It's the end of the school year, but we're just getting started on summer. 😎 Keep scrolling for summer fun, friends and fundamentals. 🔽

It’s with heavy hearts that we share the passing of EJ Rotherham, longtime Assistant Principal at Agnes Stewart Middle School. EJ passed away peacefully in his sleep over Memorial Day weekend.

A founding staff member of ASMS in 1998, EJ was more than an educator. He was a mentor, a leader, and a beloved pillar of the Springfield community. His engaging warmth, silly humor, and unwavering dedication left a lasting impact on the generations of students and staff who walked the halls of ASMS.

“EJ was the foundation and heart of Agnes Stewart Middle School,” shared Principal Kevin Wright. “He brought his iconic energy, smile, and laugh to every task, and made everyone feel welcome.”

Support continues to be available to students and staff to help process this profound loss.

EJ's family is holding a Celebration of Life. People are encouraged to wear read and white to honor EJ's Nebraska Cornhusker heritage.

• Saturday, June 7
• 5 - 7:30 p.m.
• Northwood Christian Church; 2425 V Street

Let's finish strong! In May, Springfield Public School's average daily attendance was 87.7%. Each student that missed school last month added up to over 12% of students missing out on critical instruction time on average every day! Your student's attendance matters!

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

Children enrolled in kindergarten for the 2025-26 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.

SPS summer sports camps are led by Thurston and Springfield high school players and coaches. SPS summer sports camps teach kids the fundamentals of a sport in a friendly, low-pressure environment. The main goal for our camps is to have fun! Stay tuned to our Summer Sports Camps page - registration opens soon!

🤷 Why complete registration and the Annual Student Review now?

🌟 Our schools are already preparing and planning for next year! Completing the Review as soon as possible is critical for planning staffing and resources for next year.

🌟 Gets it off your list!

🌟 If you have questions, secretaries are in the office and ready to help!

Log on to ParentVUE or visit our enrollment page by clicking the big blue button to get started! ⬇️

If your student is eligible for bus transportation, that registration is completed with a separate form and will open in summer. Watch our website and social media for the announcement! Families of registered bus riders will receive an email invitation to download the free Stopfinder app with information about your student's bus schedule at anytime, from anywhere.

The School Board approved the 2025-26 Academic Calendar at its April 14 meeting. Download the calendar on the Academic Calendar page by clicking the big blue button. Note: The 2024-25 calendar is also available on this page. Please look closely to select the correct year.

🖱 We've partnered with TeacherLists for convenient one-click online shopping, or the option to print or use the online checklist to do your shopping in-store.

✂️ Items and brands listed are suggestions and families need only buy the items and brands that comfortably fit their budget.

*Maple Elementary school supplies have been purchased by a community donor; Maple families do not need to purchase supplies.

Springfield Public Schools is participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2025-26 school year.

This means that all enrolled students of Springfield Public Schools are eligible to receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at school at no charge each day of the 2025-26 school year!

✨ Stay tuned for a link to our menu app!

Enrollment open now! The Thurston High School Child Development Center (THS CDC) is an affordable, quality preschool open to the community. Children between the ages of three and five are cared for and taught by professional staff and Thurston High School students enrolled in the Child Development Program. The THS CDC operates during the school year (closed over the summer) and follows the Thurston High School academic calendar. Contact THS CDC Coordinator Dara Tuulik at 541-744-6478 or dara.tuulik@springfield.k12.or.us to enroll.

Save the date to sign up for fall Willamalane programs, including Kids Club, After-School All Stars, Middle School Sports, preschool, and more. Registration for the 2025-26 school year opens on Wednesday, August 13 at 8 a.m. Mark your calendar and learn more at willamalane.org/register.

Oregon Summer EBT helps families buy food for their school-aged children during summer when school is out.

Most families will get Summer EBT automatically if they are getting other benefits. Others can apply online, by email or using a paper application.

Online and paper applications are now available at sebt.oregon.gov.

Families can apply for 2025 Summer EBT benefits through Sept. 3, 2025.

FOOD for Lane County invites all children ages 2 to 18 to eat lunch for free during the summer months at over 30 locations throughout Lane County. The program runs Monday-Friday, June 23-August 22, 11:30am-12:30pm. Learn more on FOOD for Lane County's website.

Please join us in celebrating our 2025 graduates!

🎓June 4: Brattain Campus (Gateways High School, SPS Online, Brattain Online, GED Program), 6:30 p.m., Wildish Theater

🎓June 4: English Language Development (ELD) Promotion Ceremony, 6:30 p.m., SHS Auditorium

🎓June 5: The Academy of Arts and Academics (A3), 6 p.m., Springfield High School

🎓June 6: Community Transition Program (CTP), 1 p.m., Silke Field

🎓June 6: Thurston High School, 5 p.m., THS Football Stadium

🎓June 6: Springfield High School, 7:30 p.m., Silke Field

🎓June 12: Willamette Leadership Academy, 6:30 p.m., Wildish Theater

*🎓 Chifin Center Native Graduation Ceremony took place on June 1.

Make sure to follow us on social media to view highlights from our graduations!

It's hard to believe, but more than two years have passed since the announcement that SPS would be offering a Cosmetology Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Gateways High School. Eight students from the first cohort are graduating this month and have big plans for the future! Read more in our newsroom ⬇️

The SPS High School Student Voice has completed its first full school year since restarting in April 2024. The group includes students representing all four District high schools and has focused on three main areas:

• Safety and Bullying
• Classroom Engagement
• Mental Health

The project helps students feel they are part of the decision-making processes in their own district and helps them understand better district initiatives and priorities. Hear from Student Voice participants in our newsroom story ⬇️

A dozen Thurston High School students took advantage of the opportunity to learn real-life skills in the critical wildland firefighting industry at Lane Community College in May. Private and public firefighting organizations and land management professionals give their time and expertise to inspire the next generation of wildland firefighting professionals. Hear from students and educators that took part in our newsroom ⬇️

All SPS students have access to different learning opportunities that highlight our district’s commitment to meeting Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Teaching these relevant, in-demand skills is important not only for the future of our students, but the future of the world. From introductions to microscopes and basic biology, to building robots and local biodiversity, STEAM learning at SPS focuses on creating real-world experiences that connect students to their world and positions them to shape the future. Hear from our educators and watch how students are applying their knowledge ⬇️

The 2025 Summer Reading Challenge at Springfield Public Library begins Monday, June 9 and runs until Saturday, August 23. The 2025 Summer Reading theme is "Level Up at Your Library." Kids and teens who sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge get a book to keep!

The Springfield Public Library and History Museum is excited to welcome you to enjoy FREE FUN FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES every Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. this summer! Visit the Springfield Public Library website for more information and a full list of events.

June 18: Summer Reading Kick-off event with Aloha Summer! Hālau Hula O Nā Pua O Hawai'i Ne

June 25: Community Sing

July 2: Music from Mariachi Cuervo, rope tricks with Charro master artist Antonio Huerta and more.

✨ SPS is proud to partner with the Springfield Public Library to bring exciting music and cultural experiences to our students and the community:

July 9: Bollywood Bhangra Dance Party with DJ Prashant

July 16: Noche Cultural Preview

July 23: Ratie D: Unity in the Community

July 30: Shuína Skó: A Modern Twist on Traditional Knowledge

August 6, from 10 a.m. -12 p.m., SPS and the Chifin Native Youth Center join community partners to bring the Indigenous Cultural Celebration to the Library's Fountain Plaza.

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. 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 Opportunities button to learn more and apply.

⭐ 2025 Summer Facilities Workers (Temporary Employment)

⭐ Systems Analyst II - Technology Services

⭐ Administrative Secretary - Thurston Elementary

Eugene-Springfield Safe Routes to School and Shift Community Cycles are once again offering free basic bike repairs to get students ready to pedal this spring and summer. Drop in for free help with flat tires, brakes, gears, bike fitting and safety checks. This month's Free Bike Repairs will take place Thursday, June 5 from 3:15-5:15 p.m. at Agnes Stewart Middle School, 900 S 32nd St

Saturday, June 28

• Willamalane Children's Celebration
• Island Park, 200 West B Street
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Free with a non-perishable food donation

Attend Willamalane's Children's Celebration on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Island Park for a day of live performances, inflatables, and engaging activities. Admission is free with a non-perishable food donation. Learn more at willamalane.org/celebration.

Friday, June 27

• Dive-in Movie at Splash
• Splash, 6100 Thurston Road

Visit Splash on June 27 for a swim and movie event on the outdoor sun deck. Learn more at willamalane.org/dive.

The Budget Committee approved the 2025-26 Operating Budget during its first work session. A public hearing is now set for June 9, 2025. Guided by community input and past strategic investments, the budget prioritizes student achievement, mental and behavioral health, and equitable access to learning. With the expiration of federal ESSER funds and continued enrollment-driven funding challenges, we are making necessary adjustments to sustain high-quality programs while preserving financial stability.

The public can provide additional feedback during the June 9 public hearing. The Board of Directors is required to adopt the budget no later than June 30.

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Springfield Public Schools is required to provide annual notice to Oregon Department of Education of its compliance with the Healthy and Safe Schools Program. A copy of the annual statement is available for our community on our website.

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.