4J Parent News
April 2024, Volume 1
Colt Gill Appointed Interim Superintendent
Colt Gill is completing his first week as 4J's interim superintendent, following his unanimous appointment by the school board late last month.
A lifelong resident of Lane County, Colt Gill brings nearly three decades of experience in K-12 education to his new role, most recently as a director of the Oregon Department of Education. He served as superintendent for the Bethel School District for nearly a decade, after serving as an elementary school teacher, technology coordinator, school principal, director of curriculum and instruction, and assistant superintendent.
As 4J's interim superintendent, Mr. Gill will focus on laying a solid foundation for 4J’s future by supporting the school board in living its values; facilitating policy development; and, most critically, assisting in the hiring and on-boarding of the district’s next permanent superintendent, while ensuring students remain at the heart of all of 4J’s work together.
Mr. Gill is an alum of the University of Oregon, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1988, followed by a master’s degree in education policy and management in 1998.
Congratulations to Our Golden Apple Awards Nominees!
4J staff and volunteers make a difference in the lives of students every day, exemplified by the 191 outstanding employees and volunteers nominated by parents, students and colleagues for the 2024 Golden Apple Awards.
The full 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 posting or liking a comment. Congratulations to all our nominees!
4J Students Take Short Trip to the Stars
It’s one small step into the cosmos for 4J fifth and seventh graders, thanks to our new partnership with the Eugene Science Center.
Since January, Eugene Science Center educators have been visiting 4J elementary and middle schools to invite students into a portable planetarium for a show, followed by a second day of classroom activities. The planetarium show and classroom sessions for fifth graders focus on the stars, while seventh graders learn about the challenges of any future human exploration of inhospitable worlds, including Mars and Enceladus, one of Saturn’s largest moons.
In addition, 4J third graders have taken field trips to the center, located in Alton Baker Park, to check out its exhibit hall and take in a show at its planetarium. Students in all three grades receive free passes so they can return to the center with a family member or friend.
Thank you, Eugene Science Center, for helping our students learn about our fascinating universe and allowing them to reach toward the stars!
4J Parent News Honored for Excellence
Our district's parent e-newsletter — yes, the email you're now reading — was recently honored for excellence. The Oregon School Public Relations Association recognized our parent enews with an award of excellence for the 2023–24 school year at its annual conference held in Eugene last month.
The newsletter is produced by 4J's communications team and is typically sent to families every two weeks during the school year in both English and Spanish. Prior issues going back to 2020 can be found on our e-newsletter archive page. Comments and suggestions to improve the newsletter are welcome at information@4j.lane.edu. Thank you for your continued readership and support!
In The News
- Top Speed: South Eugene alum Maddy Elmore breaks 39-year-old UO record in women's 5,000-meter run.
- Gala Galore: Eugene Education Foundation's biggest fundraiser of the year raises more than $114,000 for 4J students.
- Unified Basketball: Churchill hosts South Eugene for final game of season next Thursday, April 11.
Join The Team, Apply for 4J Jobs
Bus Aides • Bus Drivers • Coaches • Educational Assistants • Elementary School Principals • High School Assistant Principals & Principals • Jewish Student Union Program Coordinator • Middle School Assistant Principals & Principals • Spanish Immersion Teacher • Speech & Language Specialist • Various Summer Positions • and more!