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GATORAID

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

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SCHOOL CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
8/24-9/25 GATE TESTING REFERRAL “NEW-TO-DISTRICT STUDENTS ONLY” GR 4 & 5
9/25 DEADLINE FOR GATE REFERRAL “NEW TO DISTRICT”
4-5 GR. STUDENTS ONLY
9/28 8:05 a.m. REFLECTION ART PROGRAM INFORMATIONAL MTG. - SPECTRA ART RM.
9/28-10/2 SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
10/1 6:00-8:00 p.m. FALL SOCIAL AND BOOK FAIR - GLC
10/2 SPIRITWEAR ORDERING DEADLINE
10/2 GARDEN GATE PTA DIRECTORY DEADLINE
10/5-10/13 PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
12:30 DISMISSAL -GRADES 1-5, KINDERGARTEN - SEE SCHEDULE
10/6 8:00-9:30 a.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT GROUP - STAFF ROOM
10/8 7:15 p.m. PTA MEETING - GLC
10/9 DIRECT DONATION CONTEST DEADLINE
10/9 REFLECTION ART CONTEST DEADLINE
10/13 8:00-9:30 a.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT GROUP - STAFF ROOM
10/13 5:00-8:30 p.m. BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION AT “THE JUNGLE”
10/13 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. - DISTRICT BOARD ROOM
10/16 3:00-5:00 p.m. FALL CELEBRATION - FIELD
10/19-10/23 RED RIBBON WEEK
10/20 8:00-9:30 a.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT GROUP - STAFF ROOM
10/21 3:45 p.m. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING
10/26 STAFF LEARNING DAY - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
10/27 8:00-9:30 a.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT GROUP - STAFF ROOM
10/27 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. - DISTRICT BOARD ROOM
10/30 8:15 a.m. HALLOWEEN PARADE

Parent Traffic Duty: September 28th - October 2nd - Parents from Rm. #14

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 and
view your students account balance online by going to http://www.pamslunchroom.com or by calling 1-888-994-5100.
TO EMAIL STAFF:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.org
ATTENDANCE: 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.
FROM OUR PRINCIPAL....MRS. WOOD! PAGE 2

Parent Traffic Help Volunteers - Parents Please Read

First, I want to thank all of the parents who have volunteered to help us in the morning with our traffic. You have been
invaluable! I look forward to everyone’s support to make our drop-off times smoother and safer for all involved. Deputy Steve
Grisenti of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department has given me a helpful list titled “Safety Tips for Crossing Guards.”
These tips are excellent ones. I recommend saving this bulletin and reviewing the guidelines when you have traffic duty.

Safety Tips for Crossing Guards


1. Always wear your safety vest. The Vehicle Code requires it for drivers to obey you.
2. Watch for a break in the traffic before holding up the STOP sign. Then walk out to the center of the road when cars have
stopped.
3. Blow a whistle when you hold up the sign. This will get the drivers’ attention before you start to cross.
4. Have walkers wait at the curb before you signal for them to cross when you are in the center of the roadway.
5. Wait for a group to gather before stopping traffic. This will prevent back ups on the street.
6. Watch traffic. DON”T turn your back to traffic. Keep looking around. Be safe!

Promotion/Retention Policy
State law requires all school districts to adopt policies regarding the promotion and retention of students. Students are
identified as “at risk of retention” using multiple measures, including results of the STAR (California Standards Test),
classroom assessments, teacher observations, and other indicators. Students who score below basic or far below basic
on the California Standards Test, perform below benchmarks on district assessments, and/or are not approaching grade
level standards are identified as at risk of retention if improvement is not shown throughout the year.

If a student is in need of additional assistances and resources, the classroom teacher will notify you in writing during the
October conferences and work with you to develop a written Student Success Plan that will include support at home. Cupertino
Union School District’s policy ensures that all students have access to the core curriculum and the opportunity to attain district
standards. Students who are not currently approaching the standards will be provided opportunities to accelerate their growth
through interventions in the classroom, strategies at home, and/or summer school programs.

Your child’s teacher is the best source of information regarding the progress your child is making, as well as specific criteria
used to identify student needs. You may request a copy of the district’s promotion/retention policy and administrative regulation
passed by the Board of Education by calling the school office. We value and appreciate your participation in this strong home/
school partnership to support student learning.

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Grades 1 – 5: 8:00 a.m. - School Starts Kindergarten: 8:00 a.m. – School Starts
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. K-3 Lunch Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 8:00-11:25
11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 4-5 Lunch Tuesday, Oct. 6th - 8:00-11:10
12:30 p.m. Student Dismissal Tuesday, Oct. 13th - Regular Tuesday Schedule
A.M. GROUP - 8:00-11:10
P.M. Group – 9:35-1:30

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95125
PTA CORNER PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) NEWS & RESOURCES ! PAGE 3

Hello Fellow Gator Families,

Here’s what’s going on this week…

The Directory? What Directory?


We are currently creating the Garden Gate directory for this year. It is a listing of all the families in the school
that choose to be listed. It is great for contacting your child’s friends or other parents who you may need to
get in touch with! The directory is only distributed to Garden Gate Families.

The cost to get a directory is $5.00. You do not have to purchase a directory to be included - that is free, but
you must fill out the form or you will not be included! Please print legibly--our volunteers who will be
entering the data have to be able to read your writing! The deadline to be included in the directory is October
2nd. Forms are available from the school office or on our website under “Membership”:
http://www.teacherweb.com/CA/GardenGateElementarySchool/GardenGatePTA/apt3.aspx

“Reflections: How to…….?” Information Session


Monday, Sept 28th at 8:05 a.m. - Spectra Art Room
We will be holding an informational session for parents on Monday, Sept. 28th at 8:05 a.m. In this half hour
session, we will explain the Reflection Program guidelines and rules so your child’s entry meets all judging
criteria with regard to size, mounting, format, etc. Examples of each category; Literature, Music Composition,
Photography, Visual Arts, Dance Choreography and Film/Video Production will be shown. Pre-filled entry
forms will also be available. If you have any questions regarding Reflections, this session is the opportunity
for you to attend. This is the first time we are holding this event and want to be sure you are interested so
you must RSVP to mahaaramesh@yahoo.com By the way, the Reflections Art Contest dateline is Friday,
October 9!

Book Fair Starts Monday


Our fall book fair begins on Monday morning, September 28th. Stop by on your way to the
“Reflections How To” session and see what great books are available for your children!

Kathleen McCulloch
Garden Gate PTA President

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95125
GATORAID PAGE 4

RS 2009-2010 NATIONAL PTA


NOON DUTY SUPERVISO REFLECTION PROGRAM
NEEDED It is time once again for the National
We have openings for noon PTA Reflections Arts Competition!
duty supervisors for Entries will be accepted Oct. 5th to Oct.
approximately 1 hour 9th. The theme this year is “Beauty
(11:30-12:30) Monday through Is. . .” As parents, we are aware that the arts are
Friday. The job requires extremely important to our children’s education and
during lunch
supervision our students
of growth. Expression of thoughts and feelings through
g containers
time, assisting them in openin creativity and interpretation of a theme is an
nito ring behavior and
and packages, and mo immeasurably valuable learning process which utilizes
itio n pay s $8. 15 an hour.
clean up. The pos both the left side (logic) and the right side (creativity) of
call the school
If you are interested, please the brain. Though the Reflection Program follows the
office at 252-5414 ext.103. format of a contest, the primary goal is to encourage
participation and instill an appreciation of the arts.

Please encourage your child to think about this exciting


theme and to participate with his/her own best creation!
DESTINATION BOOK FAIR NEXT WEEK
Entries can be submitted in one or all of the following
Get ready to visit the Fall Scholastic Book Fair taking
six categories: Visual Arts, Literature, Photography,
place next week, September 28th – October 2nd , 2009
Musical Composition, Film/Video Production and
in the GLC. The Fair will be open everyday from 8
Dance Choreography. Age groups are K-2nd grade
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. except Friday (8 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.)
and 3rd-5th grade. Remember that all entries must be
Also, please make plans to visit the Fair with your
an original creation from your child. For entry forms
whole family during our Fall Social on Thursday,
and rules, please visit the following website: http://
October 1st, from 6-8 p.m. You could be one of 10
www.capta6.org/reflections/parents.html
door prize winners ($5 Scholastic gift certificate) if
you purchase a book during the Fall Social. Profits
from the Book Fair will be used to fund PTA school .
events and activities and to purchase books for the
Garden Gate library. This year, let’s exceed last VOLUNTEERS - TB TEST NEEDED
year’s Book Fair earnings of $2,100 and help make a A reminder to all of our wonderful volunteers: Adults
big difference in the number of books offered to our volunteering in any capacity, including noontime
children in the school library. Bring your family and supervisors, classroom volunteers and field trip drivers,
friends and shop at the Book Fair where you can find must have a current tuberculin test on file in the school
a holiday gift for every one on your list! office. A voucher from the Cupertino Medical Center is
available in the office. The cost for the test is $15.00.
SPIRIT WEAR ORDERS ARE DUE OCT. 2ND!
Don’t forget to place your order for your 2009-2010
Garden Gate t-shirt and/or sweatshirt available in both
adult and children sizes (sample of sizes are in the
DISTRICT CALENDAR
school office). This will be your only opportunity to
order spirit wear for this school year. If you misplaced
your order form, more are available in the school office. October 26, 2009 StaffLearning
Please remember the deadline of October 2nd, when Day
all order forms are due. November 11, 2009 Veteran’s Day
November 25, 26 and 27, 2009
EYEGLASS DONATION DRIVE Thanksgiving Recess
Cupertino Union School District is excited to partner December 21,2009-January 1, 2010
with Vision Service Plan (VSP) to help others see well Winter Recess
through the “Eyes of Hope” program. This program will January 18, 2010 Martin Luther King Day
run from September through December of this year. February 15-19, 2010 Mid-Year Recess
There is a collection box in the school office to drop off March 15, 2010 Staff Learning Day
any used glasses including prescription glasses, April 12-16, 2010 Spring Recess
readers, and sunglasses. Both plastic and metal May 28, 2010 Staff Learning Day
frames are accepted. Cases can also be donated with May 31, 2010 Memorial Day
the glasses inside. VSP will ensure that the glasses June 10, 2010 Last Day of School
are recycled and distributed to children and adults
throughout the world.

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95125
GATORAID! PAGE 5

DISTRICT NEWS SECTION

H1N1 GUIDELINES
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department guidance recommends that, based on current flu conditions,
students and staff with flu-like illness stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a
fever without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).

You can help keep our schools healthy by adhering to the following guidelines:

• Continue to enforce proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. The recommendations continue to
emphasize the importance of the basic foundations of disease prevention: Stay home when sick, wash hands
frequently with soap and water when possible or alcohol based hand sanitizer, and cover noses and mouths
with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).

• Leave accurate information as requested on the school’s absence line if you child is sick. This will help the
school identify any potential issues as soon as possible.

• Promptly pick up your child from school if they are sent home for being ill. The school will keep ill students
separated from others until they can be sent home. Please make sure that the school office has your updated
contact information.

• Any returning students after an illness with a fever will need to have their temperature taken in the school office
before returning to class. Teachers will be sending returning students back to the office to have their
temperatures taken if they arrive directly to the classroom without being cleared.

DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS


Saturday September 26, 2009 - 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Memorial Park in Cupertino - Free Admission

Diwali is a time of joyous celebration. The Cupertino Chamber of Commerce is presenting its Sixth Annual Diwali
Festival of Lights, a multicultural family fun day. A Children's Art Faire contest will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at noon
and will be followed by multicultural music and dance performances. Other activities will include an exciting “Kids
Zone,” international food court, arts and craft booths, and much more. Free parking will be available at DE Anza
College.

INITIAL AND ANNUAL CELDT TESTING


The 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 the beginning of
September through the end of October. Based on your child’s last years CELDT scores, if their proficiency level is
limited, withdrawn or transitional, your child will be included in the annual CELDT test at their school. The initial CELDT
will be given to kindergarten students whose primary language on the home language survey is a language other than
English. A letter will be sent home with your child prior to the initial and annual testing date at your school. The test
consists of four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Grades K–8 are tested in all four areas. This year only
reading and writing for kindergarten and first grade students will not affect their overall proficiency level. You will receive
the official results after January 2010. If you have any questions, please contact your school office.

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

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