The Gator Gab 6th Edition🐊

Dear Gators,

I think summer may be on its way out. I can feel it on the horizon. It's going to be a beautiful weekend. Rain is in the forecast for next week. Please plan accordingly for drop off, pick up, and appropriate dress.

I saw a number of kids this morning arriving with their student council election posters. They are so creative and they know how to connect with their constituents! I can't wait to hear the speeches.

Friendly reminder that Monday, October 13th is a non student day. Teachers and staff will be in training.

Have wonderful week.

Doyal Martin, Principal

Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 - October 15 to give recognition to the Hispanic and Latino history and culture, as well as the many contributions made to United States history and culture by the Hispanic American communities. Starting as a week-long celebration in 1968, it was expanded to a month in 1988.

The United States is home to over 60 million Latinos, nearly 19% of our total population. Hispanic people have been a part of our country from the very beginning, and continue to fuel our economy and enrich our culture as entrepreneurs, scientists, public servants, athletes, artists, entertainers, and much, much more. Our music, food, sports, art, architecture, and very history would be much the poorer without the presence and influence of Hispanic Americans. As the country continues to diversify, it's important for all of us to learn more about the Hispanic American experience.

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

An immense thank you to those who submitted their names to serve on the school site council. It shows how supportive and our school community and why our students are successful. Please use the button below to select your choices for School Site Council. Please select up to 4 candidates. Ballot will close Thursday, October 2nd.

• 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.

10/13 - No School (PD Day for teachers)

Imagine a drop-off line with NO CARS...can we do it?!?!?! Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is a national initiative to promote healthier habits, a cleaner environment and community benefits like less traffic/congestion and a stronger sense of community. Join us in this charge! For those who can only walk part of the way, meet us at Catlin Park at 8am so we can all walk together as one big Gator crew! Gabby Gator and lots of your favorite teachers will be there too!

The second session in our two part series is coming up on Thursday, October 2 from 6:30-8pm in the Gallardo Library. If you’d like to attend as we plan to take collective action on the epidemic caused by overuse and misuse of screens, please register here!

We are just two weeks away from our Starstruck Dance Shows! This year there will be one night of shows at Sutter Middle School on Thursday, October 9th. Half the school will perform at 5:30pm and the other half at 6:45pm. Please consult the show schedule below. Students will need to arrive 30 minutes before their show time. We look forward to seeing them shine!

That’s FOUR FRIDAYS away! And we’re off to a really great start! Thank you to all your students fundraising! As a reminder, our goal this year is to raise $38,000, and we cannot do it without generous donations from all of you. Link to share for donations HERE search for your student by last name (1st initial and teacher will appear).

📌Return your student’s signed waiver to participate. Due 10/17. Digital version of packet HERE.

📌Plan on attending event day on Friday, 10/24. Come cheer on your student. Category 2-cleared volunteers are encouraged to sign up HERE to help!

📌Fundraise with your student to win cool prizes- to be distributed Fridays in October. We are at 15% participation and nearly $10k in donations! Get started and keep it going!

The PTA wants to recognize these generous businesses for their donations to our school! So far we have received $5,850 from local businesses to go toward Assemblies, STEM Lab, FAME and all of our amazing programming!

• Top Gator Donors - Broadstone Sports Club, Dimples Pediatric Dental, and Leighton Dance Project

• Gold Level Donors - Carey Steiner Realtor, Early Bird Plumbing, Coder School, Boost Swim, and The Curious Brush

• General Level Donor - Bowman Martial Arts

The community support is beyond helpful and we are so appreciative. If you know of any businesses that would be a wonderful partner for our school please have them email GallardoPTA@gmail.com

This week students enjoyed their assembly with Dr. Blake Brandes and now you have the opportunity to hear from him too! Dr. Blake Brandes, a TedX speaker and America’s Got Talent performer will share powerful strategies to help your child thrive in school and life! You don’t want to miss it! See below for details on how to join this virtual presentation!

• Presentation - October 23, 2025: K-6 Growth Mindset Virtual Parent Presentation from 6:00-7:00pm

• Zoom link - https://zoom.us/j/94439131958?pwd=dFxOuRJgXW8o0bOkH0g2MHMStfRq0w.1

• Meeting ID - 944 3913 1958

• Zoom Passcode - 727460

Gallardo Students! Do you enjoy art, music and dance or have an interest in writing, producing films and taking photos? Then join us and have fun unleashing your inner artist with PTA Reflections! This year's theme is "I Belong!" Submission guidelines and entry forms are available on the PTA website. Contest deadline is October 24, 2025.

In October, TACO TUESDAY will be on a Monday! Support Gallardo and plan on dinner out when you visit:

📌Monday, October 20
🌯🌮Dos Coyotes (Folsom Blvd.) | 4:00–8:30 p.m.

It’s an easy way to help fundraise! Visit this restaurant at this day/time and they give a 💰portion to Gallardo!

Support your Gallardo PTA when you join Box Tops for Education by downloading the app and use Referral Code: F7XJOLEJ

📌This Month’s Bonus Offer!

✏️🗓️Through 9/31/25: Earn 10 Bonus Box Tops at Costco when you buy any 1 participating Box Tops product in a single transaction!

The PTA is a true gift—connecting families, supporting classrooms, and creating memories with your kids.

Build Connections – Meet teachers, staff, and fellow parents.

Stay in the Know – Be updated on school and community news.

Enhance Learning – PTA funds provide classroom resources and technology.

Share

Moments – Volunteer and join in your child’s school experience.

Membership is just $12 and includes access to Membership Toolkit, quarterly meetings, and a voice in shaping school programs.

Join today: gallardopta.membershiptoolkit.com

Sign up before Oct 17th to help your child’s class earn a popsicle party! All classes that reach 75% of their class total will get a popsicle party!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Gallardo PTA

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 the First Day of School and Gators on the Green

We are thrilled to kick off the new school year with a full calendar of programs to educate, engage, and entertain all students at Gallardo! Check out our Calendar of events here.

Please consider getting involved as a way to get back to our wonderful community. We have many volunteer opportunities available, and would love to have your help to make our programs a success!

Please reach out to our general inbox (gallardopta@gmail.com) or our Director of Programs, Rachelle Schulken (rachelles.pta@gmail.com) to inquire about opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the lives of the students and faculty at Gallardo!

Interested in joining Cross Country or taking a Spanish class? Registration is open until 9/26.

Click HERE for details.

• Cross Country (Grades 3, 4, 5)

• Monday & Wednesday 2:50-3:20pm

• Practice: 10/1, 10/6, 10/8, 10/15, 10/20, and 10/27

• Meets: 10/22 and 10/29

• 10/22 3pm - 4:30pm @ Gold Ridge

• 10/29 3pm - 4:30pm @ Gallardo

• Spanish Enrichment (Grades 3, 4)

• Tuesdays, 2:50-3:40pm

• Meeting: 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4

We need a few creative volunteers to help make banners for our events. We’ll provide the banner paper — you just bring the creativity! Sign up to help

• Starstruck Dance Showcase

• Rock & Run

• Red Ribbon Week

• Trunk or Treat

• And More!

Oct 2 Anxious Generation Parent Discussion- Session 2

Oct 8 Walk & Roll to School Day

Oct 9 Starstruck Dance Shows (One Night Only)

Oct 10 Minimum Day, 1:21pm Dismissal

Oct 13 No School, PD Day for Teachers

Oct 20 Dos Coyotes Spirit Night 4-8:30pm Folsom Blvd. Location Only

Oct 23 Blake Brandes Parent Night 6-7pm (Virtual)

Oct 24 Rock & Run

Oct 27-31 Red Ribbon Week

Oct 29 Conversations with Principal Martin at 6:30pm & General PTA Meeting at 7pm, Multi

Oct 30 Trunk or Treat

Oct 31 Super Minimum Day