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

GATORAIDBoard of Education

Superintendent: Phil QuonBoard Members:

Anjali Kausar, Ben Liao,

Josephine Lucey, Gary McCue,Phyllis Vogel

GARDEN GATE ELEMENTARY

CUPERTINO UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT

10500 ANN ARBOR AVENUE

CUPERTINO, CA 95014

Brandi Hucko - Principal

Azmeh Malik - PTA President

SCHOOL CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

9/22 6:30-7:30 p.m. SAFETY NIGHT9/23 STAFF LEARNING DAY - NO SCHOOL9/30 SPIRITWEAR ORDERING DEADLINE10/3 & 10/10 6:00-7:30 p.m. HUMAN GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT PREVIEW - GR. 5 PARENTS @ COLLINS SCHOOL10/5 8:00-9:30 a.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE MEETING - STAFF RM.10/6-10/14 PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES10/6 7:15 p.m. PTA MEETING - GLC10/7 DIRECT DONATION CONTEST DEADLINE10/7 12:00 p.m. REFLECTION ART CONTEST DEADLINE10/10 5:00-8:30 p.m. THE JUNGLE10/11 C.U.S.D. BOARD MEETING - DISTRICT OFFICE10/12 8:00-9:30 a.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE MEETING - STAFF RM.10/17-10/21 SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR - GLC10/19 8:00-9:30 a.m. PROJECT CORNERSTONE MEETING - STAFF RM.10/19 3:45 p.m. SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING10/20 5:30-7:30 p.m. BOOK FAIR10/20 6:00-8:00 p.m. FALL SOCIAL10/24-10/28 RED RIBBON WEEK10/25 6:00 p.m. C.U.S.D. BOARD MEETING10/26 INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PICTURES - GLC10/28 8:15 a.m. HALLOWEEN PARADE10/28 3:00-5:00 p.m. FALL CELEBRATION - GARDEN GATE FIELD10/31 STAFF LEARNING DAY - NO SCHOOL

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.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.

Dear Parents,

Student SafetyTo ensure student safety, the pedestrian gate between our blacktop and Greenleaf will be locked, beginning tomorrow. Parents and visitors to campus should walk to the front of the school to enter the campus. Please remember: Parents and visitors entering the campus during the school day must sign in at the office. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this important safety measure.

Learning Day – No SchoolTomorrow, Friday September 23, is our first Staff Learning Day of the school year. Please make arrangements for your children to stay home. Enjoy a long weekend and we’ll see you on Monday, September 26!

Parent-Teacher ConferencesParent-Teacher Conferences will be from October 6 through October 14. Please look for communication from your child’s teacher regarding your appointment date and time.

All kindergarteners will attend school from 8:00-11:25 a.m on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Tuesday, kindergartners will attend school from 8:00-11:10 a.m. Kindergartners will not have a lunchtime.

Students in first through fifth grades will attend school daily from 8:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Lunchtime will be from 11:35 a.m.-12:05 p.m. in first through third grades, and from 11:50 a.m.-12:20 p.m. in fourth and fifth grades.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are an opportunity to: Share information about your child’s strengths, interests, and needs. Establish a caring and collaborative relationship. Develop mutual goals for learning and behavior. Design interventions for struggling students, to help them meet grade level standards.

Fall Pictures and Spring PortraitsOn October 26, students will have their “Individual Picture” taken. As always, parents may order prints. New in April 2012, parents will have a second opportunity for pictures in the form of “Spring Portraits.” Parents may choose from a variety of backgrounds for this portrait-style picture. We’ll have more information in the Gatoraid as the April date draws near.

PropellersDo 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: What is the greatest challenge you have ever faced? How did you handle it?

FROM OUR PRINCIPAL....MS. HUCKO! PAGE2

PTA CORNER PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) NEWS & RESOURCES ! PAGE3

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

HelloGardenGateFamilies,REMINDER!TONIGHTISOURANNUALSAFETYNIGHT.Pleasemakeplanstoattendtheeventfrom6:30to7:30p.m.Wearestillinneedofparentvolunteerstohelpusoutandit’snevertoolatetosignup.Ifyouareinterested,pleasearriveatschoolby6:15p.m.andcontactme.Hopetoseeyoualltonight!

GETREADYTOGOTOTHEBOOKFAIRANDBEYOND!GardenGate'sFallBookFairbeginsonMonday,October17th,wherewewillhaveawidevarietyofamazingandexcitingbooksforallages.TheFairwillbeopen8a.m.to3p.m.onMonday,8a.m.to2p.m.onTuesday,8a.m.to3p.m.onWednesday,8a.m.to3p.m.and6p.m.‐8p.m.onThursday(FamilynightandFallSocial)and8a.m.to12:30p.m.onFriday,October21st.AttheBookFairyouwillbeableto: ‐Buyawonderfulselectionofbooksatgreatpricesandencouragekidstoreadqualitybooks. ‐Getbooksforyourchild’sclassroomlibrary. ‐Helpraisefundsfortheschoolandtheschoollibrary(25%ofallFairproYitsareusedforthe Libraryandschoolevents). ‐Bestofall,youcanenteradrawingduringFamilynightforachancetowina$5Scholasticgift certiYicate.

PleasevisitourScholasticSchoolhomepagetoreviewsomeofthebooksyouwillYindattheFair@http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/publish/gardengateMarkyourcalendarstovisitthefair,especiallytheFamilyNightonThursdayforaneveningoffunforeveryone.

BOOKFAIRVOLUNTEERSWeneedvolunteerstohelpusruntheBookFairsuccessfully.YouwillYindasign‐upforminyourchild’sgreenfoldertoday.Ifyoucanhelpinanyway,pleaseYillouttherequiredinformationandreturnittotheschoolofYiceasap.Thanks!

PROJECTCORNERSTONEPARENTSTUDYGROUPTheProjectCornerstoneCommitteeisorganizingaTakeItPersonallyStudyGroupforparentswhohavequestionsonhowtohelptheirchildthrivesocially,personallyandacademically.ThisstudygroupwillmeeteveryWednesdayforsixweeks,startingOctober5th,from8:00–9:30a.m.FordetailsyoucancontactAlmaNazarenoatjethanaz@gmail.com.

AzmehMalikGardenGatePTAPresident

GATORAID! PAGE4

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

STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTSFall 2011 Student Council officers were elected by student voters in grades 3-5. More than 40 students from 4th and 5th grade were candidates. The winners of the

election are:

President: Anisha SinhaVice President (tie): Steven Nguyen & Sudyut YuvarajSecretary: Aashrav ShettyTreasurer: Audrey LaiSports Coordinators: Aarjav Joshi & Riya ShrivastavaPublic Relations: Daniel Zhou & Steven Long

Congratulations to those who were elected and thank you to all the candidates.

DUPLICATING TRAININGThere will be a duplicating training on Friday, September 30, from 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. in the productivity room. Please RSVP to Terri Sulgit at 252-5414 ext 108 or email at sulgit_terri@cusdk8.org

TB REQUIREMENTAll parent volunteers at Garden Gate must be tested and cleared for tuberculosis in accordance with required state guidelines. In order to volunteer in your child’s classroom, chaperone or drive on field trips, and volunteer for any school

activities involving children, you must have written proof of a negative tuberculosis skin testing (TST) or a clean chest X-ray on file with Garden Gate. This is state law. A TST or Chest X-ray is valid for four years from the date that it is read. If you currently have a TB test on file at your work, or another school, you may bring a copy of it.The only TB tests accepted by the State of California are:

1. TST Mantoux Test• Documentation of the TST.• Date TST given.• Date TST read.• The reading recorded in millimeters of

duration.• Signature of a physician, registered nurse or

health professional trained in administering and reading TB Skin tests.

2. Chest X-ray must indicate absence of disease.You can have the TST done through your private doctor, or you can get a low cost ($15.00) voucher from the office for a PPD Skin Test at the Cupertino Medical Center on Bubb Road. Please bring in a copy of your test results as soon as possible. If both parents will participate in the classroom, test results from both parents must be on file. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

FREE OR REDUCED LUNCHIf your child received a free/reduced-price lunch during the 2010-2011 school year, and you need this program to continue, please remember to re-apply before October 1st, 2011 if you are eligible. Registration forms are available in the school office and also in the “Opening Day” brochure that was sent home on the first day of school. Until the approval of the application, please be sure that your child has something for his/her lunch. You can either prepare a bag lunch or pay $2.75 for a school hot lunch. All students who qualified last year for free or reduced lunch will be served lunch through Friday, September 30, 2011.

HOT LUNCH MENU AVAILABLE ONLINEThe monthly hot lunch menu, along with additional nutrition news, is always available online at http://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?page=menus&sid=1805092039571289

PRE-PAY FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES ONLINE For your convenience, you are encouraged to pay for your children’s school lunches online. If you do not have an account set up, go to http://www.paypams.com or call 1-888-994-5100. You will need to provide your child’s PIN and billing information. Payments may be made by credit/debit cards or by electronic check withdrawal from your bank account. You can make payments, view your child’s payment history and change payment preferences 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This web or phone site can also be used by parents to check account balances. If parents choose not to pay on-line or by phone, the inquiry service is still free to use. Parents can simply use their child’s PIN to set up an account with no payment required. The lunch price is $2.75 for students. The milk and juice price is 75 cents. Lunch menus are posted on the district web-site. www.cupertino.ca.campusgrid.net/home

LUNCH FROM HOME If your child forgot their lunch at home in the morning and you are bringing it to school, please place your child’s name and room number directly on the lunch bag and place it in the lunch bin located in front of the office before 11:00 am. Student office helpers will deliver the lunch to your child’s classroom. Please note: Parents are not permitted to sit at the lunch tables with their child.

GATORAID! PAGE5

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

DISTRICT NEWS SECTION

HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT PREVIEWChildren need to acquire accurate information about the growth and development of boys and girls so that they can make responsible decisions. In keeping with this concept, the Cupertino Union School District promotes informed, responsible action through instruction, which supports the home in this important area of human behavior. Parents will be provided an opportunity to preview a sampling of the Grade 5 Human Growth and Development videos that will be shown to your children.

The previews are scheduled for two nights – Monday, October 3 or Monday, October 10, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Collins Elementary School – Guided Learning Center, 10300 N. Blaney Avenue, Cupertino. Children are not recommended to attend – no childcare provisions are available.

AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAMThe City of Cupertino and the Cupertino Union School District have collaborated the last 16 years on providing enriching after school classes for students throughout the Cupertino Union School District. The After School Enrichment program offers a variety of educational and recreational classes for your children no further than the classroom next door! The Fall 2011 brochure will be delivered to the schools the week of September 26, 2011. Registration will also begin Monday, September 26, 2011. In addition, there will be a brochure available online at www.cupertino.org and in the Quinlan Community Center front office located at 10185 North Stelling Road, Cupertino 95014. Classes for the Fall session will begin the week of October 17, 2011. For more information please call (408) 777-3120 or log on to www.cupertino.org.

CELDT TESTING INFORMATIONThe Cupertino Union School District will administer the CELDT (California English Language Development Test) through October 28, 2011. Based on your child’s CELDT scores from last year, if their proficiency is limited, withdrawn or transitional, your child will be included in the annual CELDT test at their school. A letter will be sent home with your child prior to the testing date at your school. The initial CELDT will be given to kindergarten students whose primary language on the Home Language Survey is a language other than English. The test consists of four skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. Students in grades K–8 are tested in all four areas. You will receive the official results after January 2012. If you have any questions, please contact your school office.

DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHTSSaturday October 8, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Memorial Park in Cupertino Free Admission

Diwali is a time of joyous celebration. The Cupertino Chamber of Commerce is presenting its 9th Annual Diwali Festival of Lights, a multicultural family fun day, which will include multicultural music, dance performances, Kids Zone, international food court, arts and craft booths, and much more. In addition, there will be Coloring Contest for kids grades K-8 starting at 10:00 a.m. This contest features three different age categories (grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8) and great prizes!!!! The artwork and color pencils will be provided to each participant on the day of the contest.

Free parking will be available at De Anza College (lots A & B). Additional information is available at www.cupertino-chamber.org.