The Parent Ed department is closed for summer vacation from July 19 through August 10.  The office will reopen on August 11.  Registration Preschool, Gymkids and Specialty classes resumes on Tuesday, August 12 with phone-in registration.  Have a Great Summer!  We will see you in August.

Summer School has begun.  Many specialty classes are offered in the summer.  These classes allow students to try new teachers and courses.   A few spaces are still available in the gym and preschool.  If you would like additional information please call 408-522-2707 Monday through Friday between 8-4PM.  

Remember that summer days can be warm.  Please put sunscreen on yourself and your child before you come to school.  Classrooms are air conditioned.  Water play is offered outside.  So dress yourself and your child appropriately for the weather and the play.  As always, welcome to Summer School and have a great time!

May is here and the 2007-2008 school year is drawing to a close.  As we enter these last few weeks of school I want to thank all of the teachers for their hard work making this is a positive and enriched experience for both the adults and children enrolled in our classes.  I also want to thank the parents who work hard to ensure that the children are safe and cared for during their time in school.  It is because of this cooperative link between families and teachers that Bright Beginnings is able to provide support and learning for all of our students.  As we look forward to summer school and classes for next year, it is important to take time to remember and value this unique time in our lives.

WASC accreditation update:  The WASC team visited all of our classrooms and spoke with many teachers and parents.  Their assessment and report of programs at ACE was very positive.  The Parent Ed department received recognition as “An exemplary program.” In order to prepare for the visit, each teacher was asked to prepare a binder with course outlines, curriculum, parent handouts, and other evidence of the work that they do.  These are located in the classrooms. If you would like to see the complete Self Study and WASC report it is available in the Parent Ed office.

Book Fair Update:  Thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make the Book Fair successful.  A special thank you to Debbie Smith and Susannah Vaughan who co-chaired the book fair this year.  Thanks also to all of you who supported this event .  The book fair earned $1,447.  This money will be used for school improvements.

Workshops:  There is still a little space in the following workshops:
Reading Basics, Monday, May 5 from 7-9 PM in room 5A,
Teach Your Preschooler Math, Wednesday, May 7 from 7-9 PM in room 5A. 
These adult workshops are designed so that you can learn more about how a preschooler acquires academic learning.  It’s hands on with lots of great information and activities to try and then do with your child at home. 
  
Summer School Registration Lottery – Monday, May 5 from 8:30 AM- 2 PM. Phone in registration begins on Monday, May 12.
Summer School: June 7 – July 18

Parent Board Meeting Tuesday, May 6, 7-8 PM in room 4.
Join us for the last parent board meeting of this school year.
 
Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5 – 9.  Help celebrate your teachers & aides.  Let them know how special they are.

FALL PRESCHOOL registration:  Registration for fall preschool classes continues in the office.  The 2008-2009 school year begins on August 25.  All preschool classes will have orientation the week before school begins.  Registered students will receive information about orientation, class requirements, and the first day of school in July.

Student Information: It is very important to keep your contact information current.  Please inform the office if you change your address, phone number, or email address.

Sunnyvale Community Services: Food Bank Shortage
Due to the economy, the Sunnyvale Community Service food bank is experiencing increased demand to help families in our community.  In the past, Bright Beginnings families have been extremely generous with donations to the Holiday Food Drive.  We are asking for your help again.  Food donation boxes have been placed in the office, Room 4.  The following items are really needed: cereal, peanut butter, tuna, macaroni & cheese, Milkman Powdered Milk, meals in a can (beef stew, canned ravioli, spaghetti, pork n beans, soup, etc.) We will be accepting donations until May 16.
 

 Our second WASC accreditation has been successfully completed.  

The overall report is very positive across all program areas and reflects the hard work of the ACE staff.  Parent Ed received specific commendation as “an exemplary program” in more than one area of the report.  Below are excerpts from the Final Report.

Focus Area B - Curriculum and Instruction.
#1    The Parent Education Program is exemplary in providing research-based curriculum and instruction for both the parent and the child.

Focus Area C – Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth
Important evidence about student learning from the self-study and the visit that supports these strengths and key issues include the following:
#2    ESL and Parent Education Programs offer the student a sense of connectedness via the survey process.  This provides an opportunity for their voice to be heard and input valued.

School-wide Areas of Strength
#3    An exemplary Parent Program characterized by
a.    An active parent board;
b.    High parent participation in classes;
c.    Waiting lists for classes;
d.    Ethnically diverse student population;
e.    A successful parent education program which provides a natural teacher development pathway as parents progress into different positions in the program;
f.    An impressive, fully equipped children’s gymnasium; and
g.    Instruction that successfully meets the developmental needs of children.

Our program was acknowledged at length both in the report and at the read out that was attended by the district Superintendent and 2 school board members.

Congratulations to the staff and students to Bright Beginnings Preschool and Gymkids program!

 APRIL NEWSLETTER

The 4th Quarter has started and with it comes many special events including the Book Fair and WASC accreditation.  Even with all of the activity on campus, classes will be conducted as usual.  It is important to follow the information outlined in the Parent Handbook and ask your teacher if you have questions.

Scholastic Book Fair: “Take a Reading Road Trip” with us…
The Book Fair starts on Monday, April 7 and runs through Friday, April 11.  Books will be available for purchase from 9 – 3 each day.  Tuesday evening, April 8 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM is our special family evening, “Reading Under the Stars.”  Bring the family, play, and have a cookie while you listen to stories read by community volunteers and staff.    Hope to see you there!

WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges)
Sunnyvale-Cupertino Adult Ed will be hosting the visiting committee from WASC from Sunday, April 20 – Wednesday, April 23.  They will be visiting classrooms and conducting meetings to evaluate our programs at ACE.   All committee members will be wearing identification badges while on campus.  Teachers and staff have participated in Focus groups over the past two years to assess the strengths and growth areas of programs.  Many of your teachers have served on these committees and my need to attend a Focus Group meeting on Monday, April 21.  Please feel free to ask your teacher or the office staff if you have any questions.  

Thank You
Thank you for your generous donations for the Spring Baskets.  25 baskets were filled and distributed to low-income children in Cupertino and Sunnyvale.

Summer School
The summer school program has been finalized and flyers will be available in your classrooms beginning on April 7.  The Pre-registration lottery for all summer classes will be held on Monday, May 5 from 8:30 – 2 PM.  

Kindergarten Readiness
We are fortunate to again be able to offer a 4-Week Kindergarten Readiness class to our Level 9 & 10 students.  Pre-registration for this class ONLY will be held April 28 – May 2 in our Level 9 & 10 classrooms.

Upcoming Adult Workshops – call 422-2707 for info or to register.
Motherhood 101: Wednesday, April 23 from 7-9 pm cost $15.  This workshop from Julie Graham (licensed psychologist) is designed for New Mothers.  It includes the latest info / research as well as practical strategies and resources. 

Sibling Solutions: Monday, April 28 from 7-9pm cost $15.  Julie’s most popular workshop helps parents develop practical strategies to encourage strong family bonds and reduce sibling rivalry.  Learn what really works.

Reading Basics: Monday, May 5 from 7-9 PM cost $15.  Increase your understanding of how children learn to read.  Lots of info and hands-on activites.

Teach Your Preschooler Math: Wednesday, May 7 from 7-9 PM cost $15.  Learn how children process math skills and what kinds of hands-on activities can increase this knowledge.  

 2008-2009 Preschool Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment for 2008-2009 Bright Beginnings Preschool Classes begins on Wednesday, March 19.  Information about classes and pre-registration requirements is posted on the Parent Ed webpage.

MARCH NEWSLETTER

March is a busy month in preschool.  Third quarter is ending, the fourth and final quarter of the 2007-2008 school year begins, and we are pre-registering for 2008-2009 preschool and specialty classes.  Spring is just beginning and the teachers are busy preparing many special activities for you and your child.  Make sure to read your quarter schedule so you don’t miss any of the fun!

FALL PRESCHOOL PRE-REGISTRATION / OPEN REGISTRATION

Students who are registered for fourth quarter may pre-register for fall Multi-Day preschool classes.   Register by calling 408-522-2707 or coming in to the parenting office.
OPEN REGISTRATION for One-Day classes will begin pre-registration on Wednesday, March 19 at 9 AM in the Parenting office.  Phone-in registration begins on March 20.
SUMMER SCHOOL information will be available in April and pre-registration will be in May.  Information will be placed in all preschool and gym classrooms in April and posted on-line.

BOOK FAIR IS COMING
Don’t forget to save the date for our fun Family Night, “Evening Under the Stars” on Tuesday, April 8, 6:30-8PM. 
Volunteers are still needed.  Lists will soon be posted in your classroom.

SPRING BASKETS
It’s springtime and time, once again, to make sure that needy children in our community have an opportunity to celebrate with a Spring / Easter Basket of goodies.  Donation boxes are available in your classrooms.  Items needed include: candies, cookies, crackers etc. in small/individual size packages, new books, new small toys, pencils, crayons, markers, small games, small stuffed animals.  All items should be new. 

WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS
All of the workshops listed below have received excellent reviews from the students who have attended them. 
SIBLING SOLUTIONS - Sat. March 8, 10-noon.
Help your kids learn how to get along better.  Join Julie Graham, licensed psychologist, and learn how to develop the bonds that help make families strong. There will also be time to ask specific questions related to your children.
READING BASICS - Mon. May 5, 7-9PM
Gain an understanding of the building blocks needed to develop literacy skills in young children.  Hands-on games you can play at home and simple, easy to make projects are included.
TEACH YOUR PRESCHOOLER MATH - Wed. May 7, 7-9PM
Learn how children process math skills, and what they need to be successful Math students in Kindergarten.  Hands-on activities and games you can play at home will be demonstrated. 

WASC ACCREDITATION
In April, a committee from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges will be assessing all programs offered by Sunnyvale-Cupertino Adult Ed.   Watch for more information in your April newsletter.

CAMPUS POLICIES
Thank you again for leaving campus at the end of your class.  Several classes are meeting after school at local parks for lunch or additional playtime.  Good Job!

SPECIAL DATES:
Third quarter ends on Monday March 17.
Fourth Quarter begins on Monday, March 24.
No classes Tuesday, March 18- Friday, March 21
 

Open Enrollment for 2008-2009 Bright Beginnings Preschool classes begins on Wednesday, March 19.  Information about classes and pre-registration requirements are posted on the main Parent Ed page. 

Happy New Year!   2008 is off to an exciting start and so is the third quarter here at the Sunnyvale-Cupertino Adult Ed Center.  We are looking forward to the WASC accreditation visit this April.  Committees have been hard at work analyzing and developing our school action plans. 

THIRD QUARTER is off to an exciting start.  As February begins we are looking forward to Valentine’s Day celebrations and the Winter Holiday.  January was a rainy month but nothing can stop the fun and learning at preschool.  Please remember to dress your child appropriately for rainy day play.  Boots, raincoats, and umbrellas are great but don’t forget to bring a change of clothes so that your child may participate fully in all of the day’s activities.  

February Parent Board Meeting – Tuesday, February 26, 7-8PM in room 4

Holidays & Important School Dates:
School is closed for the Winter Break from Saturday, February 16 through Sunday, February 24.  

2008-2009 Multi-Day PRESCHOOL Registration Information:
Pre-registration for 2008-2009 Multi-Day Preschool Classes: Feb. 5 – Feb. 15.  Forms available in Room 4 beginning on Feb. 5.  
Information about class offerings and pre-registration requirements will be distributed in the classroom and through email to all current preschool students on Tuesday, Feb. 5.
Open Registration for 1-Day classes begins on Wednesday, March 19

Book Fair: Each year, Bright Beginnings preschool sponsors a Book Fair.  The dates this year are April 7-11.  A special Family Night event will be held on Tuesday, April 8.  
HELP NEEDED:  Our book fair chairperson, Debbie Smith, is unable to supervise the activities during book fair week.  She will be at home with her new baby.  Lucky for us, she has done an amazing job organizing the fair:  Just check out the website: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/publish/acebrightbeginnings
We need one or more people to step forward to help with the day-to-day running of the fair. This can be mornings only to set up, afternoons only to pack away, etc…we are flexible and willing to work with one or more co-chairs. If you are interested in helping Debbie and the Parent Board, please contact Debbie through the website above or contact Susan Robertson at 522-2743.  

Direct Donation Update:  Congratulations!  We are more than halfway to our goal. To Date, $4,466 has been donated.  We are still accepting donations.  Stop by the office, room 4, and complete your donation form. Thank you so much for your generous support of the Direct Donation Drive.

Parent Workshops:
Reading Basics:  Monday, Feb. 11, 7-9 PM, Room 4C, $15.  
Teach Your Preschooler Math:  Wednesday, Feb. 13, 7-9 pm, Room 4C, $15
We have a few spaces remaining in these two great workshops.  Parents will learn how to facilitate early reading skills or early math skills in their preschooler.  Each parent will leave with information, games, and other activities designed to teach you how to better teach your child.  For more information or to register call the office: 522-2707

 Happy New Year!  The staff at Bright Beginnings wishes you all a very Happy New Year.  We are looking forward to an exciting new quarter with lots of fun activities and projects.  As always, we want to thank you for your continued participation in our parent preschool and gymkids programs.  Parents, teachers, and children working together are what make our program strong.  

January Parent Board Meeting – Tuesday, January 22, 7-8PM in room 4

Food Donations:  Thank you for your generous support of the Holiday Food Drive.  Your donations have been delivered to Sunnyvale Community Services for distribution to needy families.
 
Holidays & Important School Dates:
School is closed for the Mid-Year recess from Saturday, December 22 through Sunday, January 6.  
Second Quarter concludes the week of January 7.  Please check your class schedule to see if you have a class scheduled that week.
Third Quarter begins on Monday, January 14

Holidays:
Martin Luther King Holiday – No classes Monday, January 21
Winter Recess – No school Feb. 18 – Feb. 22

2008-2009 PRESCHOOL Information:
Many of you have been asking about the program for the next school year.  We are in the process of finalizing our classes and staff assignments.  This information will be available at the end of January.  

Reminders: It is exciting that so many of you have made friends and are enjoying preschool.  This is a special time and it is important to nurture these friendships.  Some parents are enjoying going to the park for lunch after class while others are stopping at McDonald’s or Starbucks to meet with friends from school.  Leaving school after your class ends frees up parking spaces for the students who are coming for afternoon classes.  We appreciate your cooperation making these spaces available by promptly leaving after class.  We will be happy to publish additional ideas for meeting places in the next newsletter.

Direct Donation Update:  Thank you so much for your generous support of the Direct Donation Drive.  To Date, $3,706 has been donated.  Donations can be made at any time and forms are available in room 4.

Kidpower Presentation:
Monday, January 7 in the Fremont High School Auditorium from 7-9PM - FREE
This informative presentation will introduce parents to the KIDPOWER approach for introducing and practicing self-protection skills with young people.  For parents and caregivers of younger children, the program answers the question, “How can we teach our children to be safe without scaring them?” Parents will learn methods to improve both the safety and the quality of their children’s interactions with strangers and with people they know.  This workshop can be used for attendance credit.  Please inform your teacher if you attend.

Thank you for your generous support of the Gift of Reading and Holiday Food Drive.  School will be closed from December 22 through January 6.  Have a safe and Happy Holiday.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
The holidays are almost here.  As we look forward to this special season it is important to remember those in our community who are less fortunate.  Bright Beginnings is collecting canned and dry foods for donation to Sunnyvale Community Services through The Holiday Food Drive.  Donations can be dropped of in your classroom or in the office from December 3 – December 14.  Thank you for your generous support of The Gift of Reading book drive.  Because of you, over 300 books were donated.
Best wishes for a happy & safe holiday season.

Holidays
Please check your class schedule and calendar for special dates and activities that your teacher has planned.  
School is Closed from Monday, December 24 – Friday, January 4
School reopens on Monday, January 7.

PARENT BOARD
No December meeting.  The next Parent Board meeting is scheduled for January 22.

In class Pre-registration for Third Quarter Preschool
The office staff will be visiting your classroom the week of December 3- December 7 to confirm your registration for Third Quarter (January 14 through March 17.)  All continuing students will need to confirm their registration by Friday December 7. Please be prepared with the form of payment you would like to use (visa, marstercard, or check.)

Pre-registration for Third Quarter Gym & Specialty Classes
Monday, December 10 from 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM.  Registration forms & drop off Lottery box will be located in the covered area across from Room 4 by the restrooms.  No registration from December 11-December 16.  Phone in registration begins on Monday, December 17.

Sibling Solutions - Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10-noon in room 4C
$10 individual* / $15 couple* (*special discount for Bright Beginning families)
Learn strategies to improve family dynamics and encourage strong family bonds by reducing sibling rivalry.  Increase your understanding of sibling relationships and interactions.  Julie Graham, a licensed psychologist and mother of three, teaches this fun workshop.  Julie will focus on strategies that work with siblings of all ages.  Call 408-522-2707 to register and request the Bright Beginnings student discount.  

Direct Donation Drive
Thank you for your generous donations.  As of Thanksgiving, $1,346 has been donated.  
To date 49 families have contributed.  Donations are still being accepted in Room 4.  As this year ends, please consider a making a donation.  All donations are tax deductible a

The Parent Ed department is collecting non-perishable food for Sunnyvale Community Services from Monday, December 3 through Friday, December 14.  Collection boxes are located in all preschool classrooms, the Parent Ed office in room 4, and in the main office, room 1.  Your generous support of this vital community program is greatly appreciated.

The Parent Ed department is coordinating Book Donations for The San Jose Mercury News "Gift of Reading" holiday book drive.  New books for toddlers through teens are being collected in the Parent Ed office: ACE Room 4.

The Holiday Food Drive begins on Monday, December 3.  Collection boxes will be placed in Room 1, 3, and 4.  Non-perishables only please.  All food collected will be donated to Sunnyvale Community Services Food Bank.