4J Parent News

Information for parents and guardians from Eugene School District 4J

• Winter Weather: Learn about school or bus route changes due to snow or ice

• Classified Contract: District, OSEA finalize new three-year labor agreement

• Communications Survey: Complete short survey on district, school messages by Wed., Nov. 23

• Honoring an Icon: Hundreds of 4J students participate in event to celebrate Ruby Bridges

• Employee Spotlight: Meet Campbell, day shift custodian at South Eugene High School

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

The weather is mild right now, but winter is coming. There are several ways to find out when hazardous weather conditions close or delay schools or alter bus routes.

How to find out if there is a change:

• Receive text message from the district (if you are not currently receiving occasional text messages with important information from 4J, learn how)
• Check the district website, www.4j.lane.edu
• Follow 4J social media: Facebook, Twitter @4Jweather & @4Jschools
• Tune in to local radio and television news stations
  
  

No News = No Change. School closures and other changes are decided early in the morning and announced by all of these methods before 6:30 a.m. If schools and buses are on their regular schedules, there will NOT be an announcement.

The school board unanimously approved a new three-year contract for the district's classified employees that sets a historic $18 per hour minimum wage, hours after members of OSEA Eugene Chapter 1 overwhelmingly voted to ratify the agreement.

"By approving this contract, 4J shows it is listening to and valuing all staff," said Sheila Waggoner, OSEA Chapter 1 President.

In addition to establishing a $18/hr minimum wage, the contract provides salary, insurance and paid time off increases for every classified employee.

The new labor agreement covers the district's 1,018 classified employees who support district and school operations, including educational assistants, custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, attendance clerks and food service workers.

Families have until Wednesday, Nov. 23, to complete a short, anonymous survey aimed at improving district and school communications. 4J Family Survey: English | Spanish

The district has begun a comprehensive communications audit to evaluate and improve how they provide information and engage with families, staff and the community. The district is working with an independent auditor to conduct the assessment. As a first step, the district is asking 4J families, staff and community members to share their feedback via a brief online survey.

THURS. NOV. 17: The free Youth Accidental Overdose Prevention event is tonight! This event provides education and resources to help Lane County parents/caregivers and teens feel confident preventing accidental overdose.

• 5:45 p.m.: Community tabling

• 6:15 p.m.: Info sessions for parents (English & Spanish) and youth

Location: Straub Hall, University of Oregon

Learn more & register: cpo.uoregon.edu. Pre-registration is not required.

Hundreds of 4J students, staff and families across the district participated in the second annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Monday, Nov. 14, honoring the civil rights icon who at age 6 was the first Black student to integrate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans on that day in 1960.

In the North region, about 100 students, staff and community members met in the early morning to hear students speak about Ruby Bridges' legacy before walking to North Eugene High School in honor of her courage. The high school's Black Student Union members organized the event to call for equity and justice.

"We have so much amazing, beautiful diversity in our schools today, and we thank Ruby Bridges for that," said Raia Solomon-Burt, a sophomore and member of North Eugene High School Black Student Union.

Other 4J schools participated in walks honoring Ruby Bridges, including those organized by Lane County African American Black Student Success, Lane Education Service District, and Eugene-Springfield Safe Routes to School.

Day Shift Custodian at South Eugene High School

“I keep the place clean, and I like seeing stuff getting done. One example is waxing the floors over the summer. You take the floors that have been walked on and scuffed up all year, and at the end of the summer they’re pristine, they look really good. That gives me a lot of satisfaction.”

You can be too! JOIN TEAM EUGENE!

Athletic Trainer • Bus Aides • Bus Drivers • Case Manager Assistant • Coaches: Girls & Boys Basketball, Wrestling • Educational Assistants • Equipment Operator • Evening Custodians • Food Service Assistants • Food Service Coordinator • Math Teacher • Plumber Specialist • Registered Nurses • School Psychologists • Senior Groundskeepers • Special Ed Educational Assistants • Special Education Teachers • Wrestling Regional Coordinator • and more!

11/23 Communications 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

• Contact a school
• Find the school calendar
• Enroll a new student
• Request online learning
• Get help with technology issues
• Get school menus & nutrition
• Donate to support local schools