Springer Buzz!

October 18, 2013

In This Issue

Calendar Dates

News and Announcements

Parent Education Opportunities

Student Extracurricular Activities

Quick Dates for your Calendar

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                          

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

Notice from the District Nurse:

School is a place where colds and diseases can spread rapidly. Children who are ill should stay home from school, rest and recuperate. Sometimes it is difficult, especially early in the morning, to know whether or not to send your child to school. The following guidelines are indications that you should keep your child home:

• Fever of 99.6 F or higher

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Chills

• Nausea

• Coughing, sneezing and/or runny nose

• Headache

• Wheezing or trouble breathing

• Sore throat or trouble swallowing

• Rash or unusual sores or spots

• Generalized muscle aches and pains

• Unusually red, crusted or burning eyes

• Head Lice or Nits

It is required to keep your child home until he/she has been symptom free without medication for 24 hours. Please call the Springer Attendance Line (943-4240) if your child will be absent due to an illness. We must receive a call every day your child is sick at home.

• Absences and late arrivals are to be reported to the school by a parent or guardian by calling the Springer Attendance Line at (650) 943-4240 by 9:00am.

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

• For an appointment during school hours, please go to the office to sign out your child. Your child will be sent to the office to meet you.

Observed religious holidays are considered excused absences as long as the absence has been requested in advance in writing by the parent or guardian and approved by the principal or designee (E.C. 48205, B.P. 5113).

Birthday Treats: Please be aware that, due to the high number of food allergies we have on campus, we ask that parents not bring in food related items to celebrate their child's birthday with their class.  Instead, items like pencils, key chains, stickers, or other non-food items make a good alternative.

WALK-A-THON Roundup: Big Thanks and Next Steps!

Thank you again to everyone who came out to the tremendous “Springer Goes Coast-to-Coast” Walk-a-thon last weekend! Springer students, family members, volunteers-- and even Captain America! -- made this a road trip to remember.

But we’re not quite done yet… Remember to check today’s Friday Folders for your tabulated green sponsor forms and start collecting sponsors! Donations are due by Tuesday, November 3 at 3:00 pm in order to be counted toward our fundraising totals. A tax receipt form is available online should any of your donors require one, along with more details about how to collect your funds.

You are also invited to visit our wonderful business sponsors here!

We appreciate your support and your Springer spirit!

PS The Lost and Found has all kinds of new items in the wake of the Walk-a-thon. Jeans, socks, hats, lots of small child clothing and tons of water bottles. Please come by and take a look!

Volunteer for Hot Lunch!

The Hot Lunch team is looking for volunteers to fill a few open slots. The lunch shift is from 11:35-12:15, and we have the following openings:

Every other Monday

Every other Wednesday

Every other Thursday

2 openings - Every other Friday

Hot Lunch is a fun way to see your children during the school day, and you will receive a free lunch credit for every shift you work.

Interested? Contact Hilary Burcell (hilary[at]burcell.com) or Anita Leo (amleo73[at]yahoo.com)

Photo make-up day is Wednesday, October 23rd. For additional information, click here!

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 Tuesday October 22!

WOW and the Silicon Valley Bike Coalition will be hosting a bike rodeo at Springer on Tuesday, October 22 from 12:30 – 2:30.  It will be open to students in grades 1-4. The kids will learn safe riding techniques and skills, proper helmet fit, and the fun of riding a bicycle!  Look for an email flyer from your room parent, or contact Sharon Tan (sharontantan[at]yahoo.com) to register.

We are also 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!  Contact Sharon Tan if you would like to volunteer.

Student Extracurricular Activities

Santa Rita 53rd Annual Witches’ Delight

Friday, October 25, 2013

3:00-8:00

This fun filled family event is back for its 53rd year! It will bigger and better than ever! Please come and help celebrate with all of us and enjoy an evening to remember!

·         Carnival Rides

·         Games for all ages

·         Cake walk

·         Face Painting

·         Cookie decorating

·         Costume contest

Enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner cooked by our famous BBQ team! You don’t want to miss out on this delicious dinner!

Stay at dusk and ride the carnival rides!!

We look forward to seeing you for next Friday, October 25th!!

Info session:  Synopsys Silicon Valley Science & Technology Championship

An informational meeting, hosted by Ann Hepenstal, a parent member of the LASD GATE Advisory Committee, is being held for parents and students interested in the Synopsys Championship.  Sponsored by Synopsys, the Championship is a regional science and engineering fair competition for students in Santa Clara County held on March 12, 2014.  LASD 6th, 7th and 8th graders are invited to enter!! Our students compete in the middle school (grades 6-8) division for awards and prizes in multiple areas of study.  LASD students have won prizes in prior years, and gained valuable experience with science and project management.  Winners of the Synopsys Championship compete in the California State Science Fair and may advance to the prestigious Intel International Science & Engineering Fair which presents nearly $4 million in prizes and scholarships each year.

Students and parents are invited to attend the Synopsys Championship Information Session to learn more about this opportunity and how to enter:

Sunday, October 20, 2:00 - 3:00 pm in the Covington Multi

For more information, see the 2014 Synopsys Championship website at http://www.science-fair.org

Questions?  Contact parent volunteer Ann Hepenstal at annhep[at]yahoo.com

Info session:  Tech Challenge

Ann Hepenstal is also hosting an informational meeting for all LASD 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students and their parents who are interested in participating in The Tech Challenge, hosted by the Tech Museum.  You'll compete to solve a real-world problem in this annual design challenge.  This year's challenge is "Harnessing the Wind."  Your design team will figure out how to use wind power to move water to people who need it.  The project builds skills in time management, creativity, and teamwork, while working through the engineering design cycle as you build and test your design.  Most importantly--it's great fun!!!

Students and parents are invited to attend the Tech Challenge Information Session to learn more about this opportunity and how to enter:

Sunday, October 20,  3:30 - 4:30 pm in the Covington Multi  

For more information, see the Tech Challenge website at http://thetechchallenge.thetech.org/

Questions?  Contact parent volunteer Ann Hepenstal at annhep[at]yahoo.com

LEGO ROBOTICS AT SPRINGER ELEMENTARY - OPEN TO GIRLS & BOYS, GRADES 4-6

Tuesdays from October 15th 2013 – December 10th 2013

CLASS TIME: 2:45pm – 4:15pm, STEM Room

For more information about Play-Well TEKnologies, click here or visit our website at www.play-well.org.

Questions? Please contact Dan Merlin at Dan@play-well.org or (925) 998-5408.

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.