YG Family Newsletter – January 19, 2023
Dear friends and families of Yujin Gakuen:
This will be a short newsletter, as we have been busy this week with School Choice and preparations for Oshogatsu. We look forward to seeing you tonight.
Yours sincerely,
Thomas Masaru Piowaty
Principal, Kocho Sensei
Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary
Eugene School District 4J
piowaty_t@4j.lane.edu | 541.790.4640
Parking for Oshogatsu
Parking options may be limited for tonight’s event. There will be parking spots available at Howard Elementary if our parking is full.
Friday Early Release at 1:45 PMHere’s a friendly reminder that Friday is early release. Students are released at 1:45 PM. |
Oshogatsu Hello YG Families! On January 19th, YG is excited to once again host Oshogatsu to celebrate the Japanese New Year from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Additionally, the YG 4j School Choice Open House will be held concurrently. Combining these events will provide many opportunities to expand the YG community by inviting past, current, and future families to join the festivities. In order to make this a fun and memorable event, we need your help! Family member volunteers are needed to help set up booths, supervise activities, and clean up afterwards. No previous experience or training required. Your time and energy are all we need, everything else will be provided! Activity Supervisor shifts will be available in 30-minute increments from 5:30-7:30pm. Each booth requires at least 2 adults to provide directions and demonstrations as well as ensure the safety of students and families. Feel free to sign up for multiple shifts if you can! Both Set Up and Clean Up shifts are needed in the 90 minutes before and after the event. If you want to help with either of these options, but cannot commit to the full time slot, please sign up anyway and let us know your availability. Thank you for your continued support! YG PTO |
Popcorn Fridays
Just a friendly reminder that popcorn Friday will begin tomorrow! It is a quarter per bag, with max 4 bags per student. Teachers will collect money and a total number of bags. The 5th graders will be collecting the money and the order sheet around 9:00 AM. |
School Choice Meetings for Kelly Middle SchoolFamilies interested in hearing about the Kelly Middle School program, including information about Japanese and Spanish immersion, are invited to attend their School Choice informational meeting. When: Thursday, January 26th, 6:30-8:00pm |
School Choice
School Choice is almost here for the 2022-2023 school year! The Eugene School District is currently working on details for the 2023 School Choice activities and timeline. 4J School choice information and program updates are available on the School Choice website at www.4j.lane.edu/schoolchoice. School Choice Information Sessions (info sessions will be recorded and posted here)
Yujin Gakuen will hold two in-person tours during the school day and one in-person evening meeting. See dates and times below. School Tours: Thurs, Jan. 19, 2–2:30 p.m and Tues., Jan. 24, 9:30–10:30 a.m. Evening Meeting: Thurs., Jan. 19, 5–5:30 p.m. Virtual Zoom Session: Thurs., Jan. 26, 9:30–10:30 a.m. Join Zoom session If you know anyone who would be interested in learning about Yujin Gakuen, please let them know about our tour and meeting schedule. Potential parents and their children are also invited to attend our Oshogatsu event on Thursday, Jan 19th, 5:30-7:30pm. If you have any questions, please contact Tamar Moyse at schoolchoice@4j.lane.edu or leave a message at 541.790.7553. |
The PTO will not be holding a meeting in January due to their sponsoring the Oshogatsu celebration this month. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, February 16th at the usual time. |
Volunteer at Yujin GakuenMany of our parents asked what steps they need to take to volunteer at school. Please see the links below or visit the 4J webpage “Volunteer in the Eugene District 4J.” As a parent or guardian, you may wonder how you can get involved in your child’s education. One great way to do this is by volunteering in the Eugene District 4J schools. Volunteering offers many benefits for both you and your child. It’s a great way to meet other parents and get to know the teachers and staff at your child’s school. It can also be a fun and rewarding way to spend some time with your child. If you’re interested in volunteering, there are a few things you need to do. First, you’ll need to complete a background check. You can find more information about this on the 4J website. You’ll also need to complete a mandatory training session. Once you’ve done these things, you’ll be ready to start volunteering. So why not give it a try? Volunteering is a great. See the links below to get started or visit “Volunteer in the Eugene District 4J.” Volunteer Application and Guidelines
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Wondering About Winter Weather?How to know if schools are closed or delayed • No news = No changeLearn More | Text Messages | Staff Info When winter weather makes conditions hazardous, schools may be closed or delayed or buses may use snow routes. The school district decides early in the morning whether there is a need to change the school schedule or bus routes. These decisions are made districtwide and are the same for every 4J school. How to find out if there is a change:
If there is a school closure or other change, the school district will announce it before 6:30 a.m. If schools and buses are on their regular schedule, there will NOT be an announcement. Parents of students who ride school buses that have alternate snow routes have been informed of what to do. Snow route information is available on the snow routes page. If school is in session, families are encouraged to consider road conditions in their areas and make their own decisions based on safety. Parents’ individual decisions about school attendance will be honored. *Note: It is impossible to guarantee text message delivery 100% of the time, and it is possible your alert may be delayed or blocked. If you are concerned about the weather and have not received a text alert by 6:30 a.m., check the 4J website, social media, radio or TV for information about closures, delays or snow routes. |
Virtual Film Screening
WHAT: Virtual screening of LIKE
WHEN: February 6-13, 2023
WHERE: Link to follow
WHO: 4J students, families & staff
MORE INFO: 4j.lane.edu/2022/12/theupstanders/
Eugene School District 4J is pleased to present a virtual screening of the film LIKE. LIKE breaks down why we find social media so irresistible, examines who is controlling whom, and gives viewers the tools to pivot to a more balanced and contented relationship. It features Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, including the co-creator of the ‘LIKE’ button, experts in brain science, and teenagers.
Medical and science experts explain the behavioral changes that come from chemical effects on the brain. But the 49-minute-long LIKE does not leave you with a sense of fear and foreboding.
The core of the documentary is built around the kids and teens interviewed, and the empathy that they build with their audience as they look honestly at their usage and dependence on these tiny devices, consider the good that can come from and be transmitted via social media and rethink the relationship to one where they are much more aware and in balance.
4J families also have the opportunity to watch the film online. Students are encouraged to watch and have conversations with their parents regarding the topics.
LIKE is the third film in 4J’s four-film series presented this school year to help spur conversations about important social issues faced by today’s youth.
To watch the LIKE trailer and learn more, visit www.thelikemovie.com
Upcoming Events
Thursday, January 19
2–2:30 pm, School Tour
3:15-4:00, Site Council Meeting
5:00-5:30 pm, School Choice Information Meeting
5:30-7:30 pm, Oshogatsu
Tuesday, January 24
9:30–10:30 am, School Tour
Thursday, January. 26
9:30–10:30 am, Virtual Meeting, Join Zoom session
Friday, January 27, Inside-Out/Backwards Day
Thursday, February 16
3:15-4:00, Site Council Meeting
6:30-7:30, PTO Meeting