Gateway Communigator, March 24th

GATEWAY HIGH PARENT ASSOCIATION

*** The CommuniGator ***

Greetings!

The CommuniGator is a bi-monthly publication of the Gateway Parent Association (GPA) featuring the latest news and notes on Gateway High School's activities, learning resources, and volunteer opportunities for parents, guardians and students.

The Gateway Parent Association (GPA) uses this electronic newsletter as a way for our staff and board members to communicate with our large and far-flung Gateway family.

DATES TO REMEMBER

March 24-28               SPRING BREAK
March 31st (Mon.)       No School (Cesar Chavez Day)
April 2nd (Wed.)         3rd Quarter Grades Mailed
April 8th (Tue.)           Family Conferences @4-7pm
April 15th (Tue.)          GPA Meeting @6-7:30pm
April 21st (Mon.       No School
April 22nd (Tue.)      Board Meeting @5-7pm
April 30th (Wed.)        PE Hours Due

GATOR NEWS & UPDATES

*** GATEWAY ANNUAL FUND UPDATE ***

If you haven't already done so, don't forget to donate generously to our Annual Fund.

It is one of the most important things we, as parents, can do for our children and our school.

Thanks to board member David deWilde and his wife Katherine August deWilde who hosted our annual Golden Gator Recognition Event at their lovely home on March 19th. Golden Gator families--thank you for "stepping up" with your gift to help us reach our goals this year.

Gateway is a Legacy of Love and a gift we give to our children. Last year
82% of Gateway parents made a contribution to support the Annual Fund.

Let's make our participation 100% this year!

All amounts welcome and pledges are happily accepted! There are many ways to give, electronic deposit, online donation, $5 a week...Just call us and we'll make it easy.

Please support our School and give as generously as you can, whatever you can to help support our unique programs.

To those of you who have already contributed, many, many thanks.

For those of you who are ready to make a thoughtful gift today, there are easy ways :

1.      Click on the "DONATE NOW" button in the right-hand column and we receive your online donation instantly!
2.     Mail or drop off your donation at the school anytime.
3.     For further information or to set up a plan for easy payments, please contact Tina McGovern: tmcgovern@gatewayhigh.org or call 415-749-3600 ext. 19

*** VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! ***

Cleaning Out and Organizing the Storage Room!!

We have a massive storage area which over the course of the year becomes crowded and disorganized.

During Spring Break, we would like to tackle this task of cleaning up and organizing. With the help of parent volunteers, it can be done in one day in two shifts.

Please come join us for one or two shifts - 8:30am - 11:30am and/or 1:30pm - 4:30pm on Wednesday, March 26^th!

Your help is greatly appreciated. Please email Quenadyne Bucher, Facilities Manager, at qbucher@gatewayhigh.org if you can assist.

*** SENIORS NEED OUR HELP ***

Calling all Families in the Gateway Community!!

Our Annual Senior Garage Sale:
Saturday, May 3rd 9:00-2:00

Clean out your Closets, Garages and donate your treasures to Gateway.
We need furniture, household items, clothes and items in good repair.

This year we are also adding another fundraising opportunity:

Senior Car Wash:
Saturday, May 3rd 10:00-4:00

All proceeds go to defer the costs for the Senior Prom and Senior Trip!!!

Please mark your calendars and sign up to volunteer.
We need volunteers for the following shifts:

Garage Sale:
a) Friday set up: 3:30-8:00
b) Saturday 8-11:00
c) 11-2:00
d) Clean up: 2-4:00

Car Wash:
e) 9:30-12 noon
f) 12:00-2:30
g) 2:30-4:30

Adult volunteers please e-mail Gary Goldsborough: garybg@gmail.com

Drop off your treasures in April, more details to follow. Please don't drop off before April. If you must drop off sooner or if you have questions about
donations: contact Jenny Hart: hartx4@hotmail.com

*** SEMINAR CALENDAR CHANGE ***

Due to an enthusiastic response for our April 17th 2008 10th grade seminar on Elie Wiesel's Night but a tepid response for the one on April 3rd we are

CANCELLING the April 3rd date

and cordially invite you to

The APRIL 17TH, 2008 10TH GRADE SEMINAR ON ELIE WIESEL'S MEMOIR NIGHT from 6:30-8:30pm

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes and look forward to seeing you on April 17th. All students have by now received a form for you to fill in and return which states whether or not you can attend and gives you an opportunity to request a copy of the memoir to read (these will be made available after Spring Break).

Many thanks and we look forward to seeing you in April.

The Humanities 10 Team

*** SUMMER SCHOOL PACKETS ***

Students with F's and/or D's will receive summer school packets in the mail by Tuesday, March 25th.

Open immediately and review the materials.

Decide which programs you would like to apply to and fill out each application.

Return all applications to Gateway before or by April 4th.

Applications that must be submitted by parents will be returned to you ASAP with the counselor segments completed. Applications that need to be submitted by Gateway will be taken care of in a timely manner.

Any questions, please email Ms. A. Grimes, Assistant Principal of Academics: agrimes@gatewayhigh.org

*** GET THOSE PE HOURS IN ***

Alternative PE hours for '07-'08 are Due Soon!

PE credits are due before or by April 30th.

Seniors: this is important for graduation clearance.

Sophomores and Juniors: Note - all old PE hours (from previous years) not turned in this year will not count next year. Please turn in any old hours by April 30th.

Freshman: any PE hours you have collected this year must be turned in this year or they will not count.

5 credits = 60 hours. All students by their senior year must have 240 hours or 20 credits complete.

Turn in all documents for PE hours to Coach Joe Killmaier: jkillmaier@gatewayhigh.org

-Ms. A. Grimes, Assistant Principal of Academics

*FAMILY CONFERENCE NIGHT*

Tuesday, April 8th, from 4-7pm

Families should be receiving their student's third quarter report cards (along with other important school information) which will be mailed on Wednesday, April 2nd. We hope you will review this report card carefully with your child, as it provides valuable information about progress, strengths and areas for improvement.

Please join us for Family Conferences on Tuesday, April 8th, between 4pm and 7pm. These meetings provide valuable opportunities for you, your child, and key teachers to meet and create action plans for success. It is our expectation that students will attend and be full participants in these meetings as their input and buy-in is essential.

Family conferences are by appointment; if you would like to meet with one or two of your child's teachers, please call our main phone number: 415-749-3600. Joanne Wells or Iris Smith will be happy to help you set up a time with one or two of your child's teachers.

Conferences are 15 minutes long.

If Tuesday night is not good for you, please don't hesitate to contact teachers directly and arrange another time for a phone conference or a meeting with a teacher.

We also encourage you to e-mail teachers at their Gateway address, which you can find on our web page: www.gatewayhigh.org

We are looking forward to seeing you!

*** SENIORS & FAMILIES ***

Cap and Gown Payment Due

Congratulations, Class of 2008 Seniors & their families.

Diplomas, caps & gowns have been ordered.

The next order of business is to pay $30 (check payable to Gateway or cash) for your cap & gown by April 4.

Please bring your payment to Mrs. Smith in the SSO. Have a wonderful Spring Break!

*** YOUR GPA PRESIDENT REPORTS ***

From Tracy Pore, Gateway Parents Association President:

Time to Appreciate the Teachers on Family Conference Night, Tuesday, April 8
We take this evening as an opportunity to "show the love" for our faculty, staff and administrators by providing a yummy potluck dinner. This truly is one of the longest days of year for staff. Meetings start almost immediately right after school, so no time to get out for a dinner break. Appetizer/Salad, Entrees, Side dishes, Deserts, Beverages, Paper/Plastic products are all welcome contributions. Set up/Clean Up assistance also appreciated. Request dishes serve 6-8 people. Contributions may be dropped off a school at the Main Office, the morning of April 8 or after 3:30pm. Feel free to drop off before your scheduled family meeting.

If you can participate, please contact Tracy Pore: tpore@sfspca.org

Senior Garage Sale and Car Wash, Saturday, May 3
Volunteer sign up with Jenny Hart at hartx4@hotmail.com for the Garage Sale and Gary Goldsborough at garybg@gmail.com for the Car Wash. Students welcome to sign up! Great way to earn community service hours!

Gateway's 10^th Anniversary Celebration party Auction Committee
needs you to join the team. We're planning for early October. Alum parents and guardians are welcome. The auction, planned to be both silent and live, will be centerpiece of this event, along with great food, drink and outstanding entertainment.

Contact Tracy Pore to help:tpore@sfspca.org

Green Zebra Discount Coupon Books Available Now!
$25.00 gets you thousands of dollars in "passes" at many local eco-friendly retailers, grocers, organic restaurants, bookstores, bike shops and more, more, more. Go "Green" for the Gateway Parent Association! Every book sold, gives $10.00 back to the GPA to support events throughout the year like Teacher Appreciation on Family Conference Night and the Back to School Picnic for incoming Freshman and Gateway Sophomore families.

Contact Gary Goldsborough to get your book today: garybg@gmail.com

Mark your calendar. The next GPA Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 6:00-7:30pm (at the latest), Jack A. Sullivan Library at Gateway. Please join us.