The Gator Gab 19th Edition🐊

Happy Friday,

Weather is finally nice. Take advantage of it and enjoy yourself.

MLK Jr. Day - As you enjoy your three day weekend in honor and remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on his efforts to bring equity, togetherness, and access for all to our country.

Playground Update - Please read the update on the playground repairs update.

Feedback Survey - If you have not completed the Trimester 1 feedback survey please do

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.

Attending school is important! Missing 18 days in a school year or 10% is considered chronically absent. It does not sound like a lot but they absences add up quickly.

Tuesday will be the 100th day of school. There are 25 students to date that have at least 10 absences. There is an abundance of research that speaks to the harmful effects of missing school and being chronically absent. We want you r child at school. Trust me it makes it more lively:)!

Also, friendly reminder to clear your absences with the front office.

Good news! Repairs to the play structure will begin on Monday. The ETA for completion is end of the week..

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.

1/27 - Spelling Bee

1/27 TK/K Informational Night

2/6 - Cupid Shuffle

2/13 - Super Minimum Day

Please join us in congratulating the following students for their Reflections artwork moving on to the state level:

• Kavita Reddy – Intermediate (3-5) Literature – “One in a World of Many”

• Akshadha Manikandan – Primary (TK-2) Visual Arts – “I Thrive! I Grow!! I Shine!!! I Belong!!!”

• Divi Pujari – Primary (TK-2) Dance Choreography – “KPOP Demon Hunters ‘Golden Song’"

• Jaishnavi Subash – Primary (TK-2) Photography – “I Belong To”

All four artists submitted their work based on the 2025 PTA Reflections theme “I Belong” at Gallardo this fall, then advanced to the Third District PTA art competition. Good luck at state!

✨ BOOTH HOSTS & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! ✨

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!

Help bring the night to life by hosting a cultural table to showcase your family’s heritage, or simply a country you’re interested in, through food, artifacts, music, or displays. Currently we have booths for: India, Trinidad & Tobago, Hungary & Italy and would love to see even more countries represented (you do not need to be from the country to host a booth). Student and family dance or musical 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 or scan the QR code to sign up!

• Help kick off phase 1 of our garden makeover! We’ll remove old beds, fix sprinklers, and prep for the new garden.

• Meet outside of Room 14.

• Sign-up here to volunteer and receive instructions.

• Please note the campus will be ‘closed’ this day, so no public restrooms will be available.
  

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!

We are so proud of the 50 Gallardo students who auditioned- they were incredible! Practices start next week in the Multi:

• Tuesdays 2:45-3:45pm

• Thursdays 1:15-2:15pm

Performances: March 25 & 26 | Assembly March 27

The official cast list and all updates can be found via the Band App. Contact Sarah Jane Mackey for a link to join or any other questions (801-920-5110).

Let’s get this, Gator Families! Support when you shop!

📌This Month’s Spectacular Bonus Offers!

#1 Through 1/31/26: Earn $5.50 in Bonus Box Tops at SAFEWAY when you buy any 5 participating products in a single transaction!

#2 Until 2/7/26: Earn $4 for Gallardo, at TARGET when you buy any 4 participating products in a single transaction. Product exclusions apply. Join Box Tops by downloading the app and use Referral Code: F7XJOLEJ

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)

Start your charitable giving for 2026 early! Become a Giving Gator and donate in your own way: 501(c)(3) Organization Tax ID: 81-0614228 Donate Here
Thank you for your generosity! 🎁✨

• We use the company Treering to publish our school yearbook. Yearbook sales are done through them. 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!

See all the banners on the fence at school? Those are our amazing donors who support the Gallardo PTA, directly benefitting our students! This week, we want to welcome the latest donor, The Folsom Dentist! Check out other local businesses who support our school here.

It’s not too late! If you’re a business owner and want to become a donor, click here.

Thank you for your generosity and for supporting our students!

Jan 19 MLK Jr. Day (No School)

Jan 19 Garden Clean-Up Day 9am-12pm (Sign up to volunteer!)

Week of Jan 19: Jungle Book Cast Practices start (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Jan 23 Multicultural Night 6-7:30pm (Sign up to volunteer!)

Jan 27 Schoolwide Spelling Bee

Jan 27 Spirit Night - Chipotle on Iron Point 4-8pm

Jan 27 TK/K Incoming Family Info Nights

Feb 6 Cupid Shuffle

Feb 12 Dave & Buster’s Spirit Night

Mar 25 & 26 Spring Musical Performances

Mar 27 Spring Musical Assembly

April 6 Custom Yearbook Pages Due

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