• Welcome to Springfield Elementary School!
     
    It's exciting to have the opportunity to welcome you back to another school year at Springfield Elementary.  Our school's theme is "Springfield STRONG!"  Our aim is to help all students develop strength in mind, body, and spirit so that they can fearlessly embrace the challenges that they face both in school and beyond.  We believe that when students are stretched academically, physically, and relationally, they develop the confidence and sense of purpose needed to thrive in a complex world.  Another common phrase that you'll see and hear in our school is "BE UNCOMMON." In other words, to seek excellence in all that we do and to never be complacent or satisfied with "good enough."  In pursuing these themes, our number one focus will continue to be ensuring high levels of learning for all children.  That goal combined with a learning environment that is safe, welcoming, and engaging for all is what drives our continued growth and success as a learning community.   
     
    Our school offers a balanced curriculum between the core (Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) and specialty areas (Physical Education, Music, World Cultures, and Media Literacy).  We've have consistently been recognized as a high-growth and high-performing school (recognition as a National Blue Ribbon School and a Minnesota Reward School) and we are proud of the hard work that our students, staff, and families have put forth to be recognized as such. Our assessment results reflect high degrees of student achievement across grade levels and the feedback that we've received from our stakeholders has been very positive. We look forward to building upon that success and striving toward even higher goals in the year ahead.  A few programs and opportunities to note in our school are as follows:
    • Our students participate in a twice-a-year initiative called "Tigers Give Back."  It consists of students at each grade-level participating in a pair of service learning projects within our community.  We use this effort to teach the value of hard work all while serving the businesses and community members that have been so generous to our school.
    • Music education is a foundational part of our school's curriculum.  Students in grades K-5 have general music instruction on a daily basis that has historical and cultural themes embedded within it.  In addition, all 6th grade students participate in both band and choir.  The exposure to both subjects challenges them intellectually and artistically while providing them with a sense of the electives they can choose to participate in at the junior high level.  All grade-levels perform multiple times a year at different concerts and assemblies, and the community support that they receive is outstanding.
    • In addition to the arts, our school provides daily instruction in physical education.  Students are challenged to be fit and to embrace a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and limited screen time.  Kids learn how to move and care for their bodies while applying strategies and techniques that help them to compete at a high level.  Above all, our students are taught to demonstrate sportsmanship and to respect everyone that they interact with.
    • We're also excited to offer our students access to a flexible learning space known as the "STEAM Learning Lab."  Through the development of our 1:1 technology initiative, we've been able to repurpose space in one of our former computer labs to create an environment where kids can learn more about science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.  This space will allow kids to experiment, build, design, create, get messy and have fun.  In addition to our STEAM Lab, we also host a STEAM Day in the spring and STEAM Academy in the summer that allows students to explore and learn about a variety of key standards in a hands-on environment.  It connects them with students and staff at all levels and helps to develop a fascination with the scientific world. 
    • We also host an elementary Exploratory Day.  This is a unique day each spring that gives our staff the opportunity to expand on the general curriculum and teach a personal talent, hobby, or skill of interest to them.  Students will be given the opportunity to preregister for these courses and have a chance to connect with their teachers in a whole new enviornment. 
    • The Tiger Cub's Preschool program continues to meet the needs of our youngest children and families in the district.  Four different sections of classes will run from Monday to Friday with students grouped as 3 year-olds or 4-5 year-olds.  The Tiger Cub's Preschool program has always been recognized as a 4-star Parent Aware rating (the highest marks possible) by the Minnesota Department of Education and we're proud to offer a top-notch early childhood environment for our community.
    • We're pleased to offer an all-day, every-day kindergarten program in our school.  We've had this structure in place for many years now and our students have a wonderful experience with excellent teachers and diverse learning opportunities.   
    • Grades 2-6 are departmentalized between 2 or 3 sections in our school. One teacher in each grade level focuses on the reading and social studies instruction while the other teaches the math and science.  This allows our staff to become true content experts in their curriculum and it allows our students opportunities to work with all teachers during their intermediate years.
    • Continuation of the Minnesota Reading Corps literacy program for grades Pre-K-3.  In an effort to ensure that all students are reading at grade-level by the end of 3rd grade, our school utilizes highly-trained tutors to deliver daily individualized support to students needing additional assistance. Our program host multiple tutors each year which greatly enhances our capacity to serve students.  
    • Classroom presentation tools aligned with 21st century learning.  We have a 1:1 technology platform in which each student is provided with an iPad device.  Much of their work is shared through Google Classroom and ViewSonic boards and REDCAT audio devices are in each classroom to provide a medium by which to best engage and communicate our learning objectives with students.  Engaging instructional resources through online learning tools such as Boardworks, Accelerated Reader, Study Island, IXL, Reading Eggs, MyOn Reader and many more are available to students and families for access both at home and in school.  During times of inclement weather or other unique circumstances we have the ability to conduct school virtually through these various tools.
    • Continued use of the "Tiger Tickets" positive referral program.  Our foundation for personal character is "The Tiger Way--Respect, Responsibility, Safety."  As part of our PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) initiative, we seek to model, teach, affirm, and communicate these values, and recognize the good things that students are doing in our school.  We also use the HuddLup program to engage students in fun activities that connect them with their peers in positive way.  These activities build connections and teamwork in the classroom that enhance the feelings of safety and friendship that we desire for all kids.  
    • Another core focus of our work is our "Standards-Based Grading--Improving Feedback for Learning" initiative.  Student achievement is graded through a review of their most recent and consistent performance.  Independent assessments carry more weight than homework and our report cards reflect the abilities of students in specific standards/skills vs. general course titles. Opportunities for students to show growth are regular and students know that they can always improve through continued study and effort.  In addition to report cards, students and families are provide feedback on growth 3 times a year with reports from a variety of assessment tools (Fastbridge, NWEA, and STAR).  All students in grades 3-6 also take the state MCA assessments in reading and math (5th grade science as well).
    I'm also especially thankful for the generous support of our local  businesses and families.  Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised over the course of the committee's existence and our annual fall fundraiser, the Tiger Trek, is always a special time of celebration for our school community.  These funds continue to raise the standard of opportunity for students at Springfield Elementary through tools of technology, curriculum resources, guest presenters, and off-campus learning experiences. 
     
    If you're interested in looking for opportunities to volunteer, we'd welcome your inquiries about ways to get involved.  Your efforts to get connected and stay involved in your child's education both at home and at school will make a great difference in their learning.  If you have questions about any of the initiatives in our school, please don't hesitate to contact me.  My door is always open to visitors and you're more than welcome to call or email at any time.  We're expecting another great school year and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to meet and greet you all in the months ahead.  Sincerely,
     
    Mr. Kuehn
     
    Jeff Kuehn
    Springfield Elementary Principal
    507-723-4286