Apply for Vacated Board Seat, More

Springfield Public Schools is seeking applicants to fill the recently vacated Position 5 seat on the Springfield Public Schools Board of Directors. In accordance with Policy BBC, the Board on January 13 declared the Position 5 vacancy following the resignation of Director Kelly Mason.

Anyone interested in the Position 5 seat can apply in several ways:

• Complete and submit the online application form
• Printed applications are available at the District office at 640 A Street

The deadline to apply is 3 p.m. on January 31, 2025.

Click the button link for more information on SPS' website.

No School All Students

• Winter Break, January 1-6: Students back in school on Tuesday, January 7.
• Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday
• Friday, January 31

No School Elementary Schools

• Friday, January 31

No School Middle and High Schools

• Thursday, January 30 and Friday, January 31

Early Release All Students:

• Friday, January 24*

*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.

Every day of school counts towards your child's school journey of growth and discovery, and sets them up for being ready for success after high school. Chronic absence is defined as 18 days a year—or just 2 days a month – even if those absences are excused!

In December, Springfield Public School's average daily attendance was 88.5%. Each student that missed school last month added up to over 11% of students missing out on critical instruction time on average every day! Your student's attendance matters!

We understand that illnesses, especially in the fall and winter months, take their toll on student attendance. Keeping kids at home when they are sick helps keep other students and staff healthy. Find the latest guidance on when to keep students home for illness and when they are ready to return in the Health Services section of our website.

Willamalane still has openings for the upcoming No School Day on Jan. 31. 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 an up-to-date school vaccine record by Exclusion Day, February 19, 2025. After that day, students who are not up-to-date, will no longer be able to attend school until their record becomes up-to-date.

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. If vaccines are covered SSHC will bill insurance including Medicare, Medicaid and OHP.

January Immunization Clinic:

• Wednesday, January 22, 2025
• 8 a.m. - 4 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.

The month of January is considered a "high priority" period for transfer requests. Forms for High Priority 2025-26 transfers will be accepted from Jan. 7 - 25.

The Phase 2 Transfer period runs Feb. 1 through June 25, 2025. Transfer requests received on or after Feb. 1, 2025 will be processed after requests received during the high-priority window and will be approved on a space-available basis.

Visit our Transferring Within Springfield Public Schools webpage for additional information about transferring, including answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Is your student interested in attending Springfield's Academy of Arts and Academics High School (A3)? A3 will hold an information night on Tuesday, January 21 at 5:30 p.m. to learn about about the school, talk to staff, and take a tour. If you'd like to inquire and have someone on A3's team contact you, fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/z41EbT8DgmBg4W6v6
Location: The info night will be held in A3's main building, 615 Main Street, across from the Wildish Theater. You may park in A3's parking lot or out on Main Street.

With winter here, 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.
2. Follow SPS on Facebook, Instagram and X.
   
3. Sign up to receive FlashAlert alerts.
4. Check our website.

Students at Hamlin Middle School now have a cozy place for reading, relaxing, and connecting with other avid literature lovers—the Ben Carson Reading Room. Students got their first peek on December 6 of the new reading room, made possible thanks to a grant awarded to Hamlin Library Manager Tracy Poe.

The reading room acts as an incentive, a reward, and a stress-free space for students. Teachers have "reading room passes" that they can give to students when they display positive community behaviors, or for a student who may need a little quiet time to escape into a good book.

Read more in our Newsroom ⤵️

The Springfield High School (SHS) Automotive Technology Program was awarded a $7,500 grant for an outreach project to help veterans fix their vehicles or receive a donated car. The project, called Operation Rolling Thunder: Students Supporting Veterans, will restore donated vehicles for veterans and provide free repairs.

“I wanted to bring public awareness to veteran issues such as transportation,” said Mark Simmons, SHS auto and diesel tech teacher. "I want students and our local community to understand the sacrifice that veterans have given to their country and how we can help them.”

Read more in our Newsroom ⤵️

Briggs Middle School continued its yearly tradition of bringing together District leadership and community partners to treat students to a Thanksgiving lunch. All of Briggs' more than 400 students sat down in community to enjoy a delicious traditional Thanksgiving meal prepared with love by SPS Nutrition Services staff.

Check out this student-produced video about the 5 Powers group at Thurston High School, and how they're using their leadership to help make THS a place that feels safe and inclusive for every student, every day.

The community is invited to join us for the 27th Annual Springfield MLK Celebration at Springfield High School on Monday, January 20, 2025. The event begins with a student art reception at 1:30 p.m. For event questions or details contact Jan Lichenstein at jlichens@hotmail.com.

Springfield Public Schools students are invited to participate in the 27th edition of the annual Martin Luther King Contest. K-12 students can honor the memory and spirit of Dr. King by submitting art, essays, posters, videos or poetry for judging. This year's theme is “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

The art, essay, poetry, poster, and video contest for grades 4-12 has a deadline of January 15, 2025. Entries for K-3 are not judged, and they are due January 17, 2025. All entries should be submitted to Willamalane Center, 250 South 32nd Street by 6 p.m.

Students have the opportunity to win cash prizes for their entries. Student participants and winners will be honored at the 27th Annual Springfield MLK Celebration at Springfield High School on Monday, January 20, 2025.

Join the ultimate after-school sports program! Professional coaches will teach important skills like teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship while your child learns the fundamentals of sports at a recreational level. The deadline to register for fifth-grade boys' basketball leagues and first-grade basketball clinics is Tuesday, Jan. 7. Scholarships are available. Check the schedule and sign up here.

Your middle schooler will develop athletic skills, teamwork, and sports mastery in the convenience of their school gym. It is open to all kids, regardless of skill level or ability, and scholarships are available. The deadline to register for 7/8-grade girls' basketball leagues is Wednesday, Jan. 8. Sign up here.

The deadline is approaching to submit your entry for the Springfield Library Bookmark Contest!

Springfield youth in K-12th grade can submit their design for this year's theme "Level Up at Your Library." Winners will have their designs professionally printed and available in the library. Entry forms are available in the library and on their website. Entries are due by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7.

Download the entry form here.

Tuesday, January 7

• Annual Alumni Pep Band Game
• Springfield High School, 875 7th St.
• 6:45 p.m.

Any former member of the SHS Band program is welcome to attend our Annual Alumni Pep Band Game on January 7 when our girls team takes on Cascade HS. Contact Jon Bridges at jon.bridges@springfield.k12.or.us for more information.

Friday, January 10 & Saturday, January 11

• SHS Student Directed and Produced One Act Plays
• Springfield High School, 875 7th St.
• 7 p.m. (No late seating)
• Admission: Canned food donation for SHS school food bank (no expired cans please.)

SHS Advanced Theatre presents two student directed and produced comedic one act plays by Don Zolidas on January 10-11 at 7 p.m. in the SHS Studio Theater. Crushed and 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse are student directed by Ruby Manuel and Jazmynne Sunderland. All actors are members of the SHS Advanced Theatre class.

Friday, January 17 & Saturday, January 18

• SHS Theatre Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Plays
• Springfield High School, 875 7th St.
• 7 p.m.
• Admission: $15 presale only, call 541-744-4774 for tickets.

SHS Acting Ensemble presents two interactive murder mystery dinner theater plays by Eileen Moushey on Jan 17-18 at 7 p.m. in the SHS Studio Theater. One show will be performed each night (show schedule TBD.)

Murder Medium-Rare and The Great High School Whodunit are student directed by Brianna Hernandez and Nadia Plumb. Stage Managers are B Annsa and Georgia Shuck. All actors are members of SHS Acting Ensemble.

Monday, January 20

• 27th Annual Springfield MLK Celebration
• Springfield High School, 875 7th St.
• 1:30 - 2 p.m. - Student Art Reception
• 2 - 3:30 p.m. - Celebration with music and student performances

Come together as a community to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This yearly celebration features student artwork and performances, including Springfield High School's Mariachi del Sol.

Help support Springfield Education Foundation (SEF)'s mission "To empower student success through community engagement" at their annual "Jazz and Bubbles" fundraiser!

This classy evening cocktail party will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Tavern on Main. Tickets can be purchased through Friday, January 17. Guests will be entertained by internationally renowned jazz vocalist and Springfield Alum Gina Saputo. Complimentary welcome bubbles and heavy hors d’oeuvres buffet included as well as wine, beer, and soft beverages. Specialty jazz-era cocktails available from the Tavern bar. Jazz-era attire encouraged!

⛄🎵

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Do you know an awesome Education Support Professional (ESP)?

The Oregon Department of Education has opened nominations for the 2025 Oregon Education Support Professional of the Year. ESPs work as educational assistants, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers and more! Nominations are open through mid-February. Learn more and nominate one of our incredible staff members by clicking the button below.

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.

• Student Work Experience - Teacher Assistant
• Maintenance Worker III - Plumbing
• Educational Assistant, Behavior & Instruction - Elementary and Middle School opportunities

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.