Dear Yujin Gakuen Families,

Akemashite Omedetō Gozaimasu (Congratulations, the new year has begun) (明けましておめでとうございます). 

We have had a lovely start to the 2026 year. Teachers reviewed school-wide expectations this week; and students are doing an incredible job of following the expectations. Way to go YG Cranes.

Oshogatsu (Japanese Lunar New Year celebration) is coming up on Jan. 23rd. Please see below for a little more information. And continue to look for messages from us and your students’ teachers about ways to be involved.

Thank you, 

Kimberly Ingram, 

Principal (Kocho Sensei)

📣 Important Events and Reminders

4J Off and Way - cell phone and device policy

On Jan. 1, 2026, 4J implemented the statewide governor's directive to ban smart devices (phones and watches) during the school day. Link to district information site.

General Rule: 

Students who bring personal smartphones or other electronic devices to school must:

• keep them off and away, meaning the devices are turned off and not visible or in use, during all instructional hours

• park or pack them either by packing them in their backpacks or lockers, or parking them in designated cubbies or other storage spaces during all instructional hours.

Can students still contact parents or guardians during the school day?

Yes. Communication access remains important.

• Students may contact parents or guardians through the school office or designated staff.

• In emergencies or urgent situations, staff may authorize device use.

• Communication will occur in a private, dignified and supportive way.

Access to communication is not dependent on owning a personal device. There are some exceptions, and those students and families are working with us to ensure their IEP and 504 plans address exceptions in an appropriate manner. 

Caring Crane Fund (for YG Families in Need)

I want to thank all of the families that donated to YG Families in need over the last few weeks. PTO put out a need request and you all responded!! Thank you. Remember, your donation is tax deductible and just reach out to any PTO board members to donate. 

If you are a family in need of support, please reach out to me (ingram_k), Brigitte (phipps_b), Scott (klein_s) @4j.lane.edu, or your teachers. Your request will remain confidential and we will see how the Caring Crane Fund can support your family.

Oshogatsu

If you haven’t heard, our amazing Community-wide celebration is coming up on January 23rd, from 5:30-7:30. There will be some no cost food and purchase food items available. 

• No Cost - 

  • We will have about 500 servings of onigiri and miso soup in the cafeteria. Please be mindful that we want any student, sibling, and neighborhood children to get a serving.

  • Volunteers - will have heavy snacks available during the evening as a show of gratitude for the work.

• For Purchase -

  • South Eugene High culinary students will prepare Japanese Curry 

  • Kento food truck 

  • Subo - mochi

4:30 Ribbon Cutting at YG Sign

5:00 - 5:30 School Choice Presentation

5:30 - 7:30 Oshogatsu Celebration  

• 5:30 2nd Grade Umi class Eisa Dance (10 min) - on floor, no stage

• 5:45 2nd Grade Yama class Eisa Dance    (10 min)  - on floor, no stage   

• 6:00 2nd Grade Singing (10 min) by Lauralie (10 min)  - on floor, no stage

• 6:10 5th Grade Dance (10 min) - stage down for remainder of performances

• 6:20 Kinders sing in gym (10 min) 

• 6:30 Taiko Performance by outside organization (10 min)

• 7:00 Taiko Performance by outside organization (10 min)

• 7:10 5th grade Dance (10 min)

• 7:30-9:30 - clean up, many hands make light work ;)

Drop off times and Late pick up (Reminder)

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and well-supervised environment for all our students. 

Morning Drop-Off

Staff schedules are built to maximize adult time focused on learning during the school day (8:30 AM – 3:00 PM).

A few staff are scheduled and ready to provide supervision starting at 7:55 AM for drop off and breakfast supervision.

• 7:55 AM: Staff are in place for the official start of the morning routine, including bus drop-offs (per 4J Transportation's schedule).

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast service begins.

Please do not drop off your student before 7:55 AM, as staff will not be available to provide supervision before this time.

A Note on Our Volunteer: We love seeing Tom with his fun hats each morning! Please remember that Tom is a dedicated volunteer, not a staff member, and is not able to provide student supervision. He provides a warm and welcoming face to start the day, but students must be supervised by staff.

Afternoon Pick-Up

Students must be picked up at 3:00 PM (dismissal). When students are picked up late, it impacts our staff's scheduled duties, meetings, and preparation time. We rely on your timeliness so staff can fulfill their responsibilities once the school day ends.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and for respecting staff schedules.