The Gator Gab 18th Edition🐊

Welcome Back!!

I hope you were able to enjoy your families, friends, and yourself over break. Despite the always needed rain, i think it was a great holiday. Time to buckle in and re-focus!

Before break I asked for your feedback on how I am doing and other areas areas of the school. Unfortunately, I did not change the settings to be accessible. So, let's try and again. You can find it below.

Please read the important note about the parking lot.

I am very bummed to announce that our amazing head custodiam, Ms. Irma is leaving us. She is returning to where she started at White Rock. Her last day is January 16th. We will have a rotation of custodians until a pernamant is hired.

Doyal Martin, Principal

Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School

The last time I sent this out it was not accessible.

I am always looking to become a better leader for the students and community of Sandra J. Gallardo. I need your feedback on where I can become better. Please complete the anonymous feedback form below and let us know how we are doing. Thank you.

FCUSD would like your input into writing the LCAP each year. Please see the attached flyer on how you can provide your input to assist in the writing of the LCAP.

In our constant push to promote and encourage safety around campus, please do your part by following a couple expectations in the parking lot.

1. Parking spots marked "STAFF ONLY" are for staff only. Please do not park in these limited number of parking spots. We have a large staff who utilizes each of those spots.

2. There are clearly marked crosswalks. Do not block them when you are picking up or dropping off students. Students and families should be able to safely use the crosswalks without having to walk around cars. Students should not be dropped off in the middle of the crosswalk as you turn into the Hug and Go Lane. Wait for the cars to clear out then pull all the way forward before unloading your kids.

To support a safe and orderly campus, we kindly ask that families follow our sign-in procedures when visiting. If you need to drop off a lunch, instrument, or any other item for your child, please let the office staff know. We will gladly call the classroom or ensure the item is delivered to your student.

Please do not sign in as a volunteer for the purpose of going directly to a classroom to drop something off. Doing so bypasses our safety practices, creates unmonitored movement on campus, and is a disruption to instruction. Thank you for helping us maintain a secure environment for all students and staff.

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION. If you have any information regarding bullying, crime, or misconduct at your school, report it to WeTip. Call or Text. You can remain ANONYMOUS!

Call or Text 844-916-2062.

For more information visit: https://www.fcusd.org/family-community/bullying-prevention-character-building/report-bullying-crime-or-misconduct

• Gallardo’s Neighbors: Please be mindful of our neighbor’s property. We are not allowed to block driveways or wait on their property during morning drop-off or afterschool pick-up.

• Stewart Street: Gallardo’s parents are asked to park in a designated space when dropping off or picking up a student. Stewart Street is an active lane of traffic and not an area to double park.

• Early Release on Thursdays: Students in grades K-5 are dismissed at 1:15 pm.

• Please check and update your access to ParentSquare. Make sure you are getting all the latest information. If you want to receive texts, mark that. We rarely use the “urgent” messages, so if that is all you receive you will not get weekly updates.

1/12 - Mid-year assessments begin

1/19 - MLK Jr Bday - NO SCHOOL

1/27 - Spelling Bee

1/27 TK/K Informational Night

Get ready for one of our most beloved community events! Join us on Friday, January 23rd, from 6:00–7:30pm in the Sandra J. Gallardo Multipurpose Room as we celebrate the amazing people and cultures that make our school so special. Families are invited to explore foods, arts, music, and traditions from around the world—shared by our very own school community!

✨ Want to be part of the fun? We need volunteers!
Help bring the night to life by hosting a cultural table to showcase your family’s heritage through food, artifacts, music, or displays. Student and family dance or music performances are also welcome! Please reach out to Rachelle Schulken (rachelles.pta@gmail.com) with questions.

Let’s come together to honor the diversity that makes Gallardo shine. We hope to see you there! 🌎💫

Click here to sign up!

Join us for phase 1 of our garden makeover on Monday, January 19 from 9am-12pm. We will tear down the existing garden beds, fix the water and sprinkler system and prep for a new and improved garden. Please meet us outside of Room 14.

Sign-up here to help so we can provide you with further instructions for the day!

A huge thank you to all of the parent volunteers who have come out to enthusiastically mark cards and encourage our students! Our second and third graders are no longer participating so we only need volunteers for the Grade 1 Recess from 9:40-10:00am. On days when no volunteers are present, Ms. Dinah has agreed to mark cards. We still would love parent support though! Please sign-up on the Mileage Club Calendar - you must be a Category 2 cleared volunteer for this opportunity!

Calling all 4th and 5th graders! Our 2nd Annual school musical auditions will take place shortly after winter break.

• Mandatory Parent Meeting: 1/6 @ 6PM in the library

• Auditions: 1/13 @ 2:45 in the Multi (all that audition will have a part!)

• Practices will be T/Th after school for one hour—starting 1/20

• Final Performances: 3/25 & 3/26, Assembly 3/27

If you missed the parent meeting or you would like to help volunteer, contact Sarah Jane Mackey. (sjjmackey@gmail.com)

Follow BTFE on Instagram or Facebook for monthly bonuses! We’re excited to share that we’re already 81% of the way to our $500 Box Tops goal! Here’s how you can help us reach 100%:

• 🍪 🎅🏼Celebrate the season — and earn for your school — with a festive treat your family will love. Plus, look for exclusive PINK Santa Shape Cookies at Walmart and Target!

Support our school through Box Tops for Education by downloading the Box Tops app and joining with Referral Code: F7XJ0LEJ. Each time you shop, scan your receipt to help our Gator community grow, one Box Top at a time.

Our School Spelling Bee will occur on January 27th for all of our class finalists. Want your child to “bee” prepared? Check out the resources at https://spellingbee.com/word-club

Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy and support Gallardo by dining at SHAKE SHACK! Together we raised $652.58 for Gallardo! 🙌🏻

Join us in January for another successful fundraising night at

📍Chipotle on Iron Point (this location only)

🗓️Tuesday, January, 27, 2026

⏰4pm-8pm

• • • Multicultural Night

    • Garden Clean-up on Jan.19

    • Paint Event Banners

    • Mileage Club (Must be Category 2 Cleared Volunteer)

If you’re planning year-end charitable giving, this is a wonderful way to make a meaningful impact right here in our community. Our Giving Gators fundraiser, where you donate in your own way: 501(c)(3) Organization Tax ID: 81-0614228 Donate Here
Thank you for your generosity! 🎁✨

Believe us when we say your future self who might forget to do this in April will thank you! We use the company Treering to publish our school yearbook. Yearbook sales are completely online and if you order now, there is a 10% discount! Current cost is $24.61 each. After you order, you can even start working on your custom pages added to your book(s) only. This year’s deadline for custom pages is April 6, 2026. For more information on the yearbook, visit the Yearbook page on our PTA Website. Gallardo’s passcode is 1015682215844355.

• Upload your photos to Treering for Clubs, FAME, Cookies & Cocoa, and individual class parties and events!

Jan 13 Spring Musical Auditions

Jan 19 MLK Jr. Day (No School)/ Garden CleanUp Day 9am-12pm

Jan 23 Multicultural Night

Jan 27 Schoolwide Spelling Bee

Jan 27 Spirit Night - Chipotle on Iron Point

Jan 27 TK/K Incoming Family Info Nights

Feb 6 Cupid Shuffle

Feb 12 Dave & Buster’s Spirit Night

Lots of opportunities to be involved in the education of your child and their friends.