Douglas Gardens
Home of the Mustangs September /October 2024 Edition
“It’s the first day of autumn! A time of hot chocolatey mornings, and toasty marshmallow evenings, and, best of all, leaping into leaves!” — Winnie the Pooh
Happy fall! 🌰 🍂
Letter From The Principal
Dear Douglas Gardens Families,
We are thrilled to welcome you to the new school year at Douglas Gardens School! Our dedicated staff is committed to supporting each and every student to help them reach their full potential. No matter the ability level, we are focused on fostering academic growth for all students. Throughout the school year, we will utilize various resources to monitor individual student progress. From targeted interventions to enriching opportunities, we are dedicated to promoting learning and maximizing growth across all academic levels. Research indicates that consistent attendance is crucial for academic success, as it enhances a student's achievement and interest in school. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all families and students for prioritizing attendance and showing up for school. Your commitment is truly appreciated, and we believe that being present is essential for academic and personal growth. Together, we can achieve great things! As the Principal, I am genuinely excited to continue working alongside our students in the upcoming school year. We consider it a privilege to be part of your child's educational journey. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Here's to an incredible year ahead, where the sky's the limit!
Warm regards,
Carla Smith
Principal, Douglas Gardens School
“It’s like going
back to school. You know, autumn! Time for Harry Potter.”
— Robbie Coltrane
“Life starts
All over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald
“She loved the fall,
All the sun-faded colors of summer repainted by vivid reds and golds.”
"Every leaf speaks bliss to me..."
Annual Jog-a thon
Hey there! Get ready for the Annual Douglas Gardens Jogathon coming up on October 4th! We're gearing up for an awesome and successful event, and we'd love your help. If you're approved through the Raptor System, just give the office a call to sign up. If not, simply fill out the Raptor Volunteer Application at this link Raptor Volunteer Application. We'll be using the 99Pledges platform for this fundraiser once again. Stay tuned for more details!
Annual Notification Foms
In order to more efficiently serve parents and patrons, Springfield Public Schools website has been updated to include information, in part, pertaining to annual parent/student notification such as Student Responsibilities & Rights Handbook, A Note to Parents About Directory Rights, Parent Notice Concerning Student Records, HIV/AIDS Curriculum Announcement, Teacher Qualifications, Parent Review of Materials. To review the above information, please access the website at www.springfield.k12.or.us Parents and patrons may also contact the school office for printed copies of any of the above documents.
Student Health Screenings
Student health screenings are coordinated by Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Health Services and performed each school year for grades K-8. SPS partners with the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation for vision and with the Community Health Centers of Lane County for dental. Please contact your school health aide if you do not want your student to participate in either of the health screenings.
School Health Screenings
Health screenings play an integral part in children’s development and well-being. Because childhood health problems can eventually develop into chronic adult conditions, screenings that students are given in school can help detect potential health problems and improve the overall health of every student.
Healthy students are better learners and routine checks ensure that they are healthy and fit so they can meet their full academic potential. School health screenings help in the early detection of health conditions. SPS collaborates with community partners to provide these screenings for grades K-8 each school year.
For vision screenings, the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation uses the innovative Hillrom Welch Allyn Spot™ device to screen students. The device has the ability to reliably screen for several vision issues in a matter of seconds.
For dental screenings, hygienists take a quick look inside the student’s mouth looking for any obvious signs of dental issues.
Contact your school health aide if you do not want your student to participate in these health screenings.
Please consider being a parent volunteer on their screening day! Call Katie K. 541-744-6387 option 2
For more information, please visit SPS Health Services.
Los exámenes de salud de los estudiantes son coordinados por los Servicios de Salud de las Escuelas Públicas de Springfield (SPS) y se realizan cada año escolar para los grados K-8. SPS se asocia con la Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation para la visión y con los Community Health Centers of Lane County para la odontología. Comuníquese con el asistente de salud de su escuela si no desea que su estudiante participe en ninguno de los exámenes de salud.
Exámenes de salud escolar
Los exámenes de salud juegan un papel integral en el desarrollo y el bienestar de los niños. Debido a que los problemas de salud de la infancia pueden eventualmente convertirse en condiciones crónicas para adultos, las pruebas de detección que se realizan a los estudiantes en la escuela pueden ayudar a detectar posibles problemas de salud y mejorar la salud general de cada estudiante.
Los estudiantes saludables aprenden mejor y los controles de rutina aseguran que estén saludables y en forma para que puedan alcanzar su máximo potencial académico. Los exámenes de salud escolares ayudan en la detección temprana de condiciones de salud. SPS colabora con socios de la comunidad para proporcionar estos exámenes para los grados K-8 cada año escolar.
Para los exámenes de la vista, la Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation utiliza el innovador dispositivo Hillrom Welch Allyn Spot™ para evaluar a los estudiantes. El dispositivo tiene la capacidad de detectar de manera confiable varios problemas de visión en cuestión de segundos.
Para los exámenes dentales, los higienistas observan rápidamente el interior de la boca del estudiante en busca de signos evidentes de problemas dentales.
Comuníquese con el asistente de salud de su escuela si no desea que su estudiante participe en estos exámenes de salud.
¡Por favor considere ser un padre voluntario en su día de evaluación! Llame a Katie K. Asistente de salud en Douglas Gardens 541-744-6387 Opción 1
Para obtener más información, visite Servicios de Salud de SPS.
Safety Trainings
Springfield Public Schools has annual safety training requirements, including what do for a dangerous intruder on campus. The way we train incorporates nationally recognized best practices. The training is called alert, lockdown, inform, counter, and evacuate (ALICE).
The ALICE method is the response protocol endorsed by many law enforcement agencies, including our local department. ALICE empowers individuals to use their best judgement by providing more options in the event of an emergency situation.
Springfield Public Schools has thoughtfully approached the overall implementation of ALICE practices. All staff go through the response procedures. Our team of administrators has reviewed and prepared age-appropriate curriculum to introduce or reteach the concepts of ALICE to our students. We will be practicing the ALICE method with our students at our school.
To review a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about ALICE, visit springfield.k12.or.us/page/6534.
Safety of students and staff is always importance to Springfield Public Schools.
Insurance Coverage Available
Students and families may now enroll for insurance coverage at https://myers-stevens.com/enrollment/.
Need to report your child's absence from school..?
Please keep students who are sick and exhibiting any symptoms at home. Students with the following symptoms should stay home: fever, new cough, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Simply call the Attendance Line at (541)744-6387 option 1 and leave a detailed message regarding the reason for your child missing school. If the reason is due to an illness, please provide any symptoms your child is experiencing. If you call the attendance line and do not leave a detailed reason for your child’s absence, it it may not be excused.
Picture Day
Be sure to wear your best smiles on Picture Day, October 8th
Learn to Ride
Learn to Ride a Bike - A Free, All Ages, Drop-In Event For Not-Yet-Riders! (flyer linked here)
Monday, October 7, 4:30-6:30 pm, 4J Education Center, 200 North Monroe St, Eugene
Do you or your child want to learn how to ride a bike? Join 4J, Bethel, and Springfield Safe Routes to School programs, the City of Eugene, the City of Springfield, and Shift Community Cycles for this fun event with bike checks, free helmets and information about bike share.
We’ll start with balancing and gliding without pedals or training wheels. Some will learn to pedal in one session, while others may need more practice to reach that final goal. You don’t need your own bike to participate, but please bring a helmet and bike if you have one. Contact Safe Routes to School at mazze_s@4j.lane.edu or albee_b@4j.lane.edu with questions or to volunteer.
Lunes, 7 de octubre, puede presentarse en cualquier momento entre las 4:30 – 6:30 pm, 4J Education Center (200 N. Monroe St, Eugene)
¿Usted o su hijo quieren aprender a andar en bicicleta? Recibe instrucciones y la práctica necesaria para balancear. Comenzaremos con el equilibrio y el deslizamiento sin pedales ni ruedas de entrenamiento. Algunos aprenderán a pedalear en una sola sesión, mientras que otros pueden necesitar más práctica para alcanzar ese objetivo final.
¡Aprovecha la oportunidad y ven al evento! Únase a 4J, Bethel, y Springfield Safe Routes to School; la ciudad de Eugene; la ciudad de Springfield y Shift Community Cycles para este divertido evento de hacer revisión de bicicletas, cascos gratis y información sobre bicicletas compartidas.
No necesita su propia bicicleta para participar, pero traiga un casco y una bicicleta si tiene uno. Comuníquese con el programa de Rutas Seguras a la Escuela al mazze_s@4j.lane.edu si tiene preguntas o para ser voluntario.
When to Stay Home
Important Upcomming Dates
Sept. 26th Open House Annual Title Meeting - Library 5:45 - 6:00
Classroom Doors Open 6:00
Sept. 27th Early Release - 12:30
Oct. 4 Jogathon
Oct. 8 Picture Day
Oct. 11 No School - In Service Day
Oct. 18 PTO Popcorn
Oct. 22 Vision Screening
Oct. 25 Harvest Carnival 6-8
Oct. 25 Early Release -12:30
PTO Happenings
Hello Douglas Gardens Families! Your PTO board has been hard at work this summer, planning fun events for the 24-25 school year. Our first meeting will be held on 9/18 from 6-7pm in the DG library. Unable to attend the meeting? That’s fine, we still want your voice! Join our Facebook group and leave your ideas there. You can still be a part of PTO, even if you cannot attend meetings. Currently, we are planning our Fall Carnival for 10/25 and looking for a committee to help put this together. We are also looking for volunteers for our Popcorn Fridays as well. If you are unable to volunteer for either of these, we will have many more opportunities this year, as we have some fun and exciting ideas we are working on. Not the volunteering type? We understand, please consider donating to the PTO.
2024-2025 Douglas Gardens PTO Board
Mandy Kaiser- President
Sara Mason- Vice President
Roseanne Bishop- Treasurer
Natika Didericksen-Secretary
Michelle Conway- Fundraiser Coordinator