SILVA Shark Report 2025-26

Hi Shark Families,

In February, we celebrate Black History Month. It is a time for our school community to recognize and celebrate the profound impact Black Americans have had on our nation’s history, culture, science, and progress. Together, we honor Black history not just as a month, but as an essential part of our shared story.

Black 6th-graders have the option of joining the Black Excellence Mentorship Program. The mentorship program serves as a source of encouragement, particularly around academic goals and personal development. The goal of the program is to improve students' sense of belonging, connectedness, and positive feelings towards school. Ms. Taylor, a Vice Principal at Bear Creek, is kind enough to help coordinate the Black Excellence Mentorship Program here at Manlio Silva during minimum school days.

On another note, our English Learners (EL) are going to begin taking the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). The fifth- and sixth-grade EL students will be taking the ELPAC this week. We will slowly work through all K-6th grades to assess all EL students. Good luck!

Thank you for partnering with the Manlio Silva staff in order to give your child the best education possible!

Warm regards,

Ms. Sutter and Mr. Gehrke :)

The Mako sharks won this week with the most total house points! Keep earning those house points by doing the right thing and wearing your house shirt every Wednesday!

Family Week: Feb. 17th - 20th

• Tues., Feb. 17th - Manlio Meal: Wingstop and Baskin Robbins (part of the proceeds go to Silva)
• Wed., Feb. 18th - Goodies for Grown-ups from 7:45 - 8:15 AM (PTA will serve donuts during drop off)
• Thur., Feb. 19th - Kids BINGO Night 5:30-6:30pm (Toys/Gift cards for winning prizes)
• Fri., Feb. 20th - Kona Ice Truck 2:00-4:00 PM (part of the proceeds go to Silva)

Minimum Day: Wednesday, Feb. 18th

NorCal Science Festival: Saturday, Feb. 21st @ Lodi High School from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Black Excellence Mentorship Program: Wednesday, Feb. 18th from 12:30 - 2:00 PM

Kindness Week: Feb. 23rd-27th

Dr. Seuss Week/Read Across America Week: March 2nd-6th. Please look above for the spirit days at Manlio Silva during this week.

Spring Break: March 16th-27th. No School! Look above for Spring Intersession Information.

• DEADLINE: March 4, 2026
• URLs: Job Fair Flyer; Job Fair Registration (to be used in Smore)
• INSTRUCTIONS: Please use the image below in your community Smore, along with the button as viewed below. The link for the button/graphic is bit.ly/lodiusd-jobs-mar7. The flyer (linked above) can be shared can be made available in your front office.

Parents/Guardians, all TK through 6th grade students pulled a House. 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! Some of the fifth and sixth graders are house leaders, so it also builds leadership with those students. 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.

The California State Park Adventure Pass is a program that waives day-use entrance fees to 54 state parks for fourth graders and their families for a full year. Details are available on the California Department of Parks and Recreation Adventure Pass web page. The program is overseen by California State Parks, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and the California Natural Resources Agency.

Fill out the paperwork and send it back to the teacher or office along with the money. Thank you in advance for parterning to make this school year the best it can be!

Purchase gear in youth and adult sizes by following the link to our student store. If you don't see your favorite item, please let us know and we will inquire about adding it to the store. Check back regularly as new gear will be added and/or removed often.

All orders are taken online and delivered to your home usually within six weeks. Gear is easy to replace if it is manufacturer's error. All returns, repairs and replacements are simple.

The Spirit Store can be accessed at any time by going to the Silva website and searching Spirit Store under the Student Life tab.

https://manlio-silva-elementary.checkoutstores.com/

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

Commit today by following this LINK or emailing vsutter@lodiusd.net

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.

Please press the button below for more information on the Lodi Adult School Paraprofessional Workshop.

As we enter November, some families may experience interruptions in food assistance benefits. Nutrition Services remains committed to ensuring all of our students have access to healthy meals each day. All Lodi USD students can enjoy no-cost meals—

• Breakfast before school
• Lunch during school
• Supper/After School Meal before heading home
  

Follow the button to access a Guide to Free Food Distribution Sites in San Joaquin County, which includes additional community resources. If you’re aware of other supports, please share with meals@lodiusd.net so we can continue to connect families in need.

Students - BE PRESENT: Phones down, heads up. Lodi USD is committed to creating connections in the classroom. Starting this school year, students will be expected to keep their phones turned during the school day - including lunches, breaks, and passing periods - as part of the district-wide initiative to Be Present. This initiative is designed to support a more focused learning environment while encouraging real, in-person connection outside of the digital world.

Please talk with your student(s) about this new initiative and the positive benefits associated with disconnecting during the school day. We believe that this initiative, over time, will support a more focused learning environment and encourage student connection outside of the digital world. You can find more information on the policy, the benefits, and frequently asked questions here.

Ongoing Preschool Enrollment