1.Go to http://www.nimitzpta.org/parentsurvey/

2.After you submit your completed survey, print out the free prize certificate indicating you have taken the survey and send it to school. Your child will receive a pencil when this certificate is given to their classroom teacher.

3.To repeat the survey for another child, press, "Start again."

Your input is valuable in helping the School Site Council and staff evaluate our programs. If you prefer to fill out a paper copy of the survey, please fill out the green form enclosed in this week's blue folders and return it to your child's teacher. Copies of the survey in four languages are also available in the office. The deadline to submit your survey is Friday, April 4th. Thank you!

Tim engaged our students by reading from his books, telling stories, and sharing his poems. He encouraged them to write about what interests them. He said that he was very impressed with our Nimitz students and staff. A very special thank you to all the staff who helped coordinate the event and to the PTA for providing the funding.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 to help pay for after school enrichment classes, music, art, technology and supplies. We are in need of parent volunteers to help set up, punch lap cards and staff refreshment tables and clean up. If you can help out even if it is just for a little while, we could really use your help. You can sign up to volunteer at http://www.nimitzpta.org Just click on "Walkathon" and then scroll down to "Volunteers needed." You can also sign up in the office. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

The Nimitz 2007-2008 Yearbooks are now on sale. Yearbooks are just $20 if purchased before April 4th and $24 after April 4th. Order forms are available through your child's teacher or in the school office. Please attach your check payable to NIMITZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL to the order form.

The Yearbook Cover Contest has begun. Please submit your entry on 8 1/2 by 11" paper and be sure to make the orientation of your design vertical or portrait style. Your artwork should be in color and avoid using a blank or white background. Any art medium may be used - crayons, paint, pastels, markers, color pencils, etc. The cover should include the school name and the year (2007-2008). Spelling counts, so check your spelling. Remember to put your name, room number, and teacher name on the BACK of your entry. The deadline for submitting covers is Friday, March 21st.

Thank you for your support of the art program. We are having lots of fun. We are still in need of some basic common household items. Just put them in a little recycling bag and send them off to our classroom. We would really appreciate it. Below are some items we need:

1.Round gallon ice cream cardboard containers with lid (empty)
2.Empty egg cartons
3.Large yogurt containers
4.Toilet paper/ paper towel rolls
5.Old wrapping paper

- Angela Hansen

Last Friday, our staff scored and reviewed the district writing assignments. Kevin Feldman, author, educator and literacy specialist, gave a presentation on Response to Intervention. Our staff appreciates the time for staff development. It offers the valuable opportunity to learn new strategies to support student learning.

At the end of the school year, a student must be in attendance on the last day of school to retain his/her place on the roster for the following year. For this school year, students must be in school on June 12, 2008, to retain their space for the 2008/09 school year. At the beginning of the school year, a student must be in attendance on the first day of school or they will not retain their place on the roster. When you are making travel plans, please consider the possible ramifications. If you have any questions, please contact Student Assignment at (408) 252-3000, ext 110.

The Cupertino Middle School Parent Information Night for next year's 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be held tonight, Thursday, March 13th. The 6th grade presentation will be at 6:00 pm in the big gym and the 7th/8th presentations will be at 7:00 pm, with the 7th grade presentation in the gym and the 8th grade presentation in the multi-use room. The presentations will cover course selection, homework, expectations, extracurricular activities, and other topics. These presentations are open to all families who will have students at CMS next year. This meeting is for parents only.

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. 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.

Help is needed on Mondays during lunch from 11:25am-12:45 pm to punch cards or help supervise students. If you are available to help every Monday or every other Monday, 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!

Research shows that attendance is the single most important factor in school success. Heres how you can improve your child's school attendance:

• Talk with your child about the importance of attending school regularly.
• Avoid scheduling family trips or doctor appointments during school hours.
• Make sure your child stays healthy by eating nutritious food and getting enough sleep and exercise.
• Don't accept excuses for why your child "must" miss or be late for school.
• Discuss with your child what happened at school each day.
• Support school rules and consequences for skipping class and being tardy.
• Show your child why education is important. Give specific examples of how education helps people succeed.
• Don't make it fun when your child does stay home from school. This is a way to be sure the child who says he/she is not feeling well is really sick.
• Lead by example. If children see parents taking off work for no real reason, they may expect to be able to do the same thing.

    -From "Parents Make a Difference!"