4J Educator
April 2024, Volume 2
Share Your Experiences as a Member of Team 4J!
Please complete and submit the secure and anonymous online employee feedback survey — the second and final survey for this school year. The survey gathers and compares insights to assess the current culture and morale across 4J's school buildings, district office, and other locations. District leaders will use this data in their efforts to provide an optimal working environment, supporting student success and advancing your career and life goals.
Look for an email, directly from Upbeat, a third-party vendor, with a link to the survey. The survey is open Monday, April 29—Friday, May 10. Thank you. Your feedback is important.
Apply Now for 2024-25 School Year Grant Cycle
You can apply online now for Eugene Education Foundation grants for the coming school year. The application deadline is Friday, May 3, at 11:59 p.m.
Individual grants of up to $5,000 are available for teachers and school staff. Districtwide programs can receive grants of up to $10,000. All 4J staff are invited to apply.
EEF grants fund projects and programs across our district that provide access to an equitable and excellent education, foster a sense of belonging, and provide opportunities for every child to reach their fullest potential. EEF will give priority to grant applications that expose children to a world of possibilities and spark a love of learning; cultivate skills for a diverse range of talents and dreams; and build strong foundations for learning success.
Golden Apple Awards & Retiree Celebration, May 30
The 2024 Golden Apple Awards celebration will be held on Thursday, May 30, at ... drumroll please ... Arts & Technology Academy!
Mark your calendar for the event, with a reception starting at 5:30 p.m., and the program beginning at 6 p.m. All are invited. There will be music, food and a great program to celebrate our 191 nominees recognized for educational excellence, announce winners in the numerous categories, and celebrate the careers and accomplishments of this year's 4J retirees.
The complete list of this year's nominees is available on the 4J website. Each nominee will be celebrated in short videos posted on 4J's Facebook and Instagram pages each week. Please take a moment after watching the short videos to share your appreciation for these nominees by liking or posting a comment.
Congratulations to all our nominees and retirees. We look forward to celebrating you on May 30!
Introducing 4J Community Transition Program
We are excited to announce that beginning this fall, the programs 4J offers to our 18-to-21-year-old students with disabilities—Connections and Community Living Program—will merge into one comprehensive program named 4J CTP (Community Transition Program). The primary location will be a centralized, accessible hub at the Lane Community College building in downtown Eugene. All the services and enrichment opportunities we provide students will continue with additional offerings.
4J CTP is the result of a collaborative visioning process over the winter involving input from staff, students, parents, administrators and state transition experts, and is in alignment with best practices. We are excited to offer an even more robust and inclusive program to our post-high school students with disabilities. As we get closer to the start of the school year, we will hold a meeting for families to learn more about how the new program will operate for their students.
Standard Response Protocol Refresher: LOCKDOWN
Our district employs the Standard Response Protocol as an important part of our emergency response procedures. The protocol comprises five key actions: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. Below are some important reminders regarding the Lockdown action. (The first two key actions, Hold and Secure, were featured in prior staff e-newsletters; the remaining two key actions will be featured in future editions.)
Lockdown! Locks, lights, and out of sight.
What to do?
Recover students from the hallway, if possible.
Ensure the door is shut and locked.
Relocate to be out of sight from any windows.
Turn off any lights and remind everyone to remain silent.
Prepare to evade and defend.
Do not open the door to anyone; law enforcement will unlock the door when it is safe to do so.
When to call a Lockdown?
A “Lockdown” is initiated when there is a threat or hazard inside the school building, such as parental custody disputes, intruders or active shooters. Any threat inside the building necessitates the activation of the Lockdown protocol.
Let's Race: Run the Miles On Memorial for Free
Our district is covering the registration fee for the first 400 4J employees who register for the Miles on Memorial runs on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, at Alton Baker Park. The event begins at 9 a.m. and includes 15K, 10K and 5K runs. All events will be chip-timed with common start and finish lines.
Enter code 4JMiles24 at checkout. This code may only be used for 4J employees. If you are interested in registering friends or family members, the fee is $30 per entry. Questions? Reach out to the benefits coordinator for your employee group.
New 4J School Websites Launch
Our new school websites, using the same platform at the district website, feature improved accessibility and functionality, responsive web design to allow for viewing on mobile devices, and a more modern and cohesive interface. The new schools websites are integrated with ParentSquare, our school-to-home communication tool.
We recognize that adjusting to the new website platform may come with its challenges, and we sincerely appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to improve school-to-family communications with a unified platform.
