Hello Gardner Families,

As your principal, I would like to warmly welcome you to the 2018-19 school year!  I am writing a brief email today to introduce a few new staff members and to inform you that class placement letters will go out on Friday, August 17th.  This letter will let you know which teacher your child will be spending quality time with this school year. J  Your first Bear Track email will arrive on Sunday, August 19th so please look for that, as it is always packed with valuable information. Your PTA presidents, Margaret and Jody, will also be sending an informative email this week that you will not want to miss. 

 I am very excited to see everyone again at the start of the school year and I CANNOT WAIT to see those kids!  Oh my, how I have missed them. 

Class Assignments and Popcorn Social

You will receive your child’s class placement on Friday.  If you do not receive an email by Friday evening, contact the office at 650-559-3200.  We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday the 21^st at 4:00 pm for our PTA-sponsored Popcorn Social.  There, class lists will be posted outside each classroom.  

New Staff Members

Please join me in welcoming four new staff members this year.  We are so pleased to have each of them join our team and look forward to working together.  They each pose what I would call the “Gardner Spirit and Passion” for our students’ success.  Below is a brief bio about each of them for you to enjoy.  

Anthony Valdez: Custodian

Learning the ins and outs of Gardner’s campus started for Anthony back in February 2018, but now that Humberto has officially retired, Anthony is here full time.  He is a proud California Native born right down the street in Redwood City. 

He knows what it means to be around children since he has five nieces and one nephew that live close by, but more importantly, a 6-month old daughter named, Analee.  If you ask him about his daughter, he smiles from ear-to-ear and happily shows you a photo of her.  When Anthony is not here working very hard, he is spending time with his family or watching sports.  He just happens to be a 49er fan.  ;)  

Ashley Schmitz: Room 8 (TLC) 

Ashley is joining the Gardner Family from Springer Elementary where she was an RSP teacher and Special Day class, teacher. She has a background in ABA therapy and obtained her credential and MA in Special Education from Notre Dame de Namur University. She enjoys spending time in the community with her family; husband, 20-month old daughter, and dog, Billy. 

When other principals in the district talk about Ashley, their faces light up and they cannot say enough wonderful things about her!   

Devik Schreiner, M.Ed.: 6th Grade

I am very excited to join the fantastic team of dedicated teachers at Gardner Bullis in the fall!  Here’s a little about my background and educational philosophy. I grew up in the sleepy beach town of Cambria, California, attended SDSU for my undergraduate studies, and received my teaching credential and Master of Education at National University. I spent the majority of my career teaching 6th grade in San Jose.  The 2018-19 school year will mark my fifth year teaching sixth grade for LASD and my twentieth year in the classroom.   

I am a classically trained trumpet player, having studied under Elizabeth Smith of San Luis Obispo, and won the John Philip Sousa Band Award® for superior musicianship and outstanding dedication. I also play other brass instruments as well as piano and drums.  It’s my belief that integrating music into the curriculum is an effective means of building curiosity, sparking the imagination, and developing language and reasoning skills.   

In 2011, my first novel in the Search a Darker Sky trilogy was published, and the prequel is in pre-publication.  I have visited schools throughout California, speaking to students about the importance of reading and sharing advice on topics such as creating realistic fictional characters, developing a unique narrative writing style, and successfully planning the framework of a storyline.   

During my time in the classroom, I have come to believe that children who are invested and involved in their own learning, take personal responsibility for tracking their progress, and invest in the ownership of their environment will aspire to even greater things throughout their lives.  With the advent of technology, teachers are no longer indispensable providers of information, but rather, guides who can assist young learners in understanding and interpreting the complex array of issues and information available in the world today.  It is my intention to help students learn how to think critically.   

It is a privilege to join the Gardner Bullis community and I look forward to meeting parents and students soon!

Frances Lai: School Psychologist

Hi! My name is Frances Lai and I’m excited to be the school psychologist at Gardner Bullis this year!  I began my career with LASD at Loyola Elementary School last year. This will be my eleventh year working as a school psychologist. Prior to joining LASD, I have worked with students of all grade levels from preschool to high school in providing consultations to parents/staff, counseling, and conducting special education assessments.  I enjoy fostering resilience in children by being their cheerleader in school and providing guidance and care.  

I have an educational specialist degree in school psychology and a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in counseling from San Diego State University. My undergraduate degree was in psychology with a minor in education studies from the University of California-Los Angeles. I am also a licensed educational specialist in California.  

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, cooking and spending time with my family.  This summer I got to visit my favorite national park-Yellowstone Park with my husband and four-year-old (boy/girl) twins. I love tracking down wild animals and hiking under the blue sky. I can’t wait to spend the next year getting to know everyone and become a Gardner Grizzly! 

With those staff additions and our amazing returning staff, we welcome you back!    

Warmly,  

Nadia Oskolkoff, Principal