Springer Buzz!

October 11, 2013

In This Issue

Calendar Dates

Letter from the Principal

News and Announcements

Parent Education Opportunities

Student Extracurricular Activities

Quick Dates for your Calendar

October 12, Saturday:  Walkathon

October 22: Minimum Day (staff development); school ends at 12.15pm

October 22:  Bike rodeo after school

October 23: Photo Make Up Day

October 24: Family Dinner Night Out

October 25, Friday, 8.45am :  Coffee with the Principal

October 31, Thursday, 1.15pm:  Annual Costume Parade                          

Letter from the Principal

Thank you for your support

As we are about to embark on our annual Walk-a-thon on Saturday, I am reminded of how lucky I am to work in such a supportive community.  Los Altos School District is a model example of parents and educators working together to give our kids the best educational experience possible.  What we do as a community, together, is amazing.  

Our Walk-a-thon is one of two major fundraisers for the Springer PTA.  We depend on your PTA dollars to buy the "stuff" we need to educate students.  From technology to tape, from paint to pencils, from Starting Arts to student folders, PTA dollars ensure your children have what they need to thrive at Springer.  

We also depend greatly on the generous contributions from Los Altos Education Foundation (LAEF).  LAEF fundraises across the district and then donates its' dollars to provide the people who run very important programs.   The district STEM teachers, small-group instructional aides in grades 1 and 2, class size reduction, music and PE are just some of the highlights that LAEF provides.  One key difference between PTAs and LAEF is that LAEF pledges a contribution before the school year begins and then works to fund that overall contribution throughout the school year.  In other words, students this year are already receiving the great programs that LAEF has pledged to provide.  Whatever you can donate to LAEF this year is helpful in making their pledge goals.  I know that our teachers really appreciate the impact LAEF has made this year, and in past years, to our children.  

I hope to see you all at the Walk-a-thon.  It's a great event unlike any other.  One of my favorite parts of the day is the ability to get around to all of you and have great conversations and building stronger relationships.  After every Walk-a-thon, I drive home feeling so lucky to be at Springer.

See you out there!

Wade Spenader- Principal

Follow us on Twitter @SpringerSpenade

News and Announcements

Two ways to make your donation work harder! LAEF’s matching fund will match new donations dollar for dollar if received by November 1.  This applies to all new families, new donors, and increases in donations over last year.  If you give just a little more this year, including STEM donations, the additional amount will be matched 100%.

Also, don’t forget to find out if your employer has a matching program.  LAEF raises over $500,000 each year from local companies who match parent donations.  If you aren’t sure, contact Shobana Gubbi, LAEF Executive Director, at laef@att.net or call 650-559-0445.

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 District Nurses will be doing vision screening at Springer for all Kindergarten, Third and Sixth Graders on October 18th.  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.

WALK-A-THON: SEE YOU TOMORROW!!

It’s finally time!! The 26th annual Springer Walk-a-thon is TOMORROW – Saturday, October 12 -- from 10 am to 3 pm! We’re extremely excited to take you on our “Coast-to-Coast” road trip spectacular!

If you did not turn in your sponsor form (with signed waiver on the back), it’s not too late! Bring it to the office Walk-a-thon cubby ASAP, or to the Registration table when you arrive at the Walk-a-thon.  Donations can be per-lap or a flat amount. Remember, no Springer student can participate without a signed waiver!

Wondering what to bring? Check out our handy list and event overview online here!

Pre-ordered food will be available for pickup starting at 11 am. Food and treats will also be available for sale at the event – remember, small bills and quarters ONLY, please!

If you haven’t yet signed up for a volunteer shift, it’s not too late! Check out the open slots here!

Get out your walking shoes… bring your energy (and your sunscreen)… and see you TOMORROW at the Walk-a-thon!

Please note: The Walk-a-thon is not a drop-off event! All Springer students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Thank you!

Springer Directories were sent home to PTA members in this week's Friday Folders.  Please check your child's backpack for your directory.  For those of you that didn't fill out the BTS form, or didn't become a PTA member, it's not too late!  Forms are available in the PTA cubby in the office.  If you didn't receive a copy of the directory, but think you signed up to become a PTA member on the BTS form, contact Donna Murphy at jcdrm[at]yahoo[.]com.

Springer Family Dinner Night Out at Sweet Tomatoes!

Springer’s first Family Dinner Night Out of the year is Thursday, October 24th at Sweet Tomatoes!  Take the kids out to dinner and earn an easy 20% on food sales for Springer.  Offer valid from 5pm to 8pm.  Please bring in this FLYER in with you.  See you there!

Springer WOW Bike Rodeo Needs Volunteers!

Springer, WOW and the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition will be hosting a bike rodeo on Tuesday, October 22 (minimum day).  We are looking for parent volunteers from 12:00 – 2:30 to help with the stations.  You’ll be trained on the spot.  Come help make learning about bike safety fun for the kids!  Please contact sharontantan[at]yahoo.com if you can help out.

Check out our new selection of Springer Spirit Wear!

DTG printing by Big Frog on white or ash colored T-shirts, only $18 each!  View the designs here!

We also have select sizes of Classic Spirit Wear (inventory left over from previous years) available.  View those designs here.

Shirts ordered through the Back to School form will be available for pickup at the Walkathon.

Questions?  Contact Michelle Mihopoulos at michellemihopoulos[at]gmail.com or 408-892-5082.

Parent Education Opportunities

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 Extracurricular Activities

News from the Los Altos Art Docents!

Test your Art trivia knowledge by naming the famous works of art in the new Art Docent mural.

Enter  at www.losaltosartdocents.org

The Art Docents will be celebrating the unveiling of their new mural with Hands-on Art projects and an Ice Cream Truck

Tuesday, October 22 (minimum day)

12:45- 2:15 p.m.

Art Docent Office at Covington School

All entrants will win a certificate for ice cream at our event and be entered into a raffle to win a grand prize. Entries are due by October 15th.  Read more about it here.

Calling all Young Artists

Original Modern Student Artwork Sought for Exhibition

Los Altos Youth Welcomes SFMOMA on the Go

The Los Altos Youth Welcomes SFMOMA on the Go exhibition will be launched with opening receptions throughout the downtown for student artists, families and community during the First Friday event on Friday, November 1st from 6-8pm.  Each student whose artwork is selected will receive a $5 gift card from Know Knew Books, the newest arrival in downtown Los Altos and a special pin to wear.  Students can pick up free scrap materials at Fast Frame on State Street should they wish.

Exhibit Dates:           November 1, 2013 – November 8, 2013

Location:                  Merchants in downtown Los Altos

Eligibility:                  Original modern art by elementary, middle and high school students

To Enter:                  Submit modern artwork on 8 ½’ x 11” paper with name, phone number and email on the back.

Provide a 1” x 3” name card for your artwork including name, age and school to be displayed with your artwork. Submit art to the Art Docent Office at the Los Altos School District, 201 Covington Road, Los Altos.

Deadline:                  Entries must be received by Friday, October 24, 2013

MVLA SOFTBALL SIGN-UP

It’s that time of year yet again. The leaves are falling, children are preparing their Halloween costumes, and the stores are stocking their shelves for Christmas.

That’s right! IT’S TIME TO SIGN-UP FOR SOFTBALL! Registration for the Spring 2014 season of MVLA Girls Softball opens on November 1.

Established in 1972, MVLA Girls Softball (MVLAGS) is an ASA-sanctioned recreational league committed to giving girls ages 5 to 16 the opportunity to explore and enjoy the game of softball. MVLAGS is a volunteer-driven organization serving over 500 families from over 40 schools in Mountain View, Los Altos, and surrounding communities.

We play on fields throughout the area, including Springer Elementary School, Oak Elementary School, Graham Middle School, and our softball complex at Stevenson Park. Our 6U and 8U divisions are school-based so girls can practice and play with their friends. Upper divisions, 10U and above, are formed in order to balance teams for fair competition. We focus on skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and, of course, having FUN! Everyone Plays!

Learn more about us at: www.mvlags.org

MVLA Girls Softball: Girls. Softball. It’s All We Do. Since 1972.

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.

For more details or to register online, go to:  http://pytspringerfall2013.eventbrite.com

Public Speaking Classes

"Public Speaking Classes" for grades 3.4.5.6 on Wednesdays 2:50pm - 3:55pm (starting 9/25/13) (There will be supervision for 3rd graders from 2:25-2:50pm)  For registration and more information, click here!

How to submit an article to the Springer STAR

If you have an article to submit to 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, accompanied by a brief summary of the activity in the email.