May 9, 2018
#GGUSDPRIDE E-newsletter
The #GGUSDPride E-newsletter features many of the great things happening in GGUSD.   
Send your photos to [email protected] to highlight your school or students in the e-newsletter.
Thank You GGUSD Teachers

This week, GGUSD schools are hosting a variety of special events this week to honor their teachers for their dedication to the success of the district’s approximately 43,000 students. The events are held in recognition of California’s Day of the Teacher on Wednesday, May 9 and national Teacher Appreciation Week. The unwavering dedication our teachers have for their students, schools, job, and community help make GGUSD one of the best and strongest school districts in Orange County and across the state.
At Paine Elementary, Teacher Appreciation Day began with a “shake up in their wake up.” Principal Martinez and the office staff prepared a waffle breakfast with all the fixings, and plenty of coffee!
Thanks to All of Our School Nurses
May 9 is also School Nurses Appreciation Day and we are truly grateful to all of our school nurses who work tirelessly to ensure students are cared for each and every day while at school.

Pictured here is Janine Caraballo, one of our homegrown employees and the School Nurse for Mark Twain Special Education Center, Jordan Intermediate School and Stanford, Paine, and Mitchell elementary schools.

Thank you to Janine and all GGUSD school nurses for helping to promote the health, safety, and happiness of our students. Your work is extremely important in contributing to a positive school climate.
Award-Winning District and Schools

Last week, GGUSD administrators and teachers attended a special event hosted by the California Department of Education to honor California's Exemplary Districts and Distinguished Schools. GGUSD was one of only 22 Exemplary Districts across the state and the first and only in Orange County. GGUSD also had an impressive 11 Distinguished Schools, more than any district in Orange County and more than any comparable district across the state. GGUSD boasts the third highest number of Distinguished Schools, just behind much larger districts: Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified. This is an amazing accomplishment for our district and schools. 
Must-Watch Video
In this must-watch video, GGUSD Board of Education members, Superintendent Gabriela Mafi, and Garden Grove Mayor Steve Jones congratulate the district's eleven Distinguished Schools on their award-winning accomplishments.

During the video, student scholars share what they love most about their distinguished school.   #ChooseGGUSD

2018 College Signing Day

GGUSD high schools celebrated their college-bound seniors recently with fun College Signing Day events, complete with music, cake, and photo stations to capture photos of students proudly holding signs displaying which college they plan to attend. GGUSD continues to soar as a leader in college readiness across Orange County and throughout California. During the 2016-2017 school year, 57.5% of GGUSD high school seniors met rigorous a-g college entrance requirements qualifying students to attend UC or CSU schools. This compares to 52% a-g completion rates across Orange County and 46.8% statewide. GGUSD students, parents, and community members are encouraged to post their photos on social media and engage with GGUSD’s social media campaign using #GGUSDCollegeSigning.
Awesome Parent Partners

GGUSD hosted its second Parent Leadership Academy training session last week with more than 125 parents in attendance. Parents enjoyed workshops led by Superintendent Gabriela Mafi and other district administrators about effective communication, problem-solving, and school public relations. Attendees also enjoyed getting to know other parents over lunch. GGUSD parents are committed to the success of our schools. Click here for all of the photos from the second Parent Leadership Academy.
All About AVID
Last week, GGUSD hosted an AVID Certification Expo at Jordan Intermediate School where AVID teachers shared goals and results about AVID instruction, culture, leadership, and systems. Our AVID teachers are huge contributors to GGUSD's success as a state and county leader in college readiness. Did you know that our students outperform the state and the county in the number of high school seniors who meet rigorous a-g college entrance requirements, qualifying students to attend UC or CSU schools?