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Updates From D91 Supt. LaOrange
October Updates: Week of Oct. 23
From The Superintendent's Desk ... .
Partnering with parents and patrons is critical to the work of Idaho Falls School District 91. Last week, we took a look at the School Advisory Council. These councils will bring parents and patrons together with teachers and staff to help improve student learning and success at each school. This week we will learn more about how School Advisory Councils will be utilized to help inform the work of Idaho Falls School District 91.
This year, Idaho Falls School District 91 will expand the opportunity for parent and patron input through a District Advisory Council. The purpose of the District Advisory Council is to engage our parents, teachers, and patrons in helping all of our students learn and succeed. The District Advisory Council will include all the School Advisory Councils and their members. It also will include local business and community leaders.
The District Advisory Council will meet once or twice each year to review district achievement data, analyze strengths and areas of need, and work collaboratively to answer important questions that will assist the Board of Trustees with its work. These questions will help the Idaho Falls School Board determine district priorities. Input from the District Advisory Council will be used to develop board policy and initiatives to improve student learning. This work also will drive District 91’s Continuous Improvement Plan, which will define the work of the district for the next school year.
I am thrilled and excited to partner with parents, patrons, teachers, principals, and staff to continue building on the strengths of Idaho Falls School District 91. This is the beginning of an important partnership with our community that will enable us to work together for our students' success. If you are interested in helping with our work, please reach out to your school principal. Together, we will build a bright future for our children!
Your Chance To Get Involved! Respond by Nov. 1!
We Need You! Help Us Increase Student Success
Idaho Falls School District 91 is dedicated to helping all students learn and graduate prepared for their future. As a district, we are always reviewing how we can better use our time and resources to provide students with the help they need, especially when they don’t understand a concept or fall behind in a class.
In November, we will be forming the Intervention Committee and several subcommittees to study how we can better utilize our resources to help students understand concepts, close learning gaps and be ready to graduate on time.
We are looking for parents to help provide input into this critical work. Interested in joining us? I hope so! Please complete the following short form by Nov. 1 to get involved and help us serve our students. By working together, our students will succeed!
Important Dates In October/November:
- Every Friday! D91 schools start an hour later than normal so teachers can collaborate on student achievement.
- Oct. 31: Halloween
- Nov. 7: School Board Election, Polls are open from 8 am to 8 pm
- Nov. 8: School Board Business Meeting, 5:30 pm, IFHS Library
- Nov. 17: End of the 1st Trimester
- Nov. 20: Teacher Work Day
- Nov. 20-24 Thanksgiving Break
Don't Miss It!
There's still time to catch the The Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery by the IFHS Roar Theater. The final shows are 7 TONIGHT and Saturday, Oct. 28 in the Little Theater. General admission tickets are $5 and $4 for students.
Don't Miss It!
Skyline's Theater Company is performing A Midsummer Night's Dream at 7 pm on Nov. 1-4 in the Little Theater. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students.
Board Discusses Design Plans For New School
The Board of Trustees this week spent some time during Tuesday's work session discussing possible designs for the new elementary school planned for Idaho Falls' south side.
Working with the architect Design West, the board reviewed input from teachers, principals and staff who recently toured two schools in Utah. The visit allowed staff and board members to see a one-story version of the two-story design that was used to rebuild Ethel Boyes, Edgemont, Dora Erickson and Longfellow about 10 years ago. The board reviewed that input, which included the pros and cons of the one-story and two-story design, the most important things that should be included in any design and the most important things that needed to be addressed.
The Board of Trustees is expected to make a final decision on design plans in November. The school will be built on land the district owns on S65th West near the old York Grange. Watch for more details.
School Counselor Teams Ready To Support Students
D91's counselors address the needs of the whole child so they can pursue college and career plans after high school, and also be productive members of their communities. Counselors provide students with help in academic planning, college and career development and personal wellness. In addition, D91's counselors are divided into three specialized teams that help in emergency situations. There is a Crisis Response Team, a Threat Assessment Team and a Suicide Prevention Team.
- Crisis Response Team: Supports schools after incidents like the death of a student or staff member, an accident involving D91 students or staff or similar situations. The team helps staff communicate the news, provides counseling to students impacted by the situation, connects with parents, and supports staff as necessary.
- Threat Assessment Team: Works with administrators, and, in some cases, local law enforcement, to assess situations and determine potential threats. This team is often activated in response to an accident, a threat voiced by a student or similar situations. The threat assessment also usually includes next steps and a safety plan to address any specific concerns.
- Suicide Prevention Team: Provides suicide prevention training to staff in accordance with Idaho's state rules, and also promotes suicide prevention throughout the school district with special school activities, events and projects.
We appreciate all our counselors do to support our students to help them be successful, not just in school, but in life. Thank you!
D91 Safety Check!
Some Safety Tips For Texting, Internet & Mobile Phones
The U.S. Attorney General's Office for the District of Idaho is working in partnership with the Idaho State Department of Education to share tips with parents and children about online safety. With the rise in smartphones and other electronic devices, it's more important than ever to be tech savvy.
Here are some tips for parents:
- Teach your child not to post identifying information on the Internet. Identifying information would include full name, date and place of birth, address, etc.
- Monitor your child's access to the Internet and texting and set a limit for how much time your child can spend online.
- Spend time with your child online. Ask them to show you their favorite online destinations and phone apps. Get to know your child's online friends as you would their real-life friends. Learn their passwords.
- Review your child's computer, emails and messages periodically and know who they they text and email. (Most providers have ways to track frequent contacts so you will know if they start communicating with someone new.)
- Use parental controls available from your internet service provider, apps or blocking software. (Questions? Contact your Internet ISP)
- Talk to your child about the danger of Internet predators. Watch for unexplained changes in your child's behavior. Do NOT hesitate to seek help from law enforcement if you think a predator maybe be targeting your child.
For more Internet safety information, visit www.netsmartz.org. The site has age appropriate videos, activities and information for children of all ages.
Report Safety Concerns With STOPit
D91 has a districtwide reporting system called STOPit that allows students, parents and patrons to report concerns about school safety. Concerns can be reported by scanning a QRU code on posters in schools, through STOPit in the D91App, through a link on school and district websites or via a telephone hotline at (855) 999-0932.
All reports will be reviewed by D91’s administrators, its School Resource Officers and STOPit’s incident command center. As part of the review process, reports will be assessed and catalogued. STOPit makes it easy for administrators and SROs to reach out to those who submit concerns to request additional information. Those filing a report also can upload evidence like photos or videos.
If you or your child have any concerns about school safety, we encourage you to use STOPit so we can all work together to keep our schools safe.
Calling All Artists!
The Idaho State Department of Education is looking for student artwork for its 2023 Holiday Card Contest. This year's contest has two divisions -- K-6 and grades 7-12. Entries must be received or postmarked by Friday, Nov. 17. Learn more.
Celebrate Idaho!
The Bonneville County Heritage Association is inviting students in grades 4 and 7-12 to take part in its annual Idaho Day celebration. There are contests in map drawing, sculpting, painting, photography, handwriting, essays, poetry and song writing. Entries are due by 5 pm on Jan. 26, 2024. Learn more.
Calling All Filmmakers
School Board Elections Are Nov. 7
Eight candidates are running for Idaho Falls School District 91's three open school board seats in Zone 3, Zone 4 and Zone 5.
- Zone 3 Seat: Patrick Jackson, Jordan Oseen and Jeremy Westwood are facing off in this zone. It includes the Theresa Bunker, Edgemont, Longfellow, Linden Park and Sunnyside school areas.
- Zone 4 Seat: Elizabeth Cogliati and Shay Ricks are vying for this seat. Zone 4 includes Erickson, Linden Park and part of Hawthorne school areas.
- Zone 5 Seat: Melissa LaPray, Hillary Radcliffe and Kari Vogel are competing in this zone. It includes Hawthorne, Longfellow, Sunnyside and Taylorview school areas. Jamie Lea Braithwaite has withdrawn from the race.
Tigers Face Grizzlies in State Playoff Game TONIGH!
Good luck to both the IFHS Tigers and the SHS Grizzlies as they face each other in the first round of state playoff games TONIGHT. Kickoff is at 5:30 pm at Holt Arena in Pocatello. High school students get into the game for $2 with an activity card. Other tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students in grades k-12. Make us #d91PROUD!
Finishing the Season Tiger Strong ....
It's a big weekend in Tiger Nation! While the football team faces Skyline TONIGHT at Holt Arena, IFHS' swimmers are gearing up for the District Championship meet starting at 8 am Saturday at the Aquatic Center and IFHS' runners are heading to the State Cross Country Championship meet at 1:30 pm Saturday at the Portneuf Wellness Complex. Good luck to our all our athletes! Click this link for all the latest in Tiger Sports News.
Finishing the Season Grizz Strong!
Congrats to Skyline's soccer team, this week's Skyline Athletes of the Week! They lost the first game in the state tournament last weekend to Sandpoint, the eventual state champs, but fought their way into the consolation championship game. Way to go!
Good luck to the Grizz volleyball team, which is playing in the state tournament in Post Falls TODAY. Also, good luck to Skyline's cross country teams, which are competing in the state tournament Saturday at the Portneuf Wellness Compex. The girls run at 1:30 pm, while the boys run at 2:30 pm. Skyline's swimmers will also be competing in the district swim meet at the aquatic center starting at 1 pm on Saturday. Make us #d91Proud! Click this link for all the latest in Grizz Sports.
We are #D91Proud
Idaho Falls High School's boys and girls soccer teams won the consolation bracket in the state soccer tournament last weekend in Boise! The girls team also won the sportsmanship award for their conduct during the games. Whoooohoooo! Nice job, Tigers!