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Spencer Butte Middle School

Spartan Update- Week of 2/16/26

Posted Date: 02/14/26 (12:00 PM)


A logo for Spencer Butte Middle School. 

The logo features a stylized illustration of a school building situated on a stylized landscape with rolling hills and water. 

The building is depicted in dark navy blue, with large, light-blue windows visible.  Pine trees are outlined in light blue  at the top of the image, behind the building. The hills and water are rendered in varying shades of light blue.

Below the illustration, the words "SPENCER BUTTE" are written in a clean, sans-serif font in dark navy blue.  "Middle School" is written in a smaller, matching font below that. The overall color scheme is cool toned, using shades of blue and white.

Spartan Update

Week of 2/16/26

Picture of a school that captures the SBMS school campus area under a bright, clear sky. The architecture is characterized by mid-century modern design elements: slanted rooftops with clean lines, supported by slender columns, giving a sense of openness and functionality.

The foreground features a row of trees, some with lush green foliage and others displaying vibrant autumnal colors, suggesting a transition in seasons. These trees add natural warmth and breathing space to the otherwise structured environment. Alongside the trees, neatly kept bushes and a paved walkway create a welcoming atmosphere for students or visitors.

In the background, the school buildings are made of stucco and large glass windows, emphasizing both durability and the importance of natural light. The overall scene evokes a tranquil, well-maintained educational setting.
A horizontal banner featuring the text "Black History Month" stacked vertically on the right side against a solid black background.

The word "Black" is in a vibrant red.

The word "History" is in a bold green.

The word "Month" is in a golden yellow.

A single red line extends from the top of the "B" to the far left edge of the frame, and a single yellow line extends from the bottom of the "H" to the far right edge, creating a sense of continuity and framing the typography. The font is a modern, sans-serif block style.

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Banner horizontal con el texto "Mes de la Historia Afroamericana" apilado verticalmente a la derecha sobre un fondo negro sólido.

La palabra "Afroamericano" está en un rojo vibrante.

La palabra "Historia" está en un verde intenso.

La palabra "Mes" está en un amarillo dorado.

Una línea roja se extiende desde la parte superior de la "B" hasta el extremo izquierdo del marco, y una línea amarilla se extiende desde la parte inferior de la "H" hasta el extremo derecho, creando una sensación de continuidad y enmarcando la tipografía. La fuente es un moderno estilo de bloque sans-serif.
Close-up of a woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair.  She is wearing glasses with black frames and a gray, possibly knit, turtleneck-style sweater. The sweater has a slightly asymmetrical design at the neckline, with two visible round, light gray or beige buttons.

Note from Principal Paula Nolan

As we begin the new term, I want to share the importance of regular attendance. Coming to school regularly is the #1 way for students to succeed in school and at the high school level, to graduate on time. Building good attendance habits in middle school that will carry on into high school is very important. Below are some tips to help your middle schooler attend school regularly (source):
  • Talk about the opportunities available when your child shows up to school every day. For example, coming to school every day helps students to understand what is being taught, continue to see friends and make new ones, and add their voice and perspective to our school community.
  • Help your middle schooler maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting enough sleep.
  • Consider limiting use of devices if they interfere with sleep.
  • Try not to schedule non-urgent medical appointments during the school day.
  • Help your child to stay healthy.
  • If your children must stay home because they are sick, make sure they have checked Canvas and asked teachers for materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom. 
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No School- Monday 2/16- President's Day
There will be no school on Monday in observance of President's Day. The office will also be closed.
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Reminder- 8th Grade Families- IHS In-District Application Deadline, Sunday 2/15
For more information, please see the article below.
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Repeat: Track 2026!
Our 2026 track season begins with our first practice on 3/3/26! Please click here for information about registration, required sports physical (needed on file before any participation), practices, and meets. All students are invited to participate regardless of ability to pay.  
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Repeat: Next Activity Night- Friday 2/20 6:00-8:00- 3 More Helpers Needed
Our second activity night of the year is in just a few weeks and we need your help to hold a fun evening for SBMS students! There are lots of ways to help us- supervising the game room, dance floor, open gym, movie room, or selling concessions- there's lots of options! To signup to help or to learn more, please see below.
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Need assistance? Contact Me!
I am here to be of service to our entire school community. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions, concerns, or just want to connect about how to help your child this school year. My contact information is below and also at the very bottom of every newsletter.

-Paula

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Paula
 

2/20 Activity Night 6:00-8:00 (3 More Helpers Needed)

On Friday February 20th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm (with final entry at 6:30 PM for students arriving late), we will be having our second Activity Night of the school year! Activity nights help students to build positive connections to peers and the school- helping to increase student achievement.

What is there to do at the Activity Night?
This activity night will consist of a dance in the large gym, open gym in the small gym, a movie room, a game room, and a hang out in the lobby.

How much does it cost?
Wristbands will be sold during the school day on Wednesday and Thursday before the dance for $4, or students can pay $5 at the door. As always, no student will be excluded due to inability to pay, please contact Stephanie in the office if this is a hardship for your family. Our Kindness Fundraiser provides the assistance funding for students.

Who can attend?
Activity Nights are for Spencer Butte students only. Students need to be present at school for at least half the day to attend, unless prior arrangements have been made with administration.

Will there be food there?
There will be light concessions available to purchase.

When does it dance start and end?
This activity night starts at 6:00pm and ends at 8:00 pm.

Can students enter and leave and enter again?
No.

Can students leave early?
If a student wishes to leave prior to the end of the dance, they may do so as long as a parent/guardian picks them up. If your student is leaving early with another parent, we will need individual parent permission for each student. This is most easily achieved with a note from a parent that can be given to staff at the dance.

Verifying permission to leave early or with non-custodial adults often causes a delay for students who are wanting to leave quickly, so we appreciate students staying until the end of the dance if possible. Additionally, we usually have a wave of students wanting to leave 15-30 minutes early. Verifying that early departure is permitted does take staff away from other supervision- so we would appreciate students waiting to be released at the end the dance if they are looking to leave 15-30 minutes early.

Do the school expectations still apply after school?
Yes. This is a school function so it falls under the same expectations of Spencer Butte Middle School and the 4J school district. We recognize our students’ need for fun and we appreciate your partnership in providing a safe environment for our students.

Can parents and guardians volunteer?
SBMS activity nights are a fantastic way for students to connect with one another in a fun way! We host a game room, open gym, movie room, dance hall, snack bar, and lobby hang-out. Giving students a variety of supervised choices takes help and we would love to have you join us. There is no set-up and no clean-up on your part! Chaperones come at 5:45 to get signed in and find their station, and they leave right after the dance!

If you would like to help with the activity night on 2/20, click here
This image shows a classic disco ball (also known as a mirror ball) centered against a plain white background. It is a spherical object covered in hundreds of small, square, high-polish glass mirrors.

Key Features
Surface: The ball is meticulously tiled with flat, reflective facets that create a shimmering effect.

Reflections: Various squares show different shades of silver, white, and black, reflecting the surrounding environment and lighting.

Hardware: At the very top, there is a small metal loop (eyelet) used for hanging the ball from a ceiling or a rotating motor.

Composition: The sphere is perfectly round, and the perspective shows how the square tiles wrap around its curve, becoming smaller and more angled toward the edges.
Activity Night Helper Sign Up
 

Eugene International High School School Choice Information

Eugene International High School (Eugene IHS) is a choice school for students in grades 9-12 offering a 4-year interdisciplinary humanities curriculum focused on international studies. Students are dual enrolled in both Eugene IHS and their host school.
 
ANY student can enroll. They must go through the online 4J School Choice Lottery, regardless of attendance area: 4j.lane.edu/schoolchoic. The in-district deadline to apply is February 15, 2026.
 
IMPORTANT DATES for the 2026-2027 School Year:
January 15……Online application period for 4J School Choice Lottery opens for in-district students
February 15…..Deadline to submit in-district 4J School Choice Lottery Applications

Spanish and French Immersion students from Monroe and Roosevelt will be enrolled in Eugene IHS without the lottery process because they entered immersion through the lottery in elementary or middle school. However, immersion students do need to submit the Eugene IHS Enrollment Form to the Eugene IHS office at South or Sheldon by the January 31, 2026.  This form will be included in a special mailing to immersion families over winter break.

We hope you will consider becoming a part of our Eugene IHS community!
 
For more information contact one of the Eugene IHS offices below, or visit the Eugene IHS website at ihs.4j.lane.edu

Eugene IHS @ Churchill: 541-790-5225
Eugene IHS @ Sheldon: 541-790-6636
Eugene IHS @ South Eugene: 541-790-8030
 

Repeat- Inclement Weather Updates

When hazardous weather is a concern, decisions regarding schedule changes are made in the early morning, before school, when current weather conditions can be assessed.

The big thing to remember is that No News=No Change. If there is a change in the school schedule or bus routes due to inclement weather, Eugene School District 4J will announce the change. On days when school is in session and on the regular schedule, do not expect the district to make an announcement. 

Where to look for school schedule changes or cancellations:
  • Check the district website: Information will be posted on the homepage.
  • Follow 4J social media: A notice will be posted on the following social media channels:
  • Facebook: facebook.com/4Jschools
  • Instagram: instagram.com/4Jschools
  • Local news media will share closure or delay information on their websites and broadcasts.
  • Text / Email messages: The district will send messages to families via ParentSquare. Check your contact info and notifications settings in your ParentSquare account.

If you feel that you need to keep your child home due to weather conditions, please call the school. We will mark those absences as excused.

For additional information about inclement weather impacts on school schedules, please click here.

 

Upcoming Events


2/16: No School- President's Day
2/20: Activity Night 6:00-8:00
2/23: Site Council 6:00-8:00
Example calendar with dates pinned
 

Help Needed: Mentor Program Volunteer Coordinator

Spencer Butte is looking for a volunteer to be the Spencer Butte Mentor Coordinator. Our Middle School Lunchtime Mentoring Program helps students who would benefit from extra support by partnering them with a mentor for lunch once a week.
  • The Spencer Butte Mentor Coordinator volunteers one day a week, on Mondays from 11:45am-12:45pm, and does up to 30 minutes of other communications during the week.
  • The volunteer Mentor Coordinator is fully trained and supported by the 4J staff Mentor Coordinator. 
This is a fantastic way to get involved in our community, and make a difference in the lives of young people, come join us!

Please contact Kate Becker for more information:  becker_k@4j.lane.edu  541-517-0394
 

Food Resources

 
A distribution calendar for the FOOD For Lane County Mobile Pantry, presented in both English and Spanish.

The schedule is as follows:

Unitarian Universalist, Eugene: 1st and 3rd Fridays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

Bethel School District, Eugene: 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM.

Cottage Grove (7th and Whiteaker): 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM.

Sheldon Community Center, Eugene: 2nd Fridays, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM.

Bob Keefer Center, Springfield: Last Fridays, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

The flyer includes a reminder: "Please bring your own bags!" and lists foodforlanecounty.org for more information. Partner logos are displayed at the bottom.
Food for Lane County Resources
 
SBMS Website Link
 

Contact Paula

I am here to support the SBMS community. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. You can reach out via the following ways:

  • 541-790-8300
  • nolan_p@4j.lane.edu
Person using a laptop