Jim Lobdell from "Stressed-out Students", SOS at Stanford University will be giving a presentation on Monday, January 12th at 7:00pm in the Nimitz GLC. Jim Lobdell, M.A., is an educational consultant with expertise in curriculum design, school reform, parent education, and youth sports.

This thought-provoking program is a must for parents seeking a healthy balance between achievement and personal fulfillment for their children. The presentation will: i)Explore the unique demands placed on children's time today, ii)Examine how today's high-pressure, fast-paced culture can have unintentional but damaging effects on children, iii) Discover simple ways your family can counter the fast-paced culture without sacrificing achievement and while allowing kids to be kids. Please mark your calendars for this informative night.

Pat Belvel will be teaching a class on parenting skills beginning on Tuesday, January 20th and running for five sessions. Classes will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the GLC on Tuesday nights through February 24th. (There will be no class during the February vacation.)

A flier with more information with a sign-up sheet 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 principal. Appropriate discipline, parent meetings, and/or referral to the State Attendance Review Board can occur.

The After-School Enrichment Program provides fun classes for students for a small fee. In past years we've offered classes such as Spanish, Sports, Cooking, Art, Chess, Yoga, Computers, Fishing, Three-Dimensional Design, and much more. Most classes are one day a week.

Many of our Enrichment teachers are parents who volunteer their time. If you have an interest or skill that you would like to share with children and have time one afternoon each week, please contact Mr. Jones for more information. The next session will start on January 26th and run until March 6th.

Kindergarten registration begins on February 2, 2009. Registration packets may be picked up by the parent at the neighborhood school beginning January 26, 2009. Any child who will be five years old on or before December 2, 2009 is eligible to attend kindergarten for the 2009-10 school year. Registration requirements:

1. Verification of date of birth (original birth certificate or passport)
2. Complete immunization records
3. Proof of residence (rental/lease agreement or property tax bill with an original, current PG&E bill). If you have not received your first PG&E bill, you will be given a 30-day conditional registration.
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.

Given the unprecedented magnitude of the state budget crisis and the uncertainty surrounding Cupertino Union School District's funding, Superintendent Phil Quon will be holding a number of budget impact meetings throughout the District during January 2009. The Superintendent would like to invite all interested parents and community members to attend and hear what steps the district is taking to try and weather the state budget crisis. Please attend any meeting that is convenient for you. Here is a list of the schedule and location of the meetings:

• Thursday,January 8, 2009 - 6:00-7:30 p.m. Cupertino Middle School, Gymnasium (1650 S. Bernardo Avenue in Sunnyvale)
• Monday,January 12, 2009 - 6:00 -7:30 p.m. Hyde Middle School, Multi-Purpose Room (19325 Bollinger Road in Cupertino)
• Tuesday,January 13, 2009 - 6:00-7:30 p.m.. Lawson Middle School, Event Center (10401 Vista Drive in Cupertino)
• Thursday,January 15, 2009 - 6:00-7:30 p.m. Kennedy Middle School, Multi-Use Room (821 Bubb Road in Cupertino)
• Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 7:00-8:30 p.m. Miller Middle School, Gymnasium (6151 Rainbow Drive in San Jose)

If you have any questions, please contact Jeremy Nishihara at (408) 252-3000, Extension 323.

The Cupertino Union School District announces an opening on the District's Board of Education. Eligibility for membership on the school board is described in the Education Code excerpt below. The position will be filled by appointment extending until the next general election in November 2009.

Citizens who are interested in membership on the school board may enter the appointment process by filing a completed application packet with the Superintendent on or before January 14, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Application packets will be available starting December 17, 2008, during normal working hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) from the Office of the Superintendent, Cupertino Union School District, 10301 Vista Drive, Cupertino. Application forms will not be mailed. Please note that the District Office will be closed from December 22, 2008 through January 2, 2009, for Winter Break.

The Board of Education will conduct applicant interviews in public session starting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2009.

ELIGIBILITY
Any person, regardless of sex, who is 18 years of age or older, a citizen of the State, a resident of the school district, a registered voter, and who is not disqualified by the Constitution or laws of the State from holding a civil office, is eligible to be elected or appointed a member of a governing board of a school district. (Education Code Section 35017)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION
An understanding of a public school district and the role of a member of the Board of Education is desirable.

Dates For Referrals For Spring Testing - Grades 3 and above
Referrals will be accepted beginning: November 3, 2008
Deadline for Spring GATE referrals: January 16, 2009
(Referrals for the above grades submitted before the November 3, 2008 or after January 16, 2009 date will be returned.)

NOTE: GATE testing of CUSD grade 3 and above students will take place during Spring (March-April) 2009. This will be the only GATE testing offered during the 2008-2009 year.