4J Parent News
January 2023, Volume 2
Information for parents and guardians from Eugene School District 4J
In this message:
• Space Needs: 4J remains committed to securing more instructional space
• 2023–24 School Calendar: Share your thoughts on proposed calendar for coming school year
• Let's Talk: 4J offers a new way to dialogue with the district, at anytime and from anywhere
• New Camas Ridge: Construction well underway as structural steel beams go up at site
• LIKE: Catch the virtual screening of the documentary examining social media from Feb. 6–13
• Eugene Education Foundation: Funding in 2022–23 supports learning & well-being for 4J students
• School Choice: Request to attend a school other than your neighborhood for 2023–24 by Jan. 31
• School Profiles: Online reports provide information about individual 4J schools
• Employee Spotlight: Meet Dylan, 4J senior groundskeeper
• Work With 4J: Serve local youth and the community—apply for a 4J job today!
4J Continues Search for More Instructional Space
Last week, I shared with you the district's exciting plan to submit a bid to acquire the vacant EWEB riverfront property for a new multicultural, arts and science education center. The acquisition would also have provided space to relocate the district's administrative services, freeing up much-needed zoned educational property for expansion of instructional programs. However, EWEB has announced its plan to sell the property to the city of Eugene for a new city hall.
I would like to congratulate the city in taking the next step to consolidate its services at a new Eugene city hall, while keeping this landmark riverfront property in public hands. We appreciate EWEB’s consideration of our proposal.
Dr. Andy Dey, Superintendent
Share Your Thoughts: 2023–24 PROPOSED School Calendar
Eugene School District 4J has developed a proposed academic calendar for the 2023–24 school year, and we want to hear your thoughts.
Notably, school would start before the Labor Day weekend, with kindergartners, 6th and 9th graders beginning on Wednesday, August 30, and all other grades returning on Thursday, August 31. Thanksgiving break would be extended to three days, from November 22–24. No-school parent-teacher conference days for grades K–8 would occur on November 20–21, with the exact conference schedule varying by school.
Proposed key dates:
• NEW First Day of School: August 30 for grades K, 6 and 9; August 31 for all other grades
• NEW Parent-Teacher Conferences/No School (Grades K–8 only): November 20–21
• NEW Thanksgiving Break: November 22–24
• Winter Break: December 18–January 2
• Spring Break: March 25–29
• Last Day of School: June 11
Let's Talk: Offering a New Way to Dialogue with 4J
The district is dedicated to fostering positive relationships, building trust and effectively communicating and engaging with our families, staff, students and community members. To accomplish this, we are committed to maintaining an open line of communication and hearing what you have to say about important topics and current initiatives. We are listening.
We are excited to present Let's Talk!, which provides an opportunity for you to ask a question or submit a comment anytime and from anywhere. We also welcome your positive feedback through our “Share Your Joy” button. We look forward to hearing from you!
New Camas Ridge Construction Gets Off the Ground
The new Camas Ridge Community Elementary School is getting off the ground as workers have begun erecting the steel frame for the new, state-of-the-art school building.
The installation of the structural steel, which will take several months, is another major milestone in constructing the new school building, which will open in the fall of 2024. The building will be two stories and about 74,000 square feet. The visible work will enable neighbors and motorists who regularly travel East 30th Avenue to keep tabs on its progress.
The new elementary school is the last major construction project paid for by the bond measure 4J voters approved in 2018. The new Edison and expanded Gilham elementary schools opened last fall, and the new North Eugene High School will open in September. Thank you 4J community!
4J Presents LIKE—a Documentary About Social Media
4J is pleased to present a virtual screening of the documentary film LIKE, examining the technology behind popular social media platforms, why it’s so powerful, and what you can do about it. Students and families are encouraged to watch the film together and discuss it afterward. Look for an email from 4J with the movie link prior to Feb. 6.
EEF Grants Support Learning for All 4J Students
The Eugene Education Foundation provided $226,959 in grants this school year to expand education and enrichment opportunities for 4J students. Through its annual grant program, the nonprofit foundation funded 72 classroom and district-level programs primarily focused on the arts, literacy, social-emotional learning, health/PE and STEM education.
We THANK Eugene Education Foundation and our community’s generous donors for their invaluable support of 4J schools! YOU are making a world of difference for our students and families.
Reminder: School Choice Requests Due by January 31
Students may enroll in their neighborhood school or request a school choice transfer to a different 4J school. Options include language immersion, alternative and other neighborhood schools. To participate in the annual school choice transfer lottery for 2023–24 school year, 4J resident families need to apply by Tuesday, Jan. 31.
To learn more, watch a recording of the recent school choice informational sessions in English or Spanish. In addition, each 4J school is holding in-person and virtual school visits this month. Recordings of school visits are available.
Learn more and apply online: 4j.lane.edu/choice
School Profile Reports Available for Review
Profiles of 4J schools for the 2021–22 academic year are now available for review. Each year, the Oregon Department of Education publishes At-A-Glance School and District Profiles for every public K–12 school and district in Oregon. The profile reports include student demographics, performance on state tests, graduation rates, and how schools compare to others around the state.
⭐ Meet Dylan ⭐
Senior Groundskeeper
“There’s a lot of satisfaction of going to a school, looking and cleaning everything up,
and knowing that after you left it looks a lot better than when you arrived.”
Join The Team, Apply for 4J Jobs
Administrative Assistant • Associate Director of Risk Management and School Safety • Bus Aide • Bus Driver • Business Information Systems Analyst • Case Manager Assistant • Classification and Compensation Specialist • Coaches • Department Secretary • Equipment Operator • Executive Assistant • Food Service Assistants • HVAC Refrigeration Technician • Mental Health Specialist • Plumber Specialist • Risk Management and School Safety Program Coordinator • Registered Nurses • Safety Specialist • Senior Groundskeepers • Special Ed Educational Assistant • Speech and Language Specialist • Teachers • Temporary Workers • and more!