Winter Break Newsletter

Dear Live Oak Families,

What an incredible start to the 2026–2027 school year! It was wonderful to see our students and staff reunited after summer break. Our campus was filled with smiles, excitement, and positive energy as everyone settled into a new school year.

On the first day, students spent time getting to know their new teachers and classmates while building classroom communities. They also participated in our Rules Rotation, where they learned about the expectations and procedures that help make Live Oak a safe, respectful, and welcoming place for everyone. In addition, all students participated in our Live Oak Recess Rodeo, where they learned or reviewed a variety of playground games and recess expectations. Students were engaged, had a great time, and are ready for a successful year!

As expected, morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up were busier than usual. Thank you for your patience as everyone adjusts to the new routines. Traffic typically improves after the first week or two of school. If your schedule allows, arriving 5–10 minutes after dismissal may help you avoid the longest pick-up lines.

I would also like to sincerely thank our families for helping keep our students safe by remaining in your vehicles while using the drop-off and pick-up lines. Your cooperation helps the process move much more efficiently. We also appreciate everyone respecting our request not to park or stop along the curved curb near the oak tree, which helps keep traffic flowing and ensures emergency vehicles always have access if needed.

A reminder that Back-to-School Night is this Wednesday, July 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This is one of the most important events of the school year and provides families with an opportunity to learn about classroom expectations, curriculum, grading practices, and ways to support student success at home. We hope—and expect—to see every Live Oak family in attendance!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are off to an amazing start, and we look forward to a fantastic school year.

Sincerely,

Tonia Arevalo
Principal
Live Oak Elementary School

Our top priority is the safety of our students, staff, and families. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together to keep traffic moving safely and efficiently.

Please help by following these important traffic procedures:

• Enter campus using the east driveway only. The west driveway is exit only.

• When parking in the lot, leave enough space near the gate for two-way traffic to flow safely.

• Do not make U-turns in front of the school.

• The bus lane is for school buses only. Cars are not permitted in the bus lane.

• The crosswalk is reserved for bused students and may only be used when supervised by a school employee.

• Do not park on the curve near the oak tree. This area must remain clear to allow vehicles to exit safely, especially in the event of an emergency.

We have also noticed that traffic becomes much heavier just before 8:00 a.m. To help reduce congestion, students may be dropped off:

• Beginning at 7:30 a.m. if they are eating breakfast.

• Beginning at 7:45 a.m. if they are not eating breakfast.

Arriving a few minutes earlier at drop off helps reduce traffic, shortens wait times, and creates a safer environment for everyone.

Minimum Day Reminder: To help us safely dismiss our Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, we ask that families of 1st-6th grade students do not arrive before 11:50 a.m. This allows our youngest students to be dismissed before additional traffic enters campus.

We understand that mornings can be hectic, but the more rushed traffic becomes, the greater the safety risk. Your cooperation and patience make a tremendous difference in creating a safe and efficient arrival and dismissal process for everyone.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep Live Oak safe!

A big thank you to our Live Oak PTO for generously donating a Little Free Library to our school community! This special book-sharing box gives students, families, and neighbors the opportunity to take a book, leave a book, or share a book—all at no cost. We hope it inspires a love of reading and helps bring our community together, one book at a time.

Regular School Hours:

TK & Kinder AM

• 8:00-11:40

Kinder PM

• 10:20-2:00

1st - 3rd

• 8:00-2:00

4th-6th

• 8:00-2:01

Minimum Day School Hours:

TK & Kinder

• 8:00-11:40

1st - 3rd

• 8:00-12:11

4th-6th

• 8:00-12:15

*School begins promptly at 8:00am. Please have your child arrive on time.

Please review the Lodi Unified School District calendar for the 2026–2027 school year. As you begin making summer plans, kindly note the early start date of July 24, 2026.

Find us on FACEBOOK and Instagram @ Leopards PTO

email: Leopardspto.23@gmail.com

Join on Remind app text leopardspt to 81010