November 7, 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.
Board of Education Honors November Employees of the Month
At its November 6 meeting, GGUSD's Board of Education honored our Employees of the Month! Irvine Intermediate School Secretary Diane Martinez was nominated as Classified Employee of the Month by several staff members and praised for being the school's "go-to person" and for her selfless service in providing exceptional support to students, parents, and staff. Crosby Elementary School Principal Kristine Levenson was nominated by several families who said she always has a smile on her face and goes out of her way to make both students and parents feel special.
Preschool Students Learn about Civic Duty on Election Day
Adults were not the only people at the polls yesterday. Clinton Corner preschool students learned about their civic duty by voting for their favorite food and subject in school. The results: pizza and math! What a fun way to learn about Election Day.
GGUSD Hosts Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate Success of Heritage Computer Science Academy
Hundreds of parents and students joined together last week to celebrate the successful start of GGUSD's first-ever Computer Science Academy. The Launch Party was held at the newly named Heritage Computer Science Academy, which opened this year, transforming the traditional elementary school into a 21st century academy infused with next generation technology and innovative instruction. During the celebration, guests heard presentations from Board of Education President Bob Harden, Code to the Future CEO Andrew Svehaug, Principal Michelle Pinchot, Assistant Principal Chris Holland, and students. Elected officials and students helped commemorate the occasion by cutting a ceremonial red ribbon with giant scissors.   Click here to read more.
Discounted ACT/SAT Exam Prep
GGUSD is offering ACT and SAT Prep Courses to help eleventh grade students prepare for the ACT and SAT exams which are administered in the spring. GGUSD partners with the Princeton Review to offer these courses, which typically cost parents $600-$800, at a significant discount with GGUSD paying the majority of the cost per student and parents paying only $50. This is one of the best prices for intensive college test preparation in the state.

Click here for more.
Cook Celebrates Students' Success with Language
The Cook Elementary School community celebrated the achievement of 20 students at its spirit assembly. These students earned the Language Scholar Medal, an honor given to students who reclassify to fluent English proficiency. In order to achieve this, students must demonstrate strength in all facets of the English language. Parents are included in the ceremony and are encouraged to maintain the students' fluency in their primary languages as well. This is acknowledged as an important step that can help the students one day achieve the Seal of Biliteracy in high school. The celebration of English language fluency is a family affair at Cook School! 
Russell Elementary School Students Host Día de los Muertos Event
GGUSD schools host many events to honor our students’ diverse cultural heritage. Last week, Russell Elementary School’s Latinos Unidos student leaders organized a special Día  de los Muertos event to honor their ancestors.
Showcase of Bands on Nov. 14
The community is invited to GGUSD's Showcase of Bands on Wednesday, November 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Bolsa Grande High School Stadium. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the gate. This is THE band event of the season featuring spectacular performances from all seven high school bands.
Garden Grove High's Coach Cepeda Named Chargers Coach of the Week
Congratulations to Garden Grove High football head coach Ricardo Cepeda for being chosen as a Chargers Coach of the Week after leading his team to a thrilling double overtime victory over Segerstrom last week. Not only was it an exciting victory, but it also clinched the Big 4 league championship for the Argos! The Chargers presented Coach Cepeda with a check for $1,000 from the Chargers Community Foundation made out to the Argo athletic department. After beating West Torrance 46-22 last week, the Argos will play at Aliso Niguel this Friday.
Advanced Placement Computer Science at Eisenhower
AP COMPUTER SCIENCE at Eisenhower!! You read it right. This group of students are preparing and studying to take the high school Advanced Placement Computer Science test as sixth graders with help from Cod.Ed instructor Mr. Tony. They are working together, learning how to take great notes, and studying on their own to prepare for the test in May. This is not an easy test, but these students are up for the challenge! 
A Winning Season
Congratulations to the Bolsa Grande Girls Tennis team for finishing league with a 10-0 record, beating Esperanza last week in the first round of the CIF-SS Div. 4 playoffs! While their season ended after a hard-fought loss in the second round of playoffs, they accomplished a lot with their team of seven sophomores and seven first-year varsity players.  
GGUSD's Teacher of the Year Nominees Receive Star Treatment
On Friday, three of our amazing teachers received star treatment at the Orange County Department of Education's Teacher of the Year Banquet held at the Disneyland Resort. Our Board of Education trustees, superintendent, and district administrators were honored to attend and recognize our Teacher of the Year nominees, the wonderful Jennifer Zarkades from Eisenhower Elementary, Celeste Paul from Lake Intermediate, and Jeannine Verellen from Los Amigos High School. 
Breakfast for Realtors
This week, GGUSD hosted its very first Breakfast for Realtors event to showcase our award-winning schools and programs and provide our area realtors with important information about our school district.Thank you to the realtors who attended the event as we work together to serve our community!
GGUSD Students Participate in Halloween Fun
Cook Elementary School hosted a Trunk or Treat Halloween event for students and area families. Many of our schools hosted similar events to provide families with safe and fun activities on Halloween!
Garden Park Elementary School employees showed their sweet side on Halloween. This group of sweet hearts know how to make learning fun!
Warren Elementary students and families had a thriller of a time dancing at the annual Monster Mash. The dance moves were choreographed and taught to every grade level by Warren Student Council prior to the event. Students, staff members, and families joined the event, pumpkins were distributed, and all enjoyed a morning of dance! 
District office employees showed off their creative sides on Halloween. Employees from Special Education and Student Services showed a united front, creating a human domino chain.