dolphinnews20080131.html

Dolphin Newsletter
January 31, 2008

Dale Jones, Principal
545 E. Cheyenne Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 736-2180
www.cupertino.k12.ca.us/Nimitz.www
www.nimitzpta.org
Attendance Line: (408) 736-2180 ext. 6

CALENDAR

February
1		5th Graders return
4		Pat Belvel Parenting Class
4 - 14		Kindergarten Registration
7	5:30pm	SSC Meeting in the staff room
8 - 14		Open Enrollment/Alternative Education Registration
11	7:00-9:00pm 7:30pm	Pat Belvel Parenting Class PTA Mtg. in the staff room
13	7:00pm	4th Grade Musical Performance
15		ACE and Enrichment Classes: Session 3 Ends
18 - 22		MID-YEAR RECESS - NO SCHOOL
25	7:00-9:00pm	Pat Belvel Parenting Class
27	7:00pm	5th Grade Musical Performance

WORLDS OF WISDOM ASSEMBLY

Last Friday, the Theatre of All Possibilities and 25 of our budding fifth grade stars presented a very entertaining performance showcasing the literature of the world.

These stories took us to China, Africa, Russia and Native America. Thank you to PTA for sponsoring this assembly.

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT AT HYDE

Fifth grade parents are invited to attend a meeting on Tuesday, March 4th from 7:00-8:00 pm at Hyde in their multi-use room. Information will be presented regarding the programs being offered to incoming sixth graders. You will also have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding middle school. This will be an information meeting only; therefore, we ask that only parents attend.

LOST AND FOUND

Our Lost and Found bins are overflowing! Please remember to check the bags located near the restrooms that are full of shirts, jackets and lunchboxes. Any unclaimed items will be donated to charity during the February break.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

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.

In the mornings when you are dropping off your children, please have their backpacks, lunch, and other belongings in the car, not in the trunk. This will help expedite traffic flow.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Kindergarten registration begins on February 4, 2008 at 9:00am. 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.

STAR TESTING APRIL 28th - MAY 9th
(Makeup Testing: May 13th - May 16th)

The STAR Testing dates are being published so that parents can plan ahead. STAR Testing will be held from April 28, 2008 through May 9, 2008 for grades 2-5. Your child will need to take the entire test in order to receive complete STAR scores. The fourth grade state writing test will be given on March 4, 2008 with a makeup test on March 5, 2008. Please do not schedule family trips or make appointments during this time. It is very important that our students be at school during the testing window.

SEE'S CANDY FUNDRAISER

The Nimitz PTA is running a See's Candy Valentine Sale and the proceeds will help offset the costs of next year's 5th grade Science Camp. Paper flyers and order forms have been sent home in the blue folders.

Additional order forms are available in the office. The deadline for orders is Friday, February 1st.

RUNNING CLUB NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Thanks to the efforts of Mr. Horn and Nimitz parent and teacher, Tracy Burriss, we have a Nimitz Running Club where students can take daily laps around the field during lunchtime.

This helps keep our students in shape as they strive to reach their goal. This program is not possible without parent support. We need volunteers to help out during lunch (11:25-12:45), one day each week or every other week. If you are available to punch cards or help supervise students, please email/call Tracy Burriss at burriss_tracy@cupertino.k12.ca.us or ph. (408) 732-4563. The Running Club would not be possible without the help of many parent volunteers who help keep things moving!

CHARLOTTE DIAMOND CONCERT

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.

COPY CENTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

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.

TEACH YOUR CHILD TO ACCEPT, EMBRACE PEOPLE'S DIFFERENCES

Good character includes seeing all people as equal. It means accepting people of all ethnic groups, religions and abilities. An open-minded child who respects all people will get along better in school. Here's how to guide your child:

Describe the diversity in your child's own family background. Perhaps a grandmother came from Europe or Africa.
Explain empathy. Ask your child, "How would you like people to treat you if you looked different from them?"
Teach your child to sign, "I love you." Find books on sign language for the deaf at the library.
Have your child clip out photos of people from old magazines. Talk about differences in size, hair color, skin tones and ages. Explain that all are equally worthy of love.
Take out library books that describe customs of various ethnic groups. Incorporate some into the next holiday.
Select library books that show people of all backgrounds and ages. Ask your child, "Wouldn't it be boring if we were all alike?"

Source: William Sears and Martha Sears,
The Successful Child: What Parents
Can Do To Help Kids Turn Out Well

FROM THE NURSE, Katy Waugh, RN, PHN

MARY HAD A LITTLE COLD

Mary had a little cold,
But wouldn't stay at home;
And everywhere that Mary went,
The cold was sure to roam.

It wandered into Molly's eyes
And filled them full of tears;
It jumped from there to Bobby's nose,
And then to Jimmy's ears.

It painted Anna's throat bright red,

And swelled poor Jimmy's ear;
Dora had a fever,
And a cough put Jack to bed.

The moral of this little tale
Is very quickly said,
Mary could have saved a lot of pain,
With just one day in bed!

DISTRICT NEWS

IMPORTANT CUSD REGISTRATION DATES

Registration and open enrollment dates for the 2008-2009 school year are as follows:

Kindergarten Registration: February 4 - 14, 2008 at the neighborhood school.
Open Enrollment Requests: February 8 - 14, 2008 at the school of desired attendance.
Alternative Education Program Requests (Faria and Murdock-Portal grades K-5, McAuliffe and Home Study grades K-8, Mandarin Immersion Program grades K-8): February 8 - 14, 2008 at the alternative program of your choice.

Parents may only apply to one school or program.

Detailed registration and open enrollment information is available on the district website www.cupertino.k12.ca.us or by contacting the staff in your neighborhood school office or the Student Assignment Office, (408) 252-3000, extension 110.

K-8 SCIENCE CURRICULUM TEXTBOOK ADOPTION

This year the Cupertino Union School District will adopt a new Science textbook for grades K-5 and 6-8. The materials to be considered will be on display in the district's Teacher Resource Center (TRC) from January 28 through February 29, 2008. Interested parents are invited to go to the TRC during this time, view the textbook, and fill out a survey located next to the materials. This survey provides you an opportunity to voice your ideas regarding the new Science materials.

The Teacher Resource Center is located at 10255 N. Portal Avenue in Cupertino. The hours of operation are 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM on Wednesdays.

Parents can also review the materials to be considered online. An online survey is available to provide feedback. Links to the materials and the survey is available on the district's website at www.cupertino.k12.ca.us.