October 2025

Looking for things to do and opportunities to show up to support students? Keep scrolling to the "On the Calendar in October" section.

No School (All Students):

• Friday, October 10

Early Release:

• Friday, October 24 *

On early release days, elementary students are released at 12:30 p.m.
Secondary students are released at 1:15 p.m.
Lunch is served as normal.

*Does not apply to A3 Academy of Arts & Academics, which has its own calendar.

Willamalane still has openings for the next No School Day on Oct. 10 for elementary and middle school students. Middle School No School Days operate at Bob Keefer Center in the Two50 Youth Center on select days when school is out. Sign up here.

Springfield Public Schools is thrilled to announce that Community Transition Program (CTP) teacher Sally Golden has been selected as the 2025-2026 Lane Regional Teacher of the Year! The surprise announcement was made at a gathering at Brattain House, where the CTP program is housed. Golden is now a state finalist for Teacher of the Year.

Read more in our Newsroom ⤵️

Dani Schneider, Library Manager at Springfield High School, has been named Classified Library Employee of the Year by the Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL). Schneider has been the SHS Library Manager for four years and has doubled circulation numbers in that time. She will be recognized at the OASL State Conference this month. Congratulations!

We had a blast seeing all of the smiling faces across the district on the first day of school! Check out the photo gallery on our website.

During their latest business meeting on September 8, SPS Board members heard several presentations and engaged in discussions. Here's a recap of their meeting:

• Staff shared highlights from this year's SPARK program. The summer staple served 1,700+ students. The Credit Recovery program provided 271 critical credits for 280 students. The effort helped more than 50 seniors graduate on time! Need a smile? Watch the highlight video below. 😆😂
• Several administrators provided an update on the electronics ban practice in school as the Board received a draft of the Electronics Ban Policy that they will have to approve this month.
• The Board approved approximately $787,000 to upgrade wireless technology in teaching spaces throughout the district to improve wireless internet for all of our classrooms. The new technology will more than double the capacity of the previous infrastructure to meet the needs of future wireless devices and online curriculum.
  

The Board prioritized potential future agenda items at its September 22 Special Meeting.

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education will hold two public meetings in October:

• Monday, October 13, 7 p.m. (Business Meeting)
• Monday, October 27, 5:30 p.m. (Special Meeting)

The public is invited to attend in person, and Spanish interpretation is available for those attending in person. School board meetings are held at the District Administrative Office, 640 A Street. School board meetings are livestreamed and recordings are available on demand on the District Vimeo channel.

More information, including Board policies and meeting agendas can be found on the Springfield Board of Education webpage.

Wednesday, October 22

• Thurston High School Fall Instrumental Preview Concert
• 7 p.m.
• Thurston High School, 333 58th St.
• Free

The THS Fall Instrumental Preview Concert features Concert Bands, String Orchestras and Jazz Band.

Friday, October 24

• Springfield High School Band and Cheer performs at Rally in the Alley
• 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
• 5th Street Public Market, 296 E. 5th Ave., Eugene
• Free

The 5th Street Public Market Rally in the Alley brings Duck fans together to cheer on their team the night before home games. On October 24, Springfield High School band and cheer fills in for UO band and cheer at the event.

Gateways High School Cosmetology Academy graduated its first cohort of students last year, and now this year's senior class is ready to welcome you into the salon for a full range of services - at a great price!

The Gateways Cosmetology Academy Salon is open to the public for hair, nails, barbering and esthetics. All services are done by students, under the supervision and care of a licensed professional. See the full list of services and pricing.

💈Salon hours:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 12:30 - 3 p.m.
• Tuesday, 12:30 - 8 p.m.
• (Follows school calendar for closures.)

💅 Book an appointment:

• Call: 541-744-8862
• Email: shirley.arnett@springfield.k12.or.us

✨ Learn more:

• Full list of services and pricing.
• Gateways High School cosmetology program webpage.

K-5th graders can try different sports throughout the year at their school. The deadline to register for 5th grade boys basketball is Wednesday, Oct. 29, and K-1st grade basketball clinics are open through Thursday, Oct. 30. Each school needs enough players for a team! See the full 2025-26 schedule and scholarship information here.

The deadline to register for 6th grade basketball is Wednesday, Oct. 29. Each school needs enough players for a team! See the full 2025-26 schedule and scholarship information here.

Each year, as part of our commitment to the health and safety of our students, K-8 students receive vision and dental screenings at school coordinated by SPS Health Services and performed by community health partners. Healthy students are better learners and school health screenings help in the early detection of health conditions. Contact your school health aide if you do not want your student to have these screenings. For more information, visit the SPS Health Services webpage.

Does your child need to catch up on immunizations? Students must have their school required vaccines by Exclusion Day, Feb. 25, 2026. After that day, students who are not current on the required vaccines, or do not have an exemption on file, will not be able to attend school until their vaccine record becomes complete.

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. SSHC bills insurance and Medicare, Medicaid and OHP.

October Immunization Clinic:

• Wednesday, October 15
• 8 - 11:30 a.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.

It doesn't matter where you start - just keep showing up!

Good attendance habits in school set students up for a bright and successful future in the workplace. Attendance matters - every day!

We're on your student's attendance team. Reach out to your school and learn more on our website:

• Simple ways to support your student's attendance.
• When to keep students home with illness.

Plaza de Nuestra Comunidad invites Latino families with children 0 to 13 years old to attend the Pilas! family literacy program. The program is accepting new families until October 10. Parents attend ESL classes while children get age-appropriate academic support. Family and cultural activities complete the evening.

• Two Rivers-Dos Ríos Elementary, 1084 G St., Springfield
• Sept. 29-Dec. 3
• Monday & Wednesday, 6pm-8pm
• Call Lydia to register at 541-650-1957

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.

• Print Services Technician
• Accountant II
• Family Resource Center Educational Assistant

The Springfield Education Foundation (SEF) is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering student success by funding innovative classroom projects and vital programs in Springfield Public Schools. From STEM labs and arts initiatives to literacy efforts, wellness supports, and career & technical education, SEF provides opportunities that inspire learning and achievement for every student attending Springfield Public Schools. SEF's largest annual fundraiser, the Night of 11,000 Stars Gala & Auction on October 18, 2025, raises critical dollars that directly support educators and students across the district. Visit fundraiser.bid/nightofstars25 to learn more about the event and how you can get involved!

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.