We look forward to seeing all of your students back at school, rested and ready to learn on Monday, January 7th.

As the holidays draw closer, frazzled parents wonder how to fit in time for their families. Accept that you can?t do everything. You don't have to prepare that dish just because your mother always did. Your kids will only be young once. The time you spend with them is one of the most precious gifts you can give them. Once the time is gone, you will never get it back. When you think back to holidays from your childhood, do you remember "things" or time with your family? Here's a list of really important gifts for children:

• Time spent together
• Understanding
• Forgiveness
• Support
• Peace
• Unconditional love
• Acceptance
• Humor
• The love of reading
• Empathy
• Tolerance to allow children to be who they are, not who we want them to be
• Most importantly, being the best parent you can be!

Pat Belvel will be teaching a class on parenting skills beginning on Monday, January 28 and running for five weeks. Classes will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in the GLC on Monday nights through March 3. (There will be no class during the February vacation.)

This class focuses on positive parenting skills and provides specific strategies for dealing with problem situations. Pat taught this class here at Nimitz two years ago, and it was received very positively.

A flier with more information and a sign-up form was sent home last week and is available in the office. Be sure to return the form as soon as possible as space for the class is limited, and it will be open to other schools in the district.

Our lost and found bags are overflowing with shirts, jackets, lunchboxes and backpacks. Please remember to check the bags located near the restrooms. Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity. We would like to suggest that items the children bring to school be labeled, so they could be returned in case they are lost and found.

If you have a few extra minutes, consider helping out the Nimitz Copy Center. Volunteer times are flexible and only require an initial half-hour training. Give the teachers more time to teach our kids! Please contact Lenora Louie at lenora-pta@fortun8.com or 408-737-7787.

Kindergarten registration begins on February 4, 2008. Any child who will be five years old on or before December 2, 2008 is eligible to attend kindergarten for the 2008-09 school year. Registration requirements:

1. Verification of date of birth (original birth certificate or passport)
2. Complete immunization records
3. Proof of residence (original, current PG&E bill, or rental/sales/lease agreement on a 30-day conditional basis for a new resident)
4. One additional form of identification (California driver's license, bank statement, pre-printed check, car insurance, etc.)

Students must be residing in the district at the time of registration. All in-district kindergarten students must be registered at their neighborhood school before requesting open enrollment or an alternative program.

If you have any general questions regarding kindergarten registration, open enrollment or alternative education, please call (408) 252-3000, ext. 110, or check the district website at http://cupertino.ca.campusgrid.net/home.

Our School Site Council met on December 13th. The following was discussed:

• Economic Impact Aid
• Pat Belvel Parenting Class
• Budget
• Response To Intervention
• CDC Preschool
• DAC Report
• SSC Goals for Nimitz

Shop eScrip Online for the Holidays!
Shop online this holiday season and help Nimitz earn up to 16% in contributions! Here are just a few eScrip online merchants:
Target.com, EddieBauer.com, BestBuy.com, Walmart.com, JCPenney.com, TheHomeDepot.com, Gap.com, Sears.com, PETCO.com, Staples.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Disney

Note: Shopping these merchants must be online only. Visit www.escrip.com for a complete list of eScrip online merchants.

It's simple and easy to shop online!

1. Go to www.shopping.escrip.com
2. Click on "online mall"

Do you need to register your credit card? Here's how!

1. Go to www.escrip.com
   
2. Click on "my eScrip"
3. Register your credit/debit card(s)
4. Or contact your eScrip Coordinator, Peggy Ngai at (408) 720-8714 or bradleyngai@yahoo.com.

Want to become a supporter of Nimitz through eScrip? Here's how!

1. Go to www.escrip.com
2. Click on "welcome", then "sign up"
3. Enter our Group ID#: 138057496
4. Enter your name, address, telephone number, grocery club card, and credit card/debit cards.

You shop - our school earns dollars!

Applicants for the program must hold a Bachelor?s degree from an accredited university in the United States and meet qualifications for the intern credential. Applicants with a foreign Bachelor?s degree must have their transcripts evaluated to determine whether those degrees are equivalent to a Bachelor?s degree in the United States.

To register, please contact Pat Greenlee in Human Resources at (408) 252-3000, Extension 217.

Saturday, January 26, 2008
6:00 p.m. Social
7:00 p.m. Dinner
Cabana Hotel, Palo Alto

CEEF GALA - HONORING OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

The CEEF Gala has been acknowledged as the Valley's premiere "party with a purpose" - raising critically needed funds for arts and innovative math and technology resources 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 26, 2008 at the Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto.

For reservations or more information, please call (408) 446-2333 or email CEEF at gala@ceefcares.org.

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