Principal's Message

Hello McGaugh Sea Lion families,
 
It gives me great pleasure to announce that Mrs. Cheryl Smith, special education teacher, has been selected as the 2023 Los Alamitos Unified School District Teacher of the Year! 
 
Mrs. Smith is an exceptional role model and a true advocate for all children. She believes building a relationship with each student is essential to understanding them and meeting them where they are, so they are able to grow and develop. Providing a safe place for students to be accepted and encouraged, she is constantly utilizing signature practices to ensure every student is valued. Cheryl is curriculum driven and exposes her students to curricula rich in all of the district’s signature practices. She believes that high expectations for all students yield results. 
 
Cheryl is professional in her attitude and demeanor, supportive of all teachers, respectful in her dealings with parents, and always available to the students of McGaugh. She is inspiring, positive, dedicated, committed, and is beyond deserving of this honor.
 
Please join me in congratulating Cheryl on this prestigious recognition. She is a positive light in our district, and we couldn’t be more proud to name her Los Alamitos Unified School District’s 2023 Teacher of the Year!
 
  
 
KINDNESS DAY
February Wellness is underway. Compliment cards are being presented all over campus to staff and our Sea Lions. In order to keep this feeling going, please join us in celebrating Kindness Day on Thursday, February 16^th, by wearing yellow. Kindness is an important aspect of wellness and has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy, compassion, and improve mood.  People who spread kindness and give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer, feel more connected to others, and experience enhanced relationships in general.   
 
LAEF FUNDRAISING FEBRUARY
 

 
 
LAEF, the Los Alamitos Education Foundation, has launched their “Fundraising February for Los Al Kids” campaign and you are invited to participate!  LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Al USD.
 
LAEF is raising funds to maximize Well Spaces across all nine district schools – they are calm, comfortable places where students can reset and receive counseling support.  You can help provide supplies and expand counseling services by making a suggested donation of $50 at www.LAEF4Kids.org/FundFeb.  
 
In 2022, LAEF donated $245,000 to build the Los Al High School Well Space, and $18,000 to create elementary Well Spaces.  In 2021, LAEF donated $60,000 to build the Well Spaces at our middle schools.  None of this could happen without the generous support of the Los Al community!
 
If you would like to do some bidding/shopping to support LAEF and Los Al kids, check out the Online Auction at https://www.charityauctionstoday.com/auctions/laef-35946
There are 65+ items to bid on including travel packages, restaurant gift cards, sports tickets, health and beauty packages, kids activities, and so much more!
 
On Friday, LAEF kicked off Fundraising February with the Royal Gala, where they crowned their 2023 Royals.  The Queen is retired principal Erin Kominsky and the King is parent leader Dave Locke.  Check out the LAEF YouTube channel to see videos describing why they are so deserving of this honor. https://www.youtube.com/@LAEF4kidsvideos/videos
 
UPCOMING REMINDERS AND EVENTS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

• 2/13 SEL Parent Education Night
• 2/13-2/17 Book Fair
• 2/15 OSS Closet is open
• 2/16 Kindness Day – Wear Yellow
• 2/16 Family Fun Night
• 2/18-2/26 Presidents Week holiday vacation 
• 2/28-3/3 5^th Grade Outdoor Science School
• 3/6 No School – Teacher Professional Development Day

Ms. Wendy Wood, M.Ed. ​
McGaugh Elementary School Principal

wwood@losal.org

(562) 799-4560 

Book Fair All Week

The PTA and Scholastic Books are very excited to present our annual week-long event February 13^th – 17^th, 2023.  

We are located in room 26 next to the dinosaur playground. 
We will be open every day, during school hours, before and after school. Kids can come in during their recess and purchase books, each class will have a scheduled time to come in. 

Help on your students wish list and skip the last minute dash for cash and create an E wallet instead! All you need to do is  visit s-bf.com/eWallets


We encourage parents to stop by to purchase books before school, right after drop off, and at afternoon pick up. 

We will be open Family Fun Night, Thursday February 16th 5-7pm.

Would you like to participate in volunteering at the book-fair?

This is an easy and flexible way to get involved with the PTA and McGaugh! 
WHO DOESN'T LIKE BOOKS??
Book Fair Volunteer Sign Up

If you have any questions about volunteering reach out to Vannessa Swinford 714-616-2626 or Jennifer Reese 925-408-8598

Project SEEK Meeting Tuesday 2/14  

Please join us for Project SEEK’s next meeting, Tuesday, 2/14/23 at 8:00 am in the Kids Korner room.
We’ll be talking about ways to support Project SEEK fund our Art and STEM classes this year and our largest fundraiser of the year, The Event, March 24th, 2023. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone Tuesday, 2/14/23 at 8:00 am.

Project SEEK - Nektar Juice Bar Suports McGaugh

Bake Sale Needs for Family Fun Night

Spring Photo Mini Sessions!

Join Fund Photos for a mini spring photo session at the Seal Beach Pier! Photo sessions will be on March 18th and 19th. Each family gets a 15-minute portrait session and 2 digital images for $50. Additional images and options are available. 
Sign up for your time slot HERE
Learn about FUND PHOTOS and how they make the process so easy, with beautiful, great quality photos       HERE
 

2022-2023 McGaugh PTA Honorary Service Award Nominations

The McGaugh PTA is seeking nominations for our upcoming Honorary Service Awards (HSA). This is an opportunity to recognize a special individual or business that has gone above and beyond the ordinary in service of our PTA, children, and school. Let's show our thanks and recognize the many deserving people who have made a difference! 

Please complete the form on our website or grab a form in the office and return it via email to Jenny Bagwell: jennyjbagwell@gmail.com by February 17^th, 2023.

Thank you for taking the time to recognize those who give so much to our school! Form to complete HSA FORM
McGaugh Elementary PTA - HonoraryServiceAwards (mcgaughpta.com)

Project SEEK - Who Doesn't Love Donuts?! 

🍩 Doughnuts for a cause!! 🍩 Project SEEK is giving you the best reason to indulge in a dozen (or two) Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Until March 10, 2023, 50% of your order will be donated back to Project SEEK when you purchase via our fundraising sales page! Simply buy online, visit your local store & redeem using your code. Treat yourself or even gift them to friends and family here: https://www.groupraise.com/offercampaigns/8302-project-seek-krispy-kreme-digitaldozens

Project SEEK Needs Your Help! 

Project SEEK Needs You…Pretty Please consider helping Project SEEK! 

In order to fund our Art and STEM classes at McGaugh, we need to raise over $150,000 each year. The Event is our largest fundraiser to help us meet that goal. And we need your help obtaining donated services and goods for our silent and live auctions. If you own a business or know someone that does, or you have connections to tickets, rental properties or special events, please consider asking your friends with businesses or connections to become a sponsor or donate, or donate yourself.

Please contact Robin Dyer, donations@projectseek.org with questions or ideas. You can also click here to get a copy of our donations and sponsorship forms.

Project SEEK Gala