Springer Buzz
August 30, 2019
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: August 30, 2019
Principal’s Message
News and Announcements
Parent Education Opportunities
Quick Dates for your Calendar:
- LASD 2019-2020 Calendar
- Springer Website: www.springerschool.net
- Springer PTA Meetings Calendar
- Monday, September 2: Labor Day; No School
- Thursday, September 5: Back-to-School Night
- Friday, September 6: Minimum Day; Dismissal 12:15pm
- Thursday, September 12; 8:40am: PTA Mtg., Staff RM
- Thursday, September 12; 5:00-8:00pm: Back-to-School Picnic
- Monday, September 16: First Day of Full Day Kindergarten
- Friday, September 27: Staff Development Day; No School
- Wednesday, October 2: Photo Make-up Day
- Saturday, October 12: Walk-a-thon
- Thursday, October 17: Minimum Day; Dismissal 12:15pm
- Friday, October 18; 8:40am: PTA Mtg., Staff RM
Principal's Message
Understanding - to what degree do students truly understand the content and concepts key to the task or skill?
Independence - to what degree can students apply the understanding independently a.k.a. how much help does a child need to apply the skill?
When my son was around 4 years old and learning to ride a bike, he had to understand how to ride: orientation of the bike; how to pedal; how to brake; how to steer, rules of the road. That understanding is key, but it is not enough. Knowing all of those pieces does not guarantee that he can ride a bike.
I have vivid memories of bringing my son to the high school down the street to practice riding his bike on the wide blacktop. You've all done something similar, I know. You hold on to the handlebars and seat, then just the seat, then you lie and say you're holding on to the back of the seat but you're not. They build their skill and confidence with your support and then you let go. Sometimes they crash or fall off, but you start again. Over and over, they build their skill and confidence with your support and then you let go. Finally they're off on their own and doing it well. They have achieved independence.
In my house, we've graduated from bikes to cars (much scarier to build that independence!) but the learning remains roughly the same. You can think of reading, writing, and quadratic equations...it is all the same. Understanding is just one part of learning - we must apply it independently for it to be true and deep learning.
In the classroom this is super exciting to watch. Typically called productive struggle, students are thinking deeply. They are making mistakes. There are erasures, drafts, scribbles, debates, strategies, failures, and hopefully some celebration and pride when they finally hit independence. It is worth the struggle of learning.
If learning is always easy; I don't consider it learning at all. We must have opportunities for both building understanding and application. By the way, the ideas of deep learning, productive struggle, understanding, and independence aren't unique to children. It's how we learn too. That feeing you get when the struggle is real? Instead of fighting against it or complaining about it, embrace it. Take some pride in the fact that you are pushing yourself forward and learning.
Here's to an outstanding year of learning for everyone!
Sandra
Springer News & Announcements
Back-to-School Night
Join us on Thursday, September 5 for Back-to-School Night. Here are the times:
6:00pm - Kindergarten
6:30pm - Mrs. Sen's Class
6:40pm - Grades 1 - 3
7:10pm - Whole School Meeting in the Multi
7:30pm - Grades 4 - 6
Back To School Order Form
The PTA will provide a FREE Walk-a-thon t-shirt for every Springer student. To specify your student's Walk-a-thon t-shirt size, please fill out this form. (There will not be a separate Google Sheet to specify t-shirt sizes this year.)
This year, in lieu of a Walk-a-thon themed shirt, all students will be given Springer spirit wear! This spirit wear will be a short sleeve, green t-shirt. If you would like to order additional spirit wear in a different style, color, or quantity, you can use the Back-To-School form to place your order.
Click here to access the Back-To-School Order Form! (https://fs12.formsite.com/Springer/bts2019/index.html)
Thank you for your support of the Springer PTA!
Noon Duty Help Needed at Springer
After School Enrichment
Springer Singers
Does your child love to sing? Then Springer Singers is where you want them to be.
Springer Singers is a fantastic way to get your kids singing and dancing with their Springer friends. The Springer Singers are open to all Springer students. New singers welcome! Click here for flier.
Cub Scouts
Springer Yard Signs
Springer School was first to create yard signs to show off how much we love our neighborhood schools. LASD liked the idea so much, they copied it! Now, their signs are available to anyone who wants one, including community members and alumni. Please fill out this google form if you would like a yard sign. (https://tinyurl.com/springer-yard-sign). We will try to distribute them such that they have the most impact, but there are enough for everyone. Contact your Springer Ambassadors if you have any questions (springer_ambassadors@lasdschools.org).
PTA Happenings
Back to School Picnic!
Open Volunteer Positions
This would be the main point person who would coordinate everything between
Choice Lunch, the PTA, the staff and volunteers.
Springer Singers:
This group is an after school choir program at Springer. We are looking for someone to help recruit singers, attend rehearsals, order T-shirts, and attend concerts.
Lunch Groups (FunVisor Programs): This program encompasses a wide variety of fun and engaging lunch time activities for students of all grades and interests, such as Run4YourLife, Lego Club, Art Club, Springer Scribes, Yoga, and STEMtastic Tuesdays. Lunch Groups is in need of new leads for some of theses activities, as well as a new chairperson. Volunteer times are flexible.
Project Cornerstone:
Project Cornerstone is a social-emotional development program that presents messages of positive self esteem development and anti-bullying social interactions with peers. Parent volunteers teach a guided monthly lesson based on children's literature.
JuniorOlympics:
Work with other Springer parents and Mr. Heeb to prepare 4th-6th grade students for Junior Olympics held in the spring. There are lots of volunteer opportunities with varying time commitments.
The Springer Community is truly remarkable and one big reason is our parent volunteers. If
you are interested or have questions, please contact volunteers@springerpta.net.
SPRINGER PTA Instagram!
Save the Date!
LASD News & Announcements
Nurse Needed
SELPA
help families of students with special education and learning challenges through awareness, support and education.
Parent Chat Support Group
for parents of teens with mental health challenges. Second Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 PM Los Altos Library.
Let’s Talk, IEP/504 Support
Group Tuesday September
17, 10am -12pm in front of Whole Foods Los Altos.
Fall Family BBQ
September 21 11-2 pm, Rengstorff BBQ area. A fun event to meet parents and staff involved in special education. More info:
selpa1cacinfo@gmail.comFREE burgers, hot dogs and vegetarian options will be provided. Please bring a beverage or snack to share.
Click here for flier of upcoming events.
LAEF
LAEF welcomes you to the 2019-20 School Year!
We are proud to support the Los Altos School District (LASD) to provide a well-rounded education for your student this school year. Visit LAEFonline.org and watch our new 2-minute video, “Funding an Excellent Public Education”. Learn why our local public schools need your financial support, and how LAEF and your school’s PTA work together to support your student.
This school year, with your support, LAEF will fund teachers and staff for STEM, Wellness, Literacy, and Arts for every LASD student in grades TK-8. LAEF is also a co-sponsor of the MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series, which had over 1,100 LASD attendees in the past school year. Whether your student’s favorite part of the day is PE, art, music, STEM, computer science, library, or a junior high elective, your donations to LAEF help make that possible.
Parents are encouraged to donate $1,200 per student to LAEF this school year. We welcome and encourage donations of any amount. Our goal is to raise $3.4 million for LASD, and 100% participation from our parent community.
Visit LAEFonline.org to learn more about LAEF and Donate Today!
Announcing the 2019-2020 MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series
The MVLA Parent Education Speaker Series is excited to announce our speaker line-up for the 2019-2020 school year. Nationally and internationally recognized experts will join us to discuss a wide range of topics including exploring current issues in adolescent health and well-being; empowering youth to better manage technology choices in the age of distraction; creating a supportive environment for all children to thrive; enabling our kids with greater responsibility and control over their lives; examining the fundamental role of liberal arts education in our technology-dependent world; and fostering increased well-being through physical exercise and movement. Click here for the dates and speakers.
