Gonsalves Elementary School
Teachers Believe….Children Achieve at Gonsalves!
Welcome to Joe A. Gonsalves Elementary 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 2019 National Blue Ribbon School, a 2018 California Distinguished School, and a California Business for Education Excellence Honor Roll School. We are excited as we continue to implement our new ELA/ELD, Math and Science programs, as well as our Technology Integration Program in our 1st-6th grade classes. Through a rigorous standards-based curriculum, use of effective instructional strategies, grade-level collaboration, data analysis and strategic interventions, we know that our students will continue to achieve and be successful academically as we move forward.
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PBIS- Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
At Gonsalves, we implement the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. Gonsalves Grizzlies will be STAR students when they Stay Safe, Take Responsibility, Act Respectively and are Ready to Learn. They demonstrate these behaviors in all areas of our school. We will use school-wide and classroom acknowledgements to recognize positive student behaviors and provide effective consequences for inappropriate behaviors.
Our School Spirit
Our active Student Council sponsors "fun" days for students throughout the year and provides community service by working on outreach projects such as organizing a holiday toy drive. They also host our “Taste of Gonsalves” event at the end of 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 where we do the Pledge of Allegiance, 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, Booster Club. Our Booster Club, consisting of parents, community members, and staff, 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 hold an annual College and Career Day where community members share educational path and jobs.
Afterschool 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. We also have chess, art and science classes that are available.