It's Back to 1971 in honor of Springer's 40th Anniversary! On Wednesday, April 27th, we'll step back in time to the decade in which Springer School and Center had its beginnings with music and fashion '70s style. Channel 12 WKRC Sports Director Brad Johansen will again serve as Emcee for Springer's premier fundraising event of the year, which will feature dinner, drinks, live auction and raffle.

The far-out fun will happen at the Great American Ball Park, with procee ds benefiting financial aid and outreach programs. Come join in celebrating the thousands of students and families impacted by Springer during the last 40 years! 

Mark your calendars!

Prospective parents and community educators will have another opportunity to learn about Springer School and Center at an Open House on Wednesday, February 9, 2011. The program begins at 9:00 a.m. with an introduction and video, followed at 9:30 by student-led tours of the school. Please forward this email to families or professionals you know who may be interested. 

Register now!

Springer students had a unique opportunity to "secretly" purchase gifts for their families at the Secret Holiday Shop. Sponsored by Springer Parent Association, the Holiday Shop offered gifts for every member of the family at reasonable prices. Each student was assisted by a parent volunteer in making their gift choices.

Springer parent Caryn Franke, who has co-chaired the Shop with Cindy Stephens for two years, says the Holiday Shop is a way for students to have fun shopping on their own. Springer thanks Caryn and Cindy, and all the parent volunteers that made this year's Secret Holiday Shop a great success!

View photos from the Holiday Shop.

Through the art of African drumming, Dr. Chris Tanner from Miami University is helping Springer students broaden their experience beyond the Western music we are so familiar with. "The students won't gain expertise in African drumming," explains Dr. Tanner, "but they will learn something about the structure of music, about awareness and attention, and about learning by imitation."

 Dr. Tanner's week-long visit is made possible by the Norita Aplin Musician in Residence program, which was established in 1997 to honor the former Springer Executive Director for her 14 years of leadership to the school.  Dr. Tanner will speak with all students during his stay, and will work more closely with small groups of selected students who will give a performance at the end of the week.

"Reading musical notation is a challenge for some of our students," says Springer music teacher Judy McMahon. "As African drumming is taught in a 'call and response' manner, it is a perfect way for those students to learn. Dr. Tanner brings so much energy to his teaching." Dr. Tanner was Springer's first Musician in Residence, and has visited several times since the inception of the program.
 

View photos from Dr. Tanner's visit.

Reading tasks increase in complexity as students progress through junior high and high school. For some students, comprehension does not keep pace with complexity. In February, Springer will offer an evening workshop that will arm parents with practical strategies for enhancing the "intentional thinking" needed for comprehension.

"Reading for Meaning in Grades 7 through 12: Frameworks for Comprehension" will be offered on Tuesday, February 15, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Springer campus. The registration fee is $10.

Register Now!

Springer's Student Council hosted its fifth annual clothing drive this month, collecting gently used coats as well as new scarves, hats, gloves and mittens. "Wishing You a Warm December" kicked off on December 7 and continues until the 17^th, when a representative of Families For Families will visit Springer to accept the donations and speak to the students about the organization's work in supporting survivors of domestic violence.