Top 7 Things to Know for the Start of the 2024-25 School Year

Friday, August 9, 2024

Garden Grove Unified School District (GGUSD) is delighted to welcome students, staff, and families back to school on August 12 for the 2024-25 school year. Our staff does an exceptional job of equipping ALL students with the academic skills (Goal 1) and the personal skills (Goal 2) for lifelong success (Goal 3). GGUSD has award-winning schools known for academic excellence and for providing a positive culture and climate where all students feel safe and respected.

The district has compiled the following important information to help families prepare for a successful school year. Families should contact their school site or the district office with questions or for additional information.

District Calendar: As attendance is vital for the success of students, families should mark their calendars now for important 2024-25 school year dates, such as school breaks and holidays. Outside school commitments should be scheduled to occur during breaks and holidays to prevent students from missing crucial learning. The full calendar is available to view by clicking here.
Communication: GGUSD is committed to providing our families with accurate, timely information through our communication channels, including ParentSquare, the website, e-newsletter, and our social media channels on Facebook and Instagram. Be sure to connect with us to stay up-to-date on all of the great things happening in GGUSD. Additionally, local non-profit organizations share information on our Peachjar e-flyer platform about their programs that serve our families. For any questions about how to connect with GGUSD, contact our Public Information Office at 714-663-6503 or pio_department@ggusd.us. Click here for our communication guidelines which provides helpful tips on who to contact with questions or concerns for school or district issues.
Safety: GGUSD’s highest priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. That’s why, year after year, we work alongside our law enforcement partners to review and continually improve our safety practices and protocols. Emergency and safety drills are conducted each year and GGUSD’s team of eight School Resource Officers work at our campuses providing support each and every day. This year, we are implementing Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to streamline protocols used in emergency situations. In recent years, we’ve invested more than $100 million to increase panic hardware, safety alarms, security cameras and wrought-iron Ameristar fencing which is being installed at all campuses. Students, families, and community members all work together to keep our schools safe. GGUSD uses STOPit, an anonymous reporting system that helps us all work together to deter bullying, discrimination, and other inappropriate or unsafe behaviors. Click here to learn more about GGUSD safety procedures and click here to learn more about STOPit.
Nutrition Information: All GGUSD students receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of income. For information regarding school menus, click here to visit our Food Services webpage.
Health: The current California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 guidance uses a flexible symptom-based strategy similar to that of other illnesses. Students who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptoms that are mild and are improving. There is no longer a required isolation period. Please keep your child home from school if they have a temperature of 100 degrees or more, a contagious disease, diarrhea, vomiting, a rash or a persistent cough.
Before and After School Programs: GGUSD, in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, is happy to offer free before and/or after-school programs at most elementary and intermediate schools, and three high schools. Click here for more information.
Family Resources and Engagement: GGUSD has five Family Resource Centers, one in each trustee area, that connect families with the help they need most. GGUSD’s five Family Resource Centers are staffed by our wonderful school social workers or mental health specialists as well as community liaisons who provide support in multiple languages and are skilled at connecting families with resources for emergency needs, food, health care, immigration and legal resources, mental health counseling and more. Click here for Family Resource Center locations, hours and phone numbers. In GGUSD, we believe that family engagement is crucial to a child’s academic and personal success and we have many opportunities for families to get involved. In partnership with Fresno State, we offer free college courses through Parent University. Click here to learn more about parent engagement opportunities.

We are looking forward to a successful 2024-2025 school year and are committed to equipping ALL students with the academic and personal skills for lifelong success. For additional information about GGUSD policies and procedures, click here to view our Parent Student Handbook.