Gunn Together Times
Principal Stratton's Update, 5/28/21
In the Spirit of Gunn Together
This year we have collectively grown stronger and more purposeful in our efforts to nurture the wellness of our community. We learned that community is not about proximity, or where you are, but rather it is about how we connect and how we support one another as we adapt to the challenges that come our way. We learned the critical importance self-care plays in being able to support others.
Our community truly "Gunned-Together" this past school year. We strategically partnered in efforts to provide support for those who most in need of it, and we networked with one another to establish more robust systems of support. We committed to continuously increasing our cultural competency, by setting aside our own understandings in order to listen to the unique perspectives of our diverse membership.
There is no question that this community is exiting the pandemic with greater strength, awareness, and purpose than we had upon entry.
I wish you all a wonderful and restorative summer hiatus and look forward to full-in person experience of our Gunn community in August.
Warmly,
Principal Stratton
2021 Final Virtual Art Exhibition & A Heartfelt Farewell from Our Beloved Art Teacher
Greetings All,
I'd like to present Gunns' Drawing and Painting program, final, pandemic, quarantined, remote, Virtual Art Exhibition 2021!
So much beautiful artwork has been quietly in production in student homes, a little in the classroom, and mostly from the depths of their hearts. EnJOY!
It has been a pleasure, pain, JOY, and growing experience working with the creatives at Gunn. I'm hopeful in my departure that the "STEM ship" of the district will not forget that the Arts are the heart of the school. That they have always been the social-emotional, safe programs that feed our student's souls, and need to be funded accordingly. I've been grateful to work for a community and parents who support the Arts!
Remember: Earth without Art is just Eh
Cheerio!
Deanna J. Messinger
“Art is not a handicraft, it is the transmission of feeling the artist has experienced.” –Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910)
Key Dates
Friday, May 28th
- Senior Finals
- Senior Showcase & Awards Night, 7:00-9:30 PM
Monday, May 31st
- Memorial Day, No School
Tuesday, June 1st-3rd
- Finals for 9th-11th Grades
- Graduation Rehearsal, 2:30-4:30 PM
- City Council Proclamation, 5:00 PM
- City Wide Car Parade Car Parade, 5:30-7:00 PM
- Graduation at 5 PM on the Football Field (This event will also be live-streamed and recorded)
- Minimum Day-Last Day for Students
- End of 2nd Semester
- Semester Finals for 9th-11th Grades
- Teacher Work Day (No Students)
Gunn Football Team & Coach Jason Miller's Social Justice Lens To Be Honored By City Council!
City Council Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Special Meeting 5:00 PM
- Attached is the City Council Proclamation information honoring the Gunn Football team for their winning effort in bringing attention to social justice.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FuCNFrHHlSx8L4QPG2BX-fVWRAjJT7nAv1Hg5hFDQvA/edit?usp=sharingJUNE 1ST PROCLAMATION - GUNN FOOTBALL
San Jose Mercury News Article
Athletics Updates
Chromebook Returns
Finals Schedule (Grades 9-11)
Tuesday, June 1st
9:00-9:40 AM Flex/Tutorial
9:50-11:20 AM Per 1
11:20-11:50 AM Lunch
12:00-1:30 PM Per 2
Wednesday, June 2nd
9:40-11:10 AM Per 6
11:10-11:40 AM Lunch
11:50-1:20 PM Per 3
1:20-1:50 PM Break
2:00-3:30 PM Per 7
Thursday, June 3rd
9:00-9:40 AM Flex/Tutorial
9:50-11:20 AM Per 4
11:20-11:50 AM Lunch
12:00-1:30 PM Per 5
Seniors - Important Information About Graduation Events
Link to Parent Notice with Graduation Ticket and Check-In Information
Due to safety protocols, all seniors intending to participate in graduation needed to have their parents register through ParentSquare for the graduation ceremony by May 17th. If your parents have not done this, we are assuming you do not intend to participate in the in-person graduation this year. Please contact Ms. La Place at plaplace@pausd.org if questions.
Grad Images will be at Graduation to capture your images during the ceremony. Don’t forget to Pre-Register at gradimages.com/preregistration (enter “Henry M. Gunn High School“ in the search window) prior to the event to share your photos with loved ones and to receive 20% off your photo order!
Watch the Senior Showcase on YouTube: May 28th @ 7:00 PM - Link will be sent out Friday!
Graduation Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 1st at 2:30 PM at the Amphitheater (grass area behind Spangenberg). All participating Seniors need to be on time as the rehearsal will start promptly - Please read through the instructions so you will be ready! Instructions for Seniors at Rehearsal
- Important - there will be no “seat saving”. If you miss rehearsal you will be assigned seating
- Students who are speaking at graduation will need to stay after the rehearsal for a few minutes for soundcheck.
- Again, the rehearsal is at 2:30 PM – do not be late!
City Wide Car Parade - June 1st, 5:30-6:30pm: If you are planning on participating in this year’s car parade - READ THIS
Graduation is Wednesday, June 2, at 5:00 PM on the Football Athletic Field. All graduating Seniors will meet at the Amphitheater (grass area behind Spangenberg) no later than 4:30 PM for staging for the processional before the ceremony.
- Plan for parking and traffic so you are not late.
- Attire for graduates is dressy casual with cap, tassel and gown zipped up. Wear comfortable shoes.
- Sign in to the Heath Screener before coming to the school.
- Seniors need to be on time, as the start of the ceremony will not be held for late arrivals.
Have friends or family who want to watch the ceremony, but cannot attend? Live Streaming Instructions
Note: This event will be recorded for future viewing opportunities!
Diploma Pick-Up
PTSA Updates and Call for Volunteers
*NEW** Parent Volunteers Needed for Textbook Collection Parent volunteers are needed to help gather, sort, and stack textbooks, and support students while they wait in line to return their books. Textbook collection times are below. Please sign up here if you can help -- Thank you!
**NEW** Parent Volunteers Needed for High School Graduation We need parent volunteers to help with check-in and ushering at graduation on Wed June 2 from 3:45-5:30 PM. Please sign up here if you can help -- Thank you!
**NEW** Open PTSA Roles for 2021-22. Join us! The following key PTSA roles are open for 2021-22. Please email ExecVP@gunnpta.org if you are interested, or for more information:
**NEW** Gunn PTSA Honorary Service Awards Each year Gunn PTSA presents Honorary Service Awards to members of the GunnCommunity in recognition of their outstanding service to children and youth. This year we are pleased to present HSA awards to the following parents and staff: Sonya Bradski, Rosie Castillo, Genevae Dixon, Linda Kirsch, and Ann Xu. Congratulations!
**NEW** New Gunn Site Council Parent Reps! We are pleased to announce that Paul Little and Lauren Hahn have been elected to a 2-year term (2021-2023) on the Gunn Site Council. Jennifer Carlstrom will replace Star Teachout for a one year term (2021-2022). Anna Zeppieri is the Site Council Parent Alternate for 2021-2023. Congratulations to our new parent representatives! Our new parent members join Bryna Chang representing Gunn parents on the Site Council and we welcome you to reach out to them next year to build a connected school community.
ENGLISH BOOK RETURNS - Please Check Your Shelves! Do you have books to return from previous school years? OR From this year - Semester 1 or 2? Please check around for any that are now due or overdue and drop them off at the English office if you're able. Where: The English Office (N100) When: On Tuesdays or Thursdays in May (between 3:00 & 4:00) For students who are on campus, books may also be dropped off during the lunch break on any school day. NOTE: This is only for books that are not currently being used, and not for books that are needed for finals. We encourage returns of any English books that are ready to be returned. The textbook return schedule will be out soon, but any English books that can be returned in May are welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Glover in the English office, at lglover@pausd.org.
Superintendent's Message -May 28th, 2021
From the Office of the Superintendent:
BOARD AGENDA CALENDAR
The agenda calendar is tentative until posted the Friday before meetings. There are two remaining meetings for the year. The calendar can be found HERE.
CELEBRATING RETIREMENTS
PAUSD would like to share a quick video celebrating the careers of our retirees. The video HERE is a reminder that we are in a “people” business. Each of these team members has served our school district with pride and their best effort. Their experience and dedication to serving our students will be missed immediately.
I watched the video several times and tried to picture each of them in their first interview. Most probably had no idea that their interview would lead to long and storied careers. On the day of their first interview, it would be hard to imagine any of them thinking about seeing their name or picture on a retirement celebration. We can confidently assume that none of them predicted serving the last year and a half under COVID conditions. They all called someone on the day of their hiring to express their excitement. We sincerely wish them all the best and hope they know they are appreciated. Thank you to each of our retirees for a job well-done in professions requiring the best!
GRADUATION PARADE
Similar to last year, all four Palo Alto high schools were invited to participate in a city-wide car parade. Students may decorate their cars, wear their caps and gowns, and show off their school spirit as the Palo Alto community joins them in celebrating their incredible accomplishments! Students must adhere to all traffic laws and abide by any instructions provided by PAPD. The parade will start at 5:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m.
K-5 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA) ADOPTION
PAUSD will accelerate the timeline for a K-5 ELA adoption process during the 2021-22 school year with an implementation expectation for 2022-23.
We plan to start next year with Teachers College (TC) units of study with Orton-Gillingham (OG) serving as a replacement of the flawed TC phonics units of instruction. An adoption committee will be formed shortly, following established policies and protocols.
CITY OF PALO ALTO WALK AND BIKEWAYS SURVEY
The City of Palo Alto would like your feedback on how to make walking and biking better along the Waverley Bike Path, East Meadow Drive, and Fabian Way.
Student safety is a goal of this project, so the City would like to design this with as much student involvement as possible. Take the survey here and share your experiences using these corridors.
For more information, visit the South Palo Alto Bikeways Project website.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY
PAUSD received the following note from the City of Palo Alto:
Please accept this courtesy notice informing you of a tentative decision to approve a proposed wireless communication facility located approximately 540 feet from the boundary of Addison Elementary School. The approval letter identifies the proposed facility as being located on a street light pole on Channing Avenue adjacent to a property addressed as 853 Middlefield Road. The approval letter is available online: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/planning-amp-development-services/new-development-projects/wireless-projects/20pln-00118/20pln-00118-vinculums-cluster-4-decision-letter.pdf.
You may recall the Palo Alto City Council adopted objective standards that limit wireless communications facilities within 300 feet of a public school boundary and requires a wireless carrier to seek an exception to the City’s objective standards if the proposed facility is located within 600 feet of a public school. Verizon Wireless has requested such an exception for one of three of its proposed wireless communications facilities in this neighborhood.
The letter includes information on how an interested party may appeal this decision to the City Council. If an appeal is filed, it is anticipated it would occur on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
Attention Class of 2022- Community Service Hours
If you want your Community Service hours to go on your Gunn transcript, there is now a new process. It involves 2 steps:
-Follow the Gunn Community Service Guidelines, shown here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BeSZCNYht43k_8N27Mj2sbdBwGbzsRV28g2TMuK6b34/edit?usp=sharing.
-Complete the Gunn High School Community Service form, shown here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSedPGADsjqWP5rLcGBGmLWe6yDvWfnZDz8LyqYkB2xW0i0UbQ/viewform
The deadline to submit the form is Sept 3, 2021
Note: We will no longer be accepting the paper Community Service Tracking form.
Quick Links
Quick Links
Parent Networks
| 12th Grade Class | 2021pncoordinator@gunnpta.org
Nisha Datta, Julie Dubrouillet & Laura Wingard
| 11th Grade Class | 2022pncoordinator@gunnpta.org
Claire Kirner, Leena Gill, & Gunjan Gupta
| 10th Grade Class | 2023pncoordinator@gunnpta.org
Annie Bedichek, Lili Nova-Roessig, & Mana Uchino
| 9th grade Class | 2024pncoordinator@gunnpta.org
Elizabeth Lam, Naomi Wang, & Michelle Chen
| Special Ed/Inclusion Rep | specialed@gunnpta.org
Momo Yanagihara & Yael Uziyel Navel
Palo Alto Partners in Education
PTSA
Henry M. Gunn High School
Email: wstratton@pausd.org
Website: gunn.pausd.org
Location: 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Phone: (650)354-8200
Twitter: @Gunnhighprin