The Gator Gab 23rd Edition🐊

Welcome back Gators,

I think it is time for a break. Enjoy your February Break.

Happy Black History Month!

Please be sure to read the latest updates on the fence project.

Football season is over. Which makes me very sad...Until....PITCHERS AND CATCHERS! It's baseball season.

See you in two weeks.

Doyal Martin, Principal

Sandra J. Gallardo Elementary School

When you return to school on Monday, February 23rd the fences near the kindergarten area should be complete. The fence will not have the gates installed. Information and timeline for the gates are at the end of this message.

For the front of the school, the installers will drill the holes for the posts over break. Some posts will be fully installed and others will be in progress.

After meeting with Facilities staff and carefully reviewing the concerns raised, we have decided to proceed with installing the Student Care fencing in accordance with District standards. The fencing will extend past the entry door and include a gate at that location.

In consideration of community concerns regarding the front entry not being fully enclosed, we will also install an additional gate extending from the fence line to the back of the building near the parking lot drop-off area. This adjustment will provide improved access control while addressing the feedback received.

The gates (including the second gate at the Student Care Portable Building) will be installed after all of the fencing is installed. The timeline for completion of the fencing installation is at the end of April to the first of May 2026.

Below is a map of the fencing project. I marked the locations of the gates in black.

In our constant push to promote and encourage safety around campus, please do your part by following a couple expectations in the parking lot.

1. Parking spots marked "STAFF ONLY" are for staff only. Please do not park in these limited number of parking spots. We have a large staff who utilizes each of those spots.

2. There are clearly marked crosswalks. Do not block them when you are picking up or dropping off students. Students and families should be able to safely use the crosswalks without having to walk around cars. Students should not be dropped off in the middle of the crosswalk as you turn into the Hug and Go Lane. Wait for the cars to clear out then pull all the way forward before unloading your kids.

To support a safe and orderly campus, we kindly ask that families follow our sign-in procedures when visiting. If you need to drop off a lunch, instrument, or any other item for your child, please let the office staff know. We will gladly call the classroom or ensure the item is delivered to your student.

Please do not sign in as a volunteer for the purpose of going directly to a classroom to drop something off. Doing so bypasses our safety practices, creates unmonitored movement on campus, and is a disruption to instruction. Thank you for helping us maintain a secure environment for all students and staff.

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

2/16-20 February Break - NO SCHOOL

2/23 Trimester 3 Begins

2/27 Minimum day

Join us on Wednesday, February 25th for a principal chat at 6:30pm followed by our February PTA Meeting at 7pm, both in the Multi. We will be doing jammies and hot cocoa and agenda items include: volunteer opportunities, nominating committee elections, budget updates and a preview of upcoming events. If there is an agenda item you’d like to discuss, please email GallardoPTA@gmail.com by February 11th!

THIS YEAR: Help Keep Our School Clubs Going! We’re looking for someone interested in stepping into the Director of Clubs role for the remainder of this school year. If you’re interested in supporting student clubs, send us an email at GallardoPTA@gmail.com with the subject "Director of Clubs Position".

NEXT YEAR: We are starting our search for enthusiastic and positive members to help us in our mission to "positively impact the lives of all Gallardo children and families" by serving on our PTA Board for next school year! If you are interested in getting more involved next year, you can read more about each role on our PTA Website and complete THIS SURVEY!

If you have a 5th grader this year it’s time to start looking through old photos and find the perfect Gallardo Gator Babies picture for the yearbook! A flyer with instructions was sent home. You can also check it out here! Photos are due no later than Friday, February 27th.

Don’t stop now! 💌 We LOVE when you support as you shop! Now that you’re all signed up, keep scanning your receipts! Just a few more months in the school year! Every dime counts!

The $506 you helped earn will go towards library books and Atta Gator prizes for our students!

Join Box Tops by downloading the app and use Referral Code: F7XJOLEJ

• Paint Event Banners
• Mileage Club (Must be Category 2 Cleared Volunteer)
• STEM Nights

Start your charitable giving for 2026 early! Become a Giving Gator and donate in your own way: 501(c)(3) Organization Tax ID: 81-0614228 Donate Here
Thank you for your generosity! 🎁✨

We use the company Treering to publish our school yearbook. Yearbook sales are done through them. After you order, you can 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 Cookies & Cocoa and Multicultural Night

Those banners on the fence aren’t just decorations—they’re a reminder of the amazing local businesses that support the Gallardo PTA and our students. Their generosity makes a real difference!

Business owners: there’s still time to join us. Click here to become a donor.

Thank you for helping our students succeed!

Feb 16-20 February Break- No School

Feb 25 Principal Chat 6:30pm, General PTA Meeting- 7pm

Feb 27 Minimum Day

March 5 & 6 STEM Nights (Sign up to volunteer!)

March 11 Chick-fil-A Spirit Night

Mar 25 & 26 Spring Musical Performances

Mar 27 Spring Musical Assembly

April 6 Custom Yearbook Pages Due

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