April 23, 2020
#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 Provides Robust Support for At-Home Learning
Across the district, GGUSD students are engaged in at-home learning through a variety of online digital platforms. GGUSD is committed to ensuring students and their families have a successful distance learning experience. We launched an online toolkit, https://ggusd.us/covidresources , which includes resources in three categories – academics, wellness, and community-based resources. The Academic Resources section includes digital textbooks and other tools to support at-home learning. The Wellness Resources section includes information focused on supporting students’ mental health and socio-emotional well-being. Community Resources includes free or low-cost services provided by wonderful community organizations, including help with food, childcare, and internet services. GGUSD students who need additional assistance accessing their online learning materials are encouaraged to contact their teacher for support. Additional information about digital resources to support at-home learning can be found here . 
GGUSD Offers Free Grab and Go Meals every Monday and Wednesday
GGUSD's outstanding team of food service workers have been hard at work distributing free Grab and Go meals every Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 13 of our school sites. Approximately 120,000 meals are provided to students each week! The 13 meal locations are: Alamitos, Bell, Fitz, Irvine, Ralston intermediate schools, Peters K-3 Elementary School, and Bolsa Grande, Garden Grove, La Quinta, Los Amigos, Pacifica, Rancho Alamitos, and Santiago high schools. As a reminder, in accordance with state guidelines, parents ARE now allowed to pick up meals without students present. However, parents may be asked for their students’ ID numbers at the meal service distribution sites.
Crosby Students Thank Teachers for Distance Learning Support
Crosby Elementary School teachers and staff organized a car parade through their students' neighborhoods recently. The message was simple: We miss you! Students and parents held up homemade posters from their yards thanking teachers for their support during this unprecedented time of distance learning. We are so proud of our staff for staying connected to their students.
Bell Intermediate Conducts Car Parade to Connect with Students
To bring some fun to students just before Spring Recess April 6-10, Bell Intermediate School Principal Mrs. Patterson and Assistant Principal Mrs. Bailus organized a fun springtime surprise for students. They asked students to wear Bell spirit wear and then drove through their neighborhoods ringing a loud “bell.” When students came to the front door, the principals left them plastic eggs with positive messages, candy, restaurant gift certificates, and other surprises. What a fun way to celebrate Bell Intermediate School pride while still following social distancing guidelines.
GGUSD Receives National Distinction for Music Education
For the second year in a row, GGUSD has received the Best Communities for Music Education Award, a national distinction for outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. Kudos to our awesome visual and performing arts teachers. They are among the best in the business and we are grateful for the exceptional opportunities they provide to students! Click here for more information.
Caring for Our Community
Last week, Alamitos Intermediate School staff member Anthony Elizondo demonstrated selfless care for our community. When a house fire broke out across the street from the school, Anthony called it in over the school's two-way radio, allowing 911 to be dispatched quickly. Anthony also ran over to the house to check on the neighbor, a wheelchair-bound gentleman who was brought to safety by the fire department's quick action.
Five GGUSD Schools Recognized as America’s Best Urban Schools
Five GGUSD elementary schools were recognized with America’s Best Urban Schools awards from the National Center for Urban School Transformation. Schools to earn the prestigious recognition as the highest performing urban schools include Evans, Hazard, Paine, Parkview, and Warren elementary schools. Among the indicators for success are high expectations for student learning, success identifying and supporting students who need intervention, rich opportunities in art and extra-curricular activities, and caring and supportive relationships, among many others.
GGUSD Donates Masks To Area Hospitals
GGUSD officials delivered more than 1,400 N95 masks and 1,700 surgical-style masks to University of California, Irvine (UCI) Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) this month to help in the fight against COVID-19. Board of Education Vice President Teri Rocco and School Nurse Department Chair Cheryl Gibbs delivered the masks to hospital executives at UCI and CHOC and personally thanked the health care workers for all they do to keep our communities safe and healthy.  
Photo from OC Register article
Helping our Healthcare Community
Mr. Rogers famously shared the advice his mother gave him, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Garden Grove High School teacher Eric Hennigner is one such helper. Using 3D printing technology, he is producing face shields and donating them to area hospitals in the fight against COVID-19
GGUSD is committed to keeping our community informed about the impact of the coronavirus public health crisis on our school system. All coronavirus related messages or updates from GGUSD to our families are posted here.