December 2025

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

Early Release All Students:

• Friday, December 12 *

No School All Students:

• December 22-January 6 * (Winter Break)

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.
Bus riders will be dropped off at their bus stops 2 hours and 20 minutes earlier than their regular time.

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

Registration opens on Wednesday, Dec. 10 for Willamalane's winter and spring programs including care on no-school days for elementary and middle schoolers, after-school sports, spring break camps, and more. Spanish-speaking staff will be available to help answer questions before registration begins. For more information, visit willamalane.org/register.

The Springfield Public Library bookmark contest is now open! Winners will receive an oversized print of their bookmark, in addition to a stack of their bookmarks to share.

• Open to all Springfield youth in grades K-12 or equivalent.
• Download an entry form on the library website or pick one up at the library.
• Bookmark designs should fit the 2026 Summer Reading Theme, “Plant a Seed, Read”, or be about books, reading, and/or libraries.
• One entry per person. Entries are due at the library by closing time on January 6.

And don't forget: Even if you live outside city limits, if your student is enrolled in Springfield Public Schools, you and your family are eligible to get a free library card from Springfield Public Library.

The Oregon Department of Education has released the At-A-Glance School and District Profiles for the 2024-25 school year. These profiles show how schools and districts compare to the statewide average in a number of categories. Springfield showed improvement in two key areas. See SPS' profile by tapping the button. ⬇️

Lunchtime was extra bright across Springfield Public Schools when the Nutrition Services team introduced a flavorful new addition to the menu: Yang’s Orange Chicken.

Read more ⬇️

During a special meeting on November 3, 2025, the Springfield Board of Directors reviewed the results of an independent investigation into several complaints related to board member conduct and governance practices.

Read more ⬇️

As bargaining discussions continue between Springfield Public Schools and The Springfield Education Association, we recognize there will be many questions, and at times, conflicting information, about the current situation.

This update is designed to share accurate, factual information about the process and progress, the key details that remain, and next steps toward reaching a fair and sustainable agreement.

Read more ⬇️

At the end of last school year, SPS was notified of changes to property insurance coverage for buildings more than 50 years old that use engineered wood trusses. A structural engineering firm has been selected to begin assessments on affected buildings.

Read more ⬇️

In fall 2024, all SPS school library managers were made full-time employees as a strategic investment in literacy. We checked in one year later on the impacts of that investment that can be seen and felt across SPS libraries. Click the button below to read on about how engagement with our libraries has grown, the challenges that remain, and hear from the library managers themselves. ⬇️

On November 14, all 12 elementary schools held an assembly to remember the courageous walk of Ruby Bridges, the girl who became the first Black child to attend a formerly all-white public elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Leading up to the special day, students learned about Ruby Bridges during their library time.

📺 Watch a highlight video capturing the event at Two Rivers-Dos Ríos Elementary!

The SPS Board of Directors met three times over the past month, a Work Session, Special Session, and Business Meeting.
During the Work Session on October 27, staff provided updates on several programs and/or initiatives:

• Positive Behavior Intervention Systems
• Family Resource Centers
• Attendance reports and strategies at elementary, middle, and high school

The November 3 Special Session was related to an outside investigation following several complaints directed at specific Board members. The Board agreed to accept the findings of the investigation and took the following actions:

• Censured Director Light
• Removed Director Light and Director Kohl from their Board leadership positions and required them to reaffirm the oath of office and legal obligations as a board member, and complete governance training
• Elected Director Quaas-Annsa as Board Chair and Director Langworthy as Vice Chair.

The November 10 Business Meeting featured presentations from high school students about the happenings at their school as well as information about other projects and programs:

• Mental Health presentation
• Approval of an engineering assessment of more than a dozen District-owned buildings following recent changes to insurance coverage of aging buildings.

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education is scheduled to hold one public meeting in December:

• Monday, December 8, 7 p.m. (Business 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 streamed 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.

None of our families will be surprised to hear that everything is going around....and around. We want to make sure you're informed about what symptoms should keep kids home and for how long. Visit our "When to Keep Your Student Home" webpage for a list of symptoms and a handy downloadable guide.

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.

December Immunization Clinic:

• Wednesday, December 17
• 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.

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:

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.

Did you know that students feel better about themselves when they attend school regularly? Everyone likes to feel successful, and just being in class is the first step to school success.

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.

Friday, December 5 & Saturday, December 6

• SHS Advaced Theater One Act Plays
• 7 p.m. - No late seating
• Admission: 2-3 cans of food for SHS Food Pantry
• Reservations recommended: 541-744-4774

Saturday, December 6

• 73rd Annual Springfield Christmas Parade
• 1 p.m.

Come down and wave hello! Springfield Public Schools groups will take part in the beloved Springfield Christmas Parade, including the Springfield High School band continuing its streak as the only group to participate in all 73 parades. Special appearance by the SPS All-Natural Mowing Team Goats!

Thursday, December 11

• Springfield High School Winter Choir Concert
• 7 p.m.
• Free
• 875 7th St

This annual tradition features an invitation to SHS alumni to join the choir onstage to sing "Silent Night."

Tuesday, December 16

• SHS Band and Orchestra Winter Concert
• 7 p.m.
• Free
• 875 7th St.

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.

• Administrative Secretary, Operations and Transportation Services
• Student Worker/Teacher Assistant - SPARK Club After School Program
• Educational Assistant, Community Transition Program

Listen in as Mrs. Hinde talks her 2nd grade class at Douglas Gardens through where apostrophes go to show ownership. The class repeats a sweet affirmation before trying it on their own. 📖

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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.