The Gator Gab 11th Edition🐊

Dear Gators,

Halloween on a Friday night!. How lucky are we? You? us? Whatever you do tonight or this weekend, please be safe. Have a ton of fun.

I have a saying for my students after Halloween. "CANDY IS NOT A MEAL". One of my favorite things to do after Halloween is to go trick o treating. Candy does not belong at school. If I see it, it is mine! Please leave candy at home. BUT, if you want to sneak any candy into the principal's office, he would greatly appreciate 100 Grand, Nerds, Sour Worms, candy corn, and AirHeads!

Doyal Martin, Principal

Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School

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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.

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

As a reminder:

• One breakfast and one lunch are available every day at no cost to the families for the entire 2025-26 school year. The State of California has instituted Universal Meals at all public schools. With CA Universal Meals, every school must have a breakfast and a lunch available to any student who would like a meal.
• No school meals application is required to receive meals. However, even though meals are available at no cost, families of students attending non-CEP schools are encouraged to submit a school meal application if they qualify according to the USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines. Families should check the USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines to see if they might qualify (listed on the back of the paper School Meals Application and also linked on the FCUSD Food Services website).
• Online applications are more accurate and result in a faster response from Food Services.
• More details and monthly menus are available at the FCUSD Food Services website: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=0208131451023969
• If families have any questions about the application process or any menu concerns, please have them call us directly: Food Services Dept: 916-294-9011

Strengthening Families 2025-26

CORDOVA MEADOWS ELEMENTARY SESSION

***ALL FCUSD FAMILIES WELCOME!***

In this 10 week program, the whole family has an opportunity to learn how to:

• Bond with family members; listen, understand and validate each other’s feelings, and banish communication boulders
• Set boundaries that keep kids away from alcohol and drugs, and monitor their activities
• Pre-problem solve, set up win-win negotiations and say no to potentially dangerous anti-social situations
• Create positive routines that teach kids responsibility
• Make contracts for change: teach kids to set goals for success

• Reduce stress, through mindfulness exercises and re-program the brain to step away from anger

  
  

DINNER IS PROVIDED! Children, age 7 and up, are invited to join this program with their families. For younger children, there is a childcare center on-site for parents enrolled in the SFP program.

Registration: www.fcusd.org/departments/health/sfp

• Wednesdays, 5:45 to 8:00 pm

• 2550 La Loma Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

• 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11 and graduation 3/18

• 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.

11/10 - SSC
11/11 - Veteran's Day - NO SCHOOL

11/14 - Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

11/17-21 Minimum Days

11/24-28 - Fall Break NO SCHOOL

• Red Ribbon Week~ Thank you to our two amazing RRW Chairs Trenda & Stacy, to Andrea P. for helping with prep work for the RRW giveaways and Kim L., Angie B., Rachel C. for helping with campus decorating! Special thanks to Kim L. for the amazing photo opportunity backdrop banner, by the office, and Katie O. for the beautiful RRW information banners!

• Trunk or Treat ~ Thank you so much to EVERYONE who donated candy! It’s so appreciated and we didn’t even run out! Thank you to our incredible Trunk or Treat Event Chair Trenda for reimagining this event and adding the game stations! Thanks to the volunteers who signed up to decorate a vehicle trunk and those who signed up to help the night of the event! Special thanks to Debaroti S. for the adorable trunk or treat banners!

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who made our event successful! If you donated supplies, time, energy, and your funds— YOU are part of the success.

Special thank yous to DJ DeGaugh for providing the “rock” to our run, Wade W. with RRD Sacramento who covered 500+ stickers and color packets for our students, Jodi P. for her generator for the DJ, Anthony D. who provided Otter pops and two generators, Diane & Michael G. with Jacki H. for making our beautiful balloon arch, and all the volunteers who showed up to help make sure cones were up so kids knew where to run, had their lap cards marked, and passed out otter pops! Thank you to Debaroti S. for creating posters, Susie S. for helping with preparing materials for distribution as well as Trenda & Michael W., Jodi P., Josh L., Daniel O., and Heather B. for passing prizes out to students weekly!

We hope you had a fun day because Rock & Run turned into a celebration and a record for the books! 🎉 Our goal was to raise $38,000- and we raised $46,732.71!

Here are the final results for:

⭐️TOP Individual Fundraiser winning a Shake Shack prize package valued at $200- A student in Ms. Cantor’s kinder class raised an amazing $750! Congrats!

⭐️TOP 3 Classes (By Average per student) WIN Shake Shack LUNCH delivered on campus to enjoy!

If your student is in one of these winning classes, look for the permission slip going home today! It’s due 11/7!

Vandermeyde: Wednesday, 11/12

DeGaugh: Thursday, 11/13

Exstrom: Friday, 11/14

• Pizza & Poetry Night

• Paint Event Banners

• Mileage Club (Must be Category 2 Cleared Volunteer)

Join us for Family Yoga Night on Thursday, November 6th at 5:30 PM in the Multipurpose Gym!

Bring the whole family for an evening of fun, movement, and relaxation. No experience is needed—this beginner-friendly yoga session led by PTA board member Sheree Corbett (e200hrYT) welcomes all ages and skill levels. Come move, stretch, and laugh together as we connect through mindful movement and good vibes!

✨ Free admission & designed for beginners of all ages

🍎 Snacks and prizes provided by our Gator Donor, Broadstone Sports Club.

📱 Don’t forget to sign your waiver in advance using the QR code on the flyer.

Let’s fill the gym with mats, smiles, and community spirit—see you there, Gators! 🐊💚

🎨🍕 Calling All Creative Minds! 🍕🎨

Join us for Pizza, Art & Poetry Night on Thursday, November 13th from 5:30–6:30pm in the Multipurpose Room!

Students are invited to:
✨ Share their original poetry or short stories (2-minute time limit)
🎨 Showcase their artwork on our gallery wall
🍕 Enjoy pizza, refreshments, and a night full of creativity — families are welcome to attend!

📚 How to participate:

• Poetry and short story entries are limited to the first 20 students — submit yours to Rachelle Schulken (rachelles.pta@gmail.com) by Monday, November 10th.
  
  

• Artwork must be delivered to the PTA office (please include your name, grade, and teacher on the back) by Monday, November 10th.
  
  

Don’t miss your chance to share your talent — and grab a slice while you’re at it! 🍕✨

🙌 Volunteers Needed!

We’d love your help to make this event a success — Click here to sign up or scan the QR code below!

Join Gallardo’s Student Council and Powerhouse Ministries in collecting New and

unwrapped TOYS for all ages. The donations benefit a non-profit in Folsom who help to

provide a HOLIDAY experience for families. Place your donation in the wrapped bins

outside the office and Kinder area before Dec. 5. Click here to view the flyer with more information.

Wear purple and join our Gallardo community at Catlin Park as we walk to school in honor of the legacy of bravery, kindness, and equality of Ruby Bridges, the first African American student to attend a formerly segregated school in America. Please come to the park at 7:45 a.m. to pick up your flag and prize (first come, first serve). The walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. This will be the culmination of a week of learning about Ruby’s inspiring story. We’d love to see you there on Friday, November 14th!

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!

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!

Mark your calendars! Yes, multiple days to shop, stroll, AND give back to Gallardo! Sutter Street Spirit Days are coming up—

November 19, 20, and 21 in Historic Folsom, and we’ve got four awesome local businesses participating:

We are at 67% of our $500 BTFE Goal!

At the last PTA Meeting, we had 6 new people sign up and scan their 1st receipt and that night, BTFE awarded us referral bonuses of $5 each. Do the math—We got $30 of free money on one night!

Join Box Tops today by downloading the app and use Referral Code: F7XJ0LEJ 📲 Just scan your receipt in the Box Tops app to collect $5 referral credit for Gallardo Elementary — keep scanning receipts and watch every little bit help our Gator community grow!

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.

• 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

If you missed the parent presentation by Dr Blake Brandes on Growth Mindset you can watch the recording here. He shares powerful strategies to help you support your child to thrive in school and in life.

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