Our Mission

At Springer Elementary School, we will provide a safe and supportive environment that engages, inspires, and nurtures all students’ emotional and academic needs in order to become empathetic, productive global citizens and lifelong learners.

In This Issue: October 20, 2017:

• Principal’s Message

• News and Announcements

• Parent Education Opportunities

Quick Dates for your Calendar:

• Thursday, October 26: Photo Make-Up Day

• Friday, October 27: Vision Screening; Grades K, 2 & 5

• Tuesday, October 31: 1:15pm: Halloween Parade

• November 8th and 9th is a Parent Training for Ability Awareness

• Friday, November 10: Veterans Day, No School

• Monday & Tuesday November 20 & 21: Parent/Teacher Conferences; No School

• November 22 - 24: Thanksgiving Break; No School

• November 27 - December 1: Ability Awareness Week

• Thursday, December 7, 7:00pm: Kindergarten Information Night

Principal’s Message

Aloha Springer Families,

Fall has arrived.  The leaves are changing colors and there is a brisk morning air each morning that is embracing us as we leave our homes.   I just love this time of year…. Thank you all for your support this school year. The entire staff at Springer thanks you for the time you have dedicated thus far in making this an incredible school year.  

PARKING AND SOLAR CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON OCTOBER 25th!

The cooperation of students, staff and parents is essential to make this project go smoothly, which will take place October 23th through December 15th. Please consider the following:

First and foremost, we are encouraging students and families to walk or wheel(as in bikes, skateboards,etc) to school during solar installation.

If you can’t walk or wheel, please follow the safety rules, laws and courtesy so that we can all work together during this difficult time of construction.  Here are some points to adhere to:

1. Be alert, patient, and considerate of others in the drive through (that is the area in the front of the school with  only one lane where you may drop off and pick up your children).

2. Do not get out of your car in the drive through.  Not to walk your child to class.  Not to quickly drop something off in the office.  Not even to get your child out of their seat.

3. Plan for extra time during this time for both pick-up and drop off.    

4. RESERVED PARKING SPACES -  are reserved for:

• Traveling LASD teachers

• Art Docents, Living Classroom, CSMA and Starting Arts instructors

• Auction winners

• School Nurse

• Handicap spaces

Each car will have a hanging authorized pass in their rear view mirror. Please be mindful of these designated spots.

Camp Springer Walkathon is coming up on October 27th.  It’s just in time to celebrate Fall.  I’m looking forward to walking and cheering on the students from 12:45pm to 3pm.  In fact, I’ll be one of the pocket people that day.  This is an opportunity for us all to celebrate in a different way how fortunate we are to be part of the Springer Community. Come join us either by volunteering that day or by supporting your child.   

Halloween is coming!  On Tuesday, October 31st, Springer will host its annual Costume Parade on the blacktop, beginning at 1:15pm.  Students should not come to school in costume.  They will be given time after lunch to change into their costumes in order to get ready for their parties and parade.  We ask that student costumes be free from grotesque or gory themes.  Scary masks that make it difficult to identify the wearer are not allowed. Small masks that inhibit sight or breathing can not be worn. Weapons are not allowed. If you or child has any questions about the appropriateness of their costume, please speak to your child’s teacher or direct your questions to me.

Sincerely,

Lynn Boskie

Buzz… Did you know that my first costume I ever wore or rather created was a hobo costume.  

Students Caught “Bee” ing Awesome

Olivia N, Sienna S, Simon G, Yanni M and Miranda H were all caught doing kind, responsible and empathetic things for other students. These five students were recognized at the flag assembly, but many other students received certificates in their Friday Folders for their acts of kindness.  It’s wonderful to see so much kindness from the Springer Students!

Walk-a-thon Is Back On!

We thank you all for your patience and understanding as we deal with the ramifications of having to reschedule the Walk-a-thon this year.  After extensive discussion and deliberation, we have decided to hold the Walk-a-thon next Friday, October 27 during the school day, from 12:45-dismissal.  (Several of the other LASD schools will also be rescheduling for a Friday afternoon during school.)  

Although we realize this means that many families will not be able to attend, this will allow for the most student participation (taking into account various sports, scouts and other commitments many families already have).  We also recognize that the Walk-a-thon is one our best community events so the PTA board will brainstorm other opportunities for bringing the community together later in the year.  Rest assured that next year the Walk-a-thon will return to our normal Saturday event.

This Walk-a-thon will be simplified and shorter, but still a fun time for the kids.  There will be supervised rest areas so that the students will have the option of taking a break from walking, if desired.   If a student needs to be picked up early during the Walk-a-thon, parents should be sure to check in with their teacher and  sign them out in the office.

Families are welcome to come and set up tents and chairs anytime after 12:45 pm on Friday.  Volunteer signups and more details will be coming soon.  

Questions?  Contact walkathon@springerpta.net

Cornerstone Corner

This month’s ABC book: “Friends to the End for Kids: The True Value of Friendship” by Bradley Trevor Greive uses engaging photos of animals to illustrate how to make friends, keep friends, and the importance of friends.

Goals of lesson:

• · To help all students learn how to respect each other and to develop stronger interpersonal skills.

• · To have students explore ways to be UPstanders both online and in our face-to-face world.

To reinforce this lesson at home:

• · Share some stories about your own friendships.

Here are some questions you can discuss with your child:

• · What do you like most about your friends?

• · Do they bring out the best in you?

• · Do you bring out the best in them?

• · How do you show your friends that you care about them?

• · How do your friends handle conflict when it arises?

When you “catch” kids modeling positive behaviors... Notice, Name it, and Celebrate it!

Fire Relief Fundraiser

The Springer community is collecting items and funds for fire victims through Santa Rosa Crossing the Jordan, and Napa Valley Community Foundation.  Student ambassadors will be collecting items and money from October 19 to October 26.  Look for them near the school mural before and after school.  Checks can be written to Crossing the Jordan or Napa Valley Community Foundation.  Monetary donations can also be made online through https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/napafirerelief and https://crossingthejordan.org/give/

This is the list of requested items:  Casual clothing, Shoes, Jackets, Brand new underwear, Bath towels/wash cloths, Bedding, Pillows, Toiletries for men/women/kids, Paper plates, Plastic utensils, Baby items, Coolers/ice chests, Flashlights, All types of batteries. Thank you for supporting victims of the fires.

Walk Wheel Or Ride October 25

This Wednesday, October 25th Springer will be holding another Walk to School Day in cooperation with SafeMoves and Greentown Los Altos. SafeMoves will once again be sponsoring a bike and helmet raffle for a lucky Springer student. Greentown Los Altos WoW! program will be bringing their exciting ‘Blender Bike’. Students that are tall enough will get to test if they can power the blender to create icy drinks. If you are lucky, you may be able to snag a free sample! Coffee will be available for the adults. Let’s see if we can beat our participation numbers from last month!

LAEF

Help Support Our Teachers

The Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) provides funding for our teachers and staff in the areas of STEM, arts, literacy, wellness and personalized learning. The Foundation’s biggest fundraiser, the Phonathon, is coming up on October 24th and 25th and we are asking for every family to participate in two ways:

First, please make sure you donate or pledge before Oct 20

and save our volunteers a phone call. Our goal is to increase our participation rate this year by 5% so please participate at whatever level is meaningful to your family.  If you’re a first-time donor or if you increase your gift to LAEF this year, it will be doubled by the LAEF’s Board of Directors, up to $50,000.

Second, join LASD Superintendent Jeff Baier, teachers and staff, LAEF board members and other parents at the LAEF Phonathon for some food, fun and phoning!

Click here to volunteer at the LAEF Phonathon and don’t forget to bring a friend too! The more calls we make, the more funding we can raise to support our teachers.

Vision Screening

On Friday, October 27, the LASD nurses will be at Springer to conduct a vision screening for all Kindergarten and Second Graders.  On Friday, November 3, the Fifth Graders will be screened for Vision.  If your child wears glasses or contact lenses, please make sure that they wear them to school that day.  If you have questions, please contact the LASD nurses at: lasdnurses@lasdschools.org.

Photo Make-up Day

Photo Make-up Day is Thursday, October 26.  If you would like your child to retake their school photo, please contact the Springer School Office at  650-943-4200, or email springer.buzz@gmail.com and we will add them to the photo make-up list.  If you missed the first photo day on September 19, your child has already been added to the make-up list.  

Looking for Noon Duty Volunteers

Noon yard duty is now open to parent volunteers on a rotating basis. Parents can volunteer anywhere from once a week to once a month.  The hours are 11:45 - 12:45  on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Please contact Clover Huang at: cloverh[at]yahoo.com if interested.

Selpa Events

Selpa, an all-volunteer group of parents of children with special needs, are sponsoring several upcoming events:

Special Ed Director Panel:  Wednesday, October 18, 7:00-9:00pm.  Ask IEP, 504 questions and more.  Click here for flyer.  Click here for Spanish flyer.

Parent Chat: The Second Tuesday of every month.  Click here for flyer.

Click here for Spanish Parent Chat flyer.

OhmConnect Fundraising Platform

The Springer community started using a novel fundraising platform last year, called OhmConnect. We raised $930 last year, and $1500 this year by having a handful of parents of the school turn down their electricity usage just one hour per week.

We're aiming to raise $5,000 this year and all you need to do is signup using this link and connect your utility account.

ohm.co/springer

OhmConnect donates between $50 - $150 per team member per year, depending on how much you reduce. They'll be donating an instant $75 per new team member. If you haven't signed up yet, now's the time to do it!

Parent Education Opportunities

Through an enriching presentations from local and national experts on topics of interests 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 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.