February 2025

No School All Students

• Monday, February 17 - Presidents Day holiday

Early Release All Students:

• Friday, February 7*
• Friday, February 21*

*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.

In January, Springfield Public School's average daily attendance was 88.5%. Each student that missed school last month added up to over 11% of students missing out on critical instruction time on average every day! Your student's attendance matters!

Every day of school counts towards your child's school journey of growth and discovery, and sets them up for being ready for success after high school. Chronic absence is defined as 18 days a year—or just 2 days a month – even if those absences are excused!

We understand that illnesses, especially in the fall and winter months, take their toll on student attendance. Keeping kids at home when they are sick helps keep other students and staff healthy. Find the latest guidance on when to keep students home for illness and when they are ready to return in the Health Services section of our website.

With winter here, 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:

1. Make sure that your contact information is up to date with your student's school.
2. Follow SPS on Facebook, Instagram and X.
   
3. Sign up to receive FlashAlert alerts.
4. Check our website.

Vaccines Available at Springfield Schools Health Center (SSHC)

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 an immunization clinic to help families get caught up on vaccines. 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.

Exclusion Day Immunization Clinic:

• Wednesday, February 19, 2025
• 8 a.m. - 4 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.

🤢 If it's gone through your house, you know that norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea (sometimes referred to as the stomach flu) is no fun. Cases of norovirus are on the rise, and according to the CDC, most cases are spread by people who don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom. Hand sanitizer does not work to prevent the spread of norovirus!

CDC recommended strategies for preventing norovirus:

• Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
• Wash hands before eating, preparing or handling food.
• Wash hands before giving yourself or someone else medicine.
• Wash laundry in hot water.
• Disinfect surfaces in your home.

🤧 Keep Respiratory Viruses Away:

In addition to the misery of norovirus, respiratory viruses are also on the rise. Protect your family by following these guidelines, and work with your kiddos on good handwashing habits.

• Wash hands regularly - hand sanitizer helps, but is not an adequate substitute for soap and water.
• Get enough sleep.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid touching your face.

Is The Academy of Arts and Academics High School (A3) a good fit for your student? A3 will hold an information night on Wednesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. to learn about about the school, talk to staff, and take a tour.

Can't make it? If you'd like to inquire and have someone on A3's team contact you, fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/z41EbT8DgmBg4W6v6

• Location: The info night will be held in A3's main building, 615 Main Street, across from the Wildish Theater. You may park in A3's parking lot or out on Main Street.

Gateways Cosmetology Academy is looking for those interested in being a part of next year's cohort!

Current sophomores have until May 1 to complete an interest form to be considered for the Cosmetology Career and Technical Education (CTE) learning pathway. Students entering the program will transfer to Gateways High School for their junior and senior years and complete their high school diploma while receiving training in one of four cosmetology fields of practice. Those who successfully complete the course will graduate ready to sit the state board exam, and receive this training for free!

Four fields of practice are offered:

💇Hair Design

💅 Nails

💈 Barbering

💆 Esthetics

Scan or tap the QR code on the flyer to access the interest form. Form must be completed with student's school email - only SPS student email respondents will be considered.

All four of Springfield’s high schools made significant gains in their graduation rates, according to a new report from the Oregon Department of Education. The data reveals that 74.2 percent of SPS students graduated on time for the Class of 2024, an increase of 0.3 percent over 2023. Read more and see the breakdown by school in our newsroom:

In January's newsletter, we highlighted how Springfield High School's Automotive Technology Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program is using grant funds to lift up veterans impacted by the Holiday Farm Fire. And late last month, Auto Tech teacher Mark Simmons presented the keys to the first recipient of the project, dubbed "Operation Rolling Thunder," to U.S. Army veteran Loran Taylor. Students worked for many months to repair and complete necessary maintenance on the donated 2002 Toyota Highlander. Read the Register-Guard's story on the donation here.

Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Director Dr. Charlene Williams was the keynote speaker at Thurston High School's MLK Celebration on Friday, January 17.

Thurston High School's 5 Powers, Black Student Union and Leadership groups organized a school-wide assembly dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. and other influential American figures who shared the same aspirations as Dr. King.

The assembly also featured a welcoming song from the Klamath tribes performed by Dr. Roshelle Weiser-Nielo and Kunu Bearchum from the Lane Education Service District Native Youth Wellness Program and an inspiring performance by the UO Gospel Choir.

The student art on display at this year's Springfield Martin Luther King, Jr. March, Celebration and Student Art show was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The Celebration featured musical performances by Page and Two Rivers-Dos Ríos elementary students as well as spoken-word performances by A3 high school students. Thank you to all who attended!

Just some of the amazing artwork created by SPS students, inspired by the theme "Peace = Justice"

The winning art, essay, and poetry entries will be on display throughout February in the hallway outside the Springfield Public Library.

"It is the kind of learning we cannot forget about if we are going to create strong, caring, independent young adults.”

The 8th Grade Leadership class at Agnes Stewart Middle School is creating school community connections through their mentorship program with Douglas Gardens Elementary.

Each month, the class makes the half mile walk to the elementary school to lend peer support to fourth and fifth graders, and spend quality time with kindergarteners. The program strengthens the culture at both schools.

8th grade leadership advisor and Language Arts/Social Studies teacher Jennifer Utt says it creates a sense of belonging: "You're going to be an Agnes kid even though you're a kindergartener and you're one of us." 📺 Watch the connections in action in the video below.

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 at SPS. 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.

• Temporary Safe Routes to School Coordinator - Part-Time (Position Ends June 12, 2025)

• Grounds Maintenance Worker 1 (Hardscapes) - Full-Time

• 2025-2026 Speech Language Pathologist Job Pool

Teens can join Willamalane's free Adulting 101 classes to learn about budgeting, credit scores, loans, and investing from local financial experts. Sign up here.

Willamalane Spring Break Sports Camps

Join Willamalane's full-day or partial-day sports camps over spring break to build skills and learn teamwork. Sign up here.

Willamalane After-School All-Stars

The deadline to register for 5th grade girls' basketball leagues and Kindergarten basketball clinics is Tuesday, Feb. 25. You can also register now for K-5 track and field programs. Scholarships are available. Check the schedule and sign up here.

Learn how to ride a bike in no time! Eugene-Springfield Safe Routes to School will hold its free Learn to Ride event at Bob Keefer Center on Tuesday, March 4 from 5-7 p.m. Safe Routes to School Program partners will provide all of the necessary equipment and you'll have a chance to win a free helmet! This free community event is for anyone, of any age, who doesn't yet have the skills to ride a bike with confidence. No registration is required for this drop-in event. Learn more.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is officially recruiting five high school students from around the state to be part of a task force which will help them shape the ODOT Safe Routes to School (SRTS) High School program. Students will be compensated $500 for their participation from February-June averaging 5-7 hours of commitment per month. All meetings will be virtual, and students will be doing some engagement with their school communities too.

Get involved in designing walking and biking programs:

• Application Form Applications are due by Friday, February 14
• Questions? Contact Info@OregonSafeRoutes.org

February 14-15, 20-22

• SHS Performing Arts Presents: "Hadestown, Teen Edition"
• Springfield High School Auditorium, 875 7th St.
• 7:00 p.m.
• Tickets are general admission and available by reservation or at the door.
• $8 adults. $5 students/senior citizen *Note there is a dollar surcharge per ticket if using a card.
• Reservations can be made at 541.744.4774

Anais Mitchell's Hadestown: Teen Edition is an adaptation of one of Broadway's best selling musicals, Hadestown. This rendition of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth has been recently adapted for amateur theaters. Springfield Performing Arts is excited to present a musical that is a cross-curricular collaboration across EIGHT departments at SHS.

Springfield Theatre, Stagecraft, Choir, Band, Orchestra, Metals, Woodshop and Drafting have collaborated to create the spectacular musical experience in Lane County this year. This musical will feature state of the art technology and production value that is unrivaled at this level with the engineering of our new revolving stage. In addition to the impressive collaboration, we are partnered with local professionals, Vicki Brabham (accompanist), Adam Kelly (Choreography) and Emily Bolivar (Technical Theatre Consultant) and Perri Allison (Costumes) to further elevate this professional experience.

🔉 Did you know that Riverbend Elementary has a school song? Take a listen! 🎶

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The Oregon Department of Education is accepting nominations for Oregon Teacher of the Year (through Feb. 6) and Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year (through mid-Feb). ESPs work as educational assistants, secretaries, custodians, bus drivers and more!

Learn more and nominate one of our incredible staff members by clicking the button below.⤵️

Leadership Eugene Springfield, a local civic group led by the Eugene and Springfield Chambers of Commerce, is looking for ways to connect more families to family-oriented activities or services in the Eugene-Springfield area. They've created a survey to better understand the barriers families with children face when accessing or participating these activities and services, such as transportation and childcare concerns. Help guide their efforts by taking a short survey linked below. The survey will close on February 12, 2025. Survey participants can enter for a chance to win a $50 Fred Meyer gift card!

In January, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) released its new Online Report Card for schools. According to the ODE, the Online Report Card aims to make K-12 public education data more accessible through the use of visual displays of data and the ability to view grade levels and different student groups. The Online Report Card and all of its data components are also available in Spanish.

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.