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Updates From D91 Supt. LaOrange
Jan. 8, 2024
From The Superintendent's Desk
Exciting Things Coming To Help Students Succeed!
Happy new year and welcome back! A new year is an exciting time to look forward to the great things ahead. Student learning is and will continue to be our top priority.
In order to help each child succeed, teachers need opportunities to learn more about effective instructional practices. On. Jan. 15-16, D91 teachers will learn about effective teaching strategies and collaborate to address student needs. This will be a rich opportunity for our teachers to continue to enhance their strong teaching skills throughout the second half of the year.
This month the Intervention Committee will also begin meeting. The Intervention Committee, made up of parents, teachers and administrators, will study different ways to use the time we have to give teachers the time they need to help students who may need additional help. The committee will work together to develop an intervention proposal with the goal of implementation for next fall. Watch for more information about the committee's important work.
School Advisory Councils, a group of educators, staff, parents, and a patron also will start meeting to review the strengths of each school, as well as identify school needs. The School Advisory Council will make recommendations for a continuous improvement plan to help each school serve their students. This spring, School Advisory Councils will meet together as a District Advisory Council with the goal of establishing district goals and providing feedback to our school board.
Phew! Our teachers and staff are working tirelessly to help each child learn and grow. I am excited for the work ahead and invite you to join us in supporting our committees and councils. If you would like to give input to your School Advisory Council, please reach out to your child’s principal. If you would like to provide input into the Intervention Committee, please reach out to me at laorkarl@sd91.org. Your input is needed and welcome!
Important Dates In January
- Jan. 9: Special Board Meeting, Orientation for New Board Member, 11:30 am, District Office
- Jan. 10: Board Business Meeting (Annual Board Reorganization), 5:30 pm, District Office
- Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Day
- Jan 15 & Jan. 16: No School For Students/ Staff Development
- Jan. 19: At-Home/Intervention Day For SHS & IFHS (Regular school day with normal shuttle service for Compass, Emerson & CTEC students)
- Jan. 23: Board Work Session, 4 pm
- Jan. 30: D91 Career Exploration Fair for all Juniors & Seniors, Mountain America Center
No School For Students on Jan. 15 & 16
As we continue our focus on increasing student achievement in Idaho Falls School District 91, we are very excited about the two days of staff development planned for teachers on Jan. 15-6. There will be no school on those days so all D91's teachers and certified staff can take part in the New Art and Science of Teaching training.
The goal is that every teacher will receive specialized training during these sessions so they can return to their classrooms and roles with additional skills that will increase student success.
The New Art and Science of Teaching is an important part of the district's efforts to ensure we have effective teaching in every classroom, a bedrock of our Level 2 High Reliability Schools work.
Jan. 19 Is At-Home Learning Day For IFHS & SHS
Just a reminder, Jan. 19 is an Intervention/At-Home Learning day for Idaho Falls and Skyline high school students. Students attending Compass Academy, Emerson and the Career & Technical Education Center will have a regular school day, and D91's shuttles will run on a normal schedule.
The Board of Trustees approved the calendar change to accommodate the Tiger-Grizz Wrestling Tournament. The tournament draws wrestlers from around the state, which raised some safety concerns about the influx of hundreds of wrestlers, parents and spectators at IFHS and Skyline during the school day.
Happening Around D91
Career Fair Helps Juniors/Seniors Find Success
All D91's juniors and seniors will have the chance to Dream BIG and think about what they want to do after high school at D91's Career Exploration Fair on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Mountain America Center.
The district's college and career advisors are organizing the fair, which will includes dozens of local employers in a wide variety of fields. Students will get to learn about Idaho's top jobs, meet experts in popular career fields and find out what they will need to do to land those jobs.
If you have a junior or senior, please help them prepare for the fair by talking to them about what they want to do after high school. What kinds of jobs interest them? What is important to them? How do they like to spend their time? High School teachers also will help students prepare for the fair with lessons on what to expect, appropriate dress, questions for business reps and more.
We appreciate all the work our advisors are doing to set up the fair, and also all the local employers who are helping to inspire our students to be successful after high school.
Get Your Raffle Ticket For CTEC's Skoolie
You still have a chance to win the Skoolie! Students at D91's Career & Technical Education Center converted an old school bus into an RV, and since they didn't get any bids for the vehicle, they are now selling raffle tickets.
More than 100 students enrolled in CTEC's welding, industrial mechanics and construction programs spent 11 months converting the old bus. The finished RV has a bedroom, full kitchen with propane fridge, a stove/range, storage, a dining area that can be converted into an additional sleeping area, solar panels, a climbing wall and lots of storage.
Raffle tickets are $50 apiece. They are available from any CTEC student. They also can be purchased at the Career & Technical Education Center at 450 E St., and will be available at special D91 events like the upcoming Tiger-Grizz Wrestling tournament. If you have questions or if you'd like to see the Skoolie, call CTEC Administrator Bev Hott at (208) 525-7549.
Resources For Parents
Apply For Empowering Parents Grants
Idaho is once again offering Empowering Parents grants that can be used to purchase education-related services such as tutoring, internet connectivity, computer hardware and software and more. Learn more and apply at the Empowering Parents portal.
FAFSA Now Ready!
A new and shorter Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open and ready for families with seniors who are applying for scholarships and financial aid. The 2024/25 FAFSA must be completed by March 1. Here's a link to apply for the NEW FAFSA, which is two-thirds shorter, just 36 questions compared to 108 in the old form.
Make A Lunch Plan!
Easy Ways To Avoid Running Up Lunch Charges
School districts aren’t providing free school meals to all students anymore, but there are several easy things you can do to make sure your child’s lunch charges don't get out of hand.
- Sign Up For Reminders: Set up an account in our LINQ system, and sign up to receive automated reminders when your child lunch balance starts running low. Use this link to set up an account.
- Enroll In School Lunch Auto Pay: Skip the reminders, and set up auto pay in LINQ so money is automatically deposited in your child’s lunch account on a regular basis. Follow these simple steps to sign up for Auto Pay:
- Select the “ADD MONEY TO ACCOUNT” button in the middle of your screen
- Scroll down and select the “ADD AUTO PAY” button
- Fill out the requested information such as selecting your child, the amount you’d like to deposit, the frequency of the deposits, credit card information, etc.
- Then, click on “SAVE AUTO PAY” and you’re all done.
- You can update or change your selections or turn off this service at any time. Questions? Contact the D91 Help Desk at (208) 525-7556.
- Fill Out A Free & Reduced Lunch Application: While school districts aren't providing free meals any more, many families still qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch program. If you think you may qualify, be sure to complete a Free & Reduced Lunch application. Questions about the Free & Reduced Lunch program? Contact D91's Child Nutrition Office.
School Safety & Security Updates
If you don’t know the first thing about vaping, this is for you! As vaping continues to impact the lives of today's youth, staying informed is more critical than ever.
Available as part of D91's partnership with ParentGuidance.org, the January Newsletter: Clear Lungs, Bright Futures(English/Spanish) shares the latest insights, trends, and essential information about vaping. Discover why it's crucial for parents to be in the know about this pressing issue and how you can safeguard your children's health. Knowledge is your best defense.
In addition, Eastern Idaho Public Health and Idaho Public Television are airing the popular documentary "Nic Sick: The Dangers of Youth Vaping" on Feb. 8 on Idaho Public Television. Learn more about the documentary and watch the "Nic Sick" trailer. This is a great opportunity for parents and kids to watch together and have a conversation about vaping.