Can I confess something?  I struggle with this time of year.   I'm not a grinch but I get a little stressed out.   The holiday rush, the crowds in the store, the endless commercials selling me something I don't really need, and the frantic pace has made me really question what the holidays are all about.  And yet, every year there are moments that reveal the true meaning of holidays to me.   This year I had the Springer community show me what is important about this time of year.

Like last Saturday: led by Paul Steffen, a team of dads came out and assembled 25 new tables for our students.  They moved them to the new locations and put the old wooden ones by the fire road (contact me if you are looking for a good picnic table for your backyard).  Because of the number of people that came out, the work was all done by noon!  Amazing commitment to Springer.

Or take Tuesday of this week: our students, working with their buddy classrooms, crafted quality goods that will be delivered to the more needier members of our community.  Lap blankets, scarves, wreaths, and decorated picture frames will be delivered to organizations like Lucille Packard Children's Hospital, Villa Siena Retirement Community, the Los Altos Sub Acute Rehabilitation Center, and a Women's Shelter.  Letters to troops, written by our students will be delivered to soldiers overseas, thanks to the help of an organization called A Million Thanks.  The kids took great pride in their work.  One student was overheard saying, "Guys, can you believe we did all of this?"  What great kids we have here! 

It is my sincere wish that you and your family will have a restful and rewarding break.  See you on January 6th.