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February 07, 2012

Los Altos School District Weekly Newsletter

Springer Star Newsletter
February 3rd, 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

Feb 15, 7:30am: Tech Committee Meeting
Feb 15, 8:45am: PTA Mid Year Budget Review
Feb 28, 9:00am and Feb 29, 1.15am: Blach School Tours

Principal’s Letter

Science Faire is coming!

On Tuesday, March 13th is the annual Springer Science-o-Rama.  This science expo is open to all students grades K through 6th.  

Last week, students watched videos explaining the science faire and the scientific process.  We encouraged students to pick a subject within science that they have a strong interest in.  The next step is to form a hypothesis and then set out to prove the hypothesis.  Students display their work on presentation boards that will be provided to them when they turn in their registration form.  Students should return their registration form to the table in the quad on either Feb. 16th or 17th.  There, they will receive the cardboard presentation board  used to display their research and experiment.  The registration form, as well as a handbook explaining the details, is available on the Springer website.

The goal is to get kids jazzed about science and all the possibilities that the field contains.  It's also a goal to have students use the scientific method when conducting their experiments.  

The Science-o-Rama is open to the public on the evening of March 13th from 6pm-8pm.  Students and parents are welcomed to tour the exhibit to view their classmate's work.  Each year, I come away impressed with the work from Springer's budding scientists.  

For more information, please contact me at wspenader@lasdschools.org.

News and Announcements

LOS ALTOS SCHOOL DISTRICT NURSING DEPARTMENT

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL

Sometimes it is difficult, especially early in the morning, to know whether or not to send your child to school. In the last few weeks we have seen many cases of the stomach flu and high fevers. The following guidelines are indications that you should keep your child home. Thank you for your help, to control the spread of colds, flu, and other contagious illnesses.

Keep your child at home when he/she has any of the following symptoms:
Fever                                                               Chills
Vomiting or diarrhea                                       Nausea                                               
Sore throat or trouble swallowing                   Coughing, sneezing, and/or runny nose
Rash or unusual sores or spots                      Headache                                          
Generalized muscle aches and pains            Wheezing or trouble breathing           
Unusually red, crusted or burning eyes

You need to keep your child home until he/she has been symptom-free without medication for 24 HOURS.
Blach Intermediate School Tours:
Blach Intermediate School will be hosting school tours for parents on February 28 at 9:00 AM and on February 29 at 1:15 PM.  During the tour, we will discuss the Blach program as well as visit some classrooms on campus.  
Project Cornerstone Guest Presenter Series
We hope you've had a chance to meet or hear about our new Project Cornerstone guest presenters.  This year we've invited local VIPs to introduce the monthly Project Cornerstone theme and book to our 1st-6th graders at a morning flag assembly.  The purpose of this series is to let our students know that they have caring adults beyond our campus who are vested in their well being, thus extending their sense of belonging to a broader community.  We also want to let our students know that these leaders believe our entire community benefits from our students learning to take good care of themselves and those around them.  We expect them to use their Project Cornerstone skills beyond our campus as responsible citizens.  Here's a recap of the guests we've had and those we have scheduled.  If you can't join us on campus make sure to ask your kids about these special guests and what theme they'll be covering each month during their Project Cornerstone lessons.  Please let us know if you have any questions.
Fondly,
Lara Daetz & Tina Klaassen

November: Los Altos Mayor, Ron Packard
January: Mountain View Chief of Police, Scott Vermeer
Wednesday, February 8: Blach Principal, Leslie Crane
Wednesday, March 7: LASD Superintendent, Jeff Baier
Wednesday, April 4: The Starting Seniors from Mountain View High School's Varsity Lacrosse Team (LASD alumni)
Tuesday, May 1: Mountain View Fire Chief, Bradley Wardle and Fire Fighter Crew from Cuesta/Grant Station
Springer's 2012 Auction's Sunset on the Serengeti: March 24, 2012
The deadline to submit your completed Community Donation Form is Friday, February 10th! There are a lot of great ideas being tossed around and a lot of verbal confirmations but we need your completed donation forms ASAP. If you are planning a party or event, please also specify the date and note it on the Auction Parties calendar.

We already have some fabulous items/activities up for grabs at the auction, but we need more to make this event a success! We are hoping to achieve 100% parent participation in the auction!
So, if you haven't already done so, connect with your friends about hosting an auction party! Donate your services, a game from your season tickets or a weekend at your vacation home! Share a talent that everyone will enjoy! Now's the time to pull it together and submit a
Community Donation Form

If you are still looking for Community Donation ideas, please visit here.

AUCTION TICKET SALES: If you haven't already purchased tickets to attend the auction, you're in luck! Auction tickets will go on sell starting next week! Please visit the "Auction Info" table on 8am-830am Tuesdays and Thursdays (in the assembly area) to pick up a ticket purchase form. The cost is $50 per person and payment is by check only. Submit your completed form and check in the auction cubbie (located in the school office). Kinder parents....please look for us in the kinder area next Wednesday morning during drop-off.

Auction Night Babysitting Service: Brandie at Abracadabra is now accepting applications for their Auction’s Parents Night Out babysitting service.  Space is limited to the first 75 kids so hurry and reserve your spot by completing the application and waiver form now!

Questions? Please contact Linda McCartney (LM28476@gmail.com) or
springerauction@gmail.com.
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
Armadillo Willy's                 (1031 San Antonio Rd, LA): February 12
Pizza My Heart                   (El Camino @ El Monte): February 27, 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

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.

Parent Education

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/

The Case for Make Believe

Dr. Susan Linn


February 15th, 2012

6:30 pm Community Reception

7:00pm Presentation followed by Book Signing

Christ Episcopal Church - Parish Hall

1040 Border Road, Los Altos


Dr. Linn is an Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and Co-founder and Director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. She lectures internationally on the influence of technology and media on childhood play and what we can do to protect it.  She is the author of The Case for Make Believe: Saving Play in a Commercialized World .

Suggested Donation: $10 per person at the door

RSVP: http://saveplay.eventbrite.com

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!

 






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