News

Please join School Counselors Ann Van Buskirk and Katie Polanco for Coffee with the Counselors on Wednesday, March 19th, beginning at 8:45 a.m. Our topic for March will be Supporting Our Children through Transitions.

Throughout their development, children encounter a myriad of transitions. Whether moving up to a new classroom at Springmont, changing schools, moving homes, or starting a new extracurricular activity, our children look to us to help them navigate the ever-changing landscape of their world. Join Ann and Katie as they share tools to help you and your child through transitions, great and small.

All parents and caregivers are welcome and encouraged to bring other concerns and discussion topics, too! Kindly click the link in Springmont Weekly News to RSVP by 3 pm on March 18 so that we can plan seats and breakfast treats!

Considering recent executive orders and federal actions regarding immigration, we want to assure you that Springmont complies with legal requirements and protects student and employee privacy and safety. We have informed our staff that if immigration authorities visit our school, they must be directed immediately to a school administrator, who will then contact the Sandy Springs Police Department and document the visit. As with any unauthorized visitor, entrance beyond the Front Office area and access to students or anyone’s personal information is prohibited without a court order or exigent circumstances.  

Springmont remains committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all our students and employees.

All parents are invited to join SPA Co-Chairs Steve Little and Caro Werner this Friday, February 21, beginning at 8:45 a.m. in the Media Center to discuss upcoming events, including the Auction and Field Day!

Parenting teens is hard (and rewarding!) work – being in community with others can help. While our Middle School students are away and under the loving care of their teachers at the Landschool, parents of adolescents are invited to join School Counselor Ann Van Buskirk and Head of School Elizabeth Lener for an evening of talking, listening, and connecting. 

Elizabeth is in the throes of parenting an adolescent, and Ann lived through the adolescence of three sons and has memories of parenting teens seared into her hippocampus. 

Join them on Wednesday, February 26, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. for an adults-only evening of conversation and refreshments in the Middle School Liberal Arts classroom. All parents of adolescents, not just Middle School parents, are warmly welcome to join. Bring your concerns, curiosities, triumphs, and tears as we navigate the wild ride of parenting teens.

Kindly the link in Springmont Weekly News to RSVP by Feb 25 at 3 p.m. so we can plan seats and refreshments.
 

Our Spring Enrichment session, which begins March 17, includes some unique and fun after-school opportunities for Primary, Elementary, & Middle School students!  Please note that classes have a minimum and maximum number of participants and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees include a light after-school snack. 

Registrations with full payment are due by Wednesday, March 12, at 4 p.m. (Registrations received after this time are subject to availability and a $25 per child late registration fee.) 

• Click here for information and registration for Primary Spring Enrichment. (Primary Enrichment is open to students who will be age 4 or older by March 17.) 
• Click here for information and registration for Elementary/Middle School Spring Enrichment.

Questions? Email Isaac Ezemba at iezemba@springmont.com. 

Springmont's is home to a flock of chickens, two goats, some rabbits, and a turkey! On school days, these animals are cared for by students and employees, but on the weekends and during school breaks, we welcome help from families! 

If you are curious about helping out with light-duty Springmont farm animal care on weekends or during school breaks, please email Outdoor Science/Middle School Science Teacher Thomson Chuites (tchuites@springmont.com) to let him know! He is happy to provide more information!

Currently, Thomson is seeking help for February 15-17, March 1-9 & 29-30, April 18-20, and May 3-4, 17-18, & 24-26 - click the link in Springmont Weekly News to view the sign-up. 
 

Last night at the Grammys, during her acceptance speech for the Global Impact Award, Alicia Keys said, “The more voices, the more powerful the sound.” This struck me as an important perspective for us to utilize when it comes to our country’s history. To understand our history, we must truly see and listen to the experiences of all people. This month, we acknowledge, celebrate, and honor the contributions of Black people whose voices have been historically silenced or marginalized in the United States.

The origins of Black History Month reach back to September 1915 when Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moreland founded an organization committed to increasing awareness about the achievements of Black Americans. Because the United States was founded by white Europeans, our recorded history has predominately been written and taught from that perspective. This organization was dedicated to shining a light on the significant role Black Americans played in the creation of our nation. In 1926, February was chosen because it was the birth month for Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. This annual celebration gained momentum and spread across the country. However, it took five decades for the movement to reach a national level. In 1976, Black History Month was proclaimed a national heritage month.

For many years, the teaching and coverage of Black History has been centered around enslavement and the fight for Civil Rights. While those are significant pieces of Black lived experience in our country, they are not the complete picture. The focus on struggle and overcoming diminishes or outright ignores how Black people shaped the United States in a wide variety of social, political, and cultural roles. Let us take time this month to learn the names, accomplishments, and contributions of Black Americans who deserve to be known and remembered.

Springmont’s Toddler and Primary classes celebrate Valentine’s Day and show their love for others by participating in a day of service that is age-appropriate and in keeping with our core value of Global Awareness.

This year, students will prepare care packages for the Atlanta Mission, a local organization that provides care for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness.  

Beginning Monday, February 10, and continuing through Wednesday, February 12, they will be collecting the following items. (Toddler & Primary students may bring items to class and place them in the collection bins located inside each classroom. Older students and parents may also drop off items in the Front Office.)

• Disinfectant wipes and/or baby wipes 
• Baby lotion and baby wash 
• Deodorant 
• Full-sized bottles of shampoo or body wash
• Shaving cream
• Toothbrush and toothpaste sets 
• New pairs of adult-sized socks 

On Thursday, February 13, each Toddler & Primary class will assemble care kits, adding handmade cards to each kit.  Excess items will be donated along with the completed kits. Sharing our Valentine’s Day love with the greater community has become a meaningful tradition and a wonderful first experience with giving back to the community for our Toddler and Primary children.

As a reminder, Toddler and Primary children do not exchange Valentines at school.  Please refrain from sending any cards or treats to classrooms.  Thank you in advance for your support and contributions!
 

Head of School Elizabeth Lener is trying on masks in preparation for the big event. Mark your calendar for Springmont's Masquerade Gala Auction on Saturday, April 26th, at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta - Buckhead. It’s sure to be an unforgettable evening of fun, philanthropy, and celebration. Tickets will be available soon! Stay tuned.  

We also invite you to consider donating items or unique experiences for the auction.  Maybe you have a vacation home or tickets to a sporting event or concert. Maybe you have jewelry or can offer karate classes, facials, dinner packages, or lawn service. Your contributions help make the night even more special by supporting Springmont’s philanthropic mission. To donate, contact me at kpoyser@springmont.com. 

We look forward to seeing you there!