The Mustang Minute

October has been a busy month at Douglas Gardens! From classroom learning and school activities to building relationships and strengthening our school community, it has been wonderful to see our students learning, growing, and enjoying their time at school.

We are also excited to share some great news about attendance! Currently, 85% of our students attend school at least 90% of the time. That means more than 8 out of every 10 students are at school regularly, ready to learn and make the most of each day! Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Getting students to school consistently makes a real difference in their learning and success.

As we head into November, let’s continue working together to make Douglas Gardens a place where every student feels safe, supported, and excited to learn. Thank you for being such an important part of our school community!

-Principal Smith

October 26th - October 27th:

Dental Clinic

November 11th:

Veterans Day - No School

November 13th:

Early Release

November 18th:

Picture Retake Day

November 19th:

2nd Grade Music Performance

November 20th:

Spirit Day - Sports Day

PTO Popcorn Friday

November 23rd- November 25th:

Grading and Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School

November 26th - November 27th

Thanksgiving Holiday

Hey families! Just a quick reminder that electric scooters and motorized e-bikes aren't allowed on campus. We love seeing our students bike and scooter to school, but according to state law, riders must be 16 or older to operate these motorized items. Traditional, pedal-powered bikes and standard kick scooters are still totally fine and a great way to get to school—just make sure your student wears a helmet!

Parent Teacher Conferences will be here before you know it! Conferences will be held on November 24th and 25th. More information on scheduling will be provided soon. We look forward to sharing your student's success and growth with you!

With the season of gratitude upon us, we want to give our amazing teachers and staff a major shout-out—and we need your help! Please take a quick moment to complete our Google Form to share a message for the educators and staff members who make a difference in your child's life every day. We will be printing your messages on special certificates to give to our staff. Whether it's a short note of appreciation or a favorite memory, your shout-outs will become lasting keepsakes for our team!

The annual PTO Tillamook Meat Stick Fundraiser is officially underway, the students are already crushing it! Want to grab a bag? They are $36 each ($1.50 per stick), making them the ultimate high-protein snack for busy schedules.

Mark Your Calendars: Don't let the deadline sneak up on you! All money and any unsold meat sticks are due back Friday, November 13th.

• If paying by check: Please make it payable to Douglas Gardens Elementary PTO.
• If you need help: The PTO is always here for you! Send us a message at Douglasgardenselementarypto@gmail.com or text us at (541)357-8212.

Help Support Our School with School Cents!

Did you know your regular shopping trips can help earn up to $15,000 for our school? We are officially participating in the Valley River Center School Cents program, which turns everyday purchases into real funding for our classrooms, programs, and students.

Here is how you can help us climb the leaderboard:

• Shop and Dine: Every dollar you spend at Valley River Center stores and restaurants equals 5 points for our school.
• Earn Extra with Bonus Points: You can earn 3X points through March 2027 at popular spots like Bath and Body Works, American Eagle, Box Lunch, and Regal Cinemas. For the rest of October, you can also get 2X points at Spirit Halloween, Lids, and The Duck Store.
• Upload Receipts Easily: Just download the official, free School Cents app on your iPhone or Android device, take a quick photo of your receipts, and submit them.

Visit valleyrivercenter.com/schoolcents to get started.

Email: Carla.Smith@springfield.k12.or.us

Address: 3680 Jasper Rd, Springfield

Phone: (541)744-6387

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasGardensElementary/