It is time to review our Zero Tolerance policy at Nimitz. The state of California has adopted a Zero Tolerance policy, which is designed to ensure that our schools remain safe for our children. If any student brings a weapon, drugs, or alcohol to school, they may be recommended for expulsion from the district. Students that fight may be suspended, and repeated fighting may also lead to a recommendation for expulsion. The following are some important tips for parents regarding these laws:

• Even plastic knives come under Zero Tolerance. Be careful not to include plastic knives in your child's lunch.
• Toy guns, squirt guns, plastic or rubber swords or daggers are forbidden.
• If your child needs to bring medicine to school, make sure that you contact the office or our school nurse, Katy Waugh. We must have a protocol from your physician.

I always share with the students a scenario in which you make a mistake and send a plastic knife in their lunch. The important point is that if this should happen, or something similar in which a child suddenly finds herself in violation of the law, that they immediately tell their teacher. This happened to a student who inadvertently brought a pocketknife to school after a camping trip. The student told me as soon as she realized what had happened. I held the knife until the end of the day and then returned it to her and her parents. What could have been a disastrous situation was avoided because the student remembered to tell an adult. Please discuss Zero Tolerance with your child. If you have any questions, please give me a call.        - Dale Jones, Principal

The use of technology and the Internet has grown tremendously in the last decade. Our students are using the Internet as part of their daily life at an earlier age. With these advances come many dangers. At Eaton Elementary's parent night, Deputy Peter Robinson of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's department will share what every parent should know about the Internet and tips for keeping your child safe. This meeting will be held on Monday, March 9th from 6:30-7:30pm in the Eaton Elementary multi-purpose room. Eaton Elementary is located in Cupertino at 20220 Suisun Drive. All parents are invited to attend. This event is free.

Back by popular demand will be the multicultural fashion show, but we're also planning some new events including a cultural foods cook-off and lots of booths with fun games and activities for the whole family. If you would like to run a booth, organize a cultural dance, or help with the planning, please contact Mr. Jones or any member of the Diversity Committee.

The Cupertino Middle School Parent Information Night for next year's 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be held Thursday, March 5 in the gym. The 6th grade presentation will be at 6:00 pm and the 7th/8th presentations will be at 7:00 pm. 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.

Additionally, at 7:00 pm in the multi-use, our PTA will host an informal gathering so that incoming 6th grade parents can talk with CMS parents who have already experienced their student's transition from elementary to middle school. This was a very popular event last year.

Due to facility limitations, these presentations are for parents only. An electronic copy of the presentation and any handouts will be made available upon request for any parents unable to attend the March 5 meeting.

This Friday, March 6th, is our last chance to order class photos. Picture envelopes are located in the office. 8 x 10 with lamination is $12.00, 8 x 10 with no lamination is $10.00, 5 x 7 with lamination is $10.00 or a 5x7 with no lamination is $8.00. Please make checks payable to Bud White.

Yearbooks are just $20 if purchased before March 13th and $23 after March 13th, so hurry and buy yours now. Order forms are available through your child's teacher or in the school office.

SELPA II (Special Education Local Plan Area II) is proud to host the following guest speaker presentation to parents of students with special needs. The event takes place at Sedgwick Elementary School (19200 Phil Lane in Cupertino) in the GLC from 7:00-9:00 PM. There is no registration required to attend the event. Onsite childcare is available, but registration is required for childcare and closes one week prior to the event, with no exceptions. For childcare, contact Linda Toda at (408) 522-2474.

Monday, March 16, 2009
"Identifying and Acting Upon Undiagnosed Disabilities in Children"
Cheryl Bowers, Ph.D.
Dr. Bowers is a neuropsychologist with 28 years experience testing and evaluating children with a wide variety of disabilities.

While serious disabilities are almost always identified in early childhood, less serious disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia can easily go un-diagnosed and un-treated for years while the child and family suffers.

Also, some children have multiple diagnoses but a minor diagnosis can easily get missed. Dr. Bowers will talk about how to identify if your child is struggling with a minor disability and what you can do to pm. The presentations will cover course selection, ensure that your child gets the help he or she needs.

March, April, and May (call for dates)
7:00 - 8:50 p.m.
JFK University Community Counseling Center
572 Dunholme Way
Sunnyvale, CA 98087
Fee for session: $90.00
The John F. Kennedy University Community Counseling Center invites interested parents to join a 10-week course with other stepfamily couples. You will learn the typical developmental stages that many stepfamilies go through in order to become a more harmonious and cohesive family. Couples will also have a chance to share their stories with each other in this unique, interactive learning and supportive group experience. The support group will be led by a counselor from the John F. Kennedy University Community Counseling Center with counseling experience in the Cupertino School District. For more information or to register, please call the JFK Counseling Center at (408) 524-4900.

We are offering a series of classes for your child to learn and practice personal safety skills. Areas covered will include dealing with strangers, emergencies, protecting your personal boundaries and asking for help.

The curriculum uses ideas and educational materials from Kidpower?s well-known and respected program. Kidpower is known for enabling children to feel positive and strong about their own abilities, as well as empowering them to get adult help when it is needed to keep them safe. The program is very upbeat and fun for children, enabling them to cover some serious subjects without making them frightened or anxious. For more information, visit http://www.kidpower.org/.

The classes will be taught by Marina Shepherd, Counseling Intern from San Jose State University, and will run for five weeks, starting Wednesday, March 11th. They will be in the GLC from 2:15pm-3:15pm. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend and observe, but this is not mandatory. Classes are offered for 1st through 3rd graders. If you have a child in another grade and would like classes to be offered for your child?s grade, please indicate below. Questions? Contact me at marinashepherd@sbcglobal.net. Please complete the form below if you would like your child to attend and return it to the office. Thank you.