Springer Star Newsletter

May 3rd, 2013

In This Issue

Calendar Dates

Principal’s Letter

News and Announcements

Parent Education Opportunities

Student Extracurricular Activities

Quick Dates for your Calendar

May 6: Family Dinner Night Out

May 11: Springer Giants Day

May 16: Volunteer’s Breakfast

May 23: Springer Picnic, 5-8pm

May 24: Upper Grade Music Concert

May 31: Coffee with the Principal

June 7: Field day

Letter from the Principal

Springer 6th Graders Shine at CSTEM Showcase

Last Friday, 6th graders from around the district convened at Almond to showcase the work they have done in their cSTEM class.  The cSTEM class, funded by LAEF, is a 30-minute-per-week period that allows students to design, program and create on computers.  The curriculum is based on ISTE’s National Educational Technology Standards for Students, the ACM K-12 Computer Science Model Curriculum, the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics for Grade 6 and the California Content standards in Visual arts for Grade 6.  The curriculum includes understanding parts of a computer (hardware and software); introduction to programming using Logo, Scratch and Processing; creating art through computer programming; designing and building a math and/or Science video game; using Edmodo and Google sites/ docs to share and collaborate online.

The cSTEM class is taught by Mrs. Sheena Vaidyanathan on Wednesday afternoons.  Mrs. V consistently comments to me that Springer students are some of the best in the district when it comes to cSTEM.   This point was proven last Friday at the showcase as Springer 6th graders won a number of recognitions:

Art Category:   Winner - Andrew D

Math and Science Game Category:  Winners - Paige Z, Kaylyn H, Oscar B, and Andrew C

Judge's Exemplary Achievement: Trina C

For a full recap of the cSTEM Showcase, click here: 

One of the highlights of the cSTEM program is the emphasis on the 3 C's: Creativity, Collaboration, and Computer Science.  It is another example of how LASD is "revolutionizing learning for all students.”    

News and Announcements

The Los Altos Educational Foundation is pleased to announce that we have met our fundraising commitment to the Los Altos School District for the 2012-2013 school year.

This year, thousands of committed and generous parents stepped up to raise $3M and fund the largest grant we’ve ever raised in the 30-year history of LAEF. At Junior Olympics, we presented two checks to the district:

·        one for $2,540,000 to cover our baseline grant

·        one for $460,000 representing our innovation grant.

Together, that adds up to $3 million dollars for programs delivered during this school year at all nine schools across the Los Altos school district.

The LAEF Board will be voting on our grant for the 2013-2014 school year on May 16th. If you have input you'd like to share with the LAEF Board, please contact Brooke Schiller, Nancy F., Sue Longyear or Kristin Najarian prior to the 16th.

We want to personally thank all of you - as parents and community members - for your continued generosity and commitment to our outstanding schools.

LASD News: Jr. High Spanish Textbook Adoption, Parent Preview

We are in the process of reviewing instructional materials for all Junior High Spanish Classes. In order to align with Mountain View Los Altos High School District we are investigating the Vista Higher Learning, Descubre textbooks.  The District Curriculum Council will be reviewing materials during their May 6 meeting and a recommendation will be made to the Board of Trustees at the May 13 LASD Board Meeting.  The materials are available for parent preview at the District Office from May 1 – May 13, during the hours of 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm and 4:00pm.

Still searching for Auction Co-Chairs

Are you a party planner? Do you like having fun working with a group of dedicated and creative people? Are you the type of person that gets a thrill of seeing people enjoying and benefiting from the fruits of your labor?

If so, we've got the perfect opportunity for you to fulfill your wildest dreams!! We are looking fortwo energetic, fun-loving ROCK STARS to be our co-chairs for the 2014 Springer Auction! This annual "adult-only" party is the largest fundraising event for Springer and we need YOU to help make it happen!! Our kids need YOU to help make it happen!!

So, if you fit the bill and are interested in joining and leading this fun and exciting committee,

please contact Linda McCartney (LM28476[at]gmail.com) or LeeAnn Steffen (loopedlulu[at]yahoo.com). Don't miss out on a wonderful opportunity to have an impact on the whole Springer community!

Volunteer Appreciation Week, May 13-17

It's Spring and time to recognize our hard-working volunteers. Who better than our very own Springer community to help us nominate volunteers who deserve the various awards?

Nomination forms are available at the front office.  Or click here to download the form.  You can email the completed form to wenbk[at]aol.com or turn it in at the front office

Springer Family Dinner Night Out at Chevys!

Come to Chevys on May 6th to celebrate Cinco de Mayo without the crowds! Please share the attached FLYER with all of your friends and family. See you there!

Spring Family Picnic - May 23rd, 5-8pm - SAVE THE DATE!

Spring is officially here!  And that means that we are getting ready for the Spring Family Picnic, with food trucks, music, games, and more.  If you would like to help with this fun event, please contact Amanda Steele at amsteele[@]ymail.com

Saturday, May 11 is the Springer Community Day at the San Jose Giants!

There are plenty of tickets available at a special reduced rate of $5 per person, so consider inviting friends and extended family. Children 4 years and younger are free, as are the Springer Singers.  (Ticket face value is $11.)  Beginning at 5 pm, the Singers perform the National  Anthem. Look for the ticket seller in the quad or stop by the office and purchase tickets there (checks to Springer PTA).  Join the fun celebrating our great Springer Nation, the superb Springer Singers, and Spring Ball! The San Jose Giants vs. High Desert Mavericks at the San Jose Municipal Stadium.  Springer community members are sitting in section B.  Contact Chris Leahy (cleahy94025[at]yahoo.com) or Karen Eichstadt-Coy (eichcoy[at]yahoo.com) for more information, or to arrange alternate ticket purchase and delivery.

Parent Education Opportunities

Upcoming EDtalks with LASD

May 24th:            Ed Tech/Technology Integration

Edtalks are held in the iLearn Studio, located next to the District Board Room.  For more details, including times, visit Edtalks on the LASD Website.  

Student Extracurricular Activities

66th Annual Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade

Saturday, May 18, 10 AM

Downtown Los Altos

March with other community members and their pets!

Springer has a marching position in the Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade.  A beloved tradition, this community event allows children to parade with their dogs, cats, birds, bunnies, chickens - even worms! Assembly time will be prompt at 9:45 AM under the Springer sign. (Exact meeting place still TBD.) This is your chance to dress up your pet in that adorable costume! Please wear your own Springer spirit wear too.

Contact Justine Dachille (jdachille[at]gmail.com), or Karen Eichstadt-Coy (eichcoy[at]yahoo.com) for more information.

Saturday, May 11th – Los Altos Hills Pathways Run/Walk

9:00 am at Westwind Community Barn, 5K, 10K and 1 mile Family Fun Run.

Please register on-line here. Use the Discount Code of "owlhouse".  (The discount is for $10 off of the 5K and 10K run/walk).   All participants receive an owl design dry-wick t-shirt.

Los Altos Recreation Department

The week of May 5 sees us in nature, singing and playing tennis. That is to say, Green Bean Kidz (2-5yrs and 5-10yrs), Kid Sing (5-8yrs), and a slew of tennis classes --Terrific Tiny Tennis (5-7ys), Quickstart (8-10yrs), Novice (11-14yrs) and Intermediate (11-14 yrs) tennis--all begin during the next week.

May 5-11 is a good time to make those summer camp plans, too, and we happen to be taking registration for all such camps! To read about and register for all of our spring classes and summer camps, go to LosAltosRecreation.org and click on the photo of our SPRING 2013 RECREATION GUIDE.

Remember, we have a great variety of adult classes, too. Check us out!

Medaka no Gakko, a Japanese cultural summer program runs from June 24-July 12, 2013 at the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple in Palo Alto. For more information, please visit www.medakanogakko.org or email medakanogakkopaloalto@gmail.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!