December 2024
No School All Students
- Monday, December 23 - Monday, January 6*
Early Release All Students:
- Friday, December 13 *
*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.
Willamalane Winter Registration Day and Registration Prep Night
Willamalane winter registration begins on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. To preview winter classes and programs, including youth sports, spring break camps, and more, visit willamalane.org/activities.
Additionally, Spanish-speaking staff will be available in advance of registration day to help answer questions at Bob Keefer Center on Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 5-7 p.m. For more information, go to willamalane.org/register.
As we head into cooler, wetter months, 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:
- Make sure that your contact information is up to date with your student's school.
- Follow SPS on Facebook, Instagram and X.
- Sign up to receive FlashAlert alerts.
- Check our website.
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. For event questions or details contact Jan Lichenstein at jlichens@hotmail.com.
After-School All-Stars
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. Sign up for all other spring programs starting Dec. 11 at 8 a.m. Scholarships are available. Check the schedule and 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.
December Immunization Clinic:
- Tuesday, December 17, 2024
- 8 a.m. - 12 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.
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.
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.
Saturday, December 7
- 72nd Annual Springfield Christmas Parade
- 1 p.m.
- Start: 21st and Olympic Street, down Mohawk Blvd.
- End: Pioneer Parkway E and Main St.
Join Springfield Public Schools, including the marching bands of Springfield High School and Thurston High School, as we celebrate the season at the beloved 72nd Annual Springfield Christmas Parade! This year's theme is "Gingerbread Kisses & Christmas Wishes."
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. 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!
Keep Up Regular Attendance in Winter Months
The Oregon Department of Education considers students "regular attenders" if they attend more than 90% of the school year. Did you know that students fall below 90% by missing just two days of school a month?
The winter months can present challenges to getting to school. The Attendance Works organization offers these tips:
- Have back up plans for getting kids to school in bad weather. SPS' Transportation Department has the equipment and routes to get kids to school whenever it's in session, but what about kids that walk or bike? The Attendance Works organization suggests coordinating with other families to clear sidewalks, walk together, or carpool.
- Keep kids healthy. Good hygiene habits, including getting regular sleep, will help keep kids from missing school due to illness.
- Keep your student engaged in learning if they can't attend school in person. Ask your student's teacher about resources for learning or ways they can keep up with schoolwork at home.
The Oregon Department of Education has released the At-A-Glance School and District Profiles for the 2023-24 school year. The At-A-Glance School and District profiles contain previously released assessment data for last school year, previously released graduation data for the class of 2023 and some new data for the 2023-24 school year.
Follow SPS on social media for the latest information and what's happening in our schools 📱
Report A Safety Concern Online
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.