Mrs. Ruden is described by her fellow teachers as a dedicated, caring, and compassionate teacher who is always willing to work behind the scenes and let others take the credit. She is an innovative teacher, willing to try out new strategies and ideas, and constantly shares her expertise with others. One teacher noted that she is a "great friend and a great cook!" Mrs. Ruden is known for bringing home made cookies and other treats and sharing them with the staff.

Congratulations Mrs. Ruden! She is certainly well deserving of the Teacher of the Year honor.

   -Dale Jones, Principal

The performers were the fourth grade students in Mr. Bennett's, Ms. Bennett's, Ms. Hoffmeister's and Ms. McCarthy's classes. Thanks to Ms. Grainne O'Flynn, our upper grade music teacher, for leading such an entertaining and lively musical.

You are invited to an evening in the GLC on Thursday, April 24th at 6pm. There will be an art exhibition by Ms. Hansen and our children. Also, Mrs. Barnes will be selling a selection of books from Linden Tree Bookstore. This is a chance to check out the renovation plans for the library and view some of your children's technology work. For the children, there will be an ice cream social, i.e. a FREE Ice Cream!!

Be creative and bring your design to the ice cream social and the winner will be chosen by Ms. Hansen. Come and enjoy!

We would like to see that number significantly increase. There are only 23 questions, and it can be completed in less than 10 minutes. The survey is available online in English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese at: http://www.nimitzpta.org/parentsurvey

Don't miss out on this opportunity to provide us with valuable feedback about our school. Your input makes a difference in how we evaluate our programs. Please fill out the survey for each child enrolled at Nimitz School. Your answers will be completely confidential, since you provide no personal data. Paper copies in English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese can be obtained by filling out the green form available in the office. The deadline to submit your survey is Friday, April 4th. Thanks to those of you who have already completed the survey!

Please make sure to complete the green enrollment form sent home last week. It is very important that we receive a form from each family regarding your enrollment plans for next year. This allows the school district and our school to determine our enrollment numbers for the next school year. All forms must be returned. If we do not receive this information from your family, we will be contacting you. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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.

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 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. You can help prepare your child for the test by ensuring your child goes to bed on time, eats a good breakfast, and leaves for school with a positive attitude. Please do not schedule family trips or make appointments during this time.

Spring is here and with the warm weather we see an increase in allergies, pink eye infections and rashes. If your child wakes up in the morning with an itchy eye filled with crusted mucous discharge, it could be pink eye. Pink eye is very contagious and students who exhibit signs of the disease will be sent home. Please do not send your child to school if they appear to have pink eye. Consult your medical provider for treatment. Students may return to school when the infection has cleared.

If your child has allergies, and needs eye drops, consider having your physician complete a medication authorization so that allergy medication can be kept at school. A student who exhibits signs of severe allergies will be sent home.

Chicken Pox has traditionally been a spring illness in schools. A child with a rash will not be allowed to attend school unless a doctor has written a note that the rash is not contagious.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students healthy.

CEEF'S 22nd Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, May 19, 2008
12 Noon Shotgun Start
The Golf Club at Boulder Ridge
$250 tournament fee includes: tee prize, golf, cart, range balls; lunch, unlimited drinks on course; awards dinner, and auction.

The Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation will be sponsoring a drawing as part of its spring fundraising campaign to protect the caliber of music, art, math, and technology programs at all 25 district schools. The Grand Prize package offers a relaxing one-week family vacation in a 2 BR villa at the Seascape Resort in Monterey Bay and includes the resort's popular evening s'mores bonfire on the beach. Whether golf, tennis, or the beach, your family will thoroughly enjoy the experience. Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. You can order tickets by sending in your check with the green order form.

De Anza College in partnership with the Cupertino Union School District will offer the Extended Year Program this summer, mornings only, from June 23 to July 18, 2008.

Students entering grades 6 through 10
Classes will be held at Hyde and Kennedy Middle Schools, and will include: Speech and Debate, Japanese, Advanced Writer's Workshop, Intro to Algebra 1&2, Geometry, Lego Robotics, ML CAD Design, Beginning Cricket Techniques, PSAT Prep-Verbal, Fashion Design, and many others.

Students entering grades 1 through 5
Classes will be held at Eaton Elementary School, and will include: Math Applications & Concepts, Writing: Paragraphs to Essays, Reading Intensive, Geology, Math & Art, Computer Applications & Internet Research, Journalism/Writing, First Grade Block, and more!

Program brochures were sent home in early March and will also be available at your school office. More information is available at www.extendedyear.deanza.edu.

Early registration is by mail only and will begin on March 10, 2008 and end on May 23, 2008. There will also be walk-in registration available from June 2 to June 9, 2008.