Nov '26 Colt Round-Up
Monthly Student and Family Newsletter
From the Principal
November 2, 2026
Colts and Colt Families:
To start this year, we have emphasized the importance of regular attendance and its connection to academic success. We are grateful for your partnership. Our average daily attendance through the 6 weeks is above 90%. Our share of students earning passing grades is at 89%. Teachers are able to connect and support with students during instruction to help students succeed. Every day counts.
In October, we invested in our students goals for their future through our College and Career Readiness Day: 198 juniors took the ACT, to test their skills on a national college entrance exam and our 9th and 10th graders had the chance to practice on an assessment designed for their grade level. Seniors chose between college visits, retaking the ACT, or taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) assessment. This commitment continues. College presentations and on-campus mentors are scheduled every Monday and Friday to help our seniors take steps toward their goals - completing the FAFSA, submitting college applications, applying for trade schools and certificate programs, and more. Students can sign up for a 1:1 appointment through the counseling office.
Quarter 2 Goal Setting
The end of one Quarter and the beginning of another is always a welcome opportunity to reset and refocus. At Thurston High School, we are focused on helping students build strong GPAs. Two targets for students to strive for: Oregon Promise ready GPA of 2.0 and/or an honors GPA of 3.5 or higher. To help students find success, students have access to academic support from 9:25 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. every B day to connect with teachers. Conferences on November 19th from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Friday, November 20th from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (noon) are times set aside for parents to connect with teachers about their child's progress.
We look forward to a strong Quarter 2.
Go Colts!
Principal Pelster
Thurston High School
Follow @thurstoncolts for campus highlights or at our new school website https://ths.springfield.k12.or.us/about
Month at-a Glance
11/9-11/13 - College Application Week
11/11 - No School - Veteran’s Day
11/13 - Early Release
11/19 - Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
11/20 - Parent-Teacher Conferences 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (noon)
11/26-11/27 No School - Thanksgiving Break
11/27-11/28 - Thurston Craft Faire
12/1-12/11 - Day of Joy Collection
12/11 - Early Release Friday
In This Newsletter
The Month Ahead in Campus Life: Fall Sports Playoffs, Winter Musical Seussical the Musical, the Oregon Student Health Survey, Day of Joy, and Yearbook information.
We are Colts: Caring, Brave, Prepared
Caring for our Community - Thanksgiving Boxes from our Family Resource Center
Progress Reports - D/Fs mailed home; check ParentVue for current progress grades
Parent Teacher Conferences: November 19th and 20th
College Application Week November 9th - 13th
Lane College Advisor on Campus Wednesday, November 4th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Library
A Special Message from our Campus Librarian
- Support our library here!
Academic Supports
- Academic Support - every B day - 9:25 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
- Schoolwide Grading Policies
- The next late work deadline Wednesday, November 25th
The Month Ahead in Campus Life
Colts in the Post-Season
We will be cheering for our Colts as they face off against Bend in the Girl's Soccer playoff match at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 3rd, and football faces off against St. Helens in a home playoff football game on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
ODE Student Health Survey
All 11th grade students will have the opportunity to take the Oregon Student Health Survey. This voluntary survey asks questions about student health and safety, mental and behavioral health, school climate and culture, and risk and protective factors. Learn more here. Note that time is allocated to complete the survey and students have the option to skip questions or decline to participate.
Day of Joy
Each year, the Thurston High School community raises funds to support elementary students in our feeder elementary schools during the winter season. We will begin collecting donations in advisory periods and the main office on December 1st.
Seussical the Musical opens - 12/3 at 7:00 p.m.
Thurston High School Theater presents a playful production, Seussical the Musical. Join us for opening night on December 3rd or at a later showing, 12/4, 12/5, or 12/10, 12/11, 12/12.
Purchase the 2026-27 Yearbook here. Submit a senior photo here by January 30th!
Follow @thurstonhsasb instagram posts information related to ASB Sponsored events and activities.
We are Colts: Caring, Brave, Prepared
Progress Reports
Progress Reports will be mailed home for any students currently earning a D, F, or No Pass. All other students can view their grades via StudentVue.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are Thursday, November 19th from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. or Friday, November 20th from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (noon). Conference sign-ups will go out on Monday. Make an appointment with the teachers you most want to check-in with about your student’s progress.
College Application Week
Students can show our counseling office their submitted college application to receive a small reward and recognition for taking an important step toward their future. SAIL mentors are available to support students working to submit applications every Monday and Friday. Students can sign up for individual advising through the counseling office.
Lane College Advisor on Campus, November 4th from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Support for seniors working on post-high school plans continues. Our goal is that all students who plan to attend trade schools, 2-year colleges, and 4-year colleges complete the FAFSA and submit at least one application this month! We will host our Lane College Advisor on November 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the THS Library. Seniors will be able to complete their LCC application with direct support from LCC staff - and get any questions they have about the college application process answered.
A Message from our Librarian
My name is Amy Page and I’m so excited to be Thurston’s new library manager! We have had a great start to the year in the library and I’ve enjoyed getting to know our community!
As I get to know our library collection one thing is very apparent, students love graphic novels and manga (Japanese graphic novels)!
When students can’t find books in our collection, whether visiting during English class, breaks, or open periods, they add them to our Library Wish List. Graphic novels and manga (Japanese graphic novels) are our most requested genre which is understandable as this part of our collection is our most popular and in need of a refresh. To meet the high demand of graphic novels and manga on our Library Wish List, English teacher Mr. Roberson and I partnered to launch a DonorsChoose fundraiser.
Click here to support our DonorsChoose project and to learn how these books inspire students to read for pleasure! Thank you for your support!
Want to help improve our library collection overall? Donate your gently used books. If they meet our selection criteria, we will gladly add them to our collection. Contact Mrs. Page with any questions.
Have a wonderful November and thank you for supporting our library!
Amy Page
We are Colts: Caring, Brave, Prepared
Thurston High School is a caring community dedicated to developing caring and brave graduates prepared for a future of their choosing.
Academic Supports
Academic Support, every B day, 9:25 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Students have the opportunity each week to sign-up to check-in with a teacher of their choosing every B day during academic support. We encourage students to ask questions, access assignments, and stay ahead by using this time effectively.
Schoolwide Grading Policies
Your student will be academically challenged at high school in many ways. Demonstrations of skills and learning may require any combination of labs, tests, homework, projects, and writing; each class will be different.
Students are responsible for ensuring that they are prepared each day, ready to learn, putting forth their best first attempt on all assignments. As a school, we are focused on seeing students show their understanding of course material, and allowing students the chance to show growth and improvement over time.
For this reason, we have two school-wide grading policies for all courses:
Students may complete re-takes on all summative assignments and assessments.
Assignments completed by the school-wide late-work deadlines will have the opportunity to receive full-credit.
Late-Work Deadlines are the Last B day of each Month
Contact Us
From Student Services
For questions related to school policies and student discipline, find our student handbook here.
From the Counseling Office
Counseling Department (541-744-5156)
Thurston High School
Thurston Office (541-744-5000)
Kimberlee Pelster, Principal - kimberlee.pelster@springfield.k12.or.us
Annin Ramsing-Nissen, Assistant Principal - annin.ramsing-nissen@springfield.k12.or.us
Jeffrey Thompson, Assistant Principal - jeffrey.thompson@springfield.k12.or.us
Jared Taylor, Dean of Students - jared.taylor@springfield.k12.or.us
Thurston High School
Website: ths.springfield.k12.or.us
Location: 58th Street, Springfield, OR, USA
Phone: 541-744-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/ThurstonHighColts
Twitter: @THSColts