January 13, 2023
Dear Springfield Public Schools Community,
Happy Friday! We hope this communication finds you and your family healthy and enjoying our mild winter.
First, as a reminder, Springfield Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 16, 2023 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
In 1966, Dr. King spoke to an audience of over 900 gathered at Jonathan Dayton High School, encouraging the community to think about their role as citizens in the pursuit of racial, economic, and social justice. In recognition of Dr. King’s work, our teachers continue to utilize a variety of resources to expose and engage students to this impact on our country. As we note in our district objectives, we are working to celebrate the uniqueness of all students and the diverse experiences shared by our students and staff. There is no question that this commitment is deeply tied to Dr. King’s legacy.
We encourage families to discuss Dr. King’s legacy, and to join the local and state community commemoration events, click on the links for more information:
District Calendar Update- Wednesday, February 8, 2023 Early Dismissal
At our Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, January 3rd, we presented a revision to the district calendar that includes a half-day of professional development for our staff on February 8th, 2023. All schools will have early dismissal, as our teachers engage in learning around a variety of topics, including reviewing student academic achievement data, the inclusion of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) learning in the curriculum, and preparing for the preschool expansion.
Preschool Expansion Information
We are looking forward to February 13, 2023, the first day of our new full-day preschool program! On Wednesday, January 11th the district hosted an online information session, and it can be viewed on our new Preschool Program information page on the district website, along with our prior communications. We will continue to share updates about the transition and answer questions as they are identified.
District Updates
Throughout our schools, our students continue to have access to engaging experiences that prepare them to flourish!
In JDHS athletics, we were proud to recognize Principal and Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Mr. Rennie for reaching the incredible milestone of 400 victories!
This month, our music department is showcasing our incredible programs across our grade levels, with concerts almost every week in January! The joint FMG & JDHS choir, band, and orchestra concerts highlight the talents of our students and the growing student participation in the performing arts.
At JDHS, our students are participating in a wide variety of activities. Families can check out the daily news announcements and the December 2022 issue of the Dawg Print to get the latest information about what is happening with our high school students.
It is important to share our gratitude with our PTA/PTSOs, who have been hard at work supporting our students and wonderful school events. The Walton PTA has donated Promethean Boards to the school, and we look forward to getting them installed in the classrooms! Families are encouraged to check out their school's PTA/PTSO information, available via the school website.
Finally, the district continues to have openings for classroom aides and substitute teachers. Interested individuals can apply online, and we encourage you to share our information with anyone interested in joining our team.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our schools!
Sincerely,
Rachel Goldberg, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools