Hello, I’m Jeff Harris, Superintendent of Schools for Del Norte, and this is the update for the week of January 12, 2026.

Dates to Remember
*DATE CORRECTION: The Budget Forum Committee Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 15.
As we look ahead, please note that schools will be closed this coming Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On January 22 and 23, there are minimum days for grades 9-12 as we close out the semester. I also want to remind community members that you can engage with the District on fiscal issues by attending our upcoming Budget Forum Committee meeting on Thursday, January 15, beginning at 5:30 PM in the District Office Board Room. In addition, our next District Board Meeting will take place on Thursday, January 22, starting at 3:30 PM. Board meeting and Budget Forum Committee agendas are always available for review 72 hours before the meeting at dnusd.org/agenda.

Visit from Rikuzentakata Delegation
This week, we are honored to welcome a delegation from Rikuzentakata, Japan - our sister city and longtime international partner - to Del Norte County. This visit is a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the enduring relationship between our communities, built on mutual respect, cultural exchange, and shared learning. We currently have five high school students from Takata High staying with host families, and our Del Norte High students will be traveling to stay with their host families in February.

As our guests visit schools, connect with students, staff, and the community, and work with local partners on cultural exchange and emergency response, we are reminded of the value of global partnerships and the important role they play in broadening perspectives, fostering understanding, and preparing our students to be engaged citizens in an increasingly connected world. Thank you for supporting our youth and helping to provide them this incredible opportunity.

Family Summit Registration Now Open
It’s time, again, for what has become our annual Building Bridges Family Summit! Registration is now open for the upcoming Building Bridges Family Summit, hosted by the Del Norte County Office of Education. This free, family-focused event will take place on Saturday, February 28, at Crescent Elk Middle School and is designed to bring families, schools, and community resources together for a day of learning and connection.

Families can look forward to engaging parent workshops, guidance on supporting students’ academic and emotional growth, information on technology and online safety, and helpful insights on key grade-level transitions. The day will also include complimentary lunch, refreshments, prize giveaways, and free childcare for preschool through fifth-grade students.

Families can register by visiting dnusd.org/summit, and we encourage everyone to watch for additional details through our communication channels as we continue building strong bridges between home, school, and our community.

IEP Empowerment Series
I’m also excited to announce that the Del Norte Unified School District’s Special Services Department will be hosting an upcoming IEP Empowerment Series designed to support and inform families as they navigate the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process. This multi-session series will provide parents and guardians with a deeper understanding of their rights, the components of an IEP, and how educational services and supports are developed to meet the unique needs of students. Offered at Del Norte Community School, the sessions are intended to build confidence, strengthen partnerships between families and schools, and ensure families feel empowered as active members of their child’s educational team.

Additional details, including registration information, will be shared through our website, Facebook, and in emails to families. Families who would like more information in the meantime are encouraged to contact Michele Bettencourt at 707-464-0725, Ext. 10222.

Sports Update
In Warrior sports, today, Monday, January 12, Girls’ Basketball travels to McKinleyville, with JV tipping off at 6:00 PM and Varsity at 7:30 PM. On Tuesday, January 13, Boys’ Basketball heads to Eureka High School for a full slate of games, with Freshmen at 4:30 PM, JV at 6:00 PM, and Varsity at 7:30 PM.

On Wednesday, January 14, Wrestling will compete in a dual at Eureka High School, with match times to be determined. That same evening, Girls’ Basketball returns home to Del Norte High School to take on Eureka, with Freshmen beginning at 4:30 PM, followed by JV at 6:00 PM and Varsity at 7:30 PM. Wrapping up the week on Saturday, January 17, Girls’ and JV Boys’ Wrestling will compete at the Rumble on the Rogue at Rogue River High School, while Boys’ Basketball travels to St. Bernard’s for games beginning with Freshmen at 1:00 PM, JV at 2:30 PM, and Varsity at 4:00 PM. Good luck this week, Warriors!

Thank you for joining us today, and remember that next Monday is a holiday and there will be no update.

Thank you