We are SPS: February
New HS science sequence, CTE month, focus group sessions
Your input is needed for defining success
Springfield Public Schools will be holding two public focus group sessions this month in an effort to gather further input from the community about how it should invest in student learning with funding from the Student Investment Account.
A third, staff-only opportunity will take place on Thursday, Feb. 6.
In addition to supporting Every Student, Every Day, Springfield Public Schools wants to help students to be “life-ready” by the time they reach high school graduation. Earlier this school year, the district asked for feedback from the SPS community about what areas of investments would be most valuable to directly support students.
The feedback received through online surveys and in-person events indicated two clear priorities: increasing adults throughout the system/ addressing class size concerns and supporting the health and safety of students.
In phase two of the SPS planning process, the district will work directly with smaller focus groups to refine those larger themes into actionable recommendations that will inform the district’s student investment account application. The application will be made available for public review and input later this spring.
Individuals from underrepresented and historically underserved populations are specifically invited to join the two focus groups and share their thoughts on the planning process.
· Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020, 6 – 8 p.m., Guy Lee Elementary 755 Harlow Road
· Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, 6 – 8 p.m., Riverbend Elementary 320 N 51st St.
***Staff only opportunity - this Thursday
Thursday, February 6, 3:45 p.m., EMC training center
February is CTE month!
MLK Day March + Celebration
Springfield Public Schools staff, students and other community members gathered near the Springfield Justice Center Monday, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to celebrate and honor the late Dr. King with a march, celebration and art/essay contest.
Save the date!
Springfield Public Schools Employee Excellence Awards are coming up! The award ceremony will take place on April 14 at Thurston High School Theater Auditorium. More information to come.
SPS Applause: Bookmark contest winners!
The Science Domain Sequence
Springfield Public Schools is switching up the sequence of science learning at the high school level. Beginning this fall, the district will transition to the Science Domains Sequence. As part of the change, high school students will now take physics beginning in ninth grade, chemistry in 10th grade and biology in 11th grade.
Science 9 – which is what ninth-grade students are typically enrolled in as freshmen, will no longer exist in the same form. The biggest difference between the current and new sequence is that all students will be placed in physics classes in ninth grade instead of some being recommended to skip their ninth-grade science course.
The upcoming changes will also allow more equitable access for students who want to reach accelerated levels of science. Middle school students will no longer need to be recommended to reach high-level science curriculum. Students who want to take additional science classes will be able to do so through over the course of their four years, as well as advanced placement science courses.
The new sequence will also better align with high school math curriculum so that students in physics (9th grade) will have practical application of Algebra 1, which is also typically offered freshman year. Middle school students will no longer need to be recommended to reach high-level science curriculum.
The Science Domain Sequence is being adopted by seven districts in Lane County. Beaverton and Portland Public school districts have also adopted the curriculum. The shift has resulted in improved student success, especially in biology classes. The shift will also bring the district into alignment with state-mandated science standards.