Springer Star Newsletter

November 11th, 2011

In This Issue

Calendar Dates

News and Announcements

Student Extracurricular Activities

Community Activities

Quick Dates for your Calendar

November 11: Veteran’s Day - no school

November 16: 7.30-8.30a.m. Tech Committee meeting

November 16: Family Dinner Out, Pizza My Heart

November 17: Family Dinner Out, Chevys

November 18: Coffee with the Principal

November 21-22: Parent Conferences – no School

November 23-25: Thanksgiving Break – no School

News and Announcements

LAEF:  We are proud to announce that we have met our challenge grant of $140k!  Thanks to all of you who donated by 11/1!  Donations to date total $1million but we still have a long way to go towards our $2.35 million dollar goal for this school year.  If you made a pledge at the phonathon, please send in your donation.   Check with your employer about matching--this is "free money" for our children.

The 2011-2012 Springer directories are in!   A big shout out to Kathy Thompson for putting the whole thing together!  The directories went home in last week's Friday Folders to families who signed up for a PTA membership.   It is not too late join the PTA and get a directory!  Hardcopy forms are available in the front office, in the PTA "Back To School" cubby.  Extras are available for purchase to PTA members in the office for $5.

PTA Updates: At this month’s PTA meeting, we approved the updated Springer PTA Bylaws and ratified Paul Steffen as Auditor for the 2011-12 fiscal year.  Then speakers from all of the Fine Arts programs at Springer presented their offerings. Slides and information from the presentations are available online:

• Overview

• Starting Arts Music and Dance instruction for K-3rd grade

• LASD Vocal and Instrumental Instruction for 4th-6th grade

• LASD Art Docent Program for K-6th grade

• CSMA Arts 4 Schools Program for 1st-6th grade (Mrs. Bella)

Springer PTA funds CSMA Arts 4 Schools (with partial payment from City of Mountain View) and fully funds the Starting Arts program at Springer.  LAEF fully funds the Art Docents and the LASD Music Instruction.

For more online information about PTA Meetings, see the PTA Meetings page.

Holiday Cards Fundraiser: We are happy to announce that Tiny Prints and an anonymous donor have offered to donate 25% of total proceeds to LAEF for all holiday cards ordered through http://www.tinyprints.com/storefront/laef.  All the cards will have "Benefiting Los Altos Educational Foundation" on the back. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to send beautiful, personalized cards to your family and friends while helping our schools at the same time.  

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 remainder of November:

Pizza My Heart                     Wednesday, November 16

Chevy’s                                Thursday, November 17

Mountain Mike's Pizza         Every Thursday and Sunday

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

Questions? Contact Lara Rahn at lara.rahn[at]yahoo.com or Linda McCartney at lm28476[at]gmail.com

WANTED: Yard Duty Aide- Springer is currently looking for a person who can become our next paid Yard Duty aide.  This is a fun and rewarding job that starts at 11:45am and finishes at 12:45pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays only.  Candidates should love interacting with kids and the rewards are many.  Training is provided.  Once hired, fingerprinting is required.  If you know of someone who would make a great yard duty aide, please have them contact Mr. Spenader.  Position begins immediately.

Student Extracurricular Activities

Noontime Art Club could use any extra pine cones Springer Families might have around the yard for December Art Projects. Please bring them to the donation bin in the quad or the office. Thank you! The Art Club Team.

Girls on the Run: 3rd-6th grade girls, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00-4:20pm for 10 weeks beginning the week of March 5th. The girls will train at the school twice weekly for a 5k run/walk event to be held on Saturday, May 19th in Vasona Park, Los Gatos. Registration will be ONLINE ONLY and will open on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1st at 7:00am.

See the  flyer for more details.

Mountain View - Los Altos Girls Softball League - Registration opens November 1 and runs through December 15, with an early bird discount until November 8.  All girls age 5 - 16 (including new players!) are welcome – no experience necessary.   See the  flyer or Register at www.mvlags.org.

Mandarin Chinese Language After School Program for grades 1-4

This program has been developed specifically for children by Yan Shi, a Springer parent!  The class is designed as an introduction to the Mandarin language and will be offered to students in grades 1 – 4.  Registration will be accepted until November 18th.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 29 – February 14, in the Springer library.

Grades 1-3:  2:30-3:30 pm

Grade 4:  2:45-3:30 pm

Tuition costs: $320 ($20 per class: includes materials)

See the  Flyer for more details

LA-MV PONY BASEBALL UPCOMING REGISTRATION

Registration opens November 1, for the 2012 season.  LA-MV PONY is for boys and girls aged 5-19. For more details, see the

Pony Baseball Flyer

Community Activities

The Los Altos High School Marching Band and Color Guard will be performing their award winning show, "Forbidden" this Saturday, November 12 at 11:00am at the annual Fall Finale. The show narrates a story of forbidden love through stunning music, marching, and props and is a great opportunity to see the Marching Band and Color Guard perform for FREE at the LAHS football field.

Spectators will have the chance to go on the field after the show to see what it's like to be in a marching band. Come early to browse the music marketplace, which will include a silent auction, bake sale, holiday plant sale, and photo booth

Identifying and Supporting Learning Differences  

Wednesday, Nov 16, 2011,  9-11am.  

Hospitality begins at 8:45am.  

Covington Elementary School Multi

This workshop by Beth Powell of the Reading Clinic will cover the warning signs of a child who is having difficulties with learning to read, understanding what is read, and developing as a writer. Ways to recognize and support weakness in these areas will be presented. The connections between reading and writing difficulties will also be discussed.

This parent education event is sponsored by the SELPA 1 CAC (www.selpa1cac.org)  All of our events are free and open to anyone who feels they might benefit.  No registration is necessary.