Good afternoon. I’m Jeff Harris, Superintendent of Schools for Del Norte, and this is the update for the week of March 16, 2026.

Dates to Remember
I would like to start this update with a reminder that Spring Break is quickly approaching and will go from Monday, March 30 - Monday, April 6, with students returning to class on Tuesday, April 7. Staff will be at work on Monday, April 6, for a professional development day, but the 6th is a non-attendance day for students. Again, students return to school on Tuesday, April 7.

Bess Maxwell Receives Top Community School Recognition
I’m proud to share that Bess Maxwell Elementary School has recently been recognized by Education Insider Magazine as a finalist for its Top Community Elementary School 2026 honors. The recognition highlights the strong sense of community, dedication to students, and commitment to character development that families and staff continue to build together at Bess Maxwell. This acknowledgment reflects the daily work of educators, students, and families who make the school a welcoming and supportive place for learning.

DNHS Student Receives NIAAA Section 7 Student Scholarship
I also want to congratulate Del Norte High School senior Jason Murphy, who has been selected as a 2026 National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Section 7 Student-Athlete Scholarship recipient. Chosen at the Section 7 spring meeting in March, Jason will receive a $2,500 scholarship to support his higher education. A standout two-sport athlete, Jason competed in varsity track and field for four years and varsity football for three, earning recognition from every football coach in the local league as a nominee for best athlete honors. Beyond athletics, he has demonstrated exceptional dedication in the classroom and in service to others, maintaining excellent attendance, earning multiple academic recognitions, and serving as vice president of the Interact Club, where he helped organize volunteer opportunities and community projects. We are proud of Jason’s accomplishments and the leadership he has shown throughout his time at Del Norte High School.

Sports Update
In athletics this week, the Del Norte Warriors continue their spring season with our teams hitting the road. On Tuesday, March 17, Boys’ Tennis will travel to Ferndale High School for a 3:30 PM match, while JV Softball heads north to face Brookings at Brookings High School at 4:00 PM. The action continues on Wednesday, March 18, with JV Baseball playing a doubleheader against South Fork at South Fork at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, while JV Softball will face Eureka in a doubleheader at Eureka, also scheduled for 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Later in the week, on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, Track & Field will compete at the Shasta College Invitational, and Varsity Softball will participate in the Yreka Tournament. On Saturday, March 21, Boys’ Tennis travels to McKinleyville for a 10:00 AM match, and JV Baseball will play a doubleheader against McKinleyville at McKinleyville, at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Best of luck to all of our student-athletes as they represent Del Norte High School this week.

That’s it for this update. We’ll see you next Monday. Thank you.