We're gearing up for the new school year, and we can hardly wait for it to start.

• Tuesday, Sept. 8: First day of school for kindergartners and students in grades 6 and 9
• Wednesday, Sept. 9: First day of school for grades 1–5, 7–8, and 10–12 (all grades attend)

While kids are packing their backpacks, planning first-day outfits, and enjoying the last week of summer, here are some things you can do now to get ready for your student’s first day:

• Mark Your Calendar: School begins just after Labor Day and ends in mid-June. See the full calendar for winter break, spring break, and other days when students will be out of school. The school board has adopted the 2026-27 calendar but approval of the following year’s calendar is on hold as the district awaits word the implications of the governor’s executive order related to student instructional time. School calendar
   
• Ready for Kindergarten Smart Start: If you have a kindergarten student, familiarize yourself with the staggered start schedule, allowing for smaller classes and time to connect with families. This schedule allows teachers the opportunity to understand your child’s unique strengths as well as their academic and social needs from the very beginning of their K–12 journey. Kindergarten Smart Start schedule
   
• Review School Start & End Times: 4J schools have consistent calendars, schedules, and early release days so that students get enough and equal learning time, families experience consistent school schedules, and staff have coordinated collaboration time. Middle schools will return a six-period school day, including an advisory or flex period, but the start and end times will remain unchanged. Remember: Early release days are on Wednesdays, including on Sept. 9, the first day that all students will attend school. Your school will provide you with information about its class bell schedule. School start and dismissal schedules
   
• Update Emergency Contacts: Does your school have your current phone number and email address so we can reach you during an emergency and keep you up-to-date about what is happening at school? Be sure to add your cell phone, designated as a mobile number, so you can receive important information via text message.  You can view your contact information and emergency contacts in ParentVUE and contact your child’s school to update, if needed. Check information in ParentVUE
   
• Register for ParentSquare: ParentSquare allows you to receive important information and alerts from your student's classroom and school. Registering allows you to set your notification preferences and—new this year—submit an online note to excuse a student’s unplanned absence, among other features. Remember to register using the email address or cell phone number you provided your school. Register for ParentSquare
   
• Make Your Bus Plan: Use My Ride K-12 to identify your student's bus pickup and drop-off times and locations, get up-to-date route information and more! For instructions on how to register for an account and add your student, visit our website. Students are not automatically registered for bus routes. If you do not see stop times and location through the My Ride K-12 app, please call 541-790-7474 for assistance. And don't forget: All students ride free on Lane Transit District. Get a free LTD bus pass from your school office. School bus eligibility | Register for My Ride K-12 | School bus stops & times | | Students ride free on LTD
   
• Consider Biking or Walking to School: 4J and the city of Eugene encourage families to get to school without driving. Think your elementary student might walk, bike or bus at least some days? Sign up at at this website for free gifts, maps and other support for your active and shared travel! Walking, biking route assistance
   
• Check School Supply Lists: Now's a great time to review the lists found on the school website or back-to-school message sent by your child’s school and purchase the pencils, pens and other classroom supplies. Some 4J schools may ask parents to donate money for school supplies purchased by the school and distributed to classrooms in lieu of a list. List of school websites
   
• Get Current on Immunizations: To attend 4J schools, students must have a complete and up-to-date record of vaccination, medical or nonmedical exemption, or immunity documentation for every immunization required for the student’s grade. Vaccines are available at 4J's two school-based health centers as well as at health care providers’ offices, pharmacies, and Lane County Public Health (541-682-4041).
  Immunization information | 4J health centers
   
• Be Safe, Feel Safe, Bookmark SafeOregon: To help students feel safe and be safe, 4J schools are offering the SafeOregon tip line as another way to report any student or school safety concern. The tip line is always open and tips can be submitted anonymously. Submit a tip: Online | Email | Apple iOS app | Android app
   
• Follow Us on Social Media: Get social with 4J—stay on top of what's happening in the school district and see great photos and news from our schools. Facebook | Instagram
   
• Other Questions: Contact us 

We look forward to seeing you and your child very soon!