On November 3rd, Springfield Public Schools will ask voters to approve a No-Tax-Increase bond issue that will leverage federal stimulus money to fund air conditioning, construction & improvements, and technology.

Your YES vote will do the following:

Fulfill a promise

With this bond issue, SPS will satisfy its pledge to air condition every school in the district.  Air conditioning the remaining eight schools will complete the effort initiated a decade ago to achieve equity in the quality of  learning environment available to students in every part of the community.

Maximize resources

Approving this bond issue will save Springfield taxpayers millions of dollars in interest because SPS will be able to access $5 million to $7 million in interest-free bonds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  These interest-free bonds, along with the district's current bonding capacity and available debt-service funds, enable SPS to request a $50 million bond without having to increase the current tax.

Invest in our community

Quality schools create a quality community.  The proposed bond projects will strengthen our community by upgrading schools in all areas of the district.  This investment in our community will also create employment opportunities and generate demand for raw materials and supplies for local businesses.  As intended by the stimulus package, the majority of the $50 million will be spent locally to employ contractors and laborers and purchase materials and supplies required to complete the proposed projects.

Taking turns for improvement

Every school will have benefited from one or more of the bonds since 2000.

How to help?

Vote YES to approve the No-Tax-Increase bond issue on November 3rd.  Additionally, you can volunteer to make calls to voters the night before the election (November 2nd).  Please call Scott Crise at 886-0245 to volunteer.  Also, complete absentee voting by October 28th.

Scott Crise

The teachers of the PRIDE team are excited about the opportunity to work with our new 7^th graders.  We are looking forward to a successful school year. It seems like just yesterday everyone was picking up schedules and we were going over those team/classroom syllabuses.  Even though everyone has gone through and read the packet, we thought we'd still pass on a few reminders that you can review with your child.

• Please check your child's planner daily for any homework assignments. Teachers post an agenda daily that should be copied in the book.
• Remind your child to check for make up work and the due date immediately upon returning to school from an absence. They also need to turn in any work that was due while they were gone. This is to be done during homeroom, not when they come to class.
• If your child is absent more than two days, you may call and request assignments to be picked up by the end of the day.  Mrs. Short handles these calls. Please call in requests by 10:00 a.m.
• Homework assignments and projects need to be completed on time.  Late work will not be accepted.
• Please check to see that your child has appropriate school supplies daily. Pencil, paper and red checking pens are needed in all classes. Folders/binders and textbooks also need to accompany them to class.
• Locker times are before school, before 3^rd block and after school.
• Rest room and drinks need to be taken care of before class and at lunch.  EMERGENCIES only during class.

Parents need to make sure they are signed up through the office for access to the STI grading system.  This will enable you to periodically check your child's grades in each class.  Please be aware that a zero means the score was a zero out of the total points, or the assignment was not turned in. A blank space means the student was excused from the assignment.  Blank spaces are not averaged in with the total possible points.

Thanks to all of you who sent in the tissues, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer.  With the cold and flu season upon us, we will go through all of it quickly.  Any donations after the first of the year will be greatly appreciated.

PRIDE team teachers were pleased with the large turn out of supportive parents at  Open House in Sept.  We enjoyed having the opportunity to meet each of you and welcome any parental communication throughout the year.  Your support and participation is very beneficial to your child's education.

The PRIDE team would like to recognize the October "Student of the Month".

Garrett Baxley was chosen by the PRIDE team teachers for his outstanding citizenship and strong work ethic.

Special recognition will be given to members of the team throughout the year who have displayed good citizenship and academic performance.  Students displaying good citizenship will be treated to a special luncheon at the end of each semester.  Students will be rewarded for their show of respect, responsibility, positive attitude, attendance and dependability. Honor roll students at the end of  each semester will also be treated to a special activity off campus.  We are hoping that all students will strive for the PRIDE team's "5 Star General Award" given at the end of the year.

The PRIDE team welcomes a new member this year. Mrs. Kirkendall is the new Pride team math teacher. She had the opportunity to do her student teaching with Pershing's 6^th grade last year, and she is excited about starting her career at Pershing.  

Mr. Carlstrom, Mrs. Short, Mrs. Kirkendall and Ms. Ryan would like you to know what a pleasure it is to work with such wonderful young people daily. We feel very thankful to be working with such a great group of kids and their families this year.  Thanks so much for your support.  WELCOME to the PRIDE team.