EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) – As the Eugene 4J school district prepares for the possibility of more out of district students in its schools’ hallways in the fall, a first time showcase of the different outlets for learning on Saturday.
The district held its first ever School Showcase event on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 at Cesar Chavez Elementary School on W. 14th Avenue in Eugene.
Eugene 4J put the showcase together as a way to let parents figure out which school is the right one for their child.
Normally, Eugene 4J holds open houses at all of its schools, but this is the first time they’ve all been in the same place. Representatives from Eugene 4J’s elementary, middle, high school and immersion schools took part, talking with parents about their individual strengths and focuses.
More than 200 parents attended this year's school showcase.
While 4J’s schools are all under the same learning umbrella and working towards unified schedules, the district says each school has its own methods. The district encourages parents to consider looking in to the school that’s not just the closet, but the best for their child.
“We have incredible neighborhood schools. In fact, sometimes we have people shift from one neighborhood school to another neighborhood school just because of the kind of program that's offered and that's an exciting opportunity for parents to have the options to be able to choose,” says Sheldon Berman, superintendent for the Eugene 4J school district.
“Open enrollment” begins for Eugene 4J in fall 2012. The new policy is in response to a new state law, giving district the option to take kids from neighboring districts without having to ask the student’s “home district” for permission. For instance, now a child from Springfield Public Schools can go to a Eugene 4J school without asking SPS for permission to leave. “Home district” students still take first priority over out of district students.
