winners Will:
📖 Become a published author
🏛️ Travel to Sacramento to be recognized at the State Capitol (travel expenses covered)
🎨 Have their story professionally illustrated by high school art students
🖼️ Receive a giant poster featuring their story's illustrated book cover
Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendars!
Minimum Day: Wednesday, September 9th
Minimum Day: Wednesday, Septmeber 16th
Picture Day: Friday, September 18th
Conference and Minimum Days: Tuesday, Sept, 22nd through Friday, Sept. 25th
Fall Break (No School): Sept. 27th - Oct. 9th
Harvest Festival: Friday, Oct. 23rd from 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Friendly Reminders
Library Newsletter
September Is Sign Up for a Library Card Month
September is National Sign-up for a Library Card Month. When most people think about the library, they think only of books. By having a library card you have access to free museum passes, free digital books, digital magazines, and digital music. There are learning apps, both for kids as well as adults. You want to learn French? Not a problem; Mango Language has over 90 languages you can learn. My favorite unknown perk is the Discover & Go passes. I mentioned free museum passes....With your library card you can log in to Discover and Go and get passes to really cool places all across California. You type in your location and dates, and it will show you what is available. My Girl Scouts and I went to San Francisco this summer and were looking for ways to do as much as possible, while spending as little as possible. That is when I discovered Discover & Go. We went to the DeYoung Museum for free, as well as the UC Botanical Gardens for free. Those are just the places that my Girl Scouts chose. There was Alcatraz, Exploratorium, Aquarium of the Bay, Fairytale Town, Haggin Museum, and SO many more. Get that library card and go have some fun!
Jump Into English
Jump Into English
You are invited to join a team of parents who are committed to learning to read, write, and speak
English through a program called "Jump Into English", a FREE adult literacy program!
Usted está invitado(a) a unirse a un equipo de padres comprometidos a aprender a leer, escribir y hablar inglés a través de un programa llamado “Jump Into English”, ¡un programa GRATUITO de alfabetización para adultos!
ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਮਾਪਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਇੱਕ ਟੀਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਹੋਣ ਲਈ ਸੱਦਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਜੋ “Jump Into English” ਨਾਮਕ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਅੰਗ੍ਰੇਜ਼ੀ ਪੜ੍ਹਨ, ਲਿਖਣ ਅਤੇ ਬੋਲਣ ਸਿੱਖਣ ਲਈ ਵਚਨਬੱਧ ਹਨ। ਇਹ ਵੱਡਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਮੁਫ਼ਤ ਸਾਖਰਤਾ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਹੈ!
E-Bike and Scooter Safety
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!
Manlio Silva House System
Silva Shark Students Started the House System
Parents/Guardians,
All TK through 6th grade students pulled a House last year. The students will stay in that same house for their entire time at Silva. New students will pull a house the third week of school.
Houses are like teams. All eight House names are different types of sharks, and each House has its own distinct color and character trait. For example, the Hammerhead shark house color is yellow, and its character trait is honesty. The reason Manlio Silva is creating the House System is to build a better sense of belonging, reinforce positive behaviors with house points, and bring even more fun and joy into the school setting through house meetings and rallies!
We will start giving out house leader applications on August 6th for 6th grade leaders. Any interested 6th grade student with an application completely filled out will stay after school on August 13th to complete a quick interview for house leaders.
House shirts should be worn every Wednesday to show pride in their house.
How Parents Can Support the House System starting Thursday:
- Ask, "What house are you in?"
- Ask, "Have you earned a House point?"
- Ask "What are ways you can earn a House point?"
- Encourage your child to wear their house shirt every Wednesday.
- Feel free to buy extra props in the same color for Wednesdays to show even more House spirit.
Silva Values Parent Teacher Partnerships 😀
PTA Membership Drive
Please join PTA today! PTA papers have been sent home. The classes with the most PTA memberships gets a pizza party!
PTA Waiver Form Signed
Throughout the year PTA will have events where we need parent permission for the students to do activities, such as go in a bouncy house. If you fill out the waiver one time, it covers you for the whole school year. Please sign the PTA waiver form and send it back into school.
Please Help Raise Money for Our Music Department
Dear Silva Families,
Please participate in the new digital “Box Tops for Education” Fundraiser for our school music programs. A “scan your receipt” label is located on many different household products including General Mills and Pillsbury brands. Please scan your receipt within 14 days of purchase for our school to get credit. If you don't want to create your own account then you can send the receipt to school with your child to give to their music teacher Mrs. Evans. Each “Box Top for Education” box is worth 10¢ for our school. The app will find participating products on your receipt and instantly add cash to our school’s earnings online. Download the Box Tops for Education App using the app store on your phone or tablet. Sign up with the app using your email and a password, select Manlio Silva Elementary School for our school to get credit. We will automatically receive credit from the receipt that you scan whenever you buy a product that supports the Box Tops for Education Program. It's that easy! Please see the page below that explains how to use the app. If you have any questions you can contact Mrs. Evans via email at kevans@lodiusd.net.
HOW IT WORKS
BUY BOX TOPS PRODUCTS
Look for the logo! You can find it on products from General Mills or Pillsbury.
DOWNLOAD APP, SIGN UP WITH EMAIL AND PASSWORD, SELECT Manlio Silva Elementary School, tap the scan button and snap a photo of your receipt within 14 days of purchase. Click the links below to go to the Box Top app. If you don't want to use the app or don't have access to it you can sign up using the website below. You can also ask your child to give Mrs. Evans in Rm. 208 your receipts and we can scan it during music class to get credit. Please do not cut the box top label off your packages. We can only receive funds from your purchases if we scan the receipt. Thank you for supporting our music programs! Mrs. Evans, Classroom Music Teacher and Choir Director
https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1150038564
Box Tops for Education™ - Apps on Google Play
Box Tops Website: Please click the link! https://www.btfe.com
We invite you to serve with our team of volunteers!
Commit today by following this LINK!
Please join PTA today. Volunteer time to help us in the classroom or the playground. Assist with fundraising. Help with campus care. We want your partnership! Please commit today.
LUSD Cell Phone Policy 2026-2027
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.