Good afternoon. I’m Jeff Harris, Superintendent of Schools for Del Norte, and this is the update for the week of March 23, 2026.

Dates to Remember
As we head into Spring Break, I want to remind everyone that there is no school next week, Monday, March 30, through Monday, April 6. Our certificated staff will return on April 6 for a professional development day, but school sites and the district office will be closed. Students return to class on Tuesday, April 7. I hope this time provides everyone with an opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy some time with family and friends.

ELOP Spring Break Program
While on the topic of spring break, remember that our ELOP Spring Break Program also begins next week. Families who registered should have received confirmation from their school site by phone or email. If you are unsure about your student’s enrollment status, please contact our After School Program at 707-464-0753 for assistance.

DNUSD & DNCOE Board Meetings
Our regularly scheduled Board Meetings will be held this Thursday, March 26. The Del Norte Unified School District Board will enter closed session at 3:30 p.m. and reconvene in open session at 4:30 p.m. Community members are welcome to attend in person in the boardroom at the District Office, located at 301 W. Washington Blvd. in Crescent City, or watch live via Zoom. Agendas and meeting links are available at dnusd.org/agenda.

DNHS Student Spotlight
I would like to take a moment to recognize some of the outstanding work and accomplishments across our schools and recent graduates.

Bria Larson, a senior at Del Norte High School and current senior class president, continues to demonstrate exceptional leadership and achievement during her final year. She recently placed in the top 15 at the California Poetry Out Loud state competition—an impressive accomplishment and one of the strongest showings for a Del Norte County student in recent years. In addition, Bria earned the Humboldt-Del Norte League individual golf championship this past fall, helping lead the Warriors to a team title, all while maintaining strong academic performance. Through her Girl Scout Gold Award project, she is also developing AI literacy resources to support thoughtful and responsible use of technology in schools. Bria’s work reflects a strong commitment to leadership, service, and innovation.

It has also been great to see Del Norte High School students giving back in meaningful ways. Members of the Medical Sciences Club have been working with second-grade students at Joe Hamilton Elementary, teaching lessons about healthcare careers. The second-grade teacher shared that our high school students have been engaging, responsive, and effective in connecting with younger students. This partnership not only introduces high school students to career pathways but also builds their confidence and leadership. It is a great example of the kind of mentorship and collaboration we value across our schools.

Finally, Colton Schaad, a recent Del Norte High School graduate of the Class of 2025, is already making an impact beyond our community at the collegiate level during his freshman year at the University of Jamestown. Competing in the NCWA Northwest Regional Tournament in Pullman, Washington, Colton captured the 174-pound title, winning four consecutive matches. His performance helped lead his team to a regional championship, and he will now advance to the NCWA National Championships later this month in Louisiana. We are proud to see Colton continuing his success at the next level.

Sports Update
Finally, Warrior athletics remain in full swing this week as our spring teams continue a busy stretch of competition both at home and on the road. Today and tomorrow, March 23–24, Varsity Baseball is competing in the Medford Tournament. The schedule continues on Thursday, March 26, with Boys’ Golf competing at Beau Pre Golf Course at 11:00 AM, while JV Softball travels to McKinleyville for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 PM. Also beginning Thursday and running through Saturday, March 28, Varsity Baseball will compete in the Hidden Valley Tournament, while JV Baseball heads to the Yreka Tournament on Friday and Saturday, March 27–28. Wrapping up the week on Saturday, March 28, Boys’ Tennis will host Eureka at Del Norte High at 10:00 AM, and JV Softball will take on Fortuna in a doubleheader starting at 2:00 PM. Thank you to our families and fans for continuing to support our Warriors throughout the spring season.

That’s it for this update. We’ll see you next after returning from Spring Break. Thank you.