Douglas Gardens Newsletter

What a fun time to be a Mustang! We are busy at school learning both academics and positive social emotional skills. We will be hosting Family Conferences next week and I hope our families are able to attend those meetings to hear all about the learning that has been taking place in each classroom. You have a wonderful opportunity to spend some time one-on-one with your child’s teacher. Our purpose is to give you the information you need and work together to support your child's progress for a bright future. If you have not signed up for a conference time yet, please do so as soon as possible. It is our goal to have 100% of our families attend so, expect a phone call from your child’s teacher to reschedule any missed conferences.

Our PTO is still holding the coin drive to fundraise to pay for Popcorn Fridays. Please send in any coins/donations with your child to support free popcorn for all our students. You can also donate during conferences.

Cold and flu season is upon us. To help us mitigate the spread of these viruses, we ask all families to follow the When to Stay Home guidelines. If your child is ill and misses school, please call the school and we can help you process the length of time your child should be out based on his/her symptoms.

We are very grateful for our wonderful and supportive families and their students. We love the enthusiasm that the students come to school with every day. We are grateful for our hardworking and dedicated staff who put in endless hours each week, to be ready to teach, support, guide and encourage students as they learn and grow. On behalf of the staff at Douglas Gardens, I want to wish you the best of the Season.

Carla Smith, Principal

If you haven't signed up for Parent/Teacher conferences yet, please do so now. Signing up is easy and just takes a moment. Conferences should be scheduled no later than 11/23.

Attached is the link to PTCFast for scheduling your conference. https://ptcfast.com/schools/Douglas_Gardens_Elementary . Also attached is a helpful "Parent how to” video to guide you through the sign-up process.
Parent Video

Thank you.

Mornings are a busy time. One way we can help everyone get to school and work on time is by keeping our drop-off line moving. This also prevents traffic from backing up onto 37th Street.

• Please pull your car all the way forward before letting your child out.

• Help your child learn to get out on their own, rather than getting out of the car to help them. Our goal is to have parents stay in the car which keeps our line moving. We have several staff members standing by who can help them get out, if needed.

• If you need to unbuckle their carseat or put on their coat, please pull into a parking space so you can take your time without stopping traffic. (We can also help them put on their coat after they get out of the car).

Thank you for your help in keeping the line moving so everyone can start their day on the right foot! ​

We hope you will join us for our upcoming Family Book Fair Night, Wednesday, December 6th from

5:30 - 7:30 in the gym. Our Book Fair will be available the following dates and times as well.

12/4-12/8 8:00 - 8:25 Students may shop before school.

12/4-12/7 3:00 - 3:30 Parents and Student are invited to shop after school.

12/8 1:00 - 3:00 Parents and Students are invited to shop after Early Release

February 21st, Exclusion Day is fast approaching. Oregon law requires proof of immunization to attend school. Students who are not complete with their immunizations by February 21st will be excluded from school until documentation is provided.

If snow or ice is predicted, designated staff monitor radar and forecasts and then take to the road between 4 and 6 a.m. to assess travel conditions on bus routes. The goal is to determine by 6:30 a.m. whether school will be closed, on delay, or operating as usual.

No news means no change. If you don't hear any information about Springfield Public Schools, you can assume that schools and busses are operating on their normal schedules. However, the decision of whether to send your child to school is always left to each parent. If you do not feel that it is safe to transport your child to school, contact the school to let them know.

After-school Activities:
If schools are closed due to hazardous weather conditions, all after-school activities are cancelled, including athletic games, practices, and building rentals.

Snow Routes:
Occasionally, the conditions do not warrant closing school, however some routes may not be safe to navigate a school bus. Families who live at certain higher elevations may need to bring their child(ren) to a lower elevation to catch the bus at an alternative location. The district has developed snow routes that may be used if hazardous road conditions exist. Snow routes may change from year to year and can be accessed online.

Additional information:
An additional information or specifics may be communicated through the FlashAlert system, district website, social media accounts, and if necessary via the auto-dialer system.

The district utilizes FlashAlert to notify media of any changes to the school schedule. Families and the community are also able to sign up to receive notification as they happen. Additionally, changes will be posted to the district's social media accounts, website and if necessary messages will be delivered via the auto-dialer system. Ensure that your contact information is updated at your student's school so you'll never miss a notification.

Flash Alert Messenger | SPS Facebook | SPS Instagram | SPS X (Twitter)

11/23-24 Thanksgiving Break

11/29 NO SCHOOL - Report Card Day

11/30-12/1 NO SCHOOL (Elementary) - Parent/Teacher Conferences

12/4 - 12/8 Book Fair

12/8 Early Release 12:30

12/18-12/29 Winter Break

1/1 NO SCHOOL - Holiday

1/12 Early Release 12:30

1/15 NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Day

1/25 Third Grade Music Performance - 6:30 Gym

1/26 Early Release 12:30

Per school policy, all communication devices including cell phones and watches are to be off and away or in school mode only during school hours. Students should not be making outbound calls or texts. All communications to parents/guardians should be directed to the classroom teacher.

As cold weather approaches, our school accumulates many coats and jackets belonging to our student population. These items could easily be claimed or returned to their owner if properly labeled. Please clearly label your child's coats, sweaters and jackets.

PTO Coin Drive is still going. Each classroom is collecting coins. Your spare change helps PTO to continue to offer free Popcorn to all students on Popcorn Fridays! We love your support! Thank you.