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Eugene School District 4J

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  2. Early Learning & Kindergarten
  3. Pathway to Kindergarten

Pathway to Kindergarten

  • kids with big pencils

WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN! 

If your child turns 5 on or before September 1, it’s time to get ready for kindergarten! Follow these steps to make your child’s introduction to school this fall fun and stress-free. Learn more about each of these steps by clicking on the accordian tabs below.

  1. ENROLL Today! 
  2. ATTEND Kindergarten Orientation (May 5-8).
  3. CELEBRATE! 
  4. REGISTER for KITS Pre-K Summer Program.
  5. START school with Smart Start.

  • Is your child turning 5 on or before September 1? Enrolling in kindergarten this spring gives schools and teachers a chance to connect with your family and get ready to welcome your kindergartener this fall!

    Enroll today!

    drop in datesNeed assistance with enrollment or prefer to do enroll in person?
    Come see us! We’re hosting drop-in sessions at the 4J Education Center, 200 N. Monroe St., to make the process easy and welcoming for you and your family.

     

    Eugene School District 4J Office 
    200 N. Monroe St. 

    Drop in between 3:30-6:30 p.m.

    • May 8
    • May 29
    • June 10
    • July 10
    • Aug. 13

     

  • girl with jump ropeEvery spring, every 4J elementary school holds an orientation event for parents of incoming kindergarteners, children who will turn 5 on or before September 1. Registering at the event will help your child and their school best prepare for the start of school.

    You’ll learn about your school’s kindergarten program and enrollment process, meet teachers and staff, and have an opportunity to ask questions. We look forward to seeing you!

    What’s my neighborhood school? 

    KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION
    May 5-9, 2025

    Adams Elementary Monday, May 5
    6-7 p.m.    		 Learn about our kindergarten program, enrollment process, meet Adam's staff, tour the building, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Childcare will be available from 6-7.
    Awbrey Park

    Monday, May 5
    5:30-6:30 p.m.

    		  Learn about our kindergarten program, enrollment process, meet Awbrey Park staff, tour the building, and have an opportunity to ask questions. Childcare will be available from 5:30-6:30pm.
    Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Thursday, May 8
    5:30-6:30 p.m.    		 Learn about our kindergarten classrooms and Dual Language Immersion program, meet BV staff, tour the building, visit Kinder classrooms and have an opportunity to ask questions.
    Camas Ridge Monday, May 5
    5:30-6:30 p.m.    		 Meet Kindergarten teachers, school counselor, instructional support staff, and learn about a Kinder's day. We will start in the library and tour the Kindergarten wing.
    Charlemagne French Immersion Thursday, May 8
    6-7 p.m.    		 Learn about our kindergarten program, enrollment process, meet Charlemagne Kinder Staff, tour the building, and have an opportunity to ask questions.
    Chávez Thursday, May 8
    5:30-6:30 p.m.    		 Learn about our kindergarten program, enrollment process, meet Chavez Principal, tour the building, and have an opportunity to ask questions.
    Chinese Immersion Thursday, May 8
    5:30-6:30 p.m.    		 We’re thrilled to welcome our incoming kindergarten families. This event is your chance to meet our exceptional kindergarten team, tour classrooms, and discover the incredible year ahead as your child begins their Mandarin journey. Kids will also enjoy playground fun and start building friendships—join us for this exciting first step into an amazing adventure!
    Edgewood Thursday, May 8
    5:30-6:30 p.m.    		 Learn about our kindergarten program, enrollment process, meet Edgewood staff, tour the building, and have an opportunity to ask questions.
    Edison Thursday, May 8
    5:30-6:15 p.m.    		 Learn about our kindergarten program, enrollment process, meet Edison staff, tour the building, and have an opportunity to ask questions.
    Family School Thursday, May 8
    5:30-6:30 p.m.    		 Welcome to the Family! We are excited to meet our newest community members, talk some, and walk some (tour). Rising Kindergartners can engage in guided-play or maybe arts and crafts with their new support staff, while parents hear all about kindergarten at Family School. Current Family School parents will be available with staff to answer all of the important questions!
    Gilham Thursday, May 8
    5:30-6:30 p.m.    		 Learn about our kindergarten program and enrollment process, meet our kindergarten teachers, have an opportunity to ask questions, and take a tour of the building.  
    Holt Thursday, May 8
    5:30-6:30 p.m.    		 Join us for kindergarten orientation. The orientation will be offered in-person and also on GoogleMeet, but is primarily geared towards the in-person participants. You’ll learn about our kindergarten program and enrollment process, meet our kindergarten teachers, and have an opportunity to ask questions. 
    Howard Monday, May 5
    6-7 p.m.    		 We warmly invite you to attend our Kindergarten Enrollment Night. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more about what makes our kindergarten program a wonderful place for young learners to grow, thrive, and succeed. During the evening, you will meet our dedicated kindergarten teachers and support staff, learn about the enrollment process and key dates, and take a guided tour of our school building and classrooms. Whether you're enrolling your first child or your fifth, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We look forward to welcoming you into our school community!
    McCornack Thursday, May 8
    3:30-4:30 p.m.    		 We are excited to welcome our incoming kindergarten families to McCornack Elementary’s Kindergarten Orientation on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. During this special event, families will meet our wonderful kindergarten team, explore classrooms, and learn what to expect in the year ahead. Children will also have the chance to play and make new friends on our playground—come join the fun! (Enter through the garden doors near the Brittany Street playground.)
    River Road/El Camino del Río Spanish Dual Immersion Thursday, May 8
    6:15-7 p.m.    		 Welcome to River Road El Camino del Río! We’re thrilled to welcome our incoming kindergarten families to our vibrant school community! Join us for Kindergarten Orientation. You’ll have the chance to meet our wonderful principal, Karen Ramirez, explore our Dual Language Immersion program, tour our kindergarten classrooms, and get all your questions answered. We can’t wait to meet you and kick off this exciting journey together!
    Spring Creek Thursday, May 8
    6-7 p.m.    		 Welcome to Spring Creek Elementary School! Come meet the Kindergarten teachers and principal. We will also take a tour of the kindergarten classrooms and common areas. You will learn about our enrollment process and answer questions. We will share our kindergarten learning standards and everything else it will take to be a successful Panda!
    Twin Oaks Thursday, May 8
    5-6 p.m.    		 Welcome to Twin Oaks! Join us for kindergarten orientation. You’ll learn about our kindergarten program and enrollment process, meet our kindergarten teachers, have an opportunity to ask questions and take a bus ride through the parking lot! We hope to see you there! 
    Willagillespie Thursday, May 8
    5:15-6:30 p.m.    		 Join us for an introduction to Kindergarten at Willagillespie. This is a great opportunity to tour our school, meet our staff and fill out registration forms. Our incoming students will join our kinder staff and preview some of the funs things we do in Kindergarten (including a school bus ride through the parking lot!) We hope to see you there ~
    Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Thursday, May 8
    5:30-6:30 p.m.    		 Learn about our kindergarten program, enrollment process, meet Yujin Gakuen staff, tour the building, and have an opportunity to ask questions.

     

  • DISTRICTWIDE KINDERGARTEN WELCOME EVENT 

    Join us for this family friendly event to get excited about kindergarten. Games, prizes, photo opps, food carts, story time and friends! EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

    Click Here to Register
    FRIDAY, MAY 16, 5-7 PM
    River Road / El Camino del Río Elementary School
    120 W. Hilliard Lane

    Kinder Welcome Event Flyer

     

  • JOIN US FOR KITS (KIDS IN TRANSITION TO SCHOOL)

    Register for KITS

    KITS is a free summer program for children entering Kindergarten in the fall. Space is limited!

    Apply Today by May 16!KITS in classroom

    During the KITS program your kids will:

    • Your child will learn to make friends & cooperate and build beginning reading & counting skills.
    • You will learn skills to reduce parenting stress and learn how to connect with your child’s school.

    KITS will be offered at two regional locations: 

    • Howard Elementary School: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    • Chávez Elementary School: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m

    KITS will run 4 days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 30 through August 7, 2025.

  • We’re excited to welcome your child to the start of school through a new program called Kindergarten Smart Start. We have designed the first eight days of school for our youngest students to help set them up for success this year and beyond. 

    Providing a staggered start allows for smaller classes and time to connect with families, giving teachers the opportunity to understand your child’s unique strengths as well as their academic and social needs from the very beginning. Kindergarten Smart Start will help ensure a successful and personalized introduction to school for each student and a smoother start for all students.

    Kindergarten Smart Start, Sept. 3–12, 2025
    All Students Attend: Sept. 3 & Sept. 8-10
    Only Last Name A–L: Attend Thursday, Sept. 4
    Only Last Name M–Z: Attend Friday, Sept. 5
    No Kindergarten Sept. 11 & 12 (parent/teacher conversations)
    Regular school schedule begins on Monday, Sept. 15

    2025-26 Kindergarten Smart Start_ENG     2025-26 Kindergarten Smart Start     

     

    We understand that the Kindergarten Smart Start schedule may present childcare challenges to some of our families. We are sharing the new schedule now, well in advance of the start of school, to help you best plan for September, as we are not able to offer childcare on the days your child is not scheduled to attend class. 

    Why Kindergarten Smart Start?

    District leaders consulted with early learning experts and care providers, including preschools, kindergarten teachers, elementary school administrators and education specialists to explore ways to make the introduction to school better for our youngest students. A diverse and collaborative 4J educator workgroup reviewed all the information and developed Kindergarten Smart Start to best meet our students’ unique needs and set them on the path for educational success.

    4J’s Kindergarten Smart Start Goals

    • Create a smooth and cohesive transition into 4J schools for all students and families
    • Build strong relationships with families and promote school engagement
    • Begin the process of getting to know the whole child and how to best meet their unique needs
    • Ensure equity for all students and families by launching consistent implementation of Kindergarten Smart Start at all 4J elementary schools