Hello Gardner Bullies Families,

This weekend I got to enjoy a Middle Eastern wedding-which was something I have never experienced before.  It was beautiful and I was intrigued by the things that were the same and by the things that were different from what I have experienced at weddings before.  It made me think of our own community here at GB and how culturally diverse we are.  I love our differences and the fact that we are bonded by the values and goals we all share for our students.  Going through the Student Council elections last week highlighted this.  Our students are all so uniquely different but know they belong to the same community.  I was so proud of each student who ran and how passionate they all were to better our school.   

Student Council

Congratulations to our new 2017-18 Student Council: 

• President: Andrew (6^th grade)
• Vice President: Miles (5^th grade)
• Secretary: John (6^th grade)
• Treasure: Claire (5^th grade)
• Assistant to the Secretary: Lauren (4^th grade)
• Assistant to the Treasure: Jasmine (4^th grade)

A Fundraising Thank You

“Your school supplies have been a life saver for our students. We are grateful to you for everything you have done. Many of our kids came with nothing this year, and as you drive through our neighborhood there are only a few houses you can even see because the debris in front totally covers the view of the homes. Your compassion and thoughtfulness will be remembered for a long time.

With love and thanks,

Catherine Nelson

Kindergarten ESL/GT Teacher

Longfellow Elementary” (Houston, TX)

"G-Time" (Grizzly Time ) is here!

Starting on Monday, October 9th and then every Monday and Tuesday thereafter, our "G-Time" will take place from 10:30-11:00.  This school-wide additional ½ hour of literacy focus will support those student needing additional help and provide “stretch learning” to those students who have mastered the standards.  Each grade level will work together as a team so students may work with either teacher.  This has also been referred to as “Tier 2” and can only come after “Tier 1” or best practices in classroom instruction has been established.  Our staff has worked very hard on Tier 1 instructional practices and to hear more about this, please join our next PTA meeting on October 27^th when I will share additional information about G-Time with the parent community. 

Parking Lot During the Solar Panel Installation

With parent permission, 6th graders will be given the leadership opportunity to help students in and out of their cars either in the morning or afternoons.  Also, each grade level will be assigned one week during the 7 weeks of construction for parent volunteers to assist either in the morning or afternoons with parking lot duty.  For example, October 23-27^th we ask any kindergarten parents who can help to please sign up.  During the week of October 30^th-November 3^rd, we ask 1^st grade parents to sign up.  Please be on the look out for more information about what week to sign up for and what the parking lot duties will entail.  I personally thank you in advance for your help.    

SELFY

Amanda B. and team have kicked off the SELFY program last week and it was a huge success!  Students enjoyed playing organized sports on the upper field and hanging out at the crafts table.  A huge thank you goes out to Amanda B and her crew of volunteer parents for their passion and commitment to GB lunchtime!  We appreciate you all so much. 

Coffee with the Principal

Please join me on Friday, October 13th right after Friday Assembly for an "In Case of Emergency" presentation by Marsha Hovey -Emergency Manager for the Los Altos Hills Town.  Marsha will run a discussion of Personal Preparedness and an explanation of the Los Altos Hills Emergency Planning.  


Help Support Our Teachers

The Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) provides funding for our staff in the areas of Art, Literacy, STEM, Wellness and Personalized Learning. The Foundation’s biggest fundraiser, the phonathon, is coming up on October 24th and we are asking for every family to participate in two ways:

First, please make sure you donate or pledge before 10/20 and saving volunteers a phone call. Our goal is to increase our participation rate this year by 5% so please participate at whatever level is meaningful to your family.

Second, join Superintendent Jeff Baier, teachers and staff, LAEF Board Members and other parents at the phonathon for some food, fun and phoning! Click here to volunteer and don’t forget to bring a friend too!

I look forward to our week ahead,

Nadia Oskolkoff, Principal