Marguerita Gazette
November’s Theme: National Career Development Month
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2025
January & February Edition 2025
Themes:
January: Get Organized & Set Goals for the New Year
February: African-American / Black History Month
Principal's Message
Dear Marguerita Families,
Happy New Year and welcome to an exciting 2025 at Marguerita Elementary School! As we step into this new year, our January theme, “Get Organized & Set Goals for the New Year,” encourages students to reflect on their progress and set meaningful goals for the months ahead. In February, we shift our focus to celebrate African-American/Black History Month, honoring the remarkable contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history.
The next two months are filled with opportunities to connect and grow. On Monday, January 27th, teachers will participate in professional development during a pupil-free day, focusing on strategies to enhance student learning. In February, we’ll recognize National School Counseling Week from February 3rd–7th, highlighting the vital support our counselors provide for our students. On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, students can enjoy a festive Valentine’s Spirit Day as we celebrate the end of the second trimester with a minimum day!
Let’s embrace this new year with enthusiasm, collaboration, and a shared commitment to our students’ success. Thank you for your continued partnership in making Marguerita a place where every student thrives.
Warm regards,
Mr. Kohout, Principal
R.O.C.K.
Marguerita R.O.C.K.s!
January/February Focus – Ownership!
Last month, we emphasized cooperation, and it was wonderful to see students working together, sharing, and supporting one another. As we move into the new year, our focus for January and February is Ownership—taking responsibility for our actions, choices, and learning. Encouraging ownership helps students build independence, accountability, and pride in their work. Here are some ways to practice ownership at school and at home:
✅ Take responsibility for your words and actions, even when mistakes happen.
✅ Stay organized and keep track of your homework, supplies, and personal belongings.
✅ Follow through on commitments and do your best in all tasks.
✅ Ask for help when needed and take initiative in solving problems.
✅ Reflect on progress and set personal goals for improvement.
Marguerita Elementary School strives to:
LEARN, GROW, AND GIVE BACK!
Save the Dates
January Dates
Mon., 1/20/25 -MLK Holiday
Mon., 1/27/25 -Site PD (Pupil Free)
Tue., 1/28/25 - Coffee Chat w/ the Principal
Thurs., 1/30/25 - RockStar Assembly #5
February Dates
Mon., 2/3/25 -National School Counseling Week
Mon., 2/3/25 -World Language Challenge Test
Mon., 2/3/25-25-26 Registration Window Opens
Fri., 2/7/25 -Virtual Blacktop Assembly #7
Mon., 2/10/25 -Lincoln’s Birthday (No School)
Fri., 2/14/25-Minimum Day /End of 2nd Trimester
Fri., 2/14/25 -Valentines Spirit Day
Mon, 2/17/25-President’s Day (No School)
Tues., 2/18/25-Coffee Chat with the Principal #7
Thurs., 2/20/25 -Spring Individual Picture Day
Fri., 2/21/25-Report Cards E-mailed Home
Mon., 2/24/25-ELAC Mtg #3 (8:30-9:30)
Tues., 2/25/25
Trimester 2 Honor Roll, 6-8th Grade (1:45-2:30)
Wed., 2/26/25 Family Steam Night 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thur., 2/27/25 -R.O.C.K Star Assembly #6
School Events
Associated Student Body (ASB)
Upcoming Events
1/31 - Decade’s Day. Students dress as their assigned decade.
- TK-2nd: 70’s
- 3rd-5th: 80’s
- 6th-8th: 90’s
2/3 - 2/7: Chocolate Rose Valentine Grams sold while supplies last. Delivered on 2/14.
2/12: Music Shirt Day - wear a shirt of your favorite band or singer
2/12: 6th - 8th ONLY - Royal Court Dance 1:30pm-3:30pm
2/14: Valentine’s Day Spirit Day- wear pink and red
Readers Choice Awards 2024
Marguerita Voted Favorite Public Elementary School!
Congratulations once again to our Marguerita School Community! The Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Whittier Daily News have once again awarded Marguerita Elementary School the Readers Choice Award as San Gabriel Valley’s FAVORITE public elementary school for 2024! I would like to congratulate our ENTIRE MARGUERITA TEAM… Thank you to our students, families, staff, & PTA for all that you do to make our school the absolute best that it can be for our kids. You R.O.C.K.!
Congratulations & keep up the great work!
Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports
(PBIS) is the implementation of practices that promotes specific positive outcomes in behavior, academics, social-emotional well being and mental health. At Marguerita, students are taught and expected to demonstrate the R.O.C.K. at all times– Respect, Ownership, Cooperation and Kindness. Students consistently practicing expected behaviors are rewarded with RockStars to use at PBIS events throughout the year!
Associated Student Body (ASB)
Presenting the 202-2025 ASB Members!
Presidents: Sofia Barajas & Juliette Garcia
Vice President: Natalie Campos
Treasurer: Chael Casubuan
Secretary: Alexia Ruiz
Representatives: Luke Mendoza, Angela Ralston, Sky Tieu and Oliver Zuniga
Counselor's Corner
Mr. John Chae, School Counselor, Gateway To Success chae_john@ausd.us
January's focus is perseverance
Perseverance is to be resilient in the face of difficulties. In other words, it is to not give up when things get difficult. To show tenacity and grit in our ever changing world. All students can grow the trait of perseverance by having a growth mindset, a mindset that is focused on growing and learning.
As we move into a new year with new goals and resolutions let's try to persevere through every storm so that we can achieve our goals and dreams little by little every day!
For more information on Gateway to Success and SEL learning, please visit the following link- Student Support
Academic Corner
Visualizing Success
Looking for a creative way to help your child set and visualize their goals? Try making a vision board together! A vision board is a collage of images, words, and symbols that represent what your child hopes to achieve. This hands-on activity not only sparks creativity but also reinforces the importance of goal-setting in a fun and engaging way.
Steps to Create a Vision Board:
Gather Supplies
Poster board, magazines, scissors, glue, markers, and any other decorative items your child loves.Discuss Goals
Talk about the goals your child wants to achieve—both short-term and long-term. These can be related to school, hobbies, friendships, or personal growth.Find Visual Representations
Look through magazines or print images that represent these goals. It could be a picture of a book they want to read, a sport they want to try, or words of encouragement.Arrange and Create
Help your child arrange the images and words on the poster board. Encourage them to add personal touches with drawings or decorations.Display the Vision Board
Place the finished vision board in a spot where your child can see it daily. It will serve as a constant reminder of their goals and keep them motivated.
Creating a vision board is a powerful way to help children visualize their aspirations and stay focused on their goals. Plus, it’s a wonderful opportunity for quality bonding time. Let’s inspire our students to dream big and work towards their bright futures!
Instructional Coach: Anne Luong luong_anne@ausd.us
FOCUS on i-ready!
Students have tailored lessons through iReady!
Students are encouraged to complete 45 minutes weekly in each Math and Reading.
Parent Portal
If you need support accessing your parent portal, please call the front office or contact Anne Luong.
Community Schools
Families please RSVP by Friday, February 7th
Financial Literacy Workshops
We are excited to share a wonderful opportunity for members of our community who are looking to learn more about finances. Please scan the QR code to register.
Marguerita Family Talents and Interests
Thank you to those who have returned the Marguerita Family Talents & Interests forms! Results are in. 176 surveys collected and top workshops requested are: 1) volunteering 2) iReady 3) Parent Portal and 4) Google Classroom. We will be hosting workshops for these topics in the upcoming months. Keep and eye out for those dates!
If you would like to know more about this model and be part of this focus group, please contact:
Cathleen Wu- Instructional Specialist (626) 943-3637
Marguerita Bilingual School Coordinators Corner
Rosemary Marin (Spanish) and Cynthia Lin (Mandarin)
Please reach out if you have questions for your teacher(s) and need help with translation. We are here to help!
Need help with Power School? Please read Letter to Parents below if you need help with Power School.
Become a Marguerita Volunteer
Would you like to be a Marguerita School volunteer or chaperone for a field trip? Volunteer Forms
Immigrant Legal Resources
Medi-Cal Enrollment
For free Medi-Cal enrollment assistance information click on flyer.
Let's Stay Organized!
Hello Marguerita Primary Parents,
Feel free to print the sample chart to help our Marguerita Huskies stay organized throughout the year.
Feel free to have your student print this chart for their personal use throughout the year.
Student Planner #1
Parent Teacher Association
WE APPRECIATE OUR MARGUERITA FAMILIES
Thank you for your continued support!
Marguerita PTA Informational Flier, 2024-2025
Calling Marguerita Volunteers!
Volunteer at our PTA Jog-A-Thon Event coming in April
(See our Marguerita community school coordinator for volunteer information)
School Safety
Traffic Safety Reminders
1. Pull your vehicle up as far as you can during the drop off/pick up times. This will allow the cars behind you to do the same.
2. Do not double-park when dropping off or picking up your students. Please make sure your student(s) access your vehicle curbside - not in the street.
3. Present Yourself at the Gate Campus Supervisors and Yard Duties will not release your TK-4th grade child if you (parent/guardian) do not present yourself at the gate. Please remember that this policy keeps your child safe during very busy gate release times.
4. No U-Turns: Please do not make a U-Turn near or adjacent to our school.
5. Do not park or leave your vehicle unattended: in any area that is not intended for parking (i.e., double parked, red zone, bus zone, etc.,)
6. Please do not park your vehicle in any driveway Please respect our neighbors and their driveways. As such, please do not load or unload your child while parked in any driveway.
7. Always cross the street at the crosswalk (or end of street). If your child walks to/from school, please have a conversation with them about always using a crosswalk and watching for oncoming traffic. Please do not encourage your child to cross in the middle of the street to get to/from your vehicle.
8. Recognize our school zone and posted speed limits- and obey all other traffic signs on and around school property.
9. Reduce your speed when traveling around the school.
10. Be aware of an unusually high concentration of children and families in and around our school.
11. Be on the lookout for school buses and children entering and exiting the bus.
12. Expect increased traffic and delays. Please allow yourself extra time when coming to and from Marguerita Elementary.
We want everyone to get to their destinations safely!
School safety is always our first priority! Our message to our students, staff and community is, “See Something, Hear Something, Say Something - Report it!” If there is a school safety concern or threat of violence, always report it to the school and police. Each one of us (students, parents, families, guardians, community members) play an important role in school and community safety. Never hesitate to report a safety concern.
Additionally, as part of Marguerita’s Earthquake and Disaster Preparedness Program we are requesting that each child be provided a Personal Survival Kit to be stored in the classroom. Should a disaster, such as an earthquake, fire, or flood occur, there is a possibility that your child/children would need to remain in school for up to 72 hours- especially if access to and from school is too dangerous or unavailable. It would therefore be necessary to have some food and drink to sustain your child during this time.
For more information on needed items, please visit [2024-2025] Survival Kit Letter and Content List
Communication
Through measures AE and HS Bond funds and the completion of our modernization project last school year we received a beautiful campus and a digital marquee! For our marquee, our goal is that it enhances our communication with you as parents and the greater community. In keeping up-to-date with our many campus activities throughout the school year, please access and use the following;
#1. Digital Marquee
#2. School Website Calendar- https://www.margueritaelementary.org/
#3. Monthly Gazettes (this family newsletter!)
#4. Emails- please be on the lookout for school messages from Blackboard Connect and school staff (classroom teachers, Mr. Kohout, etc.,)
Past Marguerita Events
Marguerita Elementary School
December 14, 2024
A Heartfelt Thank You to Slade Industrial Landscape Inc.
On behalf of Marguerita Elementary School, I would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to Slade Industrial Landscape Inc. for their generous donation of nine Eldarica Pine trees. Your support has been instrumental in making our Community Day Tree Planting Event a success, and we truly could not have done this without you!
The trees you provided will have a lasting impact on our campus and community. Not only have you helped beautify our school grounds, but your contribution has also created an opportunity for our Husky students to engage in hands-on learning, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. As they planted these trees, students learned the value of caring for their planet and community, aligning perfectly with our R.O.C.K. values: Respect, Ownership, Cooperation, and Kindness.
These Eldarica Pine trees will grow alongside our students, serving as a symbol of growth, resilience, and care. They will provide shade, improve air quality, and create habitats for local wildlife, enhancing our campus for generations to come. More importantly, this project has taught our children that when we work together, we can make a positive difference in our world.
Thank you once again, for your generosity, partnership, and commitment to supporting education and sustainability. Your contribution has not only made this event possible but has left a legacy that will benefit Marguerita Elementary for years to come!
With gratitude,
Mr. Kohout
Principal, Marguerita Elementary School
Marguerita Fun Husky Corner
Previous Marguerita Gazettes
2024-2025 “Marguerita Gazette! ….Read all about it!”
Husky Families, if you are interested in seeing a previous 2024-2025 newsletter, look no further!
We will be linking each month here!
AUSD Connection Newsletter
Helpful Links
Schedule and Calendar
[24-25] Marguerita Bell & Gate Daily Schedule
[24-25] Marguerita Minimum Days
Marguerita Digital Family Calendar- Events | Marguerita Elementary School
PowerSchool and Enrollment
Parent Portal Link: https://ps.ausd.us/public/
After School Care: AUSD: After-School Resources
