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

GATORAID

BoardofEducation

Superintendent:PhilQuonBoardMembers:

AnjaliKausar,BenLiao,

JosephineLucey,GaryMcCue,

PhyllisVogel

GARDENGATEELEMENTARY

CUPERTINOUNIONSCHOOLDISTRICT

10500ANNARBORAVENUE

CUPERTINO,CA95014

BrandiHucko-Principal

AzmehMalik-PTAPresident

SCHOOL CALENDAR

MARCH 15, 20123/16 CRAZY HAT DAY - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY

3/19 STAFF LEARNING DAY - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

3/21 3:45 p.m. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING3/23 REPORT CARDS GO HOME3/27 8:00-11:30 a.m. INTERNATIONAL DAY (ALL KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ATTEND 8:00-11:30)3/27 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MEETING3/28 6:00 p.m. HAPPILY EVER AFTER PERFORMANCE - GLC

4/2-4/6 MARIN HEADLANDS SCIENCE CAMP - GRADE 54/5 7:15 p.m. PTA MEETING4/9-4/13 WALK ONE WEEK4/10 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MEETING4/11 DEADLINE TO ORDER YEARBOOKS4/11 3:45 p.m. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING4/13 WALK AROUND EVENT

4/16-4/20 SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL4/24 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MEETING4/26 SPRING STUDENT PICTURES4/26 6:30 p.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE RECOGNITION EVENING - GLC4/27 COLOR DAY - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY4/28 SCOOL SPIRIT BAND AT GREAT AMERICA

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 andview 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.orgATTENDANCE: 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.

mailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orghttp://www.pamslunchroom.com/mailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orghttp://www.pamslunchroom.com/http://www.pamslunchroom.com/

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One More Gator Deserves Congratulations!Whoops! In last weeks Gatoraid we failed to mention that 1st grader, Sreya, was also a member of the Shining GatorsDestination Imagination Team. Sreya we know your team couldnt have achieved success without you. We are so sorry weaccidentally omitted your name! Congratulations!

Thank you to the Cupertino Rotary Club MembersTo celebrate Dr. Suess Day, seven Rotarians from the Cupertino Rotary Club came to read to each of our Kindergarten andFirst Grade classes. This has been an annual tradition that the students enjoy. Thank you to Sharon Riechardt, Peter Troop

Sandra James, Tina Ferguson, Padma Chari, Jim Walker and Zoe Alameda who took time out of their day to support theimportance and enjoyment of reading.We Need You!As the Principal at Garden Gate, I am so appreciative of all of the support we receive from parents in our classrooms andaround campus. I know how busy life can get, and I truly value your time. Our PTA is made up of dedicated parents that wanthe best for our students and their families. They work very hard on many projects and school-wide events such as: WelcomeBack Breakfast, Fall/Spring Socials, Fall Celebration, Book Fairs, Family Safety Night, Family Math/Science Night, FamilyLiteracy Night, Family Art Night, School Assemblies, Box Tops for Education, CEEF, Direct Donation Campaign, InternationalDay, Discovery Day, Jungle Fundraiser Night, Staff Appreciation Week, Red Ribbon Week, Reflections Art Contest, Scrip/E-Scrip Program, Spiritwear, and our annual Walk-Around. In addition, they work to ensure that PTA money is spent onprograms that will benefit all students. These include: Spectra Art, Library, Technology Upgrade and more.

The PTA works tirelessly to provide a fulfilling experience for all students. Unfortunately, all of this work is being done by a

small group of about 20-25 parents. Each year we struggle to find more volunteers to assist in these tasks. Please help suppour PTA. There are many ways you can help: Join the PTA - The cost is $5 to become a member. As a PTA member, you haa say in all decisions that are made by the group with regards to how we spend our money and what we value for our studenCome to a PTA meeting - Meetings are held the first Thursday of every month at 7:15 p.m. in the GLC. Meetings generally laabout 60-90 minutes. Please consider coming to our next meeting (Thursday 4/3/12) - I think youll find it informative.Volunteer your time to a PTA committee - For each committee there is a chairperson and committee members. Somecommittees are busy for only a short window of time each year. One example would be Red Ribbon Week - this committee isbusy the first month or so of school, and then they are finished for the year. All committee chairpersons have the assistance oan experienced PTA member.

As the Principal and a PTA member, I attend every meeting. Sadly, our group has dwindled to about 8-10 attendees at eachmeeting. We are desperate for help in the upcoming school year, 2012-2013. I would be most grateful if you would considerhelping out in any way possible. Without increased parent participation, we will be forced to cancel some of the projects/evelisted above. Please email me (hucko_brandi@cusdk8.org) if you would like more information.

No School for StudentsMonday, March 19 is a Staff Learning Day. Students will not attend school on Monday, March 19. Teachers and staff will attetrainings all day. School will resume Tuesday, March 20.

Encourage Respectful Behavior with Five Simple StrategiesThere are days that parents feel like Aretha Franklin. All theyre asking for is a little R.E.S.P.E.C.T. But in todays society, whdisrespect is common, its even more of a challenge to raise respectful kids. Fortunately, there are still some things that workHere are five ways to encourage respect in your child:

1. Be a good role model. Respect, like most values, is caught, not taught. When your child sees you treating everyone withrespect from the clerk in the store to the homeless person on the street with respect, hell figure thats the way to behave2. Name it when you see it. When you see other people behaving in respectful ways, make a positive comment. No lecture is

necessary. Your kids will get the message. Did you see how that man on the bus gave up his seat so that elderly woman cosit down? What a respectful thing to do.3. Praise it when they demonstrate it. Zack, I felt so proud of your respectful behavior when you held the door for Mrs. Jones4. Correct it. When your child slips up (and he will) help him make a course correction. Is that the way we greet guests?5. Report what you hear. If a neighbor or teacher tells you your child greeted her politely, let your child know how proud you a

of his respectful behavior.Source: R. Silverman, 10 Tips on Teaching Respect to Children: You Cant Get it if You Dont Give It, www.drrobynsilverman.com/parenting-tips/10-tips-on-teaching- respect-to-children-you-cant-get-it-if-you-dont-give-it/.

PropellersDo you wonder how to connect better with your children? Do you wonder what matters to them, and how you can assist themto grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible citizens? I encourage you to try a "propeller" - a question intended to sparkconversations with your children. Try it around the dinner table tonight!This week's propeller: Who is your hero? What makes that person your hero?

mailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:hucko_brandi@cusdk8.orgmailto:hucko_brandi@cusdk8.org

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PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) NEWS & RESOURCES

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

HELLO GATOR FAMILIES!

PTANOMINATINGCOMMITTEEISRECRUITING!HISTORIANNEEDED!

Callingallparentvolunteers!IfyouareinterestedinservingonthePTABoard,the

NominatingCommitteeislookingforindividualsinterestedintakingonvarious

obsonthePTABoardandCommittees.GardenGatesPTAunitconsistsofseveral

BoardMembersandCommittees.ThisisthetimeoftheyearwhentheNClooksto

findreplacementsforthosememberswhoareeithermovingontoMiddleschoolor

whohavecompletedatwoyearterminoffice.

OnepositionthatweespeciallyneedfilledfornextyearisthatoftheHISTORIAN.Ifyouaresomeonewhopossessesacameraandyouliketotakephotographs,thenthispostmightbetheoneforyou.TheHistorian

sresponsiblefortakingpicturesatallGardenGatePTAevents,putstogetherapicturealbum,andprepares

aHistoriansreportattheendoftheschoolyear.

fyouareinterestedinplayinganactiveroleinthePTA,orifyouwouldliketohelpoutonanyofour

committees,orifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontactmeatazmeh_ahsan@yahoo.com.Youcanvisitour

PTAwebsitetoseeacompletelistofourBoardandCommitteemembersat

http://www.edline.net/pages/Garden_Gate_Elementary_School/Design_Resources/Shortcuts1876/

PTA_Home_Page

lookforwardtohearingfromyouandhopethatyouwillconsiderbeingmoreinvolvedinyourchildsschooactivities.Iguaranteeyou,itisaveryrewardingandenrichingexperienceandyouwillnotbedisappointed!

GETREADYFORTHEWALK-AROUND!

Gators,pleasemarkyoucalendarsfortheWalkAroundeventthatwillbecominguponFriday,April13th,

2012.TheWalkAroundisourannualfundraisingeventthatinvol veswalkingfortheschool,boostingschool

teamspirit,andloadsofexcitementsurroundingnumerousraffleprizes.Youwillfindapledgesheetand

detailsaboutitinyourchildsgreenfolderthatwillbecominghometoday.Pleasesupportyourchildrenas

theycollectpledgesfromfamily,friendsandneighborsandraisemoneyfortheirschool.Wewillneedmany

volunteerstohelpusonthedayoftheWalkAround,soparents,pleasesignuptovolunteer!

Hopeyouenjoyyourweek!

AzmehMalik

GardenGatePTAPresident

mailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orgmailto:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.orghttp://www.edline.net/pages/Garden_Gate_Elementary_School/Design_Resources/Shortcuts1876/PTA_Home_Pagemailto:azmeh_ahsan@yahoo.comhttp://www.edline.net/pages/Garden_Gate_Elementary_School/Design_Resources/Shortcuts1876/PTA_Home_Pagehttp://www.edline.net/pages/Garden_Gate_Elementary_School/Design_Resources/Shortcuts1876/PTA_Home_Pagehttp://www.edline.net/pages/Garden_Gate_Elementary_School/Design_Resources/Shortcuts1876/PTA_Home_Pagehttp://www.edline.net/pages/Garden_Gate_Elementary_School/Design_Resources/Shortcuts1876/PTA_Home_Pagemailto:azmeh_ahsan@yahoo.commailto:azmeh_ahsan@yahoo.com

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

ITS THE LAW!The new California Booster Seat Law, effectiveJanuary 1, 2012, prohibits parents, guardians, ordrivers from transporting on a highway, in a motorvehicle, any child under 8 years old, without securing

that child in a child restraint meeting federal motorvehicle safety standards. The new child safety seat lawfor 2012 imposes stiff fines and penalties for violations,including the possibility ofchild endangermentcharges.

The old California Booster Seat Law had required achild under 6 years of age, who weighed less than 60pounds, to be secured in a rear seat in a child restraintthat met federal standards, but allowed the child to ridein the front seat if properly secured, including ridingin taxis if all rear seats are already occupied bychildren under 12 years of age.

The new California law for 2012 extends the old law byrequiring children to ride in booster seats in the backseat until their 8th birthday. Seat belts are made foraverage adults and dont fit a child who is not at least49 tall. Six to seven year old children are at riskbecause they might be too big for child car seats andyet too small to be protected by seat belts. A boosterseat raises the child up, so the seat belt allows the lapbelt to lay across the upper thighs (rather than thechilds stomach) and allows the shoulder harness tolay across the shoulder and chest (rather than acrossthe neck or face). Statistics show that using a boosterseat, as opposed to a seat belt, reduces a kids risk ofinjury by 59 percent, thus the new 2012 California

Booster Seat Law. The new California car seat lawdoes contain a provision, however, that a child under8 years of age who is 49 inches in height or tallermay use a safety belt rather than a child safetyseat or booster seat.

YEARBOOK SALESThe 2011-2012 Garden GateYearbooks are now on sale! In additionto class photos and school-widecelebrations, the following will also befeatured:International Day, Twin day,Flag Football, Geography Bee,Recycle Helpers, Cornerstone Kids,

Student Council, Teddy Bear Parade,After-School Theater,and 5th Grade Science Camp.Order the FULL-COLORED yearbook by Wednesday,

April 11th for the special rate of $20.00! Additionalorder forms are available in the school office. Lateorders will not be accepted, however, a limited numberof copies will be available in June for $25, so ordernow to ensure that your child has a copy for this schoolyear.

RESIDENCY VERIFICATIONAll residency information is subject to verification.Valid proof of residence must be provided at the timeof registration or when a change of residence occurs.Change of residence must be reported to the school

office within ten days. Failure to provide currentresidency information could result in the immediatewithdrawal of your child.

ALLERGY SEASON HAS BEGUNSpring is here and students are reacting with swolleneyes and other allergy symptoms. Red irritated eyesare often the sign of pink eye which is a contagiousdisease. When students come to the officecomplaining of sore eyes, there is nothing we can doto alleviate the pain other than provide a coldcompress. We cannot diagnose the problem as eitheran allergy or pink eye a doctor must do this. If aprescribed or over-the-counter medicine is needed and

is to be administered at school, the office must havea parent and doctor complete our blue medical form onfile before any medication can be given. Theseforms are available in the school office. Students maynot bring any medicine to school in their backpacks.

All medications need to be in the original packagingwith the pharmaceutical label. All medicine is kept inthe school office.

TRUANCY AND WHAT IT MEANSCompulsory attendance is the law in California fromage six until the age of eighteen (Education Code:482600). A student who has three unexcusedabsences or three tardies of more than 30 minutes or

any combination thereof, without a valid excuse isconsidered legally truant. A student who has sixunexcused absences or six tardies or absences ofmore than 30 minutes, or any combination thereof, isconsidered habitually truant and will be referred forfurther action. How Does Truancy Impact Students?Students suffer academic setbacks when frequentabsences occur.If tardy by even a few minutes, students start their daybehind other students who have had a chance toorganize and are focused on instruction.Students in school on a regular basis and on time dosignificantly better in school.Studies have shown that students struggling in high

school developed patterns of absenteeism inelementary school.These are just four items out of a long list of issuesthat negatively impact children when they are absentor tardy. Simply getting to school on time is one of thegreatest gifts you can give your child. It teachesresponsibility and punctuality; qualities everyprofession values. Lets make every effort to have ourchildren in their seats when the school day begins at8:00 a.m.

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

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH UPDATEAs you may already be aware, the Board of Education of the Cupertino Union School District hasinitiated the search for our new superintendent. The Board of Education has retained thesuperintendent search firm Hazard, Young, Attea, & Associates, Ltd., to assist with this process.

The search firm has just completed a week of gathering input from the community and districtstaff regarding the identification of the characteristics and skills desired in the newsuperintendent. The Board of Education would like to thank all of the parents, staff, andcommunity members who took the time to submit their input via the online survey or throughone of the meetings with the search firm. All of the collected input will be included in aSuperintendent Leadership Profile that will be presented to the Board of Education onWednesday, March 21, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. The Leadership Profile will be used to help guidethe search for the new leader of the Cupertino Union School District.

District Calendar 2011-2012(all schools except Murdock-Portal)

March 19, 2012 Staff Learning Day April 16-20, 2012 Spring RecessMay 25, 2012 Staff Learning DayMay 28, 2012 Memorial DayJune 12, 2012 Last Day of School

District Calendar 2012-2013 (All schools except Murdock-Portal)August 20, 2012 Students ReturnSeptember 3, 2012 Labor DaySeptember 21, 2012 Staff Learning Day

October 29, 2012 Staff Learning DayNovember 12, 2012 Veterans DayNovember 19-23, 2012 Thanksgiving RecessDecember 24-January 4, 2013 Winter RecessJanuary 21, 2013 MLK, Jr. DayFebruary 18-22, 2013 Mid-Year RecessMarch 18, 2013 Staff Learning Day

April 15-19, 2013 Spring RecessMay 24, 2013 Staff Learning DayMay 27, 2013 Memorial DayJune 12, 2013 Last Day of School