The Gator Gab 9th Edition🐊

Dear Gators,

Kindergarten Minimum Days - KINDERGARTEN ONLY has mave minimum days all next week. Dismissal is 1:21 p.m.

Rock & Run - Please support our school and PTA through the Rock and Run fundraiser. Definitely come out and cheer your kids on. More information is below in PTA News.

Picture Make-Up Day -You kid did not smile? Hair looks like they just woke up? Just plained missed the day? Picture make up day is Wednesday, October 22nd.

Doyal Martin, Principal

Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School

Adopt-A-Family Holiday Outreach, which supports FCUSD foster and homeless youth. This long-standing tradition allows us to come together as a district community to ensure our students and families most in need feel supported and cared for during the holidays.

Please see the attached flyer for details. If you you would like to participate, simply scan the QR code on the flyer to complete the Google Form and let us know how you’d like to be involved.

Your partnership each year plays a meaningful role in making this initiative a success. Thank you for continuing to show up for our students and families during this special time of year.

To foster and sustain a positive, safe environment at high school football games, all middle and

elementary school students must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the game. Middle

school students will be admitted with their current school ID and must be accompanied by a parent or

adult. They may not be dropped off. Students who are disruptive will be asked to leave by

Administration.

Additional information on FCUSD Athletics may be found on our website at:

https://www.fcusd.org/educational-services/athletics/information-for-parents

Thank you to the 23 families who shared their voices in our “Through Your Eyes” parent survey. Your input helps us celebrate what’s working well at Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary and guides us as we grow together. Here’s what you told us:

Families shared how much they appreciate our amazing teachers and staff, the welcoming community, and the way our kids feel safe and cared for every day.

You told us that special events like Gators on the Green, Spirit Days, STEM Nights, Yearbook, and Trunk or Treat are the heart of our school traditions and bring us together as a community.

Parents highlighted our teachers’ patience, dedication, and connection with students as the biggest strength of Gallardo. Families also celebrated the positive school environment that supports learning and growth.

Some families mentioned campus safety and fencing as an important priority. Others noted a need for more academic supports, such as tutoring opportunities, especially in math.

You encouraged us to keep communication open, be visible and welcoming, and continue creating opportunities for families and staff to connect.

Many families offered warm welcomes along with advice: be approachable, visible, and relationship-focused. I am excited to take that to heart as I begin my first year here.

• 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.

10/20-24 Kindergarten minimum day

10/22 Picture Make ups

10/27-31 Red Ribbon Week

10/31 - Super Minimum Day

Dr. Blake Brandes, a TedX speaker and America’s Got Talent performer will share powerful strategies to help your child thrive in school and life! You don’t want to miss it! See below for details on how to join this virtual presentation!

• Presentation - October 23, 2025: K-6 Growth Mindset Virtual Parent Presentation from 6:00-7:00pm

• Zoom link - https://zoom.us/j/94439131958?pwd=dFxOuRJgXW8o0bOkH0g2MHMStfRq0w.1

• Meeting ID - 944 3913 1958

• Zoom Passcode - 727460

We want to hear your perspective on the Dance Showcase! Please take this short anonymous survey and help us understand what worked well, what could be improved, and how we can make future performances even better for our students and families. Your feedback is incredibly valuable!

Gallardo Students! Do you enjoy art, music and dance or have an interest in writing, producing films and taking photos? Then join us and have fun unleashing your inner artist with PTA Reflections! This year's theme is "I Belong!" Submission guidelines and entry forms are available on the PTA website. Contest deadline is October 24, 2025.

• Rock & Run (Must be Category 2 Cleared Volunteer)

• Red Ribbon Week

• Trunk or Treat

• Paint Event Banners

• Mileage Club (Must be Category 2 Cleared Volunteer)

MANY THANKS to the parents that have assisted us so far! We still need more help to make this program “run”! Please consider signing up for a few days on our Mileage Club Sign-Up Calendar! You can select whatever days work for you- no standing commitment required! The timeframe needed is 9:40-10:50am. All you need to do is bring a colorful marker or pen, sign-in to the office, stand under the shade structure at that time frame to mark lap cards and encourage the runners! Thank you for your help!

There is still time to fundraise! We are at 43% participation and nearly 90% of our fundraising goal!

We’ve already given away hundreds of awesome prizes—and we’ve got plenty more to hand out! Keep pushing toward those fundraising milestones. Prizes go home next week on Thursday, before the run and any remaining prizes will be in Teacher mailboxes post run, so don’t miss out!

📝 Parent Reminders:

📌 Waivers were due 10/17:
Contact the teacher if you missed this deadline and still want to your student to participate. [digital packet HERE].

📌 Event Day – Friday, 10/24:
Mark your calendar! Come out and cheer on your student during the big event. We’d love your help—Category 2-cleared volunteers can sign up [HERE] to join the fun.

🎯 Our Goal: $38,000
We’re on a mission, and we need your support! Share the [donation link HERE] with friends and family. Principal Martin will get a pie to the face! 🥧😆Search by student’s last name (you’ll see their first initial and teacher).

Let’s rock this run—TOGETHER! 💪👟

Current TOP Individual Fundraiser amounts

will win a Shake Shack prize package valued at $200!

🥇$700

🥈$620

🥉$550

Current TOP 3 Classes (By Average per student):

⭐Vandermeyde

⭐DeGaugh

⭐Dunagan

Red Ribbon Week is coming up, and we need your help to make it a success! This is a fun and meaningful week that reminds our students to make healthy, positive choices. We’re looking for volunteers to help with decorations, prep work, and clean-up. Whether you can donate supplies, hang up red ribbons, or lend a hand during the week — every bit helps and is so appreciated! Sign up to volunteer here.

We are excited to celebrate Red Ribbon Week from October 27-31 with a fun and meaningful week of activities! This year’s theme, Life is a Puzzle - Solve it with Kindness, emphasizes the importance of kindness, teamwork, and individuality. Each day, students are encouraged to wear different colors or outfits to show their support for making positive choices and standing up against bullying.

Here’s the lineup for the week:

• Monday, October 27 - Wear Red

• Tuesday, October 28 - Wear Bright colors

• Wednesday, October 29 - Wear Pajamas

• Thursday, October 30 - Wear Gator Gear

• Friday, October 31 - Wear Your Costume (No Masks or Weapons)

We encourage all students to participate and wear something fun each day! Let’s solve life’s puzzle together through kindness and respect.

Boo! The Sandra J. Gallardo PTA is brewing up something special for our families this Halloween season — our annual Trunk or Treat is almost here!

When: Thursday, October 30
Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: Gallardo Blacktop

Dress up in your favorite costumes and bring your little monsters, witches, and superheroes for an evening of safe, family-friendly trick-or-treating — right from the trunks of festively decorated cars!

We’re Hungry for Candy (Donations)!
Help us fill our cauldrons! Candy donations are needed (and appreciated) to make this spooky celebration extra sweet for our students.

Calling All Goblins & Ghouls (Volunteers)!
Want to help make the magic happen? We’d love your help! We need Decorated trunks and help the night of the event. Sign up to volunteer here: tinyurl.com/3r92hjpk

Let’s make this Halloween frightfully fun and full of treats for everyone — we can’t wait to see you there!

Our next PTA Meeting for all members is coming up on Wednesday, October 29 at 7pm in the Multi. Come at 6:30pm for “Conversations with Mr. Martin” an informal chat with our new Principal. This month’s PTA Meeting will feature a Costume Contest and yummy fall treats! We will also be talking about budget updates, programming for the year, campus safety and helping our youth navigate the digital era.

Join us this Monday at Dos Coyotes and enjoy a delicious meal while making a difference! A portion of your purchase will be donated back to support Gallardo. Bring your appetite and your friends—every bite counts! 🌮💛

📌Monday, October 20
🌯🌮Dos Coyotes (Folsom Blvd.) | 4:00–8:30 p.m.

Join Box Tops by downloading the app and use Referral Code: F7XJOLEJ 📲 Just scan your receipt in the Box Tops app to collect credit for Gallardo — every little bit helps our Gator community grow!

This month, earn 5 Bonus Box Tops when you buy 3 participating Halloween snacks. It's a ghoulishly 👻good deal — stock up now so you have a house full of goodies to pass out to 🍬🍭🍫trick or treaters!

The PTA is a true gift—connecting families, supporting classrooms, and creating memories with your kids.

• Build Connections – Meet teachers, staff, and fellow parents.
• Stay in the Know – Be updated on school and community news.
• Enhance Learning – PTA funds provide classroom resources and technology.
• Share Moments – Volunteer and join in your child’s school experience.
• Membership is just $12 and includes access to Membership Toolkit, quarterly meetings, and a voice in shaping school programs.
• Join today: gallardopta.membershiptoolkit.com
• Sign up before Oct 17th to help your child’s class earn a popsicle party! All classes that reach 75% of their class total will get a popsicle party!
• Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Gallardo PTA

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 Walk to School Day and Starstruck Dance Showcase

Mandarin Enrichment

Learn Mandarin with Qi Family!!! Learn Mandarin and Chinese Culture Click HERE to register.

• Mandarin Enrichment (Grades 1st through 5th)

• Mondays, 2:50-3:40pm

• Meeting: 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1

National History Day Club

Get ready for National History Day Competition MARCH 7, 2026 with Folsom High School juniors Hannah and Fiona (Gallardo Alumni!) We are still looking for students to start the club! Click HERE to register.

https://www.nhdca.org/county-contests/sacramento/

• National History Day Club (Grades 4,5)

• Fridays: 3:45 - 4:30pm

• Meetings TBD: Trending: 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 12/12, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13;

• Competition MARCH 7, 2026 @ Sac State

• We need a minimum of 15 students to run this club!

Bring the whole family for an evening of movement, laughter, and relaxation! Yoga Instructor (and your PTA board member!) Sheree Corbett will lead us in a beginner-friendly yoga session in the Multipurpose Gym at 5:30 PM. Fun for all ages—no experience needed! This free event is the perfect way to connect, stretch, and enjoy quality time together. Please bring a yoga mat, towel or blanket to practice on, a water bottle, and wear loose fitting clothing. Special thanks to Broadstone Sports Club, who will be there with snacks and prizes!

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