Update to the Community 2/9/2026

Good afternoon. I’m Jeff Harris, Superintendent of Schools for Del Norte, and this is the update for the week of Feb 9, 2026.

Dates to Remember
First of all, please note that Presidents’ Day weekend is quickly approaching. There will be no school this Friday, February 13, or Monday, February 16. Classes will resume as normal on Tuesday, February 17.

Bus Driver Orientation
Del Norte Unified School District is actively recruiting school bus drivers to help ensure reliable transportation for our students. Community members interested in this important role are invited to attend a Bus Driver Orientation this Wednesday, February 11, at 3:00 p.m. at Del Norte Community School, located at 400 W. Harding Ave., Crescent City. No application or prior bus-driving experience is required to attend. Paid, hands-on training may be available for those who participate in the orientation. For questions, please contact the Transportation Department at (707) 464-0250.

Poetry Out Loud Champions Announced
Students from Del Norte High and Sunset High delivered outstanding performances at this year’s Poetry Out Loud competition, held on Wednesday, February 4. Congratulations to Bria Larson from Del Norte High, who earned first place, and Kenneth Halls from Sunset High, who placed second at the county level. Bria will continue on to Sacramento, where she will represent Del Norte County at the Poetry Out Loud State Championship on March 8, performing on the floor of the California State Senate chamber. Students across both campuses demonstrated impressive talent and confidence as they brought poetry to life on stage. A special thank-you to DNACA, which hosted the event, to our staff who supported and prepared students for the competition, and most of all, to every student who stepped up to the microphone—your voices and performances made this year’s event truly memorable.

Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten Registration Open
Registration is now open for Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten (TK), and Kindergarten in Del Norte Unified. We recognize that starting school is an important milestone for families, and our staff is available to support parents and caregivers throughout the enrollment process. Families enrolling for the first time or completing required paperwork can find detailed information on the registration process at dnusd.org/register. We look forward to welcoming your child to our schools.

Celebrating Our Heroes in Education
Every day, Del Norte Unified staff members go above and beyond to support our students, families, and community. As we receive nominations for our Heroes in Education recognitions, all of the current nominations reflect that dedication and highlight the many ways that all of our staff make a difference—whether by making learning engaging and relevant, providing steady and trusted support for students navigating adversity and change, or serving as mentors who ensure young people feel seen, supported, and valued. These stories are a powerful reminder of the care, consistency, and commitment that define our schools. Nominations for this recognition are still open! If you know a Hero in Education who is making that difference, I encourage you to submit a nomination at dnusd.org/heroes.

Sports Update
As the regular basketball season comes to a close, Del Norte Warriors have given our community plenty to celebrate. The varsity girls’ basketball team secured a spot in the Dick Nickali/Humboldt-Del Norte League Championship Tournament with a comeback win over Fortuna, finishing the regular season 4-4 in Big Five play and 11-10 overall. The boys’ basketball team also advanced to the league championship tournament after road wins over Fortuna and Eureka, and our freshman girls’ team capped off a remarkable year with a perfect 20-0 season.

Looking ahead, Warrior wrestling continues this week as the varsity boys’ and girls’ teams compete on Friday, February 13, at the Redwood Empire Divisional Tournament in Larkspur. Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaches for their hard work and dedication, and thank you to our families and community for supporting Warrior athletics.

That’s it for this update, and remember that this coming Friday and next Monday are non-school days.

Thank you.