We recognize that each family situation is unique and that some families are concerned about returning to in-person learning. 

Families who wish to discuss their concerns and explore other options should contact their building administrators.

Additionally, all families will have access to SPSOnline as a comprehensive online option. SPSOnline is a comprehensive virtual learning platform that will serve the needs of students and families who elect a completely online learning experience. 

For more information contact SPSOnline@springfield.k12.or.us

Students who wish to transfer back to their home school from SPSOnline will be allowed to do so at the normal transition times such as the end of the quarter/trimester/semester. This will provide the least amount of disruption to student learning and allow the system to adjust class-sizes and assignments accordingly.

Infections may happen in some schools or individual classes. Affected classes/cohorts will be contacted by phone or email with instructions and information. 

In some cases, this may require staff and students to stay home while contact-tracing and quarantine periods take place. Each incident will be responded to according to the circumstances, with the purpose being to limit the spread of infection in our school communities. SPS schools are supported by district nurses and Lane County Public Health to assess each case as needed. 

Families should remain flexible and develop back-up plans to support temporary remote learning plans in case their student is unable to attend as planned. 

This year, all SPS students have access to take-home technology devices to support remote learning as needed.

SPS nursing staff are working closely with Lane County Public Health to support swift contact tracing of any reported cases. Families who may have been in contact with a confirmed positive case will receive direct communication on any necessary next steps. To help maintain the privacy of all individuals, specific identifiable information will not be shared. 

The district will also maintain an online public dashboard to provide the community access to information regarding the spread of COVID-19 in our buildings. This dashboard will be updated on regular business days at or around 4 pm. 

Families may choose between two pathways for their students to return to school this fall:

(1) Blended learning of remote and on-site learning — Students can continue attending their regular school. Most students will begin the year learning remotely. Later in the year, when public health conditions allow, students will attend school on-site and online. 

(2) 100% remote learning — Students can take classes through SPS's existing K–12 online program, SPSOnline. Students in this program will have access to local SPS teachers and follow an established online curriculum. When they’re ready, students can return to attending their regular school at the start of the next trimester or semester (with a blend of online and on-site learning this year). 

Regardless of which learning model families choose, students will be provided with technology (a laptop or tablet) for learning remotely and/or in-person, and will have access to school meals.

The SPSOnline and the blended learning options are not interchangable, such as by a student attending their regular school during their remote periods and SPSOnline throughout the normal quarter, or trimester. However, after completing classes for the trimester/quarter, students may switch to the blended learning option or SPSOnline for the remainder of the school year. 

Online teaching and learning, both during periods of remote learning, and on-site learning in a blended model, will be notably different and more robust than the short-term emergency learning students engaged in last spring.

Students will have more and better learning time, including significantly more teacher-facilitated instruction, more independent and family-supported applied learning, and daily opportunities for real-time connections. Attendance will be taken in every class every day. Students will receive course grades and regular feedback on progress. High school students will earn credits. 

Yes. We recognize that some families may not be comfortable with the possibility of sending their children back to school in person at all this year, even though most students will start the school year online for at least the first trimester and will later learn in a blended learning model, remotely and in-person, and their schools will have rigorous health and safety measures in place when students return in person. 

Families who prefer may opt for 100% remote learning through the district’s existing online program, which offers individual supports and online courses facilitated by SPS teachers. Students will take classes through SPSOnline. Once they are comfortable resuming on-site learning, students will be have the option to go back to their regular school at the start of the next trimester or semester.

Students will be divided into small groups to accomodate for appropriate cohort sizes. Schools will strive to coordinate attendance groups so students from the same household attend school on-site the similar days.

Students will engage in learning five days a week, potentially with shortened school days. 

During the days that students are not attending school on-site, they will receive education and support from teachers remotely. The remote learning in the coming year will be notably different and more robust than the short-term emergency learning students engaged in last spring.

Many details of the blended model are still being finalized as the district works with teacher workgroups to plan details and with state education leaders to navigate an ever-shifting situation. There will likely be adjustments to transportation options, school start and end times and other aspects of in-person learning.

What we know now is that blended models will differ by level but each level will be consistent across our district. 

Starting April 1, we will begin transitioning grades 4-8 to on-site learning two days a week. 

April 1: 4th grade/6th grade
April 8: 5th grade/7th grade
April 15: 8th grade

Grades 4 – 8:

Students in grades 4 – 8 will attend on-site learning two days a week and will learn remotely the remaining days. Each grade will be split into two groups to limit the number of students on site at any one time, in compliance with public health recommendations regarding physical distancing and group sizes. Families can expect a follow up communication from their school, to learn individual student schedules. The on-site learning schedule for grades K-3 will remain the same. 

Grades 9 – 12:

Following the successful return of our  4th – 8th grade students, our high schools will transition to on-site learning at the beginning of the fourth quarter on April 19. Thurston, Springfield, and Gateways high school students will follow  their current schedule (same day, time, class schedule), attending on-site four days a week - either AM or PM classes. A3 high school will transition to on-site learning until the next term begins on May 17.