“For commitment, persistence and dedication to the cause of education. Your actions have created a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.”

—Leadership in Education Award presented to Craig Smith by EEF
March 21, 2024

On the occasion of its Annual Dinner & Gala Moving Forward Together the Eugene Education Foundation honored a giant in the field of education in Eugene: Craig Smith, lawyer, father, educational advocate, Rotarian, 20-year member of the Eugene 4J school board, and board president of the Eugene Education Foundation from 2015 to 2019.

Anne Marie Levis, herself an education activist who served on the 4J school board for 12 years, presented the award to Craig. Anne Marie summarized his many years of public service, beginning with the 1980s when Craig was active on the Churchill High School Site Council and worked for kids with the Eugene Rotary Club. In the 1990s Craig was active with the Chamber of Commerce and part of community substance abuse prevention efforts, working hard to create alternative activities for youth.

Anne Marie shared anecdotes and accolades from colleagues and friends, including former state legislator Phil Barnhart, past 4J superintendent George Russell, Merri Steele and Paul Duchin who were co-presidents of the EEA when Craig was on the school board, Joy Marshall of Stand for Children, and Mario Conte, partner at the law firm Hershner Hunter where Craig was a partner for 43 years. All described Craig as fair minded, compassionate and an able facilitator who always kept the best interests of the students at the center of discussion, able to forge agreements among people with differences by focusing on their common goal of furthering educational excellence in 4J schools.

Through these decades of service Craig has been husband to Mary (they’ve now been married 53 years), father to two daughters and now grandfather to two grandchildren. Craig’s service on the Eugene school board had a powerful ripple effect at home, as both of his daughters have forged successful careers in public education.

Mary, daughters Katie and Kristi and son-in-law Russ Cox all attended the EEF annual dinner. Among the 180 guests at the event were countless friends and colleagues, turning out once again to support the educators and students in 4J, and to raise a glass in honor of Craig Smith.

The Eugene Education Foundation Board and staff join the community in congratulating Craig Smith and thanking him for his leadership in Education. The EEF Moving Forward Together gala raised over $115,000 in support for grants to 4J educators for the 2024-25 school year.

In 2023, EEF granted the district $8,000 to purchase adaptive PE equipment and develop a Unified PE and Sports program within 4J. Unified PE and Sports allows students with varying levels of physical and cognitive ability to move and play together, learning essential motor and life skills while building character and confidence as peers.

Through this program four unified basketball games and one kickball game were organized for high school athletes and a pilot of Unified PE was started at Sheldon High School, bringing the total number of schools offering Unified PE programs up to four. Program organizers observed an increase in attendance both in the PE classes and the sports games, indicating an overwhelming support for opportunities for students of all abilities to practice skills and grow together.

“Unified Sports benefits students, school members, and community members at large with increased joy, happiness, and togetherness for care and connection in sports.”

-Michelle Dunn, 4J Adaptive Physical Education Specialist

The long-term goal of this program is to expand into every school, serving every grade level through activities appropriate to age and skill level. Achieving this goal would mean that students with disabilities would receive an adequate level of physical education equivalent to state standards.

Photo description: North Eugene High School art students and teacher receive a big check

Eugene, OR – February 2024

The Ceramics Guild at North Eugene High School has launched! It’s one of 55 classroom and district projects the Eugene Education Foundation has funded for 2023-24. This year EEF grants totaling $148,171 will help make learning happen for students throughout Eugene School District 4J.

EEF Grantee Spotlight: Amy Samson, North Eugene High School

North Eugene High School has a thriving arts community, reports art teacher Amy Samson. To encourage her students’ leadership skills and give them a practical way to focus their artistic creativity on the future, Samson applied for an EEF grant for a dream project.

Reinventing the Guild Model for Ceramics at NEHS received a $4,064 grant to expand the ceramics program from a series of classes to a guild model, where students move from the apprentice to the master level. Students will not only learn ceramics skills, but also develop entrepreneurial and mentoring skills. As young artists become master students, they will mentor artists who are new to the program. They will participate in the operation of the studio and the design of the program as they gain experience, and help plan and execute a Guild Night to exhibit and sell their work. The Ceramics Guild also aims to serve those in the community who wish to engage the Guild in producing custom work. 

Guild Night will help fund the ceramics guild program going forward. “My hope is that the guild will become self-sustaining, thus helping to fill the deficit in funding in future years for visual arts at North Eugene High School, ” says Samson. 

“4J educators are in the frontline position of knowing what their students need in order to succeed,” says Nancy Buffum, EEF executive director. 

Since 1993, the Eugene Education Foundation has been the Foundation for 4J, investing in education, enrichment and access programs to create opportunities for all 4J students. EEF connects supportive individuals, businesses and partners. Every year, the Eugene Education Foundation invests funds raised from community businesses and individuals to award grants to programs and projects in the priority areas of early literacy, learning readiness, social emotional learning, arts and enrichment, and educational pathways. 

The EEF annual fundraiser Gala Moving Forward Together will take place March 21, 2024 at UO Ford Alumni Center.  Members of the community are invited to purchase tickets  or make a donation at eeflane.org, or contact 514/790-7744 or eef@eeflane.org.

For a full list of 2023-24 grantees or to make a donation to support EEF, visit the website at eeflane.org. The 2024-25 EEF Annual Grants Cycle will open in Spring of 2024.

Image description: NEHS art student is interviewed to help promote the EEF fundraiser on March 21

When Eugene School District 4J realized that many older elementary and middle schoolers did not know how to ride a bike, they partnered with the Safe Routes to School Program to offer “learn-to-ride” opportunities primarily targeted towards K-1 students. In fall of 2022, EEF granted nearly $6,000 to the district to purchase a fleet of new bikes and helmets for the learn-to-ride program.Learning to ride a bike is not only fun, it encourages healthy exercise habits which have been linked to increased happiness, mental health, and academic success. Biking also offers students who live in the “walk zone” (within 1-1.5 miles of their school) and are not served by school buses an alternative mode of getting to school. Instructors at the learn-to-ride program incorporate elements of Social Emotional Learning into their coaching to help students deal with frustration, issues with sharing, and other challenges that arise while learning a new skill.In this school year alone, the bikes served nearly 1,000 4J students and hundreds more at community wide learn-to-ride events. 

“Having more appropriate equipment has improved their skill development, increased their enjoyment and engagement, boosted their self-esteem and confidence, and enhanced safety and inclusivity within the program. These resources have not only facilitated a more effective learning experience but have also contributed to a positive and inclusive atmosphere where students can thrive and excel in their bike-riding journey.”

-Sarah Mazze, Safe Routes to School Program Coordinator