GATORAID

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

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SCHOOL CALENDAR
FEBRUARY 25, 2010

2/25 6:00-6:55 p.m. “ART OF MATH” NIGHT - GLC (LAST NAMES A-L)
2/25 7:00-7:55 p.m. “ART OF MATH” NIGHT - GLC (LAST NAMES M-Z)
3/1 8:30 a.m. 2010-2011 GRADES 1-5 SCHOOL REGISTRATION BEGINS
3/3 7:15 p.m. PTA MEETING
3/4 6:00 p.m. CUPERTINO M.S. INCOMING 6TH GR. PARENT NIGHT
3/5 SECOND TRIMESTER ENDS
3/8 THIRD TRIMESTER BEGINS
3/8-3/12 SPRING BOOK FAIR
3/9 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. - DISTRICT BOARD ROOM
3/11 6:00 p.m. SPRING SOCIAL AND BOOK FAIR
3/12 SCHOOL SPIRIT - “CAREER DAY”
3/13 SAT. 7:30 a.m. FISHING IN THE CITY - GRADE 3
3/15 STAFF LEARNING DAY - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
3/17 3:45 p.m. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING
3/19 REPORT CARDS
3/23 8:00-11:35 a.m. INTERNATIONAL DAY
3/23 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. - DISTRICT BOARD ROOM
3/25 7:00 p.m. MUSIC CONCERT - GR. 4, GLC
3/25 6:30 p.m. LAWSON INCOMING 6TH GR. PARENT NIGHT

Parent Traffic Duty: March 1st - 5th Parents from Rm. #26

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

STAND UP FOR SCHOOLS FORUM - THURSDAY, MARCH 4TH AT LAWSON SCHOOL (6:00-7:00 p.m.)
Many in our parent community have asked how they can help with the budget cuts that CUSD is facing this year. In the district
section of today’s bulletin you’ll find information regarding a forum that should help answer some questions and give proactive
information on things we can do. Please attend if you possibly can do so. Thank you.

CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS SITE VISITATION TEAM VISITS GARDEN GATE ON TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 23RD.
We were honored to have a California Distinguished Schools Site Visitation Team spend the day with us on Tuesday. They visited
almost all of our classrooms and GLC and interviewed parents, students, teachers, and other staff members. It was quite an
involved day. Many of our PTA and Garden Gate School Site Council members came to share their thoughts about Garden Gate.
Our wonderful PTA volunteers provided lunch for everyone. The visitation team was amazed and very appreciative of everything
they saw, heard, and tasted at Garden Gate. Special thanks go to Patti Wolf, our Special Programs Coordinator, who so masterfully
coordinated our special day. In addition, I would like to specifically thank Linda Bailey, our school secretary, Ada Lee, Project
Cornerstone Teacher Coordinator, Alexandra Chong, Project Cornerstone Parent Coordinator, Kathleen McCulloch, PTA President,
Catherine Ng, PTA Executive Vice-President, Azmeh Ahsan, PTA coordinator for the luncheon and everyone who helped us prepare
for the day in any way!

The following are a few of the glowing comments the visitation team shared with the staff at the end of the day:
They saw:
• a lot of evidence of the use of technology and our Project Cornerstone.
(These were the two areas we wrote about in our application).
• rigor in our curriculum and teaching methods.
• our leadership is excellent (principal and staff).
• lots of parent involvement and how well the parents’ time is used in the
classroom.
• there is something very valuable about a school that brings in and
is so welcoming to the parents.
• that students are being prepared for higher education very well.
• that students are extremely engaged.
• that students are excited to be here.
• students saying they want more grade levels so they don’t have to
leave Garden Gate.
• that we have an exemplary school.

They saw many, many more great things in action than even our application gave us credit for! I am so proud of our students,
staff, and parents! Garden Gate is truly an amazing and inspirational place. Thank you.

PARENT QUIZ - ARE YOU HELPING YOUR CHILD ATTEND SCHOOL EVERY DAY?
Kids can't learn if they aren't in school. Yet every day, children are tardy or absent from school for reasons that could be avoided.
That means they're missing out on important learning. Are you doing everything you can to be sure your child is in school every
day? Answer yes or no to each question below to find out.
____1. Does your child know you expect her to go to school every day?
____2. Do you get ready for the next day at night so you get out the door on time in the morning?
____3. Do you know the school's attendance policy? Do you call the school to report if your child is too sick to come to school?
____4. Do you avoid scheduling appointments during school time?
____5. Do you practice hand washing? One study shows it can reduce absences by as much as 50 percent.
How well are you dong?
Each yes means you are helping your child get to school regularly. For no answers, try those ideas in the quiz.
Reprinted with permission from the February 2010 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter.
Copyright © 2010 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95014
PTA CORNER PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) NEWS & RESOURCES ! PAGE 3

Hello Gators!

I hope you had a great winter break! We had some very special visitors to our school on
Tuesday of this week for a site validation of our California Distinguished School status!
The PTA and volunteers provided a lovely lunch for our visitors. Thank you very much to
Azmeh Ahsan for leading the effort, and also to all of the volunteers who prepared food
and decorated for the occasion. Once again proving that Garden Gate is exceptional, in part, because of our
dedicated volunteers!

THE “ART OF MATH” NIGHT IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25!

Lawrence Hall of Science will bring The “Art of Math” to Garden Gate tonight, Thursday evening, February
25th . This year we are asking families to come to one session, based on the first letter of your last name. It is
important to observe these times because we cannot fit the entire school in the GLC at the same time!
Families whose last name begins with A-L should attend from 6:00-6:55 p.m. and families whose last
name begins with M-Z should attend from 7:00-7:55 p.m.

PTA MEETING - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3RD (NOT THURSDAY) 7:15 IN THE GLC
There is a district wide push to try to raise $3 million in order to save our teachers. We will be discussing this
effort at our next PTA meeting on Wednesday, March 3rd and voting to either support this or not as a PTA.
Please come and hear the details.

PTA POSITIONS AVAILABLE

We are still in need of people who are interested in various PTA positions for next year.
Some positions available are:
o Secretary (Executive Board)
o Parliamentarian (Executive Board)
o Direct Donation Chairperson (Executive Board)
o Discover Day Chairperson
o Family Events Chairperson
o Room Rep & Volunteer Coordinator
o Art Reflections Contest

I will be posting the descriptions of these positions on the PTA windows. Also you can review some of these
positions on the PTA website at http://cupertino.ca.campusgrid.net/home/Links+to+our+Schools/Elementary
+Schools
I hope to see you at the Math Night!
Kathleen McCulloch, Garden Gate PTA President

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95014
 GATORAID PAGE 4
UPDATING RESIDENCY INFORMATION
Please be aware that district guidelines require that any
change of residence must be reported to the school office
ERS
F OR V OLUNTE ults within ten (10) days. This guideline is in place to ensure
T
T.B. TES a reminder that all adneed that the address and contact information that the school
st m has on file is accurate. This information is crucial and is
This is ju er in the classroo school
v o lu n te in th e used to send official school/district correspondence and it is
that n file
h a v e a TB test o e on file at also used in the case of an emergency. Failure to provide
to on or in the
you have current residency information could result in the immediate
office. If hool in our district,
c ne withdrawal of your child. If you have any questions
another s e, we still need o se be
tr ic t o ff ic . P le a regarding this guideline, please contact the school office.
dis ate g
n fi le a t Garden G when volunteerin .
o r po li c y
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mindful o room.
e c la ss RECYCLING
in th
Our Garden Gate Recycling Program is continuing in 2010!
Please remember to place all your recycling (plastic and
cans) into the blue bins that are located in the outside
hallway by Friday of each week. They will not take milk
cartons! All proceeds will go to the Marin Headlands
THANK YOU BOOK EXCHANGE Science School Fund.
VOLUNTEERS!
We would like to thank all of the following volunteers who
helped to make the Book Exchange a successful one again
this year: Raji Vemuri, Carolyn Young, Debbie Hsieh,
Kathleen McCulloch, Catherine Ng, Dennis James, Chitra SAFETY TIPS. . .
Aurora, Usha Sheshagiri, Gigi DeMedeivos and Anjali • Use corners and crosswalks to
Vemuri. get to school. Crossing between
parked cars is very dangerous.
• Always come to a complete
stop at stop signs and wait a
CUPERTINO UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT second to make sure the
LUNCH PROGRAM intersection is clear.
Student lunch w/milk....................$2.75 • Yield right of way to the
Weekly................................ $13.75 children.
Monthly.............................. $55.00 • Do not block neighbors’
Milk or juice...................75¢ (all lunches include milk) driveways.
• Please be respectful to our traffic volunteers. They are out
PAMS website: www.pamslunchroom.com or to find out there to keep our children safe!
what the balance is on your child’s lunch account, you can
call this toll-free number: 1-888-994-5100. PARENTS AND VISITORS ON CAMPUS
Once school is in session, parents are not allowed to
Student Nutrition Services is proud to introduce their interrupt class for any reason! The teachers are busy with
new web page located at the following URL: the students and interruptions are distracting and affect
http://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid classroom instruction. If you need to speak to
=1805092039571289 someone, please come to the office. All visitors on campus
or entering classrooms as volunteers MUST sign in at
Please visit the web page if you have questions about the the office and obtain a visitors badge when school is in
student lunch program or your child’s account. It is a work session. For the safety of your children, we need to know
in progress dedicated to nutrition, fitness and who is on campus.
health.

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95014
 GATORAID! PAGE 5
DISTRICT NEWS SECTION

“STAND UP FOR SCHOOLS FORUM”

March 4, 2010 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Lawson Middle School Event Center 10401 Vista Drive in Cupertino
On March 4, 2010, teachers, support staff, administrators, and parents will be attending events across California to call
attention to the massive State budget cuts to education. Please join the Cupertino Educators Association, Cupertino
Elementary School Administrator Association, California School Employees Association, Service Employees International
Union and the Cupertino Union School District for the “Stand Up for Schools Forum.” Topics will include State budget details,
district funding information, and proactive action that you can take to help protect CUSD students from further State cuts.

2010 SUMMER SCHOOL UPDATE

The Cupertino Union School District continues to face major budget cuts from the state. As a result, there will be no available
funds to implement the district’s summer school program. Starting this year (2009-2010), there will be no regular education,
CLIP, or ELD summer school.

Special Education summer school is not affected and will be available for students currently identified and enrolled in
Cupertino Union School District Special Day Classes (SDC) whose IEP include summer school. Registration forms for the
SDC summer school will be available from the SDC teachers beginning April 2010.

ELIMINATION OF GRADE 4 WRITING ASSESSMENT

The CST for Writing (the writing component of the CST for English–Language Arts [ELA]), and the CMA for Writing (the writing
component of the CMA for ELA) will not be administered to students in grade four in the 2009-10 school year. The elimination
of the writing task will have no effect on students' achievement of proficiency because the CST for ELA in grade four and the
CMA for ELA in grade four will be scaled and equated on the basis of the multiple-choice questions only. Please note that the
CST for Writing and the CMA for Writing will continue to be administered in grade seven. Next spring’s administration of those
tests in grade seven will be on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, with makeup testing on Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

THE CUPERTINO MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

The Cupertino Middle School Parent Information Night for next year’s 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be held Thursday, March 4 in
the gym. The 6th grade presentation will be at 6:00 pm and the 7th/8th presentations will be at 7:00 pm. The presentations will
cover course selection, homework, expectations, extracurricular activities, and other topics. These presentations are open to
all families who will have students at CMS next year.

Additionally, at 7:00 pm in the multi-use, our PTA will host an informal gathering so that incoming 6th grade parents can talk
with CMS parents who have already experienced their student’s transition from elementary to middle school. This was a very
popular event last year. Due to facility limitations, these presentations are for parents only. An electronic copy of the
presentation and any handouts will be made available upon request for any parents unable to attend the March 4 meeting.

2010 STAR TESTING DATES

STAR Multiple Choice Testing for grades 2-8 will begin the week of April 26, 2010 and continues for two weeks. The STAR
Program is a state accountability measure that helps us assess how we are meeting the needs of our students. You can help
prepare your child for the test by ensuring your child goes to bed on time, eats a good breakfast, and leaves for school with a
positive attitude. Please do not schedule any family trips or doctor appointments during this time.

2009-2010 DISTRICT CALENDAR

February 15-19, 2010 Mid-Year Recess

March 15, 2010 Staff Learning Day
April 12-16, 2010 Spring Recess
May 28, 2010 Staff Learning Day
May 31, 2010 Memorial Day
June 10, Garden
2010 Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Last
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