Principal George Gessler smiles for a photo outside Garfield Elementary school.

Dear Garfield Families,

Welcome to the 2026–27 school year! I hope you had an enjoyable summer and found time to relax and spend time together. Our staff has been working hard to prepare our classrooms and school, and we are excited to welcome our students and families back to Garfield!

As we begin the year, our goal is to make sure every child feels safe, cared for, challenged, and excited to come to school each day. We want every student to know that they belong at Garfield and are an important part of our Grizzly community. We look forward to seeing them build friendships, discover new interests, and grow academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the year.

Families are essential partners in this work. Please stay in close communication with your child’s teacher and reach out whenever you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share. My door is always open, and I am here to support you and your family in any way I can. Regular attendance, arriving at school on time, and maintaining a strong connection between home and school make an incredible difference for our students.

Thank you for trusting us with your children. It is truly a privilege to serve the Garfield community, and we look forward to working together to make this an amazing year for every student.

Here’s to a joyful and successful school year filled with learning, growth, and Grizzly Pride!

With excitement and pride,

George Gessler
Principal
Garfield Elementary