In this message:
• Vaccine Clinics for Kids: First appointments filled; more will open next Friday
• Learning Pathways: Request now to switch between online and on-site options
• Parent Webinar: Send questions now for COVID info session November 9
• COVID Dashboard: 4J's upgraded case tracker includes quarantines by school
• 4J School News: Check out some recent news headlines and school updates 
• Join Our Team: Serve local youth and community—come work or sub with 4J!

COVID-19 Vaccine Available for K–6 Students

Vaccine authorized for children age 5–11 • Vaccine clinics at schools and other locations in November • First week's clinics are filled

Vaccines against COVID-19 are now available for students in grades K–6.

Pfizer’s vaccine for children age 5–11 is now authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC. Previously the vaccine was authorized only for age 12 and older. Parent permission is required for medical care for children under 15. 

Children ages 5 to 11 will receive one-third of the adult dose of the Pfizer vaccine, using smaller needles designed for children. Like adults, children will need a second shot of the Pfizer vaccine three weeks after their first shot.

Vaccines Available at Clinics, Pediatricians, Pharmacies

Vaccines for children are available from many pediatricians’ offices and pharmacies.

Lane County Public Health also will hold vaccine clinics for children at schools, community organizations, and the Lane Events Center, starting next week. The vaccine clinics will offer scheduled appointments only. There is no walk-in availability at this time. Appointment slots will be opened each Friday for the next week.

Next week's vaccine clinics are filled and no more appointments are available. Lane County will open appointments next Friday, Nov. 12, for the following week. Vaccine appointments may be available from pediatricians and pharmacies.

4J will host vaccine clinics for children the evenings of Thursday, Nov. 18, at Arts & Technology Academy, and Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Howard Elementary School. Another vaccine clinic for second doses will be held at each school site three weeks later. Appointments are required. 

The vaccine is free for all. No health insurance is required. It is available regardless of immigration status.

Vaccines Help Prevent Quarantine, Stay in School 

Vaccination is the best protection against getting and spreading COVID-19—and the best prevention against having to quarantine—if exposed at school or elsewhere.

If a person who is not fully vaccinated is exposed to someone with COVID-19, they are required to quarantine at home for 14 days after the exposure. A person who is fully vaccinated does not have to quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19, unless they have symptoms, under current public health rules. 

Public health officials recommend children get the vaccine, but it is voluntary. At this time students are not required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend school.

CDC: Vaccine for Kids & Teens: Why to Get It, How to Prepare & What to Expect

Respond Now to Change Learning Location

Families may request to change between in-person and online school programs for the second term • Request deadline is Nov. 15 for middle and high school, Jan. 10 for elementary school 

There are three learning pathways available to 4J students this school year:

• Attending their regular school in-person full-time 
• 4J K–5 Connect for synchronous online learning for elementary students
• Eugene Online Academy for all grades 

Families may request to change between these programs at the change of term. 

For middle and high school students, November 15 is the deadline to submit change requests for the second trimester, which begins December 7.

For elementary students, January 10 is the deadline to submit change requests for the second semester, which begins January 31.

If you want to change your student's learning pathway for the second term of the school year, please complete and submit your request form by the deadline for their grade level. Submit a separate form for each student.

ONLY complete the form if you want to make a change. If you want to continue with your student's current enrollment, you do not need to respond. 

Parent Info Session: COVID-19 & Schools 

What happens when there's a COVID case at school? Parent information webinar on Nov. 9 will answer questions about COVID cases and quarantines

Eugene School District 4J will hold an informational webinar on November 9 to keep our families up to date about COVID-19 and schools.

District staff will cover frequently requested information focused on COVID cases at school, including contact tracing, quarantines, and parent notification. If you have questions you'd like to see covered, please share them by Sunday, November 7.

Parent Information Webinar: COVID-19 Cases & Quarantines
Tuesday, November 9, 5:30 p.m.
Submit questions | Invite friends | Zoom link