We are looking for an ELD parent to represent Nimitz Elementary School at the District English Language Advisory Council (DELAC) meetings. The meetings will be held at the district office on January 23rd, March 19th and May 14th at 4:00pm. Please contact the office if you are interested.

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 school starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. It is very important that all students come to school on time. Here are just a few reasons why you should always have your child to school on time:

• It is very difficult for both the student and the teacher to stop what is happening and get the late student caught up with the rest of the class.
• Your child has the "out-of-sync" feeling all day. Think of how you feel when you are late to work - the same issue applies for your child.
• Coming to school on time prepares your child for the world of work and independent living skills.
• Students who habitually arrive late will be referred to our Intervention Specialist. Appropriate discipline, parent meetings, and/or referral to the State Attendance Review Board can occur.

With the rainy season upon us, please use extra caution in and around the school parking lot. Please be patient. It will take more time to drop off and pick up your children.

Charlotte Diamond will perform at Smithwick Theater at Foothill College on Sunday, February 10th at 1 and 4 p.m. In October, Charlotte gave a performance at Nimitz, singing songs that have become our children's favorites. Tickets are available by calling 650-949-3390 or at Linden Tree Children's Books, 170 State Street, Los Altos.

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.

CEEF GALA - HONORING OUR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

The CEEF Gala Committee is working to raise over $100,000 on behalf of arts, and innovative technology and math programs at all district schools. The Gala live auction will offer an incredible array of unique packages including romantic holidays in Paris, the Mexican Riviera, and Wine Country; an elegant traditional Indian dinner for 16 featuring a menu representing five regional cuisines; a pearl and diamond adjustable necklace and matching drop earrings designed by Vardy Shtein; and a romantic weekend in Los Gatos with a $1,000 gift certificate from Blacy's Fine Jewelers, dinner at The Wine Cellar, and overnight at the Toll House Hotel.

Proceeds will provide matching funds for arts and innovative technology and math resources at all district schools. For reservations or more information, please call (408) 446-2333 or email CEEF at gala@ceefcares.org.

Whole Foods Market has selected CEEF and our district schools as beneficiaries of their 2008 Community Support Day. On Tuesday, January 15, Whole Foods, Cupertino, will donate a portion of their total sales to CEEF on behalf of arts and technology programs in our schools. Please plan to shop at the Cupertino Whole Foods location on January 15, 2008 and help earn dollars for our schools! Whole Foods Market is located at 20955 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino and is open from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. (408) 257-7000.

If you have any questions, please call Eleanor Watanabe at 408-446-2333 or email her at info@ceefcares.org.

The Sunnyvale-Cupertino Adult and Community Education will be offering two evening citizenship classes. These two classes are an ESL/Citizenship Preparation Class, for those students who are at an intermediate level of English proficiency, and a Citizenship Preparation Class, for students who are advanced English speakers. Both of these free classes are on Monday and Wednesday evenings and start on Monday, January 14, 2008. The ESL/Citizenship Class hours are from 6:30-9:30 p.m., and will be held in room 82 at Fremont High School. The Citizenship Class hours are from 6:30-8:30 p.m., and will be held in room 83 at Fremont High School. In these classes students will learn about American history and government, fill out the N-400 application, and practice for their oral interview. In addition, there will be several speakers who will talk about the naturalization process, local government, and voting.

For all of these classes, students should register in class. For more information about these classes or for ESL/Citizenship at Home, please call (408) 522-2703.