March 26, 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.
Russell Students Are All Smiles
Russell Elementary School students enjoy the school's supportive and caring culture led by staff who are committed to helping students reach high academic standards. Russell students take advantage of after-school enrichment classes in computer coding, art, golf, and dance. Russell also offers free after-school tutoring and its Boys & Girls Club supports students with homework assistance, and athletic and enrichment activities.
GGUSD Difference Makers
It's our people who make us great! Last week, the GGUSD Board of Education recognized our March Employees of the Month: Sue Blandford, teacher and AVID coordinator from Rancho Alamitos High School and Raul Campos, an IBI Lead Assistant serving students with special needs.
Pacific Island Culture Celebration
GGUSD is proud to provide opportunities for students to join clubs that allow them to experience many wonderful cultures. At Los Amigos, the Pacific Island Culture Club provides students with an amazing insight into Polynesian culture. The purpose of the club is to learn about the cultural dances and music of the South Pacific, specifically Polynesia.
Pacfica Student Earns Statewide Award
Pacifica's Isaak Togia recently earned a statewide recognition called the Every Student Succeeding Award. Isaak has excelled on the football field and in the classroom. We are very proud of the student leader he has become. Click here to learn more.
INCLUSION MATTERS
On March 21, Clinton Elementary School students celebrated World Down Syndrome Day with an assembly co-presented by two of Clinton's very own teachers Teresa Jackson and Connie Roy, both parents of children with Down Syndrome. A panel of families shared about Down Syndrome to help raise awareness about what it is, how we are more alike than different, and how people with Down Syndrome play an active and vital role in our lives and our community.
Ralston Students Celebrate Pi Day
On March 14, Ralston Intermediate School students celebrated Pi Day. Each math teacher held a contest to see how many students could memorize the most digits of Pi, which represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, approximately 3.14159. It has an infinite calculation that has more than one trillion digits after its decimal point. The winning students threw a "Pi" at their math teacher. This year's theme was "Pi"kachu/Pokemon. GGUSD schools provide many academic activities that make learning fun.
Physics Fun
McGarvin Intermediate School students swept the competition at Knott's Berry Farm's Physics Fun Day. McGarvin students took home trophies for first, second, and third place in the Roller Coaster Building and Rubber Band Race Car competitions, showing off their mastery of high-level STEM skills.  #GGUSDPRIDE


Sixth Grade Science Camp
Heritage Elementary sixth graders love Science Camp. Nothing like taking learning from the classroom to the water.
Mariners Flock to Ducks Game
Pacifica High School teachers were recognized at the Anaheim Ducks game on March 16 for the team's Teacher Appreciation Night. Pacifica's NJROTC presented the colors during the National Anthem. Go Mariners!
Christina Santacruz is  #GGUSDHomegrown

Christina attended Stanford Elementary, Alamitos Intermediate, and is a 2001 graduate of Rancho Alamitos High School. Throughout her time in the district Christina has served in many roles and is currently a counselor at Irvine Intermediate.

“I returned to GGUSD because I wanted to work for the district that helped and motivated me as a student. This is “home” for me and I am proud to be a part of GGUSD. My favorite part about working at GGUSD is that although it is a big district, there is a small-town feeling and everyone is always willing to help. I would like to thank the teachers who made a difference in my life: Mr. Swaggerty (Stanford Elementary); Ms. Thompson (Alamitos Intermediate); Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Blandford and Ms. McGowan (Rancho Alamitos HS).”

She has worked for GGUSD for nearly 13 years.
The Talent at Enders is Endless
Enders Elementary School students did not disappoint in the school's annual talent show - wowing audience members with song, dance, acrobatics, and more. Thanks to the staff, parents, and students who made "The Greatest Show on Earth" a success.