November 2024

❗Take a close look at November's calendar dates - this year's November academic calendar looks a little different than it has in past years. Elementary and middle/high schools have the same early release day, but different grading and conference days off. ❗

No School All Students:

• Monday, November 11 (Veteran's Day Holiday)
• Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29 (Thanksgiving Holiday)

Early Release All Students:

• Friday, November 15 *

No School Elementary Students Only:

• Monday, November 25 through Wednesday, November 27

No School Middle and High Students Only:

• Friday, November 8 *
• Friday, November 22 *

*Does not apply to A3 Academy of Arts & Academics, which has its own calendar.

On early release days, elementary students are released at 12:30 p.m.
Secondary (middle and high) students are released at 1:15 p.m.
Lunch is served as normal.

Don't forget! Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 3. Turn back clocks one hour before you go to bed Saturday, November 2. Fire safety officials also suggest checking the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Willamalane still has openings for the upcoming No School Days on Nov. 25-27. On days when school is out, sign up to get a full day of childcare and enjoy fun themes and activities. No School Days operate at Ridgeview and Yolanda Elementary Schools, and enrollment is open to all Springfield Public School elementary students. Sign up here.

Does your child need to catch up on immunizations? Students must have their school required vaccines by Exclusion Day, Feb. 19, 2025. After that day, students who are not current on the required vaccines will not be able to attend school until their vaccine record becomes complete.

The Springfield Schools Health Center (SSHC) is holding a series of immunization clinics to help families get caught up on immunizations. The clinic is open to all Springfield Public Schools students and conveniently located on the Springfield High School campus. Students without insurance that covers vaccines can get immunized for free. SSHC bills insurance and Medicare, Medicaid and OHP.

November Immunization Clinic:

• Tuesday, November 19, 2024
• 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Call 541-682-3550 for an appointment
• Springfield Schools Health Center, 1050 10th Street
• Spanish interpretation available
• Please bring any immunization records you have for your student and the student's insurance information, if they have insurance.
• All students are welcome, regardless of insurance status.

The SSHC's warm and welcoming office offers appointments for mental health, Well Child Checks, sport physicals and more, in an easy to access location. Using the SSHC saves families time off from work and school for doctor's appointments.

As we head into cooler, wetter months, the potential for school delays or closures due to snow and ice becomes a reality. SPS announces delays and closures in several different ways. Our goal is to determine by 6:30 a.m. whether school will be delayed, closed or open as usual. Remember, no news means no change. You can ensure that you will receive announcements of delays and closures in several key ways:

1. Make sure that your contact information is up to date with your student's school. *If you've blocked phone, text or email from your school or the District and would like to start receiving these messages again, see the article below.
2. Follow SPS on Facebook, Instagram and X.
   
3. Sign up to receive FlashAlert alerts.
4. Check our website.

We get it - sometimes blocking your school's calls, texts and/or emails seems like a way to clear some of your life's clutter. But blocking those communications could delay you from getting information you need in emergencies and inclement weather days, as well as the everyday ways you can support your student's attendance and learning.

Want to get back in the loop? Start by contacting your school to make any updates to your contact information. If you've blocked your phone, text, or email try these:

• Phone calls: Call the Finalsite Phone Hotline at "855-502-STOP (855-502-7867)" from the phone line that has been opted out.
• Text (SMS): Reply START to "60680" from the phone line that has been opted out.
• Email: Look for the email you received from "Finalsite" when you unsubscribed. If you no longer have that email, contact the District to be unblocked at askSPS@springfield.k12.or.us.

Get your well water tested for free and give SPS students hands-on experience in environmental science! Students from Thurston High School are trained to conduct tests for ten different water quality parameters in the WELL Project (Water and Energy Learning Lab) high school water lab. Results are mailed or emailed to customers within one week.

This month's testing date is Tuesday, November 12. The service is free to the public, and a free testing kit with instructions is provided. Click on the button below to sign up. 👇

The WELL Project (Water and Energy Learning Lab) is a science grant operated by the Springfield School District since 1998, and funded annually by the Springfield Utility Board.

It should be noted that we are not a certified lab facility. Results compare customers' water to levels recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water. If you have any questions about our program, please send an email to stephanie.lawless@springfield.k12.or.us.

Award-winning blues icon Curtis Salgado will hold a master class for high school music students ahead of his performance at the 6th Annual Springfield Mayor's Revue on November 15. Students will get a similar experience to last year's master class with jazz musician Karla Harris.

Proceeds from the Springfield Mayor’s Revue support the programs of the Emerald Art Center (EAC) and the projects of Springfield Rotary. Tickets for the evening of performances, drinks, appetizers and raffle are available now.

SPS is honored and grateful for the Springfield Mayor's Revue's support of our arts education!

October is National Farm to School Month, celebrating lunch trays filled with healthy, local foods. Springfield Public Schools' Youth Transition Farm has been revived, providing employment skills to Special Education students and delivering its first shipments of produce to SPS school kitchens.

On October 17, schools across the District participated in Oregon's CRUNCH, celebrating the crisp produce that produces a satisfying sound. Students enjoyed locally grown Asian pears and cucumbers and counted down to all 'crunch at once.'

National School Lunch Week was celebrated Oct. 14-18. This year's theme was "School Lunch Pirates, Find Your Treasure!" We had a great time visiting schools and celebrating all the folks and food that make a healthy lunch possible to fuel up students ready to learn!

Check out more about National School Lunch Week on our Facebook page.

Safe Routes to School is seeking applicants for its Lane Youth Transportation Advisory Council!

Teens ages 13-19 who are interested in supporting transportation across the county can learn, build leadership skills, and participate in collaborations with local organizations and government. This is a paid council position of a $100 monthly stipend. Council members are expected to work 7 hours per month, which includes a 2-hour monthly meeting. Please apply at this link by November 4.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden visited Gateways High Schools second-year cosmetology students, where he and his staff toured the newly constructed salon and engaged with students. Senator Wyden played a key role in securing the funding for the new cosmetology building which now houses a fully operational salon open to the public and run by the students.

During the visit, the students expressed their gratitude to Senator Wyden for his support in helping them turn their dreams into reality.

Want to book an appointment at the salon?

The salon is open to the public Mondays and Thursdays 12:30 - 5:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.

📱Call Gateways High School at 541-744-8862

📩 Email Cosmetology Instructor Shirley Arnett at shirley.arnett@springfield.k12.or.us

💅 See the Gateways Cosmetology Academy list of services

Cheers to 30 years! 🎉

This year's Springfield Education Foundation (SEF) fundraising gala, "Night of 11,000 Stars", celebrated 30 years of supporting the innovative education opportunities created by Springfield Public Schools teachers and staff. This year's gala raised $200,000 that will go towards grant awards in the spring.

Every donation makes a difference. Learn more about the Springfield Education Foundation and how you can support our students by supporting their mission by clicking the button below.

Thursday, November 7

• Latine Family Night at Springfield High School
• Free
• 5:30 - 8 p.m.
• SHS Cafeteria
• Pre-register by filling out and sending the invitation below to Elena Espinoza at SHS, or call 541-744-4780

Help SHS help your student by attending the Latine Family Night for Spanish-speaking families. Childcare and dinner will be served; please register by filling out the form below and sending to Elena Espinoza at SHS or call 541-744-4780.

Friday, November 8

• A3 Art Classes at Downtown Springfield Second Friday Art Walk
• Free
• 5 - 7:30 p.m.
• A3 High School, 615 Main Street
• Spots limited: Register for classes

A3 is participating in the Downtown Springfield Second Friday Artwalk on November 8, hosting free art classes that are open to everyone:

• Spooky Scratchboard Art with Nissie
• Chocolate Making with Ame
• Kaleidoscope with Scott
• Acrylic Painting with Alejandro

A3 is also an official stop on the Emerald Art Center tour, featuring student art!

Thursday, Nov. 28

• Willamalane Turkey Stuffer 5K
• 8:30 - 11 a.m.
• Lively Park (6100 Thurston Rd, Springfield, OR)
• Kids 12 and under free
• Registration required. Sign up here.

Spice up your Thanksgiving morning, and run, walk, roll, or waddle through a scenic neighborhood course. Kids aged 12 and under participate for free, thanks to PacificSource.

Routines: Establishing a routine of daily attendance helps reduce stress at home, and supports a habit of attendance.

Engagement: Being in school helps students to get to know each other and school staff and builds relationships that can motivate participation in learning.

Access to Resources: Schools provide access to valuable resources such as meals, health, mental health supports and fun enrichment activities.

Learning: Students who attend school regularly do better academically and are more likely to graduate from high school.

No one cares more for the students in our District than you, our families. We encourage you to apply for one of our open positions to nurture and support every student, every day at SPS. Family members of our students typically enjoy a work schedule that is a good fit for their most important job, raising their children. Come join our warm, supportive team!

We're Hiring for These Positions and More!

Click on the job link to learn more and apply.

• Educational Assistant - Riverbend Elementary
• Educational Assistant (Special Education) - Briggs Middle School
• Winter Sports Assistant Coach/Activity Leader - Thurston High School | Springfield High School

😴 Poor Otto was exhausted after a full night of fun.

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SPS has made it easier to report instances of harassment, intimidation, bullying, cyberbullying and teen dating violence online.

At the top of every school web page, you’ll find a link titled “Safety Concern.” This directs users to two options to report being unsafe at school.

And as always, you can share a concerning incident with a trusted adult by messaging them or talking face to face.

The SPS equity statement reflects the District's mission of serving every student, every day.

The statement stands as an affirmation of the District’s commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging and will guide our continued efforts to support the vision of SPS as a place where students want to learn and staff want to work.

Springfield Public Schools board meetings are available for anyone to watch live or on-demand on the district's Vimeo channel. View the calendar of upcoming board meetings. A Spanish interpreter is also available during in-person board meetings.

In accordance with public meeting law and Oregon HB 2560, the school board will be providing remote access through live streamed meetings to our community.