The Galarza & Hammer Newsletter

Site Update
Next year, we will begin our day 5 minutes earlier. Our new start time will be 8:45am. Our Daily Schedule for next school year will be sent home in the Parent Letter over the summer. We look forward to an exciting and challenging year of bell to bell instruction!

Uniform Policy
Galarza Elementary and Hammer Montessori is a uniform school. It is our expectation that all the students will arrive at school every day dressed in their uniform. We need children to be in uniform as it promotes a sense of belonging and school spirit. There is no grace period for “easing” into the uniform habit, so please shop early and be prepared for school.  The uniform for next year is listed below:
Boys Basic Uniform
Navy Blue Twill Cotton Shorts
Navy Blue Twill Cotton Pants
White/Light Blue Polo Shirt
(Short or Long Sleeve)
White/Light Blue Oxford Button-up Shirt
White/Light Blue Turtle Neck
Girls Basic Uniform
Navy Blue Multi Pleat Skirt
Navy Blue Twill Cotton Shorts
Navy Blue Twill Cotton Pants
White Peter Pan Collar Blouse
White/Light Blue Polo Shirt
(Short or Long Sleeve)
White/Light Blue Turtle Neck
Navy Blue Jumper
Optional:  Hastings Plaid Jumper #18151
(available at Merry Mart)
Boys and Girls
Shoes, closed toe; (Black, Navy Blue, White)
Socks/Tights (White, Navy Blue)
Navy Blue Sweatshirt
Sweater (Navy Blue Button Front Cardigan (available at Merry Mart)
Navy Blue Sweatshirt
Unisex Belt (Navy Blue or Blacks)
*** Please note - Jeans are not a part of the uniform.
When students come to school out of uniform they will be asked to go to the school office during recess/ lunch to change.  We will loan students uniform clothing for the day.  If you have gently used uniform clothes you would like to donate, please bring them to the office.

Nutritional Guidelines:
Class Celebrations
Class celebrations should occur after the last lunch period and are limited to no more than one party per month when non-nutritious foods are served (i.e.; candy, ice cream, etc.) Home baked or prepared food/beverages are not permitted on school campuses. Non food parties are encouraged.

The PTA needs your help!
As you know, the PTA has worked very hard this year to support both of our schools at this site. Although PTA membership is low, they have been able to recruit parents to help with the numerous activities that take place after the school day. A new year is coming and the PTA executive board will be actively recruiting parents to become members of the PTA. Additionally, there are many events scheduled and still in need of a parent to coordinate or chair the organization of the event. The first PTA event for next year will be an Ice Cream Social, which will take place on Monday, August 25th from 4pm to 6pm. This fun event will take place in our school courtyard. We hope you can make it and look forward to working with you next year!
Yearbook
Yearbooks arrived June 10th and cost $20. Thank you to the PTA for volunteering to help us sell yearbooks before and after school. If you would like to purchase a yearbook after the last day of school, please call the office to see if any are left. Quantities were limited, so please do not wait!

Promoting a College Going Culture
Let’s Talk About Katie Cornejo!
Katie Cornejo is originally from the East Coast.  Katie received her B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Studies.  After a brief time teaching in Guadalajara, Mexico, Katie returned to the states to obtain her teaching credential at the University of N.C. at Charlotte.  Katie worked 8 years as a Spanish, math, ESL teacher before becoming a counselor.  This is her 6th year as an elementary school counselor in San Jose. Katie has two masters degrees, one in TESL from University of Nevada at Reno, and the other in Educational Counseling from the University of San Francisco.

Have a wonderful summer vacation! It’s been a pleasure working with you this year.

Susana

Attendance Flags
An attendance door flag is flown each day every student is present in class. We are very proud to see so many flags flying as we walk down the hallways.

PEACEBUILDERS
PeaceBuilders teaches children, teens and adults to be empathetic to the feelings and the suffering of others.  We know that the simple act of Noticing Hurts and Righting Wrongs builds community and increases peace.  For more information, visit the PeaceBuilders website, http://www.peacebuilders.com.

WRITERS OF THE WEEK
Every Thursday afternoon, you will find a group of students in the cafeteria sharing their writing with the principal and other students.  This is not a competition; it is a recognition of student writing meant to encourage writing in the classroom and to develop oral fluency.  It is also an opportunity to promote friendships within the grade levels.  These student interactions help to develop positive identities, social competencies and a commitment to learning.
Each week teachers select students to receive a Writer of the Week certificate and take their piece of writing to the cafeteria where they introduce themselves and share their writings aloud.  Here are our writers for this month: