The Springer Buzz, w/e September 20, 2013

Click here for the LASD newsletter! 

Calendar

October 2, Wednesday, 7pm:  PTA meeting

October 12, Saturday:  Walkathon

October 25, Friday:  Coffee with the Principal

October 31, Thursday:  Annual Costume Parade

News and Announcements

What is LAEF? The Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) was formed in 1982 in response to the drastic cutbacks in state funding. Every year, the foundation makes a grant to the Los Altos School District ($3.2 million for 2013-14) for enrichment programs like PE, Music, Library, Art and reduced student-to-teacher ratios in the lower grades.  The 2013-14 LAEF grant also includes an Innovation Grant for developing innovative teaching strategies and for STEM labs and teachers at every elementary school.  Without these funds donated by parents to LAEF, our school district could not afford to provide these valuable programs for our kids!

Comprised of parent volunteers, the LAEF board has 3 voting members from each school in the District: Almond, Blach, Covington, Gardner Bullis, Egan, Loyola, Oak, Santa Rita, and Springer. LAEF representatives at Springer are:

Nancy F

Susan Longyear, sue.longyear[at]gmail.com

Brooke Schiller, bbwc[at]sbcglobal.net

Kristin Najarian (member at-large), kristin_najarian[at]yahoo.com  

Learn More & Make Your Tax Deductible Donation Today!  www.laefonline.org

The Springer School Directory for the 2013-2014 school year is almost ready to be printed and bound and distributed to PTA members. A draft version will be available for review in the office until the end of the day Thursday September 26th. Please stop in and check the information listed for your family and make a note if any information is incorrect.

Back to School Order Form

If you didn't get a chance to fill out the online Back To School Order Form, it's not too late!   Hard copy forms for BTS donations are available in the PTA cubby in the school office, or may be printed from the Springer website. Thank you for your support of the Springer PTA!

Walk-a-thon: Gearing Up!  October 12, 2013.

We hope everyone found the bright green sponsor forms in last week's Friday folders! Don't forget to collect sponsors (per lap or a flat donation) from your family, friends and neighbors. Sponsor cards are due to the Walk-a-thon cubby in the office by Friday, October 4!

Parents: We still need volunteers for our big day. Have fun and get to know other Springer families during an easy one-hour Walk-a-thon shift. No training is required! Our goal is at least one volunteer shift per Springer family. Sign up online by clicking here! 

All the Walk-a-thon forms are on the Springer website under the Walk-A-Thon Quick link on the left side of the homepage – or go directly to them by clicking here!

Get ready to go "Coast to Coast" with Springer on Saturday, October 12 from 10-3! We can't wait... can you?

Questions?  Contact Karen McKinley karenhey[at]stanfordalumni.org or Christy Gammons 

christine.gammons[at]gmail.com

Funvisor Programs

Last week both Nature Zone and Run4Your Life Funvisor programs started on Friday and were a huge success!  In the Nature Zone, children had fun picking and tasting tomatoes, carrots and beans while making room for planting new seeds.  Also, there is a new small, portable, see-through compost container which the children have layered with materials and will watch over weeks, seeing the little critters in action.  In addition, the popular Run4Your Life program had a huge turnout with over 120 children running- a great start towards achieving their goals. Please note Run4YourLife is looking for more volunteers.  If you are interested, please contact Jenni Tellefsen at jltellefsen[at]yahoo.com.

Springo Starting Monday, Sept. 23 in the Multi

Springo is a lunchtime Funvisor opportunity for children of all grades to have fun playing BINGO.  Winners receive great prizes!

Questions:  Please contact Clare Delaney

Zumba Kids Starting Tuesday, Oct. 1 in the Multi

A worldwide phenomenon Zumba Kids classes are rockin', high-energy fitness-parties that offer real results.  Packed with specially choreographed routines and latest music, like hip-hop, regeaeton, cumbia, Zumba Kids classes increase focus and self-confidence, boost metabolism and improve coordination.  More than just a great reason get into shape, Zumba Kids classes make getting fit a fun experience with your friends.

Questions:  Please contact Ale Picollo

Origami Starting Tuesday, Oct. 1 in the Library

Fold your way to hearts, cranes, and geometric shapes.

Questions:  Please contact Claudine Sheridan

Springer's LEGO Club Started Wednesday, Sept. 18 in the Multi

LEGO Club will be held in the Multi on Wednesdays at lunch and is free and open to all students.  Our theme this month follows that of "Springer Goes Coast to Coast" Walk-a-thon.  This program is always popular with both girls and boys.  Parent volunteers are welcome to help at lunch!  LEGO Club accepts donations of new and used LEGO on an ongoing basis and deliveries can be placed in the office or brought to LEGO Club.

Questions:  Please contact Laurie Pasmooij, Kimiyo Straw, Jenni Tellefsen and Anita Leo

Springer's Lunchtime Art Club Started Thursday, Sept. 19 in the Quad

We are excited about fun projects ahead, making use of as many recycled materials as possible.  Our first theme is "Springer Goes Coast to Coast" in honor of the upcoming Springer Walk-a-thon.  As with all Springer Lunchtime Funvisor Programs, Art Club is free and open to any student after they eat lunch. Art Club will be held in the quad or in the Multi again this year. Springer Art Club can use unwanted art materials as well as recycled material donations. And of course we welcome parent volunteers to help at lunch! Thank you!

Questions: Please contact Laurie Pasmooij or Kimiyo Straw

Run4YourLife Started Friday, Sept. 13

R4YL meets at lunch time on Fridays on the blacktop by the baseball diamond. R4YL is open to all grades and exposes children to the joy of running or walking. Children earn tokens for their mileage, reaching personal goals while also reaching a group destination goal.  This year R4YL group destination is more about the trip, instead of a final destination and will be in honor of Springer Walk-a-thon theme "Springer Goes Coast to Coast" featuring exciting places such as Death Valley, Route 66, Grand Canyon, etc.
Questions: Please contact Jenni Tellefsen

Nature Zone Started, Friday, Sept. 13 (every other week) in the Living Garden

Come learn about worm composting, try new veggies, and plant seeds in the Springer Teaching Garden. 

Questions:  Please contact Jeff Fixler

Games with Mr. Heeb Mondays and Wednesdays

Noontime games and activities with P.E. Specialist Mr. Heeb.  Everyone is welcome!

Questions:  Please contact Mr. Heeb

For current and ongoing Funvisor activities: please click here!
Questions:  Please contact Clare Delaney
 

Project Cornerstone

Project Cornerstone is a school-wide program designed to help all children feel valued, respected, and known.  Each month a trained parent volunteer also called an “ABC Reader” (Asset Building Champion) will read a book in your child’s classroom.  The book will present opportunities to discuss and explore developmental assets that are important to positive values, relationships, skills and experiences that help young people thrive. 

You don’t have to be a trained volunteer to be a part of Project Cornerstone.  In fact, the success of the program depends on every adult supporting every child in the school.  This means that in addition to reinforcing the skills at home with your own child, you encourage all students on campus and around town.  We want every child to have many caring adults in their lives.

Stay tuned for more information about what you can do to help create a caring community of learners.  

Girls on the Run at Springer is STILL looking for Coaches!

This wonderful program has been at Springer for 8 years, for 3-6th grade girls. No running experience necessary, just a love of working with girls and promoting a positive self image.

The program starts the first week in March and goes through the 3rd week in May. GOTR meets twice a week right after school.

If you are interested in coaching, please contact Diana Rudolph gdrudolph[at]comcast.net or check out the website at www.gotrsv.org

Reading in Preterm and Full Term Children

Do you have a six year old? Are you interested in how reading develops?  Here at Stanford, we are 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.

If you are interested in having your child participate in this study, please click here for more details.

Student Extra-curricular activities

GirlSPARC 

GirlSPARC - a Science Plus ARithmetic Club - is an after-school extracurricular STEM program for 2nd - 6th grade girls, with the goal of exposing girls to engineering, math & science topics in a fun, supportive environment.  We are offering the program twice a week - Mondays for 2nd & 3rd grade girls, and Thursdays for 4th, 5th & 6th grade girls.  It is an 8 week program, starting on 9/23.  For more information, contact Tracy Stone, tracygstone[at]yahoo.com, or Anita Mathew,anita.mathew10[at]gmail.com.

Play In A Box After-School Fall Drama Class

Springer Elementary is teaming up with Peninsula Youth Theatre to offer after school drama this fall! Students will learn the basics of acting, character development, story-telling and theater terminology while having fun and rehearsing a show. 

Parents will provide a simple costume for their child (instructions included), help gathering props, and assisting their child in memorization.

Classes are open to 4th - 6th graders held Mondays from 2:45-4:15 from 9/23 - 12/9 (no rehearsal on 11/11 or 11/25). Final performance on 12/9 at Springer.

A maximum of 20 students will be accepted per session.  Cost $225 per student.  

Register online at:  http://pytspringerfall2013.eventbrite.com

LEGO CLUB

Springer's noontime LEGO Club has kicked off its third year already! Our first theme of 2013/2014 is American amusement parks and attractions in honor of the Springer Walkathon. Students will be encouraged to design their favorite attractions for display during the week of the Walkathon. We have created a LEGO model of Disneyland for students to guess how many LEGO were used for our first Estimation Contest of the year. Winners will be announced at Assembly and LEGO prizes awarded to the top estimators. This year we will be offering a new program to support any student who wishes to come to LEGO Club to help our newer builders. They will join our "LEGO Worker Bees" team and have a special badge to identify them as student volunteers.

Springer is the only school in the district with an extensive collection of over 200 pounds of LEGO and an active noontime LEGO program run by volunteers. LEGO Club is a free Funvisor club open to any student and boasts just as many girls participating as boys.  Students are able to do multi-week builds because our collection is so large. We gladly accept donations and welcome volunteers.

Lego Club is held on Wednesdays at lunch recess in the Multi.

Questions?  Please contact Laurie Pasmooij, Kimiyo Straw, Anita Leo, or Jenni Tellefsen.

Is your child interested in volunteering at Springer? Two noontime clubs, LEGO Club and Art Club, are recruiting student volunteers to help make the newer students feel welcome and provide valuable assistance with projects. An informational meeting on these volunteer programs will be held for students at lunch recess on Tuesday September 16in the Multi. We hope that our student volunteers will provide good role models for other students and continue to encourage positive interaction between grade levels at Springer. Volunteers will be known as the Springer Worker Bees for LEGO Club and Arterrific Stingers for Art Club. A Springer Worker Bee can be any student who is willing to help other students build with LEGO. They will wear a badge so they can be easily identified by other students. Arterrific Stingers volunteers should be in Grades 4-6 and will help with tasks such as paint distribution, creation assembly, operation of glue guns and heavier duty scissors, etc. during Art Club at lunch. Arterrific Stingers have the option to wear aprons provided that identify them as a volunteer. LEGO Club and Art Club are held weekly on Wednesday and Thursdays respectively at lunch recess.

Questions? Please contact Laurie Pasmooij,laurie.pasmooij[at]mac.com.

Art Club
The first Art Club of 2013/2014 will be held on Thursday September 19 at lunch recess. In honor of the "Springer Goes Coast to Coast" Walkathon, our first Art Club will be held at the large United States map on the Springer blacktop. Our Arterrific Stingers and parent volunteers will be there to help students draw famous places on the United States map with chalk. We have tourist maps handy as well as over a hundred pictures/post cards of famous U.S. destinations to color as well. Art Club will be held every Thursday at Lunch. We welcome all students and parent volunteers...and art supply donations. Questions please contact Laurie Pasmooij or Kimiyo Straw.

Public Speaking Classes at Springer for grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 on Wednesdays 2:50pm - 3:55pm, starting 9/25/13.   (Please note that there will be supervision for 3^rd graders from 2:25-2:50pm.)

For Registration and more information, click here!

How to submit an item to the Springer Buzz!

If you have an article to submit to the new Springer Buzz, please send it to the editor at springer.buzz@gmail.com by noon on Monday for inclusion in the next edition.  Late arrivals will be included if possible but can’t be guaranteed!  All flyers must be in either WORD or PDF format, and accompanied by a brief summary of the activity in the email.