GATORAID

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

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SCHOOL CALENDAR
DECEMBER 3, 2009
12/3 7:15 p.m. PTA MEETING
12/4 REPORT CARDS GO HOME
12/8 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. - DISTRICT BOARD ROOM
12/15 ALL LIBRARY BOOKS ARE DUE
12/16 3:45 p.m. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING
12/16 6:30 p.m. H.E.A.S.T. PERFORMANCE - GLC
12/18 SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY - “PAJAMA DAY”
12/18 CLASS HOLIDAY PARTIES
12/21-1/1 WINTER RECESS- NO SCHOOL
1/4/10 SCHOOL RESUMES
1/7 7:15 p.m. PTA MEETING
1/15 SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY - “CRAZY HAT”
1/18 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY - NO SCHOOL
1/20 3:45 p.m. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING
1/20 7:00 p.m. S’COOL SPIRIT WINTER CONCERT - GLC
1/25 8:30 p.m. KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION PACKETS AVAILABLE
1/26 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. - DISTRICT BOARD ROOM
1/28 7:30 p.m. GRADE 4 MUSIC PERFORMANCE - GLC
1/30 5:30 p.m. 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: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

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 self-
satisfaction. “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 ! PAGE 3

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
 GATORAID PAGE 4

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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:
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
PAGE 5
CEEF’S 2010 GALA: "DREAMS ARE MADE OF…"
CEEF GALA – HONORING OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
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 gala@ceefcares.org.

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 social-
cognitive 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 Winter Recess
January 18, 2010 Martin Luther King Day
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, 2010 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).

• 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.

• 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.

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