4J Parent News

Information for parents and guardians from Eugene School District 4J
Un mensaje para los padres y guardianes del Distrito Escolar de Eugene 4J

• Communications Audit: Online survey first step in comprehensive review

• Budget Committee: Apply now to serve on volunteer committee

• Parent-Student Reunification: Video details 4J's procedures during an emergency

• Employee Spotlight: Meet Jason, behavior support assistant at ATA

• Work With 4J: Serve local youth and the community—apply for a 4J job today!
• Classified Contract: 4J, OSEA reach tentative agreement on three-year labor contract
• State Testing: Opt-out forms now available

• Upcoming Events: Day of the Dead Celebration, Youth Opioid Overdose Prevention

Superintendent Dey has identified timely communications and meaningful engagement with the 4J community as one of the top three priorities this school year. We are committed to strengthening communications with parents, staff and the community.

Recently, 4J communications department began work to conduct a comprehensive communications audit, at both the district and school levels, to assess what we're doing right and identify areas where we can improve.

We need your help! We'll be asking staff, families, and the community to fill out a short survey—an important first step in evaluating the district's communications. Next week, look on 4J Facebook/Instagram and for an email we'll be sending with a link to the questionnaire that should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Then, in January, we will be conducting focus groups to further define the future of district communications.

We're excited about this opportunity to hear from you, so you can better hear from us!

The district is now seeking applicants to fill two open seats on 4J's budget committee. The application deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 15.

The budget committee reviews annual budget proposals to ensure that the district is planning to spend money in furtherance of district goals. The budget committee has 14 members: the seven school board members and an equal number of citizen volunteers appointed by the board.

Applicants must be registered voters and live within the 4J boundaries. Applicants do not need to be parents; 4J employees are not eligible for appointment.

The two appointed members will serve through June 30, 2025. If appointees wish to serve longer, they may apply for reappointment after their term expires.

What is a parent-student reunification system, and how does it work? Watch how our schools—in partnership with Raptor (the district's volunteer and visitor management system) and the I Love U Guys Foundation—perform a parent-student reunification exercise.

Behavior Support Assistant at Arts & Technology Academy

"I have hope for children. I want to give hope and talk about hope every single day. There’s lot of possibilities, and the path will be different for all of us, so I want to help them persevere and get through both hard and good times."

You can too! JOIN TEAM EUGENE!

BEST After-School Program Site Coordinator • Bilingual Educational Assistants • Bus Aides • Bus Drivers • Educational Assistants • Equipment Operator • Evening Custodians • Food Service Assistants • Food Service Coordinators • NATIVES Program Tutors • Plumber Specialist • Registered Nurses • School Psychologists • Security Program Coordinator • Senior Groundskeepers • Special Ed Educational Assistants • Special Education Teachers • and more!

4J and the union representing the district's educational assistants, bus drivers, custodians, office staff, nutrition services workers and all other classified employees have reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year labor contract.

Under the new contract, 4J employees represented by the Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) will receive cost-of-living adjustments of 12% in the current school year, 6% in 2023–24, and 4% in 2024–25. A new minimum wage is set at $18/hour, and classified staff who work in a designated bilingual position also will receive an annual stipend of $750. Other benefits include an additional personal day and a boost in the employer contribution to health insurance premiums.

The contract will be sent to classified employees for a vote, and then to the school board for approval. More information is available on the 4J website.

Under Oregon law, a parent or adult student may opt out of Oregon’s statewide assessments of math and language arts by submitting a form provided each year by the Oregon Department of Education. Parents wishing to opt out must sign and return the form to their child’s school. Opt-out forms are only valid for the current school year.

Join us for a fun Day of the Dead celebration featuring art workshops for kids, music, art displays and food for purchase. The first 100 families in attendance will receive a free loaf of Day of the Dead bread.

Día de los Muertos Celebration
Friday, Nov. 4, 6–8:30 p.m.

North Eugene High School

200 Silver Lane

This free event for 4J families is sponsored by 4J's Welcome Center and Department of Equity, Inclusion and Instruction.

Parents and youth are invited to attend this important event. Presenters will provide education and resources to help parents and youth feel confident preventing accidental overdose.

Youth Accidental Overdose Prevention
Thursday, Nov. 17, 5:45–7:30 p.m.

Straub Hall, University of Oregon

Virtual options available

This event is presented by the Center on Parenting and Opioids, which is working to raise awareness and improve the lives of parents and children impacted by opioid use, in collaboration with Lane County Public Health and community partners.

11/23 Community Audit Survey Responses Due

11/24–25 No School: Thanksgiving Break

12/1 No School (Middle & High Only): Grading

12/2 No School: Staff Workload Relief Day

12/7 School Board Meeting

12/14 School Board Meeting

12/19–1/2 No School: Winter Break

1/3 No School: Planning/Professional Development

1/4 Classes Resume

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