4J Parent News

Information for Eugene School District 4J parents and guardians

• School Calendar: Classes would begin after Labor Day under revised 2023–24 calendar proposal

• Integrated Guidance: Help us identify the best strategies for student success

• Suicide Prevention: Parents can learn about warning signs, resources at March 7 event

• ACE Awards: Nominate your champion in education starting March 1

• School Board Goals: Increasing engagement, equity among top priorities for school year

• In the News: The top stories from 4J schools

• Employee Spotlight: Meet Michael, a 4J bus driver who values connections with students

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

You spoke. We listened. And based on your ample feedback, the district has made some changes to the proposed 2023–24 school calendar.

First and foremost, the revised calendar proposal sets the start of school after Labor Day weekend, returning to our traditional start date. Classes would start for kindergartners and grades 6 and 9 on Wednesday, September 6. Students in all other grades would start school the following day, Thursday, September 7. The final 2023–24 calendar will be announced before spring break.

The district is committed to more meaningful engagement with our 4J families and staff and considering their feedback before making major decisions. The revisions are the direct result of the nearly 700 comments we received! Please take a few moments to review the new calendar proposal and share your thoughts here.

Thank you for your input and continued support of 4J. We are listening!

Eugene School District 4J is seeking your help as it drafts a comprehensive plan that spells out how the district will unify, innovate and improve six major programs funded by state and federal dollars. Guiding that work is the Three Big Rocks, the trio of major priorities identified by Superintendent Andy Dey and the school board.

As both the state planning effort, known as Integrated Guidance, and the Three Big Rocks share many similarities, the district has identified three main outcomes it wants to achieve from this work: Engaged Community, Equity Advanced and Well-Rounded Education.

The district has outlined various proposed strategies to help achieve each of these outcomes. We want to hear which of those strategies you believe will have the greatest impact on ensuring student success. There are many important strategies and limited funding available so we appreciate your help in prioritizing strategies that wisely invest those dollars in helping the greatest number of students. Please take a moment to learn more about each outcome and review the list of strategies for each of them at the following links. We look forward to reviewing the comments and suggestions you provide.

• Engaged Community
• Equity Advanced
• Well-Rounded Education

More information can be founded on the 4J website. Thank you for your time and input!

Eugene School District 4J is hosting a parent education session on youth suicide prevention on Tuesday, March 7.

Parent Information Session: Youth Suicide Prevention

Roosevelt Middle School library, 500 E. 24th Ave., Eugene

Tuesday, March 7, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Livestream available

Parents and family members will learn how to talk to their child about suicide, what warning signs to look out for and where to go for help. Hear from Dr. Kerry Frazee, 4J’s prevention services administrator; Angi Meyer, 4J’s suicide prevention specialist; and Maryanne Mueller and Lauren Hval, family therapists at Oregon Healing Collective.

This is the latest in a series of community events the district has planned to address youth mental health and suicide prevention.

Who's Your Champion in Education? 4J is accepting nominations for the 2023 ACE Awards starting on March 1.

Nominating a valued educator for the ACE Awards is a wonderful way to honor the incredible talent and dedication of our amazing teachers, classified staff, administrators and volunteers. The nomination form will open on March 1.

We're thrilled to announce that the 2023 ACE Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 4, 5–7 p.m., at South Eugene High School—the first in-person celebration since 2019!

Every nominee will be recognized, and one nominee in each category will be named ACE Champion and receive a $250 grant for a school or program of their choosing from Eugene Education Foundation. One nominee also may be recognized with a special lifetime achievement award.

The Eugene School Board unanimously approved its board goals for the current school year at its regular meeting on Wednesday, February 15. The board goals are the major priorities that the elected board will focus on. They are:

1. Increase quality engagement between all involved with 4J

4. Cultivate wellness and belonging for students and staff

5. Engage in board development

6. Finalize a long-term plan for the current North Eugene High School building, and the Kelly Middle School and Yujin Gakuen Elementary School programs that ensures the viability and success of each program

7. Work to stabilize the 4J budget to reduce dependency on reserves, including consideration of appropriate reserve target

At or before the final board meeting of the school year, the superintendent and/or board chair will provide a progress report on these goals.

• 4J Students Build for the Future

• Mathmagician! Meet 9-year-old Math Wizard

• Artist-in-Residence Delights Students at Adams Elementary School
• Student Serves as Roosevelt Middle School Principal for the Day!
• Profile: Award-Winning Romance Novelist, 4J Teacher Anna Grace

• Renowned Taiko Drummer Visits Yujin Gakuen Elementary School

• Dr. Dey & Other Supts Discuss Learning During the Pandemic

• Meet 4J's Future First Citizen Nominees & Winner, Sofia Huaracha of North Eugene HS

4J Bus Driver

“I want to show up every day as an adult who is going to help them with boundaries
and their self-esteem and also to help them figure out what they’re going through.
It’s a nice way to show up for the future that we want to see.
It’s right here. We’re molding it every single day.”

JOIN TEAM EUGENE!

Assistant Principal & Athletic Director • Bus Aides • Bus Drivers • Business Information Systems Analyst • Classification & Compensation Specialist • Construction Project Manager • Counselor • CTE Technology Teacher • Database Administrator • Educational Assistants • Financial Management Analyst • Fleet Mechanic • Food Service Coordinators • General Education Teachers • Head Track Coach • Head Varsity Football Coach • HVAC Refrigeration Technician • Japanese Teacher • Mental Health Specialist • Middle School Track Coaches • Physical Education Teacher • Plumber Specialist • Registered Nurses • Safety Specialist • School Psychologist • Special Ed Educational Assistants • and more!

2/20 No School: Presidents Day

3/1 ACE Awards Nominations Open

3/1 School Board Meeting

3/15 School Board Meeting

3/16 No School: Middle & High Only (Grading Day)

3/17 No School: Staff Workload Relief Day

3/20 Budget Committee Meeting

3/27–31 No School: Spring Break

4/3 No School: Professional Development/Planning Day

4/17 Budget Committee Meeting

4/19 School Board Meeting

5/3 School Board Meeting

5/4 ACE Awards Celebration

5/5 No School: Middle & High Only (Progress Reports/Professional Development)

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