September Parent Newsletter 2024

Hello Gascon Elementary Families!

We’ve successfully navigated through our first month of school, and what an exciting start it has been! As we move into September, we’re thrilled to keep you informed and engaged with all the happenings at our school.

Important Dates & Events:

• PTO Association Meeting: Join us for our first PTO meeting of the year! This meeting is open to everyone, but only those with a paid membership will receive an invitation. Remember, your $5 membership dues support programs, presentations, and awards for students, and strengthen the link between parents and Gascon Elementary. Help us make a difference through the TIGER PTO!

• Parent Volunteer Informational Meeting: If you plan to volunteer for events or field trips this year, please attend this meeting. We’ll review any updated protocols and requirements for volunteering, so your attendance is essential.

• Spirit Week: Mid-month, we’ll kick off our first Spirit Week of the year! Each day, students are encouraged to dress according to a specific theme to show their school spirit and unity.

• Annual Back to School Night: This important event will take place during Spirit Week. It’s a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, learn about their goals for the class, and gain insight into what your child will be experiencing this year.

• Student of the Month: On September 26th, we will celebrate our Student of the Month and PBIS Award recipients. Families of award winners will be invited to attend this special recognition ceremony.

We hope your child is beginning to settle into a routine and feel comfortable in their classroom environment. Last month, our teachers worked hard to help students socialize and adapt after a period away.

Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to another fantastic month ahead. GO TIGERS!!!

Sincerely,

David A. Hernandez
Principal
Joseph A. Gascon Elementary School

We are thrilled to announce the opening of our brand-new ROAR Store for students! Starting this month, the ROAR Store will be open at the end of each month, giving students the opportunity to redeem their hard-earned Tiger Bucks.

Students earn Tiger Bucks by demonstrating our ROAR values every day: being Respectful, Organized, Alert, and Responsible. The more you embody these principles, the more Tiger Bucks you'll collect, and the more rewards you'll be able to enjoy from our ROAR Store!

Get ready to shop and show off your ROAR spirit! We can’t wait to see you there!

We are excited to share that our recent visitation by the State Championship Cross Country/Track Team from Mt. San Antonio College on Wednesday, August 21 was a tremendous success!

Our 5th grade students had the incredible opportunity to hear from these elite athletes about the finer points of running. The session was both informative and inspiring, as the team members covered essential topics such as:

• Running Techniques: They provided valuable insights into proper form and effective pacing strategies.
• Stretching and Warm-ups: The athletes demonstrated recommended stretches and warm-up routines to help enhance performance and prevent injuries.
• Training Tips: Students received expert advice on training smart and staying motivated.

Our students not only enjoyed the session but also learned a great deal from the experience. We have received positive feedback about how much the students appreciated the practical tips and the motivation they gained from meeting such accomplished runners.

A big thank you to the Mt. San Antonio College Cross Country/Track Team for taking the time to visit us and share their expertise. We look forward to more opportunities to engage with such inspiring figures in the future!

Last month, the Fifth Grade class hosted a delightful bake sale that turned out to be a resounding success. Thanks to the enthusiastic support of parents, students, and the community, the event raised over $400!

The event’s success was fueled not just by the delicious treats, but also by the incredible turnout from parents and community members. It was heartwarming to see so many people coming together to support our students' efforts and contribute to a cause that truly matters.

The funds raised will go towards supporting the fifth grade class’s upcoming activities and educational projects. This bake sale was not just a fundraiser; it was a wonderful example of what we can achieve when we work together. A big thank you to everyone who baked, bought, and volunteered. Your generosity and support made this event a memorable and rewarding experience for all involved.

Here’s to many more successful events and sweet successes in the future!

Wednesday, September 11, 2024, marks the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in suburban Pennsylvania. Patriot Day serves as a solemn remembrance of the lives lost on that September morning.

In accordance with Public Law 107-89, a joint resolution approved on December 18, 2001, September 11th each year is designated as "Patriot Day." This law also mandates that flags be flown at half-staff throughout the day in honor of the victims.

Date: Thursday, September 12th
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

We invite all parents to join us for our Back to School event! This exclusive session is designed for parents to meet teachers, explore the MUSD curriculum, and understand your child's daily activities in greater detail.

7 Reasons to Prioritize Back-to-School Night:

1. Opportunity to Ask Questions: Get answers directly from your child's teachers.
2. Learn How to Support at Home: Discover strategies to help your child succeed academically.
3. Understand the Classroom Environment: Gain insights into the setting where your child learns.
4. Build Relationships: Strengthen connections with teachers and other parents.
5. Exchange Contact Information: Share and receive important contact details.
6. Increase Confidence: Feel more assured about your child's education.
7. Demonstrate Your Support: Show that you value and are invested in your child's learning journey.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We are excited to share an incredible opportunity with you! The Learning Center at California State University, Los Angeles, is now accepting enrollments for their upcoming program. They are welcoming students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, including those in transition programs, whether they have disabilities or are facing academic challenges.

The program will be held in person at King Hall and will run from September 7th to December 7th, with a one-week break for Thanksgiving. Classes will take place on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Additionally, the Learning Center is offering in-person parenting classes in both English and Spanish, which may be of interest to some of you.

Thank you for your continued support, and please feel free to share this information with other families who might benefit from this wonderful program.

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 September is Organization/Graphic Organizers

For this month’s AVID focus on Organization and Graphic Organizers, we emphasize the importance of creating clear, structured systems to manage information and tasks effectively. Graphic organizers are powerful tools that help students visually map out their thoughts, making complex concepts more accessible and easier to understand. By using tools such as mind maps, Venn diagrams, and flowcharts, students can break down large amounts of information into manageable chunks, identify relationships between ideas, and track their progress on assignments and projects. This organized approach not only enhances comprehension but also fosters better time management and study habits, ultimately leading to increased academic success and reduced stress.

Dear Families/Caregivers,

We have some cool info to share about how your child thinks – it's all about Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset!

Growth Mindset:

• Belief: Your student believes they can get better with effort, sticking with it, and practicing.

• Desire: Your student feels super excited to learn and get even better.

• Facing Challenges: Your student keeps going, even when things get tricky, because challenges are like fun puzzles.

Fixed Mindset:

• Belief: Some students think smarts and talents are set and don't change.

• Desire: Some students just want to seem smart.

• Facing Challenges: Some students may give up when things get tough, thinking challenges are big problems.

Guess what? Studies say that kids with a Growth Mindset:

• Students stay excited about learning, even when it's hard.

• Students like to go back and make their work better.

• Students' performance increases on tests in math and language arts.

• Students don't fail as many classes and get better grades.

• Students stick with school all the way through high school and college.

So, how can you help? Encouraging a growth mindset in your child is a big deal. Let's cheer for their hard work, not giving up, and being super excited about learning!

Mrs. Destiny Conde, our JGE Mental Health Clinician counsels and supports our students with mental health related symptoms such as anxiety, trauma, anger management, stress reduction, conflict resolution and grief by encouraging students to talk about their feelings and help develop develop new strategies to improve their lives and relationships. Mrs. Conde is specially trained in school system functioning and learning, as well as how students’ behavior and mental health impacts their ability to be successful in school. Her areas of expertise include, but are not limited to: classroom and behavior management, individual and group counseling, learning disabilities, school safety and crisis response, positive parenting strategies, cultural competence, and consultation with educators, families and community providers. Mrs. Conde often collaborates with community agencies if and when additional support is requested for the student.

Check out these table talk card questions that can be used at the dinner table to get to know more about your child's day! These cards are also in your child's take home folder.

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