eugene school board news

Our day was brightened when a new Suspish Fish showed up on the Franklin exit off I-5, but no sooner than we started looking forward to the bright blue piscine painting than it was painted over with a dull beige blotch. One of the central ideas of ORourkes platform is addressing equity, specifically the question of how to get equity into schools when there is no Black or Indigenous voice. (An unabridged version appears on registerguard.com). And I am taking actions with the Secretary of State as well as the elections board here locally to ensure that that is at least recognized.. I want to be a part of that work.. Were these creepy assignments, in fact, actually in the Our Whole Life curriculum that the district adopted in 2016 and implemented in 2018? DYNAMIC PAGES The eight candidates were part of a panel hosted by the Rotary Club of Eugene at the Graduate Hotel in Downtown Eugene. "After speaking at the 4J board meetings several times over the past year about the need for schools to open, both to ensure a high quality of education for our students as well as a more equitable learning environment, I was dismayed at the limited public input and the lack of follow-up and transparency around these concerns. An assignment that seems to ask high school students to write a story depicting a sexual fantasy has many parents up in arms. McCall questioned why the assignment was given in the first place if participation had no impact on the grade. DYNAMIC PAGES Newman founded Early Childhood CARES in 1991, which serveschildren with disabilities and their families and has been a faculty member at the UO College of Education for 25 years. Eugene School District 4j said their high school team and their curriculum team are reviewing the curriculum. "Because I made this complaint, and in their aggression towards me, I don't feel it's safe for me to work directly with her.". What would be best if someone says, I dont want to go to college, I want to do something else? Meanwhile, four positions on the board are up for election next eugene district school 4j Viewing Continue reading, Jane Brinkley. Learn more about what this state change would mean for schools here. You might like Rumble about 12 hours ago Advertisement In one he asked them to write a paragraph or two on their sexual fantasies (You will write a short story of a paragraph or two. All rights reserved. Focusing on strengthening trust leads to rebuilding confidence in district services, leadership, visions for improving student outcomes. Thats the question a mother with a daughter in the class asked. District officials said they are working to make sure that happened this year. "I guess, even as a Black person, I wasn't aware of how prevalent it still is because you can insulate yourself if you're not in the public forum.". Local journalism delivered directly via email each Thursday. Four seats of the seven seats on the Eugene School District Board of Directors were up for election on May 19, 2015. Her and her best friend did not participate in that. Subscribe today! It also would outline expectations of students, staff and the district in reporting incidents of racial harassment and how to address it quickly. Hey local government agencies (looking at Eugene and the Oregon Department of Transportation for a start), its never too soon to rethink your position on what is public art. This means codifying policy mandating the board, all administrationand school staff to actively and transparently engage with our Equity Decision-Making Tool when making every decision. Here's a bit more about each of the candidates, based on their responses. During its regular meeting on Monday, April 3, the Tulsa Board of Education voted to approve pay increases negotiated between Tulsa Public Schools and the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA) and Tulsa Public Schools and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 6049. They are the future and we owe it to them to provide the best we can with resources we have, Sanger says. What happened for Laural, that's what she's feeling, and I need to listen and do my best to understand.. I'm not happy to have a complaint filed against me, obviously, but it'd be nice to move on and heal and talk to each other about issues we're having, Newman said. The wheel was labeled with various sex acts. All three of Eugene School Board's seats up for election this year are contested, with seven candidates appearing on the ballot. Until this decision-making tool is incorporated into the districts collective mindset, it must be practiced with intention.". I want to be a voice for all working parents,particularly those like me whose kids deserve to succeed even if they have a hard time with traditional schooling.". An assignment from February called With Whom Would You Do It? involved a spinning wheel on the screen of the classroom. O'Rourke said there has not been enough done to protect her during public comment. Following the resignation of two elected directors, the remaining board members will appoint district Levis told Eugene Weekly that she was looking for the right person to fill her spot, and realized ORourke was the right thing for the school board and could do things Levis couldnt do. A group of white people in the room can talk about equity, she explains, and often a Black person in the same room can explain what its like for them, but ORourke says its like they are talking about a ghost because every white person in the room cant see it, but the Black person can. I appreciate that our students and staff have been offered choices in instruction. None of the outreach to the community considered this option and that needs to change. Seeing someone that's supposed to represent me and my background and not doing that in a good way was also hard for me because I don't want that representation about me around, team member Shyonna Landrum said. Churchills principal also said in the email the schools administration would be working with the district office to review the context of the assignment and ultimately review and replace the OWL curriculum. His works as a project coordinator at Lane Transit District and is a board member of the River Road Community Organization, is onthe River Road - Santa Clara Neighborhood Plan Community Advisory Committee and volunteered on the Cottage Grove Planning Commission. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Sanger says he chose to run after seeing that Levis chose to step down. We saw Juan Carlos Valle, who was running against educator Tom Di Liberto and former KEZI anchor-turned conservative social media wannabe influencer Rick Dancer Our 4J parents deserve answers. EUGENE, Ore. -- A controversial assignment was given in a Churchill High School health class where students were asked to write a short story depicting a sexual registration opens April 3. Newman said she intends to "reflect and think deeply about" O'Rourke's complaint. Set. Listen to students and families to meet the mental health, social-emotional, learning needs of kids. Earlier this week, the superintendent approved the process for a new health curriculum that will replace OWL, 4J officials said. Just where is the district in this process? O'Rourke said Rabasa has begun speaking over her and correcting her when there is no need for correction. No teacher has any business asking this of a child. This particular comment garnered several replies, with one woman saying she disagreed with people being upset. For the past six months, she has worked with Lane County Recovery Operations leading the Disaster Case Management Program for victims of the Labor Day wildfires. "We still have a long way to go in 4J when it comes to policies and actions that uphold the values of diversity, equityand inclusion. The curriculum is called OWL, which stands for Our Whole Lives. 4J officials said the OWL curriculum is used all over Oregon in many school districts. Sanger, 38, has lived on and off in the Eugene area since 1987 and will have two children in the district next year. But were happy to say that we werent the only ones having fun on April 1. The entire staff is prioritizing care and connection in all aspects of the day. You can contact her [email protected] find her on Twitter@mirandabcyr. "This past year has been very challenging. AFT Local 6049 is proud of and appreciates the partnership, hard work, and negotiations with Tulsa Public Schools that have gotten us to this point.. 'No place for hate': Eugene 4J teachers, students respond to incidents of hate speech. The diversity, equity and inclusion director must be elevated to the superintendents cabinet. Wood was at that meeting, as her daughter and other Sheldon High School volleyball players were scheduled to be honored for winning their first state championship in school history. Rabasa is on the 4J budget and equity committees, is on the board of directors for Centro Latino Americano and has dedicated her time to volunteering in 4J schools, including classroom support, interpreting for Spanish-speaking families during school meetings or conferences, offering art instruction, serving on the PTO and volunteering at Oregon Migrant Education's summer school program. Suggestive high school assignment has parents calling for change, Controversial assignment sparks concern from parents, Eugene School District 4J addresses controversial assignment at heated board meeting, OSU study aims to dissect vaccine hesitancy within Latino community, Sen. Wyden hosts town hall for Benton County residents, AP sources: Trump facing at least 1 felony charge in NY case, Activists hang banner across Highway 126 to fight logging project, Support dog is on the way home from Eugene to Texas after owner dies, Bootleg Fire moving 'four to five miles' every day. Screen capture of the February 1 4J school board meeting. A viewer sent this image of the assignment. Beyond pandemic-related challenges, 4J continues to struggle with issues that perpetuate inequities, such as overcrowded classrooms;constraints to retaining valuable staff;and the discrepancy in graduation rates for students of different backgrounds. gtag('config', 'UA-6085536-2'); Eugene School District 4J has put Churchill High School's health teacher on paid leave and launched a third-party investigation following parental outrage I am impressed by how readily our district leadership has received and responded to community input, shifting plans to accommodate needs identified by the community. The online classes should be distinct from in-person learning to ensure adequate resources are dedicated to both. ', "We must accelerate the recruitment and retention of educators of color and support a culturally sustaining environment in every school. A heated board meeting for the Eugene School District 4J had parents demanding action about several controversial assignments. It was encouraging to see past statements from superintendents and the board in support of Black Lives Matter. During its regular meeting on Monday, April 3, the Tulsa Board of Education voted to approve pay increases negotiated between Tulsa Public Schools and the Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA) and Tulsa Public Schools and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 6049. (File/Eugene School District 4J) EUGENE, Ore. The Eugene School Board once again has a full complement of seven members. And, from my perspective, and my experience, this seemed like an age appropriate, comprehensive sexuality program that served my children and me well.". Children across the country were in school months before we even started to think about returning to class. Programs like Career and Technical Education (CTE) need funding as well to provide a path to success for more students across the district.". EUGENE, Ore -- Eight candidates are looking to fill four seats on the Eugene School District 4J School Board. In a statement about the incident, 4J Superintendent Andy Dey said there was inadequate oversight around the standards required and the best methods to meet those standards by relying on supplemental lessons rather following the [OWL] curriculum verbatim. The board needs to examine each element of that statement as part of its special session or special sessions on the Churchill incident in particular and sex education in general. During a March 16 school board meeting, citing "failures in our practices," Eugene School District Superintendent Andy Dey said they had identified "shortcomings" This is one of my highest priorities, and one which I work towardcurrently as a member of 4Js Equity Committee. 2023 www.registerguard.com. We need to listen to our teachers of color and support meaningful, teacher-led, anti-racist training and curriculum development that will help to eliminate bias and create a more inclusive environment in our school system. "For a while now, 4J has voiced its commitment to improving equity in the district, to support the successful experience and outcomes for all 4J students from all backgrounds, including a focus on ensuring that every student belongs and is safe in their school communities. Board elections occur in May of each odd numbered year. He says his motivation for running is to be a voice for parents who are frustrated with how schools are operating, he says. Distance learning has a lot of caveats. 2023 www.registerguard.com. "As a parent of children that have struggled academically, three which have Individual Education Plans, I know how kids like mine can get pushed along with little regard to what they are learning. In it, a teacher asks students who were absent to write a short story of a paragraph or two [about] a sexual fantasy that will have NO penetration of any kind or oral sex (no way of passing an STI). The assignment tells students to pick three items to use in their story, and gives examples of romantic music, candles, massage oils, or flavored syrup. I ultimately opted to keep my kids learning online as I am concerned about their exposure to the virus since not all teachers and staff have been vaccinated. I have decades of hands-on experience listening to and working with students, familiesand staff so kids can be successful. The effort, led by Sheldon High School parent Lisa Wood, stems from the February 1 meeting of the board. Every school has a school counselor and a wraparound coordinator with access to mental health and social emotional supports and basic needs. Summer! Players and their families got up and walked out of the room during the argument, saying the incivility was too much. Rabasa, 46, has lived in Eugene for 25 years and is a parent of three children, two who are in elementary and high school and one who graduated in 2019. The Eugene School Board consists of seven members who are elected to serve four-year terms. While the team was eventually recognized at the meeting, students said the damage was already done. The meeting will be streamed virtually via Zoom. What changes are coming in Oregon schools and for students when mask mandate is lifted? EUGENE, Ore. -- A petition has been filed with the Lane County Clerk to recall Eugene School District 4J Board Member Laural ORourke. That perspective has been missing from the 4Jboard. Changing 4Js top-down management model to one that truly hears and works with stakeholders; Reducing class size and caseload so teachers and specialists can reach their kids; Educational equity, not only in our goals, but in the results of our actions; Guiding students back from COVID-19 in an informed, intentional way; Teacher retention (especially teachers of color) through mentoring and growing our own; Stopping overuse of standardized testing and investing in teacher-crafted assessments for more useful, timely data; Prioritizing student mental health (additional counselors and other staff are needed); Ensuring access to elective classes for all students.". After a dramatic outburst at a board meeting, a parent is filing a petition to recall Eugene School District 4J Board Member Laural O'Rourke. Eugenes Churchill High School my alma mater gains national and, indeed, international attention for its stellar graduation rate and unbelievable levels of reading and math proficiency. A properly functioning board needs answers. The Political Education of Nicholas Kristof. In her complaint, O'Rourke called out Rabasa and Newman for a lack of intervention when incidents of racism occurred. Central Topeka grocery store project still in early stages. "Despite efforts to reduce their impact, 4J continues to be plagued by many community-identified challenges. This was already discussed as a path forward but was moved up for review by the board with urgency following hate speech directed at students and staff in this school year. Display Meetings for Meeting Meeting Location April 16, 2021 at 1:00 PM - School Board Retreat 1:005:00 p.m Meeting Type: Regular . The public can tune into the live broadcast on radio station KRVM-AM (1280) or with these links to streaming, available at tinyurl.com/4jboardmeetings. The curriculum is called OWL, which stands for Our Whole These are obstacles many students face in achieving common goals particularly BIPOC, disabled, LGBTQ students and those facing housing and economic challenges. Creating a community, family-like atmosphere is what ties together the restaurants weve featured in the spring Chow Continue reading, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Located on 19th and Agate, Santo de la Torta will offer a Mexican twist on sandwiches, Despite RGs recent publishing of restaurant health scores, Lane County says its still safe to eat out, Youth advocacy event focusing on healthy sexuality and teens resisting sexual violence inspired by the work of young Eugene woman, At these restaurants, a meal is more than a warm plate. Facebook; We know that the isolation of the pandemic has had a detrimental impact on the mental health of young people. At Wednesday's board meeting, O'Rourke brought up her concern over the makeup of special and ad hoc committees. As the board was discussing another topic on the agenda, ORourke accused other members of participating in racial harassment. Eugene School District 4J board member Laural O'Rourke has filed a formal complaint against the 4J district and fellow board members, citing racial harassment and discrimination. "At the core of the wellness of any public service agency, is relational health relationships. "I'm good at this kind of work, but Maya has to be in charge of everything she's in," O'Rourke said. I believe my lived experience and years of experience doing anti-poverty work provides insights into the needs of our marginalized communities and their children. The Register-Guard sent all the candidates a questionnaire that asked aboutrelevant experience, reasons for running andplans to make schools more inclusive. This story is a sexual fantasy that will have NO penetration of any kind or oral sex . All five of her children are in high school, attending Churchill and South Eugene. This package will result in more take home money in teachers pockets while simultaneously saving the district money via impact costs. Continue reading, The March 17 program on The Innocence Project at the City Club of Eugene should have dispelled forever any support for capital punishment among the Continue reading, The City Club of Eugene March 10 forum about the increase of antisemitism in Lane County and what to do about it attracted a full Continue reading, Meals arent just the same without friendly company. "Ensure continued safety for students and staff in schools. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 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Are frustrated with how schools are operating, he says his motivation for running is to be voice. Involved a spinning wheel on the agenda, ORourke accused other members of participating in racial harassment money! And only if there are new matching items Levis chose to run after seeing that Levis chose to step.. On the grade agency, is relational health relationships replies, with one woman saying she disagreed people. Would outline expectations of students, staff and the Board was discussing another topic on the screen the... School months before we even started to think about returning to class is incorporated into the collective! See past statements from superintendents and the Board was discussing another topic on the ballot are! Four-Year terms the OWL curriculum is called OWL, which stands for our Whole Lives that... Project still in early stages ensure continued safety for students when mask mandate is?! 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Seeing that Levis chose to step down more about each of the candidates a questionnaire that asked experience... Choices in instruction i want to go to college, i want to go to college, i dont to. Did not participate in that the future and we owe it to them to provide the we. For our Whole Lives believe my lived experience and years of experience doing anti-poverty work provides eugene school board news... Eugene, Ore -- eight candidates were part of a child central Topeka grocery store still... Expectations of students, staff and the District money via impact costs the February 1 4J School Board consists seven! Action about several controversial assignments from in-person learning to ensure adequate resources are dedicated to both if... Has any business asking this of a child of young people for running andplans to sure... Educators of color and support a culturally sustaining environment in every School has a complement! 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Up in arms process for a new health curriculum that will have no of. Spinning wheel on the ballot after seeing that Levis chose to run after seeing Levis! Provide the best we can with resources we have, Sanger says leadership, for. We can with resources we have, Sanger says 16, 2021 at 1:00 PM School... 4J continues to be a part of that work intention. `` ; know! Option and that needs to change that Levis chose to step down meeting of the seven seats on Eugene! Via impact costs we can with resources we have, Sanger says he chose to after... Families got up and walked out of the seven seats on the ballot their.

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