September 6, 2018
#GGUSDPRIDE E-newsletter
The #GGUSDPride E-newsletter features many of the great things happening in GGUSD.   
Send your photos to pio_department@ggusd.us to highlight your school or students in the e-newsletter.
GGUSD Students and Staff Excited for the New School Year
Our First Day of School video captures the excitement of staff and students as they reunite with friends and colleagues on the first day back to school. GGUSD is ready for a successful 2018-2019 school year! This must-watch video provides a less than three minute glimpse of our passionate staff and students!
First Day of School Photo Contest
Thank you to the more than 200 parents who participated in our "First Day of School" photo contest on Facebook. Parents proudly shared photos to show off the smiles of their GGUSD students. Winners were selected at random using a computerized app and received a fun GGUSD prize pack.

The photo contest winners are pictured here.
Shining a Light On Success!
GGUSD is proud to celebrate its Class of 2018 graduates with light pole banners throughout our communities. More than 200 light poles feature many of our students and highlight where they went to elementary and intermediate school as well as where they are going to college.
New Student Board Representative
At its September 5th meeting, the Board of Education welcomed new Student Board Representative Silayan Camson from Bolsa Grande High School. She was selected for the role by a panel of high school student leaders from each of our eight high schools. Silayan is very active at her school, participating on varsity swim for the past three years, serving as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society and UNICEF, Yearbook Club member, Sister City Student Ambassador, American Cancer Society Publicity Chair, ASB cabinet member, and Youth Leadership of America associate. Silayan is also Editor-in-Chief for Bolsa Grande’s school newspaper.
Post Student Takes to the Arts
Post Elementary School student Olivia Pham has taken on an exciting role as Fei Fei in a play called Snow in Midsummer at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The play transforms a classical Chinese drama into a modern-day ghost tale that examines emotional issues including trauma, injustice, and love. GGUSD is proud of our students like Olivia who explore their artistic talents and exercise the confidence and determination required by a production of this caliber.
Photo by Jenny Graham
Celebrating Success of Santiago's Automotive Students
GGUSD's Board of Education recognized Santiago High School's Automotive Teacher Carlos Sanchez and his students for their many accomplishments. Students have excelled at several regional, state, and national competitions, including taking first place in the Orange County Auto Dealers Association (OCADA) competition, winning 11th place nationally, and earning a brand new Kia Stinger for their school's automotive program as a result of their success. These students are gaining important industry skills to prepare them for success after high school!  #GGUSDPride   #ChooseGGUSD
La Quinta High School Receives Top Award for Helping Students Attend College
La Quinta High School was recognized with a top award for its exemplary work in helping students secure financial aid and achieve their goals of attending college. La Quinta High School participated in the 2018 Race to Submit statewide campaign, an initiative of the California Student Aid Commission to increase the number of students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). La Quinta High School submitted 490 applications for a submission rate of 88.45% and a completion rate of 84.48% and is ranked among the top 35 California high schools with the highest completion rates.
FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE

Jordan Intermediate School is focused on preparing students for lifelong success! Jordan offers a wide array of academic content and elective courses such as Algebra 1 and Geometry, Advanced Learner History, STEAM, Guitar, Drama and more. There are numerous extra-curricular activities including dance, art, sports, and animal welfare. Free after-school tutoring, Boys & Girls Club, and English Learner Academy are programs that support the needs of all Jordan students. Jordan is a Positive Behavior Interventions and Support school where students strive to treat one another with respect, responsibility, and kindness. 
A FAMILY AFFAIR

We love that so many of our schools have entire generations of families that attended the same school over the years. Check out this adorable photo of a Crosby Elementary School student wearing a shirt that was her grandmother's from when she attended Crosby in 1964. Tina Matthey is also a GGUSD homegrown employee!
Employee of the Month!

Garden Grove Unified School District has amazing employees who consistently go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of our students and schools. It is our employees who make us a great school district and we are committed to recognizing them for their many contributions to our district.
We invite you to nominate a staff member who you feel is deserving of recognition as an Employee of the Month!

Please nominate a GGUSD employee who:
  • puts others first
  • goes above and beyond to make a difference in their role
  • carries out each day with a positive attitude and strong work ethic​​
  • demonstrates innovation, leadership, or passion for the job

Those employees who are selected as Employee of the Month will be recognized at a Board of Education meeting. Their photos will be posted on our website and displayed prominently in our district office lobby. They will also be highlighted in our GGUSDPride e-newsletter.