4J Educator
February 2024, Volume 2
Information About Work Make-Up Days
Thank you for your patience as we worked through how classified and MAPS employees will make up work days lost during last month's ice storm. The storm shut down operations for most 4J employees from Jan. 16–18. Please review the document at the link here. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Human Resources with any questions you have. We appreciate your continued understanding and support.
Apply for Summer Jobs Starting Next Week
It's not too early to start thinking about summer job opportunities, such as supporting incoming kindergarteners, students receiving special education, and other summer learning and enrichment programs.
Current classified and licensed employees can apply for these positions starting next week using a streamlined process. For K-8 programs, all you have to do to apply is complete a Google Form; the link to the form will be sent via email next week. Detailed job descriptions and additional instructions can be found here.
Summer will be here before you know it. We appreciate your consideration in joining one of our programs to help students during the long break. Questions? Email seal@4j.lane.edu.
Rollout of Email Security Upgrade Expands Next Month
Our technology department will expand the rollout of multi-factor authentication, a multi-step account login process, for our Zimbra email system the week of March 11.
Employees are encouraged to review the instructions attached to the email when they receive it to ensure a seamless email experience, minimizing any potential disruptions.
A one-time reminder email will be sent out the day before your activation date to keep you informed. Employees not using a mobile device for authentication will need to request a FOB (physical multi-factor authentication key). Details on how to request one will be provided in the email.
4J Employee Appointed to State Board
Kudos to Sally Duerfeldt, 4J's classified benefits coordinator, who has been confirmed by state senators as the first classified member of the Oregon Educators Benefit Board.
Sally was selected among the tens of thousands of classified workers across the state to be nominated for this position, created under a new law that seeks to ensure classified workers have a seat on several state educational boards, including OEBB. She is well-versed in educator benefits and, in this new role, is looking to expand support to classified and licensed educators across the state.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to go beyond what I’m capable of doing now in my current role and to have a platform to make further improvements to classified benefits and wellness resources,” she told the Oregon School Employees Association.
Congratulations, Sally, we're so proud!
Showing Our School Front Offices Some Love
At 4J, we ❤️ the front office employees at each of our schools.
On Valentine's Day, district office staff delivered a small token of appreciation — a note of thanks accompanied by a delicious cookie — to recognize the vital role our secretaries, registrars, office assistants and others play in supporting our students and staff each and every day. You are the heart of our buildings. Thank you for all you do!
Catch the 4J Budget Roadshow!
Superintendent Andy Dey and Finance Director Matt Brown are on the road again to present information to staff on our district's budget process.
The 30-45-minute presentation is intended to provide you with a high-level review of the ins and outs of our budget and how it's prepared and adopted each year. Attendance is optional. All presentations begin after school (around 3:45 p.m.).
Attend the session that works best for you. If this is outside your normal work hours, let your supervisor know if you'd like to arrange for trade time.
Remaining presentations:
• Tuesday, February 20 — Roosevelt
• Tuesday, February 27 — Spencer Butte
Note: The presentations at Cal Young and Madison that were postponed will be rescheduled. We'll announce those dates once they're finalized.
There will be time for questions after each presentation. We look forward to seeing you there!
Super Insights: New Podcast Episode Available
The newest episode of Super Insights, our podcast featuring Superintendent Andy Dey, is now ready for your listening pleasure. The newest episode focuses on the partnership between 4J and the University of Oregon College of Education to provide valuable training to our educational assistants.
Super Insights podcast gives listeners an in-depth look at the major programs, priorities and issues for our district. Happy listening! Submit your questions / topic suggestions for Superintendent Dey.
- This year, Unified Basketball game nights will take place at all our high schools: Churchill at North Eugene, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 5:30–6:30 p.m.; Sheldon at South Eugene, Tuesday, Feb. 29, 5:30–6:30 p.m.; North Eugene at Sheldon, Friday, March 8, 6–7 p.m.; and South Eugene at Churchill, Thursday, April 11, 6:30–7:30 p.m. The game joins athletes (students with developmental and intellectual disabilities) with partners (students who are neurotypical) for an evening of competition, teamwork and sportsmanship. Admission is free. Let's cheer on our student-athletes!
- Our district will offer three free showings of "The R-Word," a documentary film that explores the history of the word in making the case about why the conversation surrounding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities needs to change. The showings are open to the public: Thursday, Feb. 22, 5–7 p.m., Madison Middle School, 875 Wilkes Dr.; Thursday, Feb. 29, 5–7 p.m., Sheldon High School, 2455 Willakenzie Road; and Thursday, March 7, 6–8 p.m., Broadway Metro Cinema, 888 Willamette St. in downtown Eugene.
- SAVE THE DATE! The second annual Strength in Neurodivergence Festival will be held on Friday, March 15, from 5–8 p.m., at Sheldon High School, 2455 Willakenzie Road. Students and families can celebrate neurodivergence, connect to community resources, and enjoy fun activities, music and food. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Let's Race: Run Miles On Memorial for Free
Make sure to enter code 4JMiles24 at checkout. This code may only be used for 4J employees. Sign up soon as our district is covering the cost of up to 400 individual race entries. If you are interested in registering friends or family members, the fee is $30 per entry.
