August Parent Newsletter 2024

Dear Gascon Elementary Families,

Welcome back to another exciting year at Joseph A. Gascon Elementary! We are thrilled to have our students returning to our classrooms and hallways, ready to embark on a new year of learning and growth. Our mission is to ensure every child feels welcomed, connected, and an integral part of the Gascon family. We are committed to challenging each student to reach their full academic potential and to be prepared for future success as they advance to the Intermediate level.

At Gascon Elementary, our dedicated teachers work diligently to design engaging classroom activities, using research-based best practices and analyzing academic data to tailor instruction and set goals for each student's growth and improvement.

Our first day of school is Monday, August 12, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The JGE staff eagerly awaits the return of our Tigers. As we start this school year, we remain focused on the health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff, adhering to the standards set by the California Department of Public Health. Our reopening plan is flexible and will adapt as needed to meet the needs of our community.

We will continue using Chromebooks both at school and at home. Please ensure that your child brings their Chromebook on the first day of school. All TK/K students will receive a Chromebook at the start of the year.

Per Nutritional Services, California is offering Universal Meal Services, providing free breakfast and lunch to all school children. We strongly encourage all households to complete the online Alternate Income Application at https://montebellousd.rocketscanapps.com/. This will help maximize educational resources for our school. Additionally, please ensure that all emergency information is updated in PowerSchool for safety and to receive school and district updates. You can access and set up PowerSchool at https://mymusd.powerschool.com/public/.

To foster school spirit and promote a positive school culture, we encourage our Gascon Tigers to participate in the following themed days:

• Monday’s College Day: Wear a College T-Shirt
• Friday’s Spirit Day: Wear Gascon Shirts or Red

We are excited to welcome all our families back to school. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community. We remain dedicated to educating our students, helping them discover their passions, and guiding them as they pursue their dreams.

Sincerely,

David A. Hernandez
Principal
Joseph A. Gascon Elementary School

This summer, we invested countless hours upgrading our campus. We reimagined our library, adding cozy reading nooks for our students. Colorful educational markings now brighten the playground. We also introduced the Gascon Student Store, where students can spend 'Tiger Bucks'—earned through participation in our school initiatives. Take a look below to see some pictures of these updates.

1st Day of School: August 12

TK/Kindergarden Parent Orientation: August 12 @ 10:30a.m

PTO Membership Drive: August 13-August 30

Parent Orientation / Election Committee Meeting: August 19 @ 8:15a.m.

SSC Officer Election Reorganization: August 29 @ 2:15p.m.

iReady Testing Window #1: August 19 - September 6

Fire Drill: August 29

Labor Day No School: September 2

Coffee with the Principal: September 4 @ 8:15a.m

PTO General Meeting: September 5 @ 2:15p.m

Saturday School: September 7

Fire Drill: September 9

School Site Council Meeting: September 10

School Spirit Week: September 9-13

Scholastic Book Fair: September 9-13

Back to School Night: September 12 @ 5:00p.m-7:00p.m

Earthquake Drill: September 20

Fall Picture Day: September 25

Student of the Month Assembly: September 26

We are excited to welcome you and your family to Joseph A. Gascon Elementary for our TK/Kindergarten Orientation on Monday, August 12th, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM in the cafeteria!

This orientation is designed to support your child’s transition into their new school environment and ensure it is a joyful and memorable experience. Here’s what you can expect:

Arrival and Check-In:

As you and your child arrive, you’ll be greeted by our staff at the check-in table. You will receive a name tag with a colored dot that corresponds to your child’s assigned teacher.

Welcome Session:

After check-in, please proceed to the cafeteria for a welcome message from the Principal, Mr. David Hernandez.

Classroom Visits:

Following the welcome session, you and your child will be directed to their assigned classroom (based on the colored dot) for an informational presentation. Our teachers will cover essential topics, including the school schedule, kindergarten curriculum, home practice tips, class routines, and pick-up/drop-off procedures.

By the end of the orientation, we hope you will feel confident and excited about your child’s upcoming journey. Our goal is for you to leave with a sense of assurance and enthusiasm as your child embarks on this new educational adventure at Gascon.

Important Dates:

• First Two Weeks of School: Students will attend from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM daily.
• First Full Day of Classes: Monday, August 26, 2024.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to Gascon Elementary and starting this wonderful journey together!

The Montebello Unified School District is excited to announce the PowerSchool online student enrollment system for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. This will be for NEW students enrolling in the Montebello Unified School District.

This website is the first step in the process to enroll a new TK-12 student for school. Information about the student such as emergency contacts, medical, and language will be collected. Upon completion, the student's information will be sent to the school.

Enrollment Portal Click Here

At Joseph Gascon Elementary School, we teach the AVID strategies in all of our third, fourth and fifth grade classes. By teaching academic language, responsible behavior and higher-level thinking at a young age, we are helping our students develop and solidify the academic habits they will need to be successful in middle school, high school, college and beyond. On Mondays we hang our college flags outside every classroom and throuhout the year, students create projects around different college campuses. Our goal is to provide an academic foundation the students will need to be on a path for college and career success.

District Wide Strategy for the Month of August is Strategies for Studying

As we enter the new school year, August is the perfect time to focus on establishing effective study habits that will support your child’s academic success. Encouraging your child to develop a consistent study routine, set specific goals, and use active learning techniques—such as summarizing information, self-quizzing, and organizing notes—can greatly enhance their comprehension and retention. Additionally, creating a quiet, dedicated study space and helping them manage their time effectively can contribute to a more productive learning experience. By fostering these strategies at home, you’ll be supporting your child in building a solid foundation for their educational journey.

Welcome Back Tiger Families!

We’re thrilled to start another exciting year at Gascon Elementary, and we can’t wait to share all the wonderful events and activities we have planned for our students! If you’re new to our school or to the TIGER PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), here’s a little insight into what we do.

TIGER PTO Membership Dues: At the beginning of each school year, we ask for a $5.00 membership fee per student. These dues help fund a variety of school events throughout the year, including Student Dances, Red Ribbon Week, Christmas Spirit Week, PAW Awards, Trunk or Treat, and much more. Your contributions are vital to making these events possible!

Fundraising Efforts: Throughout the year, we organize fundraisers to support additional activities such as our Santa visit, field trips, Teacher and Staff Appreciation Weeks, and other special events. Your participation in these fundraisers helps make these experiences memorable for our students.

Volunteers Needed: Our events rely on the support of our dedicated volunteers. Please return your TIGER PTO form to your child’s teacher to get involved. We’d love for you to join us at our monthly TIGER PTO meetings, which are held in the library at 2:15 PM. Our first meeting of the year is on September 5, 2024. If you’re unable to attend the meeting but want to learn more or express your interest in helping out, please feel free to email the principal at hernandez_davida@montebello.k12.ca.us.

Stay Connected: To stay updated on TIGER PTO news and events, be sure to connect with us. Your involvement makes a big difference, and together we can make this year unforgettable for our students! We look forward to working with you and making this a fantastic year at Gascon Elementary!

Formerly known as ICES Education, Action Youth America (AYA) has proudly served California families for over 30 years. We are dedicated to providing top-quality service in academics, sports, and various educational areas. Our programs are grounded in a foundation of excellence and time-tested methods, establishing us as one of the leading providers of before and after-school programs in the United States.

Our Commitment to Academic Excellence

At AYA, we recognize the importance of complementing the instructional day with additional academic support to help students reach their full potential. Our academically driven program ensures that students receive the extra help they need to thrive.

• Academic Coordination: Our Academic Coordinator, Stefanie, is committed to aligning our programs with school and district needs to ensure optimal academic support.
• Common Core Expertise: AYA staff are formally trained in Common Core learning expectations and are skilled in developing curricula that adhere to these principles. We also offer assistance in curriculum writing.
• Comprehensive Support: We provide targeted interventions, state testing preparation camps, and ongoing modeling and training to support student success.

We are dedicated to enhancing educational experiences and supporting students in achieving their academic goals. Thank you for choosing AYA as your partner in education.

For more information about our programs and services, please contact us or visit our website.

ELO Link: https://sites.google.com/montebello.k12.ca.us/eloafterschool/home

ELO Application Link: rb.gy/g4h8n

The Montebello Unified School District is providing advanced technology and increased access to learning opportunities for the District’s learning community. The District has installed an intra-net “MUSD-Net” providing networked computing with an Internet gateway.

Vision Statement

Empowering Students to Achieve Academic Excellence as Model Citizens.

Address: 630 South Leonard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90022

Office: (323 )721-2025 Fax: (323) 887-3034

Office Hours: 7:00am - 3:00pm