Gant

We could see and feel the difference during the Zero-Waste Lunch Challenge 4/1-18! We reduced trash 50% (good for the planet), and we increased TerraCycle (good for the planet and revenue for programs).

To prepare for our first Zero Waste Lunch Challenge for 2019/2020, which will be Sept 3-13, please visit our Lunchbox fundraiser site for all your zero Waste lunch needs and to help raise funds for Minnie Gant.

Here is also a link for discount code for more zero Waste lunch items at ukonserve.com.

Please continue to collect as part of our TerraCycle program over the summer break. We will begin our Terracycle collection on the first day of school. 

Friday, June 7, was the final day of the NEW Gant Running Club! In the five short weeks that this club was on campus, 108 students came out to run and, together, achieved 446 miles worth of exercise and fun. They were incredible! Most special congratulations to 5th grader Ever, who was awarded the "Golden Sneaker" for his top mileage of 13.62 miles!

The audience was in for a treat Thursday, June 6, when Gators took the stage at Stanford auditorium for our annual Minnie Gant Talent Show. The talent on display really was astounding, as we watched act after adorable act of singing, dancing, instruments, knock-knock jokes and more. Bravo to all the talented students who shared their skills and gifted us with a great night of entertainment!

Thank you to all who came out to join in our PTA End-of-the-Year Picnic. What could be better than an evening together picnicking, slurping on snow cones, and playing fun games lead by 2nd grade parent Hank Wise?! It was the perfect way to send off our fantastic 2018/2019 school year. 

Our 2019 Scholastic Book Fair was DINOmite! Students and their families shopped our book fair throughout the week of May 20-25. You could feel a love and enthusiasm for reading in the air! In the end, our shopping brought in more than $10,000 of Scholastic dollars for our school library to put to great use. Way to go!

At our APEX Fun Run in May, our kids ran 1,281 miles, raising money for our science lab and instructional enrichment. Fun run facts:

• Number of pledges = 1876
• Collection rate = 99%
• Leadership lessons taught = 132 (22 classes/day x 6 lessons)
• APEX hours = 300 (hours APEX athletes spent running the program and making a positive impact on the school)
• Total laps = 20,500
• APEX Giveback Challenge = 75 students reached $10/lap
• Donor base = pledges from 38 states

Congratulations to our new board members for the 2019-2020 year, and thank you to our outgoing board members from this year. Along with many others, the PTA board members give considerable time to our school. They go to meetings, go to trainings, and go the extra mile for our school. Many have served for several years while welcoming and training newer members to maintain a strong PTA and programs that support our school and all of our children.  So, welcome new members, and thank you to all. We are very grateful gators!

This past week, parents and students came together in celebration of our exceptional teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week! The week began with the reveal of "fiesta" themed classroom doors, decorated by some hardworking, creative parents. In the days that followed, there were flowers, there was a cart of treats visiting classrooms and there were adorable notes delivered by students.

The week culminated in a delicious teacher luncheon generously donated by GREAT MEX restaurant here in Long Beach. Thanks, Great Mex! 

We hope that our teachers left the week knowing how very, very much we appreciate them!

PTA would like to congratulate our 2018/19 Teacher of the Year, our amazing 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Karlowitsch! Thank you to all who submitted entries. You are greatly appreciated.