May 29, 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.
MUST-WATCH "Choose GGUSD" Video
Watch our new "Choose GGUSD" enrollment video to learn more about our award-winning schools and the amazing education we provide to approximately 43,000 students.
Celebrating Class of 2018 Graduates
With high school graduation around the corner, GGUSD launched  #18in2018 . Our social media campaign is an 18-day countdown to graduation and an online celebration of some of our brightest college-bound scholars.

Jesus Gonzalez is a rising leader at Rancho Alamitos High School and at the district-level, serving as the student representative on the Board of Education. He worked hard to get into his dream school and will be attending UCI in the fall majoring in biochemistry. Jesus said his favorite moment of high school was being voted prom king because he realized just how much support he had from his classmates and friends. It was the support of his friends and teachers that contributed to his success. Thank you Jesus for being such an outstanding person and scholar and best of luck at UCI!
2018 California Distinguished School Leaders
GGUSD was represented in full force during the California Department of Education's ceremony honoring California Distinguished Schools. GGUSD has 11 California Distinguished Schools, the third highest in all of California. GGUSD is also the first and only district in Orange County to be named a California Exemplary District for model practices resulting in positive student outcomes. Congratulations to all of our staff and students on these prestigious accolades.  
#GGUSDPride on Display at 60th Annual Strawberry Festival Parade
Nearly 100 GGUSD students joined Board of Education President Bob Harden, Vice President Lan Nguyen, and Trustee Walter Muneton to show off their GGUSD pride in the 60th annual Strawberry Festival Parade in Garden Grove on Saturday. Students love being part of this longstanding event to showcase our great schools to the community.  #GGUSDPride #ChooseGGUSD
Pentathlon Champions

Since January, 18 Allen Elementary Pentathletes have worked hard to proudly represent themselves as scholars, their school, and GGUSD at this year's OCDE Academic Pentathlon Competition. Tuesday night's Pentathlon Awards Ceremony was a night of celebration as the Ethan Allen Pentathlon team won 1st place in Division 1 for the fifth time in a row. They are coached by Bobbi Jo Benedict, Joleen Erickson, Kjersti Glesne, Andrea Joo, Steve Lim, and Cathy Roh.
Young Engineers

Enders Elementary School first and second grade students built boats to learn about buoyancy and tested their boats to determine which boat held the most pennies. What a fun way to bring STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) learning to life.
Providing Career Paths to Area Adults

Lincoln Adult Education Center hosted a fantastic Career Fair today providing students with an opportunity to meet with representatives from dozens of employers including the City of Garden Grove, Jiffy Lube, UPS, and OCTA, among many others. Students received information on many different career fields and job openings, with many taking advantage of the opportunity to fill out job applications on the spot.
College and Career Ready

Our sixth grade students from Gilbert Elementary School are already thinking about their college and career opportunities. Students researched different colleges/careers and presented their projects to Gilbert families.  #GGUSDPride
Productive Parent Leadership Academy
GGUSD parent leaders completed the third training of the Parent Leadership Academy on Friday, learning important skills and information to take back to their schools. We love the dedication of our parents to serve in leadership positions and to help our district, schools, and students be the very best! Thank you to Board President Bob Harden and Trustee Teri Rocco for participating and showing your support for GGUSD parents.
Athletic Success!

The spring sports season has come to an end for GGUSD but not before a bit of excitement last week that briefly kept championship hopes alive for Pacifica and Garden Grove high schools.

On Tuesday, May 22 Pacifica Girls' Softball defeated a great Los Alamitos team 4-2 to advance to the CIF-SS Division 1 quarterfinals were they eventually fell to Chino Hills 3-0 in extra innings on Thursday, May 24.

Garden Grove Boys’ Volleyball, the CIF-SS Division 5 runner-up, earned a spot in the state playoffs, defeating Kennedy of Granada Hills 3 games to 1 on Tuesday, May 22 before falling 3 games to none against Murrieta Valley on Thursday, May 24.

Overall, GGUSD programs had an amazing 2017-18, with a CIF-Championship and multiple runner-up finishes!

#GGUSDPride

Congressional Visit to Grove
Congressman Alan Lowenthal visited Garden Grove High School last week and provided a detailed critique of four winning “bill proposals” drafted by students in the school's Civics classes. He listened to students present their bills and asked the students questions in a format that was similar to congressional meetings. Students were expected to defend their proposals with evidence and respond to all of the congressman’s questions regarding the bills. It was very authentic and thought provoking view into the complex world of legislative activities and our students were grateful for the experience.
A College Life Experience

Walton Intermediate School Counselor Ms. Nancy Estrada encouraged students to apply for a unique summer opportunity - the "UC Irvine Summer 2018 LIFEvest Literacy Residential Program." Students who would be the first in their immediate family to attend college were eligible to apply. The program offers students the chance to live on the UCI campus for a week in the summer and to engage in educational opportunities. Walton student Nicole stepped up, wrote the application, and received the award! Students remain part of the UCI family, getting together at least twice a year for educational and fun events. Congrats Nicole!