August Newsletter
KITS, Springfield's Got Talent + Administrative changes
Soon-to-be kindergarten students get a jump-start on school in KITS
Many soon-to-be kindergarten students in the Springfield KITS Program are spending part of their summer getting a jump-start on their academic career.
KITS stands for Kids in Transition to School, and the program currently takes place in 32 different Lane County Schools. As part of the 8 to 12-week programming, pre-kindergarten students learn how to follow directions, maintain respectful boundaries, share with other children and just be in a classroom, among other behaviors.
The program also helps students gain early literacy and numeracy skills, self-regulation and social skills. While students participate in their sessions, parents in the classroom next door learn how to establish school routines to help with the transition to kindergarten, how to become involved with their children’s schooling and how to encourage positive behaviors at school and at home.
To read more about this summer's, new, all Spanish group, check out our website: bit.ly/2OuOSxD
Administrator changes for the 2019-20 school year
Whitney McKinley: K-12 Director of Teaching and Learning
In this new position, Whitney is part of an administrative team that works to ensure the development and delivery of instructional programs, assessment and professional development across the district. The team also works to integrate instructional technology throughout the district. In addition to supporting district-wide school improvement efforts, Whitney also supports middle school instruction and administrative staff in an effort to provide SPS students with the best education possible.
Jim Crist - Assistant Director for Human Resources.
Following many years as a building leader at Riverbend Elementary School, Jim will bring a strong instructional perspective to the HR department. Having served as a longtime building administrator, Jim will bring a strong instructional and building lens to the Human Resources department.
Ryan Beck - Riverbend Elementary School Principal
Riverbend Elementary will be led by Ryan Beck this fall. Ryan joins Riverbend most recently from Creslane Elementary in Creswell. Ryan is a strong administrator who brings nine years of administrative leadership to this position.
Marilyn Williams - Centennial Elementary School Principal
Marilyn Williams will serve as the new Centennial Elementary School Principal after previously serving as the Springfield High School Principal.
Shelley Nurre - Mt. Vernon Elementary School Principal
Shelley Nurre from Gresham – Barlow School District will be the new principal for Mt. Vernon following Cindy Nees’ retirement.
Natalie Oliver - Springfield High School Assistant Principal
Springfield High School will be welcoming Natalie Oliver as a new assistant principal, filling the role vacated by Marilyn Williams. Natalie joins Springfield most recently from Cascade Middle School in the Bethel district. She brings a wealth of experience and will be a welcome addition the SHS team.
Chris Reirsgaard: - Thurston High School Assistant Principal
Chris Reirsgaard was selected to fill the Thurston Assistant Principal position this spring. Having served as an educator for the bulk of his career including as a secondary administrator prior to accepting his current role. The opportunity to return to direct student contact and support was one he shared he didn’t want to miss.
Springfield's Got Talent
A select few families, friends, teachers and volunteers got to witness Springfield student talent Wednesday morning at the Springfield’s Got Talent show at Thurston High School.
Students who performed are part of the district’s extended school year program, which allows certain students with special needs an opportunity to practice and maintain their skills over the summer.
Rebecca Morgan, the Special Programs Coordinator for the district said Wednesday that the show is one of the highlights of the summer.
“The thing I love about the talent show is that it’s all based on what we can do,” she said. “For one morning in the summer we get to celebrate that everyone has talent and that with courage, they can share their talent with others.”
To read the full story, follow this link or visit the district intranet homepage.
Don't forget! Kids' Fair tickets
The event, which takes place Sunday, Aug. 25 at Maple Elementary School, provides local students with new shoes, backpacks, a meal, haircuts and other goods and services - for free! This year, vaccinations, wellness check-ups, physicals and dental screenings will also be provided.
To learn more about the event and how it came to be in Springfield, and where to get tickets, visit bit.ly/2RLcWuf
Second Friday Art Walks!
The Academy of Arts and Academics (A3) would like to cordially invite you to Springfield's Second Friday Art Walk coming up on Sept. 9th. The school's exhibition examines the issues of plastic pollution, especially single-use plastics. It will feature student art developed using non-recyclable materials.
Also highlighted will be upcycled costume designs that were part of the Metamorphosis Fashion Show and modeled by A3’s students. Free handmade chocolate truffles made by A3 Principal Ame Beard will be available to the first one hundred audience members and live music will be played by the school's music instructor.
For more information about Springfield's Second Friday visit this Facebook page. bit.ly/2YNRt5H