January 2023 Update

Happy New Year!

Every two years, our supplemental levy expires. These funds are not supplemental, they are fundamental to everything we do. In 2006, school districts across our state lost funding due to a property tax cut. A 1 cent sales tax was added and proved to be insufficient at funding what districts lost due to the change in state statute. Since that time, districts have had to rely more and more on taxpayer dollars to backfill the holes left by the change in statute.

Please click on the following video for more information about public school funding in Idaho. Thank you on behalf of the 6,050 students in Post Falls Schools. Remember to vote on March 14th.

Dena Naccarato, Superintendent

Post Falls School District's levy expires every two years. The March 14 election is the opportunity for local taxpayers to renew existing funding and enhance school safety.

Even with an increase to the levy for security enhancements, tax rate projections show the average Post Falls taxpayer will not see an increase in school district taxes due to growth in the market from new construction.

Voters can request an absentee ballot for the March 14th election and for all 2023 election dates by using the online request form or the QR code. Another option is to submit a paper application to the County Clerk.

Just a reminder that Friday, January 27th marks the end of 1st semester for all students. Schedule changes will be effective on Monday, January 30 for middle and high school students.

Post Falls Community:

It is with great pleasure that we announce the opening of the New Vision High School Community Clothes Closet. Students in Rich Raynor's advisory class have been working hard to get the closet up and running. The closet is open to any family in the Post Falls School District who is in need of clothing. This is only possible due to the very generous donations of money and clothing from the businesses and community of Post Falls.

The Community Clothes Closet seeks to provide free clothing to families in need. We provide casual and and career clothes and footwear, along with clothing for children and teens.

We are located in a portable behind New Vision High School and are open Tuesdays from 2:45 pm to 4:00 pm. You can enter through the small gate on Catherine Street on the east side of the building. If this time does not work for you, please email Rich Raynor at richard.raynor@sd273.com and he will try to set up a better time for you.

Donations still needed: clothing, coats and shoes for younger children.

December 5-9 was PFHS's annual "Serve Week." The focus was being of service to the Post Falls Community, and students were involved in a variety of ways:

• ASB / Student Council - food drive for PF Food Bank
• Ceramics Club - made vases and filled them with flowers for residents in local assisted living facilities
• Key Club - held a trivia night and proceeds were donated to Kootenai Humane Society
• LINK - donated blankets and clothes
• Needlework Club - created mittens for elementary students
• Kindness Club - collected donations to buy dinners for police officers
• Ski & Snowboard Club - donated items to Toys for Tots
• Sources of Strength - volunteered at local book fairs

It's cold and flu season in Post Falls School District. The Nursing Department has answered many calls lately about when parents should keep their children home from school.

Here is the general guidance:

If your child has a fever he/she must stay home until fever free for 24 hours without a fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol/acetaminophen or Advil/ibuprofen. If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea with or without a fever, he/she needs to stay home.

To minimize the spread of contagious illnesses:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer if water is not available.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Encourage your students to cough and sneeze into elbows.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Encourage getting enough sleep, drinking water, and eating healthy.
• Discourage any sharing of drinks and utensils.
• Stay home when you are sick.

If you have any questions, please call our Nursing Office at 208-773-6976.

Board Policy 501.9 "Attendance Requirements" - It is the policy of the Board of Trustees that every student of compulsory school age must be in attendance unless otherwise exempt as provided in Idaho Code. (link to the full policy)

Though students should stay home when they are sick, parents are notified either through a mailed letter or Skyward email when students reach five (5) and nine(9) excused or unexcused absences per semester. (link to procedures)

The winter months encompass a variety of weather conditions. Please be aware of cold, wind and ice, and dress your child accordingly. School may close for the day when weather creates hazardous road conditions. School closures and late starts are announced between 5:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on the following radio stations: KVNI, KCDA, KISS, KXLY, KDRK and on television stations KREM-2, KXLY-4 and KHQ-6. School closures will be posted on the district website. The district will also utilize the School Messenger notification system for parents with texting capabilities on their cell phones who have opted in to the School Messenger system.

*To opt in and receive school notifications through School Messenger send a text message to 67587 with the word “yes” or "Y" in the body of the text. School Messenger will send a confirmation text shortly after.

For 2022-2023, families must apply for free and reduced lunches. Your child may be eligible to receive free or reduced price meals. Families may qualify if the household’s annual gross income is within the limits identified by the Federal Income Eligibility Standards. Please review the income eligibility chart found at the bottom of this webpage for the gross annual income qualifications.

The online application can be found on the PFSD website, and paper copies are available upon request from the school offices. Only one application needs to be filled out per household.

Please contact Becky Elmore, Child Nutrition Supervisor, at 208-773-1625 with questions regarding the school lunch or breakfast program.

Post Falls School District is seeking motivated parents and community members interested in substitute teaching.

Qualifications: High school diploma. Applicants should enjoy working with students. Daily rate of pay for substitutes is $110. Half-day rate = $55. Substitute teachers can indicate what school(s) they prefer and the day(s) of the week they are available. Bonuses are available to those who sub 12 or more days in one pay period.

Applicants will need to complete an online application and pass the State Department of Education mandated criminal history/background check. The applicant pays the required $36 fee.

If you are interested in becoming a substitute teacher, please complete the online application @ https://hr.pfsd.com/quick-links/substitute-center.

Any questions please call the District Office at 208-773-1658.

Looking for employment? On-site training is provided for all positions.

List of current job openings:

• Sign Language Interpreter
• School Nurse
• GAP assistants (before and after school childcare)
• Substitute teachers, bus drivers, GAP (childcare) and food service assistants
• Behavior interventionists
• Special Education assistants

Applicants apply online and submit to a State Department of Education mandated criminal history/background check. The applicant pays the required $36 background check fee.

If you are interested in any of our open positions, complete the online application. Please call the District Office at 208-773-1658 with any questions.

Idaho residents now can call or text 988 at any time to talk to a trained professional who can help them through a behavioral health crisis. The new emergency phone number launched on July 16 and is available nationwide.

Anyone experiencing behavioral health-related stress -- thoughts of suicide, mental health issues, substance use crisis or any other kind of emotional distress — can call or text 988 at any time. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis intervention.

All calls made from an Idaho area code to 988 are routed to a central hub in Washington, D.C., and then re-routed to the Idaho Crisis and Suicide Hotline. The new three-digit number is available in multiple languages for everyone in Idaho and the U.S. to call and connect with the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. Text is available in English only.

Read more in this press release from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Email: info@sd273.com
Website: https://www.pfsd.com/
Location: 206 West Mullan Avenue, Post Falls, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 773-1658