GGUSD Honors Employees for Years of Service

Yesterday, we gathered at the Don Wash auditorium for a wonderful celebration honoring our exceptional staff at the annual Employee Recognition Event. This special evening is dedicated to recognizing employees with 10 to 40 years of outstanding service to the district.

This year's recognition includes more than 650 longstanding employees including:

• 239 employees celebrating 10 years
• 38 employees celebrating 15 years
• 165 employees celebrating 20 years
• 130 employees celebrating 25 years
• 56 employees celebrating 30 years
• 25 employees celebrating 35 years

A standout moment of the night was celebrating Dave Fisher, who reached an incredible milestone of 40 years with GGUSD. Dave began his journey with the district in the 1970s and serves as our exceptionally hardworking Theatrical Services Supervisor. His decades of talent, creativity, and steadfast commitment have left a lasting impact on countless school productions and district events.

Holiday Cheer is Happening Across GGUSD!

Schools throughout the district are celebrating the season with festive activities that bring our community together — from joyful winter performances and classroom celebrations to one of the most magical traditions of all: photos with Santa! Students, families, and staff are spreading kindness, connection, and holiday spirit at every campus. GGUSD loves seeing our schools shine with joy this time of year!

GGUSD Board Celebrates December Employees of the Month

At this week's meeting, GGUSD's Board of Education celebrated our outstanding December Employees of the Month whose dedication, heart, and commitment shine brightly across our schools.

Ana Monico Mendoza – Guidance Clerk, Ralston Intermediate

Ana joined GGUSD in 2022 and has made an incredible impact supporting students, staff, and families at Ralston Intermediate. Known for her kindness, initiative, and strong work ethic, Ana fosters a warm and welcoming environment where every student feels cared for. She provides exceptional support to the school counselor, streamlines processes, and delivers top-notch customer service — truly exemplifying the Garden Grove Way every day.

Kaarn Copeland & Susie Sikora – Teachers, Northcutt Elementary

This dynamic sixth-grade teaching duo has been shaping young lives for decades — Kaarn since 2000 and Susie since 1996 — both proudly serving the Northcutt community. Their nominations came directly from students who praised their support, encouragement, and the fun, caring learning environments they create.

Students shared heartfelt words, including:

• “Mrs. Copeland… encourages and supports her students in her funny loving way… She not only changed my life but plenty of others.”

• “Ms. Sikora is one of the nicest teachers… very understanding and always encourages us to do our best.”

Congratulations to Ana, Kaarn, and Susie for their extraordinary service and for making a lasting difference in the lives of GGUSD students!

GGUSD Dual Language Schools Host Parent Information Sessions

Will your child be entering TK or Kindergarten next year? If so, now is the perfect time to learn about GGUSD’s Dual Immersion programs! GGUSD’s Dual Language Immersion programs — Spanish at Monroe, Russell, and Simmons and Vietnamese at Murdy — help students become confident, bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural learners. Join us at an upcoming Parent Information Session this December or January to learn more about enrolling your TK/K student for the 2026–27 school year. Reserve your spot today and discover why our dual language programs are among the best — preparing students for lifelong success in a global society. Check out the graphic for the December Parent Orientation dates. More to come in January.

Excelsior Elementary Hosts Vietnamese Language Culmination

Excelsior Elementary recently hosted a fantastic culmination of its Vietnamese Heritage Language Class. The celebration was filled with culture, music, and an incredible performance! Students, families, and staff came together to honor traditions, showcase talents, and celebrate diversity in a truly memorable way.

Crosby Boys & Girls Club Students Receive Special Gift

On Wednesday, Board of Education Trustee Walter Muneton and Board of Education Vice President Lan Nguyen teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club to host an annual Pokémon Card Giveaway. Students at Crosby Elementary had a blast celebrating their love for Pokémon, with exciting activities and games. But the best part? Each student received their very own set of Pokémon cards to add to their collection! It was a special event bringing smiles to so many young faces. Thank you to Board of Education Trustee Walter Muneton, Vice President Lan Nguyen, Garden Grove City Councilmember Yesenia Muneton, and the Garden Grove Police Officers Associations for donating to this special gift.

Important Dates for the 2025-26 School Year

Looking for important dates and holidays during the school year? View our GGUSD 2025-26 school year calendar and bookmark this page to keep track of the important dates this upcoming school year!

Free Live-Chat Tutoring for All GGUSD Students

GGUSD has partnered with Varsity Tutors to offer FREE 24/7 live chat tutoring and one-hour tutoring sessions to support students in their academic success (Goal 1). The program is accessible from home through ClassLink using a district-provided device.