Parent Handbook

If Springfield Public Schools are closed due to weather or other situations, the announcement will be delivered on local TV and radio stations, the SPS website, Facebook, Twitter, and the AlertNow system. All early childhood classes, ECSE therapy sessions, and ECSE assessment appointments will be canceled when Springfield Public Schools are closed. If school is in session, but inclement weather is imminent, ECSE afternoon sessions may be canceled. In these cases, we will make every effort to make a decision by 10:00 a.m.

Springfield Public Schools use the AlertNow system to quickly deliver recorded messages to a mass audience. The system sends these messages to phone numbers for contacts for students enrolled in Springfield Public Schools. Therefore it is important that we have the most current contact information for you and your family.  

If your child will be transitioning to kindergarten in the following school year, current vision and hearing screening information needs to be on file. Students in SPS early childhood classrooms will have their kindergarten screening  (DIAL IV) completed by Parents As Teachers and nursing staff during class time. If your child attends a community program and receives itinerant ECSE  services, a school nurse will contact you or the site to schedule a time to update and complete the screening. A copy of the screening results will be provided to you. Should there be any concerns, you will be notified.  If you would like, the screening can be sent to  Early Childhood Special Education for review.

Students enrolled in the early childhood program will have assessments administered periodically throughout the school year.  Many of these assessments are implemented in preschool classrooms across the nation to inform teachers about students' strengths and help them determine what to focus on next to prepare students for kindergarten.

Formal Assessments:
Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) - beginning and end of year
Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (e-DECA) - beginning and middle of the year
District Common Formative Assessments (DCAs) - quarterly

Parents will receive updates on their child's progress periodically, throughout the year, including Parent-Teacher Conferences in the fall and spring.

The safety and well-being of your child is of our utmost concern. We make every attempt to ensure your child is safe and secure while at school.

Springfield Public Schools has placed an emphasis on making sure the learning environment is cleaned thoroughly and often. Adequate supplies of protective equipment, soap, paper towels, sanitizer, and tissues will be provided throughout each school. Staff will be trained and expected to frequently clean high-touch areas such as countertops, desks, doorknobs, keyboards, light switches, handrails, etc., with district-supplied cleaning and disinfectant products. Each classroom will have a daily clean with district-supplied cleaning and disinfectant products. Playgrounds will be cleaned and sanitized regularly.

In case of accidental injury at school, we will immediately attempt to contact the parent/guardian or the emergency contact. Ensure your teacher, school, and transportation department have the most current emergency contact information for you and your child.

Please send these items with your child to preschool:

• Child's full-size backpack or bag to carry items back and forth to school (no rolling backpacks)

• Clothing - a complete change of clothing to be kept at the school in case of accidents

• Diapers/pull-ups and wipes (if appropriate)

• Vinyl rest mat (Kindermat) Wonder Years ONLY

Mark all items with your child's name in a place not easily seen by the general public.

Each teacher will provide you with classroom-specific information regarding donating supplies, classroom schedules, celebrations, etc.