4J Back-to-School Staff Gathering

All Eugene School District staff, and any retirees, are invited to attend the annual 4J Back-to-School Gathering on Thursday, Aug. 28 at South Eugene High School. Along with a continental breakfast and staff social from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m., this year, we're delighted to welcome back Tom Payzant as our special guest speaker.

As many of you know, Tom Payzant was superintendent in 4J from 1973-1978, during a time of tremendous change, growth and innovation in 4J (including the "controversial" introduction of kindergarten and the advent of "alternative schools"). He has since served in a number of prestigious posts throughout the country, including assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education in the Clinton administration, and most recently as superintendent of Boston Public Schools from 1995 until his retirement in 2006. He is currently a professor of practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I'm sure he'll have some fascinating observations for us in returning to Eugene, so please be part of this special event.