With summer vacation coming to a close and back-to-school season in full swing, here’s what you need to know before the start of the 2024-25 school year in Lane County.
When does the lesson begin?
Across Lane County, school will not begin until after Labor Day on September 2, with exact start dates varying by district and grade level.
In Eugene, classes at post-secondary institutions will resume later. Both the University of Oregon and Lane Community College will begin classes on Monday, September 30.
Here are all the start dates for public schools in Lane County:
- Bethel School District: Grades K-9 begin Tuesday, September 3. Grades 10-12 begin Wednesday, September 4.
- Creswell School District: Sixth and ninth grades begin on Wednesday, September 4. For all other grades, classes begin on Thursday, September 5.
- Crow-Applegate-Lorane School District: Tuesday, September 3rd.
- Eugene School District 4J: Kindergarten and sixth and ninth grades begin on Wednesday, September 4. All other grades begin on Thursday, September 5.
- Fern Ridge School District: Grades 1-6 and 9 begin Tuesday, September 3; grades 7-12 begin Wednesday, September 4; all students in grades 1-12 begin Thursday, September 5. Kindergarten begins Monday, September 11.
- Junction City School District: “Soft start” on Tuesday, September 3, for kindergarten, fifth and ninth grade. All other grades begin on Wednesday, September 4.
- Lowell School District: Wednesday, September 4th.
- Mapleton School District: Grades 1-12 begin on Tuesday, September 3. The first day of kindergarten and preschool is Monday, September 9.
- Marcola School District: Tuesday, September 3rd.
- McKenzie School District: Tuesday, September 3rd.
- Oakridge School District: Tuesday, September 3rd.
- Pleasant Hill School District: Grades K-6 and 9 begin on Wednesday, September 4. All other grades begin on Thursday, September 5.
- Siuslaw School District: Orientation for new elementary and sixth grade students will be Tuesday, September 3. Grades 9-12 begin Tuesday, September 3, grades 1-8 begin Wednesday, September 4, and kindergarten begins Monday, September 9.
- South Lane School District: Wednesday, September 4th.
- Springfield Public Schools: Grades 1-6, 9, and half of kindergarten begin on Wednesday, September 4. Grades 7-8 and 10-12 and the rest of kindergarten begin on Thursday, September 5.
Children “Smart Start”
Several school districts in Lane County, including 4J, SPS and Bethel, use Smart Start for their kindergarten students.
The basic idea is to divide the kindergarten class into two groups that take turns attending school during the first few days to help them adjust to the school environment. This also allows teachers to work with smaller classes and better recognize students’ individual learning styles.
Most schools divide the groups alphabetically by the children’s last names. Check with your child’s school to find out which days your kindergarten child has to go to school.
School registration
Anyone wishing to enroll a new student at 4J can visit 4j.lane.edu/instruction/enrollment/student-enrollment/ and follow the instructions to submit the materials online or drop them off at the school of their choice. For further assistance, call 541-790-7712 or email [email protected].
Parents who wish to enroll a new student in SPS can do so with a ParentVUE account, an app the district uses to keep parents informed. For more information about SPS enrollment, visit springfield.k12.or.us/enroll. For additional assistance, contact your local school office or Amy Stephens at 541-726-3254 or [email protected].
For information on registering new and returning students for Bethel, visit bethel.k12.or.us/bsdfamilies/register/. Registration can be completed by creating a PowerSchool online registration account with an email address or cell phone number. For further assistance, email [email protected].
Students eat free in 2024-25
Free breakfast and lunch will be available to all students enrolled in 4J, SPS and Bethel, regardless of household income.
Summer meals will be served through FOOD for Lane County through Friday, August 23.
School supplies
Many local organizations and nonprofits run campaigns throughout the year to raise funds for school supplies, scholarships, and other student needs and resources.
Project Hope is holding its 13th annual back-to-school raffle on Saturday and Sunday, partnering with more than 50 churches, 35 businesses and the 4J, Bethel, Springfield and Junction City school districts. The raffle will allow students to choose essential items such as new shoes, socks and backpacks full of school supplies. For more information, visit onehopenetwork.org/project-hope.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley will host its seventh annual Field of Dreams dinner and auction at PK Park on Thursday. Funds raised will benefit the more than 450 children who attend the Boys & Girls Clubs in Eugene and Springfield after school. Tickets are available at bgcev.org/field-of-dreams.
The following groups accept monetary and/or in-kind donations to support students:
Miranda Cyr covers education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at [email protected] or find her on Twitter. @mirandabcyr.
