August 21, 2023
Hello Gilham Families,
Here are a couple reminders for the start of the year. For more detailed information, please click here for the Welcome Back Newsletter.
Volunteering Background Check Info – If any parents or guardians would like to volunteer at Gilham, you’ll need a completed background Check. See the Volunteer in Eugene School District 4J Webpage for details.
First Days of School —
KINDERGARTEN: First day of school is Wednesday, September 6th, 7:55-1:10.
GRADES 1 – 5: First day of school is Thursday, September 7th, 7:55-2:25
New! Kindergarten Smart Start – Kindergarten families should visit the 4J Kindergarten Smart Start Website for details.
Additional info can be found on the 4J Kindergarten Information Webpage.
Regular School Schedule — The school schedule this year.
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday starting at 7:55 and ending at 2:25.Wednesday starts at 7:55 and ends at 1:10.
Enrollment/Registration — If you have enrollment/registration questions please contact the Gilham Office at 541-790-6200 or email Hollie at service_h@4j.lane.edu.
Meet the Teacher is Tuesday, Sept. 5th at 2:00-3:00 – This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to view their new classroom and introduce themselves to their new teacher and classmates. Please plan on attending!
Kona Ice after you “Meet Your Teacher” @ 2:30! – Get some tasty shaved ice
Class Assignments — Classroom placement letters will be emailed to families the afternoon of Friday, September 1st, just prior to Labor Day weekend.
School Supplies — Students will Need —
- A Backpack
- A water bottle
- Headphones to be used in class (would prefer not ear buds)
- Box of Kleenex (for the classroom)
- Box of Band Aids (for the classroom)
Gilham Work Day 2023 – Saturday, August 26th 9:00-12:00
FROM EUGENE SCHOOL DISTRICT 4J:
FREE LTD Transit Pass – All students in 4J schools can get a student pass to ride Lane Transit District (LTD) buses for free. Student transit passes can be used to travel anywhere within the LTD service area. Student passes can be used at any time—after school, on weekends, and during school breaks, as well as to get to and from school each day.
To get a free LTD student transit pass, available as a tap card or Umo smartphone app, guardians/parents can make the request for elementary students; middle and high school students can request their own passes. Passes are valid from September 1 of the current school year to September 30 of the following year and can be renewed by the school each year for ongoing free service.
FYI, elementary students need to have a parent or guardian request the pass, but there’s no longer a permission form to sign.
Learn to Ride a Bike – A Free, All Ages, Drop-In Event!
Tuesday, August 29th, stop by any time between 4:30-6:30 pm
4J District Office parking lot, 200 North Monroe Street
Do you or your child want to learn how to ride a bike? We’ll start with balancing and gliding without pedals or training wheels. Some will learn to pedal in one session, while others may need more practice to reach that final goal.
Join Safe Routes to School, Cascadia Mobility, the City of Eugene, the City of Springfield, and Shift Community Cycles for this fun event with pedal-powered smoothies, bike checks, and information about bike share.
You don’t need your own bike to participate, but please bring a helmet and bike if you have one.Contact Safe Routes to School at (541) 516-0887 or mazze_s@4j.lane.edu with questions or to Volunteer.
Walk, Bike, Skate, Scoot, Bus or Carpool to School – As you gear up for the school year, it’s time to think about how your child(ren) will get to school. September weather and the start of the school year are a great time to set new goals for the family. Making small changes to your daily routine can lead to a surprising number of benefits for your family and community! We encourage students to walk, bike, skate, scoot, bus or carpool to school for their health and readiness to learn, the safety and congestion in our parking lot, and the environment. If you’ve got to drive, but still want the health and academic benefits for your child and want to avoid the challenge of the parking lot, try parking a few minutes from school and walking the rest of the way. It’s a great time to connect with your child and could become a favorite part of your day!
If you have concerns about your route or would like help planning a walking/biking route or starting a biking or walking group, contact 4J’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator at mazze_s@4j.lane.edu or 541-790-7539. You can find tipsheets on walking and biking and more on the Safe Routes to School regional website at www.eugenespringfieldsrts.org/local-resources
Breakfast & Lunch Menus –Breakfast and lunch menus are available on the 4J Menu Website. Make sure you filter to Gilham Elementary.
Important Dates —
8/21 – Office Opens (8:00-12:00, 1:00-3:00)
8/26 – Gilham Work Day 2023
8/27 – 4J Project Hope, Free Supplies (North Eugene HS)
9/1 — Classroom Placement Letter emailed to parents
9/5 – Meet the Teacher at 2:00 – 3:00
9/6 – Classes Begin: Kindergarteners Only
9/7 – Classes Begin: Grades 1-5
9/26 – Open House/Curriculum Night, 5:30 – 6:30
10/6 – Jog a thon – if you want to volunteer, connect with PTO and fill out volunteer forms now
10/13 – No School — Professional Development/Planning Day
10/16 – 10/20 – Scholastic Book Fair (Library)
10/19 – School Picture Day
Lavinia Page
Principal
