Bethel Newsletter: January 2026

Posted Date: 01/06/26 (03:44 PM)

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Bethel District News

January, 2026

In this issue

2026-27 transfers
State testing opt out
Vaccine exclusion day
Updates to Shasta Middle School, January engagement sessions

Upcoming no-school days - K-12

Monday, January 19 (MLK Jr. Day)

Friday, January 30 (Grading Day)

Friday, February 6 (Curriculum/Professional Development)

Half-Day for WHS (Finals): Jan. 28-29

Bethel District Calendars

Special transfer window

A special transfer window will be open January 19-31 for all current Shasta 6th- and 7th-grade students who would like to request a transfer to a school other than their home school. This transfer window is also open to current 5th-grade students at Danebo and Irving elementary schools.

Beginning January 19, transfer requests may be submitted online at: bethel.k12.or.us/transfers
Transportation will continue to be provided for all eligible students, including those who transfer during the special window.
This includes students who currently attend Shasta on a transfer.

After January 31, families may still submit transfer requests through our regular process, and approvals will be based on availability.

In-district and interdistrict transfers

Bethel students who want to attend a school other than their neighborhood school, as well as out-of-district students who want to attend a Bethel school next fall (2026-27 school year) can apply for in-district or interdistrict transfers beginning Feb. 10: https://bethel.k12.or.us/transfers

This initial transfer window allows the district to plan for the upcoming school year. Families who apply during this initial period should receive information about their transfer request before spring break. Learn more about subsequent transfer windows and other transfer details by following this link.

State testing opt out

State testing will begin soon in Bethel and across the state. Students in grades 3-8 & 11 will test in math and English language arts, and students in grades 5, 8 & 11 will test in science. Most students participate in state testing, but parents have the right to opt their children out if they choose. Statewide testing windows are open from March 31 -June 12 for grades 3-8 and February 3 – June 12 for grade 11.

Why does my child’s participation matter?

While no single assessment can give a complete picture of your child’s progress, having your child take the statewide assessments provides educators and administrators with one source of information about what educational approaches are working and where additional resources may be needed. Your child’s participation is important to ensure schools and districts receive the targeted resources they need to help all students succeed.

To learn more about state tests, or to submit a form to opt your student out of testing for math and English language arts, please visit this website. If you wish to exempt your student from the science assessment, please fill out the science forms listed here and return it to your school.

Vaccine exclusion day is Wednesday, Feb. 25th

Students who are not up-to-date on the required immunizations cannot attend school, on-site programs and after school activities beginning Wednesday, Feb. 25th until proof of updated shots or exemption paperwork is provided.

Families whose students are overdue on their state-required immunizations have been notified by their school health personnel.

The Bethel Health Center is ready to help! Please call 541-607-1430 to make an appointment. Contact your student’s school with questions.

Vaccinations may be obtained at:

Bethel Health Center 541-607-1430
Lane County Public Health (541) 682-4041
Student’s PCP office
Some store pharmacy locations

Winter weather reminders

It's that season again! Included below are reminders about how families and staff can expect to receive information from the Bethel School District in the event of hazardous weather conditions.

When hazardous weather (snow, ice, storms etc.) is a concern, decisions regarding schedule changes are made in the early morning, before 6 a.m., when current weather conditions can be assessed. Our main concern is the safety of our students and staff.

How families will receive information:

In the event of school closures or delays due to inclement weather, Bethel families can expect to first be alerted via text message, email, and/or voice message through our ParentSquare system.

The Bethel District website and social media sites will also be updated with any closure or delay information. Learn more about inclement weather in Bethel.

Inclement Weather in Bethel

Updates to Shasta Middle School closure

To stay up to date on our most updated information about Shasta's closure next year, please visit our Shasta School Closure webpage. Click here to read our most recent communication: Important Update: Middle School Plans and Boundary Changes for 2026–27

January sessions

Danebo Family Engagement Session: 6 p.m., January 6 - Danebo Elementary - 1265 Candlelight Dr - Open to all Danebo families
Irving Family Engagement Session: 6 p.m., January 8 - Irving Elementary - 3200 Hyacinth St. - Open to all Irving families
Shasta Band-focused Engagement Session: 6 p.m., January 21 - Shasta Middle School - 4656 Barger Drive - Open to all Shasta band students

Shasta School Closure

MLK Jr. March and Celebration

Monday, January 19, 2026

March will start at Autzen Stadium (by the X's and O'x) and end at The Shedd Institute

9:00am: Welcome from Eugene-Springfield NAACP

9:45am: March begins

10:15am: Arrive at The Shedd for music and tabling

11:00am-1:00pm: Celebration begins

Visit naacplanecounty.org for more information

Free bus ride instructions

Follow us on socials!

Have you seen this? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for fun news, celebrations and upcoming events across the district!

yellow flyer with text and illustrations

Bethel Family Resource Center

The Bethel Family Resource Center (formerly the Cascade Family Resource Center) is open on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 4 - 6 pm. We are a full-service food pantry offering produce, dairy, bread and non-perishable foods. In addition, we have laundry soap, toilet paper, toiletries and more. Please wait to come until about 3:45 pm, at 3:50 pm we will come out to distribute numbers for entry. We will begin serving folks by no later than 4 pm. Please be aware of parking limitations due to bus pick-up lanes. We have air conditioned waiting rooms for folks to sit and visit while you are waiting your turn to shop. We would love to serve any family in need of food resources so please come check us out at the new Clear Lake Community Center (formerly Clear Lake Elementary School) on Barger Dr.

Community Resources

We want to hear from you!

Your voice helps us grow. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts in our Communications Survey — what’s working well, what could be improved, and how we can better communicate.

👉 Take the survey here!

Click here for the survey

2026 electronics recycling competition graphic

Bethel’s Green Teams

Each school in Bethel is participating in this year’s NextStep’s Annual Electronics Recycling Competition. This means from January through April community members can drop off unwanted electronics (things that take batteries/plug in but are not mostly plastic such as vacuums or baby toys)- working or not!- at NextStep’s easy drive-through location at 245 Jackson St, Eugene 97402. Plus, each school will have one week where students and families can drop off their unwanted electronics at the school’s campus. Last year, Bethel schools kept more than 8,100 pounds of electronics from our already overstuffed landfills. We ask you to join us this year! Please consider dropping off your unwanted electronics at NextStep…be sure to tell them which school you are supporting… or saving it for your one-week drop off at your specific school site. Winning schools receive a cash prize for their Green Team clubs, but we are all winners when we care for our future!

If you have questions or are interested in volunteering, please contact Ellie.Owens@Bethel.K12.OR.US

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Good News!

From classroom successes to district-wide celebrations, this is where good news lives.

Join us in recognizing the incredible efforts of our students and staff.

Visit our Good News page to read more!

two smiling teachers holding paper certificates

Celebrate our amazing staff!

Do you have a favorite Bethel staff member who should be celebrated? Is there someone who goes above and beyond to help students and staff? Show them some love with a Bethel Spirit Award nomination!

Spirit Awards!

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Bethel School District Website