Gullett Gazette - April 1, 2025

Dear Gecko Caregivers,

I feel like I was just ringing in 2025 and now April is here already! How can that be? The last two months of school are here, and I absolutely cannot believe it. As we look to the last part of the year, it is filled with learning, celebrations of growth, and community building events. I hope all of you enjoyed the 3 day weekend and were able to spend some quality time as a family. I am looking forward to Viva on Friday and being able to go to the Gullett Business Fair Saturday. I am so thankful to our parent volunteers who make so many special events happen for our students, staff and community!

Speaking of fantastic parent volunteers, on Thursday, April 24th our staff will host our volunteer luncheon. Please join us if you have volunteered your time or expertise this year. Lunch will be served in the library from 10:30-12:30 and teachers will be joining our volunteers during their regularly scheduled lunchtime. Our volunteers and their work enhance our school and are one of the things that make Gullett such a special place. We would love to show our gratitude! Please RSVP here so we can make sure that we have enough for everyone.

I want to remind everyone that registration for the 2025-2026 school year opens up again today—and no, this is no April Fool's joke! Please take a moment to log into your Parent Portal and complete the necessary information for your child. Currently, we have a low percentage of families registered, so we would greatly appreciate your help in getting this done as soon as possible. The system has been streamlined this year to make the process even easier and less time-consuming. When we begin student placement for classes for next year in late April, if your student is not registered we will assume they are not coming and will put them to the side until you register.

Speaking of next year, I have extended our Parent Consideration form deadline to Monday, April 7th. If you have information about your student’s learning style you would like for administration to consider, you may choose to complete this optional form. Please note that requests for a particular teacher will not be honored, so please refrain from using specific names and this form does not guarantee a specific peer placement for your child. There are many pieces to the process of creating classes. Our goals are to use a variety of pieces of information to create classes that are balanced (a range of academic achievement, behaviors, peer compatibility, special population needs, etc.) Teachers will work in grade level teams to create those classes alongside essential areas, special education staff, the counselor and administrators. At a later date in the summer, administration will assign those classes to specific teachers. Thank you for your cooperation, understanding and trust that we will find the best match.The “Parent Consideration” form will not accept any responses after 3:00 P.M on Monday, April 7th. Please do not send a separate email as that can get lost in the shuffle-only use the parent consideration form.

I would like to close by saying how grateful I am to be a part of our wonderful school community here at Gullett. It is exciting to see the growth in our students and work with everyone here to ensure that Gullett is a school like no other place!

Kindly,

Tammy Thompson

Proud Principal, Gullett Elementary

This month, students have been focusing on an essential life skill: Cooperation. We all encounter situations where working with others is necessary to accomplish a goal or task. Whether it’s with friends or new acquaintances, having the right tools to navigate teamwork helps build and maintain healthy relationships.

One way we define Cooperation is “working together to reach shared goals.” The key elements of cooperation include:

• Doing Your Part – Contributing to the team’s success

• Listening to Others – Valuing each team member’s ideas

• Encouraging Others – Supporting and uplifting peers

Throughout the month, students have practiced these important skills in class and during structured activities. A special highlight was Field Day, where students had hands-on opportunities to collaborate and work as a team to achieve their shared objectives. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and teamwork in action!

We encourage you to continue reinforcing the value of cooperation at home by engaging in activities that require teamwork, such as completing a puzzle together, playing cooperative games, or working on a small family project.

~ Ms. Mahan

Hello, Gullett Musicians!

This month we started our sprint to the end of the year by taking 4th and 5th grade to the annual Young People’s Concert, the staff crushed the 5th graders in tug of war at field day, Mr. Jurgens welcomed a student teacher into his classroom (Ms. Coronado), and most importantly on March 25 we threw Mr. S a Texas-sized birthday party, also known as the 4th grade program. It’s only getting busier as we wind down (up) to the end!

Here are our remaining upcoming events:

• 4/5: Recorder and Ukulele Festival (open to all 3rd-5th)

• 4/15: Where the Wild Things Are–2nd Grade Program

• 4/26: Music Memory (3rd-5th, audition only, spots limited)

• 5/15: Talent Show Auditions due (3rd-5th)

• 5/15: Talent Show Crew Interest Forms due (5th only)

• 5/20: The Adventures of Mother Goose–Kindergarten Program

• 5/22-5/23: Share Day

• 5/27: Geckos Got Talent

Let us know if you have any questions!

Sincerely,
Will Jurgens and Marc Sustaita

Gullett Music Staff

Thank you!

The essential areas team would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our parents/guardians and entire school community for your continued support in helping make field day a success yet again! Our students had the incredible opportunity to demonstrate their teamwork, perseverance, talents, and good sportsmanship, and we couldn't have done it without your encouragement and involvement. Special thanks for our 5th grade helpers who truly stood out as leaders and role models to our younger geckos. Way to go team!

What we are learning

This month, we will be focusing on outdoor education activities and striking skills in our physical education classes. Students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on experiences outside, while developing coordination and technique through striking activities.

Wellness lessons will be focused on topics related to self care like sleep and stress management.

~ Coach Garcia, Coach Rose, and Coach Victor

April- Autism Awareness Month, Arab American Heritage Month, National Poetry Month

4/4 - Viva!

4/5 - Children's Business Fair

4/7 - Assistant Principal & Librarian Appreciation Week

4/7 - PTA 6pm

4/8 - STAAR ELA 3rd-5th Grade

4/15 - STAAR Science 5th

4/15 - 2nd Grade Performance 6pm

4/2 - Office Staff Appreciation Week

4/22 - STAAR Math 3-5

4/24 - Volunteer Luncheon

4/25 - Art Show

4/26 - Music Memory

4/28 - Farm Stand

4/29 - CAC