Springer Star Newsletter

February 10th, 2012

In This Issue

Calendar Dates

Principal’s Letter

News and Announcements

Student Extracurricular Activities

Parent Education

How to Submit an Article to the Springer Star Newsletter

Quick Dates for your Calendar

Feb 15, 7:30am: Tech Committee Meeting

Feb 15, 8:45am: PTA Mid Year Budget Review

Feb 28, 9:00am and Feb 29, 1.15am: Blach School Tours

March 2, 6-8pm: Girl’s Night Out!

March 7: Project Cornerstone Speaker: LASD Superintendent, Jeff Baier

March 13: Science-o-rama

March 19-23: Book Fair

March 24: Springer Auction

April 28: Junior Olympics

Principal’s Letter

Science Faire is coming!

Tuesday, March 13th is the annual Springer Science-o-Rama.  This science expo is open to all students grades K through 6th.  

Last week, students watched videos explaining the science faire and the scientific process.  We encouraged students to pick a subject within science that they have a strong interest in.  The next step is to form a hypothesis and then set out to prove the hypothesis.  Students display their work on presentation boards that will be provided to them when they turn in their registration form.  Students should return their registration form to the table in the quad on either Feb. 16th or 17th.  There, they will receive the cardboard presentation board used to display their research and experiment.  The registration form, as well as a handbook explaining the details, is available on the Springer website.

The goal is to get kids jazzed about science and all the possibilities that the field contains.  It's also a goal to have students use the scientific method when conducting their experiments.  

The Science-o-Rama is open to the public on the evening of March 13th from 6pm-8pm.  Students and parents are welcomed to tour the exhibit to view their classmate's work.  Each year, I come away impressed with the work from Springer's budding scientists.  

For more information, please contact me at wspenader@lasdschools.org.

News and Announcements

Library News:   Ms. Curtis has resigned her position as Springer's librarian, and we wish her well.   We are currently searching for a new librarian to support the Springer library program.   In the meantime, library will be open to students for lunch and recess by utilizing a substitute teacher until a new librarian his hired.  If you know of a person who would be a good candidate for this position, please encourage them to investigate the position by visiting the Los Altos School District's web site or clicking here.

Springer's 2012 Auction's Sunset on the Serengeti: March 24, 2012

The official deadline to submit your completed Community Donation Form is tomorrow, February 10th! We have a lot of wonderful verbal commitments but need your completed donation forms ASAP so that we have adequate time to prepare the auction catalog. If you are planning a party or event, please be sure to also specify the date on your form. Or, you may decide to determine the exact date with the winner(s), if applicable.  Community Donation form

If you miss tomorrow's deadline, no worries! We will, of course, still accept donations and do all possible to include your items/parties in the auction catalog. Anything that doesn't make it into the catalog will be included in an addendum sheet, which will be available for viewing at the auction event.  If you are still looking for Community Donation ideas, please visit Auction Donation Ideas.

We also need your help in soliciting Business Donations! It's not too late! Take a Business Letter and Business Donation Form to local businesses and ask for donations! Please visit the "Auction Info" table between 8am-830am Tuesdays and Thursdays (in the assembly area) to pick up the forms. Or click on the links below to print the forms.

Business Donor form          Business Ad form

AUCTION TICKET SALES: If you haven't already purchased tickets to attend the auction, you're in luck!  Auction tickets are available for purchase now! Please visit the "Auction Info" table between 8am-830am Tuesdays and Thursdays (in the assembly area) to pick up a ticket purchase form. The cost is $50 per person and payment is by check or cash only. Submit your completed form and your payment in the auction cubbie (located in the school office). Kinder parents....please look for us in the kinder area next Wednesday morning during drop-off. The forms will also be available in the school office and at Abracadabra.

Auction Night Babysitting Service: Brandie at Abracadabra is now accepting applications for their Auction's Parent's Night Out babysitting service. Space is limited to the first 75 kids so hurry and reserve your spot by completing the application and waiver form now!

Questions? Please contact Linda McCartney (LM28476@gmail.com) or springerauction@gmail.com.

PTA News

Our next PTA Meeting will be Wednesday, February 15, at 8:45AM.  Topics for discussion are:

- Site Council Survey/Facilities Improvements

- BCS/LASD Parent Initiative

- PTA Mid-Year Budget Review

This is sure to be a very important and informative meeting.  It's a great opportunity to let us hear your perspectives on PTA Activities, Programs, and Expenditures.  We hope you will join us.

See the full agenda.

JUNIOR OLYMPICS IS COMING!

Who?  4th-6th graders in Los Altos School District

When? Saturday, April 28th, 2012

Where?  Mountain View High School

Junior Olympics is a wonderful tradition in the Los Altos School District.  For the last 51 years

students and their families have gathered for a day of fun, food and good spirited competition.

4th, 5th and 6th grade families: in last week’s Friday folders, 2/3, there was some important information regarding this year's JO.  Please make sure you read it.  There is also a link on the Springer Website under extracurricular.  Scroll down to Junior Olympics for links to documentation and pertinent information.

Mark your calendars and see you there,

Springer JO Committee

Leslie Bosset, Andrew Towell, Wendy Sarathy, and Christa Kidwell

Blach Intermediate School Tours:

Blach Intermediate School will be hosting school tours for parents on February 28 at 9:00 AM and on February 29 at 1:15 PM.  During the tour, we will discuss the Blach program as well as visit some classrooms on campus.  

Project Cornerstone Lessons at Springer School

This month's Project Cornerstone lessons were introduced by Blach Principal, Leslie Crane.  Our books are about Ruby Bridges and this month there are different books for our upper and lower grades.  Most months all 1-6 graders read the same book and our Kinders have their own book series.  Lessons begin with the story and then involve activities and discussion customized for the different grade levels.  The skits and activities are based on actual events that students or staff have shared with our Project Cornerstone team so the discussions lead by your class' docent reflect life at Springer school.  Details on each month's lesson are included in the parent letter your docent sends out to your class and include vocabulary, social skills/tools, and the name and author of the books read.

The remainder of our Guest Presenter Series includes:

Wednesday, March 7: LASD Superintendent, Jeff Baier

Wednesday, April 4: The Starting Seniors from Mountain View High School's Varsity Lacrosse Team (LASD alumni)

Tuesday, May 1: Mountain View Fire Chief, Bradley Wardle and Fire Fighter Crew from Cuesta/Grant Station

Please let us know if you have any questions about lessons or speakers.

Fondly,

Lara Daetz and Tina Klaassen

Springer 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 establishment on Springer's selected dates. Takeout orders qualify as well! Listed below is a list of participating restaurants and the applicable dates during the 2011-2012 school year. Please present the restaurant flyers/coupons* to ensure Springer gets the credit. Enjoy!!

Mountain Mike's Pizza      (1724 Miramonte Ave, MV): Every Thursday & Sunday

Chevy's                               (2116 El Camino Real, MV): Every 3rd Thursday of Month

Armadillo Willy's                 (1031 San Antonio Rd, LA): February 12

Pizza My Heart                   (El Camino @ El Monte): February 27, June 6

Flyers are available in the office, Abracadabra and online via the Star newsletter.

Questions? Contact Contact Lara Rahn at lara.rahn[at]yahoo.com

Student Extracurricular Activities

Enrollment Now Underway for ScholarKids, Summer 2012

ScholarKids is a high-energy, intellectually stimulating summer enrichment program for incoming 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders.  Classes will be held at Egan Junior High from June 18 - July 13.  Signups are online at www.scholarkids.net .  If you have questions, please email  scholarkids@me.com or call 408-203-9946.  ScholarKids is endorsed by the Los Altos School District.

Spartans Sports Camp offers multi-sport, week-long sessions for boys and girls in grades 3-5 as well as sport-specific sessions for grades 6 - 9. There are also strength and conditioning camps for grades 6-12. Run by Mountain View High School coaches and student-athletes,

Spartans Sports Camp provides a unique opportunity for future MVHS students to become acquainted with the programs they want to participate in. All proceeds benefit the MVHS Athletic Department.

For registration information, please visit our web site at www.SpartansSportsCamp.com or call 650.479.5906.         .

Camps begin June 11th and run weekly through July 27th at Mountain View High School.

We look forward to seeing you this summer!

CTC Summer Theatre Conservatory 2012: Programs for Ages 5-14

California Theatre Center is a professional, non-profit theatre company specializing in plays for young audiences. The Summer Theatre Conservatory program is taught by CTC’s professional actor/teachers.

Core Conservatory is a full day theatre workshop for students ages 8 and up who are interested in developing their theatre skills. A Conservatory day runs from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. In the morning, Conservatory focuses on classes in acting, voice, and movement. The skills students learn in class will then be applied to afternoon rehearsals for a show that will be presented publicly on the last two days.

Junior Conservatory is a half-day program for 5 to 8 year olds. Students are introduced to the concept of making plays and present their short play to family members on the final day of Conservatory. Whether in Core or Junior Conservatory, students learn a great deal about what it takes to make great theatre!

For more details including costs, dates and locations, click here.

For further information, visit the CTC website www.ctcinc.org, or email education@ctcinc.org or call (408) 245-2979.

Los Altos KidzAdventures (LAKA) summer school program for grades K – 4 will be held at a NEW LOCATION: Gardner Bullis School in Los Altos from June 18 - July 13. Two classes are available for each two week session from 8:30 AM  - 12:00 PM. Only $175 per class per session.  See our web site www.lakakidz.com for class descriptions and registration.

Experienced teachers, who have been trained in the developmental needs of young students, have designed these classes.

A variety of classes are offered: Young Chefs, Computers, Outrageous Outdoor Games, Magnificent Machines, Art, Lively Ink, Math Masters,Writing Workshop, Mysterious World, Robotics, and more! In four weeks your child can take 4 different classes.  For the Pre-K child, Skills for Kindergarten class is being offered. If your 1st grader needs more support in reading and writing, a 4 week class is available. LAKA is endorsed by the Los Altos School district.

Parent Education

Miss Representation

FilmScreening and Panel Discussion

Ever wonder how to start that conversation with your kids about what they are seeing on TV, movies, and even commercials?  The media portrays all kinds of messages - especially about how women and girls are portrayed.

You’re invited to a FREE screening of ‘Miss Representation’, followed by a thought-provoking Parents Place/JFCS discussion panel.

About the film:

‘Miss Representation’ (90 min; TV-14 DL) uncovers how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America.  Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, entertainers, activists and academics, like Condoleeza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective.

For: Adults Only

Date: Tuesday, May 15

Time: 6.30-8.30 PM

Fee: Free - RSVP required

Location: Schultz Cultural Arts Hall

Contact: Rebecca Y.Siegel

               (650) 223-8605

                rsiegel@paloaltojcc.org

Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs

Hear Ellen Galinsky, Best-Selling Author and Co-Founder of the Families and Work Institute, talk about her new best-selling book Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs (Harper Collins, 2010).

Mountain View High School, 3535 Truman Ave, Mountain View

Time: Thursday, Mar 15th, 2012, 7:00PM — 9:00PM

No Charge.         Register at http://ellengalinskymvla.eventbrite.com/

The Case for Make Believe

Dr. Susan Linn

February 15th, 2012

6:30 pm Community Reception

7:00pm Presentation followed by Book Signing

Christ Episcopal Church - Parish Hall

1040 Border Road, Los Altos

Dr. Linn is an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and Co-founder and Director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. She lectures internationally on the influence of technology and media on childhood play and what we can do to protect it.  She is the author of The Case for Make Believe: Saving Play in a Commercialized World .

Suggested Donation: $10 per person at the door

RSVP: http://saveplay.eventbrite.com

Call for Participants – Children’s Dream Research

Does your child have vivid or unusual dreams? Cindy Sauln, a doctoral student who is a psychology intern at Springer School from Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC), is conducting her dissertation research with children ages 8 through 11 years (3rd through 5th grade) about their significant or meaningful dreams, which may also appear as nightmares. With parental approval, the research will consist of an interview and 2 short questionnaires, and all information will be treated confidentially, with no identifying names of children or families included in the final report. All parents who might allow their children to participate are invited to view more about this research and the researcher in the attached flyer.

How To Submit an Article to the Springer Star

Please send your submission to the editor at springer_star@yahoo.com by noon on Monday for inclusion in the next edition. All flyers must be in either WORD or PDF format, accompanied by a brief summary of the activity in the email.

Late arrivals will be included if possible but can’t be guaranteed!