Dear Monroe Families,

Thank you for all your support this week as we hit the month of May—hard to believe we’re already here! The weather has been beautiful, and we are fully in the swing of Spring.

This week brought a mix of emotions. There has been so much to celebrate—our final Student of the Month Assembly, track and field sub-districts, students representing Monroe at Model UN, and more. Specifically, it was inspiring to see over 30 parents and guardians in attendance—such a powerful reflection of the support and pride within our Monroe community for our Student of the Month winners.  At the same time, we recognize that staffing impacts in our building and across the district are becoming more real, and that can be difficult for many in our community. Thank you for the extra care, encouragement, and support you’ve shown to our staff and the broader 4J community as we navigate these uncharted waters together. Your partnership and empathy make a meaningful difference.

Despite the challenges, we are also looking ahead to Teacher Appreciation Week next week. We are incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing, dedicated, collaborative, and caring group of teachers supporting our students every day. Thank you in advance for helping us celebrate them. Our teachers do so much more than deliver instruction each day. They build meaningful relationships with students, create safe and engaging classroom environments, and consistently go above and beyond to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of every child. They collaborate closely with one another, support each other through challenges, and contribute to a strong, unified staff culture. Beyond the classroom, they show up for our greater community—coaching, advising, attending events, and finding countless ways to connect with students and families. We are incredibly fortunate to have a team that leads with care, dedication, and heart every single day.

Please see below for a tangible way to support through our parent group, or simply click HERE to contribute.

We appreciate you all and are grateful to be part of such a strong community.

See below for key reminders…GO MUSTANGS! 

• The Monthly Mustang #8 is out!  Link >> HERE

• MPO Teacher Appreciation Week Lunch: We are incredibly thankful for the outstanding teachers who support, inspire, and guide our students every day. Their hard work and heart are what make our school such a special place. The school community and MPO are coming together to show our appreciation during Teacher Appreciation Week by providing lunch for teachers on Friday, May 8th. If you’re able, please sign up, HERE. Thank you for helping us celebrate and appreciate the people who care for our kids each day. 

• Save the Date May 29th! Art & Music in the Courtyard: Our annual end of year community event! Student art, music from our students, the book fair, food trucks, and community! 5:30-7:30 for the entire community. More details to come- you don’t want to miss out! 

• 8th Grade End of Year Events & Communication At-a-Glance: see HERE for up to date information about all things 8th grade. It’s a working document so please check it consistently and we’ll communicate directly if key dates change. 

  • *Exclusion from Activities: It is our practice that suspendable incidents and other behaviors can exclude students from participating in activities- specifically Camp Harlow, the 8th Grade Dance, and Field Day. In an effort to increase our communication around this, Administration will be in contact with you and your student a week before the event (the best we can) if they will be excluded due to behavioral concerns. In general, we give students a reset/restart at the mid-term. However, Administrators do use their discretion in determining which students will need to be excluded.

• State Testing May 4th-May 21st: ELA Testing starts Monday, May 4th. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Registrar and State Testing Coordinator Sydney Bakos, at bakos_s@4j.lane.edu or at 541-790-6323. 

• Monroe’s Got Talent! Tryouts coming: May 14th and 19th during Flex, Monroe will be holding auditions for this year’s Talent Show!  More dates and information to follow, but tell your student to polish up their act and try out!  See flyer attached.

• U of O Volleyball camp: See HERE. Camp will take place July 20–23 in Matthew Night Arena, and is designed for 3rd–7th grade students of all skill levels. This camp focuses on creating a fun, positive environment where kids can: Learn volleyball fundamentals, Build confidence and teamwork, Stay active and engaged over the summer. Campers will receive instruction from our coaching staff and student-athletes, making it a memorable and inspiring experience for young athletes in our community.

• Nutrition Services: see updated newsletter from our fantastic Nutrition department Week 10 HERE

• Sheldon Colleens Dance Team Info Night: Sheldon Colleens will hold an informational meeting on May 19th, 6 pm, in the Sheldon Library.  Meet the coaches, learn about the tryout process, and understand practice commitment to be a part of the program.  This meeting is MANDATORY for students interested in pursuing a spot on the Colleens team.  See flyer for complete information . Tryouts will happen May 27-28 for those who have attended the mandatory info. night previously. See updated flyer attached for more details.

• Sheldon Girls Basketball Summer Camp: Skills camps will be offered June 15-16 from 9:30-1:30 for grades 1-8.  Enjoy mini games, skill development, team building and more!  See attached flyer for more details.

• Learn to Ride a Bike: Do you or your child want to learn how to ride a bike? Join 4J, Bethel, and Springfield Safe Routes to School programs, the City of Eugene, the City of Springfield, Shift Community Cycles and Cascadia Mobility for this fun event with bike checks, free helmets and information about bike share. Contact Safe Routes to School at mazze_s@4j.lane.edu or albee_b@4j.lane.edu with questions or to volunteer. Thursday, May 7, 2026, 4:30-6:30 pm, 4J Education Center, 200 North Monroe St, Eugene

• School Pay for Yearbook and End of Year Activities: Did you know yearbooks as well as other end-of-year activities can be paid through SchoolPay? Click Here to go to SchoolPay.

• Food for Lane County: community resources HERE. If your family is seeking assistance, reach out to our office directly and we will collaborate to support as our community is able.

Best,

Holly Campbell

Substitute Office Manager