DOUGLAS GARDENS NEWSLETTER

I hope you are enjoying the school year as much as we are. We are working hard to support the students academically, socially and emotionally. We have started a schoolwide program that helps teach students what to do when they experience unkind behavior. We must first recognize the behavior and then report it to the classroom teachers. We have also discussed the importance of being a powerful bystander who: reports or helps report unkind behavior, stands up for someone who is experiencing unkind behavior, is respectful and kind and includes everyone in our school’s activities.

Setting good attendance patterns and goals at home with your child can make a huge positive impact on their attendance. If you are struggling with getting your child to school, on time each day, please contact your child’s teacher to make a plan. This is a critical stretch of the school year for academic learning. We often see the most growth from our students from January to March who have consistent attendance. We hope that by setting these positive routines now, our students will continue those routines after spring break and into the summer.

Thank you so much for all your support for our school, staff and students.

We have a wonderful Douglas Gardens community!

Carla Smith, Principal

The mission of Springfield Young Readers is to bring books into the homes of young children in the Springfield community to inspire a life-long love of reading, foster strong early literacy skills, and nurture positive family interactions. All children in Springfield can access this program and receive a free book until their 5th birthday. Parents can scan the QR code to enroll their child. It’s 100% free!

During inclement weather, how will I know if schools will be open or buses will be running on time... Please watch your local news or sign up for Flash Alert at www.flashalert.net for mobile updates.

Springfield Public Schools Weather Procedures

When do we know:

If snow or ice is predicted, designated staff monitor radar and forecasts and then take to the road between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 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. These snow routes may change from year to year and can be accessed online:

Snow Routes

TO SEE THE CALENDAR, CLICK THE LINK

The revised calendar allows for time missed to be made up during the school year. No days will be added to the end of the year. TO SEE THE CALENDAR, CLICK THE LINK

One no school day and three early release days will be converted to full school days for students.

• Monday, February 19 (Presidents Day)
• Friday, February 23
• Friday, April 12
• Friday, April 26

This revised calendar allows Springfield to maintain or exceed instructional minutes required by Oregon Department of Education.

Feb 19 President’s Day - SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

Feb 22 Spirit Day - Monochromatic grade level

K- red, 1- orange, 2- yellow, 3- green, 4- blue, 5- purple

Mar 4-8 Book Fair

Mar 7 Family Literacy Night 6-7 Gym

Mar 9 District Battle of the Books

Mar 15 No School - Grading Day Elementary Only

Mar 25-29 Spring Break - No School

Douglas Gardens wishes to give a huge thank you and recognize McKenzie River Lodge 195 A.F.and A.M. for their support and kindness. With their gracious donation of $1500, Douglas Gardens will be able purchase science kits for our Kindergarteners to be used this year and years to come!

As cold weather approaches, we want to remind our families that we do go outside during the day. Students should dress for inclement weather. Coats and warm jackets are encouraged. Please be sure to label these items with your students name.

PTO now has a full board of officers.

Roseanne Bishop - President

Natika Renea - Vice President

Sara Mason - Treasurer

Mandy Kaiser - Secretary

We look forward to working with you to support Douglas Gardens!