Springer Star Newsletter

April 6th, 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

April 6: MINIMUM DAY

April 9-12: SPRING BREAK!

April 28: Junior Olympics

May 6: Springer Garage Sale Extravagaanza!

News and Announcements

LASD Parent Survey on Homework

Gathering feedback from parents is an important component to maintaining excellence in our school district.  I would appreciate your taking just a few minutes of time to complete a survey regarding program, homework and communication.  Just click here to get to the survey.  Your responses will help us to deliver on our mission of "…inspiring a passion for learning and preparing all K-8 students to thrive in our rapidly changing global community."  Thanks in advance for taking the time to complete the survey

School Supplies Program: Volunteer(s) Needed!

Do you love the ease and convenience of the Springer PTA School Supplies program? If you've never taken advantage of the program, it's a service that allows you to place an order for your Springer student in the spring (based on their grade for the upcoming year) and the supplies simply show up at Springer by the first day of school. This allows parents to savor the last few days of summer and avoid the chore of running around looking for school supplies We're making important changes to the program this year to make it easier for the PTA volunteer(s) running the program, and we're looking for people who might be interested in stepping into the role. It requires coordinating with teachers to complete school supplies lists for each grade, coordinating with the third party school supplies company to finalize the lists and set up the online ordering system, and marketing the program once everything is ready to go. (For any of you familiar with years past, this year's program will eliminate any separate Costco ordering and portioning out of bulk supplies by grade.)

If you are interested in taking this on, please contact Kelly Toshach or Brooke Schiller. Thank you for considering helping with this valuable service.

First Ever Springer Garage Sale Extravagaanza!

Sunday  May 6th, 8am to 5pm.

Were you about to do some spring cleaning and donate things to the Thrift store Stop?  Now you can donate to Springer Elementary instead, and get a  tax deduction.  You can even donate your used Car!

We will take all donations on Saturday May 5th starting at 12 noon at the Springer Multi. Please do not come any earlier.

Please note that anything valued over $250 will need a professional appraisal.

We are hoping to get items of value that you think will sell at a garage sale.  All proceeds will go Springer Elementary.

We will definitely need volunteers! Our first meeting is on Tuesday April 17th at 7pm.  Please come if you can!

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!

YEARBOOKS ARE COMING!  Order yours by Wednesday, April 25th!!!

Thanks to all the great photographers out there, the yearbook is almost finished and will be delivered the first week in June.  You don't want to miss out! The cost for the 2011-12 yearbook is $20 and there are two ways to order:

By credit card: Online at EntourageYearbooks.com 

By Check: Paper forms will be delivered the week of April 16th.  Watch for them to come home.

Living Classroom Docent Training

Monday, April 16 @ 9:00am-11:30am

(Training Room) @ Los Altos School District

Do you like hands-on education in science, history, and math? Love to help in the classroom or in the school gardens? Then come to the training sessions offered by the Living Classroom Program to become a garden docent. The Living Classroom is LASD's garden-based education program which offered over 450 lessons last year across the school district. We are always looking for a few great volunteers who love to have fun with students and acquaint

them with the wonders of nature.

Come check it out at the District Office and attend our Docent Training session on April 16.  No experience necessary, just an interest in sharing the joy of learning and availability during the day.

For more information or if you cannot attend the training but are interested in becoming a docent, please email Mike Sanderson, msanderson@lasdschools.org, or phone him at 650-947-1103

Mark Your Calendar: Giants Springer Day!

Continue a Springer tradition with Springer Day at the San Jose Giants, Saturday May 12th at 5:00pm. Tickets are available in the office for $5 each or $40 for ten. A Springer student will throw out the first pitch and the Springer Singers will sing! Join in the fun!

More details in future editions of the Springer Star!

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

Cindy Fletcher, Springer’s Music teacher, will be playing violin in a free classical concert on Sunday, April 15 at 3 pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. View, 1667 Miramonte Ave. Other instruments featured are organ, voice, piano, viola, and cello.  All are welcome to attend.  For more information, click here.

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

* Experience Vintage Technology demonstrations

* Take informative docent-led exhibit tours

* Receive a Los Altos Day Commemorative button

* Participate in Los Altos Day Group Pictures

* Watch screenings from CHM’s video collection in the 400-seat Hahn Auditorium

* Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch & the Cloud Café menu at 15% discounts

* Shop to your (geeky) heart’s content with 15% off in our new Museum Store

* Sign-up for special LA resident 2-year CHM memberships for the price of 1-year

* Find plenty of free parking

MVLA Soccer Offers *New* School Based Soccer Program

 MVLA Soccer Club, in sponsorship with SJ Earthquakes and Adidas, is extremely proud to offer a co-ed recreational soccer program for the Los Altos School District for children in Grades 4- 6. This co-ed soccer program allows children to participate in an after school sport proudly representing their school and playing games against teams from other LASD schools. Everyone will Play!!!  Everyone will be trained by professional coaches!!  Every school will have a school jersey for games!!  Special visits from SJ Earthquake Players!!!

MVLA will provide reversible soccer jerseys and practice t-shirts for players to keep AND 1 ticket to a SJ Earthquake soccer game for the 2012 season. 

MVLA Soccer Club is giving back to Los Altos schools! All residual income after expenses will be donated to the Los Altos School District.

Registration is now open!! Program starts Monday, April 16. Space is limited to 22 players per school. Early bird pricing before April 16 is $150 and sibling discount is $130.

For detailed information about the MVLA After School Program, including practice dates and game days or to register, please visit www.mvlasc.org.  If you have questions, please contact: mvlaprograms@gmail.com.

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!

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 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  

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

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!