Gullett Gazette - September 5, 2023

Dear Caregivers,

Welcome to September! We have three full weeks under our belt and our Geckos have done an amazing job of acclimating to school and getting busy with learning! On the first Monday of each month we will be sharing our “Gullett Gazette” to give our families important schoolwide information. This year we have been talking with students quite a bit about our new “GROW” acronym as part of our “GROW to Glow” theme for the year. G is for goalsetters, R is for respectful, O is for original and W is for welcoming. I have divided this month’s Gazette into those sections to share how we are GROWing at Gullett!

G is for Goalsetters

On Thursday, teachers will host Back to School night to share relevant information with you about the classroom and curriculum goals and expectations for the year. The first session begins at 5:30 and the 2nd session is at 6:15. The same information will be shared at both sessions. This event is geared towards grown ups, so please if possible, leave your Gecko at home.

Students have also been completing various beginning of the year assessments, including MAPGrowth Reading and Math.. I know teachers are looking forward to sharing this information with you at conferences. Of course the best part comes in the spring, when we can show you all the growth they have made this year! In the coming weeks you'll be getting information from your child's teacher about signing up for a time to visit with them. There is no school on Monday, September 25th 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!

R is for Respectful

Help us keep everyone safe and school running efficiently by being respectful of our rules and procedures. I wanted to share a few reminders that need some attention and your support. If your student is arriving after 7:40 they need to check in at the office. We will get them a tardy slip and escort them safely to class. Please do not park anywhere along Hunt Trail in the morning or afternoon and always use the crosswalks when coming onto campus.

If you are walking to pick up, please stay outside of the fenclines until 3:10. If you are picking up your child early for an appointment please do so before 2:45 pm. For more information on school and district policies, you can view the Gullett Student and Family handbook as well as the AISD student success guide. Every policy you need to know is in both of these documents!

O is for Original

September has several fun events for our Geckos. Here at Gullett, we love a good dress up opportunity. On Friday, September 15th, we will celebrate international “Dot Day” which is focused on creativity, collaboration and courage. We are encouraging students to wear polka dots on Thursday as a symbol of being original and making your mark. We will also be hosting our first author visit of the year on this day with Chris Barton-please check out Mr. Temple’s newsletter for more information.

Speaking of “original” holidays, on Tuesday September 19th it is “National Talk Like a Pirate Day!” Feel free to let your child dress up as a pirate on that day. Black shorts or pants and a white T-shirt can often do the trick (no weapons). We will do a school wide treasure hunt and of course there will be plenty of “argh me hearties” to be heard in the halls.

September 15th also kicks off Hispanic Heritage month! We will be sharing information during announcements, and teachers will also be incorporating this into their lesson plans. On September 22nd, we will be having McCallum’s Ballet Folklorico join us for a performance.

W is for Welcoming

Many volunteer opportunities are getting underway here at Gullett and we are thrilled to welcome our parents into our school! Don’t forget that all of our volunteer opportunities require a free background check from APIE -Austin Partners in Education-click here to complete one.

Room parents are getting started and AppleCore has already been hard at work. Our grounds team is taking on their next big project of gardening with classrooms, and our animal care team has been adding all kinds of extra touches. On September 14th at 6:00 in the cafeteria, we will have our “Gathering of the Guardians” which is a training for “Guardians of the Geckos.” which we launched last year. Check out this flier for more information! This is a great way to volunteer for just one day here at the school and get an up close look at a day in the life of your Gecko. This opportunity is open to all caregivers!

GROW to Glow!

I am looking forward to all the excitement the next few weeks have in store as we continue to kick off the 23-24 school. Our “GROW to Glow” theme is focused on student growth in all ways and celebrating their successes-it’s going to be a great year here at Gullett!

Connect with us on twitter @GullettElem or follow our PTA on Instagram @ GullettGeckos or on Facebook @ Gullett Elementary. Thank you again for all of your support and for sharing your children with us - Gullett is definitely a school like no other place!

Sincerely,

Tammy Thompson

Proud Principal, Gullett Elementary

Greetings! My name is DeAnna Mahan, and I am the school counselor for Gullett Elementary School. Nothing gives me greater joy than supporting your Geckos! Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns (deanna.mahan@austinisd.org or 512-414-2082 EXT 56028).

Mini Meetings!

Mini meetings are scheduled one time per semester. These are private, informal check-ins with individual students to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to meet one on one with the counselor.

Individual Check-Ins/Counseling!

The school counselor checks in with students on an as needed basis. Parents may refer students for individual counseling or check-ins here: Consent for Individual Counseling.

Lunch Bunch!

Students in grades 1-5 may be referred by their teachers or parents to participate in the counselor’s lunch bunch. Students will have the opportunity to feel seen, build positive coping skills, and form trusting relationships. (Parent permission is required; Gecko Lunch Bunch Permission Form )

Classroom Counseling Lessons!

Your student’s class will meet with the counselor monthly for counseling lessons. Our first lesson will be an introduction/review of the role of the school counselor. We will also review some mindfulness strategies that you can use at home: Resources for the whole family.

~Ms. Mahan

Doug Temple started his education career teaching 2nd grade in Asheville, NC before moving back to Texas to study library science. He’s been with AISD since 2008 and is now in his fourth year as Gullett’s lucky librarian. In addition to good books, Mr. Temple loves playing outside, live music, and weird movies. Click here to learn more about the Gullett library.

- Mr. Temple

Hello Gecko Musicians, and happy 23-24 school year!

We hope everyone had a fantastic summer and first few weeks back at school. We have wasted no time jumping (back) into music making, which has included our new additional music teacher Marc Sustaita, aka Mr. S. He comes to us with over 20 years spent in elementary music classrooms, and we are lucky to have him on our team.

Just who are your music teachers? Click here for Mr. S’ teaching bio & class link and here for Mr. Jurgens’.

This year, we will be studying recorder with 3rd-5th grade. We are asking for a $4 enrichment fee to cover the cost of ordering these instruments, and will send the School Cash Online link to those families when it is ready.

Upcoming events:

• 9/19: 5th Grade Program–Jazz it Up!

• 9/28: Austin Jazz Workshop (3rd-5th)

• 10/17: 3rd Grade Program

• 11/10: Veterans Day Assembly

Please email us if you have any questions!

~ Will Jurgens & Marc Sustaita, Gullett Music Staff

Visual arts at Gullett has been off to an amazing start to the year!

We are wrapping up Unit 1- getting to know each other and the art room and are headed into Unit 2. In AISD the Visual art curriculum is based on the Elements and Principals of art in Kinder and 1st grade, and the Studio Habits of Mind in 2nd-5th grade. Unit 2 is Line and Shape for K-1 and "Artists, Artworks, and Art techniques" for 2-5. So, Kinder and 1st will be creating art that explores Line and shape, and 2nd -5th will each be looking at art, exploring different artists, and some new ways of making art.

Our visual arts team has grown! We love getting to see the students more than twice a week! Below you will find a quick bio of our visual art teachers:

Nicki Leatherwood is an Austin native, AISD, ACC and UT graduate who has been teaching visual art at Gullett for 14 years. She has 2 daughters who attend Gullett, and a husband who is an Assistant Principal in Pflugerville. In her spare time, she likes to make art, sew, read, go on Girl Scout adventures, and help mentor new art teachers. You can find her Classroom Wishlist here.

Drew Luecke (Loo-key) is a native Austinite, graduate from Texas State University, an Art Educator and a professional artist. She welcomed her baby girl into this world in April this year and is getting married in October to a chef. Her hobbies include camping, creating costumes, making art for people, kayaking, going on adventures, enjoying concerts and spending lots of time with her loved ones. This is Ms. Luecke’s 8th year teaching art in AISD and is excited to be a new teacher at Gullett! You can find her Classroom Wishlist here.

If you haven't signed the permission form for Ms. Leatherwood's National Board Journey, you can do that here (no need if you did this last year)

Artsonia: Connect a parent account to your student by clicking on this link.

Don't forget to check out the Contest Folder for Art Contests!

~Ms. Leatherwood and Ms. Luecke

Welcome and PE Team

Welcome back Gecko families! In PE, students will participate in a variety of activities in accordance with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. We look forward to teaching your child a variety of sports skills along with cooperation and good sportsmanship! Please ensure that your child is prepared for class by wearing tennis shoes and athletic wear.

PE will be taught by Ms. Garcia, Coach Rose, and Mr. Victor this year.

Ms. Garcia is an Austin native, AISD, and St. Edward’s University graduate. This is her 6th year teaching PE at Gullett. Ms. Garcia and her family are excited to welcome their first baby in November! In her spare time, she likes to play soccer, watch sports, and spend time with family.

Coach Rose has been teaching elementary school physical education for 19 years and this is her second year here at Gullett. When she’s not teaching young people, she also enjoys sharing her passion for fitness with adults, teaching group fitness classes at Lifetime. Coach Rose lives here in the Allandale neighborhood with her husband and 15 year old son who attends McCallum High School. When she’s not at work, she enjoys working out and spending time with her family and friends.

Mr. Victor was born in Zitacuaro, a city located in the State of Michoacan in Mexico. He migrated to San Jose California at age 20, moved to Austin and has been here for 3 years now. This is his 2nd year teaching PE at Gullett.

What We Are Learning

We are currently in our cooperation unit where students will review and practice teamwork and good sportsmanship.

Marathon Kids

Students in grades K-5 will participate in Marathon Kids again this year. Marathon Kids is a running program that works for any kid, at any fitness level. Kids set their goals and track their progress on a journey to complete four marathons, or 104.8 miles, over the course of the running club season/year. They run, or walk, a lap at a time, at a day at a time, and before they know it they’ve gone farther than they ever dreamed. Marathon “Kick-Off Day Day” coming soon. Please be on the lookout for further details on Konstella.

~Ms. Garcia, Coach Rose, and Mr. Victor

• 9/7 - Back to School Night
  
• 9/11 - GT Window Opens, Celebrate Freedom Week
  
• 9/14 - Gathering of the Guardians!
  
• 9/15 - Dot Day! Chris Barton Author Visit, Hispanic Heritage Month begins
  
• 9/19 - 5th Grade Performance, Talk Like a Pirate Day
  
• 9/21 Big Ideas Study Groups
  
• 9/25 - Parent Teacher Conferences
  
• October - Dyslexia Awareness Month, Month of the Bilingual Child, Bullying Prevention Month
  
• 10/2 - PTA Meeting, Custodian Appreciation Week
  

Samantha Greenleaf, Assistant Principal

GROW to Glow!

Email: gullett@austinisd.org
Website: www.gullettgeckos.com
Location: 6310 Treadwell Boulevard, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-414-2082
Facebook: facebook.com/gullettgeckos
Twitter: @GullettElem