Principal's Message

 

 

Hello and welcome to the 2019-2020 school year here at Joe A. Gonsalves Elementary School - A 2018 California Distinguished School and a 2019 National Blue Ribbon Nominated School. The staff here at Gonsalves is dedicated to providing the best educational experience possible for our students.  This is done through a team effort where all stakeholders- staff, parents and families, students and community members - work collaboratively to create an environment conducive to learning and student achievement.  It is this combination of high quality teaching in the classroom, the commitment of our families to promote and support learning, and desire of our students to do their very best that makes Gonsalves a special place to be.

 

 

Academic Achievement

Our school has received many awards including being named a National Blue Ribbon School, a California Distinguished School and a California Business for Education Excellence Honor Roll School.  Our Smarter Balanced Assessment scores in both ELA and Math are among the highest in the state and we are excited as we move forward with the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).  We also have 1:1 devices in our 1st-6th classes as we use technology to enhance the learning in the classroom. Through a rigorous, standards-based curriculum, use of effective instructional strategies, grade-level collaboration, data analysis, technology integration and strategic interventions, we know that our students will continue to achieve and be successful academically.

 

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

At Gonsalves, we implement the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. Gonsalves Grizzlies are STAR students when they Stay Safe, Take Responsibility, Act Respectively and are Ready to Learn. They are expected to demonstrate these behavioral expectations in all areas of our school. We use school-wide acknowledgements to recognize positive student behaviors and provide effective interventions for those that need extra support.
We have monthly Core Values to help build strong character in our students, and we focus on these during our weekly Spirit Assemblies and monthly Recognition Awards Assemblies.

 

 

Our School Spirit

Our very active Student Council supports our school by providing "fun" activities for students throughout the year as well as organizing community outreach projects such as our annual holiday toy drive and Earth Day recycling event. They also host our "Taste of Gonsalves" event at the end of the year which celebrates the many diverse cultures we have at our school through food, song, and dance. Each Monday the students and staff participate in Spirit Day. At this weekly ceremony we recite the Pledge of Allegiance together, sing a patriotic song, discuss our Core Value of the Month, and honor students and staff for their accomplishments.

 

 

Parent and Community Partnerships

The success of our school is due in large part to the immeasurable contributions made by our parent organization, the Booster Club.  Our Booster Club, which consists of parents, community members, and staff members, helps provide a well-rounded educational experience for our students by sponsoring field trips, assemblies, PE, Fine Arts, Music, and other special activities throughout the school year. They also contribute resources such as classroom projectors, computer hardware and software, and student incentives. Parents volunteer hours and hours of their time inside and outside of the classrooms, and parent groups help organize special cultural events such as Lunar New Year and Diwali celebrations. We also have our annual Community Read Aloud where we connect with members of the community who help and support our school as they visit classrooms and read to our students.

 

After School Programs

We also have afterschool opportunities available for our families.  The Extended Day Program provides working parents a place where their child can go to continue the “Learning Day”.  Homework support, academic skill-building, enrichment activities, and physical activity are just some of the outstanding support they provide.  At Gonsalves we also have chess, art, and science classes available for students to take.