Hello Highlander Families,

We’ve made it to the third week of March — the final stretch before Spring Break! 🌷 While everyone is looking forward to a well-deserved pause, there’s still a lot happening around North this week.

Our Spring Music Concerts are here, and we can’t wait to showcase the incredible work our students have been preparing:
🎶 Choir Concert – Tuesday, March 17
🎺 Band Concert – Thursday, March 19

These performances are always a highlight of the season, and we hope you’ll join us in supporting our talented Highlander musicians.

In between the music, we’ll also be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 18. Blood donations help save lives every day, and we’re proud of the many students and community members who step up to participate in this important event.

Thank you, as always, for partnering with us to support your students. Spring Break begins next week, and we hope our Highlander families are able to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the early signs of spring.

Go North! 💥

DISTRICT CALENDAR

NEHS HIGHLANDER STUDENT NEWS

Oregon State Testing is Happening in Classrooms!

Oregon State Testing (OSAS) for 11th Grade Students
North Eugene 11th grade students will be participating in the Oregon Statewide Assessments (OSAS) over the next several weeks. These statewide tests help teachers and schools understand how students are doing academically and where we can continue to grow and improve.

There are also benefits for students. Strong scores on these assessments can sometimes allow students to skip college placement tests and even some entry-level college classes—no matter when they begin college, even if they take a gap year.

The results also help North Eugene teachers better understand our students’ strengths and areas for growth, and provide a broader snapshot of student learning for our community.

Testing Schedule

➗ Math
Week of March 16

📚 ELA (English Language Arts)
April 13–16

Families who would like to learn more about the assessments or access opt-out forms can visit the district website or check the family newsletter for additional information.

Thank you for helping ensure students arrive rested and ready to do their best during testing.Find more info (including Opt-out forms) here at the district website

🎶 North Eugene Choir Concert – March 17
Join us for an evening of music as our talented North Eugene Choir students take the stage for their upcoming concert on Monday, March 17.

Our singers have been working hard this season and are excited to share the music they’ve been preparing with our community. The concert is a wonderful chance to support our students and enjoy a night of incredible performances.📅 Monday, March 17
📍 North Eugene High School Auditorium
⏰ Concert begins at 7:00 PM
We hope you’ll come out and support our Highlander musicians!

🩸 Give Blood. Save Lives.
North Eugene High School will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, March 18, and we invite our Highlander community to consider donating.

Every blood donation has the potential to help multiple patients in need—from accident victims to those undergoing surgeries or cancer treatments. Blood supplies are always in demand, and community drives like ours make a real difference.

If you are eligible to donate, please consider signing up and being part of something that truly saves lives. It’s a simple act of generosity that can have an enormous impact.
❤️ Join us on March 18 and help make a difference—one donation at a time.

NEHS Choir & Band Fundraiser @ Papa's Pizza!
Please spread the word and join us at our Papa's Pizza fundraiser on Monday, May 16th. Funds raised will support the North Eugene Band and Choir Performance Tour. Location: Coburg Rd. Time: All day!
Thank you for supporting our choir and band students as we push across the finish line to fund our exciting Disney Performance Trip this spring break!

🎺 North Eugene Band Concert – March 19
Our North Eugene Band students are ready to perform! Join us for an evening of energetic and inspiring music as our talented musicians showcase the pieces they’ve been working on this season.
From powerful ensemble pieces to dynamic performances, this concert highlights the dedication and hard work of our Highlander band students.
📅 Wednesday, March 19
📍 North Eugene High School Auditorium
⏰ Concert begins at 7:00 PM
Come out and support our musicians and enjoy a great night of music at North!

April 9 is Testing Day   
Testing Day is Thursday, April 9. This is a required attendance day for all students. Special lessons and activities are planned for all grade levels, and the day will follow an early release schedule.

Please see the specific instructions for your grade level below:

🎓 11th Grade: SAT Registration

The SAT is an optional college entrance exam offered for free during the school day. Students must "opt-in" to participate.

• Action Required: Click here to register for the SAT
• Deadline: Monday, February 16
• Cost: Free
• PLEASE MAKE SURE TO BRING A FULLY CHARGED LAPTOP FOR THIS TEST

📖 10th Grade: PreACT

All 10th graders are automatically registered for the PreACT to help prepare for college and career pathways.

• Action Required: None. Registration is automatic.
• More Info: 6 Ways PreACT Helps You (PDF).

This day is an early release day.
This test is provided, for free, by the Oregon Department of Education. It is an opportunity for all 10th graders in Oregon to take a college entrance practice test, helping us see that your child is on track for college and career readiness.
 
With the PreACT, you and your child can get useful information to help guide them to choose the right high school courses, think about ways to work on areas for improvement, and continue discussions about their college and career interests.  
To learn more about the test, see the infographic, 6 Ways PreACT Helps You, or call your school office.

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Counselor Contact Information

If you have questions about testing day, please contact your counselor: 
IB Exam Calendar - May
Families and students have been asking about the IB Exam schedule for this May, especially since we have over 140 North juniors and seniors testing this year. We’re sharing the calendar here so everyone can review the dates and plan ahead.

Please take a moment to look over the schedule to note your exam days and times.

👉 View the IB Exam Calendar here: IB Exam Calendar
If you have any questions about specific exams or scheduling, please reach out and we’ll be happy to help.

🥞 Seniors — Don’t Miss Senior Breakfast!
One of the best traditions of senior year is coming up! Senior Breakfast is a chance to celebrate together, share some laughs, and kick off the final stretch of the year with your classmates.

Make sure to sign up using the Google Form so we know you’re coming and can plan accordingly.

👉 Be sure to also check the Highlander Grad Guide for the latest updates, deadlines, and everything you need to know as graduation gets closer. The Grad Guide is a living document, so check back often for new information.

Let’s finish the year strong, Class of 2026! 🎓

COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER

Dear Seniors and Families,

It is officially "Scholarship Season." This is the most critical time of year for seniors to secure funding for their future education. To help you navigate the many opportunities available, we have broken down the most important ones below. Note that state-level deadlines are approaching quickly! (Files attached below)

1. SELCO Community Credit Union Scholarship

SELCO is awarding twenty $3,500 scholarships to local students who are community-minded and motivated to take the next step.

• Deadline: March 31, 2026

• Apply Here: SELCO Scholarship Application

2. Airport Rotary Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)

This is a local scholarship specifically for North Eugene High School seniors. Because this award is limited to a small group of local schools, our students have a significantly higher chance of being selected!

• Award Amount: $2,000 (Renewable for up to $5,000 total over 4 years).

• Eligibility & Priorities:

  • GPA: Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

  • Financial Need: Intended for students from lower-income households.

  • Priorities: Priority given to First-Generation college-bound students and Students of Color.

  • Location: Must attend a college, university, or trade school within the State of Oregon.

• Deadline: Friday, March 20, 2026.

• How to Apply: Download the Application PDF attached to this post or pick up a physical packet in the College Career Center

• Action: Submit your completed packet (including essay and certified transcript) to Catherine in the College Career Center.

Summary of Important Dates

NORTH REGION COMMUNITY NEWS

As the head of our Educators Appreciation Day here at Oregon, I wanted to share we will now be offering discounted tickets for Baseball and Softball this year as well!
Softball
·         Saturday, April 4th vs Iowa

o   First pitch at 4:00 PM

·         Saturday, April 18th vs Washington

o   First pitch at 4:00 PM

Baseball
·         Saturday, April 25th vs Penn State

o   First pitch at 4:05 PM

·         Saturday, May 16th vs USC

o   First pitch at 12:05 PM

These games are a great chance to bring your office or sports teams out for some team bonding, especially with some great weather on the way!
The link to access these tickets is below, and please feel free to share this link with all faculty, staff, students, and families:
https://www.gofevo.com/group/DucksEducatorsSpring2026
If you need to purchase 10 or more tickets for your group, would like a flyer to post online/share with your school, or have any questions, please feel free to respond to this email or reach out at the information below.
Go Ducks!

The Spring Into the Garden Activation
The Spring Into the Garden Activation is a neighborhood enrichment event planned for Sunday, April 12, noon to 4 at the AMGC 255 Maxwell, in the River Road Neighborhood. The location is the former Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and future site of Square One's, Our Village residential co-op.

The event will be hosted by the River Road Community Organization, and Beyond Toxics in support of the Amicus Memorial Garden Collaborative.

The primary goal is neighborhood sustainability, engagement and encouragement for more people to grow food at home and to civically participate locally.

Neurodiversity Support for Families