The state of California has adopted a Zero Tolerance policy, which is designed to ensure that our schools remain safe for our children. If any student brings a weapon, drugs, or alcohol to school, they may be recommended for expulsion from the district. Students that fight may be suspended, and repeated fighting may also lead to a recommendation for expulsion. The following are some important tips for parents regarding these laws:

• Even plastic knives come under Zero Tolerance. Be careful not to include plastic knives in your child's lunch.
• Toy guns, squirt guns, plastic or rubber swords or daggers (Halloween costumes) are forbidden.
• If your child needs to bring medicine to school, make sure that you contact the office or our school nurse, Katy Waugh. We must have a protocol from your physician.

I always share with the students a scenario in which you make a mistake and send a plastic knife in their lunch. The important point is that if this should happen, or something similar in which a child suddenly finds herself in violation of the law, that they immediately tell their teacher. This happened to a student who inadvertently brought a pocketknife to school after a camping trip. The student told me as soon as she realized what had happened. I held the knife until the end of the day and then returned it to her and her parents. What could have been a disastrous situation was avoided because the student remembered to tell an adult.

Please discuss Zero Tolerance with your child. If you have any questions, please give me a call.

     - Dale Jones, Principal

Come and celebrate Nimitz's 50th birthday! The DanzBand will be playing live music from the 50's. Dress in clothes from the 50's and participate in the costume contest. Don't miss this fun event!

It's time to show your talent in the PTA Reflections Art Competition. This year the theme is "I can make a difference by..." This competition is open to all students. You can submit a piece of visual art, photography, literature, a musical composition, a dance composition or a film/video. The deadline for submissions to the office is 3pm Friday, October 19, 2007. For more details, look in the blue folder for a flyer. Entry forms and rules are available in the office. For more information, please visit www.nimitzpta.org or contact Susannah at pta@mrjim.com.

In an effort to save paper and reduce duplicating costs, the Dolphin Newsletter was sent via email this week to over 350 families. In addition, only one paper copy of the Dolphin was sent home to each family with the youngest child. This will greatly help the school by saving over 15,000 sheets of legal-sized blue paper for the school year! Please note that all communication from teachers will continue to be sent home with each child. If you would like to be included in the parent email group, the forms are available in the office.

How can you as a parent support your child's learning? Maintain an effective and consistent "homework habit." We live such busy lives with so many outside activities; however, support for your child's education must be a top priority.

Your consistent daily support sends a message of "first things first" to your child.

• Find a place for your child to do homework. Have them put their backpack there and work there every day. That's one way to signal to the brain, "OK, now it is time to get down to work." When time is up, place all school materials in the backpack and place it by the door.

• Use a timer. Find a kitchen timer and use it when needed. Many children have no sense of time and many do not know how to budget their time. Using a timer will help develop these skills. Your child may need a silent timer, as some can be noisy and distracting.

• Provide a tool kit. A child who has to get up every five minutes to look for a pencil or piece of paper can't properly focus on homework. Have them put together a box with homework supplies. Include pens, pencils, erasers, a ruler and glue. Add other supplies, as your child needs them. Have your child get their tool kit out when it is time to start homework and put everything away at the end of study time.

• Set a regular homework time. Kids thrive on routines. If your child does homework at the same time every day, they'll probably put up less of a fuss. There isn't a "best" time to do homework. Some kids need to let off energy after school. Others want to get right to work. Find the time that works for your child and your family.

• Set homework goals. At the start of each study period, ask your child to make a list of what he/she needs to do. Use the assignment sheet or a list to check off each task as it is completed.
  - From "Parents Make a Difference"

The Cupertino Union School District's "Community Based English Tutorial" (CBET) Program is once again sponsoring an adult English class at Nimitz and John Muir Elementary Schools. The Nimitz class is scheduled to meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. and the John Muir class is scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. The starting date for both classes will be determined based on the number of applicants. The applications for the CBET Program are available at www.cupertino.k12.ca.us Preference will be given to parents with children in English Language Development programs at their schools. The CBET classes are not mandatory for parents.

The purpose of the CBET Program is to provide free or subsidized programs of adult English language instruction to parents or other members of the community who pledge to provide personal English language tutoring to English learners. Since these classes are for adults only, no childcare will be provided. Proposition 227 provides funding for this program. In accordance with Education Code Section 315 and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations Section 11305, these funds may be used for direct program services, community notification processes, transportation services, and background checks required of the tutors who volunteer in public schools settings.

The focus of Cupertino's Gifted and Talented Education Program 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.

GATE testing of CUSD grade 3 and above students will take place during spring (March-April) 2008. This will be the only GATE testing offered during the 2007-2008 year.

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

Dates for Referrals for Spring Testing - Grades 3 and above
Referrals will be accepted beginning: November 1, 2007
Deadline for Spring GATE referrals: January 11, 2008
(Referrals for the above grades submitted before the November 1, 2007 date will be returned.)