GATORAID

School Phone: 408-252-5414 ~ Absence Line 408-252-5414-6 ~ FAX 408-996-9725

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SCHOOL CALENDAR
10/20 10/20 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/24-10/28 10/24-10/28 10/25 10/26 10/26 10/28 10/28 10/28 10/31 11/2 11/3 11/4 11/6 11/8 11/9 11/10 11/10 11/11 11/15 11/16 11/18 11/18 11/21-11/25 5:30-7:30 p.m. 6:00-8:00 p.m. 12:45-1:45 3:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 8:00-9:30 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 3:00-5:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 8:00-9:30 a.m. 7:15 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 8:00-9:30 3:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 3:45 p.m. 3:30 p.m. BOOK FAIR FALL SOCIAL TWINS DAY - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY CANON COPIER TRAINING FLAG FOOTBALL - NIMITZ @ GARDEN GATE RED RIBBON WEEK GREAT SCHOOLS WEEK C.U.S.D. BOARD MEETING INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PICTURES - GLC PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT GROUP - TAKE IT PERSONALLY HALLOWEEN PARADE FALL CELEBRATION - GARDEN GATE FIELD FLAG FOOTBALL - GARDEN GATE @ SEDGWICK STAFF LEARNING DAY - NO SCHOOL PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT GROUP - TAKE IT PERSONALLY PTA MEETING FLAG FOOTBALL - GARDEN GATE AT FARIA DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS - SET CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR ELECTION DAY PROJECT CORNERSTONE PARENT GROUP - TAKE IT PERSONALLY FIRST TRIMESTER ENDS FLAG FOOTBALL - DeVARGAS AT GARDEN GATE VETERANS DAY - NO SCHOOL C.U.S.D. BOARD MEETING SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL MEETING GATOR DAY - SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY FLAG FOOTBALL - GARDEN GATE AT McAULIFFE THANKSGIVING RECESS - NO SCHOOL

OCTOBER 20, 2011

EVERY TUESDAY IS EARLY DISMISSAL Students are dismissed at 1:30. PRE-PAY FOR CUSD LUNCHES at PAMS (Parent Account Management System) Lunchroom! You can make payments and view your students account balance online by going to http://www.pamslunchroom.com or by calling 1-888-994-5100. TO EMAIL STAFF:lastname_firstname@cusdk8.org ATTENDANCE: If your child will be absent, please call 252-5414. Ext. 6, by 8:30 a.m. to report the absence. HOMEWORK: Homework may be requested for illness absences of three days or more. Please call the office before 9:00 a.m. to request the homework for pickup after 3:00 p.m.

FROM OUR PRINCIPAL....MS. HUCKO!

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Disaster Drill on October 21st - Emergency Preparedness Information In case of an earthquake or other emergency, we know you would like your child and the school to be as prepared as possible. Garden Gate School has an Emergency Plan in place in accordance with the Cupertino Union School District guidelines: Each classroom has been equipped with first aid supplies, flashlights, etc. The students are trained to duck, cover and hold and then evacuate to the field area. The staff has been divided into several teams to care for the students and adults on campus during an earthquake. As a parent, what should I do in the event of an emergency when my child is at school? First, remain calm! In the event of an emergency, your child is probably in one of the safest places that he/she could be in. School personnel will remain with the children. Remember that in the event of an evacuation no one will be in the office or classrooms, so if you call the school, dont worry if no one answers the phone. Please give the school staff at least 15-20 minutes to evacuate the school, get the students situated on the field, take attendance to account for all students, and prepare to implement our student release protocol. Walk from home if possible. Leave the streets free for emergency vehicles. The streets may be crowded, so you will probably get to school faster by foot or on a bicycle. When coming to school to pick up your children, go directly to the blacktop that adjoins the field. Look for the tables that are marked Student Release. A Student Release staff member will work with you to sign out your child(ren). Please remain calm and be patient while we do the necessary paperwork to make sure all children are accounted for. Cupertino Union School District Emergency Plan calls for all children who are not picked up by 6:00 p.m. to be transported to Lawson Middle School. In the event you are delayed and arrive at Garden Gate to find that the school has been evacuated, look for a notice posted in a visible location on the outside of the school indicating where you can pick up your child. We are proud of the systems we have in place to care for your child in the event of a major disaster such as an earthquake. Be assured that in your absence your child couldnt be in a safer place, with more adults who are ready to provide care for their physical and emotional needs.

**IMPORTANT** Please be sure to update your childs emergency contact information in the school office and also the Disaster Card in your childs classroom with any changes. Students will be released only to the adults authorized on these cards. Halloween Parade - Friday, October 28 at 8:15 a.m.
Halloween is just around the corner and we are planning our Halloween Parade for Friday, October 28th at 8:15 a.m. All parents are welcome to come, watch and take pictures! Please bring your child to school dressed in their costumes over their regular clothes, as there is no appropriate place to change here at school. Please send a bag with your childs name on it so your child can put his/her costume away after the parade is over. When helping your child decide on a costume, please encourage him/her to pick one that supports our efforts to promote a positive and fun activity by keeping the following in mind: Costumes should be comfortable, easy to walk in, and should not hamper vision. Regular school rules of dress and safety apply. Costumes should be in good taste and not violent in nature. In accordance with the CUSDs Zero Tolerance Policy, no toy guns, plastic swords, knives, martial arts weapons are allowed on campus. Rollerblades, skates, skateboards, scooters, and bicycles are not permitted. Remind your child that there will be younger children in the parade who might be frightened by some of the scarier costumes and masks. Outfits that are scary or violent are not acceptable at school.

Propellers

Do you wonder how to connect better with your children? Do you wonder what matters to them, and how you can assist them to grow up to be healthy, caring and responsible citizens? I encourage you to try a "propeller" - a question intended to spark conversations with your children. Try it around the dinner table tonight!

This weeks propeller: Name something you have always wished you could do. How could you make it happen?

PTA CORNER

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA) NEWS & RESOURCES

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Hello Gators and Families,

BOOKFAIRISOPENTONIGHTFORTHEICECREAMSOCIAL! GardenGate'sBookFairwillbeopentonightduringtheFallIceCreamSocial eventfrom5:307:30p.m.Allthosewhomakeapurchaseduringthisevent, willbeeligibletoenteradrawingtobeoneoftenluckywinnerswhowillgeta $5Scholasticgiftcertificate.TheresgoingtobedeliciousSchwansicecream availableforyoutopurchaseandenjoyduringtheevent.Icecreambarsand sandwichesare50centsandconesare$1each.Remembertobringalonglots ofquarterstoavoidlongwaitsintheicecreamqueue!

FALLCELEBRATIONISNEXTWEEK MarkyourcalendarstoattendtheFallCelebrationonFriday,October28th,from3:00 5:00p.m.Itissuretobeanafternoonfulloffungames,activities,apumpkinpatch, bakesale,hennaandmore!Westillneedmorevolunteerstobakeathome(cookies, brownies,cakesetc.)fortheBakeSaleandhelptorunthevariousactivities.Anyhelp onyourpartwillmakeahugedifference!PLEASEconsiderhelpingoutwiththeFall CelebrationandcontactAravindaChigatiatkushal_mom@yahoo.comtosignup.

CEEFGREATSCHOOLSWEEK TheCupertinoEducationEndowmentFund(CEEF)sGREATSCHOOLSweekisOctober2428th.Whenyoudine,shop andplayatanyoftheparticipatinglocalbusinesseslisted@ http://ceefcares.org/getinvolved/events/greatschoolsweek20112012/aportionofallsaleswillbedonatedto variouseducationalprogramsinCupertinoSchools.Over100localbusinesseswillbeparticipating. IhopetoseeyouallattheBookFairandIceCreamSocialtonight! AzmehMalik GardenGatePTAPresident

Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95125

GATORAID!
CORNERSTONE CORNER! This month the students will hear the book, One by Kathryn Otoshi in class, as part of the ABC Program. Please watch for a letter from your classroom parent volunteer(s) for more information about this lesson. According to Otoshi, "One voice can count and affect change. Many times we think, I'm so small. What can I do? But we do have an effect! It's about changing thinking. When one person stands up for something, it might be just enough to tip the next person over and inspire him or her to also stand up." Our goals for the students this month are to help students recognize that they have the power to effectively react and respond to bullying behaviors. The key messages are "Everyone counts" and "It just takes ONE to make a difference." Here are some activities you can do at home to help achieve these goals: Talk about ways that each family member counts! Role-play ways to de-escalate conversations using a calm tone of voice, positive words, and comforting body language. Practice ways to stand tall using positive body language. Discuss how to be a good friend. Ask/discuss/remind your child of the caring adults in their lives. Remind kids to always tell an adult if the problem involves someone possibly getting hurt. Your Cornerstone Coordinators, Alma Nazareno and Sophia Chan

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STUDENT PICTURES On Wednesday, October 26, students will have their Individual Picture taken in the GLC. Please check your childs green folder today for important information and pricing. The order envelope will come home on Tuesday, October 25. Please return it with your student on Wednesday. No late orders will be accepted. New in April 2012, parents will have a second opportunity for pictures in the form of Spring Portraits. Parents may choose from a variety of backgrounds for this portraitstyle picture. Well have more information in the Gatoraid as the April date draws near.

COPIER TRAINING

There will be a training for the proper use of the Canon copier on Friday, October 21, from 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. in the productivity room. Please RSVP to Terri Sulgit at 252-5414 ext. 108 or email at sulgit_terri@cusdk8.org DISTRICT HEALTH GUIDELINES It is important that our children follow good health practices at all times and be kept at home when they are ill. A child should not be in school when he or she is ill and is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms: Nausea or vomiting (must remain at home until free of symptoms for 24 hours). Diarrhea (must remain at home until free of symptoms for 24 hours). Severe headache. Continuous coughing or runny nose. Evidence of a communicable disease such as a rash, swelling or unusual sore throat. A temperature of 100 degrees or higher (must remain at home until he/she has a normal 98.6 degree temperature for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducer such as Tylenol). Conjunctivitis-pink eye. Undiagnosed rash (rashes need to be verified by your doctor that they are non-contagious; a note is needed). If a student is sent home from school for feeling ill, the child may not return that day. A doctors note for absences over five (5) days is required. Thank you for your cooperation in helping to keep all children and staff healthy.

READ-A-THON

This years Read-A-Thon began Monday, October 17, 2011 and will continue through May 18, 2012. The purpose of this program is to encourage long lasting reading habits in students. The theme for the Read-AThon is Dive Into A Good Book. This year, in order to simplify our process and reduce paper waste, parents and students in grades K-3 will submit their reading logs online at the following webpage: http://www.edline.net/pages/ Garden_Gate_Elementary_School/Our_School/Read-AThon_Information You can also go to the Garden Gate website and select Read-A-Thon Information under the Student Life drop down box. Students in grades 4-5 will submit their reading logs as part of classroom activity. Reading logs for the month of October are due Friday, October 28. If you have questions, please contact me at 252-5414 ext. 150.

VISITING CAMPUS All visitors entering classrooms as volunteers or meeting with teachers, must sign in at the office and obtain a visitors name tag when school is in session. For the safety of all, we need to know who is on the campus. The only exception is at student arrival and dismissal Thank you, times. If you are taking your child out of school for any Mrudula Gokhale, Librarian reason, ALWAYS sign your child out from school through the office and then back in when he/she returns. Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95125

GATORAID!
DISTRICT NEWS SECTION

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Get ready to dine, shop and play during Great Schools Week, October 24-28. Grab your family, friends and colleagues and show your support for educational excellence. Great Schools Week is an annual community-wide event to support high quality education in the Cupertino Union School District. Local business partners pledge to donate a percentage of sales from the event, and 18,000 district students, their families, as well as thousands of local residents are encouraged to dine, shop, and play throughout the week. Over 100 local businesses have participated in the event each year. All funds raised during Great Schools Week are applied towards exceptional classroom programs. Additional information is available at: http://CEEFCares.org/events/great-schools-week-2011-2012/ Great Schools Week is sponsored by the Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation (CEEF), a community partner for excellence in local education.

BE A HERO! PROTECT OUR GREAT SCHOOLS!

October 21 - 22, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Does your family know what to do to survive a major earthquake? What will it be like to have no electricity for a week? Where are they to go if they need help and phones aren't working? The City of Cupertino wants to help you answer these questions! This year's City wide exercise focuses on required individual survival skills including: proper methods of purifying water, how to get water from the water heater, when and how to turn off natural gas, how to use a fire extinguisher and basic medical aid. At the end of each day, there will be a drawing for emergency preparedness supplies valued at over $100 and even a contest for the Cutest Prepared Pet! "How to" instructions and details about the event are available on the City of Cupertinos website at www.cupertino.org. If you have any questions, please contact Marsha Hovey at 408-722-1210.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE

DISTRICT CALENDAR 2011-2012

October 31, 2011 Staff Learning Day November 11, 2011 Veterans Day November 21-25, 2011 Thanksgiving Recess December 19-30, 2011 Winter Recess January 3, 2012 Students Return January 16, 2012 Martin Luther King Day February 20-24, 2012 Mid-Year Recess March 19, 2012 Staff Learning Day April 16-20, 2012 Spring Recess May 25, 2012 Staff Learning Day Garden Gate Elementary School 10500 Ann Memorial Day Arbor Ave., Cupertino CA 95125 May 28, 2012 June 12, 2012 Last Day of School