Please join us on Thursday, April 2nd from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the GLC. Look for the flyer in this week's blue folder.

The Project Cornerstone ABC program allows parents to spend time in a classroom using literacy to improve relationships between kids and increase their appreciation for different cultures. Parent volunteers will read to a class once a month and then lead a discussion about the book that they read. Training for this program will be held on Tuesday, March 31st at 6:30pm in the GLC.

She shared information about her family, friends and pets and how she has included them in her book illustrations. Finally, she led a drawing exercise where she showed the students techniques for illustrations. A very special thank you to Ms. Woods for coordinating the event, to Loann Hoang for painting the back stage wall and to PTA for providing the funding.

The survey is available online in English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Hebrew 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 Japanese, and Hebrew can be obtained by filling out the green form available in the office. The deadline to submit your survey is Friday, April 3rd. Thanks to those of you who have already completed your survey! Thank you also to Nili Helman-Caspi, Akira Kitamura, Louise Kwong, and Silvina Kishinevsky for providing the translations.

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, song, or music, or help with the planning, please contact Mr. Jones or any member of the Diversity Committee.

Please attach your check payable to NIMITZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL to the order form.

The STAR Testing dates are being published so that parents can plan ahead. STAR Testing will be held from May 4, 2009 through May 15, 2009 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.

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, 2009, to retain their space for the 2009/10 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, contact Student Assignment at (408) 252-3000, ext 110.

The Education Code in California requires students to attend school daily and be on time. Late arrivals are to report to the office for a late slip. A daily record is kept for each child. A delay is recorded if a child is up to 29 minutes late, and a tardy is recorded for arrivals to school 30 minutes or later. Excessive tardies will result in a letter being sent home.

If your child is not at school, you are required to report the absence to the school. We have a 24-hour line for this purpose. Please report your child's absence each morning that your child is absent before 9:00 am by calling 736-2180, ext. 6. Include the student's name (please spell the last name), room number, the reason for absence and your relation to the child. If you do not call, the absence will be considered unexcused.

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What simple activity can help increase student attention, decrease illness and absenteeism and increase test scores? Eating breakfast! Breakfast consumption reduces the physical symptoms of stomach pain, headache, muscle tension and fatigue, all of which interfere with learning. Making sure that students have breakfast goes a long way toward facilitating their success. Research studies indicate that children who eat breakfast:

• Have improved attention in late-morning task performance
• Retrieve information more quickly and accurately
• Make fewer errors in problem-solving activities
• Concentrate better and perform more complex tasks

What a child eats for breakfast is also important. A meal comprised of protein, fat, starch and sugar will prevent drops in blood sugar for several hours, whereas a breakfast of just starch and sugar will sustain a child for only one to two hours. A drop in blood sugar is associated with a decline in energy and the onset of hunger symptoms. Consequently, a meal that includes foods from several good groups provides the most benefit to the child, both educationally and physically. Simple breakfasts can be prepared quickly and easily:

• Juice and cereal with low-fat milk
• Toast with peanut butter and a piece of fruit
• A fruit smoothie made with yogurt

STAR Multiple Choice Testing will begin the week of May 4, 2009 and continues for two weeks. The STAR Program is a state accountability measure that helps us assess how we are meeting the needs of our students. 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 any family trips or doctor appointments during this time.

The Cupertino Union School District is currently taking applications for its free State Preschool Program for the fall of 2009. The program, which serves low-income three- and four-year-old children, is located at Sedgwick Elementary School, 19200 Phil Lane in Cupertino. Children who will be three or four-years-old by Dec. 2 may qualify. Priority is given to children who will be four by Dec. 2, 2009.

This free, parent participation preschool offers children many exciting learning experiences including math, pre-reading, science and creative arts, as well as the opportunity to work and play in group situations. Preschool activities are designed to help children make a successful transition to kindergarten. Children attend three hours per day, five days a week.

Parents interested in enrolling their children should contact Ruth Wachob at Sedgwick Elementary School, (408) 252-3103, Ext. 202.