Year-End Edition 2024
And a Look-Ahead to Next Year!
⏳Get ready, Get Set, 24-25 Prep!
- 2024-25 Academic Calendar - The School Board's approval of union contracts at its June 10 meeting made some adjustments to next year's calendar necessary. The updated calendar is on our website.
- 2024-25 School Supplies - Get a jump on school supply shopping! Lists are available on our website.
- Enrollment and the Annual Student Review - These are open all summer long online in ParentVue.
- Bus Registration - Eligible students need to be registered to ride the bus each year.
- Lunch and breakfast menus - Download the MealViewer app to see all of the choices available each day.
- Thurston High School Child Development Center preschool - This preschool is open to any member of the community looking for quality, affordable childcare for their three to five year old.
- Willamalane announces fall registration date: Includes sign up for after school and no school days care.
⌛2024 Graduation Highlights
🔆 ICYMI 🔆
Summer Fun and Learning
- SPS Summer Sports Camps: Led by high school coaches and players, the main goal is to have fun!
- SPARK Camp: Free fun in July!
- KITS: A free summer program just for incoming kindergarteners!
- Drifters Baseball: All SPS students enjoy free admission to all Drifters home games (except July 3)!
- Summer Reading 2024: Read, Renew, Repeat: Sign up your child (and yourself!) for Springfield Public Library's Summer Reading program. Kids get a free book to keep when they sign up.
FOOD for Lane County Summer Food Program
FOOD for Lane County invites children and youth age 18 and younger to eat free lunch during the summer months. Lunch is served at parks and community centers throughout Lane County. Click the button for a list of sites and menu.
Summer EBT Food Benefits
Summer EBT is a new grocery benefits program that starts this summer. It helps families buy food for their school-aged children during summer when school is out.
Some children are signed up automatically for Summer EBT if their household participates in SNAP, TANF or the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid). Others can apply online, by email or using a paper application.
If you believe your child is eligible for Summer EBT but was not signed up automatically, you can still apply.
The state will begin accepting applications for the program this summer. For more information and to be notified when the application period opens, visit the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
Lunch Choices a Hit, Even With Picky Eaters 🥪
In the second half of this last school year, the SPS Nutrition Services department began rolling out a new menu that gives students a greater variety of choices in their food selections at each meal we serve. School staff are seeing more kids eating more of their food, having a positive impact when those kids return to class ready to focus and learn. (P.S. families - the kids are reporting that they like the vegetables they're trying! 🥒)
Read more and hear students' enthusiasm in the video in our Newsroom ⬇️
👏 Thurston Colts Baseball Makes History with Back-to-Back State Titles
The Thurston Colts baseball team clinched their second-straight 5A state title Saturday, June 3, capping a 28-3 overall season for the Colts. The team is the first to win back-to-back 5A state titles since classifications were introduced in 2007.
Senior infielder Eli Crist sees potential for a dynasty: "Many hours were spent in the off season grinding away to be able to accomplish one shared goal, another state championship. Look out for this group again next year, the boys that are returning are still hungry for another championship.”
Read more in our Newsroom ⬇️
Springfield Education Foundation Awards Record-Breaking Grant Funds
We're not the only ones getting ready for future learning - our partners at Springfield Education Foundation (SEF) recently awarded a record $112,000 in grant funds to power innovative education across our District!
Thank you to SEF for their tireless fundraising efforts and laser focus on supporting Every Student, Every Day - in every way! An even bigger "Thank You!" to all of the individuals and community organizations that have made contributions to SEF's mission.
Follow SEF on Facebook or Instagram over the summer for a look at grant winners and their projects.
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On the Calendar
Summer Reading Performances at Springfield Public Library
Wednesdays through August 14
Springfield Public Library Fountain Plaza, 225 5th Street, Springfield
- June 26: Bollywood-Bhangra Dance Party with DJ Prashant
- July 3: Revelers Contemporary Circus: Aerial Dancing & Circus Arts
- July 10: DanceAbility: Next Movement*
- July 17: P'urhembe: Folklore from Michoacán, Mexico to the World*
- July 24: #instaballet: Create a Dance!*
- July 31: ¡Bienvenidos! with Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats*
- August 7 (10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.): Tribally Influenced Music & Culture: Fish Martinez, Brent Florendo, Kunu Bearchum, Renée Ramon Nose*
- August 14: Samba Ja: Brazilian Percussion Ensemble
*Springfield Public Schools is proud to partner with the Springfield Public Library to bring these performances to the community and SPS SPARK camp sites.
Drifters Baseball
All summer long!
- Hamlin Sports Complex
- Free for students!
All SPS students can enjoy a summer of baseball thanks to the Springfield Drifters! All students need to do is show their Student ID or 1PASS to get into each home game free of charge (except July 3)!
Run Jump Throw
Thursday, June 27
- 2:30 - 5 p.m.
- Free
- Bob Keefer Center Turf Fields, 400 South 32nd St., Springfield
- Register for RunJumpThrow
RunJumpThrow is a hands-on learning event that excites kids about physical activity by introducing them to running, jumping, and throwing skills through track and field. This FREE event on June 27, during the week of the Olympic Trials, is brought to you by Willamalane, USA Track & Field, and Hershey. Kids can participate with peers in a friendly, competitive setting and learn new techniques from professionals.
A3 Unveils 2024 Mural
Thursday, June 27
5 p.m.
Springfield Moose Lodge #1726, 2011 Laura Street, Springfield
A3's 2024 annual large scale mural installation is getting its finishing touches and will be unveiled June 27! The mural, depicting scenes around the Pacific Northwest, was financially supported by the Moose Lodge, City of Springfield, and a handful of community members. Students in Nissie Ellison's May Term class collaborated with Lane Arts Council and Mural Mice Universal on the art. Come support A3 students at the unveiling!
Children's Celebration
Saturday, June 29
- 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Island Park, 200 West B Street, Springfield
Children’s Celebration is fun for the entire family. Enjoy fun interactive activities, live performances, and more. Admission is free with a non-perishable food donation. Learn more.
Social Media Spotlight ⚡
Follow SPS on social media for the latest information and what's happening in our schools 📱
SPS Recognizes:
2024-25 Budget Adopted
The Springfield Public Schools 2024-25 Operating Budget is officially adopted. The School Board unanimously adopted the budget during its June 10, 2024 meeting.
Superintendent Todd Hamilton summarized the budget as one that is grounded in past decisions and prioritizes student support, aligns with student enrollment changes, and ensures long-term fiscal resilience. It maintains current programs and services while addressing inflationary costs and enhancing instructional materials, technology, and maintenance efforts.
SafeOregon Tip Line
The SafeOregon Tip Line is available 24/7 for Oregon students, parents, school staff, community members and law enforcement officers to report and respond to student safety threats.
- Report a tip online
- Call or text 844-472-3367
- Report a tip on the app. Download on the App Store or Google Play
- Email tip@safeoregon.com
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.
Springfield Public Schools Equity Statement
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.