Gullett Gazette - Oct. 7, 2024

Dear Gullett Caregivers,

I cannot believe that October is here! We have definitely had a busy and fun filled September. With spirit days, McCallum Ballet Folklorico and Jazz workshop assemblies, our Gecko schedules have been packed with awesome experiences. Huge thank you for our parent volunteers who did an amazing job with our first annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration! What a wonderful community event! Thank you to Trustee Chu for joining us recently to talk through school funding and Prop A. Prop A will be on the ballot during the November election to help raise funds for our district to support staff salaries among other things.. (Please note we don’t have school on November 5th.)

October is shaping up to be just as busy as last month with learning opportunities for our Geckos and volunteering with our families. We are thrilled to have gardening under way again and to start welcoming our Guardian of the Gecko volunteers. Those sign ups are ready to go for those committees. I know our library volunteers are also busy planning an amazing book fair and our teachers continue to be so thankful for our Apple Core classroom support.

Teachers will be reaching out to you to schedule parent teacher conferences. There is no school on Monday, October 14th to allow time for teachers to meet with parents. Teachers will do their best to accommodate times to meet, but please remember they are scheduling with 20 or more different families and only a small window of time to do so. Your support and flexibility is much appreciated! The home-school partnership is appreciated and is so important to your Gecko’s success.

This month we are looking forward to celebrating the Month of the Bilingual Child, Dyslexia Awareness, and Bullying Prevention. Students and staff are encouraged to wear orange on Unity Day, Wednesday, October 16, to show they care about safe and supportive schools and communities. The week of October 21st is “Be Kind to Your Mind (Red Ribbon Week)” and we will be talking about all the ways to take care of ourselves and others. CATCH night is towards the end of October as well as Book Fair. Don’t forget that applications for our Gullett School Business Fair are due at the end of the month. There is something for everyone here at Gullett!

I am excited for all the community events for the fall, cooler temps and being able to continue to support our Geckos and teachers as we are “GROWing our Story” this year! Thank you all for your continued support of our Geckos!

Sincerely,

Tammy Thompson

Proud Principal, Gullett Elementary

During the month of September, counseling lessons centered on the role of the school counselor and included a lesson on bullying prevention from our new CharacterStrong curriculum. Students learned that bullying is hurtful and repeated; but it also is unwanted physical or emotional pain, involves an imbalance of power, and can happen online (cyberbullying). We used a stop light to help us understand how to respond to bullying in a way that keeps us safe.

🔴STOP--speak up (say, “STOP!” Or “Don’t do that!”); remove yourself or others from the situation. (If you need help to do this, ask!)

🟡SUPPORT--offer company, empathy, or care.

🟢REPORT--get help from the nearest grown-up.

Students in upper grades also reviewed the importance of being an upstander instead of a bystander.

Here are some conversation starters for you to use with your students:

● What are some ways you can include others and make sure everyone feels welcome?

● How can you can report bullying?

In case you missed it:

Small Group Counseling Sessions!

Students in grades 1-5 may be referred by their teachers or parents to participate in the counselor’s lunch bunch. Parent permission is required (Gecko Lunch Bunch Permission Form). If seats are unavailable in October, then your student will be added to lunch bunch mid-November.

Individual Counseling!

Parents may refer students for individual check-ins or individual counseling Consent for Individual Counseling.

Don’t miss out!

Families of 5th grade students need to be on the lookout for Middle School Choice Program information being released regularly throughout the fall semester. First up is a virtual meeting on Oct. 10 with all 5th grade students, showcasing middle school programs across Austin ISD. The enroll Austin application window opens November 6, 2024.

Family Resource:

http://www.volclinic.org/our-services.html

Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns (deanna.mahan@austinisd.org or 512-414-2082 EXT 56028)

~ Ms. Mahan

Hello, Gullett Musicians!

We started the school year off with a bang with 5th grade giving their Jazz it Up! performance on only the 20th day of school (see photos here), and our annual visit from the Austin Jazz Workshop. Up next is 3rd grade’s Nightsong, followed by many more upcoming events–see below. As always, we are also working on our TEKS-based music curriculum.

Do you have a stack of old records and/or cassette tapes that does nothing but gather dust and take up space? Consider donating to our music program! Both music rooms have a listening station we’re trying to build out and we would love your contributions.

Upcoming events:

• 10/15: 3rd Grade Nightsong

• 10/31: Harvest Hop

• 11/9: All-City Choir (selected 5th graders)

• 11/11: Veterans Day Assembly

Email us with questions!

Sincerely,

Will Jurgens and Marc Sustaita

Gullett Music Staff

What we are learning

We will be starting our Throwing and Catching Unit where students will review and practice a variety of throwing and catching skills. For wellness, we are learning about Nutrition which includes go, slow, and whoa foods and the food groups.

CATCH Night

Gullett Elementary will be hosting our annual Coordinated Approach to Child Health Night or CATCH Night on Wednesday, October 23th from 5:00-6:30 pm. This is our annual health and wellness fair! This event will feature a wide range of wellness topics, activities, interactive booths, giveaways, and more! This event is for all Gullett community- students, families, and staff.

Do you or someone you know own a business related to health, wellness, fitness? Have a passion for all things mind, body, and soul?! Then look no further! If you (or someone you know) are interested in hosting a small booth/table/activity area at CATCH night, please send them our way! In previous years we’ve welcomed fitness boot camps, dental offices, kiddie camps, after-school programs, yoga studios, pedestrian/bike safety, massage therapy, blood pressure checks, cooking classes, crossfit, and more. If interested, please see form below! We are still looking for a few more participants.

https://forms.gle/thokLGSC56LUhAoY6 (Ms. Garcia and Coach Rose will contact you for confirmation! Thank you!)