GunnTogether Times (Oct. 15, 2021)

Principal Stratton's Newsletter

Dear Titan Families,

Accompanying our return to campus this fall are all of the missed traditions that exemplify the spirit of Gunn High. The level of engagement and enthusiasm coming from our students and staff is at an all-time high. More students and staff are choosing to attend school events. Most recently at the Gunn Night Rally, our football stadium housed more than 1400 attendees, who observed impressively high caliber performances from our cheer and dance teams, along with the awe-inspiring annual airband competition. The theme for Homecoming 2021 is Destination: Gunn. Now that we have arrived back on our beloved campus, we are energized and full of gratitude for every opportunity we are granted to experience community. The photos below provide a glimpse into HoCo 2021 at Gunn High! Go, Titans!


In the Spirit of GunnTogether,


Principal Stratton

wstratton@pausd.org.

Attendance Information

A note from Ana Reyes, Coordinator of Student Supports, PAUSD:


Attendance and mental health and wellbeing are a major priority for the district this year. During this time, students may be experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety and we know that school demands can sometimes exacerbate these concerns. Please be aware that absences may be excused for both physical and mental health concerns. If your student is experiencing higher than normal anxiety or stress please contact your grade level counselor.


Parents/Guardians should notify the school when an illness prevents a student from attending school. If staff notice that either physical or mental health absences are frequent for a student missing school, you should expect to hear from an administrator or counselor on how the school can best support your child. Stay well.

Tutoring Help Available

If your child is struggling with a class, don't wait -- REQUEST A PEER TUTOR NOW! Tutors are available during the school day including lunchtime and after school. Email Lisa Collart (lcollart@pausd.org) or Pam Steward (psteward@pausd.org) for details.

Dyslexia Awareness Month

October Is Dyslexia Awareness Month

The Palo Alto PTA Council endorsed the California State PTA Dyslexia resolution in Oct 2019. As many as one in five students may have some degree of dyslexia (Shaywitz 1998). Having dyslexia makes reading and other skills more challenging to acquire, but having dyslexia is not necessarily a barrier to success. Many individuals with dyslexia have not only been successful, but they have also changed the world. FAQs

Athletics (Titan Home Games)

https://gunn.pausd.org/campus-life/athletics

FOOTBALL (F/S 4:30pm, Varsity 7:00 pm)

  • Oct. 15, Oct. 29

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

  • Oct. 19 (4, 5:30), Oct. 26 (4, 5:30, 6:45 pm)

BOYS WATER POLO (5:45 & 6:45 pm)

  • Oct. 15, Oct. 16 (Varsity 8 am), Oct. 21

GIRLS WATER POLO (3:30 & 4:45 pm)

  • Oct. 21

TENNIS (4:00 pm)

  • Oct. 19, Oct. 26, Oct. 28
GOLF (3:30 at Baylands)
  • Oct. 19 (12:30 pm), Oct. 26 (12:30 pm)

Upcoming Events

Oct. 15

  • Homecoming Football Game, 7:00 pm

Oct. 16

  • Homecoming Dance, 7-10 pm on the football field

Oct. 21

  • PTSA General Meeting/Principal's Q&A, 5:30-6:15 pm on zoom
  • Fall Orchestra Concert, 7:30 pm in Spangenberg Theatre

Oct. 22

  • Fall Jazz Concert, 7:30 pm in Spangenberg Theatre

Oct. 28

  • Symphonic & Freshman Band Fall Concert, 7:30 pm in Spangenberg Theatre

COVID Testing At Gunn Every Friday

Staff and parents/guardians may pre-register for on-site COVID Testing by clicking on the link below. Please note, these links are school site-specific, so if you have children at more than one site you’ll need to use the individual code specifically for your child’s school.

Henry M. Gunn High

https://quicktest.labxchange.io/patientintake?testguid=61FCF8B205E045C

Once you have registered, the individual being tested should go to the testing clinic (portable near Nurse's Office) You will receive your test results through an email or text message from “Patient Connect,” which is Predicine Lab's new data system.

If you have questions, feel free to contact the PAUSD Health Services Office via email at health@pausd.org or you can call (650)833-4240

Reminder: All Visitors and Volunteers Need to Be Vaccinated

Vaccination is required for all visitors and volunteers to Gunn High School's campus. Here's the the visitor form. Volunteers should receive a form to complete through the person organizing the event they are participating in. Visitors must show proof of vaccination when signing in at the main office.

Senior Parents Update

Is your Senior visiting colleges during school time?

All 12th-grade students can miss up to 5 total days (excused) for college visits. Please use the form linked here to submit a request for approval. Requests should be submitted to the Attendance Office 72 hours in advance. If you have any questions, please reach out to Assistant Principal Courtney Carlomagno at ccarlomagno@pausd.org.

Senior Cap and Gown/ Graduation Announcement Ordering

This year, more than ever before, it is critical to place your graduation order before the deadline: 11/19/21. Make sure to watch the video below to see all the options available along with limited time specials, as well as important information and deadlines.

Senior Recognition Ads (also known as Senior Baby Ads) DUE DATE 10/31

Use these FORMS to get started with your senior recognition ad. FORM 1 FORM 2

A quarter-page senior recognition ad at $75. As always, we have tried to determine pricing that will be affordable to all parents. All proceeds go toward yearbook printing and production. Thanks for supporting The Olympian! Any questions? gunn.the.olympian@gmail.com. For technical questions, call Jostens at 1-800-358-0800.

Senior Portraits Are Due the Week of January 3, 2022

Please contact Now and Forever Studio via phone at (408) 354-8660 to arrange your appointment. They will have a limited number of Campus sessions and will have a tiered sign-up system. More details will be available soon. Contact Olympian adviser Kristy Blackburn

Walk & Roll!

Taking a trip that's less than a mile? Ditch your car! Visit here for tips. Car trips of under a mile add up to about 10 billion miles per year...and the average car releases 411 grams of CO2 per mile. One small shift can make a huge difference. Here's how:

  1. Walk, bike, skateboard or ride a scooter.
  2. Take public transit when possible.
  3. Carpool or rideshare instead of driving alone.
  4. Plan ahead to make the most of your trips and “trip chain.”

IEP Fundamentals

  • On Saturday, Oct. 16, 9-11am, join a zoom webinar to learn about IEPs (Individual Education Programs). Training will cover Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE), Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), how to read through an IEP document, and how to develop SMART goals for your child in Special Education. Organized by Palo Alto CAC (cacpaloalto.org), presented by Sarah Wickens, an advocate trained by non-profit COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates), and co-sponsored by PTAC (ptac.paloaltopta.org). Questions or translation requests? paloaltocac@gmail.com. Join Zoom Webinar Webinar ID: 857 5127 6033
  • On Tuesday, Oct. 19, 7-8:30pm, join a zoom webinar to discuss "Creating and Troubleshooting IEP Goals That Work." Email selpa1cacinfo@gmail.com for the link. IEP Goals are written in a very specific language and it can be difficult to see how the goals relate to concrete skills and goals for your child. Learn more about SMART Goals and how they work with Professor Anne Spillane of University of Massachusetts Global.

Join the PTSA

PTSA Invites You to Join the Team

How Will My $8 Membership Be Spent?

PTA membership pays for officer training, advocacy, insurance and operational costs of the Gunn HS PTSA. By becoming a member, you can join discussions and vote at PTA meetings. It’s easy to join. Go here for more details.

Donate to PiE

The PiE (Partners in Education) 2021-22 fundraising campaign is underway. Your support makes a huge difference to our school community. PiE funds go to every PAUSD school and help principals staff programs that deliver a well-rounded education. PiE's funding provides enrichment and support in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), the Arts, and Wellness and Support. PiE-funded staff enhances our kids' learning every day. Questions about PiE? See our FAQs Donate today!

Yearbook and Oracle Newspaper

Yearbook Ordering

Help Students with Gunn Foundation scholarships

The Gunn Foundation grants need-based college scholarships to graduating Gunn seniors every spring since 1968. Last year, 24 seniors benefited from our community's generosity.

These scholarships help bridge the gap in areas not covered by other financial aid (tuition and housing deposits, computers, books, transportation). When these costs must be paid up front, they can be the deciding factor in a student’s ability to attend the school they have worked so hard to be accepted at.

Many of last year's senior recipients experienced personal and educational challenges, especially during the pandemic, and we were thrilled to be able to help them get to the next level. Students see these scholarships and support from the Gunn community as a demonstration of our belief in their potential. While the dollar amount may be less than other financial aid, the meaning is greater.

If you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation in any amount, you can easily give online via their website (gunnfound.org) or on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GunnFoundation/).

Thank you for all you do to support students in our community!

Parent Resources

Henry M. Gunn High School

Henry M. Gunn High School

Henry M. Gunn High School

780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, USA wstratton@pausd.org gunn.pausd.org