Lynette DeSantis
Parent

Ms. DeSantis,

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. The Connect-Ed, all-call system is a great resource and is provided by the Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools (FGUS). It has some excellent capabilities and we are thankful to have it.

As always, during difficulties such as this it takes a team effort and was successful because of the flexibility and support of so many teachers, support staff, principals, district staff, parents and students. Thanks for writing!

Robert Voors, Ed.D
Superintendent
Glendora Unified School District

Dear Goddard Families,

Our school year is in full swing!

Your students are hard at work, both in and out of the classroom. I am amazed and encouraged to see that about 40 percent of the student population is active after school at Goddard. Students are attending Homework Club, Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, Science Classes, AVID tutoring, Intramurals, Allegro choreography, and a variety of other clubs and tutoring sessions. I appreciate our students’ focus and drive as they produce their best efforts on campus.

We recently celebrated the modernization of Goddard Middle School with our Rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony on Sep. 30. In addition to our ENTIRE student body, this event was attended by our superintendent, school board, city council members, representatives of the assembly and senate, as well as former Goddard staff. As principal, it is certainly a proud moment for this wonderful school, but this event was undoubtedly highlighted by our amazing students. They were so respectful, attentive, and energetic … in a good way. I received compliments from every dignitary in attendance with regard to how great our students were. I could not have been prouder of our Goddard Titans!

Special thanks to the Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools for allowing us to continue to offer our AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) courses and the new technology on campus. Without this support, we would not have been able to offer the same programs as we have had in the past. Thank you to all of our Goddard families who have supported the Foundation!

We have arrived upon another very busy time of year! Thanksgiving break is just around the corner, Nov. 22 through 26, allowing us all to spend some time with friends and family. Looking toward December, we will celebrate the holidays with our music concerts and performances, certainly the most wonderful time of the year. I join you in looking forward to what the New Year will bring!

Sincerely,

Brock Jacobsen
Principal

Sylvia Garcia
Parent, PTA Member, La Fetra School
Site Council Chairperson

Chances are, you chose to live in Glendora because of the excellent schools. Last year’s API numbers (Academic Performance Index) are an indicator of just how successful our schools are, as Glendora placed in the top 25% in California. Continuing our schools’ excellence in these times of ongoing budget cutbacks from the State is a testament to the commitment of our families, teachers, staff, and administration.

Another important factor in continuing this excellence is the work being done by the Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools (FGUS). The mission of the Foundation is to “provide financial support, facilitate community involvement, and enhance student learning for the GUSD.” Thus far, FGUS has raised over $1.6 million dollars toward this effort. Last year, the Foundation raised $448,000 which was used to enrich your child’s education in your child’s school.

To continue and expand this valuable work, FGUS would like to surpass last year’s figure and get even more of our school families and community involved. A superior education for our students means better colleges, better jobs, and results in more productive members of our society. Please Support Our Students by making your gift today using the attached envelope, on the website (www.fgus.net), using PayPal, or through the convenient Circle of Giving monthly deduction plan which is also on the website. All gifts are tax deductible, and gifts of $100 or more will receive an SOS yard sign to proudly display during the Spring.

Community and parental support of education is very important in Glendora. During this season of thanksgiving, we thank you for your past support, and invite you to please join FGUS in making Glendora’s schools the best they can be for all of our students.

Thank you,

Mike Beckman
President, FGUS

PS. Please make your gift today. Each child has only one chance to receive an excellent K-12 education.

We are proud to be able to make this contribution on behalf of the dedicated parents, donors, and partners that are helping us enhance the Glendora Unified School District.

Read the full article on the Glendora Patch website.

Michelle Ashley
GHS Counselor

The presence of the SRO provides immediate security and interaction with the students and faculty to resolve safety issues on and off campus.

Many cities have eliminated their SRO programs due to budget reductions, but due to the partnership between the Glendora Police Department, Glendora Unified School District, and FGUS, our program remains in place.

Rob Castro
Glendora Chief of Police

Scott Bell
Principal, Sandburg Middle Schools

Pam H.
Teacher

“I am beyond passionate about the AVID program because I know it works first hand.  AVID students produce ongoing positive results and we can see this in these ‘middle’ students every year.  I’m proud to be a part of a special change in these students lives that because they were able to be in the AVID class, they leave with so many tools that empower them and we have data to show that these Middle students, after being in AVID succeed overall.  I get emotional when I get there CST scores and or grades and see the large increase at the end of the year.  FGUS you too are a part of this miracle that takes place with these students. Without FGUS, AVID wouldn’t exist.  THANK YOU!!”

Harmonie R
Teacher

About AVID:
AVID, a program that prepares students in the academic middle for four-year college eligiblity, has been graciously funded through FGUS.  Why do we appreciate the support again and again?  AVID brings out the best in students by closing the achievement gap.  By completing rigorous curriculum, interacting with college-age tutors through tutorials and binder checks, visiting three colleges a year, listening to guest speakers, and being taught by AVID trained staff, the AVID students possess the higher-level skills they need for college.  AVID’s data combined with the research-based strategies demonstrate AVID’s effectiveness in GUSD.

Kelsey C.
6th Grade Science Teacher

The Foundation for Glendora Unified Schools (FGUS) has been working with GUSD to allocate the $455,000 raised last year in a way which will have the greatest impact on the most students at all grade levels.  First, funds were donated to continue music education in the elementary schools, including both vocal and instrumental music instruction.  Statistically, children who play a musical instrument perform better in the classroom.

Funding was provided to supplement the grades 3-12 GATE Program and the AVID Program in both middle and high school.  Although many students do not participate in these programs, the benefits of these programs reach well beyond their direct participants.

Money was directed for technology education and support.  FGUS provided funding for a variety of technology-related programs, and also to sustain the technology staff technicians, an important element to providing technology education.

Funds were provided to support tutoring in the elementary and middle schools.  These will be used to expand the Barton Reading Program to additional elementary schools, and to provide after-school support to individual students at the middle schools.

FGUS helped finance the School Resource Officer (SRO), an important element to maintaining a safe environment in all schools.  The SRO provides counseling, security, and intervention, and his visible presence on school sites, proactively contributes to campus safety.

Finally, FGUS provided funding for Connect Ed, a valuable communication tool used by the District to keep parents informed via telephone and email.  Without funding from the Foundation, this system would not be continued.

As you have read, the Foundation has provided the funds for very meaningful programs in all the schools in GUSD.  There are many additional areas of need and potential enhancements FGUS would like to address.  The only way to continue this important work is through the support of school families and the community.  Please make a gift to the Foundation to sustain Glendora’s educational excellence.

For more information, visit the GUSD website as www.glendora.k12.ca.us.