Springer Star Newsletter

September 30th, 2011

In This Issue

Letter from the Principal

Calendar Dates

News and Announcements

Walkathon

Student Extracurricular Activities

Parent Education

Letter from the Principal

Getting Ready  

Experts tell us that it is not if, but when regarding the next big earthquake.  At Springer, we work to be ready for that day.

Last Thursday, we took time to perform a school wide emergency drill, simulating a large earthquake that would cause structural damage to the site.  I’m pleased to report that the staff and students performed very well.  We attempted to simulate all the possibilities that may occur when a good sized tremor hits.  We evacuated kids, accounted for all of them, formed our teams, sent out Search and Rescue to check each room, set up our first aide station, and put our “corral” around the entire student body to assist with student check-out.

To be honest, the student check-out element is the one I worry about most.  We know we evacuate very well (as cited by many neutral observers).  And, I know our First Aid and Search and Rescue teams are up for the task.  But, once all the kids are safe and accounted for, the focus of the day becomes on making sure that the reunification of students with their parents goes smoothly.  

There are some things that parents should be aware of to assist us in this process.  

First, please realize that we CANNOT check your child out to anyone who is not listed on the emergency check out form.  For example, you may want to send your neighbor to pick up your child to get him/her home quickly, but if that neighbor is not listed on our forms as someone who is allowed to retrieve your child, we won’t release the child.  

Secondly, please bring photo ID to the campus when retrieving your child.  While we take great pride in knowing who most of our parents are by facial recognition, we can’t possibly identify them all.  If we do not recognize you as being the parent of the child to pick up, we need to ask for photo ID.  

Lastly, and this is easier said than done, please remain calm and patient when you arrive on campus.  You will be directed to the Student Check Out area.  No doubt, there will be many parents there to pick up their child.  Because we must be systematic in this process, we ask for your patience.  

We all hope never to have to deal with a major earthquake or other emergency.  In reality, we must be prepared for the real possibility.

Quick Dates for your Calendar

October 3rd, 3.15: Site Council meeting (Please note the date change)

October 5th, 8.00: International Walk to School/Crazy Feet Day

October 5th, 8.45: PTA meeting

October 5th: District nurse visit (K, 3rd and 6th grades only)

October 15th: Walkathon

October 31st, 1pm: Annual Costume Parade 

News and Announcements

LAEF:  School is in full swing now and thanks to LAEF,  Grades K-3 are capped at 25 students with library, living garden and art and Grades 4-6 have music, PE, library and even new enrichment programs like Khan Academy and cSTEM. Our children come home happy and inspired but we could not do this without your donation to LAEF.  Our suggested donation is $1,000/child but please give generously at a level comfortable to your family.  100% participation is our goal and we can only reach it if we all work together.

Are you IN?

Please make your tax-deductible donation online today: www.laefonline.org

A Big Springer Thank You!

The miracle is this: the more we share, the more we have. —Leonard Nimoy

Springer knows how true this sentiment is, and we'd like to take a moment to thank some volunteers for their contributions.

Thanks to Elena Baquero and all the library volunteers for helping our new librarian, Valerie Curtis, prepare the library for its much anticipated opening earlier this month.

Thanks to Karey Gutierrez and Diana Rudolph for starting up the Birthday Book Club.  Students with August and September birthdays have been getting their pictures taken and choosing their books.

Thanks to Liz Malone and Donna Murphy, our Room Parent Chairs, and all our Room Parents for helping with Back to School Night and for coordinating and managing classroom volunteers all through the year.

Thanks to Angie McDonald for coordinating parent volunteers for crosswalk duty, pulling valet duty in the drop off lane, and showing us all how to drop off our precious cargo in the safest way!

PTA Meeting, Wednesday, 10/5, at 8:45 am:  Come join us at the next PTA meeting, when Mr. Spenader will speak about Springer's Star Testing Results.k Dates for your Calendar

PTA Bylaws:   The PTA will vote to approve the updated bylaws at the November meeting on Wednesday, 11/2 at 7pm in the Springer Staff room.  A copy of the bylaws is available in the school office for review, and a summary of the revisions is provided here: http://springerschool.net/springeres/4096-PTA-Meetings.html.

Health:  The District Nurses will be doing vision screening at Springer for all Kindergarten, 3rd, and 6th grades on Wednesday, 5 October.  If your child has glasses or contacts, please make sure that they wear them to school on the day of the screening.  The nurse will mail a referral form to the parents of students who do not pass the vision screening.

Volunteering:  Be on the lookout for a Volunteer Interest & Availability Form in your child's Friday folder this week. We prefer that you complete our online version of the form, but if completing the hard copy is easier for you, we'll be collecting them in the office. Your entry is not a commitment! Our goal is to receive a completed form from every Springer family. It's helpful to hear from you even if you are already involved. Tell us about your interests and availability, and help us to make the most of our collected talents!

Walkathon volunteers needed!

Desperately seeking volunteers for the Walkathon to make the day a success. We need exit/entrance monitors, incentives, food, field monitors.  It’s easy, fun, and a great way to meet children and parents! Please join the team and help make the day run smoothly. See the link in the Walkathon section below to sign up.  Thank you!

October 5: International Walk to School and Crazy Feet Day 8:00 AM at Varsity Park

See the Walk to School flyer for more details.

Walkathon

The Springer Walkathon will be

Oceans in Motion!

Saturday, October 15th

The Springer Walkathon is our annual, fun day of fundraising—eliciting nearly 100% participation from Springer students!  A mighty wave of students will surge around the Springer Sea (field) collecting sunken treasures while they earn money for much-needed PTA programs.  Most families stay for the entire event, coming early and leaving late. Don’t miss it—it’s sure to be a WHALE of a walkathon! See the Springer Walkathon webpage for more information.

Volunteer to help! We still need many more!  It’s fun and easy! Please help: you can sign up here: Volunteer Google document.

Donations:  We are collecting donations to help keep down Walkathon costs.  Please drop off any donated cases of bottled water in the office.  We are also requesting small, giveaway toys to be used as incentive prizes:  toys from happy meals, birthday party gift bags etc.  Keep an eye out for collection boxes!

Questions?  See the Registration packet or contact Walkathon co-chairs Karey Gutierrez kareytg[at]gmail.com and Katie Cowley ktcowley[at]yahoo.com.  We’re here to help!

PS Sorry, all extra t-shirts have now been ordered!

Family Dinners Out

Raise money for Springer simply by enjoying dinner out with your family and friends! Springer receives 15-30% back from the restaurants when you dine at their establishments on Springer's selected dates. Takeout orders apply as well! Listed below are the participating restaurants for the months of October and November:

Chef Chu's                            Monday, October 3

Pizza My Heart                    Wednesday, October 19

Fiesta Del Mar                      Monday, October 24

Armadillo Willy's                 Tuesday, November 1

Mountain Mike's Pizza             Every Thursday and Sunday

Flyers are available in the school office, Abracadabra and the Springer website.

Questions? Contact Linda McCartney at LM28476@yahoo.com.

Student Extracurricular Activities

Jump for the Arts Oct. 2

Calling all Los Altos elementary school families!  You’re invited to participate in a "Jump for the Arts" Flash Mob. Come show your school pride and celebrate the Arts on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 1:30 pm at the Los Altos Fall Festival in downtown Los Altos.  Students from all Los Altos schools will dance to the Glee version of "Jump." Please arrive between 1:00 and 1:15 and wear your school t-shirt. You can learn the dance at home by watching the instructional videos on YouTube.

This community-wide event is being hosted by Starting Arts (www.startingarts.com) and is open to all Los Altos elementary students and their friends & family.  

SSSSHHHHH!  Remember this is intended to be a surprise event.

Questions? Please call Starting Arts at 408-492-9022.

Watch and learn the moves to the Starting Arts "Jump" flash mob: http://www.startingarts.com/content/view/103

We look forward to seeing you at this exciting community-wide event.

Youth Drama for All (YDFA) presents 2011-12 Drama Classes!  

First meeting Thursday, October 6, 2011 from 6:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. at Gardner Bullis Elementary multi, 25890 West Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills.

For more information, please email Stacy at stacy0228[at]yahoo.com

After School Fall Soccer - MVLA

Wednesdays 9/28 - 11/2 at Springer.  See the Fall soccer flyer for details.

Academic Chess at Springer

All levels welcome.  Thursdays 2.30–3.30. See the Chess Flyer for more details.

Math Olympiad—Sports for the Mind! 

Interested in fun, innovative, and challenging math problems? Fridays after school, Springer will host after school Math Olympics for Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade students.

Start Friday 9/30 Time: 2:50–3:40

Friday 9/30 will be an introductory class for new students to try the class and for returning students to practice problem solving. Registration for the rest of the year will follow the introductory class.

Parent Education

An Evening with Peggy Orenstein, Thursday, October 6th, 7pm, Los Altos High School Eagle Theatre.   For more details: English flyer and Spanish flyer