May 2023 Update
Post Falls School District Newsletter
Superintendent's Message
Happy May, Post Falls Families!
It is hard to believe another school year is coming to an end. We will have a busy summer planning for next year's 4-day school week. We have already met with staff and are currently planning our professional development and intervention days (PD&I) slated for one Friday per month. Additionally, we will be updating our curricular pacing guides to ensure our students’ instructional time is effectively utilized. We will share more detailed information in our August newsletter.
I wish you and your students a restful and rejuvenating summer. Thank you for your continued support.
Dena Naccarato, Superintendent
2023-2024 Kindergarten Online Pre-Registration
It is time to plan for kindergarten! We are excited to welcome incoming kindergarten students and their families for the 2023-2024 school year. Pre-register before June 9 by using the QR code or access the link on the PFSD website.
We are proud to offer full-day kindergarten to all students who are 5 years old by September 1, 2023 (Idaho Code).
Math and Reading Summer Academy for Elementary Students
Don't miss out on the FREE Math and Reading Summer Academy for students currently enrolled in grades 3, 4, and 5. The academy focuses on math and reading skill building with instruction provided by Lewis-Clark State College teaching interns.
- June 19-July 7 from 8:30AM-12:15PM (No academy on Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4).
- Free breakfast and lunch.
- Transportation available in some areas.
- Students attending Boys and Girls Club will be walked to and from the academy.
- No cost to families! The only commitment is daily attendance.
Space is limited and will be on a first come, first served basis.
Stuff the Bus: Elementary Food Drive
Post Falls School District elementary schools are partnering with the Post Falls Kiwanis for the annual spring food drive.
Bring all non-perishable food items to your local elementary school. Donations benefit Post Falls Food Bank.
- Dates: May 30-June 5
- Locations: All 7 PFSD elementary schools
Most needed items: diapers, canned meals, canned vegetables and fruit, breakfast bars, cereal, snack bars, canned soup.
Summer Meals 2023
Post Falls School District is participating in the USDA Summer Food Service Program from June 19-August 18. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all children, ages 1-18 without charge. Meals will be served in the cafeteria at each location noted below:
- Ponderosa Elementary (3483 Ponderosa Blvd) breakfast 8-9AM; lunch 11AM-12:30PM
- Seltice Elementary (1101 N. Chase Rd) breakfast 8-9AM; lunch 11AM-1:00PM
- River City Middle School (1505 N. Fir St.) breakfast 7:30-8:30AM; lunch 11AM-1:00PM
- Post Falls High School (2832 E. Poleline Ave.) breakfast 7:30-8:30AM; lunch 10:30AM-12:30PM
More information, including menus can be found on the Nutritional Services summer meals webpage.
Do you owe lunch money?
For 2022-2023, families must apply for free and reduced lunches. Please pay those lunch balances before school is out.
Your child may still 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.
findhelpIdaho.org
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Chat with them online via their website or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If there is an emergency, call 911.
Math is Cool - Masters Competition
Three Post Falls School District elementary schools participated in the Math is Cool Masters on May 6th in Moses Lake, Washington. This invitational math event required 4th and 5th grade students to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in mathematics. Individual and team participants from Greensferry, Ponderosa and Prairie View Elementary schools were invited because they either 1) scored top four in their school and/or 2) their school won top eight in their division during the previous regional competition held in Coeur d'Alene.
Congratulations to all participants and their coaches! Here are the PFSD results from the Masters Competition:
- Greensferry 5th grade team = 3rd place
- Prairie View 4th grade team = 3rd place
- Ponderosa 5th grade team = 4th place
- Declan H. Greensferry 5th grade = 2nd place Division Pi
- Nicholas W. Greensferry 4th grade = 2nd place Division Pi
- Brian K. Prairie View 5th grade = 8th place
Student Attendance Policy
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)
Employment Opportunities with Post Falls School District
Looking for employment? On-site training is provided for all positions.
List of school year 2023-2024 job openings:
- School Nurse
- School Psychologist
- Elementary teacher
- Special Education teacher
- PE teacher (high school)
- Custodians
- 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.
H.O.P.E. Week 2023
Join us in celebrating and spreading awareness during H.O.P.E. Week (May 8-12). When we talk about H.O.P.E., we are focusing on building Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences for children. Building strong foundations for healthy childhood development is crucial. Engaging in fun activities with children is a great way to help reduce stress, build resilience and initiate conversations on mental health.
You can learn more about H.O.P.E. Week by clicking on this link.
Early Notice: Skyward Information Verification
On July 11, current PFSD parents/guardians will receive an email regarding Skyward Information Verification for students RETURNING for the 2023-2024 school year. Avoid the long registration lines and verify Skyward information online using your parent Skyward Family Access login
Details will be emailed to families in June.
Tuesday, Jul 11, 2023, 12:00 PM
PFSD Staff Celebrations!
Technology Director of the Year
The Idaho Education Technology Association selected our own Mike Lancaster as Idaho's Technology Director of the Year. Mike has worked in the school district since 2003, starting as the director in 2018.
Idaho Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to 4th grade teacher, Karen Lauritzen, for being selected as Idaho's 2023 teacher of the year! She recently returned from Washington DC where she was recognized with other outstanding educators from around the country.
Bus Rodeo
A BIG "shout out" and "thank you!"
We appreciate the dedication of our staff members who have served in Post Falls School District for 25 or more years. Thank you for your commitment to the students in our district!
Greensferry Elementary: Kathy Baker, Matt Barkley
District Office: Karen Wilhelm
Post Falls High School: Christopher Johnson, Brian Trefry, Dennis Amende, Mel Westlake, Dawn Smith, Chris Sensel, Denise Edmonds, John Reed, David Herndon, Yvette Tremblay-Kelly
Post Falls Middle School: Patricia Greer, Sally Holtz, Steve Somers
Prairie View Elementary: Gail Sharkey-Ray
River City Middle School: Christine Hammer, Kevin Hauck, Donna Shove, Troy Pottenger
Seltice Elementary: Terry Ludiker, Jo Ludiker, Lisa Qualls, Kandi Kuck, Cory Nilson, Karrie Croll, Melissa Robinson
Special Education: Carol Treat
Technology: Jon Wilkerson
Transportation: Sandi Holden, Tammera Dolan, Michele Moe, Marc Allert
West Ridge Elementary: Shari Symons
Post Falls School District #273
Email: info@sd273.com
Website: https://www.pfsd.com/
Location: 206 West Mullan Avenue, Post Falls, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 773-1658