4J Educator

Information for Eugene School District 4J employees

• Employee Survey: Let us know about your building's culture and morale starting next week

• Advisory Committees: Add your voice and discuss important issues with Superintendent Dey

• Grant Funding: Eugene Education Foundation accepting applications for projects, programs

• ParentSquare: Training opportunities and resource for new school-to-home ccommunications

• Zimbra Issues: Technology staff working to resolve issues with email system

• Flu Clinics: Three opportunities to get your shot at no cost this month

• Cold Season: Exhibiting these symptoms? Then please stay home from work

• Walking Challenge: It's back! Sign up now for first team challenge of the new school year

• Gym Benefit: All 4J employees, spouses eligible for low rate at area gyms

• Super Insights: Listen to the latest episode of our new podcast about new North Eugene

• Upcoming Celebrations: Fundraising runs, new North Eugene open house coming next week

• The Water Cooler: Check out the latest district-level newsletters

You are encouraged to complete and submit an anonymous online employee feedback survey — the first of two to be conducted this school year — as district leaders are committed to more regularly checking in and hearing from you. Look for an email, directly from Upbeat, with a link to the survey, which runs from October 9–20.

The aim of the survey, which will be repeated in the spring, is to collect your insights to help gauge the current culture and morale in 4J's school buildings, district office and other locations. We are committed to creating the best possible working environment both to support student success and to ensure your work is meaningful and propels you forward in accomplishing your career and life goals.

This is the second year of the survey managed by Upbeat, a third-party vendor, and all information shared is completely secure and anonymous.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Apply now to serve on advisory committees being convened by Superintendent Andy Dey to hear from classified and licensed employees.

One of his priorities is to keep an open line of dialogue with you throughout the year to hear what’s working and what needs to be improved in our buildings. The aim of the committees is to hear your comments, suggestions and questions as well as collaboratively process challenges as they arise.

The committees will provide venues for an open and honest conversation so we can work together to continue to provide exceptional educational experiences for our students in a work environment that promotes professionalism and a sense of supportive belonging among staff.

The deadline for 4J educators to apply for grants provided by the Eugene Education Foundation is a week away.

The application period for the 2023–24 school year closes Friday, October 13. Please note that the foundation will revert back to a spring grant cycle, so it will accept applications for the 2024–25 school year this spring. Please plan your requests accordingly.

Every year, the foundation awards grants for school- and district-level projects and programs that provide access to an equitable and excellent education, foster a sense of belonging, and provide opportunities for every child to reach their greatest potential. Individual grants are available up to $5,000 for teachers/school staff and up to $10,000 for districtwide programs.

To learn about this year's funding priorities and/or apply, visit EEF's website.

Our district continues to roll out ParentSquare, a new unified school-to-home communications platform.

ParentSquare is receiving daily updates from our student information system, and teachers recently gained access to their class lists. Parents still will receive teacher communication regardless if they've registered their account.

School secretaries will receive training on the platform during their quarterly meeting on Friday, October 13, at Churchill High School. School principals will receive training on the platform at their next Nuts & Bolts meeting in November.

The interface isn't significantly different from social media feeds and online messaging that we routinely use on Facebook, Slack and Google Chat, as examples. Our technology staff has compiled various videos and other training resources to help familiarize yourself with the system:

Teacher Guide

Admin Guide

Zimbra has had a case of the ZZZs, and our technology staff is working with our vendor to fix it.

The email system currently is being upgraded to support enhanced security controls, including to test out multi-factor authentication, which is contributing or causing the log-in and performance issues.

Our technology staff is working with our vendor to identify and solve the issues. However, that is proving challenging given the heavy demand the email system is under throughout the day.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to remedy these issues as soon as possible.

District employees and their eligible dependents can receive flu shots at no cost during three clinics to be held later this month at the Ed Center, 200 N. Monroe St.

The clinics will be held from 3–6 p.m. in the Tower Room, located on the south end of the district office, on the following dates:

• Tuesday, October 17
• Wednesday, October 18
• Thursday, October 19

Please note: You must complete the consent form prior to arrival. The consent form was attached to a recent email your benefits coordinator sent announcing the clinics. Be sure to include your insurance information on the form, even if you are not insured through 4J.

Eligible for the clinics are active employees, eligible dependents of active employees, all retirees and their dependents currently covered on 4J insurance, and student teachers and substitutes.

Questions? Refer to the email you received announcing the flu clinics, or contact the benefits coordinator for your employee group.

Cold and flu season is upon us once again. Employees should not come to work if they are ill or exhibit the following symptoms: fever (at least 100.4° F orally); persistent cough; difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; vomiting; diarrhea; headache with stiff neck and fever; skin rashes or sores; behavior change; jaundice (yellowing of skin); and eye redness and drainage.

More information about what you should look out for and when it is OK to return to work is available here.

New school year, tougher team challenge! 4J's benefits department is kicking off its first group movement challenge of the new year starting Sunday, Oct. 8, through 4J's Walker Tracker program.

Grab your co-workers and have your team join the "Spooky USA" challenge in the Walker Tracker app. Once you're in the app, find your school or department and join. Make sure that everyone on the team is logging their steps and activities throughout the challenge. This challenge, which runs through October 14, is for all employee groups so make sure your teachers and administrators join the team.

The goal is for each individual on a team is to reach 59,500 steps (or 8,500 each day). Three teams also can win a $300 grant they can use for a wellness initiative. How does a team win, you ask:

1. Sign up the most new members on your team
2. Post the most pictures to the Walker Tracker app dashboard
3. Walk the most steps

The walking challenge program is funded by a Oregon Education Association wellness grant. Good luck, teams!

All 4J employees can now take advantage of discounted gym memberships through the district's new partnership with Active&Fit Direct.

Active&Fit Direct members pay $28 a month for a gym membership without having to sign a long-term contract. Spouses of members also are eligible for the same monthly price. The benefit remains available to employees covered by Kaiser and Moda insurance plans offered through 4J.

To access the benefit, visit this webpage and log in using your 4J email address. The webpage also has information about other 4J wellness initiatives, including yoga, Walker Tracker challenges and wellness webinars. If you need assistance, reach out to the benefits coordinator for your employee group.

The fourth episode of Super Insights, our podcast featuring Superintendent Andy Dey, dropped this week.

The podcast gives listeners an in-depth look at the major programs, priorities and issues for our district. The new episode focuses on the new North Eugene High School building and its state-of-the-art features to support student learning.

You can find this and prior episodes by clicking the link below. Happy listening!

• North Eugene High School Open House | Tuesday, October 10, 6:30–8 p.m.

Join us at 250 Silver Lane as we celebrate the grand opening of the new North Eugene High School building, the first traditional high school built in the Eugene-Springfield area in more than a half-century. There will be self-guided tours, light refreshments, speeches and, of course, a ribbon-cutting. We can't wait to see you there.

• EEF's 2nd Annual 5K for 4J & Fun Run, Roll & Stroll | Saturday, October 14, starting at 9 a.m.

Get ready for the Eugene Education Foundation's second annual 5K for 4J and Fun Run, Roll & Stroll in support of 4J’s students. All ages are welcome to this community event at Alton Baker Park, which coincides with the annular eclipse. Proceeds will be distributed as classroom grants to benefit the the academic learning and social growth of 4J students. Register now

District-level newsletters:

• NEW! Eco Experience with Eco Chick (eco tips and more)
• NEW! Student Services Department Newsletter
• EdTech (technology tips, teaching strategies and more)
  
• Hadley Herald (tech tips for 4J educators)
• Equity Extra
• The Library Lowdown

If you would like your newsletter in The Water Cooler, please add information@4j.lane.edu to your subscription list.

10/10 North Eugene High School Open House

10/13 No School: Professional Development

10/14 5K for 4J & Fun Run, Roll & Stroll

10/18 School Board Meeting

11/1 School Board Meeting

11/9 No School: Grading Day

11/10 No School: Veterans Day (Observed)

11/15 School Board Meeting

11/20–22 No School: Parent-Teacher Conferences

11/23–24 No School: Thanksgiving Break