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Updates From D91 Supt. LaOrange
Feb. 2, 2024
From The Superintendent's Desk
Career Fair Inspires Students To Find Success!
Tuesday wasn’t a typical day for D91 juniors and seniors. Instead of learning about college and career opportunities in their classes, juniors and seniors had the opportunity to attend D91’s Career Fair where students met with business and college representatives to learn more about career opportunities in the real world.
More than 85 local businesses, companies and organizations representing a wide area of jobs and career pathways took part in the fair. Students had the opportunity to administer CPR, experience virtual flames and learn about becoming a firefighter and much, much more! Employers were also recruiting students. Three students from CTEC's Cyber Security program walked away from the fair with job offers!
One of the unique things about this year's Career Fair was that students from the Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) were able to teach their peers about the career opportunities offered through D91's CTEC program.
Students were surprised by the variety of careers available right here in Idaho Falls. Many students mentioned how much the fair helped them focus on their career goals and begin to think about classes they can take now to prepare for life after high school.
The really good news is that students don’t have to wait to take the classes they need. Why? With advanced placement and dual enrollment courses, a robust CTEC program and its College of Eastern Idaho partnership, D91 offers students the classes they need to pursue their career goals.
We appreciate our college and career advisors for organizing the fair. We also are incredibly grateful for all the local businesses that took time out of their busy week to help inspire our students and encourage them to dream big about their futures. Working together, D91 is preparing students for their future!
Important Dates In February
- Feb 6: Middle School & High School Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Feb. 6: CTEC Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4:30 to 7 pm
- Feb. 13: Middle School & high School Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Feb. 14: Drawing for CTEC's Skoolie
- Feb. 15: Board Business Meeting, 5:30 pm, District Office
- Feb. 19: President's Day, No School
- Feb. 27: Board Work Session, 4 pm
- Feb. 29: End of 2nd Trimester
Catch A Show At SHS!
Skyline High School's Drama Department is presenting Mamma Mia! for five nights on Feb. 8-10 and Feb. 12-13 at 7 pm in the Eagle Rock Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students. Get your tickets online!
Catch A Show At IFHS!
Idaho Falls High School's R.O.A.R. Theatre Company is performing The Book Women by Rachel Bublitz on Feb. 15-17 in the Little Theater. Doors open at 6:30 pm. The show starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $5 general admission and $4 for students.
Mark Your Calendar! Parent-Teacher Conferences
D91's middle schools and high schools are holding Parent-Teacher Conferences on Feb. 6 and Feb. 13. Eagle Rock will have conferences from 4 to 6:20 pm both days, while Taylorview has them scheduled from 5 to 7:20 pm both days. IFHS and Compass Academy have conferences set from 5 to 7:20 pm both days, while Skyline's conferences will be from 5 to 8 pm on Feb. 6 and 5 to 7 pm on Feb. 13. The Career-Technical Education Center is holding conferences on Feb. 6 from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Mark Your Calendar For Feb. 8!
Make time to watch the popular documentary "Nic Sick: The Dangers of Youth Vaping" on Feb. 8 on Idaho Public Television. IPTV is partnering with Eastern Idaho Public Health for this presentation to help raise awareness about the dangers of vaping. 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.
Happening In D91!
Congrats To IFHS Cheer!
The IFHS Cheer squad competed in the JAMZ Cheer & Dance National Competition last weekend and came home as national champs! The black team took 1st, the orange team took 2nd and sideline took 4th. Go Tigers!
Way to Go!
Christopher Hatch has been nominated to the West Point Military Academy in West Point, NY! The IFHS senior class president is one of just 19 Idaho students Rep. Mike Simpson nominated for the military service academies this year.
Congrats To E-Sports!
We are #D91Proud of D91's ESports teams! Competing against more than 200 students from other D91 schools and the region, Compass Academy, Taylorview and Eagle Rock all brought honors home.
Intervention Committee Continues Work Exploring Possible New School Schedule For D91 Schools
How do we help students who struggle get the help they need? How can students have opportunities to redo assignments and improve their grades? The Intervention Committee is continuing to tackle these questions and explore how D91 can use time differently to better help students learn and grow.
The committee has been researching how other districts have changed their school schedule to help students have more time to meet with their teachers to get the help they need. This Monday, committee members will visit nearby schools during intervention time to see the model in action. Later this month, committee members will observe a different intervention model at work.
The committee also is researching how different intervention models have impacted graduation rates and student achievement in reading, math, and science. A review of attendance data will also be conducted by the committee.
At the end of February, the Intervention Committee will determine if an intervention model is a good fit for D91. If an intervention model is recommended, the committee also will recommend which intervention model will serve D91 students best. Watch for more updates in the coming weeks. Thank you to our Intervention Committee for its great work!
IFHS Debate Brings Home The Gold!
Congrats to Idaho Falls High School's debaters for the individual honors they earned at the recent Blackfoot Tournament, including: Ariana Ashby: 1st place in two speech events; Taylor Vogel and Zariah Butler were tournament champions in JV Public Forum Debate; Mimi Smith was tournament champion in Lincoln Douglas Debate, and Hailee Nordstrom & Ariana Ashby were runners up in Public Forum Debate.
Toast of the Town!
Congrats to our Speech & Debate Teams! Idaho Falls High School took third place at this weekend's tournament in Blackfoot while Skyline placed 5th in overall Sweepstakes and 2nd in squad efficiency. In addition, many students earned individual honors!
Skyline Scores Big!
Congrats to Skyline's debaters for the individual honors they earned at the recent Blackfoot Tournament, including: Jacob Hart, 2nd in Novice Lincoln Douglas and Top Speaker; Steven Urias, quarter-finalist in Junior Lincoln Douglas; Olivia Rydalch, 2nd place in Junior Lincoln Douglas and Top Speaker; Isabel Sorenson, Hailey Johnston, finalist in Congressional Debate; and Samuel Fielding and Lucas McMurry, 3rd in Duo Podcast
Getting Ready For Graduation, Registration & More!
Specialty Diplomas Provide Unique Opportunities
To graduate from D91, students must meet all the necessary requirements for graduation. Apart from the regular high school diploma, D91 now provides three additional specialty diplomas that students can receive if they satisfy additional requirements. These elevated diplomas include a biliteracy diploma, a STEM diploma, and a CTE Diploma.
Earning these specialty diplomas can help students better prepare for college and careers, said Shelly Smede, D91's executive director of instruction and learning. The awards also lead to additional honors at graduation, and they can also help students secure scholarships, jobs, internships and college acceptance.
The requirements for the Biliteracy Diploma include: Meet graduation requirements, PLUS
- Demonstrate proficiency in English
- Demonstrate proficiency in another world language
- Score intermediate competency in speaking, writing, listening, and reading on the seal of biliteracy exam
- 12 Math Credits (4 Years)
- 12 Science Credits (4 Years)
- 8 Additional Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics Credits
The requirements for the CTE Diploma include: Meet graduation requirements, PLUS
- Complete a CTE pathway that culminates with a capstone course as a junior or senior
- Pass a Technical Skills Assessment
- Pass a Workplace Readiness Assessment
- Demonstrate competency of CTE program standards by earning all SkillStack micro certifications for a pathway or an approved industry certification
- Complete internship
To learn more about these specialty diplomas, check with a high school counselor.
Last Chance To Support Souper Bowl!
Time is Running Out!
Get your ticket for you chance to win CTEC's Skoolie, an old school bus that has been converted into an RV. The drawing is Feb. 14. Tickets are $50. Buy them online or at the Career Technical Education Center. Call CTEC at (208) 525-7549. If you want to check out the Skoolie, it will be at the Spud Kings' hockey games TONIGHT and Saturday.
Nominate Your Teacher!
The Idaho Department of Education is seeking nominations for the CapEd Credit Union Idaho Teacher of the Year. The award is open to all Idaho public and charter school educators teaching any subject at any grade level. Nominations are due to the Idaho Department of Education by March 18. Learn more and nominate your favorite teacher today!
Help Your Child Plan For 2024-2025 School Year!
It's hard to believe, but D91 is starting to plan for the next school year. In the next month or two, students in grades 6 through 11 will have the chance to start selecting courses for 2024-25.
Counselors from our middle schools and high schools will visit students this month or next month to help them select the courses that interest them. From this list, each school will build a master schedule that offers all required courses as well as the most requested courses.
As we start this registration process, we encourage parents to check out the course offerings at D91's middle schools and all the classes in our high schools by reviewing D91's course catalogs. Then, talk to your child about classes that might interest them, and pathways that will help them accomplish their goals.
Remember, students have more options than ever. D91 offers robust arts and music programs. Students can earn college credits in high school by taking dual enrollment and advanced placement classes. The district's Career & Technical Education Center has more than a dozen programs for juniors and seniors in everything from welding to culinary arts to firefighting to LPNs that allow students to get real-world experience and earn certifications that will help them land jobs right after high school.
Latest Sports Updates From IFHS & SHS
Good luck to the Skyline girls basketball team as they continue their battle in districts! They had a tough loss on Thursday night, but they will play again on Tuesday facing either Hillcrest or Bonneville. At the girls battle, a shout out to Taya Tews, Skyline's Athlete of the Week. The senior girls basketball player was recognized for her attitude, leadership and phenomenal contributions on and off the court.
Also, congratulations to Skyline's wrestlers for their performance at the Minico Tournament last weekend. Ayden Tokita placed first, Abby Wegener placed second, Xander Zollenger placed third and Crew Searle placed fourth. The girls took 4th overall in the tournament. Way to go, Grizz!
Tigers head to Madison, Shelley
Good luck to the Tigers' wrestling teams as they head to compete in the Double Duel meet at Madison High School TODAY. Matches start at 5 pm.
In other sports action, the boys basketball teams will meet Shelley TONIGHT at Idaho Falls High School. Freshmen play at 4:30 pm, the JV team plays at 6 pm, while the varsity team plays at 7:30 pm. Go Tigers!
Don't Miss This Fun Stuff!
Special Day At The Museum!
The Museum of Idaho has partnered with D91to host Día Del Museo on Sunday, February 18 from 1-5 pm. Dia Del Museo is a special event for the Spanish-speaking community, and features a reduced cost structure and Spanish-speaking guides.
Looking For Jr. Duck Stamp Artists!
Calling all youth interested in art and science! The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Design Program encourages students to explore their natural world, and then share what they have learned by entering this annual art contest. The contest is open to students in K-12. Entries are due March 1. Learn more.
Spread Some Love!
Join the effort to spread love through JustServe's Valentines For Seniors project! Encourage your family to create valentines that feature a generic message of hope and friendship. Valentines must be ready by Feb. 8. Learn more about this outreach effort.