Principal Stratton's Update

Thank you to all the parents and guardians who put together a great Diwali-themed luncheon for our staff this week! We really enjoyed the food, decorations, sitar music, henna tattoos, and handmade marigolds. The photo booth brought a lot of fun to our celebration! We truly appreciate the effort you all put into making this event special.

We’d love to see you at our next Principals' Coffee on Friday, October 18, at 9:15 a.m. in the Acorn Lounge next to the library. Looking forward to it!

• PSAT/SAT Schedule, 10/21
• Homecoming 2024
• Titan Tidbits
  
• Key Dates
• Social Media Resources

On Monday October 21 we will be offering the PSAT for all Juniors and the SAT for Seniors who signed up for the test. 9th+10th grades (and any 11th+12th graders not testing) will have PRIME classes. The schedule for the day follows below.

• 9:00 - 10:00: PRIME A & PSAT/SAT Testing (9:00 AM - 12:20 PM)
• 10:00 - 10:15: Brunch (for non-testing students only)
• 10:15 - 11:10: PRIME B
• 11:20 - 12:20: PRIME C
• 12:20 - 1:00: Lunch

(Note: Bells will NOT ring in the N Building or Titan Gym on 10/21 to minimize disruptions for test takers.)

Each year, Gunn High School hosts an entire week of events designed to bring students together, foster connections, and cultivate a sense of belonging within the Gunn community. Homecoming week is primarily organized by the Gunn Student Executive Council, comprised of elected and appointed student officers, with oversight from Student Activities Director Lisa Hall. During this time, staff and teachers aim to lighten the workload and often participate in the games and events themselves.

This year, Homecoming week will take place from October 21 to 26, culminating in the dance on Saturday, October 26. The theme for this year is “California Dreamin’.” Here are some highlights of the week’s events:

• Float Building: Scheduled for Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Gunn. Each class will create a float representing one of the week’s daily themes or the overall theme.

• Class Competitions: Daily competitions among the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes will occur at brunch and lunch.

• Dress-Up Days: Students and staff will showcase different costumes each day.

• PTSA-Sponsored Pizza: Students are welcome to come for pizza before the Night Rally at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24. Served by PTSA/Parent Volunteers

• Night Rally: The highlight of the week will be the Night Rally on Thursday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Titan Gym, with doors opening at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are required for everyone and can be purchased at the Student Activities Center. Parents are invited!

• Dance: The semi-formal dance will be held on Saturday, October 26. No date is needed! (Dress code will be enforced; see page 23 of the student handbook for details.)

• Attire: Suggested attire includes khakis and a button-down shirt (with or without a tie) or a dress (floor-length is not required).

For a complete description of all the games and events planned, please visit theStudent Activities Website.

The bike path lighting project has been completed! We are grateful for the swift progress, especially as the evenings grow darker.

On Monday, September 23, the Freshman Concert Band took the stage for their annual "Informance" in Spangenberg Theatre. Each student invited a family member to join them on stage for the grand finale. Stay tuned for more opportunities to hear our talented musicians perform this year!

A Note from AP Human Geography Teacher, Arthur Kinyanjui

"Last year, AP Human Geography students frequently played 'pass' soccer during class breaks. When I shared that we could create a soccer ball from recycled plastic bags, their interest piqued. After summer break, we collected the materials and participated in the PRIME program, where we crafted this beloved childhood treasure from Kenya. This project ties into our culture unit in AP Human Geography, exploring the origins of soccer and its diffusion across the globe."

On Wednesday, September 25, our Wellness Center hosted its annual health fair. More than 15 organizations from Palo Alto and the surrounding areas, dedicated to youth mental health and well-being, were on campus to engage with students and staff during our extended lunch.

On Friday, September 27, the Gunn staff emerged victorious in the First Annual Staff vs. Students volleyball game! The staff put in a strong effort to secure the win against a talented senior team, coached by Gunn volleyball players. Great job to everyone involved!

On Wednesday, October 2, our German class students and their teacher, Frau Schroeppel, hosted their annual Oktoberfest for Gunn and Fletcher students, staff, and parents. Guests enjoyed traditional German food, games, music, and more! A big thank you to the parent volunteers who helped make this fantastic event possible!

On Wednesday, October 9, over 450 students from all of PAUSD's secondary choirs—Gunn and Paly High Schools, JLS, Fletcher, and Greene—came together for a beautifully moving evening of performances. The five choirs began learning their musical pieces at their respective schools in August and only rehearsed together as one for the first time just 90 minutes before the show. We are incredibly proud of all the choir students in Palo Alto Unified! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us! 🎼🎶

Congratulations to the Gunn Girls' Flag Football teams on an outstanding start to their inaugural season! The athletes have excelled in representing Gunn with their play and sportsmanship. Be sure to check out a fun video on the GunnAdminTeam Instagram!

Varsity Captains (L-R):
Violet Tivol, Audrey Kaplan, Aliya Sidhu, Rhianna Council

Photo Credit: Leena Gill

OCTOBER

• Fri 11:
• YCS blood drive, Gunn Library
• End of 1st Quarter
• Mon 14:
• Staff Development Day, No School For Students
• College Fair for PAUSD Students, Paly HS, 6-8pm
• Tues 15:
• Gunn Tri-M Honor Society Induction Ceremony, 7-8pm, Spangenberg Theatre
• Fri 18:
• 1st Quarter grade posted on Infinite Campus
• Principals' Coffee, 9:15am, Acorn Lounge
• Mon 21:
• Homecoming Week!
• PSAT for Juniors/SAT for Seniors. PRIME scheduling for 9th+10th grades (and any 11th+12th graders not testing)
• Fri 25:
• Homecoming Football Game, 7pm
• Sat 26:
• Homecoming Dance, Titan Gym, 7-10pm

Stay connected and keep up with the latest updates and fun content by following us on social media!

Instagram: @GunnAdminTeam
X (formerly Twitter): @GunnHighPrin