Dates to Remember

Hello, I’m Jeff Harris, Superintendent of Schools for Del Norte, and this is the update for the week of December 1, 2025. I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving break and that you were able to get some much needed rest. 

Dates to Remember

With that being said, please remember that the next break is coming and that the last day of school before Winter Break is December 19.  The break runs from Monday, December 22, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026. School will resume as normal on Monday, January 5.

Save the Date: 2nd Annual Building Bridges Family Summit

It’s time to mark your calendars now for the Del Norte County Office of Education’s 2nd Annual Building Bridges Family Summit on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Crescent Elk Middle School from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM.  We had a great turn out last year and hope to see you this coming February.

This free, family-focused event includes workshops on supporting students in schools, using technology, child safety, grade-level transitions, and more. We’ll also provide lunch, refreshments, childcare, and chances to win prizes.

Agriculture Roadshow

We all know that our staff members do a great job and go above and beyond, but what you may not know is what that looks like at times.  The week before Thanksgiving Break, more than 100 agricultural educators from across California gathered in Del Norte County for their annual Ag Teacher Roadshow—an immersive statewide tour that showcases the unique industries, landscapes, and learning opportunities found in each region of the state.

During their visit, teachers explored several of Del Norte’s signature agricultural and coastal operations, including Alexandre Dairy, United Lily Growers, Safe Coast Seafood, and many more.

Educators also participated in hands-on professional development focused on strengthening agricultural programs and expanding opportunities for students—both statewide and in Del Norte. A big thank you to our local CTE ag teachers and a special thank-you to Robyn Payne for doing a fantastic job organizing this event.

Tiny Home Update

Speaking of CTE, wait until you see the new tiny home being constructed by our Del Norte High School students—it is impressive. The students are building a fully functional tiny home featuring antique-style hickory cabinets, a full-sized bathroom, and a beautiful knotty pine barn door. Under the guidance of their teacher, Eileen Silvey—who is also a licensed contractor—these students have gained real-world, hands-on experience in construction and trades. It’s an outstanding example of how our CTE and real-world pathways programs prepare students for future careers while giving them meaningful, tangible accomplishments they can be proud of.

Digital Safety Reminder

Before I finish the update with Warrior athletics announcements, I wanted to remind everyone that every day many of our youth are exposed to inappropriate or dangerous online activity.  Cyberbullying and online predators are at an all-time high in today’s connected world, and it’s essential for families to have ongoing conversations with their children about staying safe online. Encourage them to be cautious about what they share, who they interact with, and how to report anything that makes them uncomfortable.

If you hear anything suspicious related to school activities, please report it immediately at dnusd.org/tip.

Sports Update

It’s a full and exciting week for Warrior athletics as winter sports get underway. From December 4–6, both the Varsity Boys’ Basketball and Varsity Girls’ Basketball teams will be on the road competing in the Yreka Tournament. Also hitting tournament play this weekend, the Freshman and JV Girls’ Basketball teams will travel to Eureka for competition on December 5–6, while the Freshman and JV Boys’ Basketball teams will take part in the Fortuna Tournament during the same two-day stretch.

Back at home, Del Norte High will host the Battle at the Border Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, December 6, bringing teams from across the region to compete on our mats. The community is encouraged to come out and cheer on our Warriors!

That’s it for this update. Have a great week, and we’ll see you next Monday.

Thank you!