Springfield Public Schools

SPRINGFIELD, MO - The Springfield Public School School Board voted unanimously to pass a motion to add synthetic field turf to Hillcrest, Glendale, and Kickapoo High School's Thursday afternoon. The project is estimated to cost $1,898,600 and is being 100% privately funded. Parkview High School's JFK Stadium is also receiving new turf, while Central's turf was added 5 years ago. The School Board also passed a measure to add scoreboards to all 5 schools.  It is also being funded privately.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2012 will be held by Springfield Public Schools' five high schools Monday, May 21, and Tuesday, May 22, at JQH Arena on the campus of Missouri State University. Graduation Schedule at JQH Arena Monday 5:00 p.m. - Glendale 7:00 p.m. - Parkview 9:00 p.m. - Central Tuesday 5:30 p.m. - Kickapoo 8:00 p.m. - Hillcrest    

The superintendent of Springfield public schools says the district is making progress in implementing the Missouri Auditor's recommendations.   In June, state auditor's staff plans to make a return trip to Springfield to follow up with the district. Dr. Norm Ridder says since the audit's findings were released in March, "the school board has been diligently working to review the findings and prepare a plan for addressing each of them. "   From Dr. Ridder's letter to the media:   Internal auditor.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - If your kids are interested in summer school, registration starts Wednesday. Springfield Public Schools is opening up registration for this summer's session. You can register your kids starting at 10 a.m.  Summer school runs June 4th-29th. You can also register online .

Some Springfield students are about to get a new lesson plan - and it might include some homework for their parents. School leaders will meet Thursday to map out a "Community School Strategy" for Robberson Elementary.  Kevin Huffman, Robberson's principal, says the Community School Strategy is a grass roots approach to education and could redefine the role of a school and the resources it offers.  The idea is that a community school...

Registration for children who will enter kindergarten in August 2012 will be held March 8-16. A child must be 5 years old before Aug. 1 to start kindergarten. Parents should register their child at the school where the child will attend. View a schedule of dates and times registration will occur at each school. Children must also complete a kindergarten screening before they start school. Other early childhood developmental screenings are also available.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Springfield Public Schools received a fair rating from the Missouri State Auditor after an 18-month review of the district. The audit was the product of a petition signed by 5,202 citizens. Organizers said they had seen waste and inefficiencies in the district. The audit identified 14 areas where the Springfield District needs to change its practices or improve its policies. The audit found the district overspent its 2006 bond proceeds by $1.84 million.  It also said the district secured that bond through a negociated sale instead of a competitive sale.

Springfield Public Schools has revised its policy regarding relations between their staff and students. The policy specifically addresses electronic media, like text messaging, e-mail and social networking sites like Facebook. Staff members may only communicate with students electronically for educational purposes between the hours of 6-a.m. and 10-p.m. If for some reason staff need to contact students beyond these hours, they will need to explain the reason and may be asked to provide copies of any communication shared between students and staff.

Springfield Public Schools officials say that one in four young students are not ready to start kindergarten. That's why they're starting a program that focuses on early childhood education. The new program, called "Younger Wonders," is the first ever class for three year olds.  It's a combination of nursery and school: playtime in the playground and learning time in a structured, classroom setting. School officials say Younger Wonders focuses on three major themes: Communication - how to interact with others, ask for things and share.

5th graders in the WOLF program took a field trip to fassnight park Thursday. Their mission, to identify different species of trees. The tricky part, there's no leaves to help them. So students studied bark and branches to figure out what trees are in the park. But this isn't the only field trip the kids have taken so far this year. "Well we've gone down to the creek and we've learned about the animals that live in the creek and we learn abut the watershed and the things that make up our world.