Parent Handbook

Springfield Public Schools staff members work closely with children each day and are trained to recognize signs of possible abuse or neglect. All employees are required to complete mandated reporter training and follow established procedures for reporting concerns. If a staff member suspects a child may be experiencing abuse or neglect, they are required by law to report it. These procedures help ensure that all children remain safe and supported while at school. 

Our primary goal is to provide your child with a high-quality preschool experience. In order to achieve that goal, your involvement as a parent is actively encouraged. We recognize and appreciate your trust and confidence in us and offer you the opportunity to share the joys of learning to play and work in the school setting. Being a child is all about laughter, hugs, sharing, and discovery. Your participation as a partner in your child's learning will be a positive experience for all of us. A strong partnership between Springfield Public Schools Early Childhood department and parents is of primary importance to your child's healthy development.

A key factor in this partnership is communication. Teachers will communicate with parents through notes, newsletters, phone calls, and parent/teacher conferences. We encourage you to regularly touch base with your child's teachers and therapists. Parent involvement at home will serve to strengthen our program. We invite you to find meaningful opportunities to continue your child's education at home. If you have a question or concern about your child or the program, we encourage you to contact your child's teacher, one of our social workers or counselors, or the school principal to address your concerns.

Early Childhood teachers will schedule parent/teacher conferences twice during the school year.  The first conference window is typically in late October and the second window is in the spring semester.  Parent/teacher conferences are an important opportunity for families and teachers to work together to support a child’s learning and development. During these meetings, teachers share information about a child’s progress, strengths, and areas where they are growing, while parents can ask questions and share insights about their child. This partnership helps ensure that children receive consistent support at both home and school during these important early learning years. 

Other conferences may be held during the year to communicate information about a child’s progress and behavior. These conferences can be initiated by either the parent/guardian or the teacher. Parents/guardians who wish to schedule a conference with their child’s teacher should call the school to make an appointment. Conferences may be scheduled before school, after school, or during the teacher’s planning time. 

ECSE

Classroom placements in Early Childhood Special Education are an administrative decision.  Placements are prioritized by the educational needs of the student as well as their age. Morning placements are typically given to younger students, and afternoon placements are given to students who are less than a year away from starting kindergarten in order to allow them to become accustomed to a longer school day. We also consider geographical location when making placement decisions. Our goal is that students spend the minimum amount of time being transported to and from school. While we adhere to these guidelines for placing students in ECSE classrooms, our primary consideration is what will be best for each child.  

As we prepare for each school year, we want to inform you that your child may be assigned to a different classroom or school building in their second or third school year in the ECSE program.  These decisions are made with careful consideration of various factors, including but not limited to class sizes and transportation times.  We understand that change can be challenging, but please rest assured that we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and providing the best possible educational experience for your child. 

Wonder Years & LEAD Academy

Building and classroom assignments for Wonder Years and LEAD Academy students are an administrative decision.  Parents of students who qualify for Wonder Years or LEAD Academy will be given an opportunity to share their preferred locations but final placement decisions will be made by the Early Childhood department.  We do our best to accommodate parent choices but not everyone can be placed in their preferred location.