GATORAID

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

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SCHOOL CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER 3, 2009
8/24-9/25 GATE TESTING REFERRAL “NEW-TO-DISTRICT STUDENTS ONLY” GR 4 & 5

9/3 7:15 p.m. PTA MEETING – GLC

9/4 HEALTH & ENROLLMENT CARDS ARE DUE
9/7 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY – NO SCHOOL
9/8 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG. @ NIMITZ SCHOOL
9/8 6:30 p.m. S’COOL SPIRIT BAND SIGN-UP GR. 4 & 5 (OUTSIDE BENCHES)
9/9 8:00 a.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE VOLUNTEER MTG - STAFF RM.
9/9 BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT – PARENTS ONLY (BABYSITTING NOT AVAILABLE)
6:45-7:25 p.m. GRADES 4-5 IN CLASSSROOMS
7:30-7:45 p.m. STAFF INTRODUCTIONS IN GLC FOR ALL PARENTS
7:45-8:30 p.m. GRADES K-3 IN CLASSROOMS
9/17 6:30-7:45 p.m. SAFETY NIGHT
9/18 STAFF LEARNING DAY – NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
9/19 CUPERTINO FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL –
12:00 p.m. CHICKEN DANCE - KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS
9/21 7:00 p.m. GR. 5 - SCIENCE CAMP PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT - GLC
9/22 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MTG – DISTRICT BOARD ROOM
9/23 3:45 p.m. SCHOOL SITE COUNSEL MEETING – STAFF ROOM
9/23 7:00-8:30 p.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT ED. NIGHT - GLC
9/25 DEADLINE FOR GATE “NEW TO DISTRICT” 4-5 GR. STUDENTS
9/28-10/2 SCHOLASTIC FALL SOCIAL AND BOOK FAIR
10/1 6:00-8:00 p.m. FALL SOCIAL AND BOOK FAIR - GLC

Parent Traffic Duty: September 8th - 11th - 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@cupertino.k12.ca.us
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
Changes at Garden Gate – Grades 1 - 3
As many of you know, Garden Gate is a very popular school and we attract many families desiring the quality
education and enrichment opportunities offered by the Cupertino Union School District. While we are delighted to
be known as an excellent school in an excellent school district, we run the risk of becoming too popular! That is
the situation this year in our first through third grade classes. The majority of our classes in those grade levels have
21 students in them. Following the guidelines of class size reduction, the district’s policy has been to staff those
classes at 20:1.

We have been monitoring our enrollment numbers closely. In the past, student enrollment often sorted itself out
because there would always be a number of “no shows” on the first day of school. However, this year, almost
every student enrolled showed up. In addition, we had a sizable number of new enrollees. Our first through third
grade classes swelled to 21. Students enrolling later were “overflowed” to neighboring schools. These neighboring
schools are filling up quickly and their own newly enrolled students run the risk of also becoming “overflow”
students and would need to be bused to yet another Cupertino school.

To help avoid that domino effect and to keep our Garden Gate students at Garden Gate, the decision was made to
create another primary classroom. It will be a first grade class and it will relieve the overcrowding in all first
through third grade classrooms. To facilitate that change means that we will be moving some students from almost
every first through third grade class. The staff and I have met and discussed ways to minimize disruption to
student learning and to make the changes as positive an experience as is possible. All class moves will happen
tomorrow, Friday, September 4.

Parents of students in grades one through three received a letter from me yesterday outlining the process we will
use. The teachers and I have an excellent plan for the transition from the current classroom to the new one. It’s
supportive, inclusive and reflects our positive community values at Garden Gate. I will personally call all parents
of students who will move to new classrooms on Friday. We appreciate your support and understanding as we
move through this transitional time.

Back to School Night – Wednesday, September 9, 6:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Garden Gate’s Back to School Night is scheduled for next Wednesday, September 9. The schedule is as follows:
6:45 – 7:25p.m. Grades 4 & 5 (In classrooms)
7:30 - 7:45p.m. GLC (Introductions/announcements)
7:45 – 8:30p.m. Grades K – 3 (In classrooms)

We look forward to seeing all of you on that evening. Please remember that this is an evening for adults only.
Thank you.

Parent Traffic Help – Every Classroom Assigned One Week of Duty for the Year
You will be asked to sign up to help make our morning drop-off and our Tuesday afternoon pick up safer for
everyone. All parents should ask themselves, when thinking of their children in the school parking lot or crossing
the street, “How safe is safe enough?” I am sure that you would want someone to help your child cross the street,
someone to stop the traffic so that your child can cross the driveway, and someone to help to watch out for your
child during the heavy morning traffic at Garden Gate. We are asking for a commitment from every family to help
one week a year with traffic duty. It can be one morning or afternoon or the whole week – whatever works for
your schedule. We have a wonderful learning environment here at Garden Gate. We need to make sure that all of
our students arrive and leave safely in that environment. Your help is appreciated!

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

Welcome to the PTA Corner

Please Attend Our 1st PTA Meeting Of The Year
Tonight, Thursday, Sept. 3rd At 7:15 In The GLC.

For those not familiar with PTA meetings here are some of the basics:

•Anyone and everyone are welcome to attend; you do not have to be a

member of the PTA.
•The meetings are free.
•They are approximately 60 to 90 minutes long.
•The agenda is posted in the PTA window at the corner of the school
office approximately a week in advance.
•You will hear what is happening at school.
•Members can vote on PTA issues and budget.
•Anyone can make suggestions, bring up issues and ask questions at the
meetings.
•The meetings are held with an open and welcoming environment.
Tonight we will:
• Hear from our Principal, Nancy Wood.
• Vote on the Annual PTA budget.
• Hear about Direct Donations, the upcoming Book Fair, the Reflections Art
Program and much more, see the agenda for details.

Remember, later this month the PTA is sponsoring three events:

1.Safety Night on Thursday, the 17th
2.Parent Education Night for Project Cornerstone with Linda Silvius
3.Book Fair starting on September 29th

Please visit our Scrip tables on Tuesday Afternoons at the front of the
school at 1:15-1:45 and on Friday Mornings 7:45– 8:15.

Hope to see you tonight,

Kathleen McCulloch, Garden Gate PTA President

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95125
GATORAID!
HEALTH ENROLLMENT CARDS & DISASTER
CARDS
Health Enrollment Cards (Student Emergency Cards)
and Disaster Cards are due back to school tomorrow,
September 4th! Please make any changes or
additions directly on the Health and Enrollment card,
sign it, and return it to your child’s teacher.
Remember to include any health problems your child
has. Students may be released during the school
day to only those individuals listed on the Health and
Enrollment Card. Please complete the Disaster Card
and also return it. Please be sure to call the office to
update any changes of information during the school
year. All completed cards are due back to
school no later than Friday, September 4th.
YOUR INVITED TO THE BOOK FAIR!
Gators, please mark your calendar to attend the
Fall Book Fair that will be taking place in the GLC
September 28th through October 2nd. The Book
Fair will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
everyday except Friday, and during the Fall Social
Family event on Thursday evening, October 1st
from 6-8 pm. You can visit our Scholastic School
home page at http://http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/
homepage/gardengate> to review some of the
books you will find at the Fair. All profits will
support various school activities and enable our
Librarian to buy books for the Library from
Scholastic. Our last Fair earned $2,100 and with
your continued support we hope to do better this
time. Please make plans to visit the Book Fair to
encourage your children to read and to help
Garden Gate.
SCRIP AND eScrip
Scrip Gift Cards and eScrip are two fundraising
programs that parents (also family and friends) can
participate in to raise money for the PTA at “NO COST”
to the participant. Scrip gift cards can be spent like
cash on everyday expenses. PTA purchases scrip at a
discount and sells it on Tuesdays 1:15-1:45 p.m. and
Fridays 7:45-8:15 a.m. Alternatively, an order form can
be turned in via the green folders or school office and
can be picked up during scrip times.
 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
Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95125
PAGE 4
School (eScrip number is 139188329). For those who
don’t have internet access, please fill out and turn in an
eScrip registration form (available during scrip sales
times or in the school office). Already Registered
eScrip Participants: Please visit www.escrip.com and
click on “YES RENEW” by November 1st, or turn in an
eScrip registration form to renew your Safeway Club
card. Questions? E-mail us at ggscrip.com or see us
during scrip sales times.
Carolyn Young, Scrip
MEDICATIONS IN THE OFFICE
The Medication Administration forms are
always available in the school office.
Please note that in order for medications
to be given to students during the school
day, a medication form must be
completed and signed by the physician
and the parent. When completed, bring the Medication
Administration form and the medication (in the original
container) to the secretaries in the school office.
RECYCLING AT GARDEN GATE
Garden Gate 5th graders will continue the recycling
program this year. We are recycling plastic, aluminum
and printer ink cartridges. We have two reasons for
this program. First, we have many students who are
concerned about our planet. Recycling gives them a
chance to do something for the planet and teaches
everyone good recycling habits. Second, we want to
make sure that as every child reaches 5th grade,
money to help with the cost of Science School will be
available. You can help by taking your recyclables to
the bins outside the library doors. Printer ink
cartridges should be taken to Room 12. Thank you.
VISITING CAMPUS
All visitors on campus, whether entering classrooms as
volunteers or meeting with teachers, Must Sign In at
the office and obtain a visitor’s name tag when school
is in session. For the safety of all, we need to know
who is on the campus. The only exceptions are at
student arrival and dismissal times. If you are taking
your child out of school for any reason, ALWAYS sign
your child out from school through the office and then
back in when he/she returns.
GATORAID! PAGE 5

DISTRICT NEWS SECTION

GATE REFERRAL PROCESS TESTING SCHEDULE

Fall Testing Only For “New-to-District” students in Grades 4 – 5
Referrals will be accepted through September 25, 2009.
Referrals received after September 25, 2009 will be returned.

The focus of Cupertino's Gifted and Talented Ed. is to identify and serve those students who have
demonstrated exceptional intellectual ability and outstanding academic achievement. Referrals for Gifted and
Talented Education (GATE) testing may be initiated
by teachers, parents, or the student. If you have a current “new-to-district” student you would like to have tested
this fall for the Gifted and Talent Education program, please contact your child's teacher or school office for a
referral form. If you have questions about the screening process,
please call the GATE office at (408) 252-3000, Extension 199, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. or the GATE
website at: http://www.cupertino.k12.ca.us.
NOTE: Fall testing for new-to-district students will take place late October 2009.

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