November 27, 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.
Paine Elementary Turkey Trot
Before the holiday recess, schools across the district held a variety of activities to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Paine Elementary School students were all smiles during the school's annual Turkey Trot celebration. Students walked, skipped, and danced around the school, enjoying water and cutie clementines along the way. Students appreciated this healthy event because exercise is great, but exercising with friends is even better! 
Students Deliver Powerful Performances During Showcase of Bands
It was "the" band event of the season and it did not disappoint! GGUSD's Showcase of Bands was held November 14 and the talent of the district's seven high school marching bands was on full display! Congratulations to our students and staff who put their heart and hard work into creating musical masterpieces!
Pacifica Marches to Championship
Pacifica High School's outstanding marching band won the 2A state championships! The Marching Mariners took 5th in the state in the open division against all schools who won division championships! Congratulations to our students on their incredible season! 
A Thanksgiving Feast!
Each year, the special education staff and students at Bell Intermediate School team up to host a wonderful Thanksgiving Feast for students, staff, parents, and district employees. This Thanksgiving season, we are grateful for the family feel created at our schools and the many opportunities and programs provided to our students with special needs!
GGUSD is Thankful for Police Partnerships!
Students at several GGUSD schools, including Clinton, Lawrence, Parkview, and Wakeham elementary schools and Alamitos and Doig intermediate schools had an even happier Thanksgiving this year. Select students set goals for themselves six weeks ago and upon achieving their goals, earned a full turkey dinner for their families. Thanks to our wonderful partnership with law enforcement and the Orange County GRIP program for making these meal donations possible! What a great incentive for students! 
GGUSD School Psychologists Play Crucial Role in Student Success!
November 12-16 marked National School Psychology Awareness Week and we're grateful for our district's 40 school psychologists who play a critical role in supporting the mental health needs of our students. School psychologists provide individual and group counseling, triage emergency mental health episodes, and provide consultation services for teachers, parents, and administrators on student behavior. They also work with schools to develop personalized strategies to help students succeed! Thank you to all of our school psychologists for lending your expertise to support the socio-emotional well-being of our students.  #GGUSDPride
Rancho's Next Generation Leaders
The Model United Nations Club from Rancho Alamitos High School began their holiday break at a club conference competition held at Tustin High School. Rancho students brought home five awards competing in UN Security Councils on Boko Haram and the UN World Health Organization! We're so proud of our Rancho UN ambassadors for collaborating and negotiating about important real-world topics.  #GGUSDPride
Stanford Elementary Students on Track to Run 100 Miles!
Stanford Elementary School launched the 100 Mile Running Club this year! This school- based program challenges students to run, jog, or walk 100 miles over the course of the school year. There are special incentives for students as they reach milestones of 25, 50, 75, and 100 miles. Stanford students participate every day before school and teacher coaches and parent volunteers help them track their laps. Rather than compete against each other, students who are members of the 100 Mile Club Team, work towards their personal goals. The 100 Mile Club inspires students of all abilities to be active in an accepting, positive, and inclusive environment.  
Parents Learn About State Testing
It was a packed house at Peters K-3 Elementary School for the district's State Assessment and Accountability Parent Information Night! Parents learned about state assessments and how they can help support their students at home. Kudos to our Instructional Technology team for providing such helpful information to our parents, and to the Parent and Community Outreach team for organizing the event.
GGUSD Students Unite for Day of Dancing
Students from Bell Intermediate School and Garden Grove, La Quinta, Los Amigos, and Pacifica high schools came together recently for a dance clinic. Hosted at Garden Grove High School by dance teacher Chrissie Leong and Clinician Darren Wong, students learned new dance techniques and had fun in the process!
Heritage Computer Science Academy is hosting Parent Information Meetings and Tours for parents interested in learning more about student enrollment opportunities at the school. The district's first-ever Computer Science Academy infuses cutting-edge technology into daily curriculum across all content areas. Students learn computer programming, coding, and robotics through innovative lessons powered by Code to the Future, the nation's leader in computer science schools. Parents will have an opportunity to tour classrooms and learn more about the benefits of computer science. Heritage students will have a competitive advantage in mastering the technology skills needed for success in high school, college, and 21st century careers that haven't even been created yet. Meetings will be offered in English on January 10 and January 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. They will also be offered in Spanish on January 10 and January 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese on January 17 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.