Gale Elementary School
Home of the Tigers!
An 'A' Rated School
Like us on Facebook
Location: 678 South Gollob Road, Tucson, AZ, USA
Phone: 520-731-4500
Greetings Tiger Families,
Greetings Tiger Families!
Welcome to November in our amazing learning community! We were thrilled to see such a great turnout at our October events, including Trunk or Treat, Pumpkin Patch Night, and our Halloween Parade.
Key Updates and Information
Progress Monitoring: Our goal is to consistently use data to guide daily instruction. Teachers, service providers, and interventionists are working hard to help students succeed. For students in grades K-2, these groups are fluid and will be adjusted as needed. We are very fortunate to have such stellar interventionist on our team! Please encourage your child to do their Tiger best during these session. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting student success!
Safety Trends and Protocols: Unfortunately, there has been an increase in school threats across our district and state. As you know, last week just before dismissal I had to implement Secure Protocol for our campus. I cannot express how grateful and proud I am for the way our staff handled the situation to keep our Tigers safe and calm. Thank you for your patience during these situations. Please know that whether it is a drill or actual situation, we will never open our door and allow anyone in or out unless it is a first responder. As the safety of our students and staff is paramount. Thank you for your patience and support.
Safety Drills in November: As part of our district and site safety plan, we will be conducting a lockdown drill on November 26. During this type of drill or situation, all magnets are immediately pulled from locked doors, lights are turned off, and everyone silently moves to a designated area in each classroom or space. Please speak to your child about the importance of following the safety protocol guidelines that they have practiced with their class. It is important for everyone to quickly and quietly get out of site as fast as possible. If a student is in the hallway, they will be swept into the nearest classroom or office.
Gale Letter Grade: I proudly announce that it’s official, Gale has been rated an A School by the Arizona Department of Education. It is the collective work of everyone on our team. They deserve to be recognized for the AMAZING educators they are! Please take time to thank them for unwavering dedication to our Tigers and their success!
Classroom Communication
Teachers will continue to send weekly newsletters through Smore and provide timely updates via ClassDojo. This ensures you have up-to-the-minute information about classroom activities and school news.
In partnership,
Direct line: 520-731-4504
Friendly reminder: This year, all TUSD students enjoy free breakfast and lunch! They also get to choose from several healthy options each day. However, we need your help reminding them that they’re selecting their lunch for the following day. Many students are still confused by this and your assistance clarifying this for them is greatly appreciated.
Ms. Ashley and Ms. Susan rely on this information to efficiently prepare lunch for our Tigers, and your support is greatly appreciated!
Gale Domino's Pizza Future Days:12/6
Before School Drop-Off Procedures:
If your child is eating breakfast, you may drop them off in the front loop between 7:15 and 7:30 a.m. Staff will be available to greet them and guide them to the cafeteria doors.
If your child is not eating breakfast, please use the south valet loop, which is marked with colorful chains and flags. Be sure to pull forward as much as possible, remain in your vehicle, and remind your child to be ready to exit once you come to a complete stop. To keep the traffic moving smoothly, if you need to assist your child, please park in the overflow lot (some of you are still jumping out of your vehicle).
Our counselor, Ms. Lewis, and I will be there to greet students. They are welcome to enjoy time on the playground until the bell rings. However, please note that supervision begins at 7:15 a.m., so students should not arrive earlier.
Important Safety Reminder:
We have noticed that some parents are dropping off their children before 7:15 a.m., when staff supervision is not yet available. This is a serious safety concern. For the well-being of all students, please ensure your child is not dropped off before 7:15 a.m. when staff are present to supervise.
Your cooperation in this matter is crucial to maintaining a safe environment for everyone. Thank you for helping us keep all of our students safe!
After School Pick-Up Procedures:
Our dismissal system remains the same:
- Walking students will exit through the back gate on Blacksburg.
- Bus riders will exit through the back gate and board their buses on Blacksburg.
- Day Care van riders will exit through the back gate and board their vans on Blacksburg.
- All other students must be picked up using our valet system in the south lot.
To help the process run smoothly, please write your child’s name in large letters and place it on your dashboard so that the teachers in the valet loop can easily see it. If you arrive early, please stay to the right to allow parents picking up kindergarten students in the overflow lot to pass safely. Remember to stay in your vehicle. When students are called, they will go directly to their assigned number and wait there until you pull up.
This system works efficiently when everyone follows the routine. Thank you for your cooperation!
🦃 November
November 1 Movie Night
November 4 Picture Retake Day
November 11 Veterans' Day Holiday No School
November 12 Eegee's Night (Pending)
November 15 PTC Meeting
November 21 Site Council Meeting
November 28-29 Thanksgiving Holiday No School
⛄December
December 3 Peter Piper Pizza Night
December 10 Fine Arts Night
December 20 Grading Day
December 23-January 3 Winter Break
Family Engagement
Please feel free to reach out to our School Community Liaison, Chrissy Van Cleve, for event information, student support, or community resources. You can contact her by email or at 520-731-4567. Family engagement and support are among our primary Title I goals, and Chrissy is here to help.
If you’re interested in getting involved in our Parent and Teacher Club (PTC), Chrissy can provide you with all the details. We are stronger together!
Email Chrissy Van Cleve
Phone: direct line 520-731-4567 or 520-731-4500
Teacher with student holding a VIP sign
Character Strong and Tiger Traits are basically character traits we teach and encourage children to use in order to help them be more successful students and members of our society.
You can support our efforts by discussing the meaning of each trait and the role it plays in your child’s life. It is important for you to notice and recognize your child as s/he practices using their traits even at home.
Weekly Tiger Traits Recognition
Each week, we focus on a different trait, and our teachers select a student who exemplifies that quality. During our Tiger assembly, we proudly honor these students, just like Esteban (pictured here).
This month’s Character Strong and Tiger Traits are Empathy, patience, respect, and gratitude.
We look forward to celebrating more outstanding Tigers!
Important Reminder: Zero Tolerance for Play-Fighting
I want to take a moment to address a serious matter regarding student behavior. We have a zero-tolerance policy for play-fighting. Statements like "I was just kidding" or "we were just play-fighting" are not acceptable excuses. Even when it starts as a joke, play-fighting can quickly escalate, and it's too easy for situations to get out of hand—especially when everyone wants to be the one to get the last shove.
Our priority is to maintain a safe environment for all students, and we ask for your support in reinforcing this message with your children. Please remind them that physical interactions of any kind that resemble fighting are not allowed, and there will be consequences if this policy is not followed.
Thank you for helping us keep our school safe and respectful for everyone.
Follow the link below for updates and specifics about how Gale will benefit from the Bond.
Summary of district wide projects:
Bond Program for Schools and Students Estimates
Repairs and Upgrades to Existing Facilities$253,000,000
Improvements to Classrooms & Learning Spaces$47,300,000
Health, Security and Safety$70,300,000
Access to Updated Technology$61,900,000
Student Transportation$23,700,000
Subtotal for Schools and Students$456,200,000
(a) Reflects estimates for construction or acquisition of the improvements, together with
all necessary incidental costs.
Current Approved Projects
Estimated completion date:
Dec 31, 2024
We're excited about future projects slated for Gale.
Thank you, Families, for your continued support
Counselor's Corner with Ms. Lewis
Hello Tiger Families,
As we step into November, a month traditionally associated with gratitude, it's the perfect time to reflect on the power of thankfulness in our lives. This season encourages us to pause and appreciate the people, experiences, and moments that bring us joy and growth.
The Benefits of Thankfulness: Research shows that practicing gratitude can improve mental well-being, foster resilience, and strengthen relationships. When we acknowledge what we are thankful for, we shift our focus from what we lack to the abundance that surrounds us.
Ways to Cultivate Thankfulness:
Gratitude Journals: Encourage your student to keep a daily journal where they can jot down three things they are thankful for. You can also do this by just sharing out loud during a car ride.
Mindful Moments: Suggest setting aside a few minutes each day for mindfulness or reflection focused on gratitude. This can help center thoughts and promote a sense of peace.
Acts of Kindness: Encourage your student to express their gratitude through acts of kindness. Whether it's writing a thank-you note or helping someone in need, these gestures can reinforce feelings of connection and appreciation.
Wishing you all a month filled with warmth and appreciation.
Katherine Lewis
Professional School Counselor
Gale Elementary School
questions, concerns, or comments by sending me an email.
COPE: We have a FREE Mental Health partnership with COPE. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Team in a huddle during the championship game
Our flag football team ROARED their way to the championship game and made us proud! Congratulations coach Rankin!
We’re finding items all over campus, especially on the playground. Please use permanent markers to clearly label all of your child's belongings. When items are labeled, it not only helps us return them to the right owner but also teaches children to be responsible for their things. This way, teachers can focus more on teaching.
Thank you for your support!
