2024-25 Enrollment Open

Early Release:

• Friday, May 3
• Friday, May 17

No School:

• Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day)

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

Get ready...

Get set...

Enrollment and the Annual Student Review for all grades is now open in ParentVue!

Prepare for completing your Annual Student Review:

• Gather proof of address documents.

• Log in to your ParentVue account and check that you can see and access all of your currently enrolled students. If you cannot, contact your school's office for help.

• If you have forgotten your login, contact your school's office for help.

• The Annual Student Review is the perfect time to confirm your contact information so you never miss out on inclement weather, emergency notifications and other important information from your school and the District.
• When you use the ParentVue app to complete your enrollment, uploading documents is a *snap*; just take a picture with your phone.

Get all the step-by-step enrollment info and links to download the app on our enrollment page by tapping the big blue button. Need more help? Contact your school before the end of the school year.

Kids who turn five on or before September 1, 2024 are ready to start kindergarten in the 2024-25 school year! At Kindergarten Welcome Night, incoming kindergarteners and their families can meet teachers, tour the school, get enrollment help and get prepared to start school this fall!

Each of our 12 elementary schools hold their Kindergarten Welcome Night in the first part of May. Scan or tap the QR code below to find your welcome night.

We are thrilled to once again offer free SPARK camp in 2024 for students currently in grades kindergarten through 7th grade, with a focus on enrichment, academics, recreation, and community.

All kindergarten through 7th grade students currently enrolled in a Springfield school are eligible to attend, even if their school is not a SPARK camp location.

SPARK camp runs Monday - Thursday, July 8 - August 1.

Students will be provided with breakfast and lunch. Limited transportation is available for those who qualify.

2024 SPARK registration is now open! When you register, you will be registered for all four weeks of the program. Registrations will be accepted as space allows.

Visit our Summer Programs page for complete details.

Students starting kindergarten in 2024 have their own summer program, Kids in Transition to School (KITS). Enrollment for KITS begins May 1, 2024. Stay tuned for more information!

Children enrolled in kindergarten for the 2024-25 year at any SPS elementary school can attend a FREE summer kindergarten readiness program, KITS! KITS (Kids in Transition to School) equips incoming kindergarteners with the skills needed to successfully begin school. KITS is offered at four elementary school sites throughout the SPS District. Students entering kindergarten at any of our elementary schools are eligible to attend at one of these sites.

Willamalane still has space available in several camps throughout the summer, especially sport-based skills camps! Browse availability and ways to keep the kids busy at willamalane.org/camps.

Students from Thurston High School are trained to conduct tests for ten different water quality parameters in The WELL Project's high school water lab. Results are mailed or emailed to customers within one week. The service is free to the public, and a free testing kit with instructions is provided.

Visit www.thewellproject.education to find out more about the program and to sign up online for the last testing day on May 14. For questions, email stephanie.lawless@springfield.k12.or.us.

Recently, Lane County Public Health has confirmed multiple diagnosis of pertussis (whooping cough) in our community across all age groups, including school age children.

Symptoms:

• Cold-like symptoms followed in one to two weeks by coughing fits that can keep coming for weeks to months.
• During coughing attacks, young children may gag, gasp or strain to inhale, and/ or make the high-pitched whooping/ barking sound. This may be followed by vomiting or exhaustion.
• Fever is usually absent or minimal.
• Infants and young children are at the highest risk of life-threatening consequences.

Treatment and Prevention:

• Pertussis is treated with antibiotics, usually for 5 days.
• Women in the third trimester of pregnancy, children 1 year or younger, and other high risk individuals should watch for early pertussis symptoms including any cold like symptoms.

What can you do?

• If your child has symptoms of pertussis please keep them home from school and consult with their health care provider.
• Ensure your child is up to date on immunizations. Contact your health care provider or school to review vaccine records.
• If you are pregnant, call your provider to discuss prevention options during pregnancy.

Springfield Public Schools is committed to limiting the spread of all illnesses at school by encouraging healthy habits and prioritizing appropriate cleaning. Immunization is the most effective way to prevent the spread of this illness. Handwashing and good respiratory etiquette are as always helpful in preventing the spread of this infection.

For more information on pertussis visit the Oregon Health Authority website.

The 22nd annual Dolores Huerta / Cesar Chavez Celebration was a vibrant evening celebrating community with music, art and food.

The theme for this year's student artwork and essays was “Together, all things are possible.”

In addition to the awards ceremony, the audience enjoyed musical performances by Springfield High School's Mariachi del Sol and the Guy Lee Elementary Dual Immersion Singers. The two groups came together for a stirring performance of "De Colores."

The event was hosted by Springfield Public School together with the Springfield Alliance for Equity and Respect (SAfER).

Mariachi del Sol debuted their new trajes (performance attire) at the Huerta/Chavez Celebration. Check out their proud smiles and excitement as they see and try on their new trajes for the first time in the video below! ⏬️

The band has been fundraising for the trajes and travel expenses ahead of the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. on May 27.

The parade will be televised on all major news stations nationwide.

You can still help support Mariachi del Sol's travel to Washington, D.C. Go to bit.ly/mariachidelsolfundraise to help out.

Tell us about the stellar certified staff in our District! These are teachers, learning specialists, school counselors, nurses, dean of students, speech therapists, school psychologists, and more that provide instruction and support to every student, every day.

We'll share your messages of appreciation on our website during Certified Staff Appreciation Week, May 6-10.

The conversion of the main athletic fields to artificial turf at Springfield and Thurston high schools is expected to get started in May. SPS has partnered with the Oregon National Guard for the removal of Silke Field's soil, beginning the week of May 5.

Drivers should prepare for minor delays on 10th Street. The National Guard will attempt to minimize the impact to pickup and drop-off areas at Brattain House, Two Rivers – Dos Rios Elementary, and Springfield High School.

A private contractor is targeting mid-May for the removal of soil at Thurston High School. Drivers should prepare for minor delays around Thurston High School.

The soil removal is expected to last several weeks.

All SPS lottery participants were notified in April about whether or not they qualified for a district-paid 1Pass. If you entered the lottery and did not hear about your status, please contact Willamalane at (541) 736-4544. If you'd like to a 1Pass from Willamalane, passes go on sale online beginning Friday, May 17, at 5:30 p.m. To learn more about the 1Pass and destinations included, please visit willamalane.org/1pass.

🎉 We're looking ahead to the most festive and celebratory time of the school year - graduation season! 🎉

SPS will hold eight graduation ceremonies in June:

• Sunday, June 2: Chifin Center Native Graduation Ceremony
• Wednesday, June 5: Brattain Campus (Gateways High School, SPS Online, Brattain Online, GED Program)
• Thursday, June 6: A3, The Academy of Arts and Academics
• Friday, June 7: Community Transition Program (CTP)
• Friday, June 7: Springfield High School
• Saturday, June 8: Thurston High School
• Wednesday, June 12: English Language Development (ELD) Promotion Ceremony
• Thursday, June 13: Willamette Leadership Academy

In the meantime, enjoy this look back at some of the highlights from last year's graduations!

May 2, 3, 4

• 7:30 p.m.
• Thurston High School Auditorium, 333 58th St.
• Admission $5/students, $8/general admission
• Online Ticket Links:
• May 2
  
• May 3
• May 4

When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears at their doorstep, the family finds that she's the answer to their prayers, but in the most peculiar way. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon.

Friday, May 10

• 5 - 8 p.m.
• A3 High School, 615 Main St

Join A3 on May 10 from 5-8 pm during our Artwalk and Engagement Night, to be held during Downtown Springfield Second Friday Artwalk. Featuring student artwork and a presentation from Ophelia's Place, a local non-profit that provides prevention based services to girl identified youth in our community. Come learn more about the services they provide, how to get involved, and ask any questions you may have!

May 10,11, 16, 17, 18

• 7 p.m.
• SHS Auditorium, 875 7th St.
• Admission: $5/students and senior citizens, $8/adults ($1 charge for credit/debit)

This family friendly comedic play tells the story of Ethel P. Savage, an elderly woman whose husband recently died and left her approximately ten million dollars. Contrasting the kindness and loyalty of psychiatric patients with the avarice and vanity of "respectable" public figures, it calls into question conventional definitions of sanity while lampooning celebrity culture.

Friday, May 17

• 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• Guy Lee Elementary School, 755 Harlow Road
• Free

Guy Lee PTO invites the community to its second annual Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Celebration at Guy Lee Elementary! The free, family-friendly event features performances, food trucks and activities.

Tuesday, May 21

• 7 p.m.
• SHS Auditorium, 875 7th St.

Wednesday, May 22

• 7 p.m.
• SHS Auditorium, 875 7th St.

Thursday, May 30

• 7 p.m.
• SHS Auditorium, 875 7th St.

May 31 and June 1

• 7 p.m.
• SHS Auditorium, 875 7th St.
• Admission: Food donation of 2-3 canned goods within expiration dates. Soup is preferred.

Springfield Advanced Theatre proudly presents our 2024 Theatrelink plays May 31 and June 1 at 7 p.m. in the Springfield Studio Theater. These plays written as part of an educational partnership with the Manhattan Theatre Club and are written by Springfield High School and Spotswood High School of New Jersey.

The audience is invited to stay for Acting Ensemble Movie premiere night in the SHS Auditorium. This short film festival features original works by members of the SHS Acting Ensemble. Popcorn and water will be available for purchase with all funds supporting SHS Theatre.

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During the April Board of Education Business Meeting, Assistant Superintendent David Collins presented options for the 2024-25 Academic Calendar. The proposals were based off feedback from staff, students and parents.

The key dates for the proposed calendars include:

• Springfield schools will start on Sept 4 for grades 1-5, 6 and 9; and Sept 5 for grades 7, 8 and 10-12.
• Winter Break is December 23-January 3.
• Spring Break is March 24-28.
• The last day of school is June 12.
• There are 175 student contact days, including early release days for collaboration.

The Board of Education could approve the 2024-25 academic calendar at its May 13 Business Meeting.

High school math and middle school science teachers will have new instructional materials for the 2024-25 school year. Approved by the Board of Directors at its April 8 Business Meeting, the following materials will be utilized in the fall:

• Carnegie Learning High School Math Solution
• Various learning experiences are embedded to ensure students understand key mathematical concepts.
• Stile Education
• Nurtures informed, reflective citizens with more classroom discussions, customizable lessons, real-time feedback opportunity for students.

Thanks to the review committees for delving deeply into instructional practices, standards and review tools to ensure the recommendations provided to the Board were exemplary. The dedication and expertise, drawn from diverse roles as classroom teachers, specialists, instructional coaches, and building administrators, were valuable in the thorough examination of instructional materials.

Additionally, the Board of Directors has approved a one-year postponement for the adoption and purchase of elementary and high school science textbooks. The Instruction and Curriculum team will continue collaborating with elementary teachers throughout the summer and school year to finalize learning cycles integrating science and engineering practices into literacy programs. A proposal will be presented to the Board in spring 2025. High school teams will complete their adoption review by early fall and also submit their proposal in the spring of 2025.

The Springfield Public Schools 2024-25 Proposed Budget is now available for review. The budget document estimates the cost to operate the District and its programs for the year.

The District will present the proposed budget to the Budget Committee on May 2, 2024. Superintendent Todd Hamilton will give his budget message and share any significant changes in the District’s proposal, programs, or financial changes.

The public is always encouraged to provide feedback at budget committee meetings.

If approved by the Budget Committee, the School Board must adopt the budget no later than June 30, 2024, the last day of the current fiscal year.

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.

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.