Dear Families,
As we move into October, we want to remind our students and families that attendance matters. High school moves quickly, and missing even a few days can make it harder for students to keep up with assignments, lessons, and important classroom experiences.
Being at school every day and on time helps students stay connected, build strong habits, and make steady progress toward graduation. We are seeing an increase in students being late to classes, especially after the morning break and after lunch. We encourage families to talk with their students about the importance of attending school regularly, being on time and taking responsibility for their learning.
If your student is struggling with attendance, please reach out to us. We want to partner with families to identify barriers and help students get back on track.
Let’s make October a month of showing up, being on time, staying engaged, and moving forward!
Warmly,
Teresa Myers
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- ECCO's school picture day is on Wednesday 10/07.
- Photos will start at about 10am and will be taken by Erica Delano, who is generously donating her time.
- Any families wishing to have a digital copy of their student's photo, please email delano_e@4j.lane.edu.
- If you have any questions please give us a call: 541-790-6850
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We are planning a field trip for ECCO students to Johnson Farms on October 30, 2026. Students will take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch, and then will have the opportunity to participate in some other fun activities. The itinerary is as follows:
- Leave ECCO at 10:40am a.m. (load bus at 10:30am)
- Arrive at Johnson’s farm at 11:00am
- Hayride & activities 11:00am -12:00pm
- Load bus & return to ECCO 12:05pm - 12:25pm
- Lunch on arrival at ECCO
Permission slips are available in the office, and must be signed by a parent/guardian. Please return them by Wednesday 10/14 . If you have any questions please call 541-790-6850.
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Scholarship Opportunities:
VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship is open to youth in 9th-12th grades. Students interested in participating must submit their audio essay prepared on this year's theme, with a completed entry form to their local participating VFW Post. Download the 2026-2027 entry form, then find your sponsoring local VFW Post as essays must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31.
The Voices United/Voces Unidas team of CALC, SAfER & Escudo Latino are offering (3) $1,000 awards honoring youth who demonstrate leadership, solidarity and a commitment to justice, equity, and representation. Lane County youth ages 14-21 are encouraged to apply here, regardless of FAFSA eligibility.
College-bound graduating students/families—FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is OPEN!
Submit your application as soon as possible:
FAFSA Application (select 2027-28 form for students starting college in fall of 2027)
Students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA can submit the ORSAA ( Oregon Student Aid Application) to qualify for the Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise, and more. If you're unsure of which you should complete:
For additional help with financial aid, scholarships, employment, and other college and/or career-related opportunities, contact:
Michael Tedesco, ECCO/GED College & Career Coordinator
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- Wednesday 10/07 - Picture Day (AM)
- Thursday 10/08 - Erin's Law Advisory
- Friday 10/09 - No School (PD Day)
- Friday 10/30 - Field trip to Johnson's Farm (AM)
- Friday 10/30 - Fall Fest / Dio De La Muertas (PM)
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- Please remember that Governor Kotek’s ban on personal electronic devices in schools is still in effect. Devices must be off and away for the entire school day.
- If you need to contact your student in an emergency or unexpected situation, please contact the main office at 541-790-6850. We can contact a student or have them brought up from class. If it's an emergency, please let us know so we can respond appropriately.
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- Need a bus pass? See Victoria or Ingrid in the front office! All 4J students get free bus passes to use on LTD busses.
- If you already have an LTD student bus pass, hang onto it. Your current pass should continue working through October. Bus Passes will be automatically renewed every year.
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Eugene School District 4J is committed to open communication and keeping families informed. If you are not receiving emails and text messages from the district or your student’s school, please update your contact information with your student’s school.
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Updates for School Meals
With school approaching, it's a perfect time for parents to have a plan for student nutrition for the year. 4J Nutrition Services is ready to help, from sharing menus and supporting special dietary needs, to providing the pathway to setting up meal accounts.
This year will see some changes to school meals in 4J, which are similar to how all the neighboring school districts operate: each student will continue to receive one breakfast and one lunch each school day at no cost. Additional items, such as seconds, extra milks, or single milks for home lunch will be charged to the student's meal account. Families will have multiple resources available to help them understand the process, set up accounts, and manage payments with confidence. Budget constraints leave the district unable to continue a practice of allowing unlimited free additional meals. Student health and well-being is important for their success in school, and district staff will work with families to make sure every option and resource is explored for all health, nutrition and overall well-being concerns. Visit the Nutrition Services web page for more information and help.
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Eugene School District 4J is committed to transparency, family engagement, and protecting student privacy. Federal and state laws, along with district policy, provide parents/guardians and students age 18 and older with important rights related to education records, privacy, directory information, surveys, statewide assessments, human sexuality education, and more. All parents and guardians are encouraged to review the information and forms provided by the district to learn more about these rights, including opportunities to review instructional materials, opt out of certain activities, and access student records. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your school administrator—we’re here to help support informed families and a strong school community. |
Welcome Back! Help Your Teen Get Where They’re Going
As a new school year begins, consider talking with your teen about different ways to get to school. Walking, biking, scooting, skating, busing and carpooling can all be great options - and giving teens opportunities to travel independently helps them build confidence and important life skills.
If your teen is trying a new way to get to school, help them test the route ahead of time. Pro tip: the best walking or biking route isn’t always the same route you’d drive!
Resources for families:
Here’s to a great school year and helping teens build the skills to get where they’re going!
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