Partnerships for our Youngest Learners
About 20 years ago, Springfield Local Schools hosted its first “Early Education Summit.” The summit is an effort organized to assemble area providers of early educational services to share information, provide updates on any changes to Ohio’s educational standards, listen to wants/needs, and most importantly, strengthen collegiality between those who remain committed to helping every child prepare for what we hope is his/her exciting 13-year educational journey in our school district. Back then, this was pretty “cutting edge.” Now, it is another aspect of Springfield’s norm.
On January 20, the district hosted another dynamic gathering of professionals. Since many of the children are currently enrolled in the programs offered by our partners, we felt it vitally important to offer an update on the upcoming reconfiguration of our elementary school buildings. While we have tried very hard to communicate the changes to families with students currently enrolled in Springfield’s schools, it is reasonable to assume that many young families may be unaware of the exciting changes that will take place for the start of the 2022-23 school year. If you are one of those families, please know the new look to our website includes a page dedicated specifically to the reconfiguration–all you need to do is visit www.springfield-schools.org/ and select the link. When you arrive, you will find an interactive school boundary map, information on each school and much more.
Springfield’s director of pK-5 curriculum, instruction, and assessment, Taryn Miley, gave a presentation focused on the district’s use of developmentally appropriate practices as part of a systemic social emotional learning (SEL) approach. This approach allows us to help our youngest learners develop the social and emotional skills that will serve their academic success and help them thrive throughout their lives. She provided strategies for selfregulations and offered a variety of recommended literature, videos and programs. Regina Sulier, Springfield’s preschool director, shared a wealth of information, including the services offered through our federal programs department for children through the district.
Exciting news also shared with our partners was that beginning Friday, February 11, we will begin enrollment for the Class of 2035. Yep, you read that correctly. If you have or know families with a child who will reach the age of five on/or before August 1, 2022, please share that as of that date, registration can be started online using the “Enrollment” tab on the website. We encourage all families to register as soon as they can after February 11.
