4J Parent News

Information for Eugene School District 4J parents and guardians

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• Work for 4J: Serve local youth and the community — apply for a job at 4J today!

Dear 4J community,

I know the last few days have been unsettling, as our new year has opened with social media threats that have put many in our district on edge and high alert.

On behalf of our community, I would like to express my continued gratitude to our partners, particularly the Eugene Police Department, who are investigating the threats against Churchill High School and also stationed officers and detectives at our high schools and some middle schools today, Jan. 4. I also want to commend the individuals who reported suspicious activity at Churchill and near Roosevelt Middle School that led those schools as well as South Eugene High School, due to its proximity to Roosevelt, to be placed in secure lockout for a brief period this morning until officers verified the activities posed no threat.

It angers me that bad actors have the capacity to sow such chaos and fear for our students, families and staff through a single social media post. These incidents significantly distract from our core mission, to provide a safe and rich learning environment for all our students, and put our limited law enforcement resources under added strain.

That said, we know we cannot effectively educate students without centering safety and well-being. While it was determined these threats were not credible, we must always respond to such concerning messages fully and promptly. Always. There is no room for preconceived notions when the outcome of these situations could be dire.

To ensure the safety of students and staff, our district follows the Standard Response Protocol developed by the I Love You Guys Foundation. You can learn more about the protocol, the response for each of its five action words, here. The benefit of the protocol is it’s built on clear and simple action words that can provide quick response and flexibility in an evolving situation, as opposed to students and educators having to recall specific steps to take for each individual type of emergency.

Knowing that each individual responds differently, we will continue to provide support and resources to those who need them. Do not hesitate to reach out for our help. Should individual students and families have concerns specific to their student, we would encourage you to reach out to your school’s administrators directly so that they may provide individualized support.

Once again, I thank you for your understanding and partnership.

Respectfully,

Andy

Eugene School District 4J has developed a proposed calendar for the next two school years: 2024–25 and 2025–26. Traditionally, the school board has approved a one-year calendar in the spring for the following school year. However, our district believes moving to a two-year calendar, with earlier notice of no-school days, will provide greater stability for families and staff.

The proposed two-year district calendar is similar to this year's calendar. Students in kindergarten and grades six and nine (transition grades) will start school a day earlier than others to explore their new building. There will be no school Thanksgiving week for parent-teacher conferences and the traditional holiday break.

Kindergarten Smart Start, a program to support students and families to help ensure a smooth transition to kindergarten, will return next fall. Under the program, the first two weeks of the school year are adjusted to support a different schedule for our students entering kindergarten; we will have additional details to share later this spring.

We welcome your feedback! To review the draft calendar and provide your comments click the button below.

During the month of January, families living within 4J boundaries can request for their child to attend a school other than their neighborhood school for the upcoming 2024–25 school year.

To be included in the annual school choice lottery that determines the order in which transfer offers will be granted, families must submit a request online by January 31. Families living outside of our district’s boundaries who want their child to attend a 4J school next year submit requests later, March 1–31.

Families are invited to explore their school choice options, including their neighborhood school, before deciding whether to request a transfer.

General School Choice Information Sessions

Learn about 4J's school choice process and get answers to your questions at the following live virtual information sessions:

• Tuesday, January 9, 6-7 p.m. | English (Zoom link)
• Thursday, January 11, 12-1 p.m. | English (Zoom link)
• Thursday, January 11, 6-7 p.m. | Spanish (Zoom link)

School-Specific Information Sessions & Visits

Click here for the schedule of virtual and in-person school visits at every 4J school.
Contact the school in advance of the scheduled visit to request interpretation support

New year, new podcast episode! The newest episode of Super Insights, our podcast featuring Superintendent Andy Dey, dropped today, Thurs., Jan. 4. The new episode focuses on Talatou Maiga, our district's first-ever ombuds. He will discuss his background and the roles and responsibilities of his job helping individuals work through conflict.

The podcast gives listeners an in-depth look at the major programs, priorities and issues for our district. Submit your questions / topic suggestions for Superintendent Dey.

Under Oregon law, a parent or student age 18+ may opt out of Oregon’s annual statewide math and language arts assessments by filling out an annual opt-out form provided by the Oregon Department of Education. Exemptions from the English language proficiency or science tests may also be requested based on a student’s disability or religious beliefs. Opt-out/exemption requests are only valid for the school year in which they are completed.

• Sharing is Caring: Madison woodshop students make, donate toy airplanes to Toys for Tots during holiday season
  
• On Key: North Eugene sophomore and accordion virtuoso competes internationally with father
  
• World of Knowledge: All 4J students to receive free library cards through partnership with Eugene Public Library

Bus Aides • Bus Drivers • Food Service Assistants • Jewish Student Union Program Coordinator • Music Teacher • NATIVES Program Tutors • Plumber Specialist • School Counselor • School Secretary • Special Ed Educational Assistant • and more!

1/1–31 School Choice Request Period

1/9 School Choice Live Virtual Info Session (English)

1/11 School Choice Live Virtual Info Sessions (English & Spanish)

1/11 School Board Meeting

1/15 No School: Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday

2/1 No School: Grading Day

2/2 No School: Transition Day

2/7 School Board Meeting

2/19 No School: Presidents' Day

2/21 School Board Meeting

3/6 School Board Meeting

3/20 School Board Meeting

3/25–29 No School: Spring Break

• Contact a school
• Find the school calendar
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• Get help with technology issues
• Get school menus & nutrition
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