The Gator Gab 2026 - v2 Edition 3🐊

Hello Gators,

Enjoy your weekend and see you Monday

Please join me in welcoming Vicky Cackler, who will be serving as our substitute Administrative Assistant while we complete the hiring process for this important position.

Vicky is already a familiar face to many in our community. She stepped in to support as the Administrative Assistant last school year, and we were incredibly fortunate to have her then. Vicky brings a wealth of experience, a positive attitude, a commitment to customer service, and a genuine love for supporting students, families, and staff. We are thrilled to have her back at Gallardo!

The posting for our permanent Administrative Assistant position closes next Friday. The screening, vetting, and interview process will begin immediately thereafter as we work to find the right person to join our team.

In the meantime, please join me in giving Vicky a warm Gator welcome and thanking her for stepping in to support our school community. We are excited to have her with us!

We had our first fire drill today. The kids did amazing. I am very proud of them for our first drill. We have fire drills once a month, earthquake drills every other month, and lockdown drills twice a year. Our AM TK, kindergarten, and first grade classes had already left for the day. They will participate in the next drill.

We are experiencing a growing concern with traffic congestion on Stewart Street near the TK/K gate, particularly during dismissal. Some traffic and delays are expected as vehicles wait for others to enter and exit street parking spaces, drive slow looking a place to park, and being intentionally careful as there kids in the area. However, we have also seen vehicles double-parked and left unattended while adults walk to the gate to pick up their children.

For the safety of our students, families, neighbors, and community, please do not double-park or leave your vehicle unattended in the roadway for any reason. Even a brief stop can create a significant backup, block other vehicles, and contribute to an unsafe situation.

We understand that parking is limited and that everyone has places to be after school. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work together to keep dismissal as safe and efficient as possible.

Please consider these alternatives:

• Park closer to the front of the school and walk to the TK/K gate.
• Arrive a little earlier to increase your chances of finding a parking space.
• Arrive a few minutes after the initial dismissal rush, when traffic begins to clear.
• Park farther down Willard Drive or on nearby side streets and walk to the gate.
• Park farther up Stewart Street and walk to the gate.

Thank you for being considerate of our neighbors and other Gallardo families. A few extra minutes of patience can make a significant difference in keeping our students and community safe.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation with the closed campus policy. It is greatly appreciated. This keeps our students and staff safe.

For families that pick up their child up at the door in PM TK or kindergarten do not walk to the door of your older student to pick them up. You should not be on campus beyond your PM TK or kindergarten classroom.

You should have received the Arrival/Dismissal information with your class placement. This is a friendly reminder.

NOTE: Friday, August 14th is the LAST day families can walk their child to class and pickup their child from class. Please thoroughly read and follow the guidelines. This is for the safety of our students, staff, and families.

The Student/Family Handbook is being updated. There is a lot of old and mis information that needs to be corrected. Please be on the lookout for the updated version soon.

ParentSquare is the FCUSD and SJGE primary form of communication for families to receive important information. If you have not signed up for ParentSquare please do so ASAP to avoid missing weekly newsletters from your principal and teachers, important school and district information, and emergency alerts.

9/4 - Minimum Day (K-5)

9/11 - Gators on the Green

9/23 - Picture Day

THANK YOU to our PTA Board members (and Teacher Reps) for all of their work on our welcome back events and for already devoting countless hours to plan an amazing year for our children!

PTA POPSICLE PARTY MEMBERSHIP CHALLENGE

Our PTA Membership Challenge is officially underway! Each class that reaches 75% PTA membership will earn a popsicle party with Gabby Gator! Parents, students, teachers and community members are able to, and encouraged to join. And YES, one membership counts for all of your children at Gallardo. Plus, if we reach our school-wide goal of 80% membership, EVERYONE gets a popsicle party!

We already have more than 150 members and counting, so help us keep the momentum going. Join by September 11th and look out for challenge updates on our social media accounts and upcoming PTA newsletters!

Special Shout out to Ms. Vickers’s 3rd Grade Class for leading the pack with 11 memberships!

Join the PTA: http://gallardopta.membershiptoolkit.com/

Instagram and Facebook: @GallardoPTA

FIRST PTA MEETING- August 26th

Our first PTA Meeting of the year is coming up on Wednesday, August 26th at 7pm in the Multi. Come at 6:30pm for “Conversations with Mr. Martin”- an informal Q&A session with our Principal and then stay for the PTA meeting. We will be discussing the Calendar of Events and Budget for 2026-27 as well as hearing from our Board and Chair members on upcoming programs and initiatives. You don’t want to miss it!

Make sure you JOIN PTA before the meeting so you can vote on ALL of the things! Memberships are $12 for the year and can be completed on our PTA Website.

PTA CHAIRPERSONS & GENERAL EVENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

There are many ways to get involved and help our PTA make this an amazing school year! We are specifically in need of chairs for Red Ribbon Week, the Ruby Bridges Walk, Talent Show, the Cupid Shuffle Dance & Teacher Appreciation Week so that we can hold these events this year. Our Director of Programs will provide you with training and support! See what opportunities are available and express interest HERE or email GallardoPTA@gmail.com.

GET YOUR GATOR GEAR

Again this year we have partnered with American Logowear, a local Folsom business, to bring you better quality Gator Gear at a more affordable price and NO SHIPPING costs. On Fridays we wear Gator Gear. You can order your Gator Gear online. Please note you will need to pick-up your order from American Logowear, located at 603 E. Bidwell Street. Production time is typically 2 weeks. For more details visit: https://gallardopta.membershiptoolkit.com/gatorgear

SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS

NONE OF WHAT PTA DOES would be possible without our fundraising efforts! Between our Giving Gators campaign happening now, business donor program, Spirit Nights at local restaurants, and Rock & Run event on October 23; there are plenty of opportunities to raise funds for our students. We appreciate family and community support to help make a difference in our students’ educational journey and experience! More information about our fundraisers can be found under the “Support our Students” tab on our PTA Membership Toolkit Site.

Get excited for these upcoming fall Spirit Nights:

Aug. 25th Shake Shack 10am-11pm

Sept. 17th Leatherby’s 3-11pm

Oct. 5th Chick-fil-A 2-8pm

Nov. 17th Beach Hut Deli 4-8pm

SUPPORT OUR GALLARDO GATORS WITH BOXTOPS

Did you know you can help raise money for Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary just by shopping for everyday items? Join the Box Tops for Education program!.

✏️If you haven’t already, support your Gallardo PTA when you join Box Tops by downloading the app and use Referral Code: F7XJOLEJ

✏️Exciting Bonus Offers Every Month in the App! Buy your favorite products and earn bonuses when you do your everyday 🛒shopping!

• Through 9/12/26: Earn 40 Bonus Box Tops at 🎯Target when you buy any 4 participating Box Tops products in a single transaction!

• Through 9/20/26: Earn TRIPLE Box Tops at Walmart when you buy ANY participating Box Tops products in a single transaction!

F.A.M.E. Meeting/Training on Friday, Sept 11th @ 1:30pm in the Gallardo Library

Please note the date change to Sept 11th (Sept 4th is a minimum day) F.A.M.E. (Fine Arts Mini Experience) is a PTA sponsored and volunteer run, music and art appreciation program. Each year we learn about 6 different composers and 6 different artists along with completing some pretty awesome projects! You do not have to be good at art or music to help! All of the lessons are already planned out for our volunteers so come join in the fun! Thanks in advance! Our Gators love this engaging program and appreciate your commitment. For additional information, contact Steve Brandon, our FAME Coordinator at: thestevebrandon@gmail.com or 858-449-0331

🐊 GATORS ON THE GREEN🐊

We’re excited to announce our first event of the school year — Gators On The Green! Join us on Friday, September 11th from 5:30–7:00 PM for a fun-filled evening with our Gallardo Gator community. This year’s theme is “We Are Family,” and we have an evening of games, food, fun, and plenty of school spirit planned for the whole family!

Be sure to keep an eye on Peachjar and teacher emails for the official event flyer and more details coming soon.

Of course, we couldn’t pull off an event like this without our amazing Gallardo volunteers! If you’re able to lend a hand, please sign up for a shift through SignUpGenius. Every helping hand makes our events more special for our students and families!

Come ready to play, eat, laugh, and celebrate what makes our Gator family so great! We’ll see you on the green! 💚🐊

Scan the QR code to view available volunteer positions!

2026-2027 REFLECTIONS CONTEST COMING SOON!

Does your child love art or music? Then check out Reflections! The theme for this year’s National PTA Reflections contest is “What My Culture Means to Me.” Preview the requirements, instructions for each art category, and tips for creating a successful Reflections entry at pta.org/home/programs/reflections/craft-an-entry. Gallardo PTA offers all 6 categories in 2 different age groups (K-2 & 3-5), including an Accessible Arts Division:

• 🧑‍🩰Dance Choreography

• 🎥Film Production

• 📝Literature

• 🎼Music Composition

• 📸Photography

• 🖼️Visual Arts

More details and volunteer sign-ups coming soon! Email gallardoptareflections@gmail.com with questions.

Important Dates from PTA:

Aug 25 Shake Shack Spirit Day 10am-11pm

Aug 26 Conversations with Mr. Martin 6:30pm, Multi

Aug 26 PTA General Meeting 7pm, Multi

Sept 11 FAME Art Docent Training 1:30-2:45pm, Library

Sept 11 Gators on the Green 5:30-7pm

Sept 17 Leatherby’s Spirit Night 3-11pm

Oct 5 ChickfilA Spirit Night 2-8pm

Oct 7 Walk & Roll to School

Oct 7 Starstruck Performances, Sutter Middle School

Oct 23 Reflections Contest Deadline