The Gator Gab 32nd Edition🐊

Happy Friday Gators!

IT IS MAY! What happened? The energy rises and the light at the end of tunnel becomes brighter. 5th graders begin to experience "senioritis". Understandably, the motivation begins to diminish. But, we still have work to do. There is still teaching and learning that needs to be done. If you could have those reminder conversations with your children to keep up the good work they have been doing all year.

Funny fact of the day - I HAVE NEVER SEEN STAR WARS! SHHH...

As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, I want to share a little more about how classroom placements are created at Gallardo.

Each year, our teachers and staff spend a great deal of time working together to thoughtfully build class lists. This process is very intentional and takes into consideration each student’s academic, social, and emotional needs to ensure balanced, supportive classrooms.

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Because of the care and collaboration that goes into this work, we do not accept requests for specific teachers. We have a very hard working staff and I have full confidence in every teacher on our campus. All of our teachers are highly qualified and dedicated to supporting the success and well-being of every student.

I understand that families may have preferences, and we appreciate your trust in our process. Our goal is to create the best possible learning environment for all students, and tour process allows us to do that in a thoughtful and equitable way.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for being such an important part of your child's educational journey.

Thank you.

As the season changes and the weather gets warmer, I would like to send a friendly reminder of the Sandra J. Gallardo/FCUSD dress code.

Please label your child’s clothing, including jackets and sweaters.

Students are expected to dress appropriately for working and learning at school. Long pants, shorts, skirts, shirts, blouses, and dresses are encouraged. Clothing considered unacceptable is as follows: Shirts with words and pictures that contain profanity, suggestive words or pictures, tobacco or alcohol messages.
Short-shorts, tank tops, half shirts, cropped shirts, clothing with “sagging” waistlines, see-through materials, strapless clothing, spaghetti straps, or revealing clothing are not to be worn at school.
Shoes that are not attached to the feet or not suitable for running, such as crocs, flip flops or sandals without a heel strap. This is important for safety and appropriateness for recess and PE. Wheely shoes (with wheels) are not allowed for safety reasons.

Students are expected to:

Wear clean clothes every day.
Bathe or shower daily. Fourth and fifth graders should consider using a deodorant.
Wear a school t-shirt/sweatshirt or school color (green) on Friday Spirit Days.
Come to school dressed appropriately for learning.

(An appropriate length for shorts should be mid-palm length, on a 4” inseam as a minimum. Clothes which are 2 to 4 sizes larger than the student should normally wear are not safe for school activities. Straps on sleeveless tops should be at least the width of a lasagna noodle, at least 1½” in width)

Note: Students who come to school wearing unacceptable clothing will be asked to contact a parent to bring a change of clothing to school or will be provided with suitable clothing. The school principal, classroom teacher, or designee, will determine appropriate school dress

Report an absence online now!

Good news. If your child is absent, you now have the option of reporting the absence online. Visit our homepage at https://sjge.fcusd.org/. Click on "Reporting an Absence" and complete the Google Form.

Map of Fencing Project

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.

Reporting Bullying, Crime or Mental Health Support with WeTip

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

5/12 - School Site Council

5/22 - Super Minimum Day

5/25 - Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)

5/26-28 - Minimum Days

5/28 - Last day of school

5/28 - 5th grade promotion

GATORS GOING PLACES

Gallardo Kinder students Sahana and Claire's UnderWatch Lifeguard submission won FIRST PLACE at nationals in the ExploraVision competition! They earned a $10,000 savings bond and a free trip to Washington, DC to attend a fancy awards ceremony, where they will meet Congressmen/women, Toshiba representatives and Bill Nye the Science Guy! This is a big win for them and for Sandra Gallardo! You can read more about their project here.

Thank You's!

TALENT SHOW- A HUGE THANK YOU to our Talent Show Director, Stacy P., for making this event possible the last 4 years and pouring her heart and soul into the production and the students in it!

YEARBOOK- Thank you to our Yearbook Editors, Ms. Vandermeyde & Crystal V. for all the time and energy they generously put into this year’s publication. We can’t wait for you to see it!

SCHOOL GARDEN BUILD- Thank you to Steve & Stephanie F., Usein M., and Andrew, Stephanie and Brendan L. for working tirelessly all last weekend building the new garden beds. They look incredible!!!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR 📚

As our Scholastic Book Fair comes to a close, we’d like to extend a sincere thank you to our incredible co-chairs Stephanie L., Katie O, Mrs. Cooper, Heather B and our dedicated volunteers who came during student library times to help the fair run smoothly!!! Your time, energy, and enthusiasm made this event a wonderful experience for our students and school community. Also a thank you to the person responsible for bringing this huge undertaking back to Gallardo- Trenda W.!

Families are still able to shop online through May 10. Here is the online link. If your student has an eWallet, please be sure to check for any remaining funds. These funds can be used for online purchases, and any leftover balance will be issued by Scholastic as a gift card that can be used for future Scholastic Book Fairs.

Thank you again for your continued support in helping foster a love of reading! 📚

🌸 BLOOMING With Gratitude for Gallardo Teachers & Staff 🌿

Teacher Appreciation Week is next week, May 4 – May 8, and we’re looking forward to a fun-filled week celebrating our amazing Gallardo teachers and staff!

We still have several volunteer opportunities available, including:
🌷 Campus and door decorating on Sunday, May 3rd from 1pm – 4pm (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP)
🍎 Helping with meal setup and service throughout the week (CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP)
🍪 Food and gift donations

We’ll also be keeping the energy up all week with daily spirit days:
🌱 Monday – Plant the Seed: Wear green
🌈 Tuesday – Budding Bright: Bright colors
🌟 Wednesday – Watch Us Grow: Dress as your future career
🌾 Thursday – Rooted in Gratitude: Earth tones
🌺 Friday – Full Bloom Friday: Floral/Hawaiian shirts or Gator gear

📣 Be sure to keep an eye on email and social media all week for the latest updates and activities celebrating our wonderful teachers and staff!

If you’re a parent or local business owner who would like to get involved, we’d love your support. Please reach out to Rachelle Schulken at rachelles.pta@gmail.com for more information.

Sign up today and help us make this a memorable week for our teachers and staff! 🌼

SCHOOL GARDEN UPDATE

We’re excited to share that our school garden has made significant progress! Over the course of Friday evening and most Saturday, a dedicated group of volunteers worked tirelessly to customize and rebuild the garden beds. Thanks to their efforts, we now have brand new garden beds and a refreshed layout that will better support student learning. We are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and support of our volunteers.

Next steps include adding soil to the new beds and installing decomposed granite pathways. We invite families and volunteers to keep an eye out for the upcoming volunteer day, where we will need support with filling the beds with soil and laying the DG to complete the pathways.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support of this project and for helping make this garden a growing space for our entire school community.

💚 The Gallardo Garden Committee

2026-2027 PTA BOARD ELECTIONS

Thanks so much to everyone who attended our last PTA Meeting of the year on Wednesday night! We appreciate the active participation, engagement and great discussion had about a number of topics and issues affecting our Gallardo community!

At the meeting, the following officers were unanimously elected for the 2026-2027 school year: Sheree Corbett (President), Heather Brandon (Executive Vice President), Jenny Robida (Treasurer), Danielle Chan (Secretary), Tracy Novak (VP of Communications), Marina Lelko (VP of Fundraising), Paula Concannon (VP of Membership), Rachelle Schulken (Director of Programs), Kim Lundquist (Director of Clubs), Andrea Peterson (Parliamentarian), and Crystal Van Kirk (Historian). The positions of Financial Reviewer and Financial Secretary will remain open until filled.

PTA NEEDS YOUR FEEDBACK

Please take a few minutes to fill out a quick survey and let us know what worked this school year and what we can improve. There’s also a spot to give suggestions on how you think PTA should spend the funding surplus from past years! Take the Survey

🙌PTA CHAIRPERSONS NEEDED

Everything we accomplish in PTA depends on the support and involvement of our members to make it happen! Join us in our mission to "positively impact the lives of all Gallardo children and families" by serving as a PTA Chair for next 2026-27 school year! We have many roles and opportunities that fit a wide range of time commitments.

Positions we currently need: Spirit Night Chair, Boxtops Chair, Red Ribbon Week Chair, Trunk or Treat Chair, Talent Show Chair, Teacher Appreciation Week Chair and more! You can read more about each role on our PTA Website and then please complete THIS SURVEY!

🗓️ SPIRIT NIGHT - DINE OUT FUNDRAISER

Your receipt scanning is helping us grow! We’re at $570.10! 👀

🌈☔️Make the most of a rainy day with comfort food that earns for schools! From Annie’s™ Mac & Cheese to Pillsbury™ Cinnamon Rolls, there are so many Box Tops products perfect for a cozy day at home.

THANK YOU for helping our Gators surpass our goal! 🎉🐊Join Box Tops by downloading the app and use Referral Code: F7XJOLEJ

🗓️ SPIRIT NIGHT - DINE OUT FUNDRAISER

🍕 Skipolini’s in Folsom Fundraiser
Date: May 14
Time: All day
Details: Dine in or take out and 20% of proceeds will be donated.

Bring your friends, family, and appetite—every meal makes a difference. We appreciate your support and hope to see you there!

🎉GALLARDO GIVING GATORS 🐊

Help us make a fast break toward success by making a quick donation—no fundraising hassle, just team spirit and heart! 🌟🏀

Every dollar helps our students grow, learn, and slam dunk their goals all season long.

Take your shot today: 501(c)(3) Organization Tax ID: 81-0614228 Donate Here
Thank you for cheering us on!

🌷WE APPRECIATE OUR BUSINESS DONORS ⭐️

As we tip off this spring, it’s the perfect time to cheer on the local businesses that support the Gallardo PTA! 🌷

Check them out HERE and keep them in your starting lineup over spring break and summer! 🌞🛍️ These amazing community partners help create so many opportunities for our students—we couldn’t do it without them.

🐊 Thank you for supporting the team behind our Gators!

UPCOMING DATES (AT A GLANCE)

MAY

4-8 Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week

14 Skipolini’s Spirit Night - All Day

20 Internet Safety Parent Mtg 6:30-8pm, Multi

22 Character Day / Super Mini Day

26-28 Minimum Days

26 Teacher/5th Grade Kickball & Kona Ice for All Students

27 Play Day & School Dance Party w/ DJ DeGaugh

28 Grade 5 Promotion & Last Day of School

Join the FCUSD Team

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

The Gator Gab 32nd Edition🐊