Springer Star Newsletter

March 30th, 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

March 30, 8.45am: Coffee with the Principal (No PTA office hours)

April 4, 8.45am: PTA meeting

April 5: Open House

April 6: MINIMUM DAY

April 9-12: SPRING BREAK

April 28: Junior Olympics

Letter from the Principal

Open House is Next Week!

It's time to show off!  More importantly, it's time for our students to show off.  Normally, we don't promote such behavior but when it comes to Open House, we like our students to be the ones who proudly display and talk about their work.   Their work will be on display in each classroom.

Of course, Open House is a great opportunity for parents and students to tour other classrooms and see all the great things that are going on at each grade level.  Normally, a visit to next year's grade level classroom is included on a tour by kids and parents alike.  But, I encourage you to visit other grade levels as well, including grade levels that your student may have already been promoted from.  In this way, you can get a clearer perspective of the big picture of the total Springer experience.

Please make sure you stop by the student Art Show in our Multi to view the phenomenal works of art that our 1st through 6th graders have created through our Community School of Music and Arts program. Ms. Bella has done an outstanding job of teaching our students a multitude of art mediums and connecting that art to various aspects of curriculum.  The Art Show is always a highlight.

Open House is Thursday, April 5th.  The Art Show opens at 6pm.  Classrooms open at 7pm.  The event closes at 8pm.  

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

News and Announcements

JUNIOR OLYMPICS: 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Parents!!

The permission slip for Junior Olympics went home in your child's Friday folder today, 3/30.  It is absolutely MANDATORY that you sign and return this permission slip by FRIDAY 4/6,  whether your child will be participating or not.  There is a space to let us know if for some reason your child will not be attending.  Save yourselves an annoying follow up phone call by getting the signed permission slip back to your child's teacher or the JO cubby as soon as possible.  We really appreciate your help here.

We are still in need of MANY volunteers for the day of the event.  Please let us know if you can help out.  To see what help is needed, please go to the Springer Website under extracurriculars.  From there, click on Junior Olympics and you can see the volunteer slots available.  We have also posted the schedule of events so that you can coordinate around your child's events.  This amazing day can not work without hundreds of volunteers.  Please find a couple of hours where you can help out.  If your child is planning on running in the 1320, we need lots of timers for that.  It is actually a really fun way to get involved.  You will not be timing your own child's run, so it won't interfere with watching them in the race.

If you have any questions, please contact one of your JO Springer committee members.

Leslie Bosset, Andrew Towell, Christa Kidwell and Wendy Sarathy

News from the LASD Music Team:

The music team is pleased to announce that we now have an official LASD music website for the upper elementary vocal and instrumental music programs.  This site has up-to-date information on concerts and curriculum, as well as contact information for each of our music teachers.  This site will be kept updated by the music team directly, so it is the best place to check for the most accurate information about the program.  It is located on the district website.  Here are the navigation instructions:

From the district homepage, click on Departments --> Curriculum and Instruction --> Academics --> Visual & Performing Arts --> Music --> Elementary Vocal Music (there is a separate page for Instrumental Music).

Alternatively, you can click on the links here:    Vocal Music         Instrumental Music

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact any one of our music team members.

PTA Meeting, Wednesday, April 4, at 8:45 am.  We will vote on the 2012-2013 PTA Officers and start talking about PTA programs for next year.  Join the discussion to help guide planning.  If you aren't able to make it to the meeting, please give us your feedback anyway!  Email or phone your ideas to Kelly Toshach or Brooke Schiller. See a summary of the March meeting on the PTA Meetings webpage.

Volunteer Service Awards nominations

Do you know a volunteer whose service to our community has simply blown you away? The annual Volunteer Service Awards are coming soon, and the PTA is looking for a list of shining stars and unsung heroes alike who have made exceptional contributions at Springer. We would love to hear who you think should be recognized this year! You can nominate a volunteer by filling out the form in the office or by emailing Hilary Burcell (hilary[at]burcell.com). Please include lots of details on why you're nominating this person!

Springer Book Fair Update

Aloha Springer Families!

We had two goals in mind when we started planning the Springer Book Fair.  First, of course, to help raise funds for books for our students.  Our second goal was to get the entire Springer Community involved.  After last week's Book Fair it is clear that we met, and surpassed, both of these goals!  

We would like to thank everyone who made the Springer Book Fair a success.  

First of all, to Mr. Spenader, and our PTA Co-Presidents, Kelly and Brooke, for trusting us to put this event together and sharing our excitement.  To Laurie Pasmooij and the parents and students who participate in the Art Club for creating the beautiful pineapples and hibiscus that decorated the Multi.  Gail Roosakos and her team for providing coffee and treats for the Staff Sneak Peek.  To the Springer Student Council and their advisers, for planning a Hawaiian Spirit Day for the Grand Finale of the Book Fair.  The amazing Karen Eichstadt-Coy for taking our idea of bringing in a food truck and running with it, turning it into a fantastic Family Picnic far better than we could have ever imagined.  To Mrs. Ingram and Mr. Baier for the wonderful gift of to being our featured readers during the Family Picnic. To our Teachers and Staff for helping get the word out and sharing your excitement with the children.  And, of course, to every one of our dedicated volunteers, parents, grandparents, and children, who gave their time, passion, and energy to help us set up, run, and pack up the Book Fair. None of this would have been possible without your help!  And last, but certainly not least, to YOU, the Springer Community for your participation and incredible generosity!

And now, I'm sure you're wondering exactly how we did.  Well, we are very excited to announce that during the Springer Book Fair, we had sales of over $19,000, and raised $10,789.28 for our school!  We have already begun putting these funds to good use, purchasing books for the Springer Library as well as $100 worth of books for each of our Classroom Libraries!

Thank you all for your support and generosity and we look forward to seeing you at the next Springer Book Fair in November!

Mahalo,

Elena, Denise, & Kathy

SPRINGER'S 2012 AUCTION:  UPDATE

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Due to the overwhelming support of our Springer community, the auction last Saturday night was a huge success! We are still in the process of doing reconciliation work, but early indications are that we've met or surpassed our goal for this year! And, feedback from the many folks that attended has been very positive! Everyone loved the venue, the food, the socializing, the band and most of all, the sense of camaraderie as we pulled together to support our wonderful school and children! If you were not able to attend, we thank you for your donation(s) and would like to let you know that there are still a few fun Springer parties available for signups. Further details will be sent within the next few weeks.

And, for those of you who have won an item/service or have signed up for a party/activity....you will be receiving your final information/details very soon.

Again, thanks for your wonderful support!

2012 Springer Auction Co-Chairs

Linda McCartney

Seana McKean-Saul

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 Family Dinners Out

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

PYT is Coming to Springer!  IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP!

This spring, Springer Elementary School is teaming up with Peninsula Youth Theatre to offer an after-school drama class.  Students will learn the basics of acting, character development, storytelling and theater terminology while having fun and rehearsing a show.  The session will end with a final performance for family and friends.  Parents will be responsible for providing their child’s simple costume (instructions will be provided) and helping with props.  Open to Grades 4-6 (Tuesdays). A maximum of 20 students will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Cost: $225 per student.

Class meets Tuesdays 2:45 - 4:15 pm starting March 27th, with a final performance on Tuesday, May 29th (no rehearsal on April 10th)

To register, go to http://pytspringerspring2012.eventbrite.com

Summer Camp Spots Still Open!

The Media Center is currently accepting registrations for our 2012 Summer Camps!

We are offering 3 programs, with a total of 7 sessions to meet your busy schedule. TV Studio Production, Advanced Animation and Special Effects, and Advanced TV Studio for High Schoolers all have spotsavailable, and are an exciting way to give your student a fun new experience this summer!

Camps run from 9:30-3:30 M-F. For more information visit: www.midpenmedia.org/digiquest/ or contact Brad Sanzenbacher at brad@midpenmedia.org

SPARTAN SPORTS: Free basketball clinics:

Spartans Sports Camp is offering two free basketball clinics on Saturday, April 21st and Sunday May 6th, from 10am - 1pm at Mountain View High School. The clinics will be open to girls and boys in grades 3 - 9. This is a great opportunity to learn valuable skills from MVHS basketball coaches while having fun at the same time. There will also be a free pizza lunch! Special discounts for the 2012 summer camp will also be available.

www.SpartansSportsCamp.com or call 650.479.5906  

13th Annual Run for Zimbabwe Orphans and Fair

 Sunday April 1, 2012 at St. Joseph School, 1120 Miramonte Ave.

Summer Fun at Starting Arts

- Summer Arts Escape (grades K-8)

- Film Camp (grades 6-12)

- Musical Theatre Camp (grades 3-12)

Visit www.startingarts.com for more information.

Summer Camps and Lessons at Foothills Tennis & Swimming Club

 For more info see www.foothills-club.org or phone (650) 493-8540.

DezignKidz Summer Camp 2012 registration is open!

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

MVLA Soccer Club Wednesdays, 2:45pm - 3:30pm for grades 1 - 3. www.mvlasc.org 

ScholarKids, Summer 2012

Summer enrichment program for incoming 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades.  www.scholarkids.net .  

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

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

www.ctcinc.org, or email education@ctcinc.org or call (408) 245-2979.

Los Altos KidzAdventures See www.lakakidz.com for details and registration

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

TGA, Premier Junior Golf. For more information and to-register please 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 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

For more information or to RSVP for a program, click here 

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 6 through 12 years about their significant or meaningful dreams, which may also appear as nightmares. Her research interests include investigating relationships between children’s dreams and their spiritual awareness, practices, and beliefs. 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. (Note: the research study is independent research).

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!