Free healthy food will be available for Bethel kids through District and Food for Lane County programs.

With schools closing for summer, Bethel’s Nutrition Services Department is helping to feed Bethel kids 18 and under with free meals.

The program begins Monday, June 24th. Combined with Food for Lane County’s Summer Lunch program, Bethel kids can receive free meals throughout the summer.

Click here to learn more about Bethel’s program and the Food for Lane County Program.

A conceptual design of the Willamette science building includes a new front office on the north side of the building rather than the current south location.

Featuring a sawtooth – or Wolverine claw – design, the new Willamette science building will provide a modern face for Bethel’s flagship school.

The preliminary design of the science addition could change before construction begins, but architects from Soderstrom have provided a starting point for the building that will go up where the current front office is located.

Click here to see more conceptual drawings.

The Willamette science addition is being funded through the Bethel bond measure, passed overwhelmingly by voters last November.

The bond will also provide new textbooks and technology, repairs and upgrades throughout the District, enhance security measures at every school, and the complete replacement of Malabon and Fairfield elementary schools.

Mortarboards go flying at the conclusion of the Willamette graduation ceremony.

Close to 300 seniors picked up their diplomas during the 64th commencement ceremony at Willamette High School.

Graduation included student speeches and songs, and performances by the Topnotchers choir before the class of 2013 sent their mortarboards flying in celebration.

Commencement took place in ideal early evening conditions at Wolverine Stadium.

This was the last graduation for principal Peter Burrows, who is moving to the east coast. New principal Mindy LeRoux will preside over the ceremony for the class of 2014.

Wearing a virtual reality headset, Willamette students attempted to simulate driving while texting in the Reality Rides challenge.

A national driver-safety campaign tour has stopped in Bethel, giving Willamette students proof that choosing to text or call while driving is a dangerous decision.

The Allstate Reality Rides tour features a driving simulator that demonstrates the dangers of distracted driving.

Willamette students sat in a real but stationary car equipped with a virtual reality headset. Students attempted to text or talk on the phone while simulating driving.

According to Allstate more than 3,000 deaths from crashes with a distracted driver occurred each year in 2010 and 2011, and texting while driving is the equivalent to driving impaired after drinking four beers.

Bethel school bands will be performing at the 12th annual We Are Bethel celebration.

The 12^th annual We Are Bethel celebration will take place Saturday at Petersen Barn Park.

This free event offers great entertainment, fantastic food, community booths, and activities for kids and adults.

Look for the Shasta, Cascade and Meadow View Jazz Bands to perform, along with the Danebo Dancers. And there will be a special honor awarded to a deserving Bethel community member.

Be sure to stop by the Bethel Education Foundation booth and say hi.

We Are Bethel celebrates everything we love about our community. Bring the family from noon – 6:00 and join in the fun.

Willamette’s Mitch Wilkens receives congratulations from coaches Mike Hood and Tom Miller after winning the state shot put championship.

Willamette Senior Mitch Wilkens is going out on top, winning the state 5A Shot Put championship.

Wilkens took the lead on his first put at Hayward Field Friday and then threw 52 feet 10 inches to claim the first shot put title for Willamette since Marlon Elder’s win in 1958.

Wilkens is the first individual boys track champion for WHS since Ron Murray’s hurdles win 24 years ago.

An appetite for books has helped Madeline Mervine become champion of the Lane County Spelling Bee.

Madeline Mervine’s love of reading has made her such a strong speller that now she’s the Lane County Spelling Bee champion.

A 4^th grader at Meadow View, Madeline will advance to represent Lane County elementary students at the state Spelling Bee this summer.

Madeline’s love of books is well known, having been on Meadow View’s top Oregon Battle of the Books team the last two years. And when she’s not reading for herself she’s been known to read to her little brother at home.

To prepare for the state spelling bee in August Madeline plans on checking the spelling lists of previous state contests, but mostly she’s looking forward to doing a lot more reading.

Mindy LeRoux will become the 8th principal in Willamette High School history.

Bethel is delighted to announce Mindy LeRoux as the next principal of Willamette High School. LeRoux will become the 8th principal in Wil-Hi’s history, bringing a vision, energy, and sincere dedication to the position.

As a 13 year Bethel veteran and current assistant principal at Bethel’s flagship school, LeRoux has shown a passion for helping high school students achieve success. She has a commitment to using data to drive instruction and decisions. She combines that commitment with an ability to make meaningful personal connections with students, staff and parents.

Her collaborative problem-solving style, enthusiasm, and welcoming personality will be an excellent fit for Willamette’s staff.

“This year at Willamette has been my most rewarding in Bethel,” says LeRoux.” I look forward to my new role as Principal at Willamette as I get to work with the most amazing staff and community of students.”

Through her diverse professional experience she recognizes the need to align services from kindergarten through high school in order that every Bethel student graduates ready for higher education or the workforce. She has also developed a clear understanding of the people of this District, their pride and priorities.

“Mindy is the right person for Willamette today,” says Superintendent Colt Gill.” She understands the challenges, she has deep knowledge of Bethel systems, she is a collaborative leader, and she has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the district, its students, and the community. I’m confident Mindy will listen with respect, seek consensus, and lead with courage. I’m proud to welcome her as Willamette’s first female principal.”

LeRoux has quickly become a very strong addition to the WHS staff and looks forward to the opportunity to continuing the improvements underway at Willamette. WHS parent Margaret Hansen says, “I have seen first-hand Mindy’s enthusiasm for our community and I am excited to see how she will lead Willamette in the years to come.”

The Bethel Budget Committee studies the proposed budget before its unanimous vote of approval.

Voting on a proposal that preserves current services, the Bethel Budget Committee has approved a budget for the coming school year.

Bethel’s budget maintains existing staffing levels while also providing funding to cover increasing costs for PERS.

Based on the state legislature providing $6.55 billion for Oregon’s K-12 schools, the budget projects a 7% Ending Fund Balance.

The 2013-14 budget calls for continuing the current 10 furlough days. Any additional revenue from the state above the $6.55 billion funding level could be used to restore school days or other previously reduced programs.

The Bethel School Board is expected to adopt the budget at its June 24^th meeting.

Fairfield students swarm around their new friend at the final Duck Academy event of the school year.

A wildly successful series of Duck Academy events wrapped up with a memorable afternoon for Fairfield students.

More than 60 kids happily stayed after school to join the Oregon Duck, former UO athlete Jordan Kent, and volunteers from the UO Alumni Association and United Way.

Fairfield students in 3^rd through 5^th grade took part in the Duck Academy each month, getting help with homework before taking part in fun activities.

The final Academy of the school year brought the Oregon Duck back to Fairfield, while providing each student with a special Duck Academy t-shirt.

The appearance by the Oregon Duck left all the kids excited and looking forward to the next Fairfield Duck Academy in the fall.