McCornack Family Week at a Glance

                                                                                     September 2025

Dear McCornack Families,

I hope you've had a wonderful summer full of rest, fun, and connection with your loved ones. I am so excited to welcome you all back for what promises to be an incredible school year! The halls are already buzzing with excitement as we prepare to fill our classrooms with the energy and curiosity of our amazing students.

As we look ahead, I want to highlight a key focus for our district that will soon be shared by our new Superintendent, Dr. Miriam Mickelson “The 4J Way: Growing Together, Centering Students”.  This powerful idea will be at the heart of everything we do, and here at McCornack, we will bring it to life beginning with a commitment and belief that our school community is “Better Together”.  Being “Better Together” means that our success as a school and student-centered growth is built on the strong relationships and collaboration between all of us—students, staff, and families. This year, we will lean into these ideas and ask for your partnership in several key areas:

• Academics: When we partner as a team, we can ensure every child has the support they need to thrive. We will be "better together" by sharing student progress with you.  Reading with your child daily and asking open-ended questions about their schoolwork are great ways to reinforce what they're learning, and celebrating their effort and growth shows them their hard work is valued.

• Attendance: Consistent attendance is the foundation for all learning. We are "better together" when we work to ensure every student is present and on time each day, ready to engage with their teachers and peers.

• Behavior: A physically and emotionally safe learning environment is a shared responsibility. As a McCornack school community, we are safe, responsible, and act as caretakers. We will be "better together" by teaching and upholding these clear expectations for student behavior, and by partnering with you to reinforce these values at home.

• Volunteers and Community: We believe our school community is our greatest strength. We are "better together" when our families are involved through volunteering, attending school events, and participating in our parent organization. Your presence makes our school a more vibrant place.

I am so grateful to be your principal, and I can't wait to see how “The 4J Way: Growing Together, Centering Students” takes shape in our community. Thank you in advance for your partnership and for being an essential part of the McCornack family.  Here's to a great school year!

Better together,
Dana =)

Coming Soon:

McCornack Parent/Family Handbook:  We strongly recommend families review and reference this handbook (Spanish) which is full of important information about McCornack.  Please click on this link once you have read/reviewed the Handbook.

Welcome to our McCornack school community! The Parent/Family Handbook is here to help us all understand the guidelines, procedures, and shared values that keep our school a safe and welcoming place for everyone. We kindly ask that you take some time to read through the handbook together, so we can all be on the same page and work towards a wonderful school year.

By signing this form, you’re showing your support for our community’s efforts to create a positive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive. We’re grateful for your partnership in making our school a place where everyone feels valued and respected.

Thank you for being a part of our school family.

Daily Schedule for McCornack:

8:00 a.m. outside supervision available for McCornack students

8:00-8:20 a.m. - ALL students breakfast in the cafeteria

• All kindergarten students enter at the cafeteria door 

8:20-8:30 a.m.  - Outside entry doors open for all students to go to classrooms 

• Kindergarten students are guided by teachers from the cafeteria

• 1st-5th grade breakfast students exit the cafeteria and enter though their outside entry doors

8:30 a.m. - All students who arrive after 8:30 a.m. must enter through the main office

8:35 a.m. building-wide video announcements, daily intention/affirmation and mindfulness activity

3:00 p.m. dismissal (M, T, TH, F); 1:45 p.m.(Wednesdays)

Student Meals: Breakfast, lunches, and some snacks are provided to students at no

charge. Food and drink may also be brought from home. Families are asked to

communicate with the classroom teacher about any allergies in the class. Food and

drinks should be in packaging that is easily opened by the student.

Meet the Teacher Night:  We are thrilled to invite families into our classrooms on September 2nd beginning at 5:00 p.m. to meet their teachers (kindergarten students can visit our AMAZING teachers!) and see the spaces. At 5:00 p.m., please join us on the back playground for icy treats and time to gather/socialize as a community.   

Student Registration:  Our office is open for new student registration.  If your child attended McCornack last year, there is no need to reregister.  If you know any new students in our community or children who will be 5 years old on or before September 1st, please encourage them to register here at the school.  We are also excited to welcome students who are new to our area. 

School Supplies for the 2025/2026 School Year: 

For the 25/26 School Year, we are asking families for a $35.00 donation. This covers almost everything needed for students for the YEAR :-) Please visit the link to donate online Supply Donation Link

We are also seeking donations of the following items:

• Large bottles of hand sanitizer

• Kleenex

• Wet wipes

• Ticoderoga pencils

• Reams of white printer paper

• Non-perishable snack food

Thank you for all donations big and small

Class Placements 25/26:  At McCornack we use a variety of data points (academic, social, behavior support, race/ethnicity, gender, etc.) to thoughtfully and intentionally draft initial class placements for the coming school year.  These drafts are then given to current grade level teams for review and revision. Placements will be shared with incoming McCornack families via email on August 29th. We will host “Meet the Teacher” before school begins as well.

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

Student Transportation Plans: Please click HERE to complete a very quick survey FOR ALL McCORNACK STUDENTS to let us know how your child will come and go from school each day.  Thank you! 

PTO Executive Board Slate of Candidates:  Our nominating committee has prepared the following slate of candidates for the 2025-26 PTO Executive Board. Please review the list and look for an opportunity to vote for the slate in mid-September. Thanks for your input!

President - Sydney Mills

Vice President - Eleesia Keuhn 

Secretary - Alex Hailey

Treasurer, - Chelsea Mills

Ways and Means Coordinator - Anna Shea 

Volunteer Coordinator - Mary Phelps 

Project Hope: Save the Date: 4J Back to School Giveaway - FLYER

Shoes! Socks! Backpacks! Games!

Project Hope serves K-12 students who are enrolled in Eugene 4J schools.

Every student must have a ticket and be present at the event to receive supplies.

How to Reserve a Ticket (Como reservar un boleto):

Tickets will be available starting Monday, August 18th at 7 AM.

*Arts & Technology Academy 

Saturday, August 23rd 

https://tinyurl.com/PH-ATA-25

*Howard Elementary School

Sunday, August 24th

https://tinyurl.com/Howard-25

Students may attend one giveaway, not both. 

Safe Routes to School:

Learn to ride a bike at a free, all-ages event! 

Sunday, August 24, 2-5pm - drop-in

Clear Lake Community Center, 4646 Barger Dr.

Click here for flyer. 

Click here for Facebook event.

Haga clic aquí para ver el folleto.

Haga clic aquí para ver el evento en Facebook.

Join Safe Routes to School; 4J, Bethel, and Springfield School Districts; Cascadia Mobility; the Cities of Eugene and Springfield and Shift Community Cycles for this fun event with bike checks and minor tune-ups and information about bike share. This event is in coordination with Project Hope.

You don’t need your own bike to participate, but please bring a helmet and bike if you have one. Comment or message us with questions or to volunteer or contact albee_b@4j.lane.edu or 541-790-7661.

Operation School Bell:  Operation School Bell is a community program that provides

students with the opportunity to shop at Fred Meyer for clothing. Families who would benefit from this program will have the opportunity to sign up, on a space available basis, beginning on September 2nd during Meet the Teacher Night.

LTD Bus Passes for Students: Do you need a bus pass for your child?  You can request one by sending an email to Julie Whittlesey @ whittlesey_j@4j.lane.edu

YMCA Before/After School Care: The YMCA offers before and after school care here

at McCornack. At this time, the McCornack programs are full, and if you are in need of

care, we encourage you to get on their waitlist. FOR MORE INFORMATION:

youth@eugeneymca.org / 541-686-9622

DISTRICT NOTIFICATIONS:

Title 1 Assessment Testing – The Eugene 4j School District administers both reading and math assessments to each of our students three times a year ~ fall, winter, and spring. Students scoring below the 20th percentile may be recommended by the building-level team to receive instructional interventions in reading and/or math. Students receiving interventions will have their progress monitored during regular intervals. At our school, all students receive 45 minutes of reading instruction and 45 minutes of instruction in the area of mathematics each day. Parents/guardians will be notified if their child is recommended to receive additional reading or math instruction.

Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Prevention Process - Eugene School District 4J has policies and programs to prohibit and prevent bullying and harassment, including intimidation, cyberbullying, hazing and teen dating violence. District policy also prohibits discrimination, meaning any act that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably differentiating in treatment in any instructional program, extracurricular activity, or in the provision of any other service or benefit on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other factor protected by law.

The district encourages students, parents and other patrons to share their concerns with district officials if they believe they or someone else has been the victim of bullying and harassment, including intimidation, cyberbullying, hazing and teen dating violence, sexual harassment or discrimination. No reprisal or adverse action will occur as a consequence of initiating a complaint in good faith.

Incidents should be reported to the school principal or other staff member. An optional Student Safety Reporting Form is available in the front office of the school. If the complainant has worked with the school and is not satisfied with the resolution, or if the principal is alleged to have engaged in wrongdoing, a complaint may be directed to the superintendent’s office. Complaint forms and information about the complaint process are available in all 4J school offices on the 4J website at www.4j.lane.edu/complaints and at the 4J Education Center, 200 North Monroe Street, Eugene, OR 97402. For more information, contact your school principal or the superintendent’s office, 541‑790‑7716.

School to Inform Parents if Their Student Receives a Threat – “Oregon law requires schools to inform parents if their child’s name appears on a targeted list (i.e. a “hit list”) that threatens violence or harm from another student.” We will be using the following procedure to inform you if your student either receives or makes a serious threat of violence or harm.

If your child’s name appears on a list threatening violence or harm by another student, we will attempt to meet with you personally, or talk by telephone, within 12 hours of learning about the threat. We will tell you about the threat, who made it (if we know), and the action we are taking to respond to it. We will also send you a notice within 24 hours, stating that your child received a threat. Our number one priority will be to make sure that school is safe for your children.

If your child made the threat, we will let you know that he or she made it and the action we are taking, including informing the parents of the student who received the threat that your student made. We are also required by the district’s “Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook” to inform the police.