Springfield Public Schools

Working to Strengthen Non-Discrimination Policies in SPS Schools

By Debbie Good • Mar 2, 2020

Springfield Public Schools / Springfield Public Schools

This week, host Debbie Good speaks with Yvania Garcia-Pusateri, Chief Equity and Diversity Officer with Springfield Public Schools (SPS).

Today’s discussion talks about this recently elevated position to cabinet level reporting directly to the superintendent, and explores SPS non-discrimination policy.

Exploring the Red Flags and Blue Ribbons in Early Childhood Education

By Hue Ping Chin • Dec 26, 2019

Courtesy of Missy Riley-Dirctor of Early Childhood Eduation SPS

This week on Making Democracy Work, the continuing series looking deeper into individual aspects of the Springfield-Greene County focus report explores the impact on early childhood education.

Host Hue-Ping Chin speaks this morning with Missy Riley, director of early childhood and Parents as Teachers with Springfield Public Schools (SPS).

SPS Superintendent Discusses Springfield Educational 'Red Flags and Blue Ribbons'

By LInda Regan • Dec 9, 2019

Dr. John Jungmann — Springfield Public Schools

This week on Making Democracy Work, the series exploring the Springfield-Greene County focus report continues. Host Linda Regan speaks this morning with Dr. John Jungmann, superintendent with Springfield Public Schools (SPS).

Today’s discussion explores the Red Flags and Blue Ribbons related to education in the recent report, and how SPS is addressing these issues.

New Chief Equity And Diversity Officer For SPS Wants To Create "A Culture Of Care"

By Michele Skalicky • Aug 21, 2019

A chief equity and diversity officer for Springfield Public Schools has been announced. Yvania Garcia-Pusateri is the current executive director of multicultural programs at Missouri State University. She’ll begin her new job on September 9.

The hiring is part of the SPS strategic plan, which district officials say “is aligned to identify and measure progress in closing the gaps for under-resourced and under-represented students.”

SPS Working to Maintain and Expand Early Childhood Education Programs

By Debbie Good • Jul 22, 2019

Courtesy of Missy Riley--Director of Early Childhood Education/SPS

This week on Making Democracy Work, host Debbie Good speaks with Missy Riley, director of early childhood education for Springfield Public Schools (SPS).

Today’s discussion explores the impact of quality pre-school education and its generational benefits to families and the broader community.

SPS Secondary Learning Director Pleased With Choice Of Interim Principals At Central High

By Michele Skalicky • May 29, 2019

Dr. Shane Dublin, executive director of secondary learning for Springfield Public Schools, said hiring someone on an interim basis to lead a school while a permanent principal is found has been done before.

In fact, Central High School, where two retired SPS leaders will lead for the 2019-2020 school year, had an interim principal a few years ago, he said.

Judy Brunner will serve as the interim lead and Steve Seal will be interim principal while the search for a permanent replacement for Dr. Lisa Anderson is conducted.

SPS Hires Two District Retirees On An Interim Basis To Lead Central H.S.

By Michele Skalicky • May 22, 2019

Two veteran administrators in the Springfield Public School District will share the principal role at Central High School in an interim capacity this summer through the end of next school year.

According to SPS, Judy Brunner will serve as interim lead principal, and Stephen Seal will serve as interim principal effective July 1. They’ll each work on a part-time basis.

Dr. Shane Dublin, executive director of secondary education for SPS, says the recruitment process for a permanent replacement for Central principal, Dr. Lisa Anderson, is ongoing.

SPS Projects To Be Funded With Recently-Passed Bond Issue Move Forward

By Michele Skalicky • Apr 29, 2019

The first group of projects at Springfield Public Schools, funded with a bond approved by Springfield voters earlier this month, is ready for bids.

School officials say the first set of projects will be to create secure entrances at 31 schools. The projects are divided into six different bid packages. The first was released on April 12, the second on April 22 and the remaining four will be released for bid every 10 days.

Construction on the new entrances will begin this summer and is expected to continue through May 2021.

Survey Of Springfield Kindergarten Teachers Finds 26.1 Percent of Kids Weren't Ready For School

By Michele Skalicky • Apr 23, 2019

New survey results in Springfield are out on kindergarten readiness. The survey, by the Mayor’s Commission for Children, is done every four years. A total of 435 surveys were completed by Springfield Public School teachers for a 93.5 percent response rate. Results showed that, in 2018, 26.1 percent of kindergartners were perceived by their teachers as not prepared to start school.

SPS Teacher Of The Year Named

By Michele Skalicky • Apr 16, 2019

A Hillcrest High School teacher has been named Springfield Public Schools 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year.

Courtney Dameron, who teaches family and consumer sciences, received the award during the Teacher Appreciation Banquet Monday. She was one of five finalists selected from 171 nominations.

Dameron said she believes in engaging curriculum that benefits a student for life. And she said she does her best to create meaningful relationships with her students and to respect them as the young adults they are.

Increasing Concerns in Youth Mental Health Sparks Partnership Between SPS and Burrell

By Lisa Langley • Apr 8, 2019

This week on Making Democracy Work, host Lisa Langley speaks with Rhonda Mammen, director of counseling services at Springfield Public Schools.

Today’s discussion explores growing mental health concerns in area youth and how SPS is partnering with Burrell to address those needs in the school.

For Students Living In Harmony House Shelter, Trauma Casts Long Shadow Over Learning

By Theresa Bettman • Mar 29, 2019

Many children have escaped the trauma of domestic violence and are living with a parent in the Harmony House shelter in east Springfield. Harmony House serves anywhere between 30 and 50 children at any given time.

And that trauma can impact a child’s education.

Tony LaBellarte is the Children’s Case Manager at Harmony House.

Homelessness, Poverty Affect Many Students In Springfield, Willard Districts

By Michele Skalicky • Mar 28, 2019

Lynn Schirk wants unaccompanied youth and homeless families with school-age kids to know: There’s help through the school district for things like housing, transportation to school, food and other needs.

Springfield Public School Superintendent Receives Statewide Award

By Michele Skalicky • Mar 28, 2019

Springfield Public Schools superintendent, Dr. John Jungmann was selected by the Missouri Association of School Administrators as the recipient of the 2019 Robert L. Pearce Award. The honoree is chosen by a committee of peers from among nominees from each of the eight MASA districts.

The committee recognized him, in part, for providing engaging, relevant and personalized learning experiences every day through project-based environments; the expansion of the district’s Explore program and implementing programs that provide all students with equitable access to modern tools.

Poverty Impacts A Teacher's Ability to Teach In A Variety of Ways

By Michele Skalicky • Mar 28, 2019

Teachers have a difficult job: They’re in charge of a room full of children, with a variety of learning needs, and they’re working to make sure kids learn what they need to learn to move onto the next grade and to do well on standardized tests. Not only do they have to be effective in helping their students learn, they also must know how to deal with behavior problems and how to meet the emotional needs of the kids in their classrooms. And poverty can make those problems worse.

Springfield Public Schools

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