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 (Halloween costumes) 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.

• Students need to understand the importance of going to an adult if they are experiencing bullying or harassment.

I have visited each classroom and given an age appropriate presentation on our Zero Tolerance and Harassment policies. A copy of the district policy went home in the First Day Packet.

Please discuss Zero Tolerance with your child. If you have any questions, please give me a call.

    -Russ Ottey, Principal

Please take the time to check your schedule to assure you will be able to attend at your scheduled time. It is very difficult to reschedule if you wait until the week of conferences. It is also important that you show up on time, as teachers have to adhere to a strict schedule to ensure that they are able to meet with all the parents in their classroom. Also, please be prompt in picking up your child at dismissal time (12:25pm). Thank you.

The PTA invites you to submit an entry to the PTA Reflections Competition. This year's theme is "Beauty is...!". Competition is open to all students from grades K - 5. Students can submit in any of the six categories of Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Musical Composition, Dance Choreography and/or Film Production. Deadline for submissions is 3pm Friday, October 16, 2009. Entry forms for each category are available in the office. For additional information, please contact Suneetha at nimitzreflection@gmail.com.

I am challenging the families and staff of Nimitz Elementary to increase our PTA membership by 50 new members by the end of October. Your tax-deductible membership dues help to fund educational programs, family events, and student welfare activities sponsored by the PTA. Your PTA membership card allows you access to National PTA member benefits, discounts and parenting resources. You will also receive a voucher for a free admission to Legoland California. So, dig out that membership form and return it to your child's classroom or the school office. If you need additional forms, they can be found on our website at www.nimitzpta.org. When the PTA gets involved, children benefit. When you get involved with PTA, the child that benefits most is your own. Any questions, please contact Debbie at johnczyz@att.net.

The PTA is planning a book fair on the evening of Thursday, December 3rd. We thought it would be nice to have a small pre-holiday craft fair on the same night. We are looking for crafters who would like an opportunity to sell their products (e.g. jewelry, soaps, etc.) and would be willing to rent a table for the evening for a small price. This will be a great opportunity to buy some holiday gifts and help support the school.

If you are interested in selling your craft or know of anyone, please contact tracey.terrett@gmail.com.

In an effort to save paper and reduce duplicating costs, the Dolphin Newsletter was sent via email this week to over 400 families. In addition, only one paper copy of the Dolphin was sent home to each family with the youngest child. This will greatly help the school by saving over 15,000 sheets of legal-sized blue paper for the school year! If you would like to be included in the parent email group, the forms are available in the office or email Kristen Nelsen at nelsen_kristen@cusdk8.org.

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 update meetings throughout the District during October 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 schedule and location of the meetings:

• Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 - 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
  Hyde Middle School, Multi-Purpose Room (19325 Bollinger Road in Cupertino)

• Monday, Oct. 12, 2009 - 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
  Kennedy Middle School, Multi-Use Room (821 Bubb Road in Cupertino)

• Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 - 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
  Miller Middle School, Gymnasium (6151 Rainbow Drive in San Jose)

• Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 - 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
  Lawson Middle School, Event Center (10401 Vista Drive in Cupertino)

• Monday, Nov. 2, 2009 - 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
  Cupertino Middle School, Gymnasium (1650 S. Bernardo Avenue in Sunnyvale)

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

SELPA II (Special Education Local Plan Area II) is proud to host the following guest speaker presentation to parents of students with special needs.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009
"Occupational Therapy and Sensory Integration"
Speaker: Natasha Coetzee Kukuk, Associated Learning and Language Specialists
Does your child struggle with sensory issues, balance, motor planning, or other gross or fine motor skills? Natasha tells us about occupation therapy and sensory strategies that we can use at home.

The event takes place at Bishop Elementary School (450 N. Sunnyvale Avenue in Sunnyvale) in the auditorium from 6:30-8:30 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.

The Santa Clara County Public Health Department guidance recommends that, based on current flu conditions, students and staff with flu-like illness stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).

You can help keep our schools healthy by adhering to the following guidelines:

• Continue to enforce proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette - The recommendations continue to emphasize the importance of the basic foundations of disease prevention: stay home when sick, wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible or alcohol based hand sanitizer, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).

• Leave accurate information as requested on the school's absence line if your child is sick. This will help the school identify any potential issues as soon as possible.

• Promptly pick up your child from school if they are sent home for being ill. The school will keep ill students separated from others until they can be sent home. Please make sure that the school office has your updated contact information.

• Any returning students after an illness with a fever will need to have their temperature taken in the school office before returning to class. Teachers will be sending returning students back to the office to have their temperatures taken if they arrive directly to the classroom without being cleared.