GATORAID

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

Boa rd o Sup f Ed erin uca tend tion ent: Boa Phil Quo Anja rd Mem n bers Josep li Kausa : r, Be hine n Luce y, Ga Liao, ry M Phyl lis Vo cCue gel ,

CUP

GAR DEN ERT GAT INO UNI E ELEM 105 ON ENT 00 A SC ARY NN ARB HOOL CUP OR DIS ERT T AVE Bra INO NUE RICT ndi , CA Hu Azm 950 14 eh M cko Prin alik cipa - PT l A Pr esid ent

SCHOOL CALENDAR MARCH 1, 2012

3/1 3/7 3/9 3/10 3/12 3/13 3/14 3/16

7:15 p.m. 6:00-6:50 p.m. 7:00-7:50 p.m. 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 8:00-9:30 a.m.

PTA MEETING FAMILY MATH NIGHT - LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE AT GARDEN GATE FAMILIES WHOSE LAST NAMES BEGIN WITH A - N FAMILIES WHOSE LAST NAMES BEGIN WITH O - Z SECOND TRIMESTER ENDS GRADE 3 - FISHING IN THE CITY THIRD TRIMESTER BEGINS C.U.S.D. BOARD MEETING TAKING IT PERSONALLY - PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT MTG. CRAZY HAT DAY - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY

3/19
3/21 3/21 3/23 3/27 3/27 3/28 8:00-9:30 a.m. 3:45 p.m. 8:00-11:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m.

STAFF LEARNING DAY - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

TAKING IT PERSONALLY- PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT MTG. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING REPORT CARDS GO HOME INTERNATIONAL DAY (ALL KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ATTEND 8:00-11:30) C.U.S.D. BOARD MEETING HAPPILY EVER AFTER PERFORMANCE - 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 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....MS. HUCKO!

Garden Gates 2012 Teacher of the Year!
I am proud to announce that our staff has chosen Mrs. Marty Higgins as our 2012 Teacher of the Year! The purpose of this program is to honor our teachers who exhibit a commitment to educational excellence, strive for the academic and emotional success of every child, and display a passion for the teaching profession ~ this is absolutely Marty! Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Higgins this is a well-deserved honor!

Take It Personally (TIP) Returns to Garden Gate

Parents often wonder things like, How can I know what is most important in helping my child succeed in school academically and in life?, or the crucial How can I stay connected with my child, especially as he/she enters into teenage years and middle school?. These can be daunting questions that leave parents feeling anxious and isolated. How about getting together with other parents to discuss these challenges? Soma McCandless, of Project Cornerstone, will once again return to Garden Gate to lead our parents through a workshop. Garden Gate parents that attended this workshop in October 2011 declared it a rousing success, sharing statements such as: The TIP study group really raised my awareness about how even the tiniest efforts that I can (and have) been making as a parent can vastly affect asset building in my children and all children I come in contact with in either a positive or negative manner. The best part, to me, was how this group became a personal journey as I explored what asset building connections I had within my own upbringing and how those experiences have helped shape my life...and subsequently how I wanted my children and others I supported to see me one day... My summary would be: I miss the class so much. I keep hoping there is just one more meeting. I read and take courses, but I actually apply what I learned in TIP. My family and I share our rose and thorn every night and it has made everything just a bit better! Our spring Take It Personally workshop will be offered on six Wednesdays (3/7, 3/14, 3/21, 3/28, 4/4 and 4/11), from 8:00-9:30 a.m. in the Garden Gate Staff Room. Project Cornerstone requests a one-time donation of $10 to cover the cost of the workbook from which parents will work. Theres no need to register just join the first meeting! For additional details, please contact me: hucko_brandi@cusdk8.org.

Childrens Writing Workshop

The Santa Clara County Reading Council, in conjunction with the Sunnyvale School District, have graciously invited Cupertino Union School District students, parents and teachers to participate in a Childrens Writing Workshop. This workshop will be on Saturday March 24, from 8:30 a.m until 12:00 p.m. at Columbia Middle School. Author Jeff Savage will share some of the books hes written, as well as key writing strategies to improve writing. Registration forms, accompanied by the $10 payment, are due by March 16. The registration form/flyer, can be picked up in the Garden Gate Office until March 13.

A Huge Gator Thank You to our PTA!

You may remember that in our February 16th Gatoraid, I thanked the PTA for their generous donation of funds for muchneeded technology items for Garden Gate. This includes iPod Touches and document cameras that will directly impact student learning. We are so grateful. Please stop by the PTA window (exterior corner of office near Room 2) to see our Thank You Poster.

New California Booster Seat Law

The new California Booster Seat Law, effective January 1, 2012, prohibits parents, guardians, or drivers from transporting any child under 8 years old in a motor vehicle without securing that child in the back seat in a child restraint that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The law does contain a provision, however, that a child under 8 years of age who is 49 in height or taller, may use a safety belt rather than a child safety seat or booster seat. The new child safety seat law for 2012 imposes stiff fines and penalties for violations, including the possibility of child endangerment charges. Propellers Do you wonder how to connect better with your children? Do you wonder what matters to them, and how you can assist them to grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible citizens? I encourage you to try a "propeller" - a question intended to spark conversations with your children. Try it around the dinner table tonight! This week's propeller: How do you help your friends feel more positive about themselves?

School Site Council Seeks Nominations

The School Site Council (SSC) is asking for nominations for two parent positions on the SSC for next school year. The SSC develops and monitors the School Plan and School Based Coordinated Program Budgets. The SSC is a great way to be involved and to give input to our school programs. Our SSC is comprised of an equal number of staff and parent representatives. The meetings are held once a month after school. If you are interested in serving on the SSC, or if there is someone you would like to nominate, please complete the information below and return the form to school by March 12th. If you have any questions concerning SSC, please contact Mrs. Patti Wolf at 252-5414 ext.156. School Site Council Nominations for the 2012 - 2013 School Year I am interested in a position on the School Site Council: Name: I would like to nominate: Name: Phone Number: Phone Number:_____________

PTA CORNER

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) NEWS & RESOURCES

PAGE

Hello Garden Gate Families,

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Mid-Year Break! Please join us for our March PTA meeting which will take place tonight, Thursday, March 1st in the GLC at 7:15 p.m. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! The following are a few important PTA announcements for this week: Honorary Service Awards: Your Nominations Are Needed! Last week your child brought home a flyer that asked you to submit your suggestions and nominations for this years Honorary Service Awards. The Honorary Service Awards are given to individuals in recognition of their outstanding service and dedication to our children and youth. Please remember to send in your nominations as soon as possible so that we can recognize and honor the efforts and hard work of outstanding Garden Gate volunteers! Please Sign Up For International Day We still need presenters and display booths for Garden Gates International Day which will be held on Tuesday, March 27th. Presentations are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and should be 15 - 20 minutes in length. You will need to prepare a short presentation to share with the children demonstrating items, crafts, food and any artifacts reflecting that country. If you have fun facts and information about a particular country that you would like to share with students, please contact Mahalakshmi Rameshbabu. It is a very exciting and informative day for the students and parents alike. Lastly, we still need many volunteers to help with various other tasks during International Day. If you are available to help in any way, please contact Mahalakshmi Rameshbabu at mahaaramesh@yahoo.com.

Haveagreatweek! AzmehMalik GardenGatePTAPresident

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

GATORAID!
Math Around The World
Come learn about Math Around the World on Family Math Night Wednesday, March 7th in the Garden Gate GLC. Lawrence Hall of Science will bring more than a dozen interactive math activities to intrigue students and their families. Due to space limitations, we are holding two sessions. If your last name begins with AN please attend Session 1 from 6:00 - 6:50 p.m. If your last name begins with O-Z, please attend Session 2 from 7:00 - 7:50 p.m. Thank you for your cooperation, and thank you to the PTA for making Family Math Night possible.

PAGE

Important School Calendar Dates

The CUSD Board of Education has approved the calendar for the 2012-2013 school year. The first day of school will be on August 20, 2012. The last day of school for this year is June 12, 2012. Students must be present on the last day of school and on the first day of school in order to be guaranteed a spot at Garden Gate. Students not attending the last or first day of school will be dropped and parents will need to re-register when the child returns.

Absences and Tardies

STAR Testing Dates

The California Standardized Assessment (STAR) testing dates are being published so that parents can plan ahead. STAR Testing will be held from April 30, 2012 through May 11, 2012 for 2nd - 5th grades (with make-up testing May 14th -18th). Your child will need to take the entire test in order to receive complete STAR scores. Please do not schedule family trips or make appointments during these times. It is very important that our students are at school during the testing.

Attendance and punctuality are important in establishing good behaviors and building responsibility in young children. Please ensure that your child is at school everyday and that they arrive on time. If your child will be absent, please call the attendance line promptly (252-5414, ext. 6). If your child arrives after 8:00 a.m. they must report to the school office for a late slip before entering the classroom. Under state law, three unexcused absences or tardies may be considered truancy.

Important Reminders:

Writing Assessments For Grades 3 - 5

Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will take a writing assessment on March 6, 2012. The test for fourth grade students is part of their STAR test. The assessment for third and fifth graders is given by the Cupertino district and is not part of their STAR test. Please do not schedule any appointments or family trips on this date. STAR testing for grades 2-5 begins Tuesday, May 1. Please do not schedule any appointments or family trips during the week of April 30 or May 7. Thank you.

For the protection of the students, please remember that students are not to be on the Garden Gate campus before 7:45 a.m. There is no adult supervision until 7:45 a.m. Please do not congregate outside of the classrooms while school is still in session. This is very disruptive to both the teacher and the students and could be a distraction from valuable learning time. Every Tuesday is early dismissal day. Please remember that all a.m. Kindergarten students are dismissed at 11:10 a.m. and all p.m. Kindergarten students along with students in grades 1-5 are dismissed at 1:30. Please remember to pick up your children promptly.

Lost and Found

Scrip And E-Scrip

Please stop by the Lost and Found cabinet that is located at the rear of the administrative building and take a few moments to check for your lost personal items. It is full with lunch containers, hats and many other items. For smaller personal items such as keys, watches jewelry, etc., please check in the front office.

Remember to purchase Scrip on Tuesday afternoons between 1:15 - 1:45 p.m. and also on Friday mornings between 7:45-8:15 a.m. Scrip is spent just like cash on everyday expenses. eScrip also provides an easy way to earn money for the PTA. Participating merchants donate a percentage of purchases to the school. Parents (also family and friends) should visit www.escrip.com to register their credit/debit cards, Safeway Card, and PW Supermarket Card. Be sure to specify Garden Gate Elementary School (eScrip number is 139188329.) For those who dont have internet access, please fill out and turn in an eScrip registration form (available during scrip sales times or in the school office).

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

GATORAID!
2012 STAR WRITING TEST Students in grades 4 and 7 will take the STAR Writing Test on March 6, 2012. The STAR Writing Test addresses writing application standards for grades 4 and 7. Students in grade 4 may be asked to write a fictional narrative (story), a response to literature, or a summary of a reading passage. Students in grade seven may be asked to write a fictional narrative (story), a response to literature, a persuasive letter or essay, or a summary of a reading passage. Students at both grade levels read a task and write a first draft of their essay. First drafts are submitted to the state for scoring. The two-week multiple choice STAR Test window begins April 30, 2012.

PAGE

SCHOOL REPAIR BOND Aging classrooms and labs, leaking roofs, and fire and earthquake safety systems must be repaired and upgraded to ensure a safe and modern learning environment. Our students deserve upgraded classroom technology to compete in todays high-tech world. Additional classrooms are critical to accommodate our growing student enrollment. To protect strong student achievement, student enrollment growth and update local schools, our Board of Education is considering placing a $220 million school repair bond measure on the June 2012 ballot. By law, the measure would annually cost local property owners no more than $30 per $100,000, based on assessed valuation as determined by the Santa Clara County Assessors Office. This Potential Measure would: Fix leaky roofs Upgrade earthquake and fire safety systems Remove potentially hazardous materials from old school structures Keep schools clean and well-maintained Update science labs, computers and educational technology, so our students are prepared for the 21st-century Accommodate student growth by providing additional classrooms

The Cupertino Union School District Board of Education will consider placing a school repair bond measure on the June 5, 2012 ballot during the Board Meeting held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. All community members are invited to attend and share their opinions. The meeting will be held in the Board Room in the District Office located at 10301 Vista Drive in Cupertino.

District Calendar 2011-2012 (all schools except Murdock-Portal) March 19, 2012 Staff Learning Day April 16-20, 2012 Spring Recess May 25, 2012 Staff Learning Day May 28, 2012 Memorial Day June 12, 2012 Last Day of School

District Calendar 2012-2013 (All schools except Murdock-Portal) August 20, 2012 Students Return September 3, 2012 Labor Day September 21, 2012 Staff Learning Day October 29, 2012 Staff Learning Day November 12, 2012 Veterans Day November 19-23, 2012 Thanksgiving Recess December 24-January 4, 2013 Winter Recess January 21, 2013 MLK, Jr. Day February 18-22, 2013 Mid-Year Recess Garden Gate 2013 March 18, Elementary School 10500 AnnLearning DayCupertino CA 95125 Staff Arbor Ave., April 15-19, 2013 Spring Recess May 24, 2013 Staff Learning Day May 27, 2013 Memorial Day June 12, 2013 Last Day of School