Lakeland Highlights
2023-2024
Superintendent's Message
Happy Halloween Lakeland Families! I hope you were able to to participate in the fun activities many of our cities held last weekend! This type of event is one of many benefits to living in a small town!
The end of the first quarter is next week already! The weather last week is a good reminder that winter is coming. For those of you who are new to the district, we have a very strong process in place for determining when it is not safe to transport students to school on snowy/icy days. We have people who drive our remote area roads starting at 3:00 am. Our transportation director communicates with the entities that are responsible for plowing our area roads to ascertain if they will be passable by the time we need to start picking up students. If the determination is made that we need to cancel school or start 2 hours late, you will hear from me via Skylert. I will send a text, voicemail, and an email to all parents who have opted in as Skylert message recipients. If you have not yet opted in, the directions for doing so are included in this edition of the Lakeland Highlights under Emergency Closure information. The decision to cancel school is probably the most challenging part of my job. I will always err on the side of student safety.
Next Tuesday is election day. There are several critical positions up for election. I hope you take the time to vote on Tuesday, November 7th.
If you need anything, please be sure to reach out! Have a wonderful November!
Warm Regards,
Lisa Arnold
PLEASE JOIN US!!
Veterans Day Assembly Information Friday November 10th
With gratitude for your service to America on Veterans Day and always. Please join us at one of our schools!
Athol Elementary - Assembly from 1:00- 2:00 pm
Betty Kiefer Elementary - Assembly from 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Garwood Elementary - Assembly from 9:30 -10:00 am
John Brown Elementary - Assembly from 1:10 -1:40 pm
Spirit Lake Elementary - Assembly from 2:30 - 3:00 pm
Twin Lakes Elementary - Assembly from 10:45 -11:45 am
Lakeland Middle School - Assembly from 10:00-11:00 am
Timberlake Middle School - Assembly from 10:15 - 10:58 am
Lakeland High School - Assembly from 8:05 -8:40 am
Timberlake High School - Assembly from 8:25 - 9:25 am
Mountain View High School - Assembly and Veteran Recognition Pancake Feed from 8:00 -10:00 am
Emergency Closure Information
Schools may be closed for weather, road conditions, or other safety issues.
When severe weather or road conditions are the issue, our district’s Transportation Director will assess our neighborhoods, roadways, and driving conditions before dawn, taking into account current and immediate weather forecasts. The Superintendent will use that information to decide if we close or cancel school—in most cases by 5 a.m.
Once we decide to close school, internal and external communications will be sent as soon as possible. You can expect to receive a message or text from us if we are closed — but not if we are open —unless there are extenuating circumstances.
The safety of our students and staff is most important in our decision-making process. For more information about factors affecting snow closure decisions, or to review wind chill or air quality guidelines with regard to school closures, see the links at left.
Stay connected and informed about school closures and alerts by using one or more of the resources below.
- TEXT, EMAIL & PHONE VIA SKYALERT
Skyalert is our emergency notification system that will notify you via text, phone, or email message in the event of an emergency. The best way to ensure you receive all relevant notifications and alerts regarding school closures, safety issues, and other emergencies, is to update your information in Skyward Family Access. You must “opt-in” to receive text alerts and we ask that you please take a moment to sign up for these important notifications.
TO OPT-IN: From your mobile phone that you have listed in Skyward, text Y or Yes to number 67587.
- DISTRICT WEBSITE
Closures, critical updates, and other district-wide notifications will be posted on the district website (bookmark www.sd272.org) as available. The information will appear on the homepage of the website.
- DISTRICT FACEBOOK PAGE
Social media is an easy and efficient way to keep up-to-date on all closures and critical district events. Because of the nature of social media, users will receive more timely updates and information than parents using any of the other information methods alone. Remember that posts or alerts from other users are NOT to be considered “official” sources. Only posts by “Lakeland Joint School District No. 272” should be considered official district information. For updates, find us on Facebook.
- CLOSURE HOTLINE
The district's closure hotline is available to those who may not have reliable internet access and is an effective way to check the status of closures. The Lakeland Schools Closure Hotline is 208-712-8144.
- TV / RADIO
The school district will notify local TV and radio stations in the event of a school closure or delay. KREM 2, KXLY 4, KHQ 6 and radio stations KPBX Public Radio, KVNI 1080 and K102 will broadcast/stream school closures.
Message From Our Transportation Department
Snow Routes and Late Start Information
In an effort to keep our students in school as much as possible through the winter months, our transportation director has created snow routes and 2 hour late start schedules. The snow routes are for our mountainous areas where we can’t always access our higher elevations due to snow and/or ice. The information provided is specific to each route. In the event that additional time in the morning provides the ability to safely get students to school, we will use our 2 hour late start schedules. In the event that any change to our school day, due to inclement weather, occurs you will be notified via Skylert and/or Transfinder. If you have any questions about the information provided here, please reach out to our transportation department and they will happily assist you. The number at the bus garage is 208-687-0221.
2 HR Late Start - Route 30 Snow Route Garwood Elementary
2 HR Late Start - Route 35 Snow Route Lakeland Middle/High School
2 HR Late Start - Route 60 Snow Route John Brown Elementary
2 HR Late Start - Route 60 Snow Route Lakeland Middle/High School
Route 30 Snow Route Garwood Elementary
Route 35 Snow Route Lakeland Middle/High School
Strategic Planning Committee
Long Range Planning Committee
This committee will begin its work again on Tuesday, October 3rd from 5:30 - 7:30. If you are interested in participating, please join us. You can find the notes from the October meeting here.
LJSD Policies Under Review
In an effort to keep its Board Policy Manual up-to-date, the Board of Trustees is reviewing policies on a continuous basis. The Board values stakeholder input and has created an ongoing avenue for you to review any proposed changes/updates in Board policy and submit comments to the Policy Committee. Policies under review are linked below and open for comments. We appreciate your input - Thank you, Lisa Arnold, Superintendent
Draft Policy
- Stakeholder Draft 3530- Suicide Safer
- Stakeholder Draft 8300- Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
- Stakeholder Draft 8520- Inspection of School Facilities
Current LJSD Policy
🗓 Important Dates
👻 October 30 - Long Range Planning Committee 5:30-7:00pm @District Office
👻 October 31 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN
🦃 November 1 - Policy Committee 6:00-8:00pm @District Office
🦃 November 3 - End of 1st Quarter for Secondary
🦃 November 3 - Doughnuts and Discussion @Spirit Lake Elementary Library from 5:30-7:00pm
🦃 November 9 - Parent Advocacy Meeting @District Office 4:00-5:00pm
🦃 November 13 - Regular Board Meeting 6:00pm @District Office
🦃 November 15 - Policy Committee 6:00-8:00pm @District Office
🦃 November 17 - End of First Trimester/Professional Day NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
🦃 November 20-25 - Thanksgiving Break NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
🦃 November 23 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Quick Links for Parents
Parent Resources
Need Skyward Assistance? helpdesk2@lakeland272.org
2023 -2024 Free and Reduced Lunch Application
Zone Transfer/Open Enrollment Form
LJSD Technology Resources for Parents Website – CLICK HERE
Food Bank locations in Kootenai County – CLICK HERE
Rathdrum Parks and Recreation - CLICK HERE
Spirit Lake Parks and Recreation -CLICK HERE
Let's Stay Connected!
We want you to have the information you need when and where you need it. Below are some ways to connect with us and ensure you have access to school and district information wherever you go.
Get the Mobile App! Our mobile app is a handy resource. Here’s what you get: Skyward Family Access, safety information, breaking news and school/district alerts. Download the app at the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Newsletters We send the district newsletter via Skylert to the email listed in Skyward.
Follow Us! We’re on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
Check out our Website For information about our schools, District 272, visit our website sd272.org, or our individual school websites which are linked at the top of our homepage.
