Springer Star Newsletter

March 9th, 2012

In This Issue

Calendar Dates

News and Announcements

Student Extracurricular Activities

Parent Education

How to Submit an Article to the Springer Star Newsletter

Quick Dates for your Calendar

March 13: Science-o-rama

March 19-23: Book Fair

March 21, 6-8pm: Book Fair Family Picnic

March 22: MINIMUM DAY (12:15 1-6; 11:35 K)

March 24: Springer Auction

March 30: Coffee with the Principal

April 5: Open House

April 6: MINIMUM DAY

April 9-12: SPRING BREAK

April 28: Junior Olympics

News and Announcements

MINIMUM DAY: March 22  Please make a note on your calendar!  The day ends at 12:15 for 1-6 grades; 11:35 for all kindergarten classes.

LAEF News: Each year, the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) Board of Directors partners with the Los Altos School District (LASD) to budget for enrichment programs for the coming school year. The LAEF Board needs your input as we enter into the 2012-13 budgeting cycle.  You should have received an email with a link to our annual survey.  Please contact us at "laef@att.net" if you have not received this email.

Your feedback is critical and will be used to make funding decisions for programs at your child’s school like Art, Music, Library, PE, Junior High Electives and Class Size Reduction.  This survey is your chance to provide your opinion about LAEF funded programs so that we can decide how best to invest our funds to improve the education of our children.  Thank you for your participation!

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

SPRINGER BOOK FAIRE March 19th-23rd in the Springer Multi.  

Aloha Community members,

“Springer Book Fair Luau” preparations are underway! This year’s Book Fair features a Family Picnic Wednesday, March 21, from 6-8 pm, by the Multi.  After shopping for scholastic books, listening to our own hoku Mrs. Ingram read a story, and attempting the hula-hoop contest, let's picnic together Luau-style!  Purchase dinner off the "MoBowl" and IZ-IT food trucks.  Look for pineapple rice, slow-cooked pork, "Spam Musubi," and other Hawaiian-style delicacies on the menu. Let's celebrate Spring, not having to cook dinner, and the joys of reading!

See the flyer for more details.

Questions, please call/text Karen at 415-297-5852.

Hot Lunch volunteer opportunity on Fridays

The Hot Lunch team is looking for a server to join the crew on the following Fridays:

3/16, 3/30, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25

If you're interested and available, please contact Hilary Burcell (hilary[at]burcell.com) or Anita Leo (amleo73[at]yahoo.com).

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

AUCTION TICKET SALES:

Do not miss your chance to attend the Springer party of the year! We have an exciting, fun-filled night planned, so mark your calendars and buy your tickets now! Click here to access and print the Auction ticket purchase form. You can also pick up a form from the school office or visit the "Auction Info" table in the assembly area. The cost is $50 per person and includes entrance to the Elks, dinner buffet, no-host bar, live music, dancing and, of course, the chance to bid on some fabulous items, service and parties via the silent and live auction activities! Submit your completed form and your payment in the auction cubbie (located in the school office). Payment is by check only.

AUCTION NIGHT BABYSITTING SERVICE: There are still spots available for Abracadabra's Parents Night Out service during the night of the auction! Reserve your spot before they run out! Submit your application and waiver form directly to Brandy at Abra ASAP.

AUCTION DONATIONS UPDATE:

Due to our wonderful Springer Community and business partners, we have 320+ fantastic items and/or parties available for your bidding pleasure! Thanks to everyone for your support and commitment to help keep Springer a top-notch school for our kids! Although the deadline to make it into the auction catalog has passed, we will, of course, still accept donations. Those items will be placed in an addendum to the catalog onsite at the Elks. Community Donation form

Still looking for a few Auction Night volunteers!

Thanks to those who have already signed up to work during the auction. These are key jobs that help us make the night a success. We are still looking to fill a few jobs:

Registration tables (7-8:00) - 3 slots

Registration tables (8-8:30) - 2 slots

Auditors (8-8:30 or 8:30-9) - 2 slots

Live auction spotters (9:15) - 5 slots

Check out (10:00) - 4 slots

These can be filled by anyone, whether or not you're attending the auction, so please consider signing up!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlOaTnkwSh4ndFFDcy1FMTVZaEFhNnY3UmJaRUowSVE

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

JUNIOR OLYMPICS UPDATE – APRIL 28th

On 3/9, we had our Junior Olympics kick-off assembly for the 4th, 5th and 6th grade students.  It is so fun to see how excited the kids are for this fabulous event coming up on April 28th.  We reminded them that PE training for this day starts on Monday, March 12th.  Please help your kids remember to wear appropriate PE attire, like running shoes and comfortable clothing.   Also, please remember to stress to your children that this is a fun filled day of friendly competition, camaraderie and good sportsmanship.  All seven school in the district come together to compete in "track-like" events.  It's about participating, having fun and being with your friends from across the district.  Please mark your calendars and be sure to be a part of the fun.  Green Springer JO t-shirts orders have been extended until 3/12.  Please make sure your child has one of these shirts.  It's mandatory to participate in the event.  We do have some loaner shirts, so contact us if you'd like to borrow a shirt.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Springer JO representatives.

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

LASD Student Film Festival

This year we will have the first ever district-wide student film festival.  The LASD Student Film Festival is designed to showcase and celebrate the creative works of our students using video technology to cooperatively construct film.  These films can be the endeavor of a classroom assignment or an independent venture of a student.  In fact, all of the projects must be an original, student-created film.  All LASD students, grade K through grade 8 are eligible to enter films.  Student films may be submitted between February 27 and April 6.  Winners will be chosen and notified by May 3.  Student participants and winners will be recognized at the LASD Film Festival on May 4.  The LASD Student film festival is being planned and implemented by Santa Rita’s sixth grade classes as a part of a project based learning activity.  For more information on submission guidelines please visit  www.lasdfilmfestival.org

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: www.entourageyearbooks.com

Due to some problems with the general upload function, you will need to login to upload pictures.  Please use:

Username: springer

Password:  springer

Thanks!!  Let me know if you have any questions or problems.

- Michelle Koblas   mrkoblas[at]gmail.com

Springer Day at the San Jose Giants: Mark Your Calendar!

Continue a Springer tradition with Springer Day at the San Jose Giants, Saturday May 12th. A Springer student will throw out the first pitch (auction item) and the Springer Singers will sing! Join in the fun!  More details in future editions of the Springer Star!

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

Pizza My Heart                   (El Camino @ El Monte): 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

SUMMER 2012 SPORTS CAMP

Learn Fundamentals that will raise your performance level in Baseball, Basketball, Softball, Soccer, Track & Field, Tennis, Water Polo, Football & Volleyball

Camps are led by Mountain View High School coaches and student athletes!

Multi-Sport Camps Grades 3 – 5

Sport Specific Camps Grades 6 – 9

Strength & Conditioning Camps Grades 6 - 12

One Week Sessions June 11th – July 27th. Camp Hours: 9:00am – 3:00 pm.

Conveniently located at Mountain View H.S.

Registration is available at www.SpartansSportsCamp.com and early registration discount ends March 15th.  See flyer for more details.

Youth Drama for All’s (YDFA) cast of youth, ranging from kindergarten through high school, will be performing Saturday, March 10, 2012 in “New York, New York” at Gardner Bullis School, 25890 Fremont Road,  Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.  This year’s production will hail in YDFA’s fifth season. YDFA is an inclusive drama group open to all youth in special and general ed classes.  Purchase tickets online at http://ydfanyny.eventbrite.com (small fee applies) or via Sue Voiss at sweetvoiss@yahoo.com or 650-965-0409.  Tickets $5.00 each (4 and under free) and proceeds will go to the Los Altos Individualized Education PTA. Show starts at 2:30 p.m., doors open at 2:10 p.m.

It’s coming!  It’s The 13th Annual Run for Zimbabwe Orphans and Fair on Sunday April 1, 2012 at St. Joseph School, 1120 Miramonte Ave., in Mountain View from noon to 4 p.m. sponsored by The Sustainable Living Foundation (501c3) of Los Altos, Ca.  Come enjoy a day of African games, art, food and culture!  Dance to the beat of the bands, Sadza and Chinyakare  Ensemble!  Admission to the fair is free.  This event is for the entire family with finisher ribbons for everyone.

The races:   220 yards for pre-school; ½ mile for kindergarten; one mile races for grades 1-8, high school and adults.  11 races in all!

Three ways to sign up to run:

#1. Log on to SLF’s web site: www.ZimbabweParaguay.org The entry fee is $5.

#2. Log on to Active.com

#3. Sign up at the run.  First race starts at 1 p.m. sharp.        

To exhibit art:  Kids in pre-school through high school,  bring your art between 10 a.m. and noon to St. Joseph School on April 1 & retrieve by 4 p.m.  Art must pertain to Africa.

T-shirts:  Optional purchase at the run for $12 each.

Shoe Drive:  Bring those gently used shoes for FootStock.

The primary goals:  To inspire kids to stay fit and help others. Raise funds for the orphanage, Makumbi Children’s Home.

Ellen & Bill Clark, The Sustainable Living Foundation, 501c3            

DezignKidz Summer Camp 2012 registration is open!

DezignKidz, a fun, locally-run program for aspiring designers (which made its debut at Springer 4 summers ago) returns to the LASD with even more options for creative kids:

3 levels of Fashion Dezign, including new Fashion Dezign 3 for middle school fashion mavens, Accessory Dezign and brand new this year, Interior Dezign. "Dezigners" will  turn their ideas from sketches into  completed garments, accessories or home decor items.  

Week-long programs run 6/18-6/22, 6/25-6/29, 7/9-7/13 and 7/16-7/20 and will be held at Covington School.

Sign up online at www.dezignkidz.com or call 650 346-5896.

MVLA Soccer Club is proud to offer soccer after school every Wednesdays, 2:45pm - 3:30pm for grades 1 - 3. Classes start 3/7 and end 4/4. The fee for the entire session is $25.00. The curriculum is created by Albertin Montoya, MVLA's Director of Coaching, and current US U17 Women's National Team coach. Registration and class details can be found on www.mvlasc.org (click on After School Program details).

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.

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.

TGA, Premier Junior Golf is bringing the golf course to your school! TGA is the only national at-school, after school golf enrichment program. TGA provides ALL equipment so students need to bring nothing but a smile to each class. Students learn all aspects of golf, from swing fundamentals to the game’s rules, etiquette and life values, while advancing through a 5 Level Program. The TGA program helps build life values through educational concepts that include Math, English, Science, and History. Students starting in the Yellow Level will receive a TGA Hat, TGA Hat Pin, and a TGA Workbook. The class is held in a fun, safe and nurturing environment that builds confidence, focus, motor skills, and self esteem.

Classes for Springer will be held on Tuesdays, Feb. 28, Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27, Apr. 3 after-school from 2:30pm-3:30pm (1-5) and 3:10pm-4:10pm (K). The cost is $119.00 tuition + $20.00 facility fee for 6 weeks and students will be grouped by age and ability levels. For more information and to-register please see attached flyer or visit our website at www.golftga.com/peninsulavalley or call us today at (760) 295-6622.   

Parent Education

Parent Education Opportunities Available through the Palo Alto JCC

“Parenting as Partners: What to Do When Mom and Dad Disagree” Thursday, March 8

Parenting Matters with Zvi Weiss Mondays, February 27-April 2

Study Skills: Working Smarter, Not Harder Thursday, May 3

Miss Representation - Film Screening & Panel Discussion Tuesday, May 15

http://www.paloaltojcc.org/youth-family/parent-education/

For more information or to RSVP for a program click on the link.

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!