4J Parent News
May 2023, Volume 1
Join Us Today for North Eugene Building Farewell
Join us from 5–9 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, to walk the halls and say goodbye to the building where 4J students and staff have learned, worked and connected since 1957.
Take a trip back in time by visiting classrooms decked out in each decade of NEHS's history (see event map) so visitors can connect with fellow alumni and share stories. Concessions, stickers and commemorative T-shirts also will be sold at the event.
An assembly at 6:30 p.m. will feature the pep band, cheer and dance teams, and bagpipers. At 7:30 p.m., the drama department will host a special alumni night for their spring production of The Addams Family. You can learn more and buy tickets here.
The new, state-of-the-art North Eugene High School building, located next door to the old high school building, will open this fall. Look for information to come about a grand opening this fall.
Honoring Our Teachers and School Nurses
Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week and National School Nurse Week!
Here at 4J, we'd like to take the opportunity to honor the 1,074 teachers, school nurses, counselors, school psychologists, and more. They deserve our appreciation every day of the year for the incredible work they do.
In his message of appreciation sent to all 4J employees, Superintendent Andy Dey thanked teachers and school nurses for "being a ray of light for every child."
"Connecting with, caring for, encouraging, supporting, educating and inspiring our students on a daily basis is big work," he wrote.
Thank you, teachers and school nurses, for all you do for every child, every day!
High School Schedule Updates
Our district has made some changes to the new high school schedule coming this fall. The most notable change is that students will attend all eight of their classes during shorter, 30-minute periods on Wednesday, the "C" day that also falls on the new early-release day, rather than on Monday, as originally envisioned. Students will attend the first four of their classes during longer, 90-minute periods on Monday and Thursday ("A" days) and the other four, 90-minute classes on Tuesday and Friday ("B" days).
The goal is to have a uniform schedule on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday to reduce confusion for students and teachers. Additionally, the revised schedule provides a slightly longer lunch to accommodate students who are spending time with their affinity groups.
In December, following several months of work and and input from parents, students and educators, district leadership selected the new high school schedule. A group then convened to work though the major facets of the schedule change, which were approved in March. The revisions followed a listening session with 4J educators late last month and also in response to additional input.
Fentanyl Awareness: Know About the Dangers
One pill can be deadly. Prevention experts urge parents to talk to your kids about prescription drug use, the potentially deadly risk they pose, and know how to respond to a possible overdose.
Of particular concern is fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is driving an epidemic of overdose deaths across the nation, including in Oregon and Lane County. Fentanyl is often contained in mass-produced counterfeit pills made to look like prescription medications (such as Xanax, Adderall, or opioids like Oxycontin or Vicodin), or mixed in with illicit drugs. It's vitally important for young people and adults to know that fake prescription pills are out there, and one pill could cost them their lives.
High School Summer Intensives Coming
Let’s continue the learning! 4J’s popular summer intensive program provides students entering grades 9–12 an opportunity to extend their learning into the summer months. Course offerings reflect the curiosities and passions of both students and teachers.
The course catalog will be available and registration open on Monday, May 15 on 4J's website.
• Welcome to Kindergarten celebration on Friday, May 19, 5–7 p.m. at River Road/El Camino Del Río Elementary School, 120 W. Hillard Lane. Come meet other families, enjoy outdoor activities, crafts, games and storytelling, and complete the enrollment packet. There will be prize drawings and much more. We look forward to seeing you there!
• Kids In Transition to School (KITS) summer camp is a no-cost, fun, engaging, evidence-based school readiness program that builds children’s academic, self-regulation, and social skills, plus helps parents develop positive strategies to support learning at home and school. The two-hour classes will be held Tues—Thurs from June 27–August 17 at three 4J locations. Learn more & apply: bit.ly/40aooBJ
👀 IN THE NEWS
• Stay Alert: As weather warms, please be vigilant while driving for kids walking, riding to and from school
• Photo dump: 2023 ACE Awards Celebration—It's a wrap!
• Quick Look: Highlighting the 4J student-athletes to track this month as another season of high school athletics races to the finish line
• Walkin' & Rollin': Students from a record number of schools headed to school by foot and two wheels during national event on May 3
• Joining Forces: UO bioengineers volunteer to help 4J students foster a love of science during Star Wars-themed May 4 visit
Join The Team, Apply for 4J Jobs
Assistant Principals • Bilingual Teacher • Bus Aides • Bus Drivers • Director of Human Resources • Educational Assistants • Equipment Operator • Food Service Coordinators • General Laborers • Groundskeepers • Principals • School Psychologist • Teachers • Transportation Manager • Warehouse Operations Assistant • and more
