Gator Aid 90309

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School Phone: 408-252-5414 ~ Absence Line 408-252-5414-6 ~ FAX 408-996-9725

GATORAID

BoardofEducation

Superintendent:PhilQuonBoardMembers:

AnjaliKauser,BenLiao,

JosephineLucey,GaryMcCue,

PhyllisVogel

GARDENGATEELEMENTARY

CUPERTINOUNIONSCHOOLDISTRICT

10500ANNARBORAVENUE

CUPERTINO,CA95014

NancyWood-Principal

KathleenMcCulloch-PTAPresident

AliciaHancock-Shepard-SSCChairperson

SCHOOL CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 3, 2009

8/24-9/25 GATE TESTING REFERRAL NEW-TO-DISTRICT STUDENTS ONLY GR 4 & 5

9/3 7:15 p.m. PTA MEETING GLC9/4 HEALTH & ENROLLMENT CARDS ARE DUE9/7 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY NO SCHOOL9/8 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. @ NIMITZ SCHOOL9/8 6:30 p.m. SCOOL SPIRIT BAND SIGN-UP GR. 4 & 5 (OUTSIDE BENCHES)

9/9 8:00 a.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE VOLUNTEER MTG - STAFF RM.9/9 BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT PARENTS ONLY (BABYSITTING NOT AVAILABLE) 6:45-7:25 p.m. GRADES 4-5 IN CLASSSROOMS

7:30-7:45 p.m. STAFF INTRODUCTIONS IN GLC FOR ALL PARENTS7:45-8:30 p.m. GRADES K-3 IN CLASSROOMS

9/17 6:30-7:45 p.m. SAFETY NIGHT9/18 STAFF LEARNING DAY NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS9/19 CUPERTINO FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL

12:00 p.m. CHICKEN DANCE - KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS9/21 7:00 p.m. GR. 5 - SCIENCE CAMP PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT - GLC9/22 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG DISTRICT BOARD ROOM9/23 3:45 p.m. SCHOOL SITE COUNSEL MEETING STAFF ROOM9/23 7:00-8:30 p.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT ED. NIGHT - GLC9/25 DEADLINE FOR GATE NEW TO DISTRICT 4-5 GR. STUDENTS

9/28-10/2 SCHOLASTIC FALL SOCIAL AND BOOK FAIR10/1 6:00-8:00 p.m. FALL SOCIAL AND BOOK FAIR - GLC

EVERY TUESDAY IS EARLY DISMISSAL Students are dismissed at 1:30.PRE-PAY FOR CUSD LUNCHES at PAMS (Parent Account Management System) Lunchroom! You can make payments andview your students account balance online by going to http://www.pamslunchroom.com or by calling 1-888-994-5100.TO EMAIL STAFF: [email protected]: If your child will be absent, please call 252-5414. Ext. 6, by 8:30 a.m. to report the absence.HOMEWORK: Homework may be requested for illness absences of three days or more. Please call the office before 9:00 a.m.to request the homework for pickup after 3:00 p.m.

Parent Traffic Duty: September 8th - 11th - Parents from Rm. #26
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pamslunchroom.com/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.pamslunchroom.com/http://www.pamslunchroom.com/

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Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95125

Changes at Garden Gate Grades 1 - 3

As many of you know, Garden Gate is a very popular school and we attract many families desiring the qualityeducation and enrichment opportunities offered by the Cupertino Union School District. While we are delighted tobe known as an excellent school in an excellent school district, we run the risk of becoming too popular! That isthe situation this year in our first through third grade classes. The majority of our classes in those grade levels have21 students in them. Following the guidelines of class size reduction, the districts policy has been to staff thoseclasses at 20:1.

We have been monitoring our enrollment numbers closely. In the past, student enrollment often sorted itself outbecause there would always be a number of no shows on the first day of school. However, this year, almostevery student enrolled showed up. In addition, we had a sizable number of new enrollees. Our first through thirdgrade classes swelled to 21. Students enrolling later were overflowed to neighboring schools. These neighboringschools are filling up quickly and their own newly enrolled students run the risk of also becoming overflowstudents and would need to be bused to yet another Cupertino school.

To help avoid that domino effect and to keep our Garden Gate students at Garden Gate, the decision was made to

create another primary classroom. It will be a first grade class and it will relieve the overcrowding in all firstthrough third grade classrooms. To facilitate that change means that we will be moving some students from almostevery first through third grade class. The staff and I have met and discussed ways to minimize disruption tostudent learning and to make the changes as positive an experience as is possible. All class moves will happentomorrow, Friday, September 4.

Parents of students in grades one through three received a letter from me yesterday outlining the process we willuse. The teachers and I have an excellent plan for the transition from the current classroom to the new one. Itssupportive, inclusive and reflects our positive community values at Garden Gate. I will personally call all parentsof students who will move to new classrooms on Friday. We appreciate your support and understanding as wemove through this transitional time.

Back to School Night Wednesday, September 9, 6:45 p.m. 8:30 p.m.

Garden Gates Back to School Night is scheduled for next Wednesday, September 9. The schedule is as follows: 6:45 7:25p.m. Grades 4 & 5 (In classrooms) 7:30 - 7:45p.m. GLC (Introductions/announcements) 7:45 8:30p.m. Grades K 3 (In classrooms)We look forward to seeing all of you on that evening. Please remember that this is an evening for adults only.

Thank you.

Parent Traffic Help Every Classroom Assigned One Week of Duty for the Year

You will be asked to sign up to help make our morning drop-off and our Tuesday afternoon pick up safer for

everyone. All parents should ask themselves, when thinking of their children in the school parking lot or crossing

the street, How safe is safe enough? I am sure that you would want someone to help your child cross the street,

someone to stop the traffic so that your child can cross the driveway, and someone to help to watch out for your

child during the heavy morning traffic at Garden Gate. We are asking for a commitment from every family to help

one week a year with traffic duty. It can be one morning or afternoon or the whole week whatever works for

your schedule. We have a wonderful learning environment here at Garden Gate. We need to make sure that all of

our students arrive and leave safely in that environment. Your help is appreciated!

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PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) NEWS & RESOURCES


Welcome to the PTA Corner

Please Attend Our 1st PTA Meeting Of The YearTonight, Thursday, Sept. 3rd At 7:15 In The GLC.

For those not familiar with PTA meetings here are some of the basics:

Anyone and everyone are welcome to attend; you do not have to be a

member of the PTA.The meetings are free.They are approximately 60 to 90 minutes long.The agenda is posted in the PTA window at the corner of the school

office approximately a week in advance.You will hear what is happening at school.Members can vote on PTA issues and budget.Anyone can make suggestions, bring up issues and ask questions at the

meetings.The meetings are held with an open and welcoming environment.

Tonight we will: Hear from our Principal, Nancy Wood. Vote on the Annual PTA budget. Hear about Direct Donations, the upcoming Book Fair, the Reflections Art

Program and much more, see the agenda for details.

Remember, later this month the PTA is sponsoring three events:

1.Safety Night on Thursday, the 17th

2.Parent Education Night for Project Cornerstone with Linda Silvius

3.Book Fair starting on September 29th

Please visit our Scrip tables on Tuesday Afternoons at the front of the

school at 1:15-1:45 and on Friday Mornings 7:45 8:15.

Hope to see you tonight,

Kathleen McCulloch, Garden Gate PTA President

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SCRIP AND eScripScrip Gift Cards and eScrip are two fundraisingprograms that parents (also family and friends) canparticipate in to raise money for the PTA at NO COSTto the participant. Scrip gift cards can be spent likecash on everyday expenses. PTA purchases scrip at adiscount and sells it on Tuesdays 1:15-1:45 p.m. andFridays 7:45-8:15 a.m. Alternatively, an order form canbe turned in via the green folders or school office andcan be picked up during scrip times.

eScrip also provides an easy way to earn money forthe PTA. Participating merchants donate a percentageof purchases to the school. Parents (also family andfriends) should visit www.escrip.com to register theircredit/debit cards, Safeway Card, and PW SupermarketCard. Be sure to specify Garden Gate Elementary

School (eScrip number is 139188329). For those whodont have internet access, please fill out and turn in aneScrip registration form (available during scrip salestimes or in the school office). Already Registered

eScrip Participants: Please visit www.escrip.com andclick on YES RENEW by November 1st, or turn in an

eScrip registration form to renew your Safeway Clubcard. Questions? E-mail us at ggscrip.com or see usduring scrip sales times.Carolyn Young, Scrip

MEDICATIONS IN THE OFFICEThe Medication Administration forms arealways available in the school office.Please note that in order for medicationsto be given to students during the schoolday, a medication form must becompleted and signed by the physician

and the parent. When completed, bring the MedicationAdministration form and the medication (in the originalcontainer) to the secretaries in the school office.

RECYCLING AT GARDEN GATEGarden Gate 5th graders will continue the recyclingprogram this year. We are recycling plastic, aluminumand printer ink cartridges. We have two reasons forthis program. First, we have many students who areconcerned about our planet. Recycling gives them achance to do something for the planet and teaches

everyone good recycling habits. Second, we want tomake sure that as every child reaches 5th grade,money to help with the cost of Science School will beavailable. You can help by taking your recyclables tothe bins outside the library doors. Printer inkcartridges should be taken to Room 12. Thank you.

VISITING CAMPUSAll visitors on campus, whether entering classrooms asvolunteers or meeting with teachers, Must Sign In atthe office and obtain a visitors name tag when schoolis in session. For the safety of all, we need to knowwho is on the campus. The only exceptions are at

student arrival and dismissal times. If you are takingyour child out of school for any reason, ALWAYS signyour child out from school through the office and thenback in when he/she returns.

HEALTH ENROLLMENT CARDS & DISASTERCARDSHealth Enrollment Cards (Student Emergency Cards)and Disaster Cards are due back to school tomorrow,

September 4th! Please make any changes oradditions directly on the Health and Enrollment card,sign it, and return it to your childs teacher.Remember to include any health problems your childhas. Students may be released during the schoolday to only those individuals listed on the Health andEnrollment Card. Please complete the Disaster Cardand also return it. Please be sure to call the office toupdate any changes of information during the schoolyear. All completed cards are due back toschool no later than Friday, September 4th.

YOUR INVITED TO THE BOOK FAIR!Gators, please mark your calendar to attend the

Fall Book Fair that will be taking place in the GLCSeptember 28th through October 2nd. The BookFair will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.everyday except Friday, and during the Fall SocialFamily event on Thursday evening, October 1stfrom 6-8 pm. You can visit our Scholastic Schoolhome page at http://http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/

homepage/gardengate>to review some of thebooks you will find at the Fair. All profits willsupport various school activities and enable ourLibrarian to buy books for the Library fromScholastic. Our last Fair earned $2,100 and withyour continued support we hope to do better thistime. Please make plans to visit the Book Fair to

encourage your children to read and to helpGarden Gate.
http://www.escrip.com/http://www.escrip.com/http://http/http://http/http://www.escrip.com/http://www.escrip.com/http://www.escrip.com/http://www.escrip.com/

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DISTRICT NEWS SECTION

GATE REFERRAL PROCESS TESTING SCHEDULEFall Testing Only For New-to-District students in Grades 4 5Referrals will be accepted through September 25, 2009.Referrals received after September 25, 2009 will be returned.

The focus of Cupertino's Gifted and Talented Ed. is to identify and serve those students who havedemonstrated exceptional intellectual ability and outstanding academic achievement. Referrals for Gifted andTalented Education (GATE) testing may be initiatedby teachers, parents, or the student. If you have a current new-to-district student you would like to have testedthis fall for the Gifted and Talent Education program, please contact your child's teacher or school office for areferral form. If you have questions about the screening process,please call the GATE office at (408) 252-3000, Extension 199, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. or the GATEwebsite at: http://www.cupertino.k12.ca.us.NOTE: Fall testing for new-to-district students will take place late October 2009.

INITIAL AND ANNUAL CELDT TESTINGThe Cupertino Union School District will administer the California English Language Development Test (CELDT)to all students eligible for English Language Development services. This test will be administered from thebeginning of September through the end of October. Based on your childs last years CELDT scores if theirproficiency level is limited, withdrawn or transitional, your child will be included in the annual CELDT test at theirschool. The initial CELDT will be given to kindergarten students whose primary language on the home languagesurvey is a language other than English. A letter will be sent home with your child prior to the initial and annualtesting date at your school. The test consists of four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Grades K8are tested in all four areas. This year only reading and writing for kindergarten and first grade students will notaffect their overall proficiency level. You will receive the official results after January 2010. If you have anyquestions, please contact your school office.
http://www.cupertino.k12.ca.us/http://www.cupertino.k12.ca.us/

Documents

Gator Aid 90309