The Gator Gab 24th Edition🐊

Happy Friday Gators,

Reporting an Absence - Check out our new online absence reporting option.

Fencing Project - Please be sure to read the latest updates on the fence project.

Lockdown Drill - Tuesday, March 3rd

Women's History Month - Thank you to all the women past, present, and future that provided the many contributions to form modern society.

Read Across America - Celebrate Read Across America on Monday, March 2, 2026

Doyal Martin, Principal

Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School

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.

The fencing project is progressing well. The rain over break slowed things down a little bit. The crews have been working diligently to get back on track. Here is the latest updates I can provide:

• Gates by the Student Care will be installed next week.

• Panels installed by the bus drop off next week.

• Posts installed next to the Admin today.

• Posts installed between Multi and Building E next week.

Below is a map of the fencing project. I marked the locations of the fence line in blue and the gates in black.

On Tuesday, March 3rd, we will conduct a schoolwide lockdown drill during a recess or lunch period.. In preparation, teachers have been speaking with students about what a lockdown is, why we practice, and how to respond calmly and appropriately. While we hope to never experience a real emergency, practicing our procedures helps ensure that students and staff know what to do and can respond safely, with knowledge, and confidently.

We encourage you to have a conversation with your child(ren) at home about the importance of safety drills and the role they play in keeping everyone safe. Please remind your child to take the drill seriously, listen carefully to their teacher’s and the yard duty's directions, and understand that practicing is one way we work together to protect our school community.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Vision and Hearing screenings are scheduled for grades K, 2, & 5 on March 10 and 11. Please notify Mr. Martin in writing if you would like your student opted out by Friday, March 6th.

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

3/10 - Vision and Hearing Screening (K, 2nd, & 5th Only)

3/20 - Minimum Day

3/25 - Spring Pictures

4/6-10 Spring Break

4/30 Open House

The Cupid Shuffle was an AWESOME success! We hope everyone had a great time dancing with DJ DeGaugh! A HUGE thank you to all of the Gallardo teachers and staff that came to the event to volunteer their time and dance with the children. Thank you to Mr. Martin, Mrs. Vickers, Mrs. Exstrom, Mrs. Galinovsky, Mrs. Gleason, Ms. Vandermeyde, Ms. Dunagan, Mrs. Cantor, Mrs. Olson, Mrs. Gonzalves, Mrs. Gutierrez, Mrs. Foreman, Mrs. McCarthy, Mrs. Lozada, Mrs. Nieves, and Mrs. Sarmiento for helping Mrs. DeGaugh make the night spectacular! Also a shout out to our fabulous parent/grandparent volunteers, Andrea and Jon Peterson, Cheryl Coats, Crystal Van Kirk, Sheree Corbett, Anita Hayes, Joleen Bluefield, Preethi Rondla, Bharathi Chavakula, Rathi Rao, and anyone else we might have missed. And last but not least- a huge THANK YOU to Mrs. DeGaugh for all of the time and energy she put into planning this very popular event!!

STEM Fun Fest - Life Is Amazing!

Science * Technology * Engineering * Math

March 5th & 6th (Thursday & Friday)
5:30-7pm * Multipurpose Room

Mark your calendar for PTA’s STEM Fun Fest, two fun-filled evenings with hands-on activities, prizes, and exciting demonstrations that bring STEM to life!

All volunteers are welcome. No experience or school volunteer-clearance is required! Sign up here.

Our Gold Donor, The Coder School, will be joining us with a booth and a raffle prize. Folsom High’s Science Club will also be there to wow students with an awesome science demonstration.

Attention 4th and 5th Graders - Register HERE for Track and Field Club with Ms. Brown!

• Grades: 4th and 5th

• Practice: Mondays from 2:45 - 3:30 • March 16, 23, 30, and April 13, 20

• Track Meet: April 23 at 3:00pm at Vista

• More details here

NEXT YEAR: All of what we do in PTA is dependent upon our members to help make it happen! We have been blessed to have THE BEST Board Members and Chairpersons this year and need to begin filling these roles for next year. Please help us in our mission to "positively impact the lives of all Gallardo children and families" by serving as a PTA Board Member or Chair person for next school year! We have many positions and ways you can get involved, ranging in time commitments. You can read more about each role on our PTA Website and then please complete THIS SURVEY!

THIS YEAR: Help Keep Our School Clubs Going! We’re looking for someone interested in stepping into the Director of Clubs role for the remainder of this school year. If you’re interested in supporting student clubs, send us an email at GallardoPTA@gmail.com with the subject "Director of Clubs Position".

• Order Deadline - April 17th

• Order your yearbook through TreeRing. For more info, visit the Yearbook page on our PTA Website. Gallardo’s passcode is 1015682215844355. PLEASE NOTE: We will not be selling yearbooks at the school. The only way to purchase the school yearbook is online through treering.com.

• Cover Contest - March 6th

• The theme this year is “Kindness Shines Here”. Encourage your kids to get creative over the February Break and submit their cover art! View the instructions here.

• Upload Event Photos - ASAP

• Upload your best photos for the yearbook. Whether it’s from a school event, the classroom, or a fun day on campus, your photos help us create a yearbook full of memories. Upload images for Multicultural Night, Cupid Shuffle, and Kindness Week. View all upload folders here.

• Custom Pages Deadline - April 6th

• Your yearbook order comes with 2 free custom pages for your personal yearbook! It’s the perfect spot to include all of your own pictures from the year.

• 5th Grade Gator Babies Photos Deadline - Feb 27th

• Time to upload your favorite baby photo of your 5th grader for a special section of the yearbook! A flyer with instructions was sent home. View the instructions here.

📅 March 11th | 2PM–8PM
📍 Chick-fil-A Folsom, CA
📱 MOBILE ORDERS ONLY | Code: SPIRIT

Support Gallardo the easy (and delicious 😋) way — 20% of your order will be donated back!

Here’s how to participate:

✔️ Download the Chick-fil-A App
✔️ Select “Pick up at the restaurant”
✔️ Choose Folsom, CA location & tap “Start your order”
✔️ Place a drive-thru, dine-in, or carry-out order
✔️ Enter code SPIRIT
✔️ Enjoy your meal while giving back!

📣 Spread the word, invite friends & family, and let’s make it a big night!

Don’t stop now! 💌 We LOVE when you support as you shop! Now that you’re all signed up, keep scanning your receipts! Just a few more months in the school year! Every dime counts!

The $506 you helped earn will go towards library books and Atta Gator prizes for our students!

Join Box Tops by downloading the app and use Referral Code: F7XJOLEJ

• Paint Event Banners
• Mileage Club (Must be Category 2 Cleared Volunteer)
• STEM Nights

Keep giving in 2026! Support our students in a way that works for you: 501(c)(3) Organization Tax ID: 81-0614228 Donate Here
Thank you for your generosity! ✨

Those banners on the fence aren’t just decorations—they’re a reminder of the amazing local businesses that support the Gallardo PTA and our students. Their generosity makes a real difference!

Business owners: there’s still time to join us. Click here to become a donor.

Thank you for helping our students succeed!

MAR

3 Touch of Understanding Assembly- Grade 4

5 & 6 STEM Nights (Sign up to volunteer!)

6 Yearbook Cover Contest Deadline

11 Chick-fil-A Spirit Night 2-8pm

13 Touch of Understanding Assembly- Grade 5

25 & 26 Spring Musical Performances, 6pm Both Nights

27 Spring Musical Assembly

APR

6 Custom Yearbook Pages Due

17 Yearbook Orders Due

22 Earth Day Clothing & Toy Swap (start collecting items to swap!)

24 Talent Show

27- May 1 Scholastic Book Fair

29 Last PTA Meeting- Board Elections

30 Gallardo Open House 5-6pm

Ongoing

• Box Tops Download the app, use referral code: F7XJOLEJ

• Yearbook Orders Open (Custom pages due April 6)

• Giving Gators Donations

• Volunteer opportunity: Paint Event Banners

• Volunteer opportunity: Mileage Club

• Become a business donor!

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