 Principal's Message
Good Morning McGaugh Families,
WoW! McGaugh Idol was such a success! Our Sea Lions are so incredibly talented. Thank you for joining us. Please join me, and let's send a BIG thank you to our parents for working behind the scenes and making the evening such a success. Our parents' commitment to support our students and to continue traditions is a core characteristic of McGaugh's community.
This week is yet another example of our community’s commitment. We will be hosting a parent education night about our children’s social-emotional, mental health, and wellness on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, I'll host an evening with Dr. Jerry Weichman, a popular parenting coach and adolescent psychologist, titled THE WIRED CHILD: How Screen Time Is Changing The Way Children Think and Focus. Dr. Weichman will discuss the importance of our children's emotional and mental health and wellness from the perspective of:
- How do we help our children roll-back their use of technology to pre-covid levels?
- If your child is suffering from academic fatigue and performance is failing, what can you do?
- How do you talk to your child about suffering grades and remain supportive and motivational?
- How do you talk to the teachers or staff at your child's school about what is happening at home?
THE WIRED CHILD is the first of an essential two-part series. As a community, we will use the evening to build common language and understanding around shared concerns. Please plan to attend. Click here to register; see the flyer below.
Here are a few things to keep in mind this week:
- Peace Week - Monday - Friday
Schools' Annual Peace Week is a national week designed to support schools in educating and increasing students' awareness, understanding, and ability to manage conflict and foster peace within their own lives and communities.
On the Horizon
- Monday - Friday (5/17 - 5/21): OSS
That's all for now.
Dr. Issaic Gates
Principal
He/Him/His
J.H. McGaugh Elementary School
Rah, McGaugh!
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Buy locally, Support Reading, and Give Back to McGaugh PTA
 
This year, due to the pandemic, McGaugh PTA is not able to put on our usual extraordinary Book Fair in partnership with Scholastic. However, we CAN still encourage our children to read while supporting a local business. In that spirit, we have partnered with Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Marina Pacifica Long Beach who has generously pledged to give back a portion of the sales to McGaugh PTA.
So be sure to come out to Barnes & Noble Marina Pacifica on May 1st & May 2nd and pick out a book for you, your child, or anyone in your family. Books truly make the best gifts! A flyer with more details will go home this week. Reach out to Jessica Kouzoukas at JessicaK@tinroofbistro.com with any questions. Happy shopping and Happy Reading!
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MCGAUGH DAD BEHIND SBPD AUTISM AWARENESS PATCH
April is National Autism Awareness month and since 2018, the Seal Beach Police Department has shown its support for the Autism community with a specially designed, limited edition patch worn by officers and civilian employees. McGaugh parent and SBPD Corporal Joe Garcia came up with the patch after one of his sons was diagnosed with Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cpl. Garcia was so grateful to the professionals who helped his son thrive, he decided to launch the patch to raise awareness and money for programs supporting Autism research. In its first year the patch program raised $4,500 for the Seal Beach-based Autism Partnership Foundation. And you can get a patch too! Patches are $10 each and can be purchased by contacting Cpl. Garcia at JFGarcia@sealbeachca.gov or at (562) 799-4100 ext. 1649.
SBPD's newest facility dog, Yosa, shows off the Autism Awareness patch in this photo posted to the department's Instagram account.
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International Culture Club: April is Autism Awareness Month & Upcoming Book Club!
Happy April and Autism Awareness Month!!! In 1970, the Autism Society launched an ongoing nationwide effort to promote autism awareness and assure that all affected by autism are able to achieve the highest quality of life possible. In 1972, the Autism Society launched the first annual National Autistic Children’s week, which evolved into Autism Acceptance Month (AAM). The website Autismspeaks.org states, "Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication." Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. There have been, and continue to be many influential people who are considered to have ASD. Such as, Albert Einstein – Scientist & Mathematician, Bobby Fischer – Chess Grandmaster, Bill Gates – Co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation, Temple Grandin – Animal Scientist, Daryl Hannah – Actress & Environmental Activist, Thomas Jefferson – Early American Politician and Satoshi Tajiri – Creator of Nintendo’s Pokémon. For additional information please visit www.autismspeaks.org, or www.autism-society.org. In addition, we highly recommend these wonderful books: ISLA AND LULU, Too Sticky!: Sensory Issues With Autism, ROGUE, & MY BROTHER CHARLIE.
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STAY INFORMED WITH THE PTA WEBSITE!
Don't forget to visit the McGaugh PTA website regularly for the latest information on all things McGaugh! The home page is updated frequently with details on up-and-coming events. McGaugh PTA is working hard to give you all the information you need in one place. That includes details about PTA programs, a calendar, links to McGaugh Connect and more. And don't forget to sign up to become a member of PTA while you're there. If you want to see something on the PTA website, email rahmcgaughPTA@gmail.com.
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LAEF Spring Session Is Coming up
Register now for on-campus, after-school camps at LAEF4kids.org/afterschool!
On-campus camps, session two, begins April 19th! This is an experience your children will not want to miss. There are opportunities every day of the week to get some physical activity in and to possibly try something new as we transition into spring. The camps will be 1 ½ hours on Mondays/Fridays ($199) and Tuesdays/Thursdays ($199) and 2 hours on Wednesdays ($170). The in-person camps available at McGaugh are Basketball, Blood and Guts Science, Cheerleading, Chess, Golf, Jiu Jitsu, Kenpo Karate, LEGO Architecture, Soccer, Surf Safari Art and Volleyball. Class fee increases after April 13th.
Multi-class discounts available – 10% off the 2nd class and 15% off any class thereafter. All registration information including class descriptions and instructor bios are presented at LAEF4kids.org/afterschool. Call (562) 799-4700 x80424 or email programdirector@LAEF4Kids.org.
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Calling All McGaugh 4th Graders! Sea Lion 2021-22 Spirit Wear Contest
We need your help to come up with a new design for the 2021-22 McGaugh t-shirt next year! Your drawing can be done with any medium on a white piece of paper. As an example, you can use printer paper and draw your idea with crayons, colored pencils, markers, or paints. We are looking for a large image that will be on the front of the shirt. Do your best and make something incredible that all our Sea Lions will be excited to wear next year. Good luck 4th Graders!
Requirements:
Size: Large image for front of shirt
(6” wide x 5 1/2” long)
Color: No more than 4 colors
(Black and White are considered color options)
Must Include: McGaugh and/or Sea Lion and the year 2021-2022
How to submit your entry:
Once you’ve completed your design SCAN it to Mrs. Heidner by Friday, April 23 at emmie.heidner@gmail.com. Here is an example of the 2020-2021 Design Winner:
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Looking for Volunteers to Join the PTA Exec Board!
The McGaugh PTA plays a vital volunteer role in the support of students and teachers by providing a wide-range of functions, fun, enrichment and representation for our school community.
We welcome you to join our PTA Executive Board! The following positions are OPEN for the 2021-22 school year:
- President - Leads the McGaugh PTA
- Recording Secretary - Record meeting minutes
*Each positions is supported by a team of volunteers.
For questions or more information, please contact our PTA Parliamentarian, Joy Wadleigh (joy.wadleigh@gmail.com).
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Enjoy a delicious dinner at Simmzy’s while supporting Project SEEK!
Simmzy’s has generously partnered with Project SEEK to support the Art Lab, Innovation Lab, and Media Center Sea Lion Lab at McGaugh! Place your order online, anytime using the code JHM15 and 15% will go to Project SEEK.
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Join the LAEF STEAM Contest!
Visit LAEF4Kids.org/STEAM for all the details.
- STEAM gift certificate prizes for TK-2 and Grades 3-5:
- 1st place = $300, 2nd place = $150, 3rd place = $75
- Projects are due by May 10, 2021
- Students can enter individually or in groups, but the prize will not be duplicated
- Check out video lessons on (1) how to develop your project idea; (2) how to do research, collect data and draw conclusions; (3) presenting your project/how to submit
- Science Experiments or Engineering Design projects will be accepted.
- Grade level groupings for judging/prizes: TK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
- The top 5 projects per group will present to a judges panel on the evening of Monday, May 24.
- Winners will be announced on May 28.
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