The Springer Buzz

January 9, 2015

In This Issue:

• Principal’s message

• News and Announcements

• Parent Education Opportunities

Quick Dates for your Calendar:

• Dec 5 - Feb 6: Kindergarten & new family registration

• Jan 7, Wednesday, 8:45am:  PTA Meeting

• Jan 19, Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. birthday, no school

• Jan 20, Tuesday: Staff development, no school

Principal’s Message

Welcome to 2015!

I really love the first Monday back from winter break.   Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a nice long holiday, but I enjoy seeing the students, parents, and teachers come back in such a relaxed state.  This year’s vacation was, perhaps, the best one I’ve had since I’ve been at Springer.  I came back in a very centered, Zen-like state.   My vacation consisted of not going anywhere, sleeping in late, and having nothing to do!  

There’s a few measurements of a good school, some quantitative and some qualitative.  On Monday I saw a lot of excited students, eager and ready to be back in their classrooms.  This was coupled with many teachers who were just as eager to get started.  To me, this is a good measurement that kids, and teachers, are ready to reignite high-quality learning.  Certainly this isn’t hard data, but it does indicate that our students love to learn and really like being here.

Welcome to 2015 and the second half of the year!

PTA Nominating Committee Volunteers Needed!

Looking for a fun, short-term way to get involved with the Springer PTA?  The PTA needs volunteers to join the Nominating Committee whose job it is to determine the slate of officers for next year’s PTA Board.  The Nominating Committee meets in February and the PTA Board nominations are held in March.  If interested, please contact us at: springerpta@gmail.com.

Jazz Band For 6th - 8th Grade LASD Students

If you are interested in joining Jazz Band, the link below will give you information on our 2015 Spring Semester beginning on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 from 5:15pm to 6:15pm in the Blach Intermediate band room. Jazz Band is for all students enrolled in 6th-8th grade level education, not just music students. However, at least one year of music reading experience is required for the student to get the most out of the class.

Please email me with any questions at vlewis@lasdschools.org

Thank You,

Mr. Lewis

Go to:

https://sites.google.com/a/lasdk8.org/blach-instrumental-music/jazz-band

Then click on New Jazz Band Site

Springer Auction--Save The Date!
Saturday, March 14

Save the Date: Saturday, March 14, 2015, 6:30-10:30pm

Location: Crowne Plaza Cabana, Palo Alto

Get ready to party like a rock star at the 2015 Springer Auction!

The 2015 auction team needs your help. Do you have any auction ideas or items to donate? We are looking for:

• Wine: donate a bottle or two of wine for the Wine Wall Raffle

• Rock and Roll Stuff: concert tickets, autographed poster, or audio gear

• Sports Tickets or Autographed Gear: baseball, basketball, football, soccer, etc.
  Unique Experiences: once in a lifetime experiences

Questions? Want to float an idea? Email 2015 auction co-chairs, Rachel, Kirsten & Elizabeth at springerauction@gmail.com

It’s Flu Season!

Sometimes it is difficult, especially early in the morning, to know whether or not to send your child to school. Click here for guidelines on when you should keep your child at home.  In this way, you are helping to control the spread of colds, flu, and other contagious illnesses.  Click here for more information on the flu; its symptoms, how it is spread.

Attendance Policy

Absences and late arrivals are to be reported to the school by a parent or guardian by calling the Attendance Line at 650-943-4240 by 9:00 am. After 9:00 am, please call the office directly at 650-943-4200.   The office MUST be notified, separate from notifying the teacher.

Students who arrive after the school day begins must sign in at the office to receive a late arrival pass.

Lice

Head lice are endemic in Santa Clara County which means that they are always present in our community.  While head lice require a large amount of effort to treat, it is important to remember that they do not cause disease or harm.  Please click here to learn how to check for lice and  how to treat them if you find them.  If your child has lice, please notify the school office immediately so that we may notify the other parents in your child’s class to check their children for lice.  Checking your child on a consistent basis, even if their is no exposure notice, is a good way to keep lice from spreading.  That said, please check everyone in your family tonight!

Springer Singers

Does your child love to sing? Then Springer Singers is where you want them to be.

Springer Singers is a great way to get your kids singing and dancing with their Springer friends.  The chorus is open to all Springer student grades 1–6.  We practice on Wednesday’s after school.  Applications available in the office. Please complete form and return with payment to the office (scholarships available) to participate. Please email Heidi Rockett rockettland@comcast.net with any questions.  Spring session begins Wednesday January 14th. Please click here for the registration form.

Fun!visor for Week of 1/12/15

Monday: LEGO
Tuesday: Yoga and STEM-tastic Tuesday
Wednesday: Arts and Games (Art Club)
Thursday: STEM-tastic Thursday
Fantastic Friday: Run4Your Life, Volleyball, and GardenZone

GOTR Registrations are still open!

There is still time to register for Girls On The Run!

The program will start Tuesday March 03 and will run until the 5K final event on May 16.

To register follow this link:

The GOTR Coaches

Winter Session of After-School Clubs

Lego Robotics -- Winter Session is starting January 14th!  Click here for details.

Our after-school Art Club for Grades K - 2 is now enrolling.  Click here for info on class dates, location and time.

Art Club for Grades 3 - 6 click here.

MVLA after-school soccer winter session starts January 14; click here for sign-up details!

Student Extracurricular Activities:

There are after-school activities at Springer for all grade levels.  For a list of all of the activities and more information, please go to Springer’s website by clicking here.   

Parent Education Opportunities

Through enriching presentations from local and national experts on topics of interest to parents, faculty and staff, the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series seeks to contribute to the academic, physical, and emotional health of our students. All events are free of charge and are for parents, faculty and staff in Los Altos and Mountain View public schools. For a schedule of upcoming presentations, please click here.

How to Submit an Article to the Springer Buzz

If you have an article to submit to the 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.