Springer Star Newsletter

October 12th, 2012

In This Issue

Calendar Dates

Letter from the Principal

News and Announcements

Student Extracurricular Activities

Quick Dates for your Calendar

Saturday, October 13th:  Springer Walkathon

Tuesday, October 23rd:  Minimum Day

Thursday, October 25th: Family Dinner Night Out at Mountain Mike’s

Wednesday, October 31st:  Annual Costume Parade

Monday, November 5th-9th: Springer All-Stars Book Fair

Thursday November 8th, 5-7.30pm: Community Picnic

Principal’s Letter

Upgrading Teacher LapTops

If you have been following me this year, you've heard me speak and write about the exciting new Common Core Standards that will be implemented in the state, starting in 2014.  These new standards prepare our students for the future by emphasizing critical and higher-order thinking skills. The Common Core also puts a focus on student collaboration, oral skills, and use of technology.

Thanks to the PTA, we have made sure that our students are equipped with the technology they need to elevate their learning and work.  Last year we purchased two new laptop carts for 5th and 6th grade, putting the latest hardware in the hands of our students.  Springer has over 50 iPads on campus that are used across the grade levels.  We've upgraded the memory and operating systems in our computer lab.  Our Technology Committee and our PTA have made sure our students are using state-of-the-art technology in their learning.

Now we have a new area of technology that needs upgrading.  Most of our teachers are using laptops that were purchased years ago, and we are starting to feel the effects.  Besides dying batteries and slow operating systems, many of our teachers cannot run the latest versions of programs that our students are using.  This became apparent to me this summer, as I met with three of our teachers during their iLearn workshop.  While they were being taught how to use iMovie '11, their laptops could only run iMovie '09, which was a very different piece of software from the newest version. Teachers suffer daily from the endless spinning wheel while we wait for an application to open, crashing hard-drives, and more than a bit of frustration.

One of the great things the Technology Committee did years ago was put together a 5-year replacement plan for technology.  Essentially, the plan created a "savings" account that reserved enough money to prudently purchase technology in phases.  The plan called for gradually replacing teacher laptops every year, 5 at a time.  Oldest machines would be phased out first.  And, while this plan has served us for the last 4 years, we are seeing the need for all teachers to have up-to-date machines at the same time.   This is even more important as we ask teachers to embed technology into the curriculum and teach students how to use these powerful tools.  

Recently, I took to the Technology Committee the proposal of purchasing new laptops to upgrade all teachers who are currently using older versions of the MacBook.  The consensus of the Technology Committee was that this was something we need to do.  But, doing so will nearly deplete the technology fund reserved for hardware purchases for this yea, so there is a gamble in this proposition.  However, it is one that I'm willing to put forth for the following reasons:

1.  The computer lab is running well and Regina Regan, our fabulous technology specialist, estimates that we can get another two years from our desktop computers currently in the lab.

2.  Technology for student use is currently up-to-date with new machines.  In fact, laptops from the older laptop carts are beginning to be deployed in some classrooms, so we are actually getting more machines out to students than ever before.   Purchasing 22 new teacher laptops would allow us to deploy the older teacher laptops into even more classrooms; the older laptops work fine for internet work and word processing.

3.  New laptops for teachers will continue the momentum built from the emphasis on Common Core Standards and the work of our district's Technology, Innovative Strategies, and cSTEM coaches who often work with our teachers to bring innovation into our classrooms.  

Obviously, PTA expenditure like this (22 laptops costs about $35,000) needs careful consideration.  I have been working with the Technology Committee and PTA Leadership to weigh the pros and the cons.  I feel strongly that we need to be committed to giving our teachers the tools they need to carry on the great work that they do.  So, this expenditure will be an item for discussion and then vote at the next PTA meeting on November 7th at 7:00pm.   As always, I welcome any feedback you might have.

Follow me on Twitter #SpringerSpenade

News and Announcements

LASD now has a district library website (or “virtual library”)!  Librarians across the district will be introducing the new library website to all students during the next few weeks.  In the meantime, more information about this exciting new service is available here!

The District Nurses will be doing vision screening at Springer School for all Kindergarten, 3rd, and 6th grades on 17th October.  If your child has glasses or contacts, please make sure that they wear them to school on the day of the screening.  The nurse will mail a referral form to the parents of students who do not pass the vision screening.

Nurse Needed: The Los Altos School District needs a Registered Nurse at lunch time to supervise tube feeding, blood sugar levels and insulin administration.  One hour per day, Monday-Friday, $50 per hour.  To apply, call Marlene Revelo, 650-947-1153

All excused and unexcused absences must be reported to the school office.  Please call the attendance line at 943-4240 to report an absence, or late arrival due to a medical or dental appointment.  After 9:00 AM, please call the office directly at 943-4200.  Late arrivals must sign in at the office and get an admittance slip to return to class.  

Follow LASD on Twitter: Stay up to date on current district news, follow us on twitter @lasdk8

WALK-A-THON

Are you ready for The Supersonic Space Walk?!?

October 13th, 2012

We are looking forward to seeing everyone this Saturday for the annual Springer Walk-a-thon!

Helpful Walk-a-thon day reminders

Food: The only food that will be available for sale (not pre-ordered) are hot dogs, snack foods, sno cones and sweets.  A water station will be available to refill water bottles.  Pre-ordered food can be picked up starting at 11 am.  You may bring food from home if you like.  However, all proceeds from food purchases benefit Springer!  

Time:  Most families stay throughout the day. Registration opens at 9:15am but you can come late if you have another commitment.  The walking begins at 10:00am and goes until 3:00 pm.

Incentives are given throughout the day. There will be no food incentives this year (only treats and trinkets).

Walk-a-thon T-Shirts are given to all student walkers in the Incentives tent after lap 10.  Extra shirts ordered will be delivered the week before the Walk-a-thon.  If you did not receive your shirt beforehand, it will be at the registration table.  The kids change into their Walkathon t-shirt (or put them on over whatever they wore) to show their School Spirit!

Fun: We have a DJ that will run the schedule and play music.  There will be some other non-walking activities, like face-painting!

What to Bring – Many families establish a ‘home base’ for their kids near the playground so kids can take breaks as needed.   KINDERS: Look for the Kinder area and contact Jenny Jun or Sharon Rosenberg for information. It's a good idea to bring:

1. A picnic blanket or tarp, lawn chair(s), sun umbrella or pop-up tent.
2. Sun protection (hat, sunscreen).
3. Comfortable shoes, extra socks and maybe a spare pair of shoes.  The field is usually wet with morning dew.
4. Layers of clothes.  It’s cool in the morning but often gets very warm by noon.
5. A refillable water bottle and healthy snacks.
6. Quarters and small bills.  Kids can buy treats from the "Pocket People".

Other reminders about the Walk-a-thon rules

1. Each child must have a responsible adult (>18 yrs) on site.  No drop-offs.
2. Please don’t go under the ropes.  Enter/exit ONLY at the official entrance.  Turn in your lap card in the bins provided, every time you leave the track.
3. If you haven’t turned in the green sponsor card by October 5th (signed on the front and back), you’ll be required to sign one at the registration table that morning.  (We'd prefer you turn it in before the 13th, as it really slows down registration if it's done that morning.)
4. Medals – Don’t forget to pick up a medal at the end of the day!  Students are encouraged to do their very best!  Age-appropriate targets are set for students based on grade level.  It is a Springer tradition to award a Gold, Silver OR Bronze medal to students who walk the specified numbers of laps for their grade level.  Pick up your medal as you turn in your lap card at the end of the day.  ONE medal per student will be awarded!  Please wait until you are sure your child is finished walking and you are ready to leave before picking up a medal.  Each walker will receive ONE Medal based on the number of walks they complete for their grade.

Last but not least

The 50/50 Raffle:  Don’t forget!  The 50/50 raffle is back!!!!  So come prepared to try to win some $$CASH$$!!

1 ticket - $1        7 tickets - $5  15 tickets - $10              Stretch - $20 anyone can stretch for you.

PLUS look out for the new Wimpy Kid book!  You’ll be able to buy it ahead of time at the Walkathon.  Click here for more details!

Thank you all for your support of the Springer PTA!  We are so excited that the Walk-a-thon is tomorrow and we will enjoy the day with our Springer Family!

The Walk-a-thon Committee

Questions?

Contact Christy Gammons: christine.gammons[at]gmail.com  or call (216) 533 9874

Funvisor Activities  

FunVisors are parent volunteers who offer fun activities and play with students during lunch recess. This program is part of Project Cornerstone, which hopes to provide an opportunity whereby adults can be role models and help child build a deeper connection to the school and their peers. The goal is to have at least two parents - FunVisors - per day offering fun activities during the noontime.

For all current and ongoing Funvisor activities, please click here

Questions: please contact Clare Delaney

FAMILY DINNER NIGHTS

Do you like to eat out?!?  Help Springer by organizing Family Dinner Nights!

This is a great way to get involved and easy to do from home on your own time.

Email Renee at chefskate@gmail.com  for more details.

Save the Date!  Family Dinner Night Out, Thursday October 25, at Mountain Mike’s.

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, November 8, 5pm - 7:30 pm.

As part of the Springer All-Stars Book Fair which runs from November 5th-9th, don’t forget the community picnic on November 8th! Scholastic books will be for sale in the Multi and food trucks will be parked at the curb. Prepare to indulge your reading habits, appetites and your great sportsmanship!

Including: The NEW Wimpy Kid Book!  You’ll be able to buy it ahead of time at the Book Fair.  See here for more details!

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who donated to Beechwood School!

We donated $60 cash and over 200 books, which was 116.5 pounds! Beechwood School is enormously grateful and appreciative. Thank you to all who participated to contribute the 3 boxes and 3 bags of books that were dropped off this week.

Student Extracurricular Activities

14th Annual Run for Zimbabwe Orphans and Fair: Sunday March 24th – save the date!

For more information, please see their website: zimbabweparaguay.net

Mandarin After School program at Springer starts Tuesday, September 18th.  The program will run for 8 weeks on Tuesday and Thursdays.  Please see flier for more details.

Math Olympiad - Sports for the Mind! Interested in fun, innovative, and challenging math problems?  Fridays after school.  For registration and more information, click here.

Los Altos Robotics FIRST LEGO League: LosAltosRobotics.org.

Springer Singers: Mondays after school.  Gr.1-3 2:30-3:30pm; Gr. 4-6 2:45-3:30pm

Academic Chess Club, Thursdays after school, see flier for details

Flag Football Grades 4-6, see flier for details

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!