Welcome to 2015!

I really love the first Monday back from winter break.   Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a nice long holiday, but I enjoy seeing the students, parents, and teachers come back in such a relaxed state.  This year’s vacation was, perhaps, the best one I’ve had since I’ve been at Springer.  I came back in a very centered, Zen-like state.   My vacation consisted of not going anywhere, sleeping in late, and having nothing to do!  

There’s a few measurements of a good school, some quantitative and some qualitative.  On Monday I saw a lot of excited students, eager and ready to be back in their classrooms.  This was coupled with many teachers who were just as eager to get started.  To me, this is a good measurement that kids, and teachers, are ready to reignite high-quality learning.  Certainly this isn’t hard data, but it does indicate that our students love to learn and really like being here.

Welcome to 2015 and the second half of the year!

Technology, Music, and Empathy- They all come together next week.

Hour of Code

If you scan down further you’ll find Ms. Craddock’s article on The Hour of Code that Springer, and all LASD schools, will participate in next week.  Not only is this a great way to emphasize computer programming- at all grade levels- but there are also multiple avenues for which you and your child can get involved next week.  Please check out the article below entitled: Participate in the Hour of Code!

Everyone Deserves Music, Sweet Music!

If you have an upper grade student, we’d love for you to attend the annual Winter Concert on Friday, Dec. 12th at 1:00pm in the multi.  This concert allows our students to showcase their musical talents- a true performance task!   The order of performances are as follows:

4th grade vocal

5th/6th grade chorus

6th grade Orchestra

6th grade Band

Thank you LAEF for making STEM possible- which helps us with the Hour of Code and Upper Grade Music happen for our students!

Springer Gives Back

On Thursday, December 11th, from 10:30 to noon, the entire school will go into “workshop mode”.  Working with their buddy classmates, students will make crafts that will be donated to local charities throughout the South Bay region.   Last year was the first time we participated in Springer Gives Back and it was enormously successful; in this case, success measured by student pride in their work, empathy towards those who are less fortunate, and the gratitude of those who received the crafts made by our students.

Rain, Yes!  Bad Driving, NO!

What a welcome sight it was to have a significant amount of rainfall this week.  Our reservoirs and aquifers can use all the water mother nature is willing to give us.   Rain also brings with it more traffic on our streets and in the Springer parking lot.    Now is a good time to remind you to be ever so careful when driving.   In particular, pay attention to the following:

• A new 15 mph speed limit on Rose Ave-  The city of Mountain View is one of the few cities in the state that has made all streets in front of schools a 15mph zone (down from 25mph).  This 15 mph zone extends from Springer Ave. to Fordham Ave.   Slow down EVEN MORE.
• On rainy days, with more cars in the parking lot, traffic tends to pile up along Rose Ave.  If trying to make a left-hand turn into the parking lot off of Rose, and seeing that the parking lot is jammed, it is better to continue down Rose than to sit and wait- clogging up traffic behind you.  Alternatives could be to continue down Rose and go around the block until traffic in the lot subsides or to park on a side street and walk to campus for pick up.  
• Rain or shine, it is ILLEGAL to make a u-turn in the middle of a residential street.  Not only is it illegal, but it is downright DANGEROUS to make a u-turn on Rose Ave. in front of the school!
• While weather forecasts are rarely 100% accurate, rain is predictable.  On days you know that wet weather is a possibility, leaving the house earlier than usual is a good strategy.  

My favorite holiday…

I don’t think Thanksgiving gets enough credit.  It seems short-shrifted by Christmas, Halloween, and even Valentine’s Day.   The reason for the downplaying of Thanksgiving is, probably, that it doesn’t generate the revenue that those other holidays do for the various entities that look to those holidays to make their “bottom line”.   

But, the fact that Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday that focuses on sales and profit margins is one of the reasons why it’s my favorite holiday.  Thanksgiving has always been about getting together with loved ones, family and friends, and spending some quality time around a hearty meal.   It commemorates the feast that Pilgrims and Native Americans held to give thanks for making it through a tough time, when colonists were still struggling to scratch out a life on a new continent.   Thanksgiving did not become a national holiday until 1863, when President Lincoln made it so in an effort to boost national morale in the middle of the Civil War.

The timing of Thanksgiving is also a factor in my listing it as my favorite holiday.  It always falls on that late Thursday of November, coinciding with the perfect time to slow down, breathe, and recognize the many blessings we have to be grateful for as we near the end of another calendar year.  And who doesn’t like great food, prepared lovingly for people you care about?  Yes, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Where ever you are, whomever you are with, I wish you and your family a wonderful, restful, and grateful Thanksgiving next week.

Wade Spenader

Last Friday at lunch, I had this mini-epiphany which further confirmed the teamwork we, as the Springer community, do in order to give our kids the best.

I decided to play soccer with the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at lunch.  As a former player and coach, I like to get out there and kick the ball around with the kids- plus I haven’t been able to get to the gym as much as I’d like so I figured the exercise would do me some good!   While engrossed in the game, I was able to look up and scan the playground.  My quick view provided me with a warm feeling.

Over on the baseball diamond, Mr. Heeb was leading a marathon kickball game.  Further out on the field was the Friday volleyball clinic, run by some parents, and assisted by upper grade students.  Assisting at the volleyball court was Ms. Mort, herself a former collegiate player, spending her lunch time with the kids and her passion.  Meanwhile, around the field, was a flock of students running/walking laps in order to compile school mileage for our Run For Your Life program- again facilitated by a group of caring parents.  There were no less than 10 dedicated adults working with our students, during their lunchtime!  How could our students not feel the support from all of us?   Combine this one snapshot in time with the countless hours volunteers spend in our classrooms- like helping out with math centers in first grade, or leading book club discussions in fifth grade- and my mini-epiphany was crystallized.   Parents, teachers, and students really are a team.

The recess bell rang and I went over to Laurie Pasmooij, who coordinates so many of these lunchtime events for our students.  Almost simultaneously, we said to each other, “Isn’t this great?!”   Yes, it was, and it continues to be one of the great strengths of our Springer community.    

Have a great weekend.

Wade

As part of this year’s “It’s A Springer Thing” program, each month is designated as a character trait that is a key element of being responsible, empathetic and using a growth-mindset.  November’s trait is being supportive.  We strategically selected this trait because November is the time of year where all of us could use a little extra support.   Being supportive is a great way to show empathy.  Students are beginning to encounter more challenging curriculum.  Teachers are under a crunch to get grades prepared for the end of trimester 1 and prepare for parent conferences.  And all of us are feeling a bit anxious for all the tasks that need to be done for the upcoming holiday season.   Seems like we all could use some extra support at this time of year!

Support for others can take many forms.  Actions, of course, can bolster people when they are feeling pressure.  Taking the extra time to help a student understand a difficult math problem (use that growth mindset!) is a good example.  Equally effective in lending support is the power of our words.  Verbal encouragement and praise (“I really like the effort you put into this writing”) can be all someone needs to trudge through a challenging time.   Most powerful of all can be words of appreciation for an effort or job well done.   We all need to hear it from time to time; a “thank you” can do a lot to lift spirits and make people feel validated in their work.    So, let me start the ball rolling for November and say a sincere “thank you” to everyone for everything you do to make Springer such a wonderful place!  Your supportive acts and words are powerful!

Be careful out there!

We could really use a wet winter this year.  But, with more rain comes more cars in the streets!  I’d like to remind our adults that safe driving is even more important during the wet months.  Please reduce your speed, follow all traffic laws (including not making 3 point turns on Rose Ave!), and be ever so vigilant about pedestrians and bicycles.

Great Work All Around

I’ve been struck by all the great work I’m seeing all around the Springer campus as of late.  While the work for the Rock-a-Thon was begun months ago, Saturday’s walk-a-thon showed tremendous teamwork and creativity.   The decorations were awesome.  The organization was excellent.  The volunteer help was awe-inspiring.  Truly great work by the walk-a-thon committee led by Karen McKinley and Christy Gammons.  Thank you to all of you who took part.

This week I’ve been in classrooms quite a bit and have been treated to a number of different math lessons.   As you may know, we are transitioning to the Common Core math principles, which emphasize critical thinking, problem solving, and application.  A simple way to think of it is that math goes “deeper”.  Students work on fewer problem sets but dive deeper into those problems.  In one classroom, I watched the teacher skillfully ask her students questions about the math in front of the them.  By utilizing this inquiry-based approach, the teacher was able to get her students to think more critically about what they were actually doing while solving the equation.  In another classroom, the teacher was presenting math problems that were solved incorrectly.  Her students were asked to explain why the problem was solved incorrectly and then to set up the problem so it could be successfully worked out.  What is impressive to watch is the depth of thinking the students are using in math and the mathematical vocabulary they are using in their discussions.  Great stuff.

Lastly, I thoroughly enjoyed the Giants come-from-behind victory last night that propelled them into another World Series appearance.  I love the story of Travis Ishikawa, the player who hit the game winning homerun.   Apparently, he was so frustrated earlier in the season playing in the minor leagues, that he almost quit baseball entirely.  But, after a conversation with a friend, who told him to stick with it, Travis kept plugging and eventually made it onto the Giants roster late in the season.  Here he was last night, up at the plate, with the game on the line, and hitting the homerun that will forever make him a Giants legend.  As he rounded the bases, I couldn’t help but think that he must have applied a positive growth mindset to get to where he was at that moment.  What a great example of perseverance and grit!   Great stuff.

Go Giants!  Have a great weekend.

Time Well Spent

Over the course of a 20 year career in education, I’ve been to my fair share of conferences and workshops.  I can honestly say one of the best conferences I have ever attended occurred last Friday at Covington.  Put on by Los Altos School District, EdSummit featured a multitude of topics, many of them presented by our own LASD teachers (3 Springer teachers were presenters!).  

A highlight of the day for me was Dave Burgess presentation on “Teach Like A Pirate”.  In an inspiring and entertaining way, Dave gave the message that teaching with PASSION is vital in order to engage students.   He was honest with the audience when he said he doesn’t love all the content he has to teach, but in everything he teaches he finds the connection for his students.  In this way, he makes his instruction meaningful and powerful for his students.   While Dave was clearly talented at presenting, his message at the end was that creativity, creating moments of impact, and delivery are hard work, but it’s very much worth the effort.  

In the afternoon, I was blown away at a session called “Mindfulness and Happiness in the Classroom.  Because that’s what it is all about.”  Presenter Ronni Habibi, teacher at Gunn High School, began by taking participants through a series of fun “ice breakers”.  The idea of doing silly tasks with a partner (like create a secret hand-shake) was really about making connections with people in the room; of creating an environment where one feels safe.   The discussion then lead to the importance of mindfulness in a person- or simply, being present at that moment.  The ability to be present and attentive to those around you, at the moment, is not just connecting with others, but  leads to being attentive to your own feelings.   Ronni talked about how suppressing our feelings lead to potentially more negative emotions later.  By creating classrooms where students feel safe, giving them permission to be in the moment and express themselves, we are creating healthier learning environments.  

I encourage you to talk to your child’s teacher about what made an impact on her at EdSummit.  As a staff, even a week later, we continue to talk about some of the valuable lessons we pulled from it.  

I found my time at Ed Summit time well spent.  Please enjoy your time well spent this weekend.

Wade Spenader

Dear Springer Families,

I wanted to invite you to two upcoming events, both of which contain some valuable parent education, and pertain to our "It's A Springer Thing" theme.

The first one is this Friday at Coffee with the Principal.  I will be hosting an informal talk regarding the idea of Growth Mindset and how we are applying it here at Springer on a daily basis.  Your children are very well versed in the idea of Growth Mindset and we will talk about ways to keep the momentum going.  Our first Coffee with the Principal is Friday, at 8:45am in the staff lounge.

I encourage you also to attend Springer's October PTA meeting which takes place on Wednesday, October 1st at 7:00pm in the staff lounge.  The PTA meeting will feature a guest speaker from Community Heath Awareness Council.  Mrs. Melissa Kelley, MFT Senior Intern will present "How to Let Children Fail 'Successfully': The Parent Challenge for a Growth Mindset".  

Hope to see you at one of both events.

Regards,

Wade Spenader- Principal

Rolling Along… And Getting Started with Two Important Committees

It’s the same every year; photo day (this Wednesday!)  is one of those gentle reminders that the school year is officially in full swing.   Many, or all, of our programs for students have begun.  Starting Arts for our Kinder through 3rd graders began this week.   The library opens up next week. Homework is becoming a consistent nightly activity, and the students are back in to the routines of school.  It’s definitely mid-September!

So much of the work we do at Springer, together as teachers and parents, is important.   Two committees where important work is done are Springer’s Site Council Committee and Technology Committee.   Both these committees are made-up of parents and staff, working together to better guide the decisions we make for our students.

The Site Council Committee has a far-ranging charge of studying the various means of school improvement.  That improvement can be targeted in academics, school climate, facilities, or in other ways.   Last year, the Site Council Committee put out the Springer Site Survey that over 250 families completed.  The Site Council looked at the results and made recommendations to the administration and PTA about areas where Springer could improve.  The Site Council also studied campus safety in the area of foot traffic flow.  The new fencing put in last Spring was done so based on a recommendation from Site Council.  Anyone is welcomed to attend Site Council meetings, which are held on the last Tuesday of each month at 3:00pm in the staff lounge.  Our first meeting is September 23rd.

The Technology Committee has gained more importance with the embedding of computers, ChromeBooks, and iPads in our classrooms and curriculums.  Gone are the days of the Tech Committee simply discussing what the traditional computer lab needs.  Now, topics of study include infrastructure, budget, successful implementation, apps, and so much more.   Again, teachers and parents form this important team.  The recommendations of this committee is very important to our PTA when making technology purchases, which are becoming an increasingly larger part of PTA expenditures.  You are also welcome to attend the Technology Committee meetings, which fall on the last Wednesdays of each month at 7:30am in the computer lab.  Our first meeting is September 24th.  

If you have any questions about these two committees or have an interest in joining them, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Have a great weekend.

Thank You!!

Thank you for a great start to the school year.  The children have come in energetic (in a good way!) and ready to learn.   There are lots of smiles and excitement.  

Thank you if you attended Tuesday’s Back-to-School Night.  Your presence in our classrooms that evening sends a strong message to your children that you value their educational experience.

Thank you for joining PTA.  The support PTA provides for our students is vital.  Thank you for your support of LAEF, which allows us to provide excellent programs that many school districts are unable to give to their students.

Thank you for volunteering at Springer.  It truly takes a village to deliver all that we do.  And, thank you for signing in at the office when you come on campus to volunteer.  It helps keep the campus safe.

Lastly, thank you for being safe in the parking lot by following the procedures for drop-off and pick-up.  Remember to watch your speed in and around the parking lot.  Only enter the parking lot in the entry and only exit from the exit.  Obey the crossing guard and be ever so watchful for pedestrians and bicycles.

We really are off to a great start.  Enjoy the extended weekend!