What is happening on Wednesday, May 8?
Eugene School District 4J schools will be closed on Wednesday, May 8, due to a planned teacher walkout strike to advocate for increased state investment in public education. Teachers’ unions in Eugene and in many other Oregon school districts are planning a one-day action on May 8.
The district does not condone or support walkouts or any activities that disrupt student learning. The school day has been canceled because teacher absences and substitute shortages will exceed 4J schools’ ability to provide safe and adequate supervision for our students on May 8. We know that this change will be challenging for our families, and we apologize for the disruption.
Will any school services be available on Wednesday, May 8, when schools are closed?
No school services will be available on May 8, except as noted below.
Will special education programs be closed?
The school day is canceled for 4J and Lane ESD special education programs located in 4J schools. Some programs provided by other or districts at non-4J sites may be open.
Will another school day be added at the end of the school year in June?
The school year will not be extended to make up the missed day. Make-up snow days have already extended the school year and many families have already changed summer plans due to those added days. May 8 will be an unpaid day for teachers and the missed school day will not be made up.
Will this count as an absence for my child?
No, the school day has been canceled and it will not count as an absence for students.
Will the May 8 school closure affect AP/IB exams students have scheduled on May 8?
Scheduled AP and IB tests will continue as planned.
Will the school closure affect athletics and extracurricular activities?
Scheduled athletic competitions such as track meets on May 8 will continue as planned.
Athletic practices, theater rehearsals and other extracurricular activities may take place with voluntary participation; check with your coach or advisor.
What about Outdoor School, field trips and other school events?
At Willagillespie Elementary School and Camas Ridge Elementary School, Outdoor School will continue as scheduled with buses leaving from the schools on Wednesday morning and returning Friday evening. (Parents must transport their students to the school at the designated time on Wednesday morning; there will be no regular home-to-school bus transportation.)
At Howard Elementary School, which has scheduled a daytime-only program, Outdoor School will continue as planned on Monday and Tuesday, and the third day will be rescheduled.
Other field trips and school events are canceled. Schools will communicate with families regarding any rescheduling of these events.
Will school meals be provided?
Free school meals will be available at selected sites across the district, similar to summer meal programs. All students can drop in and eat breakfast and lunch at no cost—they do not need to be enrolled at that school.
Special diet meals and health services such as carb counting and diabetic care will not be available.
When:
Breakfast 8:00–9:00 a.m.
Lunch 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Where:
• North Eugene High School, 200 Silver Lane
• Madison Middle School, 875 Wilkes Dr.
• Churchill High School, 1850 Bailey Hill Rd.
• Chávez Elementary School, 1510 W. 14th Ave.
• South Eugene High School, 400 E. 19th Ave.
• Spencer Butte Middle School, 500 E. 43rd Ave.
• Sheldon High School, 2455 Willakenzie Rd.
• Cal Young Middle School, 2555 Gilham Rd.
Will preschool / pre-kindergarten programs be open?
The following programs will operate as normally scheduled:
• Early Education Program at Kennedy and Kelly
• Preschool Promise at Howard and Madison
• Head Start at Charlemagne and River Road/El Camino del Río
Will childcare be available?
The district has encouraged local organizations to offer childcare services on May 8 as they do on regularly scheduled no-school days. Several programs including the following have stated they plan to offer some childcare options: YMCA, Eugene Creative Care, City of Eugene, and After School Club (at non-4J sites), and Treetop Academics (at Edison Elementary). Please contact your childcare provider for more information.
Will school bus transportation be provided?
There will be no bus transportation to school on May 8, as the school day has been canceled.
Student transportation services will be provided as scheduled from schools to Outdoor School and to athletic contests that are taking place. Transportation also will be provided as scheduled to non-4J early intervention and special education programs that are open on this day.
Will health services be provided?
School-day meal-related health services such as carb counting and diabetic care will not be available. School nursing services will not be available. The school-based health center at North Eugene High School will be closed.
The school-based health center at Churchill High School will be open to serve students and families. The 4J wellness clinic will be open to serve staff.
How can parents and community members support better funding for schools?
While Eugene School District 4J does not condone this walkout or any activity that disrupts learning, we share the goal of fully funding K–12 education in Oregon.
More information about the planned day of action is available directly from the Eugene Education Association.
If you wish to contact your legislators to advocate for adequately funding public education, there is a simple lookup to find the Oregon Senate and House members who represent you at https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/leg-districts.html.
