4J Parent News

Information for Eugene School District 4J parents and guardians

• Suicide Prevention: Many resources available for students, families

• Math Curriculum: Share your thoughts about your student's experience with math instruction

• Science Sequence: All 4J high schoolers soon will have access to advanced classes

• Battle-Tested: Four 4J teams advance to Oregon Battle of Books state tournament next month

• Kindergarten Orientation: Get a running start as your child readies for their first school year

• Golden Apple Awards: Celebrate excellence! Nominate a staff member or volunteer in March

• Phishing Schemes: Here's some tips to help ensure you don't get reeled in by fake emails

• District Transfers: Non-4J residents can apply in March to enroll in schools in our district

• Super insights: Learn more about the Eugene Education Foundation, its work

• Upcoming Events: Attend EEF's annual gala, second annual Strength in Neurodivergence Festival

• School News: AVID learners, excellent educators, voracious readers, and more!

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

As we head into spring, a season when the number of suicides typically increases, the mental health and well-being of our students and the prevention of youth suicide is a top priority. 4J staff has been working with our various partners to share information, develop services and provide resources for students, staff and families. Here are a few resources, with more available by clicking the green bar below.

Care Solace: Our district has partnered with Care Solace to support the mental health of the 4J community. If you or a family member are looking for help with your mental health or with substance use, you can use Care Solace to anonymously find community therapists or treatment programs matched to your needs, regardless of circumstances. Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language or visit caresolace.com/eugene.

Resources in our community: Student Mental Health Resources | Lane County Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources

Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of those who have died by suicide, and with our entire school community impacted by their loss. We are thankful for our partners who work to strengthen networks of support for students, staff and families today, tomorrow and into the future.

Our district is adopting a new math curriculum for grades K–10. We are gathering information from a variety of stakeholders to help inform our next steps and future planning. Toward that end, we want to hear from parents and guardians about their experiences related to math instruction in 4J, and their hopes for their student as it relates to the subject. We encourage you to fill out this short online survey to include your voice in this important process.

Starting this fall, our district will have a new course sequence for high school science.

This new sequence will establish a rigorous offering of classes to enable all students equitable access to advanced science courses. It also ensures that students can meet the science requirements of most post-secondary institutions more quickly, or within the three years required to earn a high school diploma.

4J staff shared details of the new sequence and its advantages during a virtual presentation on February 29. You can find a recording of that session at this link. More information is also included in this one-pager. If you still have questions, visit tinyurl.com/4jsciencequestions and send in your questions; a team member will get back to you.

Congratulations to our four Oregon Battle of the Books teams who had a strong showing during last weekend's regional tournament for local elementary and middle schools, advancing to the state tourney. The high school regional tournament, where teams from Churchill and North Eugene high schools will be competing, occurs this Saturday, March 16, at North Eugene.

FIRST PLACE: Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School's team won the 53-school elementary school division (grades 3–5) with fifth-grade team members Florence Ching, Nolan Fenley, Shaurya Narreddy, Luca Ritchie and Elle Svejcar.

FIRST PLACE: Roosevelt Middle School's team won the 24-school middle school division (grades 6–8) with sixth-grade team members Indu Carden, Eloise Madden, Greta Madden, and Melody Proudfoot.

SECOND PLACE: Kennedy Middle School's team placed second with team members Iris Kimball (7th), Delia Sweeney (7th), Jaylee Veal (8th), Miriam Wohlers (8th), and Catie Zacks (8th).

THIRD PLACE: Edgewood Elementary School's team finished third with fifth-grade team members Ava Alexander, Sibley Cates, Dantong Chen, Summer Kofranek and Kate Stieber.

Congratulations again to these brilliant bookworms and best of luck at next month's state tournament! The 2024–25 reading list is now available; contact the classroom teacher or school if your student is interested in joining or forming a team next year.

Let’s get to know each other! If your child will turn 5 on or before September 1, it's time to register for kindergarten. Registering now will help your child and their school best prepare for the fall.

Mark your calendar and join us for your school’s kindergarten orientation event before spring break. You'll learn about your school's kindergarten program and enrollment process, meet teachers and staff, and have an opportunity to ask questions. We look forward to seeing you!

Nominations for the Golden Apple Awards, our refreshed employee and volunteer recognition program for 4J, are now being accepted through Sunday, March 31. Formerly known as ACE, the Golden Apple Awards continue to honor the outstanding contributions of our educators and volunteers with added features to make our celebration even more special. Learn more about what's new, including our new 4J Spotlight Award: 4j.lane.edu/goldenapple.

SAVE THE DATE: Join us to celebrate all our nominees and winners at the Golden Apple Awards on Thursday, May 30, at 5 p.m., with the location to be announced. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact 4J Communications at info@4j.lane.edu.

We have seen a recent spike in phishing schemes sent to 4J email accounts – both students and staff. The emails attempt to gain your sensitive personal or financial information for nefarious purposes.

Here are some reminders to help ensure you don't get reeled in:

• If something feels off about an email or message, it probably is. Watch out for those asking for your personal or financial information.
  
• Before you click on any links or download documents, make sure the message is from someone you trust. If you're unsure, contact the individual or organization in a new message or phone call.
• If you suspect an email purporting to be from a 4J account is fake, DON'T click on a link, download anything, or provide any information. Immediately reach out to the 4J technology help desk at 541-790-7777 or 4jdesktop@4j.lane.edu.

Families who live outside of our school district may request a transfer to attend a 4J school. If you have moved out of the district during the school year or want to enroll a sibling of a current transfer student, you'll need to request a transfer to attend a 4J school. The deadline to be included in the interdistrict transfer lottery for the 2024–25 school year is Sunday, March 31. Transfers will be offered in an order determined by lottery, pending release from the student's district of residence.

The newest episode of Super Insights, our podcast featuring Superintendent Andy Dey, is now ready for your listening pleasure. Our superintendent interviews Nancy Buffum, executive director of the Eugene Education Foundation, who talks about the foundation's work directly supporting 4J students and staff and its upcoming gala, its biggest fundraiser of the year (see below for more information).

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.

Let's help Eugene Education Foundation continue to support 4J students! Join us at EEF's Annual Gala on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 5:30—8 p.m. at the Ford Alumni Center. Online ticket sales are now closed, but you can still reserve your seat by emailing eef@eeflane.org

The foundation's biggest fundraiser of the year features a live auction and keynote address by Dr. Laura Lee McIntyre, dean of the University of Oregon's College of Education. Craig Smith, who served on 4J's school board and EEF's board of directors, is being honored for his many years of community service. There will be a live auction with exciting packages to bid on.

This year, EEF funded 55 teacher and staff-requested grants totaling $148,171 to purchase learning materials for 4J students. Thanks to EEF and generous community donors, our students have botany sets, garden supplies, xylophones, drumming sets, a printmaking studio, adapted tricycles, and lots more books!

• 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. ASL and Spanish interpretation will be provided.

• Making a Difference: Four of 4J's Black educators talk about inspiring their students to excel academically, find their voice
• AVID Learners: Students from more than a dozen 4J schools showcase their skills learned from college and career readiness program
• Taking the Pulse: Churchill students took time to teach younger peers about healthcare occupations at Kennedy Middle School
• Buddy System: Holt students use the buddy system and a seriously long hallway to celebrate Read Across America
  

Assistant Middle School Principals • Bus Aides • Bus Drivers • Coaches • Educational Assistants • Elementary School Principals • Equipment Operator • French Immersion Teacher • High School Principals • Japanese Immersion Teacher • Jewish Student Union Program Coordinator • Middle School Principals • NATIVES Program Tutors • Plumber Specialist • Program Coordinator Assistant • School Psychologist • School Psychologist Intern • Special Education Teachers • Special Ed Educational Assistants • and more!

3/1-31 Golden Apple Awards Nomination Period
3/1-31 Out-of-District Transfer Requests Accepted
3/6-21 Kindergarten Orientation

3/25–29 No School: Spring Break

4/1 No School: Professional Development/Planning

4/12 No School: Mid-Term Grading Day

4/3 School Board Meeting

4/17 School Board Meeting

5/1 School Board Meeting

5/15 School Board Meeting

5/27 No School: Memorial Day

5/30 Golden Apple Awards Celebration

6/5 School Board Meeting

6/7 No School: Grading Day, Elementary School Only

6/14 School Make-Up Day; Last Day of School

6/19 School Board Meeting

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