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Spencer Butte Middle School

Spartan Update- Week of 12/8/25

Posted Date: 12/08/25 (10:46 AM)


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 12/8/25

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.
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

Our food drive is ongoing and we are very appreciative of all of the donations that go directly back to our SBMS community! There is still time to donate if you still intend to contribute!

Band and Orchestra Concert Thursday at 6:30
Our first band and orchestra concert of the year is this Thursday at 6:30 (students report at 6:00). Under the direction of Toni Hansen, SBMS music programs provide a fantastic opportunity for new and seasoned youth musicians to develop and share their talent. These concerts are one of the highlights of the school year and all school community members are invited to attend.

Safe Generator Use
This week's home safety tip is about safe generator use. That article is below.

Repeat- Food Box Request
If your family could benefit from receiving a food box for the break, please let us know by filling out this form. We will do our best to provide a food box to families that request one. If we are unable, we will notify families who make a request that we are unable to fulfill.

This service is available to any Spencer Butte family who may need a little extra food support, and all requests will be kept confidential.  We’re here to help, so please feel comfortable reaching out if a food box would be useful for your household.  Questions? Feel free to contact Heather Acharya in the Office, 541-790-8300

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 Nolan
Principal
Spencer Butte Middle School
541-790-8300 | nolan_p@4j.lane.edu
 

Safe Generator Use

In years past our South Eugene community has been impacted by power interruptions. Some families use generators when that happens and I want to include information about safe generator use that I found from this Red Cross website. -Paula

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The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. Follow the directions supplied with the generator. 

  • To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles.
  • Do not touch the generator with wet hands.
  • Be sure to turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
  • Store fuel for the generator in an approved safety can. Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Poisoning When Using a Generator
Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.
  • Keep these devices outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
  • Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home. Although CO can't be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO.
  • If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY - DO NOT DELAY.
  • Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.Test the batteries frequently and replace when needed.
  • If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
 
Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.
 
A colorful flyer for the SBMS Sources of Strenth Food Drive. The main headline reads "FOOD DRIVE" in large, multi-colored letters, with the slogan "LETS FEED OUR FAMILIES" underneath.

Key information on the flyer includes:
* **Starts:** Monday 11/17
* **Drop off:** "Drop off at SBMS in your grade-level bin"
* **Due by:** "All donations due by Friday 12/25"
* **Goal:** "To collect enough food to feed 25 families!"

A section titled "WHAT WE NEED?" lists unexpired and non-perishable food items:
* CANNED FRUITS & VEGETABLES
* PASTA & PASTA SAUCE
* PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY
* CANNED MEATS (CHICKEN OR TUNA, ETC.)
* CEREAL & PANCAKE MIX
* RICE, BEANS, CANNED SOUP
* SNACK FOOD-SUCH AS GRANOLA BARS, CHIPS, POPCORN
* CONDIMENTS (MAYONNAISE, KETCHUP, MUSTARD, SYRUP, SALAD DRESSING)

The flyer is illustrated with the SBMS Spartan logo, the Sources of Strength wheel, and two hands holding a large donation can.
Un colorido folleto para la campaña de recolección de alimentos "Fuentes de Fortaleza" de SBMS. El título principal dice "CAMPAÑA DE RECOLECCIÓN DE ALIMENTOS" en letras grandes y multicolores, con el lema "ALIMENTEMOS A NUESTRAS FAMILIAS" debajo.

Información clave del folleto:

* **Inicio:** Lunes 17/11

* **Dónde entregar:** "Dejar en SBMS en el contenedor correspondiente a su grado"

* **Fecha límite:** "Todas las donaciones deben entregarse antes del viernes 25/12"

* **Meta:** "¡Recolectar suficiente comida para alimentar a 25 familias!"

Una sección titulada "¿QUÉ NECESITAMOS?" Enumera alimentos no perecederos y que no hayan caducado:

* Frutas y verduras enlatadas
* Pasta y salsa para pasta
* Mantequilla de cacahuete y mermelada
* Carnes enlatadas (pollo, atún, etc.)

* Mezcla para cereales y panqueques
* Arroz, frijoles, sopa enlatada
* Aperitivos como barras de granola, papas fritas y palomitas de maíz
* Condimentos (mayonesa, kétchup, mostaza, jarabe, aderezo para ensaladas)

El folleto incluye el logotipo Spartan de SBMS, la rueda de Fuentes de Fortaleza y dos manos sosteniendo una lata grande para donaciones.
 

Upcoming Events


12/11: SBMS Winter Orchestra and Band Concert 6:30-7:30 pm
12/15: Site Council Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm
12/22-1/5: No School- Winter Break
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
 
4J logo, depicted as a stylized red apple with a green leaf and stem.
From 4J: Community Events
 
How to Contact SBMS Staff
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