Shasta Updates: The Jazz Band is on Fire!
Shasta Jazz Band 1st place at Pleasant Hill Jazz Festival
Jazz Band – 1st Place at Pleasant Hill Festival
Shasta Jazz Band, under the direction of Mike Reetz, took top honors at the Pleasant Hill Jazz Festival on April 21st. They were one of two bands selected to play at the evening ‘finals’ competition against Judson Middle School. Although Judson put up some good competition, Shasta left with the first place trophy. Judges commented on their mature sound and excellent swing feel, uncommon in the middle level.
Kyler Wilcox wowed the crowd with an emotionally charged saxophone feature on ‘Round Midnight’. During the band’s finale song, Dizzy Gillespie’s ‘Manteca’, Bryce Schug hit a double G on trumpet, a high note most high school students dream of playing! The Shasta Jazz combo was awarded a third place trophy in the combo division. The band is eagerly awaiting their trip to the Bellevue Jazz Festival the first weekend of May. Music is on fire inBethel!
How to Talk to Kids About Teen Sexuality
The Bethel Community Health Forum on Tuesday, May 1st at Cascade Middle School from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. is an opportunity for Bethel parents to learn practical methods on how to talk to their teenager about sexuality. Professionals from the Faith, Medical, Education, and Counseling communities will be there to talk and answer questions about this topic. There will be a raffle, free childcare, and food/refreshments available. Click here to learn more.
Home Access Temporarily Down
Home Access will be unavailable between the hours of 8:00 pm and 12:00 am, Saturday April 28th 2012, Sungard is performing software maintenance.
We Are Bethel…Be Involved!
Now’s the time to really be a part of the community and get involved in the annual We Are Bethel community celebration, set for Saturday, June 2nd at Petersen Barn Park. Here are two ways:
- Nominate a deserving community member for a special recognition called the Milk Toast. Everyone at the Celebration is given a pint of milk to raise in toast of the person of honor. Nominations for the Milk Toast honoree are now being solicited.
- Volunteer to help with the Let’s Move activities at We Are Bethel, such as guiding kids through an obstacle course, supervising a pajaggle game, or recording health metrics data.
If you have a great Milk Toast nominee and a legitimate reason why they should be honored….or would like to be engaged in your community by volunteering to help with the Let’s Move activities, email Peter Chavannes at peter.a.chavannes@ci.eugene.or.us
Shasta Update: Things are Happening
Family Fun Night: The Family Fun Night has been moved from February 16th to March 15. This is a silent auction for really cool stuff! There will be something there for everyone. More information coming soon.
Invitation To Meet With The Superintendent: Shasta families - there’s no need to rely on rumors when you can hear the truth from the official source.
Everything you wanted to know about Bethel schools is on the agenda for Superintendent Colt Gill’s Question and Answer session this Wednesday, February 15, at 6:00 p.m. in the Willamette High School library.
This one-hour open conversation for the entire community will include important information about the state’s new Open Enrollment law, school budgeting, Bethel’s facilities needs, and anything else on your mind related to schools.
Spanish interpretation will be available.
Band Festival: Friday, February 17th Shasta will be hosting the Bethel Band Festival.
Bethel Education Foundation Trivia Night: This is what you’ve been waiting for! Come to BEF’s Trivia Night February 24th in the Willamette High School cafeteria. Tickets are $5.00 a piece. All money from the fundraiser will be going back to the kids through BEF grants. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, but seating is limited. Prizes will be given to the winning teams!
Click here for frequently asked questions about the event.
Shasta Showcase: Come enjoy the many talents of our very own Shasta Middle School students at the Shasta Showcase on February 28th at 7:00 p.m. in Powers Auditorium.
Kicking off the New Year!
Plans for the new Bethel Community Center/YMCA
Why The Y In Bethel
The plan for a Community Center in Bethel is closer to becoming a reality, but first the City of Eugene wants to hear your thoughts on the idea. Take this quick survey to share your thoughts with City staffers.
The proposal would permit the Eugene Y to build a new facility along Legacy Street, immediately south of Meadow View School. The City would lease the land to the Y for $1 a year.
Like the idea? Not so sure? Share your thoughts in the survey today.
Writing Workshop
Congratulations to those students who have been recommended for the upcoming TAG Writing Workshops. The first workshop will be Friday, January 6. Teachers who recommended students for these workshops, were given handouts to be distributed to the students they recommended.
Students participating in these workshops will be allowed the opportunity to make up any missing work they have as a resulting of missing class the following dates:
Friday, January 6, 2012 1:00 – 3:30
Friday, February 3, 2012 1:00 – 3:30
Friday, January 13, 2012 1:00 – 3:30
Friday, February 10, 2012 1:00 – 3:30
Success For All Students
Bethel is proud to host African American Student Support Night on January 12th at 7:00 p.m. at Willamette High School. Families of African American and bi-racial students will learn about the Bethel programs in place to support students at every grade level. The event will include some inspirational straight-talk and will seek your opinions on what issues future events should address and how we can all improve our schools.
Report Cards For Schools
Due to a change in state rules, we are now able to email our State School Report Cards to Shasta families. This will save the school district money, although paper copies will also be available at the Shasta school office for those who request a hard copy.
You may recall that Oregon recently raised the bar on what kids are expected to learn in math at each grade level. As a result, fewer students were able to “meet” the state math standards.
The good news is that while Shasta students continue to excel in reading, our teachers have already been implementing several new programs to improve student learning in Math. These include strengthening of the Algebra and Pre-Algebra programs. Students and staff at Shasta are working even harder to raise achievement in math to meet our own higher expectations.
Click here for Shasta’s Report Card from last school year.
Finally, thank you for staying involved in your child’s education. Middle school is a time when kids are seeking some independence but they truly need your active attention and support. As always, feel free to email or call us.
gweil@bethel.k12.or.us brady.cottle@bethel.k12.or.us (541) 688-9611
First Day of School
September 6th, 2011
6th Grade Students ~ 9:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
Please arrive by 9:00 a.m. and bring lunch or lunch money
7th & 8th Grade Students ~ 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Please arrive no earlier than 1:00 p.m.
Lists will be posted Friday evening, September 2nd in the front office with student’s homeroom. Students report Tuesday to their homeroom class where they will receive their full schedule.
Shasta Welcomes New Staff
Five new staff members will be joining Shasta this fall.
- Brady Cottle - Assistant Principal. Brady was the Student Services Coodinator at Springfield Middle School and replaces former co-principal Bert Eliason, who retired after thirty years of service to Bethel School District.
- Mike Reetz - Band Director. Mike is from North Dakota, and more recently from Gold Beach, Oregon, where he taught band and choir. Joe Ingram retired after teaching band for 27 years at Shasta.
- Michelle Lind - Special Education Teacher. Michelle’s assignment will be working with special education students. Molly Molnar will teach at Willamette High School.
- Gina Moore – Receptionist/Secretary. Gina will work in the front office, replacing Glenda Hausler who retired after 27 years of service at Shasta Middle School.
- Tom Woods – Language Arts and Social Studies. Tom is from Prairie Mountain and will teach in place of John Krieder, who will teach at Willamette High School.
We look forward to beginning another school year with renewed energy and enthusiasm!