Gator Gazette
May 10th, 2026
Upcoming Events
Yearbooks on sale now!
See flier & QR code below
Thursday, May 7th
Progress grades viewable by parents
(Only students who are falling behind receive progress notices)
Friday May 15th
TK Field Trip: Soil Born Farms
PTA Glow Dance! 7PM
Friday, May 22nd
Character assembly: Creativity
K-2 9:40
3-5 10:15
Monday, May 25th
Memorial Day - No school
Wednesday, May 27th
Family Literacy Night 6-7
Kids welcome, see flier below
Friday, May 29th
Rusch Park trip grades 3-5
Tuesday, June 2nd
PTA Meeting 6:30 in E-1
Thursday, June 4th
Kindergarten promotion ceremony
Saturday, June 6th
5th Grade Promotion 9AM
Tuesday, June 9th
Field day
Last day of school!
Friday, June 12th
Grades viewable by parents
Save the dates:
Family Literacy Night May 27th
Big Day of Service Upcoming
🌱 Join Us for the Grand Oaks Big Day of Service!
It’s time to roll up our sleeves and show our school some love! On May 16, 2026, we are coming together for a day of hard work, community spirit, and campus transformation. Whether you have a green thumb or a steady hand with a paintbrush, there’s a place for you to help make Grand Oaks shine.
Our Mission: Refresh & Renew
We have a big checklist and need all hands on deck to tackle these projects:
The Garden Revival: We’ll be clearing out the weeds, spreading fresh soil and bark, and putting new plants in the ground to create a vibrant outdoor space.
Playground Makeover: Help us brighten up the blacktop! We’ll be repainting classroom spots and lining up the playground markers to make recess better than ever.
Campus Beautification: From picking up litter to general "sprucing," our goal is to leave every corner of Grand Oaks looking its absolute best.
Why Volunteer?
"Community is at the heart of Grand Oaks. When we take pride in our physical space, we create a more inspiring environment for our students to learn, play, and grow."
Ready to help? Grab your family, friends, and neighbors. Let’s make this the biggest Day of Service yet!
Announcements
School Site Council updates
This month, we welcomed Erika Vargas onto our school site council!
Our May meeting will be on 5/21 at 4:00 in D1. We will review the 2026-2027 SPSA draft and cast votes or update as needed. All are welcome!
No supervision before 8:20 AM
Reminder: No staff are on duty at Grand Oaks prior to 8:20 AM.
Recently, there have been more students arriving early without parental supervision. When conflicts between students arise and adults are not present, this can lead to ongoing problems throughout the day. Please remember to drop off at or after 8:20. Thank you!
Literacy Tips for families
AprilHighlights
Nature's Critters assemblies and close encounters
Nature's critters brought life sciences to LIFE for our students, including snakes, lizards and turtles! Students were mesmerized and learned to view nature in an appreciative way, value and treasure wildlife
Author visit from Matthew Gollub
Matthew Gollub led our students around the world through interactive jazz and a deeper dive into his books like The Jazz Fly and more!
Family Art Night
Thank you to all of our families who joined us for family art night! Our students and teachers showcased the beauty that abounds here in our school community. Students experienced art in a variety of mediums leading up to the event, including painting, sculpture, collage, and multimedia pieces. Many of the projects were interdisciplinary, bridging art with other core subjects like science, math, english, and social studies.
The flowers below feature a project where first grade students studied all parts of the plant such as the petals, stems, leaves, stamen, etc, spoke and wrote about their observations, then sketched and painted their masterpieces!
Bridges celebrates Earth Day
Grand Oaks Elementary is blessed with a fantastic bridges program. They even serve up the best dirt in Citrus Heights for Earth Day!
Yearbook information
Breakfast & Lunch Menus:
Community Resources
Tools of the Trade event!
Tools of the Trade, formerly the Public Works Showcase, will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Van Maren Park. This is a free event for the entire family!
Fun for All Ages
- Meet the machines and their operators
- Hands-on demonstrations from various vendors
- Giveaways and treats for attendees
Perfect for families with children who love big trucks and exploring how our city works!
Citrus Heights Rooted in Unity
When: Tuesday, May 12th 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Rusch Park Community Room
Hosted in partnership with Citrus Heights Arts and Sunrise Parks and Recreation, this special event showcases our class project of improving Rusch Park through the installation of a new mural and Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
Guests will enjoy a reception tailored for local business leaders, featuring live music from a four-quartet jazz band and an art gallery showcasing work from local artists.
The evening will also include a silent auction, along with food and drinks provided by a variety of local vendors. All proceeds raised through the event will be donated back to the Citrus Heights community to support future projects and initiatives.
Your ticket includes: 2 drink tickets, appetizers and entertainment.
School Calendar year at a glance
SPSA Links
You can review our current SPSA here. This document guides our Title I and LCFF budget decisions.
Kim Foree