District Grad Rates Take Big Jump
Mortar boards went flying at Willamette High School’s graduation. The Class of 2019 had the district’s highest grad rate in more than a decade.
The high school graduation rate in Bethel is now the highest it’s been in more than a decade.
Data just released by the Oregon Department of Education shows Willamette High School’s 4-year graduation rate at 82.6%, higher than the state average and 10% higher than the previous year.
Kalapuya High School’s 5-year grad rate jumped to 51.6%, despite most students enrolling at KHS behind schedule.
How has this happened? For several years, all Bethel teachers have become even more attentive to individual students’ learning needs.
And, the district is increasingly using data to more closely track students’ progress – intervening with supports when help is needed with academics, attendance, or behavior – from kindergarten through 12th grade.
The Flu In Bethel
Here is some health news as you head to the three-day weekend. Throughout the community, we are seeing an increase in student illnesses and the flu and there have been confirmed cases of the flu in Bethel schools. All flu viruses can be easily spread from person to person. That’s why we are trying to teach students about proper hygiene in order to reduce the spread of flu. We want to keep our schools open to students and functioning in a normal manner during this flu season, but we need your help:
- Teach your children to wash their hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Show your children how to cover their cough or sneeze with a tissue, or cough into their elbow. This will go a long way toward preventing the spread of colds and the flu.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms include fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and feeling very tired. Some people may also vomit or have diarrhea.
- Do not send children to school if they are sick. Any children who are determined to have a fever of 100 degrees or greater, or are otherwise sick while at school, will be brought to the school health room until a parent or guardian arrives to take them home.
- Keep sick children at home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or do not have signs of a fever, without using fever-reducing drugs. Keeping children with a fever at home will reduce the number of people who may get infected.
We will work closely with Lane County Public Health to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take during this flu season. Here is a fact sheet with more information about the flu.
Reminder About Snow Days And Late Starts
There are a variety of reliable sources to determine whether Bethel School District’s schedule has been changed due to weather.
The possibility of snow is in the forecast. There are multiple sources to determine whether Bethel School District is on a Late Start or is having a Snow Day.
First and foremost, check here on our District home page or the home page of any Bethel school. (Make sure it’s our Bethel School District, not the one in Washington state.)
If you see no news, it means all Bethel schools are on their regular schedules.
In addition, you can be the first to get news on weather-related school closures or delays by following Superintendent Chris Parra on Twitter at @Bethel_Supt and the District Twitter account at @Bethel_Schools.
Families are also encouraged to use the free FlashAlert system which provides notifications via email or a push notification with a free FlashAlert phone app. FlashAlert is the same system the school district uses to notify local media when there is a weather or emergency-related closure of a school.
Download the FlashAlert app or click here: http://www.flashalert.net/id/BethelSD
Student Success Act Input
We would like to hear from you. Bethel School District is inviting you to share your thoughts and ideas about how to spend increased school funding to better support your child.
Bethel will be receiving increased school funding as promised through Oregon’s Student Success Act. As part of the planning and budgeting process, we are seeking input from families’ perspectives. Your input is valuable.
The next meeting is January 14th, 6:00-7:45 in the Willamette High School cafeteria.
The District will provide free child care and translation services. Please RSVP for child care by contacting Renee at 541-689-3280 ext. 2003 or renee.brolin@bethel.k12.or.us.
We sincerely hope to see you there.