Updates From D91 Supt. LaOrange
March 1, 2024
We Need YOU!
The Intervention Committee has been working on the non-negotiables that will guide how intervention will be structured in D91. The committee has researched districts that had different intervention days for elementary schools and middle/high schools. Based on that research, the committee determined it is best for families and students to have one intervention day for all schools.
The committee has also learned about elementary intervention models where students are out of school one day every other week, or a half day every week. The committee gave consideration to the needs of students and determined that a half day every week would provide a consistency for students, teachers, and families.
Next week, the district will be seeking your input into the intervention model. The committee is working to create a blueprint for an Intervention Model proposal to present to the board. As part of that work, the committee will survey parents, teachers, and staff regarding the intervention model day of the week, along with opportunities for survey participants to ask questions. You don’t need to wait for the survey though.
If you have questions, please reach out to Karla LaOrange and laorkarl@sd91.org. We will share your question and the answer in future editions of the newsletter. Your input is needed and appreciated!
Upcoming Dates
- March 1: Teacher Work Day, No School
- March 7: Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences
- March 8: Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences/At-Home Learning Day
- March 13: Board Business Meeting, 5:30 pm
- March 13: SAT Day for Juniors, No School for freshmen, sophomores & seniors
- March 13: 5th Grade Patriotic Program, Skyline High School
- March 18-22: Spring Break, D91 Schools & Offices Closed
Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences March 7 & 8
All D91 elementary schools will hold Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8, and Friday will be an At Home Learning Day for all elementary school students. Check with your school for more information on assignments and expectations. It will be a regular school day for middle school and high school students.
SAT Day is March 13
March 13 is SAT in D91. Juniors at Compass Academy, and Skyline and Idaho Falls high schools will take the SAT that day, and there will be NO school for freshmen, sophomores and seniors. Juniors at Emerson Alternative High School will take the test on April 16. The SAT gauges college and career readiness and many colleges and universities use it as an entrance requirement.
STEAM Club at Dora Erickson Elementary
Exciting things are happening at Erickson! Announcing Erickson's STEAM Club (4-6 grade) and Erickson's Junior STEAM Club (1-3rd grade) in the cafeteria/gym from 8:00 - 8:40 am on March 28, April 25, and May 23d.
The Intervention Committee is Moving Forward!
The committee has been working on the non-negotiables that will guide how intervention will be structured in D91. The committee has researched districts that had different intervention days for elementary schools and middle/high schools. Based on that research, the committee determined it is best for families and students to have one intervention day for all schools.
The committee has also learned about elementary intervention models where students are out of school one day every other week, or a half day every week. The committee gave great consideration to the needs of students and determined that a half day every week would provide a consistency for students, teachers, and families.
Next week, the district will be seeking your input into the intervention model. The committee is working to create a blueprint for an Intervention Model proposal to present to the board. As part of that work, the committee will survey parents, teachers, and staff regarding the intervention model day of the week, along with opportunities for survey participants to ask questions. You don’t need to wait for the survey though.
If you have questions, please reach out to Karla LaOrange and laorkarl@sd91.org. We will share your question and the answer in future editions of the newsletter. Your input is needed and appreciated!
Happening In D91!
Ice Cream Sundae the Principals at Ethel Boyes Elementary! Mrs. Eck’s 6th grade class and Mrs. Gonzalez’ 1st grade class brought in the most items for our sanitizer, Kleenex, and wipes restock! Both classes were able to pour ice cream toppings on the wonderful principals!
Check Out These Cool Resources!
If your child rides a D91 school bus, make sure you sign up for the new Tyler Drive program. This program will not only enhance the safety and security of our transportation system, but when it’s fully implemented, parents who opt in will receive real-time updates on pick-up times, drop-off times, route delays and more. Students who sign up for the program will receive ID cards. They’ll scan that card when they board a bus, and when they exit the bus, which will make it easier for transportation staff to monitor the status of students. Questions? Call the D91 Transportation Department at (208) 525-7580.
D91 has a partnership with ParentGuidance.org, which offers parents and families free mental health resources. At ParentGuidance.org, you can access free courses led by licensed therapists on more than 50 topics, including: Everyday Happiness, Body Love, Calming Your Anxious Child, Breaking the Cycle of Trauma, and more. To access the course, simply navigate to ParentGuidance.org and click On-Demand Courses.
Congratulations!
Congrats to Linda Lippert! She was the lucky winner of the CTEC Skoolie. The raffle raised more than $34,000 for the Career & Technical Education Center, which will use the money to fund scholarships and future projects.
We are #D91Proud!
Congrats to D91's National Merit Scholarship Finalists! Victor Huang, Alexander Kingman, Grace Madsen and Katelyn Traynor, all IFHS students. They were named National Merit semifinalists in the fall, and all four have now been named finalists.
Congratulations!
Congrats to D91's Auto Tech Program! They placed 2nd overall at a recent competition at ISU. Congratulations to Payton Mickelsen,4th; Hayden Williams, 6th; Cale Meyers, 7th; and Louis Liebe, 9th! Leon Dumilo 5th Place in diesel.
Safety & Security Updates
A Quick Reminder of D91's Safety Protocols
The safety and security of our students and staff is a priority. D91 works to create safer schools by focusing on three areas: School culture, visible signs of safety such as access controls and cameras and safety plans that prepare students and staff for emergency situations.
As part of our safety planning, schools conduct emergency drills several times a year to help ensure students and staff are prepared in case of an emergency. Sometimes those drills are held in conjunction with local emergency services personnel so sometimes there are police cars or fire trucks at our schools. Here is a quick review of D91's safety drills:
- Evacuation: Students are moved in a safe and orderly fashion to an on-site or off-site evacuation area when there is a need to remove students from a school building such as a fire alarm, smoke, gas leak or hazardous conditions.
- Reverse Evacuation: This is a short-term safety protocol to move students and staff into a school building in case of a threat outside such as a danger on the playground, mountain lion in the neighborhood or law enforcement activity nearby.
- Shelter In Place: Short-term safety protocol to keep students and staff safe from hazardous outside conditions such as an earthquake, toxic chemical spill, etc.
- Hall Check: The building is secured to protect students, staff and visitors from external threats such as a suspicious person or object nearby or police action in the neighborhood. It can also be used to minimize hallway traffic due to a medical emergency or law enforcement activity in the building. Students remain in their classroom, but learning activities and school business continues as normal.
- Lock Down: This protocol is designed to protect students and staff when the threat is inside the building such as an armed intruder or outbreak of violence within the school. Safety and survival is the priority and teachers should be prepared to lead without prompts if they become aware of unsafe situations.
Whenever a school conducts a drill or experiences an emergency situation, the district will send a text messages to parents to provide updates as information becomes available. To receive these texts, please make sure your contact information is current in PowerSchool. Questions? Check with your school or pick up D91's School Safety Protocol flyer at your school.
Sports Updates From IFHS & SHS
Congratulations, Idaho Falls High School Cheer!
Congratulations, Skyline High School Wrestling!
At the state tournament, freshman Ayden Tokita capped off his rookie year by finishing 2nd overall. Brooke Hensley added a 3rd place finish, and Abby Wegener took 4th. We are proud of their hard work!
Congratulations, Idaho Falls High School Wrestling!
Congratulations to Staxton Scott from IFHS who was State wrestling champion in 120 weight class and DJ Neider who placed 2nd in 145 weight class!
Congratulations, Idaho Falls High School Debate!
Congratulations to the IFHS Debate team for placing 2nd at District Debate! The following students qualified to the state tournament: Mimi Smith, Michal Baranski, Jocelyn Ogden, Ann Hunsicker, McKaelin Hoskins, Lauren Beesley, Mitch Jackson, Ariana Ashby, and Hailee Nordstrom. Good luck at State!
Congratulations, Skyline High School Cheer!
At the Idaho State Cheer competition, the Skyline squad earned a 4th place finish in show, 5th in pom, and 6th in sideline. We appreciate this team and the way they have represented Skyline all year long Thank you, Cheer!
Congratulations, Skyline Boys Basketball!
The Skyline High School boys basketball team notched a district tournament win against Bonneville in game 6 (67-48) but fell to Blackfoot in game 8 (48-67). The Broncos join the Knights in heading to the state tournament. We are proud of you!
Don't Forget!
Compass Applications Due Today, March 1
D91's magnet school – Compass Academy – is now accepting applications for incoming freshman. Compass prides itself on developing innovative creators through project-based and problem-based learning. Want to learn more? Come visit the Student Expo from 5 to 6 pm on Feb. 22. Apply today!
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 Idaho public and charter school educators teaching any subject at any grade level. Nominations are due to the SDE by March 18. Learn more and nominate your favorite teacher today!
S.T.E.M. Scholarship Opportunity
Seniors in the 23-24 school year can apply for the Arrington STEM Scholarship ($5,000) until April 15th. Must be an Idaho Falls High School student going to a 4-year university and entering a STEM field. To pick up and submit your application, go to the IFHS counseling or College & Career Office.