We are SPS
SPS staff shift to help students, families through pandemic
COVID-19 prompts change, resilience, and creativity
The past few weeks have not gone as we originally planned – but in the face of a worldwide pandemic, Springfield Public Schools staff and students have stepped up to make the best out of an unprecedented and confusing situation.
Together, staff collaborated to define Distance Learning and teachers came up with ways to help students learn from afar. Educators of all levels reached out to families to determine who was set up to learn at home, and SPS Technology Services staff worked around the clock to distribute laptops and iPads to students who needed them.
While staff and students continue to work through this new normal and reach as many families as is possible, it's important to remember that we're in this together. Thank you for all that you have already accomplished and continue to provide for your students during this time. You are so appreciated.
Budget message Fiscal Year 2021
Even in the midst of these unprecedented times, a few things must move forward. On May 7, the district will be presenting the FY2021 proposed budget to the Springfield School District Budget Committee. As we anticipate many of the physical distancing restrictions will still be in place, we will be taking special care to ensure that you and our community have the ability to still provide input into the process.
Things to know about the upcoming process in light of the current circumstances:
- Similar to our recent board meeting, we will be holding the budget committee via Zoom conference with the opportunity for our community to watch online in real-time.
- We will be posting the proposed budget online May 5 in advance of the meeting to afford stakeholders the opportunity to review and provide written input as the process moves forward.
- The district is required to put forth a final adopted budget by June 30. With that said, we continue to monitor the current economic environment in light of the COVID-19. We believe that there is the potential that we may need to provide a supplemental budget later in the year, once the greater impact of the pandemic on Oregon’s statewide budget is better understood.
- SPS remains committed to the same level of fiscal transparency we have always held. We’ll share updated information as it becomes available and will seek input that aligns with our longstanding values should decision points arise.
Those who wish to provide input into the current budget process are invited to share their written comments via email at public.comment@springfield.k12.or.us.
ICYMI: Teachers discuss Distance Learning on KMTR
SPS staff step up, give back
#HumansofSPS
Maintaining physical and mental wellness in the age of COVID-19
Their first tip: Establish a Routine
1. Families, especially school children, are spending significantly more time at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic – and the shift has taken a toll on what we formerly considered to be our routines. Although our days look and feel a little different than they used to, establishing routines in this new normal can be a good first step in fostering consistency and connectivity to ultimately maintain both mental and physical wellness.
Click through to read more tips about mental and physical wellness and feel free to share with families you think could benefit from the information.
SPS Teacher Voices
Dear SPS teachers and administrators - We want to hear from you!
We're looking to capture first-person perspectives of what it's like to be a teacher (or building leader) during a pandemic. We want to give people an idea of what you do on a daily basis, whether you felt prepared for something like this, approaches that have worked well in the era of Distance Learning and work-from-home life, as well as things that have been challenging.
You can share stories of triumph and frustration, what's been fulfilling, what's been the most difficult about being away from students and fellow staff, what you've learned about yourself and your colleagues during this time and your hopes for the future. These personal stories can help the greater community to understand why we do what we do, and why it's more important than ever to keep learning and to stay engaged.
Please submit these short 350-word essays to pr@springfield.k12.or.us with a photo of yourself so that we may show the world what all of our amazing employees are up to, balancing this new way of life while at home. Feel free to have fun, share feelings and be real!
SEF extends grant deadline
The Springfield Education Association has extended its grant application deadlines!
In light of evolving lesson plans to accommodate distance learning, SEF has extended the Innovative Educator, Frank Sherman, and Social and Emotional Learning Fund Grant application deadlines to Friday, May 15.
Visit the SEF grants page for additional details www.springfieldeducationfoundation.org/grants