Welcome Back Message from our Superintendent for the...

Dear Jefferson County School District 509J Families, Welcome to this new 2025-26 school year!  I am so excited for the new school year that is just a little more than two weeks from today!  Our teachers and staff will be returning to schools and classrooms in days ahead as we begin those last preparations for the start of another awesome year.  We are eager to support and work with your student(s) in the year ahead. We are welcoming most of our students on Wednesday, September 3. See below for specific school and grade first day details. First Days of School Grades 1-6 and Grade 9:  Wednesday, September 3 Grades 1-8 (Warm Springs K8 Academy):  Wednesday, September 3 Grades 7-8 & 10-12:  Thursday, September 4 We ask our Pre-school and Kindergarten families to check in with your school to find out when your incoming student will start. In our district, one of our core values is ‘Students Flourish Here.’ We know that our students will do their best work when they can fully focus and connect with their teachers and classmates without distractions from personal electronic devices like cell phones. At the start of the school year, one change you’ll see is we are expanding our ‘off and away’ expectations from our secondary schools to district-wide. This means all students will be asked to keep phones and other electronic devices turned off and put away from the start to the end of the school day.  To make this work, we will need the support and teamwork from our staff, students, and families.  You can learn more about what this looks like in our schools and see some frequently asked questions by visiting our website, here. Schools are hosting Open House events in the coming weeks.  Please check with your school to learn specific details for those events. School Date Buff Elementary Thursday, August 28, 4-6pm Metolius Elementary Thursday, August 28, 4-6pm Madras Elementary Thursday, August 28, 4-6pm WSK8 Thursday, August 28, 4-6pm Bridges High (Including ROOTS) Thursday, August 28, 4-6pm  (Will be at WSK8 Back to School BBQ) JCMS Wednesday, August 27, 5-6:30pm MHS Tuesday, September 2, 4:30-6:30pm 509J Online Tuesday, September 2, 10am-2pm 509J Preschool Wednesday, August 27, 4-6pm As we begin a new school year, please help your student attend school each day.  We know that students who attend school regularly are able to access more learning and have much better chances of being able to read, write and succeed in math at their appropriate grade level or beyond.  Attending school regularly is the secret to positive social and learning experiences in school. Thank you for partnering with your child’s school.  This 2025-26 school year is going to be a great one! Serving 509J Schools, Dr. Jay Mathisen, Superintendent

Friday, Aug 15 2025

Jefferson County School District 509J providing basi...

JCSD 509J Families, We are excited to announce that Jefferson County School District 509J will once again provide school supplies for all students this year! Families do not need to purchase basic items for their students. The district will purchase the necessary items, ensuring that supplies will be ready for your child on the first day of school. We kindly request that students come to school with a backpack for any materials that need to be brought home, as well as a water bottle. Additionally, for our kindergarten families, we ask that you provide a box of tissues and a package of baby wipes for your student’s classroom. Below is a link that will take you to the list of items your child will receive on their first day of school. Families do NOT need to purchase any of the items on the list. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a fantastic school year ahead! School Supplies List

Tuesday, Aug 05 2025

JCSD 509J providing basic school supplies for all st...

JCSD 509J Families, We are excited to announce that Jefferson County School District 509J will once again provide school supplies for all students this year! Families do not need to purchase basic items for their students. The district will purchase the necessary items, ensuring that supplies will be ready for your child on the first day of school. We kindly request that students come to school with a backpack for any materials that need to be brought home, as well as a water bottle. Additionally, for our kindergarten families, we ask that you provide a box of tissues and a package of baby wipes for your student’s classroom. Below is the list of items that your child will receive on their first day of school. Families do NOT need to purchase any of the items on this list. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a fantastic school year ahead!

Thursday, Aug 01 2024

Dual Language Application Window Open for 24-25 Scho...

Enrich your child's educational journey with our Dual Language Program! 📚🌎 Our Dual Language Program is accepting applications for incoming kindergarten students in the 24-25 school year! Give them the gift of bilingualism as they start their first year of school. Our program is going to be in both Buff and Madras Elementary schools next year.  Our program offers instruction to students in both English and Spanish. Half of their day will be in English and half in Spanish. Don't miss this opportunity! Apply now by going to our website and filling out the application. The application window closes at the end of the month. APPLY TODAY: https://www.jcsd.k12.or.us/509j-dual-language-program/ ​ [Friday, Apr 26 at 6:27 PM] Families, There is still time to apply and to have a chance at getting your incoming kindergarten student in our Dual Language Program! The program is accepting applications until April 30. Our program is going to be in both Buff and Madras Elementary schools next year. The program offers instruction to students in both English and Spanish. Half of their day will be in English and half in Spanish. Don't miss this opportunity! Apply now by going to our website and filling out the application. The application window closes soon! APPLY TODAY: https://www.jcsd.k12.or.us/509j-dual-language-program/

Wednesday, Apr 17 2024