Pacifica Seniors Host Magical Holiday Morning for Kindergarten Students

Christmas came early for 400 GGUSD kindergarten students this week at Pacifica High School's 34th annual Adopt-A-Child event where Pacifica seniors are paired up with kindergartners who they adopt for a morning of gift-giving, cookie decorating, student performances, train rides, and of course, photos with Santa!

Pacifica students received a wish list from their kindergartners and had fun granting their wishes and making their holidays a little brighter!

We are so grateful for all of our staff, students and families who help coordinate this spectacular event! Thank you to Pacifica's PTSA which donated gifts for Santa to hand out! Board of Education President Teri Rocco attended to show her support!

The gymnasium was packed with smiling, happy students and truly reflects the heart of The Garden Grove Way.

Simmons Elementary School Hosts Toy Drive for CHOC

Simmons Elementary School is hosting its first annual Toy Drive for CHOC to support children who are in the hospital during the holidays. The Toy Drive was inspired by the story of Kaili Nguyen, the daughter of Simmons teacher Thao Nguyen, who was hospitalized at CHOC over a decade ago for a serious illness and has since recovered and is thriving. Mrs. Nguyen's family experienced first-hand the healing power of kindness from strangers and has worked to support families at CHOC for over 13 years and is still using their experience to inspire students at Simmons! Simmons students have already filled two large toy bins and are going strong with their donations! #GGUSDPride

Peters Elementary Students Love School's New Book Vending Machine

The students at Peters K-3 Elementary School are super excited! Their school now has a book vending machine! It will be used as a way to reinforce positive behavior/PBIS principles and foster a positive school culture (Goal 2). #ggusdgoalgetters

The book vending machine incentivizes students to engage in positive behavior while promoting a love for reading! The book vending machine is stocked with various age-appropriate books to cater to different interests and reading levels. Students earn tokens for demonstrating positive behaviors of being responsible, respectful, and safe. Panda Pride is strong at Peters K-3 Elementary. #GGUSDPride

GGHS Celebrates New Building with Ribbon-Cutting

This week, Garden Grove High School student leaders, cheerleaders and choir students joined together for a special ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the school's new 2-story classroom building which opened this year. Board of Education Vice President Lan Nguyen cut the ceremonial red ribbon to commemorate the occasion, expressing the Board of Education's commitment to providing students with an exceptional learning environment. The building has 24 classrooms and replaced the portable learning structure previously in place.

Bell Intermediate Celebrates Unified Sports

Bell Intermediate School is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports (training and competition experiences) as a way to support student well-being and a positive school culture and climate. (Goal 2). Unified Sports joins Roadrunners to train together and play together which is a quick path to friendship and understanding.

GGUSD Names OC United Way as Community Hero

This week, the Board of Education honored Orange County United Way as a GGUSD Community Hero for the organization's 10-year partnership with our district!

Orange County United Way has provided support for numerous initiatives including our districtwide Latinos Unidos Leadership Conference, a Summer Internship Program for our Career and Technical Education students, the expansion of our AVID tutors, and many more! We are extremely grateful for all that they do to work alongside us as we equip students with the academic and personal skills for lifelong success!

Thank you to Orange County United Way President Sue Parks, Executive Director Sergio Contreras, and the entire United Way team! #GGUSDPride

GGUSD Honors December Employees of the Month

This week, our Board of Education honored our December Employees of the Month including M'Liss Patterson, Director of Adult Education in GGUSD and Nicole Van Wilgen Moore, Principal at Brookhurst Elementary School. Both of these outstanding employees have a heart for our students and communities and go above and beyond in their role. Watch our Video to see these two employees in action.