A PUBLICATION OF SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER WINTER 2013 WWW.SPRINGER-LD.ORG Henry Winkler to Return for Celebration! Springer School and Center is thrilled to individual who has excelled in his or her Winkler to write children’s books about a announce that actor, producer, director profession, made significant contributions boy who has a learning disability. The pop- and author Henry Winkler will be making on behalf of children, and who has a learn- ular “Hank Zipzer” series features 17 books a return visit for A Springer Celebration! ing disability. about the “world’s greatest underachiever.” 2013. Winkler was the honored guest for Springer’s mission to empower children A Springer Celebration! 2013 will be held the 2004 Celebration, where he received with learning disabilities to lead successful Wednesday, April 24, at the Hyatt Regency a proclamation from Hope Taft, on behalf lives is of special interest to Winkler. When Hotel, and will feature dinner and cocktails, of then Ohio Governor Robert Taft and he was 30, he learned it was dyslexia that a raffle and auctions. Local 12 WKRC-TV herself. Winkler was also awarded the the had made school a challenge for him as a Sports Director Brad Johansen will return Spirit of Springer Award, which honors an child. His personal experiences prompted this year to serve as emcee for the evening and to preside over the live auction. David and Martha Millett of Indian Hill are Co-Chairs for the event this year. “We are so honored to be chairing A Springer Celebration! 2013,” said Martha Millett. “As an educator, parent and board member, I’ve seen the wonderful work that Springer does throughout our community. We are especially thrilled this year to be welcom- ing Henry Winkler.” Celebration Committee (L to R) Co-Chair Martha Millett, Development Specialist Kirstin Eismin, Proceeds support financial aid and out- Kim Vincent and Nancy Cooper. reach programs. Call 871-6080 ext. 213 or visit www.springer-ld.org. Admissions Director Jan Annett Retires Red hair, wigs and kerchiefs were abundant “Mrs. Annett cares deeply about each of on October 12 at Springer. On “Red Hair you, and even though she won’t be seeing Spirit Day,” students and staff honored a you every day, she’ll still be following your much-loved member of the Springer family progress and cheering for your successes.” who was retiring after eighteen years as In addition to her many admissions Admissions Director. The students pre- responsibilities, Jan assumed leadership of sented Jan with a framed collage of notes, other projects that provided students with and Julie Morrow, SFA President, shared opportunities for leadership and self-dis- remarks and gifts of appreciation on behalf covery, including the student tour guides of the parents. In addressing the students, and ambassadors. She was a member of Executive Director Shelly Weisbacher said, Springer’s Leadership Council and chaired continued on next page All our gratitude to retired Admissions Director Jan Annett. A PUBLICATION OF SPRINGER SCHOOL AND CENTER WINTER 2013 WWW.SPRINGER-LD.ORG LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This fall Springer’s long-time Admissions As you progressed through the pro- Of course, the family’s discovering Director Jan Annett retired. For many of cess, Jan and you set up a school visit Springer in the first place precedes all of you reading this, Jan was the first person for your child. You may have worried this work. During the admissions process, you encountered on your way to becom- and wondered about this, but again you families are routinely asked how they came ing part of the Springer family. You prob- found acceptance and warmth. In the to know about Springer. Some learn of ably remember the visit to her office – your ‘golden hour,’ as Jan described the time Springer when their son or daughter under- own anxiety, the tears you may have shed she spent with children during admissions, goes a private diagnostic evaluation. We talking about your son or daughter, and your son or daughter talked with Jan and also reach families through outreach pro- all the while Jan’s warm smile and gentle completed assessments. From there, the grams, through programs sponsored jointly questions. Jan listened intently as you tour commenced, and it was my good for- with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical described your child, prompting you to tune to often be the first stop. Jan would Center and other agencies, through news talk about your ‘whole’ child not just his prompt the students to share something releases and our online presence. or her difficulties. Together, you toured they liked or something she had found Most families tell us, however, that the school, peeking into classrooms and them to be good at. No matter how chal- they had never heard of Springer until a watching teachers and children interact. lenged the child was as a learner, Jan could neighbor, relative or friend suggested they Many of you have expressed that you always uncover an area of strength. call. We firmly believe that there is good left Springer that day feeling understood in As you can imagine, the work of the reason why word-of-mouth remains the a way you never had before, and reassured Admissions Director is far more involved number one source for families. When that there was a place where your child than the time spent meeting parents and someone you trust tells you that Springer could learn to read, solve math problems, children. Files need to be carefully read made the difference, you can’t help but write stories and regain his or her self-con- to determine if Springer would be a good want to know more. Thank you to all within fidence. You realized that Springer could- fit for what a child needs, and profes- the community, for your role in helping become for you a place where you were sionals consulted when the answers are families learn about Springer. And thank understood, and where you would come not readily forthcoming. Once a child is you, Jan Annett, for an incredible eighteen to better understand your child’s learning admitted, careful consideration is given to years of leading our admissions process. disability. You may have been convinced in class placement, and the information col- that moment that Springer was the place lected through the admissions process is for your child, but just as likely questions then shared with all the adults who will be surfaced, and you turned to Jan for more working with the student. Shelly Weisbacher answers and reassurance. continued from front page the Diversity Circle, planning numerous known for establishing effective working staff development programs and working relationships with parents, empowering with other schools in the area to coordi- them to better support their children, and nate student programs. Jan also taught for her work with educators, delivering at Springer for two years in the 1970s. one-day to weeklong workshops. During a staff celebration for Jan, Shelly While living in Indiana, Carmen earned said, “Jan has left an indelible mark on our a Master’s degree in education and worked community.” as the sole resource teacher in a PK-8 Assuming the Admissions Director role school setting. She was a resource not only is Carmen Mendoza. Carmen worked at to the children and their parents, but also to Springer from 1996 until a family move her colleagues and the school administra- in 2006 took her to Brownsburg, near tors, helping them create education plans Indianapolis. She held several positions and implement differentiated instruction. while at Springer including Intermediate This fall everything fell into place for level teacher and Center Program Carmen, her husband and three sons to return Coordinator. Carmen was especially to Cincinnati. Welcome back Carmen! Springer’s new Admissions Director, Carmen Mendoza. Read about Springer’s mission and values at www.springer-ld.org/mission_values The Value of Giving Reaching out to those in need is a value at embracing the theme by earning canned Springer that plays out as student involve- goods from parents and teachers for acts ment in various contributory activities of kindness, and donating those items to throughout the year. the Walnut Hills Kitchen, along with notes, Student Council has already poured poems and cards the children will write. their energy into “Wishing You a Warm Nicole Kloesz’s and Cari Kelly’s December,” an annual collection of winter Intermediate classes are reaching out wear that coincides with the holiday to help maintain habitat for gorillas in Above: Student Council President Emily Finken- season. This year, Student Council was Africa, and keep the environment clean in stead is embraced by Stacy Pavin of Families to able to present more than 200 winter coats, America, by collecting used cell phones. Families while Placement Director Terri Moor- head looks on. along with hats, gloves, mittens and toilet- Called “Go Bananas!” the project arose ries to Families to Families, a local organi- from connections many students have Below: Students sort winter coats for “Wishing zation that supports victims of domestic with the Cincinnati Zoo, and student CeCe You a Warm December.” violence. Jones’ success with a neighborhood Tied to their learning about Canadian phone collection over the summer. Boxing Day (December 26), Kim Lankford’s Other Intermediate classes are serving and Dawn Attebery’s classes collected as pen pals for residents at St. Margaret socks and mittens in decorated boxes. The Hall, a residential care facility for the boxes were given to children at Westwood elderly, located close to Springer’s campus. Elementary School as holiday gifts. The Upper School is planning a reprise of Many contributory activities are woven last year’s successful walk-a-thon.