This will be an opportunity for Nimitz students to raise funds for our school by walking laps around the track. Children will be sponsored per lap or for a total number of laps. Mark your calendars!

Kindergarten registration began on February 4, 2008. Your child must be 5 years of age on or before December 2, 2008 to be eligible. You must bring original copies of a birth certificate or legal certified document, verified immunization records, a current PG&E bill or a rental/lease agreement, and one additional form of identification (California Driver's License). 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 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.

The fourth grade musical performance will be at 7:00pm on Wednesday, March 26th, not February 13th as previously advertised.

The fifth grade musical performance will be at 7pm on Wednesday, February 27th.

The Cupertino Union School District's "Community Based English Tutorial" (CBET) Program is once again sponsoring adult English classes. Currently the class held in the staff room at Nimitz School has room for additional students. It meets at 8:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Walk-in registrations are now being accepted. Preference will be given to parents with children in English Language Development programs at district schools. Since these classes are for adults only, no childcare will be provided.

Parent volunteers and visitors are required to register in the school office upon entering school grounds. Parent volunteers and visitors must wear a nametag during their visit and sign out upon leaving the school grounds. We appreciate your attention to this policy as it helps ensure the safety of our students. If you are taking your child out of school for any reason, always sign your child out from the school office and sign in when he/she returns. Thank you.

The STAR Writing Test for all fourth grade students will be on Tuesday, March 4th, with the makeup test on Wednesday, March 5th. The STAR writing test addresses writing application standards. These standards require students to produce one of four types of writing: narrative, summary, information report, or response to literature. The multiple-choice STAR-testing window for grades 2-5 will be from April 28th through May 9th. 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.

Charlotte Diamond will perform at Smithwick Theater at Foothill College on Sunday, February 10th at 1 and 4 p.m. Mrs. Yama's class will sing on stage during the 1pm performance, and Mrs. Chu's class will perform at the 4pm show. Tickets are available by calling 650-949-3390 or at Linden Tree Children's Books, 170 State Street, Los Altos.

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!

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.

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.

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.