PRIMARY MONTHLY TEAM UPDATE
February 2012
NOTES & INFO
Social Skills Theme for the month of February is
“Showing Respect and Concern for Peers.”
Student Appreciation Day – February 14th
Following the success of previous years’ Student
Appreciation Day, Springer has chosen to continue with
this tradition and emphasize the theme of Student
Appreciation on February 14th. We're asking all members
of the community to join with us to celebrate the strengths
and contributions of our students on February 14th. We
recognize the importance of self awareness and
empowerment. Our Springer graduates have shown us
how these characteristics enable them to advocate for
themselves. Homeroom teachers will develop the Student
Appreciation theme as is developmentally appropriate to
their classrooms. The Primary students will have
homeroom Valentine's parties. We look forward to a
special Student Appreciation/Valentine’s Day!
Springer Welcomes Illustrator Jeffrey Ebbeler
Springer is pleased to host local illustrator of children's
books Jeffrey Ebbeler on February 17th. Part of the
Springer Family Association's Visiting Author series,
Jeffrey with share with students the creative process of
developing a picture book, from concept sketches through
final illustrations.
Unified Arts Information
Art: Look for the new Primary artwork hanging in our
Springer Gallery. Students have created their own
illustrations to go with the books: 10 Black Dots or When the
Dinosaurs Come Back. Primary classes are working with clay!
Each primary student is creating their own pottery piece, as
well as the image for the center of their piece. Each student
will then glaze their piece using the colors they chose in
their initial drawings. For Black History month we will be
celebrating and learning about African American artists
such as Faith Ringgold and Jacob Lawrence, and their
contributions to society. We will also focus on The
Underground Railroad by Charles T. Webber. The students
will create their own two-sided paper quilt door hanger,
using color and symbol to convey a message similar to the
quilts used during the Underground Railroad.
Motor: As the students are becoming more familiar and
comfortable with the motor activities and routines, the tasks
are becoming more challenging as they incorporate rhythm,
multi-step activities, sequences and bilateral coordination.
Math concepts and terms are integrated into the exercises,
to show 'everyday use of numbers' such as: at least, the most,
between, maximum, minimum. Students are counting up,
backwards, multiplying and using patterns as part of the
exercises.
Jeffrey has illustrated over a dozen books, and has created
illustrations for magazines, CD covers and book covers. He
has a special interest in the engineering behind pop-up
books, and has been involved both in large-scale mural
projects and in marionette theaters, for which he has
sculpted puppets and performed.
Music: All of the primary classes will be learning about the
five instrument families. What do the instruments in each
family have in common, what do they look like, and what do
they sound like? Many fun games and activities will be
emphasized!
Dr. Russell Barkley - Springer School and Center and
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center are pleased
to welcome Dr. Russell Barkley for a return visit to
Cincinnati. An internationally recognized authority on
ADHD in both children and adults, Dr. Barkley will
present two evening programs geared towards parents at
the Cintas Center’s Schiff Family Conference Center,
Xavier University. The dates are Monday, April 16, 2012
7:00-9:00pm (Executive Function, ADHD and the
Struggling Child: What does It All Mean?) and
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 7:00-9:00pm ( Executive
Function, ADHD and the Struggling Child: Strategies
for Managing At Home and School). Full descriptions of
both programs are available on Springer’s website:
www.springer-ld.org.
Physical Education: We will be working on hand/foot
coordination. We will begin with hitting a ball off a tee.
After practicing this, we will be hitting the ball in motion.
REMINDERS
Springer School and Center will be closed or delayed
whenever the Cincinnati Public Schools are closed or
delayed for inclement weather. Cincinnati Public Schools
posts its decision on all the television and radio stations
carrying school closing information.
OVER
PRIMARY MONTHLY TEAM UPDATE
February 2012
If school is delayed, please honor the delay and not have
your child arrive early. We recognize that some school
district bus systems may operate on their regular schedule
or a different delay schedule. Therefore, a limited number
of staff will be available beginning at 8 a.m. to supervise
students in the cafeteria. Please be advised that if your
school district is on a delay or is closed, your child’s bus
transportation will be affected.
In the unlikely event that classes end early due to
inclement weather, you will be notified using the
Emergency Communication system. Supervision will be
provided through the regular dismissal time.
Weather - Students are outside on the piazza before school
and during recess unless there is precipitation or the
weather is extremely cold. Please check with your child to
be sure he/she is dressed according to the weather - jacket,
hat, and gloves. Your help with this is greatly appreciated!
 Order Out Days are on Thursdays – February 2, 9, 16
& 23. Remember to send a snack on Order Out Days!
 March Monthly Team Update comes home in
Wednesday Folders 2/29
 SFA Staff Appreciation Luncheon 2/29
 SFA = Springer Family Association
COMING UP
 February 1 Open House (for prospective parents)
9:00am
 February 8 March Parent Conference scheduling letters
in Wednesday folders - Primary conference - March 2
 February 10 Decorate for Student Appreciation Day –
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2:00-3:30 in cafeteria
February 14 All School Student Appreciation Day
February 17 Springer Spirit Day!
February 17 2nd Trimester and SHARE ends
February 17 Visiting Author, Jeffrey Ebbeler
February 20 NO SCHOOL for ALL Students-Presidents’
Day
February 22 March conference confirmation letters in
Wednesday folders
February 23 Parent/Guardian Meeting on
Standardized Testing 7:00pm
February 29 S.H.A.R.E. Assembly 8:45amauditorium
After-School Programs:
o Taekwondo – February 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 23, and 27
(3:10-3:50pm)
For the full Springer calendar, go to www.springer-ld.org
and click calendar in the “Springer Experience” menu bar.
HOW TO REACH US
(513) 871-6080
Mrs. Bahir
Dr. Helmick
Mrs. Himmler
Miss Ilg
Mrs. McMahon
*Indicates Team Leader
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Mr. Phelps
Mrs. Staud*
Mrs. Thomas
Ms. Thaler
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