Parent Handbook

All SPS Early Childhood students who turn five on or after August 1 of the current school year are eligible for Kindergarten the following year. Each spring, the Early Childhood department partners with elementary principals to support a smooth transition for students, families, and staff.

Kindergarten screenings will take place in classrooms through Parents As Teachers, so families do not need to make separate appointments. Because children are already enrolled in SPS, families do not need to complete the regular Kindergarten enrollment process. However, we encourage families to attend K-Prep events and open houses at their child’s future school. Event schedules will be shared as soon as they become available.

Some children in the ECSE program may need reassessments before entering Kindergarten. ECSE teachers and K-12 Process Coordinators will assist families with this process. Placement decisions are based on each child’s individual needs, and Special Education staff will work to place students in their home school whenever possible.

Springfield Public Schools provides transportation as a related service for students with IEPs (Individualized Education Program) who meet the necessary requirements as determined by the IEP team. If your child meets these criteria, you are asked to have them at the designated bus stop and ready for pickup at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time. This will allow for route changes, weather issues, or traffic conditions. The SPS transportation department will notify you of your child's pickup and drop-off times via email. Please make sure your email is updated with your child’s school.

An authorized adult must be present at the drop-off location to receive your child off the bus. The bus drivers are not permitted to leave the bus to escort a child to the home. In the event an authorized adult is not at the designated drop-off spot, every effort will be made to contact the parent. If an adult is unavailable at the drop-off location and parents cannot be contacted, the bus will return your child to the school, and a parent will be contacted to pick them up. In addition, the bus driver will not release the child to any person that is not listed on the student's Specialized Transportation Form. This can be updated by contacting your child’s teacher.

If you have any questions or concerns or need to change your pickup or drop-off location, please get in touch with your child’s teacher. Any changes or new routing that the transportation department receives by the end of the day on Fridays will be routed for the following Wednesday. In addition, if your child does not ride the bus for 15 days and there is no contact from the parent, your student will be dropped from busing.  If you have questions regarding transportation please call (417) 523-7700. If your child does not need transportation because of illness or other plans, please call the SPS transportation office at (417) 523-0500 as soon as possible so that they can let your child's driver know. 

Note: Wonder Years students do not qualify for SPS bus transportation.