The Gator Gab 12th Edition🐊

Dear Gators,

Have a wonderful weekend!

Doyal Martin, Principal

Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School

Come celebrate a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Ruby Bridges. The Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day symbolizes her courage, driver for change, and equality. See you Friday morning at 7:45am at Caitlin Park.

Before the Conference

Talk with your child - Ask what they’re most proud of, what feels challenging, and what they want their teacher to know.

Review recent work - Look over recent graded classwork and assessments so you understand their current progress.

Write down questions - What do you want to know about your child?

For example:

During the Conference

Be on time and present - Arrive a few minutes early and silence your phone so you can focus fully.

Share your thoughts - You know your child best—share what motivates them, how they learn, and any changes at home that may affect school.

Take notes. Teachers will share information about academics, behavior, and goals—jotting notes helps you remember the details.

Ask for examples. If something is unclear, ask to see samples of your child’s work or what “meeting expectations” looks like.

After the Conference

Talk with your child. Share highlights from the conference.

Follow through. If the teacher recommended strategies to try at home, give them a shot and report back to the teacher.

Celebrate growth. Let your child know you’re proud of their efforts.

Adopt-A-Family Holiday Outreach, which supports FCUSD foster and homeless youth. This long-standing tradition allows us to come together as a district community to ensure our students and families most in need feel supported and cared for during the holidays.

Please see the attached flyer for details. If you you would like to participate, simply scan the QR code on the flyer to complete the Google Form and let us know how you’d like to be involved.

Your partnership each year plays a meaningful role in making this initiative a success. Thank you for continuing to show up for our students and families during this special time of year.

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

Strengthening Families 2025-26

CORDOVA MEADOWS ELEMENTARY SESSION

***ALL FCUSD FAMILIES WELCOME!***

In this 10 week program, the whole family has an opportunity to learn how to:

• Bond with family members; listen, understand and validate each other’s feelings, and banish communication boulders
• Set boundaries that keep kids away from alcohol and drugs, and monitor their activities
• Pre-problem solve, set up win-win negotiations and say no to potentially dangerous anti-social situations
• Create positive routines that teach kids responsibility
• Make contracts for change: teach kids to set goals for success

• Reduce stress, through mindfulness exercises and re-program the brain to step away from anger

  
  

DINNER IS PROVIDED! Children, age 7 and up, are invited to join this program with their families. For younger children, there is a childcare center on-site for parents enrolled in the SFP program.

Registration: www.fcusd.org/departments/health/sfp

• Wednesdays, 5:45 to 8:00 pm

• 2550 La Loma Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

• 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/25, 3/4, 3/11 and graduation 3/18

• 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.

11/10 - SSC
11/11 - Veteran's Day - NO SCHOOL

11/14 - Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

11/17-21 Minimum Days

11/24-28 - Fall Break NO SCHOOL

🎨🍕 Calling All Creative Minds! 🍕🎨

Join us for Pizza, Art & Poetry Night on Thursday, November 13th from 5:30–6:30pm in the Multipurpose Room!

Students are invited to:
✨ Share their original poetry or short stories (2-minute time limit)
🎨 Showcase their artwork on our gallery wall
🍕 Enjoy pizza, refreshments, and a night full of creativity — families are welcome to attend!

📚 How to participate:

• Please sign your student up via the QR code below. Poetry and short story entries are limited to the first 20 students — submit yours to Rachelle Schulken (rachelles.pta@gmail.com) by Monday, November 10th.
  
  

• Artwork must be delivered to the PTA office (please include your name, grade, and teacher on the back) by Monday, November 10th.

Don’t miss your chance to share your talent — and grab a slice while you’re at it! Families are encouraged to join and support our fellow Gators! 🍕✨

🙌 Volunteers Needed!
We’d love your help to make this event a success — Click here to sign up or scan the QR code below!

RUBY BRIDGES WALK TO SCHOOL DAY– November 14

Wear purple and join our Gallardo community at Catlin Park as we walk to school in honor of the legacy of bravery, kindness, and equality of Ruby Bridges, the first African American student to attend a formerly segregated school in America. Please come to the park at 7:45 a.m. to pick up your flag and prize (first come, first serve). The walk will begin at 8:00 a.m. This will be the culmination of a week of learning about Ruby’s inspiring story. We’d love to see you there on Friday, November 14th!

HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE! NOV 3 - DEC 5

Join Gallardo’s Student Council and Powerhouse Ministries in collecting New and

unwrapped TOYS for all ages. The donations benefit a non-profit in Folsom who help to

provide a Christmas experience for families. Place your donation in the wrapped bins

outside the office and Kinder area before Dec. 5. Click here to view the flyer with more information.

🎁SUTTER STREET SPIRIT DAYS❄️

Sutter Street Spirit Days are coming up. Click Here to view the flyer

November 19, 20, and 21 in Historic Folsom, and we’ve got four awesome local businesses participating:

DON’T FORGET ABOUT BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION!📚

We are at 68% of our $500 BTFE Goal! Ways to Earn:

1. Earn with over 350 participating products

2. Earn with monthly bonus offers in the app

3. Refer your friends to start scanning! $5 per referral!

Follow BTFE on Instagram or Facebook for monthly bonuses!

Join Box Tops today by downloading the app and use Referral Code: F7XJ0LEJ 📲 — when you spend, keep scanning receipts and watch every little bit help our Gator community grow!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• Pizza & Poetry Night

• Paint Event Banners

• Mileage Club (Must be Category 2 Cleared Volunteer)

ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK NOW!!

Believe us when we say your future self who might forget to do this in April will thank you! We use the company Treering to publish our school yearbook. Yearbook sales are completely online and if you order now, there is a 10% discount! Current cost is $24.61 each. 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 Rock & Run, Trunk or Treat, Red Ribbon Week, and Yoga Night

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS & ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCES

National History Day After School Enrichment

Get ready for National History Day Competition MARCH 7, 2026 with Folsom High School juniors Hannah and Fiona (Gallardo Alumni!) We are still looking for students to start the club! Click HERE to register.

• National History Day After School Enrichment (Grades 4,5)

• Fridays: 3:45 - 4:30pm

• Meetings Trending: 11/7,11/14,12/12,1/9,1/16,1/23,1/30,2/6,2/13,2/27,3/6,3/13

• Competition MARCH 7, 2026 @ Sac State

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