For Immediate Release

February 24, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT: Kris Seibel, kris.seibel@springfield.k12.or.us, D 541-726-3347, C 541-206-8572

Kindergarten registration and welcome events coming soon. How do you prepare your child to start kindergarten?

Come see a wonderful kindergarten class in operation. Talk to the teacher to find out what families can do now to prepare their child for kindergarten.

When: Thursday, February 27th at 9:30 am

What: Kindergarten preparation as a way to share kindergarten registration and welcome events information

Where:  Thurston Elementary, 7345 Thurston Road, Springfield

Visuals: Cheri Westerkamp’s kindergarten class learning in an amazing environment

Central Characters: Teacher, Cheri Westerkamp is available to talk about what families can do to help prepare children for kindergarten. Kindergartners can talk about their kinder experience.

Background: Kindergarten registration for the 2020-21 school year is just around the corner!
It’s also time to think about betting your student ready for the big change from home to a classroom. One of our veteran kindergarten teachers will offer tips to help your student and why it’s important to attend the welcome nights.  

Dates and times for kindergarten registration vary by school.

Schools will hold registration and welcome events on the following dates.

Centennial: 5:30 – 7 p.m., March 10

Douglas Garden: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., March 12

Guy Lee: 5:30-6:30 p.m., March 11

Maple: 5 – 7 p.m., March 12

Mt. Vernon: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., March 3

Page: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., March 12

Ridgeview: 6 to 7 p.m., March 5

Riverbend: 6 to 7 p.m., March 12

Thurston Elementary: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., March 11

Two Rivers – Dos Ríos: 5:30-6:30 p.m., March 5

Walterville:  5:30-6:30 p.m., March 5

Yolanda: 6 to 7 p.m., March 10

To find out more about registration and what parents and families will need to provide in the process, they can contact the student’s school directly. For more general information about the kindergarten enrollment process, visit springfield.k12.or.us/kinders.

SPS Story Tips

February 20, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT: Kris Seibel, kris.seibel@springfield.k12.or.us, D 541-726-3347, C 541-206-8572 

Future Forestry Workers at Oregon Logging Conference

Friday, February 21 from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm at the Lane County Fairgrounds in the livestock arena, 796 W 13th Ave, Eugene 

Thurston and Springfield High Schools will be sending more than 50 students to the Oregon Logging Conference Future Forestry Workers. Students will have the opportunity to tour equipment and booths to learn what job opportunities are available in the forestry industry. Industry leaders will also make presentations to students in a group setting. We have SPS students and teachers available to follow and interview.

Thurston High students argue case at mock trial

Saturday, February 22nd from about 8:30 am to around 3:00 pm at the Lane County Circuit Court, 125 East 8th, Eugene

The mock trial team will be arguing a case in front of a judge. The students will be dressed in formal attire while they use the skills they’ve learned over the last three months from retired attorney coaches. The coaches will also be there working with the students at the trial.

The case is about a band that broke up, and a former disgruntled member is accused of making threats of violence at a future show, then the crowd stampeded and some people got hurt at the show. 

The program is run by the Classroom Law Project - https://classroomlaw.org/about-us/. Students will arrive around 8:15 AM. I the arguments will start at about 8:45 AM. It should end around 3:00 PM.

If you plan to attend, contact Kris by 4:00 pm Friday. After that, call Jenna, 541-913-1244. Jenna will meet you there and facilitate only if you give us a little advanced notice. 

SPS Story Tips

February 11, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT: Kris Seibel, kris.seibel@springfield.k12.or.us, D 541-726-3347, C 541-206-8572 

Thurston High WELL Project receives samples and begins free well water testing 

Wednesday, February 12, from 8:00 to 9:30 AM at Thurston High, 333 58th Street, Springfield. Drop-offs 8:00 to 9:00 - Testing 8:00 to 9:30

Community members will be dropping off well water samples for testing. Thurston High School's Community Water Testing Lab is performing the free well water testing as part of the WELL Project. Tests are performed by students and results are mailed or emailed to customers within one week.

Testing parameters:

• Total coliform & E. coli bacteria
• Arsenic
• Nitrates
• Copper
• Iron
• Hardness
• pH
• Conductivity
• Turbidity

WELL Project background:

The testing is one facet of the district's WELL Project - the Water and Energy Learning Lab - which has been funded by the Springfield Utility Board since 1998. In addition to the well water testing program, Advanced Water Teams at the middle and high school level regularly take the classroom outside, working with local watershed and conservation agencies to conduct water quality assessment and habitat assessment in area streams. Many students also apply to continue their work during the summer months. The WELL Project has been recognized with several state and national awards.

Springfield High HOSA – Future Health Professionals blood drive fundraiser

Thursday, February 13th, fro 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Springfield High, 875 7th Street, Springfield.

The Springfield High HOSA Chapter is holding its annual blood drive fundraiser. The money raised is used to help students attend the Oregon & International Leadership Conferences.

HOSA is a club that complements the Health Science career pathway program, which is designed to give students the opportunity to explore the varied fields associated with health services and to provide them with relevant academic learning and practical skills, empowering them to pursue a future in health care. A variety of health care fields are explored and students have the flexibility to investigate those areas of greatest interest to them. Students who complete this program will be better prepared to pursue their goals in health services, whether that is continued education or direct placement in the workforce.

Health Science career pathway is an excellent example of the many career technical education (CTE) programs offered in SPS schools. It is also an opportunity for students to earn college credit for free through their high school studies.

The SHS HOSA Chapter gets $500 for 50 registered donors, $750 for 75 registered donors and $1000 for 100 registered donors. 

HOSA website: http://www.hosa.org/

THS mock trials

THS has had a mock trial team training with local retired lawyers for the past three months. The competition is Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Lane County Courthouse on 8th and Oak st. The kids will be all dressed in formal attire and arguing a case in front of a real judge. Fun stuff! 

SPS Story Tips

January 21, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT: Kris Seibel, kris.seibel@springfield.k12.or.us, D 541-726-3347, C 541-206-8572 

Two River Dos Ríos Elementary students make sack lunches for those in need

Wednesday, January 22nd from 8:30 to 10:30 am at Two River Dos Ríos Elementary, 1030 G Street, Springfield

The Arc Lane County is coming to TRDR to engage students in a "Day of Service" in recognition of MLK Day.  Like last year, the students will collectively make 500 sack lunches for community centers who will then distribute them to folks in need.  Students will also see presentations explaining the importance of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of service.

Thurston High WELL Project offers free well water testing

Appointments are now being accepted. Testing dates are February 12, March 11, April 15 and May 13. Appointments are necessary.

Thurston High School's Community Water Testing Lab is accepting appointments for free well water testing as part of the WELL Project. Tests are performed by students and results are mailed or emailed to customers within one week.

Interested parties must either sign up online at www.thewellproject.education or call 541-988-5353​ to schedule and pick up a kit in advance. 

Testing parameters:

• Total coliform & E. coli bacteria
• Arsenic
• Nitrates
• Copper
• Iron
• Hardness
• pH
• Conductivity
• Turbidity

WELL Project background:

The testing is one facet of the district's WELL Project - the Water and Energy Learning Lab - which has been funded by the Springfield Utility Board since 1998. In addition to the well water testing program, Advanced Water Teams at the middle and high school level regularly take the classroom outside, working with local watershed and conservation agencies to conduct water quality assessment and habitat assessment in area streams. Many students also apply to continue their work during the summer months. The WELL Project has been recognized with several state and national awards.

For more information about the program or to schedule an appointment for one of the dates listed below, please contact Stephanie Lawless (WELL Project Coordinator) at 541-988-5353.

Please note:

• Appointments are required - spaces are limited.
• Accuracy requires use of sampling kit provided by the program.
• While the lab is not a certified facility, the team strives to produce reliable results.
• Instructions are included with the kit.
• Kits must be dropped off at the Thurston High School lab on 58th Street in Springfield (directions in kit).

SPS Story Tips

January 14, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT: Kris Seibel, kris.seibel@springfield.k12.or.us, D 541-726-3347, C 541-206-8572 

Two River Dos Ríos Elementary students make sack lunches for those in need

Wednesday, January 22nd from 9:00 to 10:30 am at Two River Dos Ríos Elementary, 1030 G Street, Springfield

The Arc Lane County is coming to TRDR to engage students in a "Day of Service" in recognition of MLK Day.  Like last year, the students will collectively make 500 sack lunches for community centers who will then distribute them to folks in need.  Students will also see presentations explaining the importance of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy of service.

Thurston High WELL Project offers free well water testing

Appointments are now being accepted. Testing dates are February 12, March 11, April 15 and May 13. Appointments are necessary.

Thurston High School's Community Water Testing Lab is accepting appointments for free well water testing as part of the WELL Project. Tests are performed by students and results are mailed or emailed to customers within one week.

Interested parties must either sign up online at www.thewellproject.education or call 541-988-5353​ to schedule and pick up a kit in advance.

Testing parameters:

• Total coliform & E. coli bacteria
• Arsenic
• Nitrates
• Copper
• Iron
• Hardness
• pH
• Conductivity
• Turbidity

WELL Project background:

The testing is one facet of the district's WELL Project - the Water and Energy Learning Lab - which has been funded by the Springfield Utility Board since 1998. In addition to the well water testing program, Advanced Water Teams at the middle and high school level regularly take the classroom outside, working with local watershed and conservation agencies to conduct water quality assessment and habitat assessment in area streams. Many students also apply to continue their work during the summer months. The WELL Project has been recognized with several state and national awards.

For more information about the program or to schedule an appointment for one of the dates listed below, please contact Stephanie Lawless (WELL Project Coordinator) at 541-988-5353.

Please note:

• Appointments are required - spaces are limited.
• Accuracy requires use of sampling kit provided by the program.
• While the lab is not a certified facility, the team strives to produce reliable results.
• Instructions are included with the kit.
• Kits must be dropped off at the Thurston High School lab on 58th Street in Springfield 

(directions in kit).