D93 Family Update

Thank you to everyone who took time to recognize staff and students who exemplify positivity in D93 schools. We received almost 100 suggestions on people to recognize for their positivity. From all of those nominations, we selected two individuals to recognize this week and will recognize more next week. Check out the video below for these surprise recognitions and some of the other great things that were shared about many other employees and students.

• Julie Hegstrom, District Nurse, is the epitome of sunshine and grit! She knows what is needed and she's willing to jump in and help. Our medical staff, students, teachers & others can count on Julie for cheerful support as they navigate the ins & outs of medical needs for students.
  
• Shana Stubblefield stays positive even in the face of very difficult circumstances. She radiates kindness. Positivity is important in a field where frequently days are filled with sad circumstances for students, staff, and families.
  
• Deanna White has kind words and a soft smile for everyone. She is uplifting!
  
• Brenda, our secretary, has been a huge positive force in our building. She is always pleasant and upbeat to all students, parents and even the staff. Brenda always thinks and acts positively even when she has trials happening in her life.
  
• Pat Falkingham is an encouraging optimistic bus driver for special needs. Always willing to do more and help. Children with disabilities need acceptance and kindness.
  

On April 10th, students will begin responding to our annual student engagement surveys. These surveys, which are required by the state of Idaho, help us understand how we're doing in important student outcomes in addition to academic test scores. These include ensuring that our students feel safe, connected, and cared for at school and how often students experience bullying and harassment.

Students will also respond to questions related to their self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making, essential non-academic outcomes identified on our Pyramid of Student Success. Students in 12th grade will also be asked about their plans after graduation.

Before schools begin to administer the survey on April 10th, we are providing parents with the opportunity to have their children take the survey at home or to withdraw their children from taking the survey completely. If you would like either of these options, please go to d93.org/student_survey. You will need to log in with your child's @d93mail.com account to either withdraw them from the survey or to complete it at home.

On Wednesday, the School Board accepted a letter of resignation from Board Member Greg Calder. After serving on the Board for the past eight years, Mr. Calder has decided that it's time to focus on his family and professional responsibilities. After acknowledging Mr. Calder's dedicated service to our students and patrons, the Board declared the Zone 1 Trustee seat vacant. School Board Trustees are non-partisan and unpaid positions. Any registered voter who resides in Trustee Zone 1 is eligible to apply for this vacancy as long as they or their spouse are not employees of the District. Individuals who are interested may apply by completing an online form available at d93.org/1140F.

Zone 1 is the southeast corner of Bonneville School District that includes residents who live in the following areas:

• East of 55th East and south of Lincoln Road
• East of the railroad tracks and south of 1st Street
• East of Ammon Road and south of 17th Street

The School Board also heard a proposal from Corey Telford to clarify the mission and purpose of Praxium Mastery Academy as a magnet school. The State Department of Education defines magnet schools as free public schools operated by school districts that "have a specific instructional theme, curriculum, or instruction method." That theme may use specific curriculum focus or instructional method. As a mastery-based school with an instructional focus on supporting independent learning, Mr. Telford proposed that Praxium Mastery Academy would best serve students who have already attained proficiency on state standards and who wish to accelerate and extend their learning beyond what is typically taught in our regular schools. Under the proposal only students who have demonstrated a proficient level of learning on the ISAT or who have been identified for Gifted and Talented programs on a nationally normed assessment would be eligible to apply to attend Praxium.

The Board will make a final decision regarding this proposed mission statement at their regular meeting on April 12th.

ICYMI: Click the play button below to watch the D93 Live special school budget and finance edition that aired on Monday, March 16th.

Nominations are now open: Last call for Idaho’s most prestigious award in teaching nominations for Teacher of the Year. The Idaho Teacher of the Year will receive a cash award and travel across Idaho talking with other teachers, legislators and policymakers about education in the state. They will serve as Idaho’s nominee for National Teacher of the Year. Applications are due by March 20.

For families who currently receive Medicaid, the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) will be doing redeterminations for eligibility as the income guidelines will revert to pre-National Health Emergency (PHE) requirements. All individuals not found eligible through the redeterminations process will lose coverage by April 1, 2023. Those who do not participate in the redeterminations process of updating their information with DHW or through Idalink account run a greater risk of losing Medicaid coverage. Please see the flier below for more information.

Idaho Falls Power supports a variety of educational opportunities to empower today's youth to become tomorrow's leaders.

Each year, Idaho Falls Power sponsors several local high school students at the Idaho Consumer-Owned Utilities Association's (ICUA) annual Youth Rally. The mission of the Youth Rally is to inspire, pique curiosity and help youth develop the leadership qualities they possess. For one week, youth -- representing Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Alaska -- converge in Caldwell, Idaho, at the College of Idaho Campus to participate in a variety of activities and classes to promote positive relationships and build skills in leadership, teamwork, perseverance, and more. Students have a chance to learn more about government, drug and alcohol awareness, business, and the electrical/energy industry. Activities include an obstacle course, dance, talent show, roller skating, volleyball, bowling, swimming at the water park, a tour of the Capitol, and more! It is a week filled with fun, friends, and learning and gives youth the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with other local area students and youths attending the rally.

Those selected to attend will receive a $500 scholarship. Delegates also have the opportunity to earn MORE scholarship money at the week-long rally and to compete to be selected as the Idaho Representative at the NRECA (National Rural Electric Cooperative Association) National Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. The National Youth Tour expenses are paid by the ICUA.

IFP covers all expenses for students to attend the event. The scholarship program is open to high school sophomores and juniors and whose parent or legal guardian is an Idaho Falls Power utility customer.

Applications are available at local high school counselor's offices, in person at the Idaho Falls Power office at 140 S Capital Avenue, or by CLICKING HERE.

Applications and essays are due by April 15, 2023 to be considered for the July 10-15, 2023 Youth Rally and can be dropped off or mailed to the Idaho Falls Power office or email them to: ifpinfo@ifpower.org, ATTN: ICUA Youth Rally Scholarship Application

Students, parents, and employees can reach out for help with bullying, harassment, suicidal tendencies, self-harm, threats, or to report weapons at school by going to d93.org/gethelp or sending the text @gethelp to 855-528-0074.

Thank you to our community partners at EIRMC for supporting our D93 Family Update.