LATHROP – The newest school in Lathrop, and the newest campus for the Banta Elementary School District in rural Tracy, is marking a historic milestone.

On Wednesday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m., the River Islands Technology Academy will have a dedication ceremony at 100 Commercial Street. The program will be held in the school’s multipurpose room.

Those who are planning to attend must RSVP by Friday, Aug. 2, by calling (209) 879-7900.

On Thursday, Aug. 8, will be the Meet the Teacher Night starting at 6:30, according to Principal Brenda Scholl’s open letter on the school’s website. Parents are invited to check the website before then to get an update on the latest details about that event.

The first day of classes for the public charter school will be on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

The technology academy is opening with classes from kindergarten to sixth grade. The principal also reports that the school is opening with a staff of “14 very qualified teachers.” Additionally, all students in kindergarten through second grade will be issued iPad Minis, while those in third grade through sixth grade will be given Samsung Chromebooks to use.

“These devices will be used to house both the Language Arts and Mathematics Curriculum,” Scholl further states.

Additionally, the school will be using the McGraw Hill Reading Program – Wonders for K-6th grade, My Math for K-5th grade, and Glencoe Math, Course 1 for sixth grade. Further information on these programs can be obtained by visiting the McGraw Hill website at https://www.mheonline.com. The academy’s Science and Social Studies program will be aligned to that of the California State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, the principal’s message further explains. Further details on this are available at www.cde.ca.gov.

Students attending River Islands Technology Academy will be wearing prescribed uniforms.

The academy is not in the Manteca Unified School District jurisdiction because when the 10.1-square-mile area west of the San Joaquin River that includes Stewart Tract where the River Islands development is located, this incorporated area remained part of the Banta Elementary School District.

River Islands still has to break ground for its first new residential homes. Many of the students who are enrolled are from Lathrop, Manteca and surrounding areas and were formerly attending Manteca Unified schools.