October 10, 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.
Students Map Out Future Plans at GGUSD College Fair
On October 8, the Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove was buzzing with the excitement of more than 1,000 GGUSD students and family members who attended our College Fair. Students met with recruiters from approximately 100 colleges and universities to begin planning for their future! Kudos to all who helped organize this fantastic event!
Students Start with Hello
Last week, Morningside Elementary School joined the nationwide movement  #StartwithHello , to combat social isolation on school campuses. In classrooms, teachers led open discussions about having a positive self-image, making new friends, and reaching out to students alone on the playground. Throughout the week, teachers also organized campus-wide activities to help students practice social inclusion and kindness. Students enthusiastically embraced the message of the week sharing friendly greetings, compliments, and a buddy picnic lunch. Highlights of the week included a student-created Positivity Wall and New Friends Selfie Station! Great job Morningside! We know that every student learns better when they feel accepted, connected and included!  #ChooseGGUSD
2018-2019 Annual Report
Recently, the district published our 2018-2019 Annual Report, “The Garden Grove Way,” to summarize progress made toward our strategic plan goals. The Annual Report identifies areas of strength as well as continued areas of focus and provides highlights from our annual survey of students, staff, and parents. Our district, the first and only California Exemplary District in Orange County, continues to make great strides in advancing our strategic goals of equipping all students with the academic skills and personal skills for lifelong success.
Supporting Students and Families
Ralston Intermediate School hosted a wonderful Back to School Night last month for families and students. Families met with teachers and were provided an overview of the outstanding programs available to students including free after-school tutoring, extended learning in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), a running club, intramural sports, and more. Community partners were also on hand to provide information to parents on how to support their students.
Student Spotlight
Santiago High School Senior Esmeralda Michel and the Young Senators club brought together civic engagement and art to Santiago High School's Back to School Night with the school's participation in the global art project Inside Out. Hundreds of students, staff, and community members took a portrait in the Inside Out mobile studio and immediately had their portrait hung side by side with other members of the Santiago community. The art project's goal is to share "untold stories and transform messages of personal identity into works of public art". The temporary art installation is a powerful reflection of community depicted on these walls that will reverberate in the hearts and minds of all those who call Santiago home.
La Quinta Receives Recognition at State Capitol
La Quinta High School was recognized in Sacramento last week for being in the top 35 schools across California for submitting FAFSA applications. We are very proud of La Quinta's staff for all they do to support student success, including their work to help students with the college application process!! This is a well-deserved recognition! 
Book Nook Reveal
Enders Elementary School hosted a reveal ceremony with balloons, bite-size snacks, and bean bag chairs to celebrate the school's new book nook with flexible seating. Enders sure knows how to make reading fun!  #ChooseGGUSD


Zeyen Elementary School Recognizes Exceptional Readers
This young lady earned a Million Word shirt for reading over 1,000,000 words. She was recognized in front of her peers for this outstanding accomplishment!
Highlights from the Football Field
FULL SAIL AHEAD :  Pacifica Mariners Football  continued its march towards a second consecutive Empire League championship last Thursday with a decisive 40-13 victory over the visiting Crean Lutheran Saints at the Michael A. Monsoor Memorial Stadium. The Pacifica team was led by running backs Rai Sagstume and Isaiah Blevins who both rushed for over 120 yards. QB Sean Blake also had a stellar night as he went 14-18 with 219 yards passing. Pacifica travels to Tustin this Thursday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Other scores from last week:

Friday:
Garden Grove League:
Loara 57, La Quinta 28
Santiago 29, Bolsa Grande 7
Rancho Alamitos 41, Los Amigos 7
Non-League:
Garden Grove 35, Laguna Hills 3

This week's schedule (all games at 7 p.m.):
Big-4 League:
Westminster at Garden Grove (Thursday)

Garden Grove League:
Santiago vs. La Quinta (Bolsa Stadium, Thursday)
Rancho Alamitos at Bolsa (Friday)
Loara vs. Los Amigos (Monsoor Memorial Stadium, Friday)
Student Spotlight: Bolsa Student Helps Revive School Newspaper
After a six-year hiatus, the students at Bolsa Grande High School rebooted and relaunched the school's newspaper. At last night's Board of Education meeting, our student board representative Silayan Camson shared the newspaper with the board and superintendent. Silayan is proud to serve as Editor-in- Chief of The Matador Monthly!  #GGUSDPride   #ChooseGGUSD
Always an Argo
Garden Grove High School's Back to School Night was a wonderful evening for parents to get a glimpse inside their student's high school schedule, connect with teachers, and learn more about exciting programs/opportunities. Garden Grove High School is listed among U.S. News and World Report's elite rankings of America's Best High Schools! 
Walton Dance Says Welcome Back
Walton Wildcats love school dances. Walton Intermediate School's Welcome Back Dance does more than provide a fun outlet for students, it provides students an opportunity to make meaningful and lasting memories with their friends in a safe and positive environment.
Nominate an Employee of the Month!

Garden Grove Unified School District has amazing employees who consistently go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of our students and schools. It is our employees who make us a great school district and we are committed to recognizing them for their many contributions to our district.
We invite you to nominate a staff member who you feel is deserving of recognition as an Employee of the Month!

Please nominate a GGUSD employee who:
  • puts others first
  • goes above and beyond to make a difference in their role
  • carries out each day with a positive attitude and strong work ethic​​
  • demonstrates innovation, leadership, or passion for the job

Those employees who are selected as Employee of the Month will be recognized at a Board of Education meeting. Their photos will be posted on our website and displayed prominently in our district office lobby. They will also be highlighted in our GGUSDPride e-newsletter.