Gatoraid 120309

GATORAID School Phone: 408-252-5414

~ Absence Line 408-252-5414-6

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FAX 408-996-9725

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SCHOOL CALENDAR 12/3 12/4 12/8 12/15 12/16 12/16 12/18 12/18

7:15 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

12/21-1/1 1/4/10 1/7 1/15

WINTER RECESS- NO SCHOOL 7:15 p.m.

1/18 1/20 1/20 1/25 1/26 1/28 1/30

DECEMBER 3, 2009

PTA MEETING REPORT CARDS GO HOME C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. - DISTRICT BOARD ROOM ALL LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING H.E.A.S.T. PERFORMANCE - GLC SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY - “PAJAMA DAY” CLASS HOLIDAY PARTIES

3:45 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m.

SCHOOL RESUMES PTA MEETING SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY - “CRAZY HAT”

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY - NO SCHOOL SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING S’COOL SPIRIT WINTER CONCERT - GLC KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION PACKETS AVAILABLE C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. - DISTRICT BOARD ROOM GRADE 4 MUSIC PERFORMANCE - GLC CEEF GALA - FAIRMONT HOTEL, SAN JOSE

Parent Traffic Duty: December 7th - 11th Parents from Rm. #11.

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:[email protected] 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!

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Dear Parents, I hope that you had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving Break. It’s hard to believe we are already in December and we are beginning the second school trimester! However, that’s where we are and your children will be bringing home their first trimester report cards this Friday. I anticipate that there will be lots of opportunities to express one’s pride on the children’s accomplishments, as well as giving encouragement where needed. You might want to take a look at the following article for some helpful hints in discussing your children’s progress so far this year.

TALKING OVER YOUR CHILD’S REPORT CARD By Skila Brown (www.education.com) It’s here. The dreaded first home delivery of the report card. Whether you’re pulling it out of a backpack or pulling it up on a computer screen, there’s a moment of anticipation and maybe even dread. Indeed parents seem obligated to use the report card moment as a pep talk. But experts aren’t sure this is the right way to go. Maria Pickard, guidance counselor in Memphis, Tennessee, warns parents against saying too much. “Students come to rely too heavily on their parents’ reaction to their scores. When what we really want is to have them reacting themselves. If parents could just use that moment to get their kids thinking for themselves about how they did, report cards would be a more effective tool for motivating kids to perform better.” The most basic advice for parents is to ask open-ended questions instead of yes-or-no ones. Think of the report card as a conversation-starter. A way for your child to talk about how she’s doing in each area, what is easy or hard for her, and how you can help her to do better. Here are more tips for talking about report cards with your child: * Ask your child how she thinks she did. This opens up the dialogue for any problems she’s having in the class or reasons for a less than stellar performance. And it sets the tone for parents to listen. * If the teacher is commenting on your child’s chattiness or inability to listen, don’t set yourself up for an argument. Instead of asking why he’s chatty or why she can’t sit still, ask, “Why do you think the teacher feels you have trouble listening?” Getting your child to explain from the teacher’s point of view enables him to think about how his actions are being interpreted. * Offer specific praise and encouragement instead of broad statements. Try: “You worked very hard to bring up your math grade this period,” instead of “Great job in math.” * Separate your child from his grades. No parent wants his child to feel his self-worth is derived from what teachers say about him. Consider statements like, “I love you, but I don’t like this report card” as a way to distinguish between the two. * Focus on a way to do better. Instead of telling your child to pull up her history grade, talk together to find a way she can improve her scores in that class. Come up with a plan. Write it down. Finally, communicate it to the teacher, so that you’re all on the same page. * Handle praise with care. If your child consistently brings home amazing report cards, it may be difficult to know what to say. “Good job” loses its meaning and has almost no affect. Consider reminding your child how she got those grades, and prompting her to find some selfsatisfaction. “I am not surprised you have all these great grades on your report card. I saw you working very hard this term and it looks like it’s paid off. I bet you feel very proud!” How big of a deal should you make about report cards? Well, that usually depends upon your child. If he’s visibly stressed out because his report isn’t perfect, your reaction should be very low-key. If she seems ambivalent about the negative comments and poor grades, you’ll probably want to emphasize it more. Remember that report cards are simply a way for your child’s school to formally record his progress. Progress is the key. It’s a way for you to see what your child is learning and how he is performing in school. But it’s not the final say on how smart he is. If we approach report cards with that attitude, we’ll be able to offer the encouragement our child needs for success in school.

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95014

PTA CORNER

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) NEWS & RESOURCES

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Hello Gator Families, I hope you each had a joyful Thanksgiving Holiday. PTA Budget Survey I have received 85 budgeting surveys to date. Thank you to everyone who made the effort and returned the survey. Your response will help us direct the funds. I will continue to take the surveys until the PTA meeting this Thursday (7:15 p.m. in the GLC). At this meeting we will review the budgeting survey results and have discussion based on them. Please come to listen and be heard, everyone is welcome. We do not have babysitters, but you are welcome to bring your children. Walk-Around Leader Needed One important PTA position that we still need to fill this year is the Chairperson for the Walk-A-Round. Last year, we came very close to canceling the event because we had no one to lead it. Lavanya Sivakumar stepped in and did an awesome job, however this year, she is busy with a new baby! Last year, when I first spoke to Lavanya about leading it, she was doubtful – but she took it on and was incredible! So please contact me if you are interested in being involved with the Walk-Around as a leader or as an assistant. Thank you! Something to Think About The PTA President and Vice President volunteers hold their positions for two years. Our terms will expire at the end of this school year. Beginning In January we will start to take nominations for next year’s PTA board and committee positions. Please consider volunteering for one of the vacant positions and also think about the people you know who might also be interested. The PTA is run by parents. Everyone who is currently serving was at first afraid. . . afraid of the commitment, afraid of the duties, or just afraid of the unknown. The PTA has to rebuild itself, at least in part, every year. So look at yourself, grab a friend and volunteer together! We do have a lot of fun, friendships are formed, and we grow in skills and spirit as a unit. All the while, we are improving the educational experience for our children. So when the new year comes around, please keep an open mind about becoming active in the Garden Gate PTA. If you would like information regarding the Walk-A-Round Chairperson position, please call me at (408) 343-1232.

See you at the PTA meeting, Thursday at 7:15 in the GLC! Kathleen McCulloch President and Lead Volunteer, Garden Gate PTA

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95014

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LOST AND FOUND

Now that the weather is getting colder, it is important to have your child dress in layers with a heavy sweater or jacket. Remember to include your child’s name on all outside wear and personal items. Our “lost and found” cart (located at the rear of the school office building) is overflowing with clothing and other personal student items. Please stop by and claim your child’s lost articles. For smaller personal items such as keys, watches, jewelry, etc., please check in the front office. All items that are not claimed will be donated to a local charity.

INDEPENDENT STUDY CONTRACTS

If you plan to be away from school for a minimum of five school days and a maximum of ten school days, please contact the school office and your child’s teacher at least three weeks ahead of your departure date to arrange for a special Independent Study Contract. The following guidelines must be followed:

PAGE 4 DON’T FORGET TO RECYCLE Thank you to everyone who participates each week by bringing in your recyclable items and helps the recycling program at Garden Gate. All of the monies that we receive for the recycling items go directly toward Science Camp. Please remember that we can no longer take the plastic milk jugs so please don't send these to school. Thank you for your help, Janice Hagerbaumer

EYEGLASS DONATION DRIVE

Cupertino Union School District is excited to partner with Vision Service Plan (VSP) to help others see well through the “Eyes of Hope” program. This program will run through December of this year. There is a collection box in the school office to drop off any used glasses including prescription glasses, readers, and sunglasses. Both plastic and metal frames are accepted. Cases can also be donated with the glasses inside. VSP will ensure that the glasses are recycled and distributed to children and adults throughout the world.

CALLING IN STUDENT ABSENCES

When calling in your child’s absence, please be specific as to the reason for the absence, i.e.: “My child (name), has a fever due to cold, sore throat, cough or flu with 100.0 or more temperature.” Your child may return to school when he/she is fever free, without medication or the aid of a fever reducer for at least 24 hours. When returning to school, the student must check in with the office to be assessed and cleared of a fever before returning to class. Please do not give your child a fever reducer and send them to school. It is necessary to keep them home in order not to expose their illness to other students in the class.

•A student must be enrolled for three consecutive weeks before an Independent Contract can be initiated. •The contract and homework must be returned the first day back to school with all the work completed, so days missed do not count as unexcused absences. •Students who are absent for more than ten consecutive days will be dropped from the roster of their school. When the student returns, if space is available at his or her school, the student will be reinstated. If no space is available, the student will be assigned to another school in the district where space is available. Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95014

GATORAID!

DISTRICT NEWS SECTION CEEF’S 2010 GALA: "DREAMS ARE MADE OF…" CEEF GALA – HONORING OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

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Saturday, January 30, 2010 5:30 p.m. Fairmont Hotel, San Jose The CEEF Gala has been acknowledged as the Valley’s premiere “party with a purpose” – raising critically needed funds for arts and innovative technology programs at each of our district schools. Join us in celebrating educational excellence in our schools and honoring our Teachers of the Year on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose. As an incentive for schools to begin organizing Gala tables, 50 drawing tickets will be awarded to each school table of 10; principals who help organize tables will receive a Golden Ticket for a chance to win a catered lunch for their teachers! For more information, please email CEEF at [email protected].

PARENT SPEAKER SERIES SELPA II (Special Education Local Plan Area II) is proud to host the following guest speaker presentation to parents of students with special needs. Tuesday, December 8, 2009 - “Social Thinking” - Speaker: Michelle Garcia Winner, M.A., CCC-SLP Back by popular demand is Michelle Garcia Winner, who developed social thinking for the treatment of individuals with socialcognitive deficits: Autism, Asperger Syndrome, ADHD and Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD). Come early. At last year’s event seats filled up fast! The event will take place at Bishop Elementary School (450 N. Sunnyvale Avenue in Sunnyvale) in the auditorium from 6:30-8:30 p.m. There is no registration required to attend this event. Onsite childcare is available, but registration is required for childcare and closes one week prior to the event, with no exceptions. For childcare, please contact Linda Toda at (408) 522-2474.

2009-2010 District Calendar

Dec. 21, 2009 - Jan. 1, 2010 January 18, 2010 February 15-19, 2010 March 15, 2010 April 12-16, 2010 May 28, 2010 May 31, 2010 June 10, 2010

Winter Recess Martin Luther King Day

Mid-Year Recess Staff Learning Day Spring Recess Staff Learning Day Memorial Day Last Day of School

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).

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

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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.

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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. Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95014