The Springer Buzz!

Our Mission

At Springer Elementary School, we will provide a safe and supportive environment that engages, inspires, and nurtures all students’ emotional and academic needs in order to become empathetic, productive global citizens and lifelong learners.

In This Issue: April 25, 2018:

• Principal’s Message

• News and Announcements
• Parent Education Opportunities

Quick Dates for your Calendar:

• April 23-27: Read-A-Thon
• Friday, April 27, 9:30-11:00am: 6th Graders Walk to Blach Campus tour
• Friday, April 27, 2:00pm: Jr. Olympics Pep Rally Grades 4-6
• Saturday, April 28, 8:00am - 4:00pm: Jr. Olympics, Grades 4-6
• May 7- 11: Staff Appreciation Week
• Thursday, May 10; 6:00-7:30pm: Art Docent Art Show
• Monday, May 14, 1:00pm: Spring Concert; Grds. 4-6
• Tuesday, May 22, 3:30 - 5:00pm: CSTEM Showcase
• Wednesday, May 23, 7:30am: Volunteer Breakfast
• Monday, May 28: Memorial Day: No School
• Tuesday, May 29, 5:00-7:00: 4th Grade Instrument Quest Covington Multi
• Wednesday, May 30, 5:00-7:00: 4th Grade Instrument Quest, Covington Multi
• Wednesday, May 30; 7:00pm: Springer Singers Spring Concert
• Friday, June 1; 8:30-12:00: Student Field Day
• Friday, June 1: Minimum Day; Dismissal 12:15
• Saturday, June 2: Springer Pack the Park Game San Jose Giants
• Thursday, June 7: Last Day of School, Dismissal 11:15am
• LASD 2018-2019 Calendar

Principal’s Message

Dear Springer Community,

It was an exciting week.  This week our students helped to support others in countries where water access can be miles away.  Students had the opportunity to raise funds and to walk in the shoes of those who spend their days walking miles for water.  Thank you, Springer Student Ambassadors, Ms. Williams and Mr. Conte for reminding us how fortunate we are, and that we can make a difference in others lives.  

 Please join us at Mountain View High School track and field at  8:45 am to cheer on Springer’s 4th, 5th & 6th Graders in the Jr. Olympics!   If your child is participating please be sure to bring a water bottle, wear tennis shoes, and don’t forget the sunscreen.  Look for the Springer Booth, and go there if you have any questions.  Go Springer Stingers!!!

We are at that time of year when we are focused on both this year and the upcoming 2018-19 school year.  In the future weeks to come we will be building the classes for next year. If you would like to complete an OPTIONAL form to provide us with additional consideration about your child that we may not be aware of, please do so here. If you intend to provide input, please do so by May 7.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Lynn

Reading Corner

Reading Corner: Envisioning

Books with limited illustrations require readers to understand and track descriptions mentally, often by filling in details from their imaginations. Envisioning is a skill in which readers form a mental picture of the setting, characters, and events in a text. We sometimes think of envisioning as making a “movie in your mind.” Envisioning becomes particularly important in longer books that rely on description in the text, rather than on frequent illustrations. Taking the time to really picture what’s happening in a story helps readers make sure they are doing the active thinking needed to comprehend a story deeply. Having a detailed image in mind can also help readers remember what has happened, as well as to predict what might happen next.

• You can ask your child about envisioning, or mental movie-making, by asking about the picture in his or her mind. What are some specific details of the setting or the character? What does the place feel like? Is it peaceful, spooky, bustling with activity? What kind of expression is on the character’s face? You might also talk about how your child filled in details beyond what was written in the text. If there is a school in the story, does it look like Springer, or another familiar school, or something completely different? What connections helped to fill in additional details?
• If you’re reading with your child, or if you know the book, you might also compare mental pictures. What does the character look like in your mind? How or why is it similar to and different from what your child imagined? Are the difference only surface-level, or did you have different interpretations of the character or setting? What exactly did it look like when a particular event happened in the story?
• You can still fill in details from picture books. What does the character do after a particular picture? What kind of face might the character be making? What exactly did you see in your mind when [something described on the page] happened?

Staff Appreciation Week

This year's Staff Appreciation Week at Springer will be May 7-11! The Springer Staff works so hard all year, so let’s show them how much they are appreciated. Below is a summary of the suggested daily special activities. Please look for grade level specific areas to sign up to bring in snacks and treats as well. More details coming in the next few weeks!

Monday, May 7th:  Bring in a flower to your teacher

Tuesday, May 8th:  Do something nice for a staff member 

Wednesday, May 9th:  Bring in a little treat for your teacher

Thursday, May 10th:  Write a note to your teacher

Friday, May 11th:  Bring in a little something to pamper your teacher

More details coming in the next few weeks and please feel free to contact Suzan Grisanti at suzanucb@gmail.com or Reena Vokoun at reena.vokoun@gmail.com with any questions.

Yearbook

Thank you for submitting your pictures for the yearbook. It looks terrific and it is being sent to the printer on Sunday, 4/21. As such, we can no longer accept any more pictures. Every effort was made to include the pictures submitted.

As a reminder, the PTA is providing one yearbook to each student and will be distributed in early June. Thank you!

*If you are interested in purchase additional yearbooks, please contact Rachel - michelson.rachel@gmail.com, with the subject line: Springer Yearbook purchase question.

CSTEM Showcase

DATE: May 22, 2018

TIME: 3.30 to 5.00pm

LOCATION: Blach school multi

Click here for flyer

San Jose Giants On June 2!

San Jose Giants Pack the Park on June 2nd!

This year we're closing out the school year with our annual San Jose Giants Pack the Park Day on June 2nd!  Tickets are on sale NOW!  This is a great community event for our school and fundraiser all in one!  The game time is Saturday June 2nd at 6pm.  The first 1,000 in attendance will take home a replica of the 1998 California League Championship ring and all will enjoy fireworks after the game!  During the game, our very own Springer Singers will perform and two Springer students will throw the first pitch!

Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.  You can purchase tickets via cash or check in the office now or you can use PayPal and your tickets will be delivered to your home.  Detailed instructions below if you choose this method.

Questions?  Contact Brooke Lopez (brooke.lopez at yahoo.com).

Go Giants!

PAYPAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Choose the “Send Money” function and then “Send money to friends and family” - this is important so the PTA does not pay fees.
• Enter payments@springerpta.net as the person to whom you’re sending money. 
• Complete the amount for your tickets - $5 each or 5 for $20
• In order for us to deliver your tickets, you MUST include the following in the optional note field BEFORE clicking continue
  • “SJ Giants Tickets”
  • your home address
  • your name as it’s listed in the school directory
  • your child’s name
• Choose your payment method.  You can also write a check or pay with cash in the office.
• Click Send Money Now and we’ll see you at the game on June 2nd!

Assessment Corner

CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance Progress)

This is a statewide test SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) that is given each year across the state of California to all 3rd-6th grade students. 

The test is completed online and untimed. Students will be assessed in English Language Arts and Mathematics.  An additional test in Science will be given to all fifth grade students.

When we return from Spring Break we will begin the training testing- April 16th-20th. The purpose of this training is to have the students become familiar with the assessment tools.  Our testing Window is April 23rd - May 18. 

4th Grade Instrument Quest

May 29th and May 30th

5:00 – 7:00

Covington Multi

In preparation for choosing a musical instrument to play in 5th grade, the LASD Music Department will be hosting two nights of “Instrument Quest.” Your child will see and be able to try out every instrument we offer in our Band (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone) and Orchestra (violin, viola, cello) programs.

This is a great opportunity to see which instrument best suits your child. Parents are welcome to ask questions and to meet the LASD Music teachers.

Come on either evening between the hours of 5pm-7pm.  4th grade students will be making instrument selections in their homeroom classes at the end of May.

Springer Auction

Congratulations Springer!

Together we raised $100K for Springer School. Thank you to all who came out and showed their Springer Spirit!

If you couldn't make it, it's not too late! Many community parties, exclusively for Springer students and parents, are still open. Please check out our OPEN PARTY LIST and contact the host listed to join the party.

Questions?

springerauction@gmail.com

LAEF

LAEF is proud to sponsor PE  teachers and the Junior Olympics.  As you enjoy JO, remember to donate to LAEF and ensure that teachers and staff for programs such as PE continue next school year.  Help us raise the final $200K to meet our goal. Donate today at www.laefonline.org.

 A Note From The District Nurse

Pertussis Booster for Students in 6th grade:

Students currently in 6th grade must have proof of a Tdap or Dtap (Pertussis or Whooping Cough) booster given after their 7th birthday (after 10th birthday is recommended) in order to begin 7th grade in August of 2018. Please provide a copy of your child’s immunization record to your school office as soon as possible!

Please refer any questions regarding this requirement to our District Health Assistants:  Suzy Gough 302-1448 and Sandy Anderson 302-1449.

Thank you for your cooperation!

Health Services Staff

Parent Education Opportunities

Through an enriching presentations from local and national experts on topics of interests to parents, faculty and staff, the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series seeks to contribute to the academic, physical, and emotional health of our students.  All events are free of charge and are for parents, faculty and staff in Los Altos and Mountain View public schools.  For a schedule of upcoming presentations, please click here. 

How Submit an Article to the Springer Buzz

If you have an article to submit to the Springer Buzz, please send it to the editor at springer.buzz@gmail.com by noon on Monday for inclusion in the next edition.  Late arrivals will be included if possible but can’t be guaranteed!  All flyers must be in either WORD or PDF format, accompanied by a brief summary of the activity in the email.