Reaffirming our support for our Transgender and LGBT...

Dear Bethel Families, Staff, and Students, In Bethel, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment where every student can thrive. This means ensuring that all students—regardless of their gender identity or expression—experience safety, respect, and affirmation in our schools. Our commitment to equity and inclusivity guides every aspect of our work, from classroom practices to district policies. This is the third of three messages to reaffirm our support for all Bethel students and families. To view the first message, click  here . To view the second message, click  here . We understand that changes at the federal level may raise particular concerns for our LGBTQ+ families. While national policies may shift, our dedication to maintaining safe, supportive, and affirming schools will not change. Bethel’s schools are welcoming spaces where every student is celebrated for who they are and empowered to succeed. The Bethel School District firmly believes that all students deserve to be safe, and students who express or identify differently than their gender assigned at birth should never experience exclusion, discrimination, harassment, or bullying. As a community entrusted with the well-being of our students, we are committed to providing a welcoming, safe, and inclusive learning environment that supports the physical, psychological, and educational needs of every student. Bethel’s policies reflect these values and provide clear protections for our students: Policy JFD,  Student Gender Identity and Expression,  ensures that all students have the right to express their gender identity in a way that is authentic to them, with the support of their school. Policy AC , Nondiscrimination,  protects every student from harassment, discrimination, and inequitable treatment based on gender identity or any other factor. Policy ACB , Every Student Belongs,  emphasizes that our schools must be safe and inclusive spaces for all, regardless of identity. Policy JOB , Personally Identifiable Information,  safeguards students’ private information, ensuring their identities are respected and protected. In addition to our board policies, we are excited to announce that Bethel, beginning next school year, will be incorporating “Welcoming Schools” programming in all its schools. The program aims to create inclusive, respectful and supportive schools for all students by preventing bullying, supporting students and embracing diversity.  Bethel schools are welcoming spaces where every student is celebrated for who they are, supported in their unique identities, and empowered to succeed. Thank you for being part of the Bethel family and for joining us in creating a community where all students feel a strong sense of belonging and safety.  If you have any questions or concerns about these policies or about a student in our district, please feel free to reach out directly to me. Sincerely,  Dr. Kraig Sproles, Superintendent, Bethel School District kraig.sproles@bethel.k12.or.us 541.689.3280 Additional resources and support for our LGBTQ+ students and families: Basic Rights Oregon:   Link TransPonder:   Link ODE Supporting Gender Expansive Students:   Link

Monday, Jan 13 2025

Bethel Latinx Family Night - Join us!

Empowering Community, Celebrating Culture and Supporting Futures Join us for the first ever K-12 Bethel Latinx Family Night! This fun and family-friendly monthly meeting aims to celebrate culture, build community and provide families with information, resources and a safe space to voice concerns and needs. We hope to see you there! What : Bethel Latinx Family Night When : 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 13 Where : Cascade Middle School 

Friday, Jan 10 2025

Reaffirming Bethel's Commitment to our Immigrant Fam...

Dear Bethel Families, Staff, and Students –   As we step into to a new year, we want to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to all of our students, families, and staff. In Bethel School District, we believe that every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported. This belief is at the heart of our mission to create welcoming communities where all students can thrive. This is the second of three messages to reaffirm our support for all Bethel students and families. To view the first message, click  here .   We recognize that recent changes at the federal level may cause uncertainty and concern, particularly for our immigrant families. While we cannot predict every shift in policy, we want to assure you that Bethel’s core values—equity, inclusivity, and respect—remain constant. Our schools are safe spaces where every student is given the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. To support our immigrant families, Bethel schools are committed to protecting student privacy and will prioritize the well-being of our immigrant community members. To this end we will: Strictly adhere to district policies about not sharing personally identifiable student information with federal officials. Provide training/support for immigrant families to best prepare for possible enforcement actions. Provide training for staff members about how to safeguard student information. Continue to provide a forum and community spaces for families to ask questions, build support, and partner with local agencies. Oregon state laws and Bethel’s board policies ensure that students’ rights to education are upheld, free from fear or discrimination. We remain dedicated to creating an environment where every student feels a strong sense of belonging and is celebrated for their unique contributions to our community. Bethel’s policies reflect these values and provide clear protections for our students: Policy AC , Nondiscrimination, protects every student from harassment, discrimination, and inequitable treatment based on gender identity or any other factor. Policy ACB , Every Student Belongs, emphasizes that our schools must be safe and inclusive spaces for all, regardless of identity. Policy JOB , Personally Identifiable Information, safeguards students’ private information, ensuring their identities are respected and protected. Every Bethel family is an integral part of our community, and we are here to support you. Please do not hesitate to reach out directly to me with any questions or concerns.    Sincerely,  Dr. Kraig Sproles, Bethel School District Superintendent kraig.sproles@bethel.k12.or.us 541.689.3280   Additional immigration-related community resources: Equity Corps of Oregon (ECO) :   Link — Free legal assistance for immigrant families in Eugene and Oregon. Families can sign up by calling 1-888-274-7292. Immigration Counseling Services (ICS):  Link – Offers legal support and resources for immigrant families (Portland office). GLAD of Lane County:  Link – Provides advocacy and support services for immigrant and refugee communities. Catholic Community Services of Lane County, Refugee & Immigrant Services Program (RISP):  Link – Supports immigrant families with essential resources and assistance. La Plaza/Centro Latino Americano:  Link – Serves as a hub for Latino immigrant support, offering services in health, housing, and advocacy

Tuesday, Jan 07 2025

Bethel Legislative Priorities & Advocacy 2024-25

Bethel Legislative Priorities & Advocacy 2024-25 The Bethel School District is creating relevant, responsive, and joyful school communities where all students thrive. Utilizing accurate funding models that provide adequate resources should be a central focus for the 2025 Legislative session. Implementing stronger systems of accountability that demonstrate the impact of those resources on Oregon students is critically important to provide the citizens of Oregon with transparent and reliable information about school outcomes. 1. Accurate Funding for Schools Focus on real costs : We need a funding model that keeps up with rising costs. This would help Bethel schools secure millions more in funding, ensuring that our students have the resources they need to succeed.  No unfunded mandates : Any new requirements for schools should come with the funds to make them happen. Asking schools to do more without funding is unsustainable. Support academic and well-being needs : Funding decisions should consider not only academic success but also students' social, emotional, and mental health needs. 2. Adequate Funding to Support Every Student Special Education Support : We need enough funding to support our students who qualify for Special Education supports. Providing full support to students with special needs is essential. High-Cost Disability Funds : Schools should be reimbursed for the extra costs of supporting students with high-cost disabilities. Inclusive Services : Consistent funding for regional services ensures our most vulnerable students—especially those with medical needs—get essential support. Summer Programs: Funding should be consistent to allow schools to offer high-quality, academically focused summer programs for students. 3. Accountability that Matters Better Testing Alternatives : Let’s move away from the Smarter Balanced assessments. We need testing options that give us timely, useful, and student-centered insights. Transparent Outcomes with a Scorecard : Oregon schools should publish outcomes in a scorecard format so parents and the public can easily see how schools are performing and compare them. How Bethel community members and families can help Use your voice to influence change and urge our local legislators to properly fund public education in Oregon! Send an email to our local representatives to advocate for accurate and adequate school funding. Feel free to use the draft email included below, or the summary of legislative priorities included above. Rep.JulieFahey@oregonlegislature.gov  Sen.JamesManning@oregonlegislature.gov  Rep.NancyNathanson@oregonlegislature.gov  Sen.SaraGelser@oregonlegislature.gov     Rep.JohnLively@oregonlegislature.gov  Example email to share with legislators:   Subject: Properly fund public education in Oregon Dear Senator James Manning, Representative Julie Fahey, Representative Nancy Nathanson, Senator Sara Gelser Blouin and Representative John Lively: As a family in the Bethel School District in Eugene, Oregon, I am reaching out to ask for your support of our district’s 2024-25 legislative priorities and to advocate for proper funding of public education in Oregon. This issue affects me, my family, and my community because [HOW IT AFFECTS YOU]. I believe that this issue is important because [WHY IT IS IMPORTANT]. I hope that you will consider this information and advocate for better funding for our schools to ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive. Accurate Funding: We need a funding model that reflects rising costs, with no unfunded mandates, so that our schools can fully support students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs. Adequate Funding for Special Education: Fully fund support for students with disabilities and high-cost needs, ensure consistent funding for inclusive services, and provide reliable funding for summer programs to keep students engaged. Accountability That Matters: We need alternatives to the Smarter Balanced assessment and a simple scorecard system for transparent school outcomes, helping families understand how schools are performing. It is more critical than ever for our State Legislators to center the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of our students in our collective efforts to support every student equitably.  Thank you for supporting our schools and ensuring that all students have the resources they need to succeed. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address/Contact Information, if needed]

Friday, Jan 03 2025

Bethel District Newsletter: December

​ ​ Bethel District News ​ ​ ​ ​ DECEMBER ​ ​ ​ ​ Bethel District Calendar ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December Newsletter Contents: Winter Break Resources Bethel Budget: 2025-26 Spirit Awards Reaffirming support for Bethel students and families  Legislative advocacy District Equity Committee - Apply now! Winter weather reminders ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Upcoming no-school days ​ Dec. 23-Jan. 6: Winter Break Jan. 7 - All students return from winter break ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ In this issue: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Winter Break Resources ​ Community Resources  Families have access to resources across Lane County, including food boxes, meal sites, gift programs, food pantries an more. These services are offered in locations across Lane County, including Eugene, Springfield, Junction City, Veneta, Elmira and more. You can view the resource list here.  ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 📣 Advocating for Our Schools: Bethel Legislative Priorities ​ This fall, the Bethel School Board adopted legislative priorities for the 2025 session, focusing on: Accurate and adequate funding for schools. Support for every student. Accountability for funding impact. Want to join the effort? Help advocate for school funding by emailing your legislators! Find a draft email here: Bethel Legislative Advocacy. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bethel Budget 2025-26 ​ ​ ​ ​ It's that time of year again! Time to think about the budget for the upcoming school year 2025-26. Superintendent Kraig Sproles will again visit each school and department in the district to present the proposed budget before bringing it to the board for adoption this spring. This video provides an overview of how our spending reflects our values as a district as we are working to become a more relevant, responsive and joyful community where all students thrive. A few things covered in this video include: Bethel's strategic priorities and how they guide our work Key factors that impact the budget An overview of district reserves Information about legislative advocacy Celebration of the amazing things happening in Bethel schools ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bethel District Equity Advisory Committee ​ 🌟 Join Bethel’s Equity Advisory Committee! 🌟 Bethel School District is forming a School Board Advisory Committee on Educational Equity, and we need your voice! 🗣️ This group will guide the district on how to better serve traditionally underrepresented students and families. We’re looking for parents, students, staff, and community members to share insights, address challenges, and celebrate successes 🎉 to create a more inclusive school environment. 📅 Commitment: Quarterly meetings 📝 Apply here: Link Need help or accommodations? Contact Remie Calalang at (541) 689-3280 or via email. 💬 Together, we can ensure every student thrives! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Celebrating 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! ​ ​ ​ ​ Reaffirming Support for Bethel Students & Families ​ Dear Bethel Families, Staff, and Students –   In Bethel School District, we remain committed to our mission to create communities where all students thrive. This commitment reflects our deeply held values of, inclusivity, and respect. Every member of our community deserves to feel valued and supported, and it is our priority to ensure these principles guide our work each day.   As we round the corner into a new year, we want to remind our students and families that Bethel schools are welcoming places for all.    With a change in administration at the federal level, we understand there is worry about how schools and our families will be affected. We are particularly concerned about policies or rhetoric targeting transgender students and immigrant communities. While national policies may shift, we are committed to maintaining welcoming and supportive learning environments for every student, regardless of immigration status, gender identity or expression, or any other factor. Who we are in Bethel doesn’t change because of an election. Our values, in conjunction with our district policies and state laws, ensure that our schools are welcoming spaces for all, and this will not change.   Bethel’s policies reflect these values and provide clear protections for our students: Policy JFD, Student Gender Identity and Expression, ensures that all students have the right to express their gender identity in a way that is authentic to them, with the support of their school. Policy AC, Nondiscrimination, protects every student from harassment, discrimination, and inequitable treatment based on gender identity or any other factor. Policy ACB, Every Student Belongs, emphasizes that our schools must be safe and inclusive spaces for all, regardless of identity. Policy JOB, Personally Identifiable Information, safeguards students’ private information, ensuring their identities are respected and protected. In Bethel, every student’s unique identity and background are celebrated as essent ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 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. (Learn how to download the app here).  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. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Bethel School District Website ​ ​ ​ ​   ​ ​

Wednesday, Dec 18 2024

Reaffirming our support for Bethel students and fami...

Dear Bethel Families, Staff, and Students –   In Bethel School District, we remain committed to our mission to create communities where all students thrive. This commitment reflects our deeply held values of, inclusivity, and respect. Every member of our community deserves to feel valued and supported, and it is our priority to ensure these principles guide our work each day.   As we round the corner into a new year, we want to remind our students and families that Bethel schools are welcoming places for  all .    With a change in administration at the federal level, we understand there is worry about how schools and our families will be affected. We are particularly concerned about policies or rhetoric targeting transgender students and immigrant communities. While national policies may shift, we are committed to maintaining welcoming and supportive learning environments for every student, regardless of immigration status, gender identity or expression, or any other factor. Who we are in Bethel doesn’t change because of an election. Our values, in conjunction with our district policies and state laws, ensure that our schools are welcoming spaces for all, and this will not change.    Bethel’s policies reflect these values and provide clear protections for our students: Policy JFD,  Student Gender Identity and Expression, ensures that all students have the right to express their gender identity in a way that is authentic to them, with the support of their school. Policy AC , Nondiscrimination, protects every student from harassment, discrimination, and inequitable treatment based on gender identity or any other factor. Policy ACB , Every Student Belongs, emphasizes that our schools must be safe and inclusive spaces for all, regardless of identity. Policy JOB , Personally Identifiable Information, safeguards students’ private information, ensuring their identities are respected and protected. In Bethel, every student’s unique identity and background are celebrated as essential to our collective success. Together, we are building an environment that honors and uplifts each of our students, preparing them to grow, learn, and contribute meaningfully to our community.   Thank you for being part of the Bethel family and for supporting our mission and values. We are proud to work alongside our students, staff and families to create learning opportunities where all students feel a sense of belonging.  All students belong here in Bethel.   Sincerely,   Dr. Kraig Sproles Bethel Superintendent

Tuesday, Dec 17 2024

Connect to your Strengths Mental Health Campaign sta...

​ Next week, Bethel teachers and administrators this week will be reaching out to all Bethel middle and high school students with a message of hope, help, and strength, to help students recognize and utilize their own resiliency as they encounter their own potential struggles with mental health. This information is structured around Bethel's Sources of Strength program.  Sources of Strength is our district-wide social and emotional learning curriculum. It’s fun, powerful, and strength-based. It prioritizes mental health, and helps students recognize the strengths they already possess and can rely on when things feel hard. As part of this presentation, students will be provided with: Self care tips Mental health community resources Food resources Crisis call and text lines information Access to warm clothes Mental health support and more. Why? While students learn about Sources of Strength throughout the year, we feel it’s important at this time to emphasize this program for students, staff and families during this time of the year. As we know, break can be a time for rest, joy, connection and can also bring up feelings of anger, anxiety, or sadness. We want to provide students with helpful information and resources that they can utilize while they're away from school this winter break.     Who : Middle and High School students across Bethel   When : Students will receive this information next week   Questions : If you have questions, please reach out to the principal of your school.

Wednesday, Dec 11 2024

We want to hear from you! Please complete our Parent...

Calling all Bethel parents, guardians and caregivers: We want to hear from you!  We invite you to share your thoughts in our family survey. Your feedback will help us understand what is going well and how we can make our schools better for everyone. The survey is open from Thursday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Dec. 6, and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.  You can fill out a survey for each school your child attends. When the survey closes, we will share results with families so you can see how your input makes a difference. You can access the survey here: forms.hcg.com/f/41722745/7c8b/

Friday, Nov 15 2024

Demo Underway At Cascade

The oldest school building in Bethel School District is coming down. Cascade Middle School, built in 1955, is being demolished. In its place will be green space and the parking lot and driveway for the new Cascade, which is ready to open in September. Crews are carefully removing asbestos located in floor tiles, pipe elbows and parts of the ceiling. Demo teams are following by taking down the building. An impressive amount of the old building is being reused with numerous organizations salvaging items including old cabinetry and well-used school furniture. Literally tons of metal was also removed and recycled.

Tuesday, Jul 09 2024

New websites coming to Bethel this summer

Hello, Bethel families! As we wrap up the school year, I wanted to share some exciting news with you. Over the summer break, we’ll be launching brand-new websites for each school in our district, as well as the district office and departments.  These new websites, powered by ParentSquare, are designed to be easy to use and manage. They’ll give each school more control over the information shared, making it simpler for you to stay informed and connected. Here’s what you need to know: Most of the setup work will happen over the summer, so everything will be ready when students return in the fall. Office coordinators, principals, and other key staff will receive training on how to use the new sites. We’ll provide handy guides and FAQs to help everyone get familiar with the changes. Our goal is to make the websites easier to navigate for both families and staff. We believe this upgrade will improve communication and make it easier for schools to share important info with you. If you have any questions or feedback, we’d love to hear from you! Your input is important to us as we make these changes. Thanks for your support, and we can’t wait to show you the new websites! Alisha Dodds  Communications Director  Bethel School District

Thursday, Jun 13 2024