The Springer Buzz

February 13, 2015

In This Issue:

• Principal’s Message

• News and Announcements

• Parent Education Opportunities

Quick Dates for your Calendar:

• Feb 16- 20: Winter Break, no school

• March 4, Wednesday, 7:00 pm: String Fling Concert, Grades 6 -8 Blach School

• March 6, Friday: Starting Arts Concert for Grades K - 3 9:00 TK/K and 1st grade, 10:30- 2nd/3rd

• March 19, Thursday: K - 8 Minimum day; dismissal 12:15

• March 25, Wednesday: Springer STEM Expo

Principal’s Message

I think it’s important, in any line of work, to take a step back and look around at things to celebrate.  I call it “taking a snapshot”; the idea of pausing time to really appreciate what you see, including the small details.  Let me share with you a “snapshot” of great things I saw this week:

• 3rd graders proudly sharing their learning about their Famous American.  By having the students present in a “wax museum” format, students were involved in a true performance task.

• 2nd graders, just as proudly, presenting their research on their dinosaur reports.

• I walked into a 5th grade room and witnessed students breaking down molecular models and applying chemistry to their findings.

• 4th graders enthusiastically teaching me about calcite and properties of other rocks.  One student journal read, “studying rocks rocks!”

• 6th graders caringly, and patiently, celebrating Valentine’s Day with their TK buddies.

• 1st graders practicing in earnest for their upcoming vocal music concert (March 6th)

• Many students jump roping at recess, still inspired by the Sol Jumpers assembly a couple of weeks ago.  Working in teams, practicing tricks, and having fun.

• Other students, collaboratively inventing new games at recess

• Teachers, laughing heartily together in the workroom, enjoying each other’s company.

Yes, it was a busy week as we wrapped up many projects before break.  But, it was also a very gratifying week.  It’s great to see the students so engaged.   And it’s always an affirmation this time of year to see so much growth in the children.

I hope you have a restful and gratifying break.

Wade Spenader- Principal

PTA Announcement

Volunteers Needed to Serve on the PTA Board

Interested in helping decide what programs and activities the PTA funds?  Looking for a fun, rewarding way to get more involved in the Springer community?  The PTA Board Nominating Committee is currently seeking volunteers to serve on the PTA Board for next school year.  If interested in learning more, please contact Amanda Steele at amsteele@ymail.com.

Springer Auction--Tickets on Sale!

Saturday, March 14, 2015, 6:30-10:30pm
Location: Crowne Plaza Cabana, Palo Alto

Hello Springer Community!

Please watch this special message from celebrity Rock Star, Nigel Lemon of Parmesan Tray about the Springer 2015 Auction (click image to launch video in YouTube):

Get ready to party like a rock star at the 2015 Springer Auction! The Springer Auction is one of our largest and most awesome fundraising and community building events of the year! For more information about the auction visit the FAQ or learn more about contributing a party or item to the auction.

Donate Wine! The Springer auction is looking for donations of wine for the wine wall! The wine wall is a Springer auction tradition. It works like a raffle with an awesome winner’s prize AND raises lots of money for the school. If you have a bottle or two you would like to donate, please bring it to the office or contact Hilary Burcell (hilary[at]burcell.com) to arrange a pickup. If you would like a receipt for your donation please include your name and a brief description of your wine (name/type and date). If you have a connection to a local winery that might be interested in making a donation, please contact Hilary Burcell. Our goal is to collect 50+ bottles. THANKS for supporting the auction!

Reserve babysitting at Abra!

Purchase your ticket now!

·      Online by Credit Card

·      Or by check using this form

Volunteer for the night of the event!

Questions? Email 2015 auction co-chairs, Rachel, Kirsten & Elizabeth at springerauction@gmail.com

Tax Donation Receipts

Donation receipts for the Back To School form were emailed out last fall.  For Walk-a-thon donations under $250, a copy of your cancelled check is sufficient as a tax receipt.  Please contact Wen Crane at wenbk[at]aol.com if you need a Walk-a-thon donation receipt (for donations of $250 or more) or need your BTS donation receipt resent.   Please contact the auction committee at springerauction[at]gmail.com with any questions regarding 2014 auction donation receipts.

It’s Here!

The 2015 Springer STEM EXPO

                                                      Wednesday, March 25

The STEM Expo is fast approaching.  There are many categories that a student can choose to enter an exhibit.  And, all grades are welcome to enter.  However, we need to know if you are a “go” by Feb. 24th.   Please click on the link below for details.  

Click here for all of the details, timeline and forms.

Yearbook Pictures Needed!

The Yearbook team is asking for pictures. Specifically, we need pictures of:

• First Day of School

• Walk-a-thon

• Halloween

• Classroom field trips/activities

• Around campus

• Springer Gives Back

There are two ways to upload your photos: viahttp://community.pictavo.com/ website or download the pictavo app to your phone. You will follow the same registration prompts as below if you chose to use the app.

To upload pictures via the website:

Create an Account.

Find your school using the drop-down menus: Select the state, city and school name.

​ (Springer is in MOUNTAIN VIEW)​

• Verify that the school is correct.

• Enter your personal information.

• Agree with the Terms and Conditions.

• Verify your account.

• Click ‘Upload Photos.’

• Select the photo(s) you want to upload from your computer or mobile device.

• Enter details about the photo(s): • Who’s in the photo(s)

• Category/folder into which the photo(s) should be placed • Date(s) taken

​Please note, that the team will do it's best to include all pictures that are submitted.

Questions? Please email: ybspringer@gmail.com

Thank you!

Yearbook team​

Part-time Nurse Needed

NURSE NEEDED:  The Los Altos School District needs Registered Nurse substitute(s). Must be available on short notice. Approximate times needed are minimum of three hours, 9:30am-12:30pm. Job will entail covering snack & lunch time to supervise students with type 1 diabetes blood sugar levels and insulin administration; both injection and insulin pump.  Monday-Friday.  To apply, call Marlene Revelo 650-947-1153.

Project Cornerstone

Cornerstone Corner

This month’s ABC book: “Through My Eyes” by Ruby Bridges is the true story of a six-year-old black girl who on November 14, 1960 walked through a mob of screaming segregationists escorted by Federal Marshals into her new school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Surrounded by racial turmoil, Ruby spent first grade learning to read with the help of one supportive teacher.

Goals of lesson:

• Promote discussion about the importance of tolerance and acceptance of differences.

• Learn how it feels to walk in someone else’s shoes.

• Practice techniques to promote a sense of belonging in our school communities by relying on personal power as UPstanders to include all students.

Questions to ask your child to reinforce this lesson at home:

• How do you feel when you are treated unfairly by others? Why?

• Which injustices in the world bother you most?

• What can our family do about injustice, hunger, and poverty?

This special Youtube video is an excellent reminder to us as parents that our children are watching what we say, don’t say, do, or don’t do.  Remember to be a role model of tolerance for your children, family, and community.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLIW8JWk1RI

When you “catch” kids modeling positive behaviors...

Notice, Name it, and Celebrate it!

Living Classroom Docents Needed

Become a LIVING CLASSROOM docent... share your love of nature with kids!

It's time to prepare for planting tomato seeds, baking pretzels, taking habitat hikes, and learning about ancient civilizations!  If you like all those things and more, please consider becoming a Living Classroom docent!  Living Classroom is looking for docents to help deliver hands-on garden-based lessons to the students of the Los Altos School District.  No experience necessary as we provide all the training needed!  Our Spring Docent Training Session will take place Monday mornings in March from 9 – Noon and will be held at the Mountain View Whisman School District Board Room (750-A San Pierre Way, MV) on March 2nd & 16th and at the LASD Conference Room #2 (201 Covington Rd., Los Altos) on March 9th and 23rd. Attend one or all four of the training days.  Breakfast will be provided.  Please click here to view our spring training flyer.  Questions?  Please email Living Classroom at livingclassroom@lasdschools.org or call us at (650) 947-1103.  For more information about Living Classroom, please visit our website at www.living-classroom.org.

Thank you for your help recruiting more docents for our garden-based education program!

Sixth Grade Students Bridging to Blach & Egan

New Pare