Titan Talk
Henry M Gunn High School
About us
Email: mgordon@pausd.org
Website: https://gunn.pausd.org/
Location: 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 354-8200
December 4, 2022: Vol 6 Issue #16
Upcoming Events
Notable Dates & Events:
12/5 6:30-8:00 Fall Sports Awards
12/13 8:30 Principal's Coffee
12/13 5:00-8:00 PM Posada Celebration
Finals Schedule:
12/15 Review Day (Per 1-4,8) No New Material Introduced
12/16 Review Day (Per 5-7) No New Material Introduced
12/19 Review Day (Per 1-8) No New Material Introduced
12/20 - 12/12/22 Finals
12/23 -1/9 Winter Break
The Wellness Center:
Wellness Center
The wellness team would like to thank all the parents who were a part of writing notes of encouragement for students that will be handed out during the week before finals in what we call “De-stress Fest!” Some of you all are amazing artists so we're looking forward to collaborating with y’all again next year! Some more on De-Stress Fest; we will be hosting some activities the week of December 12th to encourage students to engage in fun and self-care before finals week. Some things we will be doing include DIY ornaments, a scavenger hunt, a field day at lunch with the counseling team, and much more! We will post all info on Schoology so please encourage your students to check it regularly.
Coming Soon
December 21 @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
How can I support a friend who struggles with anxiety or depression?
allcove Palo Alto 2741 Middlefield Road, Suite 102, Palo Alto, CA
We are here to support you with strategies of approaching the topic of mental health with a friend who is struggling with anxiety and/or depression and provide ways on how to manage stressful situations in a supportive environment.
December 13th @ 4pm
Posada Celebration in the Acorn Lounge @ Gunn
A Posada is a special celebration done in Mexico to commemorate the story of Mary and Joseph and celebrate Christmas. Today, Posadas are huge parties done within communities where you sing songs, break pinatas, enjoy tamales and other traditional food, and play games. Please join us in having our own Posada on Tuesday, December 13th at 4 pm in the Acorn Lounge.
Parent's Guide to Risk & Safety
For our Parent's Guide to Risk Assessment and Safety visit this page! Just as we've given our students more information on supporting their friends and peers, we hope this guide helps our parents and guardians assess the next steps for students needing crisis support or general wellness support.
If you or your student would like to find out more about general resources in the area or explore a curated collection of wellness tips and online support, please visit us at linktr.ee/gwellness for information on all things regarding the Wellness Center!
Visit our virtual wellness center at tinyurl.com/gwellness!
College and Career
Juniors, here is a recording of the Junior Parent Night. We apologize for the poor audio quality.
The College & Career Center is located in room P-233 and is open Monday-Friday during the academic day. Students are welcome to stop by anytime to access resources!
Seniors - college representative visits begin at the end of the month. This is a great way to learn about a specific school and ask any questions you may have.
To schedule an appointment, please reach out to Mr. Fidani at jfidani@pausd.org.
SELF (Social Emotional Literacy and Functionality)
SELF & Study Hall will meet on Wednesday, November 9th
For SELF:
9th Grade: This week in the 9th grade SELF classes, students will hear from their Titan Ambassadors about the best ways to prepare for final exams and will develop a study plan to prepare.
10th Grade: This week, 10th grade students will examine different styles for managing conflict, as well as when it’s time to walk away from a situation/conflict.
For Study Hall:
11th & 12th grade will have Study Hall.
If you are new to Gunn, or if you would just like to learn more about the SELF program, please visit our website, or feel free to email our coordinator of the program, Kat Catalano (kcatalano@pausd.org).
Yearbook Senior Tribute Ad
Deadline Extended to Dec. 15 for buying a Senior Tribute Ad.
Senior tribute ads are a chance for parents to individually recognize their senior with an ad in the yearbook. We are offering quarter-page at $75 again this year to ensure we get as many students represented as possible. Use the links below to get started with your ad purchase:
o Senior Tribute Ad: Quickstart in English
o Senior Tribute Ad: Quickstart in Mandarin
o Senior Tribute Ad: Quickstart in Spanish
If you are having trouble accessing the links for the Senior Tribute Ads, please visit our yearbook website at https://www.gunnsec.org/the-olympian-gunn-hs-yearbook.html.
Summer Study Abroad Opportunity
Gunn Counseling
10th Grade 4-year planning updates are underway during Study Hall Sessions. Counselors will be assisting in outreach to students who are struggling academically through check-ins and an academic plan. Tutorial options are available in the Academic Center
After-school drop-in tutoring Clinics - no appointment necessary. Monday - ThursdayAll subjects are often up to the AP level.
Ms. Collart is available to tutor students before school and up through noon, in Math. Students can utilize their preps to attend.
Ms. Steward (Afternoons) Students can drop in for tutoring on a specific subject, or unit, at any point.
Brainfuse: Online Tutoring Service: Open Monday - Sunday: 1:00 - 10:00 pm
Students with Palo Alto Public Library Card can access through Id Portal
Live chat-driven online tutoring (person not bot) and writing labs are available for FREE!
SAT & AP
Please visit the Gunn Testing Webpage to see the latest information about testing. Gunn will update the testing page frequently as the testing dates approach. Use the Let's Talk feature on the left side of the webpage to ask any testing-related questions. Go, Titans!"
https://gunn.pausd.org/campus-life/ap-exams-20-21
Counseling Dept. Hours:
The counseling department will be open from 8:30 - 4:30 Monday - Thursday and 8:30 - 4 on Friday. Walk-In hours are before and after school, brunch, and lunch. Counselors are also available by email to schedule appointments.
Look for an email from your student's school counselor introducing themselves and providing more detail about their specific schedule.
For meetings that will take more than 5 minutes, students should reach out to their counselor via email to make an appointment.
Counselor emails:
Cora Ross – cross@pausd.org
Derek Johanson – djohanson@pausd.org
Myesha Dickson – mdickson@pausd.org
Lorenzo Gomez – lgomez@pausd.org
Andrea Bueno – abueno@pausd.org
Jorge Chavez - jchavez@pausd.org
David Leftwich – dleftwich@pausd.org
For Schedule Change Requests at the semester please use the following link, which will generate an email to your counselor, teacher, and the department Instructional Lead for approval.
22-23 Gunn Schedule Change Request Form
We look forward to seeing you!
- Gunn’s Counseling Department
Happenings Around Gunn
Gunn Registrar’s Office News
Gunn has a new Registrar. Her name is Ofelia Smith. She comes from the District Office and is ready to assist you with your questions. Stay tuned for dates and updates.
Students requesting to take an off-campus course can check out our FAQ page linked here.
Registrar’s Office
College and Career Center
(650) 354-8284
Office Hours
M-F 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
ROCK (Reach Out Care Know)
ROCK is bringing the Mobile Barnyard petting zoo back for the first time since 2019! Join us in the Amphitheater on Monday, December 19 from 12:20-1:20. Bring your friends.
ROCK (Reach Out, Care, Know) is a peer-led group dedicated to promoting positive well-being and developing more and deeper connections in our community.
ROCK meets every Thursday in N114. Follow us:
@rockatgunn
Check out their website and on social media:
web: rockatgunn.com
Instagram: @rockatgunn
Email any questions to rockatgunn@gmail.com
Gunn Foundation
The Gunn Foundation is an all-volunteer nonprofit that provides need-based scholarships to college-bound seniors in the Gunn community. Scholarships fund essential expenses --- housing deposits, books, enrollment fees --- often unmet by aid packages.
Your support of the Gunn Foundation shows the scholarship recipients that you believe in them and their potential. Donations are accepted via check or Paypal at www.gunnfound.org/donate. Any amount can make a difference in the college plans and future of a deserving Gunn senior. Please donate today!
We are currently seeking enthusiastic, creative, and hardworking candidates to join our dedicated team of volunteer board members. All are encouraged to apply but we have an urgent need for candidates with backgrounds in fundraising, IT, finance/investment planning, and web design. We are accepting applications for three-year terms to begin in April 2023. Please click on this link to submit your application 2023-2024 Gunn Foundation Board Application. Applications are due by 5:00 pm on January 15, 2023. For more information about Gunn Foundation, go to www.gunnfound.org or send an email to Judy Lee at info@gunnfound.org with your inquiry.
PTSA
The Gunn PTSA supports Gunn high school in many ways such as teacher grants, student activities, fundraising, and organizing volunteers. Please visit the Gunn PTSA website for more information.
Palo Alto Partners in Education
Partners in Education (PiE): PiE raises money from parents and the community to provide all Palo Alto Unified School District students an educational experience beyond what is possible with public funding. See here what PiE funds for Gunn.
DOUBLE YOUR DONATION
PiE's Back-to-School Challenge Grant is happening now! Gifts and pledges made by Monday, November 14th may be matched dollar-for-dollar by a pool of donations up to a total of $275,000!