Podesta Ranch Newletter 11/08/2026

Welcome to Week 14!

Thank you to everyone who joined us Friday night for our PTA Family Movie Night and a special viewing of Toy Story 5! It was wonderful seeing so many of our families enjoying time together and making memories here at Podesta Ranch. A huge thank you to our PTA and everyone who helped make the evening such a success. We love opportunities to bring our school community together!

As we begin a new week, please remember that Wednesday, November 11th, is Veterans Day, and there will be no school. Veterans Day is an important opportunity for us to pause and recognize the men and women who have served and sacrificed to protect our country and our freedoms. We are incredibly grateful to all of our veterans and their families for their service.

Report cards will go home on Friday. Report cards provide a great opportunity to celebrate your child’s accomplishments and growth during the first part of the school year. I encourage families to take some time to sit down with their children, talk about what they are proud of, identify areas where they can continue to grow, and set a few goals for the remainder of the school year. These conversations can be a powerful way to help students take ownership of their learning and recognize that growth is a process. If you have questions about your child’s report card, progress, or areas for continued growth, please reach out directly to your child’s teacher.

And finally… Turkey Trot season is here! 🦃🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

The Turkey Trot will be a closed school event, and students will have the opportunity to earn fun prizes by collecting pledges. We are excited to get our Red-Tailed Hawks moving, building school spirit, and celebrating their efforts. More information about the Turkey Trot and pledges will be shared as we get closer to the event.

We have another busy and exciting week ahead at PRE. Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and commitment to our students. Have a great week, Red-Tailed Hawk Families! ❤️

With Red-Tailed Hawk Pride,

Magenda Cruz
Principal
Podesta Ranch Elementary School

🎉 Congratulations to Mrs. Week's class for winning the Candy Wars competition at our Harvest Fest! 🍬🏆 What a sweet victory! 🍂

🎉 Congratulations to Ms. Schmeling's class for winning our Red Ribbon Week Door Contest! 🏆🎈 What a fantastic job spreading the message of staying drug-free! 🌟

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.

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. 🕊️

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

🎨 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 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.

Our Student Council will be hosting a Food Drive for the holiday season to the Stockton Food Bank. More information will be sent out soon.

Upcoming minimum days are the following:

• 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.

🦃 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.

🌉 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!

The Student Services/SELPA Department invites families, educators, and community members to attend the upcoming Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting.

Topic: VMRC, DOR, and Transition to Adult Services

Presenter: Lisa Chaves, Special Education Coordinator

Date: December 14, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Microsoft Teams

This meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC), the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), and the transition process from school-based services to adult services.

Join the meeting: Click the blue words MICROSOFT TEAMS or the image below to participate from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

For questions or additional information, please contact the Student Services/SELPA Department at (209) 331-7061. We look forward to your participation!

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.