4J Educator
December 2023, Volume 1
Reminder: Help Us Design 4J's New Staff Intranet
We want your input for 4J's new staff intranet. Please take a few minutes, if you haven't already, to complete and submit an online survey by Monday, Dec 4.
Following three months work refining our website for external audiences, parents and the broader community, we're now entering Phase 2 – creating a dedicated staff intranet. This new platform will be exclusively for 4J staff, acting as a centralized hub where you can find news, links, forms, and essential staff information quickly and easily. Thank you for your participation!
Share Your Joy: Let Us Know About Holiday Happenings!
'Tis the season to share your school's holiday events and activities.
We’re here to help! 4J’s Communications Department assists schools and departments in sharing news and information with the local community. This month we'd love to share events and activities tied to the holiday season, such as a schoolwide program, special guest or holiday-related classroom assignment or activity. Publicity may include social media posts, e-newsletter or website articles, events listings, and/or if you approve, we can invite news coverage. We may not be able to publicize every event or story, but we certainly try to share as many as possible.
Just visit 4J's Let's Talk page (scroll down to Communications, then click on What's Happening?!) or email info@4j.lane.edu and provide us some basic information + photos. We look forward to sharing the holiday happenings at your school/department!
Winter Holiday Resources for Families in Need
Community organizations in Lane County provide numerous resources to help families in need during the holiday season. These organizations offer food boxes, holiday meals and free gifts. Details can be found on this resource list that you can share with families. In addition, 4J's Welcome Center has some small jackets donated from Project Hope that fit younger students (kindergarten through fourth grade). Families can email 4jwraparound@4j.lane.edu to set up a time to pick up a jacket.
Start 2024 Strong with Expanded Gym Benefit, Fees Waived
All 4J employees and their spouses/domestic partners can now take advantage of discounted gym memberships through the district's partnership with Active&Fit Direct.
Active&Fit Direct members pay $28 a month for a standard membership, which gives you access to more than a dozen participating gyms in the Eugene/Springfield area and thousands of guided workout videos without having to sign a long-term contract. BONUS: The enrollment fee ($28) is waived through Feb. 29 using the code STARTSTRONG.
The program also offers discounts of 20–70% at premium gyms in the area, including Orangetheory Fitness, Club Pilates and F45. These gyms cost more than $28 monthly, and the enrollment fee waiver doesn't apply.
To access the benefit, visit this webpage and log in using your 4J email address. The webpage also has information about other 4J wellness initiatives, including yoga, Walker Tracker challenges and wellness webinars. If you need assistance, reach out to your benefits coordinator.
'Gnome' and Away, Next Walking Challenge Starts Soon
Don't stand there like a statue — get ready for the upcoming Walker Tracker Challenge from December 10–16, with a chance to win $300.
Grab your co-workers and have your team join the "I'll be Gnome for the Holidays" challenge in the Walker Tracker app. Once you're in the app, find your school or department and join. Make sure that everyone on the team is logging their steps and activities throughout the challenge.
The goal is for each individual on a team is to reach 49,000 steps (or 7,000 each day). Three teams also can win a $300 prize by:
- Signing up the most new members on your team
- Posting the most pictures with a gnome to the Walker Tracker app dashboard. Teams will be sent a printable image of a gnome to use. Bonus points will be awarded for pictures posted with a team member dressed as a gnome.
- Walking the most steps
Reminder: Know Your Role During Inclement Weather
Winter is here and, with it, the potential for school closure and delays due to ice and snow. 4J staff should review ahead of time this updated memo about hazardous weather procedures, including notification methods and staff reporting expectations, so you know what to do on days when winter weather is an issue and leads to school closures or delays.
How to find out if there is a change:
- Check the district website, www.4j.lane.edu
- Follow 4J social media: Instagram, Facebook, X @4Jweather & @4Jschools
- Tune in to local radio and television news stations
No news = no change. If you have questions, please contact your supervisor.
