Spokane Public Schools -

Camp Imagine registration is open! If your student will be in grades 1-5 next school year, they're eligible to attend Camp Imagine, a summer camp for SPS students. There are four locations this summer and three weeks in July to choose from. Keep your kids engaged this summer at Camp Imagine! More: https://www.spokaneschools.org/page/camp-imagine

The 2025-26 Preschool Application is open! Check out the various preschool programs at SPS and apply for a spot! https://www.spokaneschools.org/page/preschool-programs

Have a wonderful Spring Break! We will see you back in school for our Late Start Monday schedule on April 14.

KIDS DAY WITH GONZAGA BASEBALL: Gonzaga University will host Kids Day at four upcoming Sunday baseball games: March 30, April 6, April 27 and May 11. Come make posters, enjoy face painting, get your photos with Spike and run the bases! Tickets are just $10. https://gozags.evenue.net/list/BB

QUESTION: Why do we need all-weather fields in every region of our city? With increased interest and participation in after-school sports and activities at all of our five neighborhood high schools, our existing grass fields are wearing down faster than we can maintain them. A partnership with Spokane Parks and Recreation to create a citywide system of all-weather surface fields will represent the lowest possible cost to provide a high-quality play experience because we can program more activities on one all-weather surface field than on two to three grass fields. Learn more at http://togetherspokane.org/.

QUESTION: What’s happening at Madison Elementary School? ANSWER: The Together Spokane proposal for Madison Elementary School, the oldest northside school in the district, includes replacing the 75-year-old building with a new two-story structure on the same footprint. This new building would accommodate special education programs that are currently housed in five portable buildings outside the main school. The school’s location, adjacent to Franklin Park at North Division Street and West Queen Avenue, has created an opportunity for Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks and Recreation to explore sharing land and resources. This collaboration would co-locate the new Madison building with an enclosed, publicly accessible, multi-use recreational facility. The proposed “Field House” could include multiple indoor courts, one of which could be fully partitioned for use as Madison’s primary gym and cafeteria space. The Field House would also have a separate entrance, allowing the public to use the facility for basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and other community activities both during and after school hours. Co-locating public spaces helps save resources and taxpayer dollars. A similar framework has been implemented before, such as when the Spokane Public Library built its Hillyard branch at Shaw Middle School. As SPS and Parks developed this proposal and other Together Spokane projects, numerous community organizations expressed interest in investing capital and entering agreements for priority program use. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County, Pacific Northwest Qualifier and Spokane Hoopfest have signed letters of intent to collaborate with SPS and Parks for Together Spokane. Their participation will enhance spaces for education, recreation, and community wellness, benefiting Spokane residents of all ages. Learn more about this project at https://www.togetherspokane.org/Madison-School-Rec and share your feedback at https://www.togetherspokane.org/feedback.

REMINDER: There is no school on Friday, March 14. This day was originally designated as a Weather Makeup Day. Because we had zero snow days, tomorrow will remain a non-school day. Staff on a 260-day annual work schedule will work as usual. We will see everyone on Monday, March 17, for our normal late-start Monday schedule.

Have Coffee with SPS: Meet SPS administrators and ask questions at Coffee with SPS at Finch Elementary on Feb. 25 from 8-9 a.m. The coffee is free!

TOGETHER SPOKANE: A proposal to improve schools, parks and neighborhoods. Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks and Recreation are proposing a historic initiative to re-build schools, renovate and add parks and create programming for kids and adults. Every neighborhood, every park and every school has a proposed project. LEARN MORE: https://www.togetherspokane.org/

What are the mental health benefits of participating in school sports, clubs and activities? The latest SPS Extra podcast episode talks to students and mental health experts on this topic. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: https://spokaneschools.buzzsprout.com/1522507/episodes/16445282-sps-extra-the-mental-health-benefits-of-extracurricular-involvement

Interested in one of our option schools or program? Make sure you attend an information night, or contact the schools to schedule an informational meeting. More: https://www.spokaneschools.org/page/option-schools-enrollment-follow-up

SPS will host a webinar on Jan. 14 at 4 p.m. to talk about new student registration and choice requests for the 2025-26 school year. The webinar will be recorded if you are unable to attend. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_qERmsCjWQAu-q3E9h33QuQ#/registration

Happy New Year! Registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open! Do you need to register a new student? Do you need to apply for "choice" or an option school? Begin the process here: https://www.spokaneschools.org/page/school-registration-2025-26

We Got Spirit: Are you ready for the spirit games at the Spokane Arena this week? Check out this know-before-you-go information: https://www.spokaneschools.org/article/1927016

Registration for the 2025-26 school year opens Jan. 1 - Learn more at spokaneschools.org/register

Have coffee with SPS administrators! We'll be at Whitman Elementary on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 8 - 9 a.m. Everyone is welcome, and the coffee is free! Bring questions!

LISTEN: On this month's "SPS Extra," Stephanie Splater and Nicole Hernandez discuss how many of the enrichment and extracurricular activities that SPS students enjoy are facilitated in partnership with other organizations, like Hooptown, Treehouse and Spark Central. http://www.spokaneschools.org/listen

Help students experiencing homelessness through the HEART Gift Card Drive from now through Dec. 10! There ae 1,222 students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Gift cards allow these students to purchase items of their choice, and HEART staff can match students with cards most relevant to their needs and interests to provide them with extra support and care over the break. LEARN MORE: https://www.spokaneschools.org/article/1879801

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: Applications are now open for the 2025 Bank of America Student Leaders Program for current high school juniors and seniors. This program includes an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization to learn first-hand about the needs of your community and the critical role nonprofits play, and an all expenses paid visit to Washington, D.C. for the Student Leaders Summit (July 21-26) Bank of America will host two information sessions for students and families to learn more about this program on Nov. 19 and Jan. 7. Go to http://www.bankofamerica.com/studentleaders to register for these sessions, as well as explore eligibility criteria and submit your application. Applications are due Jan. 15, 2025.

WATCH & LISTEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkwcZtSFnNw The next SPS Extra drops Nov. 21! Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit http://www.spokaneschools.org/listen.