4J Educator
May 2023, Volume 2
District Office to Provide More Student Support to Schools
Superintendent Andy Dey has announced a significant overhaul of 4J's district-level operations that reaffirms 4J’s commitment to its simple but powerful mission: Putting our students first.
The reorganization has three main components:
• Teachers on special assignment (TOSAs) will be assigned to specific school buildings to help reinstate support systems to boost students’ academic learning and reduce student behavior that disrupts that learning.
• Student services administrators will be reassigned from the district office to school buildings to provide keen observations and timely support on site that will help align our general education initiatives with our student service programs.
• The executive team at the district office will be streamlined so that’s it’s both simplified and more narrowly focused on the work that will positively impact our students and families.
New challenges and opportunities brought on by the ebbing pandemic demand 4J refine operations at its central office to put the greatest number of resources closest to our students and their classrooms.
We share updates as they become available. Thank you, as always, for your hard work and dedication to our district and the vital mission of public education.
Save the Date: Let's Celebrate Our 2023 Retirees
It's time to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's class of 4J retirees.
An in-person celebration will be held in their honor from 3:30–5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 2, in the auditorium of the 4J Ed Center, 200 N. Monroe St. There will be refreshments, music, camaraderie — and plenty of memories and words of thanks and gratitude expressed for our roughly 50 retirees.
Thank you, retirees, for your time and service to our district and community! We look forward to celebrating you as you begin the exciting next chapter of your life.
North Eugene Closure Party Draws Huge Crowd
Generations of Highlanders filled the hallways of North Eugene High School on the evening of Thursday, May 11, during the building’s closure party that was rich with camaraderie, nostalgia and school spirit.
About 1,200 current students and employees, alumni and retired educators reminisced with colleagues and classmates, revisited their high school years in the pages of old yearbooks and newspapers, and scanned the faces in the class photos that line the school’s main hallways (see more photos).
“This was beyond our expectations,” said Cheryl Wallace, a 1966 graduate and retired 4J educator who served on the event’s planning committee. “It reaffirms that there’s a lot of tradition and a lot of family here.”
We look forward to the Highlander staff and students beginning a new chapter in their history when the new North Eugene High School building opens this fall.
850 Howard Building Planning Moving Forward
The 850 Howard building, named for its street address, currently is home to two schools: Kelly Middle School and Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School. Y-G moved into the building in the fall of 2020.
Our district has initiated a three-phase process to approve a plan so the two vibrant school programs can thrive moving into the future.
Our district has set up a new webpage with more information, including possible alternatives and funding sources. We'll keep you updated on the progress of this important initiative.
It's Time to Step Up by Teaming Up
Ready for a new challenge? It's time to team up. 4J's benefits department is kicking off its first group movement challenge starting Sunday through 4J's Walker Tracker program, funded by a Oregon Education Association wellness grant.
Grab your co-workers and have your team join the "Destination: Vacation" 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. This challenge, which runs through June 3, is for all employee groups so make sure your teachers and administrators join the team. Teams can win in one of three ways, and those teams can select one of several delicious prizes (click on the graphics for details).
