During the first weeks at school, we spend time with the students reviewing the rules for safety and good manners that help everyone feel welcome and safe. This is also a good time for parents to review procedures that support a safe learning environment.

• Students are not to be on campus until 7:45 a.m. This is a safety issue as there is no supervision on the yard until that time.
• Students need to arrive at school in time to be in class at 8:00 a.m. Students arriving after 8:00 a.m. will be sent to the office for tardy slips.

• Please remember to pick your children up promptly:
  Grades K-3    2:00 p.m.
  Grades 4-5    2:30 p.m.

• ON TUESDAYS ALL GRADES K-5 ARE DISMISSED AT 1:25 P.M.

• Students are to go directly home at dismissal. Students may not play on the playground to wait for siblings.

For the safety of everyone, please slow down, and pull against the curb in the white loading zone to drop your children off. Never let your children out of the car in the middle of the street. You should park, even if it means driving further down the street, and help them cross at the crosswalk.

In an effort to save paper and reduce duplicating costs, we strongly encourage all Nimitz families to join our email group. This email group will be used only by Nimitz school staff for school announcements and the Dolphin newsletter. We have a new procedure for joining the email group. In order to join, please email nelsen_kristen@cusdk8.org the following information:

• Your name
• Your child(ren)'s name(s)
• Your child(ren)'s grade(s)
• Your child(ren)'s teacher(s)
• The email address(es) where you prefer to receive your Nimitz information. Please email this information by Friday, September 11th. If you still need a paper copy of the Dolphin, please complete the green form that was sent home on the first day of school.

The PTA is again hosting the Family Picnic on Friday, August 28th from 5pm - 7pm. Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and enjoy music on the lawn. There will be hot dogs and hamburgers for sale, music, and a raffle for great prizes. So please save the date and come spend a fun family evening with your Nimitz friends.

When crossing the street, students should get off their bikes and walk them across at a crosswalk. While driving your students to school, please slow down and stop when you see a child entering a crosswalk.

As you may already know, school district budgets throughout California are drastically being cut due to the budget crisis. This will have a huge impact on Nimitz school in the coming year. As one of our goals for this school year, the Nimitz PTA will be working with the school to keep Nimitz' supply room stocked. The PTA will be sponsoring several supply drives throughout the year. Our first drive will be held during the first two weeks of school. We ask if you could please purchase one item on the supply wish list to donate to the school. The supply wish list can be found on the PTA's website, www.nimitzpta.org, posted in the GLC or in the office. Donation boxes will be available by the school office. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie at johnczyz@att.net.

If you are interested in finding out more about Nimitz PTA, please visit our website at www.nimitzpta.org. You will find all the latest information on PTA news and events. Please join us at our first PTA meeting on Thursday, September 10th at 7:00pm in the staff room.

We will be glad to show you how to do this. In order for the kids to enjoy the library, the books need to be shelved in a timely manner. Even if you can only help for a limited amount of time, we would love to see you. Please think about what this will mean to your child. You don't have to let us know you're coming. If you have a few minutes, come on by. For questions, please call Mrs. Gallatin at 736-2180 ext. 150.

This helps keep our students in shape as they strive to reach their goal. Last year our Nimitz students ran over 18,000 miles! This program is not possible without parent support. We need parents to help out during lunch (11:45-12:55), Monday through Friday.

If you are available to punch cards or help supervise students, please email/call Tracy Burriss at burriss_tracy@cusdk8.org or ph. (408) 732-4563. We are also in need of a parent to manage the record keeping and prepping of ribbons for distribution. Our volunteer from last year has moved on to middle school but is more than willing to help at the start of the school year to train you. Please contact Tracy Burriss Tracy Burriss or Bruce horn if you can help with this important task. The Running Club would not be possible without the help of many parent volunteers who help keep things moving!

Fall Testing Only For: "New-to-District" students (Grades 4 - 8)
Referrals will be accepted beginning: August 24, 2009
Deadline for Fall GATE Referrals: September 25, 2009
(Referrals received after September 25, 2009 will be returned to the school site.)

The focus of Cupertino's Gifted and Talented Education Program is to identify and serve those students who have demonstrated exceptional intellectual ability and outstanding academic achievement. Referrals for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) testing may be initiated by teachers, parents, or the student. If you have a current "new-to-district" student you would like to have tested this fall for the Gifted and Talent Education program, please contact your child's teacher or school office for a referral form.

If you have questions about the screening process, please call the GATE office at (408) 252-3000, Extension 199, between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm or the GATE website at: http://www.cupertino.k12.ca.us.

NOTE: Fall testing for new-to-district students will take place late October 2009.

The Cupertino Union School District will administer the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) to all students eligible for English Language Development services. This test will be administered from the beginning of September through the end of October. Based on your child's last years CELDT scores if their proficiency level is limited, withdrawn or transitional, your child will be included in the annual CELDT test at their school. The initial CELDT will be given to kindergarten students whose primary language on the home language survey is a language other than English. A letter will be sent home with your child prior to the initial and annual testing date at your school. The test consists of four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Grades K-8 are tested in all four areas. This year only reading and writing for kindergarten and first grade students will not affect their overall proficiency level. You will receive the official results after January 2010. If you have any questions, please contact your school office.