Los Altos School District Weekly Newsletter
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Springer Star Newsletter December 21st 2012 |
In This Issue |
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Calendar Dates News and Announcements Parent Education Opportunities Student Extracurricular Activities |
Quick Dates for your Calendar |
| December 21st: Winter Break begins |
News and Announcements |
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Message from the PTA Co-Presidents The 1st quarter of school is nearly over and we want to extend our deepest appreciation to the Springer parent community for their dedication and commitment to ensure that our school remains a high-performing, neighborhood school! Here's a brief summary of what we were able to accomplish thus far: BTS - We raised over $73.5K via the Back To School form! Over $40,000 went towards the Technology Fund and the rest has been applied to the PTA general fund, party fund and library!! Book Fair - The Book Fair team sold over $20,750 worth of goods, raising more than $10,700 for our school! These funds are already being utilized to purchase books for the Springer Library, as well as $200 worth of books for each of our Classroom Libraries! Walkathon - the $$$ are still being tallied and the donations are still coming in, but all indications point to this event surpassing its expected income for this year!! More details to come in January. None of this could have been accomplished without the generosity of parent volunteers and donations! Still to come: the Springer Auction on March 23 at the University Club in Palo Alto! As we begin our holiday break, let's all be thankful for our health, families and friends. Let's also take a moment to remember the folks that are not as fortunate, especially those in Newtown, Connecticut. They are coping with an unimaginable sadness and grief after the terrible tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday. When school resumes for Sandy Hook, it will be in a new building. Parent-volunteers are working to ensure that the students are welcomed back by a winter wonderland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible. Perhaps this could be a special project for our children during the holiday break. It would be a simple gesture but speak volumes about our support for their community at this very difficult time. If you would like to participate, please have your child(ren) make and bring the snowflakes to the office when school resumes on January 7 so that we can mail them all together. We will place a "snowflakes" box inside the office for this purpose and plan to mail it on Wednesday, January 9. We encourage senders to be as creative as possible, remembering that no two snowflakes are alike. Have a safe and happy holiday break and see you in January! Linda McCartney and LeeAnn Steffen Springer PTA Co-Presidents |
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PTA Nominating Committee The Springer PTA will vote to elect the Nominating Committee for the 2013-2014 PTA board officers at the January meeting being held Wednesday, January 9 at 8:45am. The Nominating Committee consists of five (5) members and (2) alternates who are current members of the PTA. The candidates for the 2013-2014 Nominating Committee are: Jennifer Dormady Kevin Beedon Rachel Michelson Dani Thompson Cheryl Quinn Alternates: Chris Brey and Rita Estrada The Nominating Committee has the important role of identifying a slate of qualified candidates for next year's PTA elected leadership. Board officer nominations will be presented at the March PTA meeting and the election will be held at the April PTA meeting. PTA members are encouraged to consider volunteering for a position on next year's board! It is a great way to learn about and support the many programs at Springer. Association members can recommend candidates, including themselves, for the board by submitting this form, which can be dropped off in the Springer office. |
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Seeking Hot Lunch volunteers! The Hot Lunch team needs to fill two volunteer spots starting in January. Hot Lunch shifts are from 11:35-12:15, and for each shift you work, you earn a free lunch for your child from Kid Chow! If you would like to serve lunch every other Thursday or every other Friday, please contact Hilary Burcell or Anita Leo. |
| Library volunteers needed! Would you like to meet students of all grade levels? Come help in the library at lunch! The library needs volunteers to shelve, check-in and check-out books. Contact Claudine Sheridan at claudine3c[at]yahoo.com for more information. |
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Flu Shots Target is providing free flu shots for kids age 4 - 18 until December 31 through their ShooTheFlu program. Click here for more details. |
| Pertussis Booster for Students in grade 6: Students currently in grade 6 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 seventh grade in August of 2013. Please provide a copy of your child’s immunization record to the office by March 15, 2013. |
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Save the Date! Springer Auction March 23, 2013 6:30 p.m.- 10:30 p.m. You’re invited to the Annual Springer Auction. This is more than just an auction! This is an opportunity to join your fellow Springer parents for an evening of fun and fundraising benefiting our very own Springer School. You’ll eat, you’ll drink, you’ll bid and, most importantly, you’ll have a great time.Here is our recommended "to-do" list for the holiday break:1. Save the Date - mark your calendars!2. Secure your babysitter3. Consider hosting a party*4. Consider donating an item**For more suggestions, click here; for the community donation form, click here Questions? Contact Renee and Wen at springerauction@gmail.com |
Los Altos Art Docents are comprised of 89 active well-trained volunteers who teach hands-on art and art appreciation lessons throughout the Los Altos School District.For more information about being an Art Docent, you can read their newsletter by clicking here.Or visit their web site at www.losaltosartdocents.org or call 650.947.1195 |
Los Altos Kiwanis Tree Lot - Raise Money for Springer!For every tree purchased at the Los Altos Kiwanis Tree Lot by someone from Springer, $5 or $10 will be donated back to our PTA. Simply mention Springer school when you check out!The Kiwanis Tree Lot is located in the Lucky’s Supermarket parking lot at Foothill Expressway and Arboretum Drive. |
Parent Education Opportunities |
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Packard Pediatric Weight Control Program - spaces available for winter groups. Spaces are available now for the Packard Pediatric Weight Control Program, a 6-month-long weekly family program. Small groups of children (ages 8-15) and parents meet for 1.5hrs weekly to focus on establishing healthy eating and exercise habits. Call (650) 725-4424 for more information about the next groups in English and Spanish and for payment options. Or click on our website. |
| Save the date! The next MVLA School Speaker will be Dr. Deborah Gilboa: "Raising Kids Who Can Launch": Thursday, January 24 at 7 pm, LAHS Theater. |
Student Extracurricular Activities |
| After School Art Club for grades K-3, Thursdays, Jan. 10 - Apr.18, 2.30-3.30pm in the Art room. For more information, click here. |
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Do you have a six year old? Are you interested in how reading develops? Stanford Medical School is conducting a longitudinal research study which uses psychological testing and new brain imaging technology to see how reading skills develop in preterm and full-term children. Children aged 5 years and 9 months to 6 years and 5 months are eligible to have their reading, language and thinking skills evaluated, at no cost. Find out more here. |
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Los Altos Recreation Department Sign ups for Los Altos Recreation Department holiday camps are now underway. Camps include the holiday-themed Camp Candy Cane (ages 3.5-5), the “day-trip” Pre-Teen Holiday Camp (ages 8-12) and all around-fun Ice Skating Camp (ages 6-12). Join us! To check out and/or register online for all of our upcoming classes and camps, go to losaltosrecreation.org and click on the photo of our new WINTER 2013 RECREATION GUIDE. And remember, we have a great variety of adult classes, too. Check them out! Los Altos Recreation Department wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday! |
| The 2012-13 Education Programs are off to a great start at the California Theatre Center! Check out the Newsletter for Holiday Season 2012 by clicking here. |
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After School Soccer Program for Grades 1 – 3 Wednesdays, 2:45pm – 3:30pm starting February 6 Join your friends and learn how to dribble, pass, receive, and shoot! Technical skills taught by TOP MVLA professional coaches AT YOUR SCHOOL one day per week directly after school. Supervision provided on the field from school dismissal. This fun six-week program is $90.00. For more info or to register, please go to http://tinyurl.com/mvla1-3 or visit www.mvlasc.org and click on after school programs |
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Girls on the Run Program Sign Ups December 1st! Click here for more detailed information! |
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Spartans Sports Camp Holiday Basketball Camp, December 26th-29th Visit www.SpartansSportsCamp.com or call (650)479-5906 for more information |
| Math Olympiad - Sports for the Mind! Fridays after school. For more information, click here. |
Springer Singers: Mondays after school. Gr.1-3 2:30-3:30pm; Gr. 4-6 2:45-3:30pm |
Academic Chess Club. See flier for details of 2013 sessions. |
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! |