Springer Star Newsletter

May 4th, 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

May 6: Springer Garage Sale Extravagaanza!

May 8, 3:15 pm: Site Council Meeting

May 9, 8.30am: Meeting for parents of incoming 1st graders

May 9: Minimum Day

May 11, 8.30am: Coffee with the Principal

May 12, 5 pm: Springer Day at the San Jose Giants

May 16, 7pm: PTA Meeting

May 19, 10am: Los Altos Pet Parade

May 31, 5pm: Hit-the-Beach Family Picnic

News and Announcements

Don’t forget: May 9th is a Minimum Day!  11.35 for Kindergarten, 12.15 for grades 1-6

Coffee with the Principal, Friday, May 11th.  Topic: Project Cornerstone

You probably have heard a lot about Project Cornerstone.  But, what is the program exactly?  You are invited to attend May 11th's Coffee with the Principal to learn more about this important program at Springer.  Find out about the ABC docents and their vital role in our classrooms.  You will also learn about opportunities for you to get involved in the program and become part of Springer's Project Cornerstone team.  

If you have an interest in volunteering on the Project Cornerstone team, please fill out this application form and return it to the office.

Last PTA Meeting of the Year: May 16, 2012 at 7:00 pm!

The meeting will feature a presentation on plans for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year. This planning will provide the framework for the goals, programs, and budget that will be approved at the first PTA meeting of the next school year.  Please save the date.  We hope to see you at the meeting.

Calling All Parents of Children transitioning from Kindergarten to First Grade!

Meeting on Wednesday May 9th in the Science Room from 8:30-9:30.

Topics to be covered include:

*When will I find out who my child’s teacher is and who else is in their class?

*What school supplies do we need and how can I get them?

*How do I order hot lunch?

*Where are we supposed to go on the first day of school?

*What goes on at recess?

*Where do I pick my child up at the end of the day?

*What volunteer opportunities are available to me?

Mrs. Goldner will also be on hand to give information from a teacher's perspective

If you want to know more, or are unable to attend, the detailed agenda and presentation will be posted here

First Ever Springer Garage Sale Extravagaanza!

Sunday  May 6th, 8am to 5pm

Books, toys, clothes, house and garden items, electronics, sports equipment, DVDs, games and more!

If they’re gently used, we want them all!

Donations will be accepted May 5th from 9 am to 4 pm.   Bring your items to the children’s drop off area of the Springer parking lot and let us know how you’d like them priced.

Please support this exciting new Springer venture - bring your friends and head on over!

For further information or to volunteer for this event, please contact David Chung at dchung[at]apr.com or at 650-302-6027

Win a Popsicle Party for Your Grade by Building LEGO on Monday, May 14 during Lunch Recess! To mark the end of Springer Noontime LEGO Club's 2nd Year we will be holding our last LEGO Club for this year outside on the blacktop with a Free Build LEGO Challenge. Students from every grade are encouraged to build with Springer's 150 pound-plus LEGO collection. For each participant who builds at lunch that day, we will submit his or her name in a raffle. The winning student will be chosen at the assembly the following week. That student’s entire grade will be treated to a popsicle after school! The more kids representing each grade, the better the chances are for those grades to win.

Estimations for Mr. LEGOnader can also be made through Monday, May 14.

Mr. LEGOnader is on view in the office and at the LEGO Club's noontime meetings. The winners for that estimation contest will also be announced at the same time as the popsicle party winner at the assembly on May 21.

Questions?  Please contact Laurie Pasmooij, Kimiyo Straw, Anita Leo, or Jenni Tellefsen.

Hit-the-Beach Family Picnic and Celebration

Thursday, May 31, 5-8 PM

Springer campus

Help us send off our kids, and each other, with "WOW what a Year!" and "Have a great summer!" feelings!

The "Hit-the-Beach" committee meets MONDAYS at 1:30 pm at Peet's on Castro Street to organize the Hit-the-Beach Family Picnic and Celebration, (previously known as the "Spring Picnic"). Please consider committing to a small volunteer responsibility at the event, one of the last opportunities of the year to be part of community building and to hang out with other Springer families.

Our mottos guiding us during the organization of this event are "FUN-for-the-kids" and "EASY-on-the-parents."  Since most of us are quite spent by the end of the term, we really mean the "EASY-on-the-parents" part. So we booked a few food trucks already. But we still need helping hands to deliver a few activities.

Please join us, and don't hesitate to contact Karen Eichstadt-Coy (eichcoy[at]yahoo.com) or Nancy Miller (nancy94024[at]gmail.com) for a really fun job or for more information.

Continue a Springer tradition with Springer Community Day at the San Jose Giants!

If you believe in the Church of Baseball come watch the Giants play the Visalia Rawhide Saturday, May 12 at 5pm.

A Springer student throws out the first pitch, and our super-star Springer Singers sing, "God Bless America" during the Seventh-inning stretch.

Tickets are available in the office for $5 each, or $40 for ten. You may also purchase from Warren Horowitz (warren616[at]earthlink.net) or Karen Eichstadt-Coy (eichcoy[at]yahoo.com) on the quad most mornings during assembly.

Come support the Singers, enjoy baseball in a fun and casual setting, and show off our community's amazing school spirit!  Saturday, May 12 at 5 pm.

Box Tops and Labels for Education

Don't forget to turn in your Box Tops and Labels for Education.  Each Box Top earns Springer $0.10. We've earned over $500 this year.  Points from Labels for Education are accumulated and exchanged for school supplies and equipment.  This year, we were able to get two dozen new playground balls.  The collection box is located in the office.  For more info on the products that offer Box Tops and Labels for Education, please visit the following websites:

http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/brands.aspx

http://labelsforeducation.com/earn/participating-products.aspx

Wanted: 6th grade boys and girls basketball coaches.  The annual 6th grade boys and girls basketball tournament is scheduled for May 18th at Blach School.  Springer's 6th grade boys and girls compete with the district's other elementary schools in this fun tournament.  But, we need coaches.   Traditionally, coaches hold a few practices for the one day tournament.  Emphasis is on participation and fun.   If you, or someone you know, would be interested in coaching a team, please contact Mr. Spenader.

Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade

Saturday, May 19, 10 AM

Downtown Los Altos

Come march with other community members and their pets!

Springer has a marching position in the Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade.  A beloved tradition, this community event allows children to parade with their dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, chickens - even worms! Assembly time will be prompt at 9:45 AM under the Springer sign. (Exact meeting place still TBD.) This is your chance to dress up your pet in that adorable costume! Please wear your own Springer spirit wear too.

Contact Justine Dachille (jdachille[at]gmail.com), Jackie O'Farrell (jackie[at]edarecruiting.com), or Karen Eichstadt-Coy (eichcoy[at]yahoo.com) for more information.

Attention photography buffs! We're looking for photos of what members of the Springer community are up to, to showcase on the Springer website or the Springer Facebook page. So pull out that camera to capture those moments, and then upload them here

Thanks to all the Springer Families who came to The Get FIT and Have FUN afterschool programs! The kids were led by fitness trainers from F.I.T. in Los Altos and had fun with friends as they learned new ways to get FIT!  The program promotes and develops overall athleticism in a safe, functional, fun & professionally supervised environment. The event also enhanced interpersonal and social skills, focusing on self-confidence, responsibility, decision-making and team-building.  

To learn more about FIT (Focused Individual Trainers) and their programs for kids and adults, click here.    Also see their summer camp information on page 16 of their brochure.

If you are interested in an after school program next year, please give your feedback to Christine Gammons.

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

Auditions for Ragazzi Boys Chorus

Monday, May 7, 2012 or by appointment - Redwood City

Ragazzi Boys Chorus offers a complete music education through a proven, award-winning choral program. Boys begin with one evening per week of choral singing and progress through a full course of choral/vocal and music theory instruction. Ragazzi produces its own concert series, sings the National Anthem at a SF Giants Game every spring, goes on tours (domestic and international), and collaborates with other prestigious Bay Area arts organizations. No-stress auditions are available for boys between the ages of 7 and 10; no previous singing experience is required. Call for an appointment: 650-342-8785, or emailragazzi@ragazzi.org

For more info: http://www.ragazzi.org and www.ragazzi.org/WhyRagazzi.pdf

SCIENCE AND NATURE SUMMER PROGRAMS—SNAKE CAMP AND EXPLORE!

There's still time to register for SNAKE Camp and Explore!, the Environmental Volunteers' fun and exciting summer programs. SNAKE Camp, for kids entering grades 1-5, will consist of 4 weekly themes: All About Animals; Native Ways; Nature Adventures; and Trekking,Tracking & Treasure Hunts. SNAKE Camp will be held from June 18-July 13. Explore!, for youth entering grades 6-8, will consist of 3 weeks of exciting eco-adventures, including ziplines, rock climbing, whale watching, surfing, and lots more! Explore! will be held from July 16-August 3. Scholarships and discounts are available. Both camps will meet at Barron Park Elementary School, in Palo Alto. For more information, and to register, please visit www.evols.org.

Spend a Special Los Altos Day at the Computer History Museum

The Computer History Museum invites all Los Altos residents to enjoy a fun-filled day at the museum on Sunday, May 6th. You’ll see the Museum’s new, state of the art large-scale exhibition, Revolution: The First 2000 Years of Computing. Revolution celebrates the spectacular history of computing, from the mysterious ancient devices to technologies of the future. Journey through 19 galleries displaying over 1000 unique artifacts; Discover, in our multi-media displays, the back-stories, development drama, and astonishing breakthroughs of the gadgets, gurus and companies you love, or love to hate!

When: Sunday, May 6, 2012 10:00 to 6:00

Where: 1401 Shoreline Blvd in Mountain View

Cost: Free to all Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents, and Los Altos School District families

Summer Camp Spots Still Open!

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

TV Studio Production, Advanced Animation and Special Effects. 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 another free basketball clinic on Sunday May 6th, from 10am - 1pm at Mountain View High School. The clinic 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  

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.

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

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

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

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

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!