10/23/26 Bear Tracks

Posted Date: 10/23/26 (05:17 PM)

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October 23, 2026

Upcoming Dates

10/30 - 2:00 - 2:30 PM Halloween Parade

10/30 - 5:00 - 6:30 PM Fingerprinting at GB for Volunteer Clearance!

10/30 - 5:30 - 7:00 PM Trunk or Treat

11/6 - 9:00 AM Coffee with the Principal

11/6 - 11/8 - Musical Performances - Annie!

11/11 - No School Veterans Day

11/13 - Walk or Wheel AND Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day!

11/14 - 6:00 - 7:30 PM Glow With Me Party

11/20 - Spirit Day - Sports Theme!

11/23 - 11/27 - Thanksgiving Break

A Message from the Principal

Dear families,

Last weekend’s Walkathon was such an exciting opportunity to see our students’ energy and school spirit on full display. A huge thank you to our parents and volunteers for creating such a fun and lively Pokémon-themed event, and so many creative activities along the route! We had some very excited students that won raffle prizes! Shout out to our Walkathon Chairs for their many hours of work! What a successful event! Also, shout out to the 6th graders that stepped up to volunteer at stations and helped make the day special for our younger Grizzlies.

We had such a dynamic week at Gardner Bullis!

This was one of those weeks with so many wonderful moments that it is hard to highlight just a few!

Here are a few fun highlights from the week:

Families joined us for our TK–3 Starting Arts Informances, where students shared what they have been learning about rhythm, beat, and reading music.
Our 6th graders participated in a three-hour Leadership Workshop courtesy of Project Cornerstone.
4th graders welcomed local firefighters as part of their current research and writing unit focused on emergency preparedness.
Thanks to Mr. Cercedes, one of our PE teachers, students enjoyed collaborative and energizing indoor PE activities during Thursday’s rainy weather.
Students in several grades participated in Living Classroom and Art Docent lessons.
Our TK–2 students enjoyed a special author visit in the library, coordinated by our librarian, Mrs. De Rago.
Student Leadership led our schoolwide recognition of Unity Day on Friday as we came together to celebrate kindness, inclusion, and belonging.

As I reflected on the week, it struck me how many of the people and programs that make these meaningful learning experiences possible - not just this week, but throughout the school year - are funded by the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF). This includes our very own librarian, Mrs. De Rago; our PE teachers, Mr. Sky and Mr. Cercedes; Starting Arts; Project Cornerstone; Living Classroom; and Art Docents.

As LAEF’s Fall Fundraising Night approaches next week, I encourage families who have not yet had a chance to participate to consider making a donation. Every contribution helps sustain the people and programs that enrich our students’ learning experiences each day.

Have a great weekend!

Ellen

Living Classrooms - Project Cornerstone - Unity Day

Our Halloween Parade - Friday, October 30th 2:00 - 2:30 PM

The community is invited to join us for our annual Halloween Parade on the upper blacktop!

That morning, 1st-6th grade students should bring costumes in a bag and change at lunch recess. TK/K families: please see your class communication for specific details.
Costumes should be school-appropriate: no gory blood, toy weapons, violent costumes, or scary masks that cover the face. Please also be mindful that costumes are culturally respectful.
Students will line up with their class and grade level on the upper blacktop and promenade with their grade level.
If you want to take your child home after the parade, please sign out with your child's teacher or the front office.

Let's have a spooktacular time!

Messages From Our Librarian - Mrs. De Rego

IT'S NOT TOO LATE to contribute to the Storybook Pumpkin Patch!

Our storybook pumpkin patch in the library is growing! Encourage your child to decorate a pumpkin to look like one of their favorite book characters and bring it to school on Monday, 10/26. No carved, cut or punctured pumpkins. Decorate with acrylic paint, permanent markers and add materials like yarn, buttons, etc. Flyers with more information can be picked up in the office or library. Participation is completely voluntary. Pumpkins must be picked up by 3:00 on Friday, October 30 or they will be recycled. Students who pick up their pumpkins will receive a special "thank you gift!"

The teachers you help fund bring energy, creativity, and joy to classrooms every day!

Your donation to LAEF helps fund these specialized teachers, instructional programs, and materials for Gardner Bullis students this school year.

Physical Education: Skyler Russert, David Cerecedes

Music 4th-6th: Joe Chan, Joanna Marcal, Cruz Gonzalez, Alicia Fuller, Monica Rodriguez

Library Specialist: Tania DeRego

Art Docents:* Kimberly Dickerson, Sarah Levy

Starting Arts

Living Classroom:* Caroline Chan, Sandi Elefant

Computer Science Support:* Grace Choi, Sheena Vaidyanathan. Note: Prop 28 funds our Computer Science teachers.

Mental Health Counselors & Social and Emotional Learning

Classroom supplies, equipment, and technology

Teacher professional development

*Oversees district-wide program and curriculum

If you haven't had a chance to give this school year, donate to LAEF today. Donations of any amount are welcome and appreciated! And be sure to apply for a corporate match if available to you.

Volunteer Reminder: Please Complete All Requirements!

We are grateful for the many parents and community members who give their time to support our students and schools!

As we continue implementing our updated volunteer requirements, we have noticed that many volunteers have completed fingerprinting but have not yet submitted the required online Volunteer Form.
Fingerprinting is just one step in the process, and volunteers are not fully cleared until all required steps are completed.
If you have been fingerprinted, please make sure you have also completed the online Volunteer Form and any additional requirements for your volunteer level.
Fingerprinting comes at a significant cost to the District. When volunteers complete fingerprinting but do not finish the process, valuable resources are spent without resulting in an approved volunteer who can support our schools.

Please help us make the most of these resources by completing all volunteer requirements as soon as possible. If you have already completed everything, thank you!

Volunteer Authorization Form

LASD Student Art Showcase

We are excited to announce our annual LASD Student Art Showcase. This is an opportunity for any student from TK-8th grade to express themselves artistically with our community. Students are encouraged to submit a piece of artwork in the medium and theme of their choice following the guidelines in the advertisement above. Submissions will be accepted between 10/8 and 11/11, and the LASD Student Art Showcase will be on display at Covington Elementary on November 18th from 5:00-7:00 pm.

This event will be a celebration of student art and local artists, as well as an opportunity to enjoy an evening together as an LASD community.

Registration opens October 8th. Please use this google form to register. Registration closes on November 11th. Let's go, Grizzlies! I can’t wait to see what you create. Questions? kdickerson@lasdschools.org