Springer Star Newsletter

May 18th, 2012

In This Issue

Calendar Dates

Principal’s Letter

News and Announcements

Student Extracurricular Activities

How to Submit an Article to the Springer Star Newsletter

Quick Dates for your Calendar

May 19, 10am: Los Altos Pet Parade

May 21, 1pm: Springer concert (Grades 4-6)

May 25, 8am: Volunteers’ Breakfast

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

Letter from the Principal

Getting Ready for Next Year

Teacher staffing for next year is almost finalized.  I can report to you, with near certainty, that the 2012-12 school program looks much like our current program.  Class sizes will be capped at 25 in Kindergarten through 3rd grade and 30 for the upper grades.    You will see that, for the most part, our staff remains intact - which I am very happy about.  You will also notice 3 teachers who are making grade level changes.

Kindergarten (3 classes):

Mrs. Linda Mooers

Ms. Autumn Hancock

Mrs. Laura Bence

1st Grade (3 classes):

Mrs. Chris Goldner/Mrs. Kim Farwell

Mrs. Shauna Fulcher

Mrs. Melanie de Monet

2nd Grade (3 classes):

Ms. Kim Bain

Mrs. Coleen Crew

Mrs. Malia Lammay/Mrs. Michelle Hayden

3rd Grade (3 classes):

Mrs. Marie Smith

Mrs. Kathy Panec

Mrs. Barb Pforzheimer

4th Grade (3 classes):

Ms. Kelly McLean

Ms. Wendy Johnson

Ms. Judi Hultberg

5th Grade (3 classes):

Mrs. Andrea Jones

Ms. Christina Shilling

Mrs. Jennifer Van Dyken/Mrs. Hillary Sterne

6th Grade (3 classes):

Mr. Doug Core

Mrs. Beth Rubinstein

To be determined

Special Day Classes:

Primary- Mrs. Debbie Schwartzman

Upper- Mrs. Debarati Sen

Resource Teacher:

Ms. Diane Sasaki

Departures, Arrivals, and Changes:

I first want to wish Julie Jenkins a hearty congratulations.  While Julie is leaving Springer, she is not leaving the District.  Her long-time goal of teaching Junior High English is about to be achieved as she will be moving to Egan Intermediate as a 7th grade English teacher.  We will miss her but the students at Egan will surely benefit.

I also want to wish Megan Sterngold the best of luck in the new phase her of family's life.  Megan, her husband, and two children will be relocating to Washington state.  I know that she is looking forward to being a full-time mommy to her kids.

We also say goodbye to our Technology Specialist, Mrs. Stephanie Towell.  She, like her 6th grade son, will be leaving Springer.    I cannot thank her enough for her skill and dedication.

The 2012-13 school year bring 3 additional people to our staff.   Hillary Sterne, who taught 6th grade at Springer up until last year when she went on maternity leave, will be rejoining the staff as Jennifer Van Dyken's job share partner.  Mrs. Sterne is excited about teaching 5th grade part-time while still being able to spend quality time with her one year old daughter.  I'm excited to have her back on staff.

Coming over from Loyola is Regina Regan as our Technology Specialist.  Regina brings over a wealth of knowledge, skill, and enthusiasm for this position.  I feel very, very lucky to have her taking over this vital role at Springer.  

We know we will be getting a new 6th grade teacher to join Mr. Core and Mrs. Rubinstein - we just don't know who that is yet.  I'm currently in the midst of interviewing candidates.  Los Altos School District is fortunate to attract the best teacher candidates and I have no doubt that I will find a fantastic teacher.  

Notable grade changes are occurring for 3 of our teachers.  Mrs. Coleen Crew is coming back from maternity leave to teach 2nd grade- a grade level she has aspired to teach.  Mrs. Crew will take the place of Ms. Wendy Johnson, who is excited about making the move to the upper grades as part of our 4th grade team.  Finally, Ms. Autumn Hancock is moving to Kindergarten where she can put her Early Childhood Development background to work.  Ms. Hancock's loving personality is a natural fit for our Kindergartners.  I appreciate all 3 of these teachers who welcome the next phase in their career and personal growth.  

Teachers are incredibly busy this time of year.  One of the many tasks at hand is creating class lists for the Fall.  This is a time intensive task done by the grade level teams.  Tremendous thought goes into building classes.   The lists will go through several incarnations before the team finalizes the roster.  Our teachers, who know your children very well by now, are dedicated to creating the best possible learning opportunities for our students in their classes next year.

It is common for parents to have certain desires in their child's placement for next year.  If you feel strongly about your child's placement we ask that you talk to your child's current teacher about your concerns.  Please frame your conversation with the teacher as a discussion of what you feel are your child's strengths and areas of improvement.  It is not appropriate to request a certain teacher by name.  

As always, I am happy to answer questions you may have.  I wish you a positive and successful end of the school year.

Wade Spenader

News and Announcements

Hit-the-Beach Family Picnic and Celebration

Thursday, May 31, 5-8 PM

Springer campus

There is one more big, fun community event that needs organizing and execution. It is the Hit-the-Beach Family Picnic and Celebration, known as the "Spring Picnic" in previous years.

Our mottos guiding us during the organization of this event are "FUN-for-the-kids" and "EASY-on-the-parents." The 6th graders have begun rehearsing and are looking forward to showing the community their jump-rope performance!

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 still we need helping hands to deliver a few, fun activities. Please consider committing to a small volunteer responsibility at the event, one of the last opportunities to be part of community building, hang out with other Springer families, and say, "Good-bye" to the 6th graders and their families.

 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.

WANTED: Website Manager

We are seeking a volunteer webmaster to maintain and update the Springer website for the 2012-2013 school year. Please click here for a more detailed description. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please contact Linda McCartney at LM28476[at]gmail.com.

Volunteers’ Breakfast May 25th

To show our appreciation of the countless hours of wonderful assistance and leadership given by our volunteers here at Springer, our annual Volunteer Breakfast will be given on Friday, May 25th, 8:00 – 9:00 in the Springer Multipurpose Room.  Please join us for this special morning of recognition. Breakfast treats and coffee will be served.

Springer Concert (grades 4-6): 1 pm on Monday, May 21 in the multi.  

4th grade (singing and recorders), 5th and 6th grade band, orchestra and Chorus will be performing.

Order your 2012-2013 school supplies through School-Pak! Best prices before June 15

School-Pak offers one-stop shopping for your child's school supplies, saving you time and convenience over the summer!  Parents with kids entering grades 1-6 can now order school supplies through School-Pak. Supplies for incoming kindergartners are purchased separately by the school, using the school supplies money contributed at the time of registration.

Online ordering for grades 1-6 is now up and running, and you have a few options:

-PREFERRED: Order by June 15 and have supplies sent directly to Springer. Supplies sent to Springer will be labeled with your child's name and delivered to the right classroom by the first day of school.

-You may also choose to have the supplies sent to your home, and then you'll need to bring them to school on the first day. Please note that the supplies should not be used before school starts!

- Orders placed after June 15 will be sent to your home.

Click here to select the package for your child's grade.

Questions? Contact Hilary Burcell (hilary[at]burcell.com)

A Huge “Thank you!” goes out to all of our Springer volunteers and families.

Junior Olympics 2012 was a success! 

Thank you:

75 yd. dash and 1320 volunteers

Set-up and clean-up crew

School rally coordinators

Springer Tent volunteers

Food Sales volunteers

Springer bakers

Parent PE volunteers and relay coaches

Teachers and staff who came out to join us

All parents and student athletes that joined us on the day!  It was a great event!!!

Co-Chairs: Leslie Bosset, Christa Kidwell, Wendy Sarathy  and Andrew Towell

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

Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade

Saturday, May 19, 10 AM

Downtown Los Altos

Watch the Parade beginning at 10am!  If you are marching with your pet, meet other marchers in Springer’s assembly area, group letter F3 by 9.45am.  Please note that some of the assigned assembly areas may not have a sign with our number on it.  Go to the general area of our group letter which is behind First and Main Sports Bar.  Ask direction to the Springer area from anyone wearing a yellow Special Games t-shirt. Come march with other community members and their pets!

Top 10 Reasons to attend Saturday’s Pet Parade

#10.  Expose your pet to some fresh air and exercise.

# 9. To show off what a fashionista your pet is.

#8.  An excuse to paint your animal's toenails pink and purple.

# 7.  A reason to put a tutu on your animal.

#6.  A way to hang out with your animal friends.

#5.  Notice how some animal owners really do look like their pets!

#4.  See what types of exotic animals may be living in your neighborhood.

#3.  Audition your pet for the role of Springer mascot!

#2.  Hope that your pet finds a significant other!

And the # 1 reason to attend Saturday's Pet Parade is,:

To choose which animal your family should adopt next!

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

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

PYT PRESENTS ‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’ – Springer students are in the show!

Peninsula Youth Theatre presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.   Jealous of Joseph and his special coat, his brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt, where his gift for interpreting dreams endears him to the Pharoah. Vibrancy and joy characterize this timeless musical tale of perseverance and forgiveness.

Show times are May 18 at 7:30 pm, May 19 at 2:00 pm, May 19 at 7:30 pm, and May 20 at 1 pm. Tickets cost $16 to $20. To order, call MVCPA box office at (650) 903-6000 or visit www.pytnet.org. The box office opens one hour before showtimes.

SPARTAN SPORTS FREE CLINICS SUNDAY May 20

Interested in improving your child's baseball or softball skills? What about at no charge?

Spartans Sports Camp is proud to offer FREE baseball and softball clinics on Sunday, May 20th from 10 am - 1 pm.  The baseball clinic is open to boys in Grades 3-9 and the softball clinic is open to girls in Grades 3-9.  There will also be a free pizza lunch!   EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNTS for the summer camp will be available.  This is a great opportunity for your child to work with the varsity baseball or softball coach and their players

Science and Nature Summer Programs:  www.evols.org.

Media Center Summer Camps: www.midpenmedia.org/digiquest/ 

Summer Fun at Starting Arts: www.startingarts.com 

Summer Camps & Lessons at Foothills Tennis & Swimming Club: www.foothills-club.org

DezignKidz Summer Camp 2012:  www.dezignkidz.com 

ScholarKids, Summer 2012:  www.scholarkids.net .  

CTC Summer Theatre Conservatory 2012: www.ctcinc.org

Los Altos KidzAdventures: www.lakakidz.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!