Springer Star Newsletter

February 17th, 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

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

February 29, 5.30pm: Boys Night Out!

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

The Green Team is here!

One of the great pieces of feedback we received from last December's Site Council Survey was that parents would like Springer to do more with recycling.  This sentiment, to make Springer more green, has been expressed to me on several occasions.  What we really needed was someone to spearhead the effort.  By coincidence, a Springer parent, Beth Wolff, came to me with the gung-ho attitude  that we needed about doing something about our recycling efforts.  Thanks to Beth, and our students, Springer has begun an aggressive program to recycle more and trash less.  

The results, after just a few weeks, have been impressive.  Where we used to fill 13 trash cans full of "trash" at the end of lunch, we now only fill one! That's an incredibly small amount for 450 students (1st-6th).    What does not go in the trash gets recycled, from recyclable plastics, paper, and foil.   Additionally, students now know that uneaten, unopened food scraps can be placed in orange buckets located at our recycling station, to be composted by the city of Los Altos.  There are bins for uneaten, unopened food (previously thrown away) and bins for unopened and unused napkins and condiments.  

To what do we owe our success?

1.      •.  Our hot lunch provider, Kid Chow gets most of the credit. They deliver 99% garbage-free lunches. Almost everything is commercially compostable or recyclable. All their “plastics” are cellulose- (plant) based and will compost in a commercial composting program.

2.       • There are so many students who are voluntarily and eagerly helping in the effort.  These “Responsibility Rangers” are quick learners and are teaching other students what goes where.

3.       •. It only takes 10-15 seconds! Students quickly learn it's easy and fast to separate their recyclables before they go out to play.

4.       • Our parent volunteer, Beth Wolff is supervising and training the kids and also she is bringing a 96-gallon compost bin to school once a week for the organics and compostables.

How can you help?

1.       A large number of petroleum-based plastic sandwich bags (ziplocs, etc.)  go in the trash at Springer and thus end up in landfills and oceans. As a first step, we would like to target those bags and ultimately create home-packed 99% garbage-free lunches. If anyone would like to buy a box of compostable sandwich and snack bags, please email beth.wolff[at]yahoo.com or pop in the Office and Connie will sell a box to you.  Or, buy on Amazon, “If You Care” brand unbleached snack and sandwich bags. If you plan to pack something juicy in the bag, you can order “Natural Value” brand unbleached wax bags.

2.     2. If anyone can pop over for a quick 30 minutes during lunch to oversee the process, Mother Nature will thank you and bless you with lots of flowers this summer. And once the process becomes automatic to the students, less and less supervision will be needed. This is a large undertaking and we could use some additional help to make this effort sustainable.  

Note that only 27% of all plastics actually get recycled. The rest are in landfills and oceans. Springer students are already making a MAJOR difference, please join the effort..

News and Announcements

LAEF: GOOD News: 7 out of 10 LASD families have already donated to LAEF this year!

GREAT News: An anonymous community donor has pledged $1,000 for every 100 families that donate in February and March.

Please contribute ANY AMOUNT that's right for your budget and you'll help us earn their entire $6,000 donation.

Are you IN? Go online today a www.laefonline.net

Are you being safe?  You are not if you are speeding through the parking lot, going the wrong way down the parking lot, performing a u-turn on Rose Ave, or anything that is illegal or dangerous.  Not only are you not being safe, but you are also setting a poor example for our students.  Remember: parking lot safety is everyone's responsibility.

Springer Yearbook needs your Pictures!

The yearbook team is collecting pictures for the yearbook and we need your help.  If you have any pictures of school or classroom activities, please upload them to our yearbook site at:

yearbooks.

Password:  springer

Thanks for your help!  Let us know if you have any questions or problems.

Michelle Koblas & Feng Zhou

mrkoblas[at]gmail.com, 650-575-6948

Boys’ Night Out is coming!

Wednesday, February 29th at 5:30 pm, 2880 Mead Ave, Santa Clara…boys and dads, come jump at Sky High Sports (the trampoline place) for Leap Year!!   Pizza and beverages will be served.

$20 per person, K-6 welcome! (Please make any checks out to Springer PTA)

Questions, call Dani Thompson @ 650.947.9445 or email thethompsons99[at]yahoo.com  

Springer Girls Night Out Potluck & Painting

March 2, 2012

Mountain View’s Fireworks Ceramics

Springer Multi

6:00pm – 8:00

$20 per person ($5 for dinner only)         See flyer for more details

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

 A huge THANK YOU to everyone that has already submitted a donation to the auction! There was an outpouring of generosity to meet our deadline last Friday and we are so appreciative of your support and commitment to help keep Springer a top-notch school for our kids! If you missed last week's deadline, no worries! We will still accept donations! In fact, we encourage you to keep 'em coming as we still need more . Just complete the online Community Donation form

If you are still looking for Community Donation ideas, please visit Auction Donation Ideas.

 And, we are also still accepting Business Donations! It's not too late! Take a Business Letter and Business Donation Form to local businesses and ask for donations! The forms are available online below for you to print and deliver or you can refer them directly to the auction page in the Springer website (Springerschool.net).

Business Donor form          Business Ad form

AUCTION TICKET SALES: 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 Wednesday mornings 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!

Auction Night Volunteers Needed! If you are looking for a way to get involved, but can't commit to a daily or weekly project, we can still use your help on the night of the auction (one night only)!

Please check out our Volunteer SignUp sheet and sign up to help in the areas that interests you.

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

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.  

JUNIOR OLYMPICS IS COMING!

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

When? Saturday, April 28th, 2012

Where?  Mountain View High School

Reminder - Springer JO t-shirts orders are due by Friday, Feb 17th.  To order go to the Springer Website, click under ‘extracurricular’, scroll down to Junior Olympics and click on there.  Also, please let us know if you can help out with JO PE training starting March 12th.  We need parents from the 4th, 5th and 6th grade classes to help Jay Heeb get our kids ready for the big day.  Contact Wendy Sarathy at wsarathy[at]yahoo.com if you can help out for 1/2 hour or so.

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.

Academic Chess at Springer: Thursdays 2.30-3.30, starting March 1.  See flyer for details.

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/

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!