D91 Weekly Update

Scoreboards being installed at the Tiger Athletic Complex at Frontier Fields with perfect Idaho spring sport Weather.

Over the past two weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with students at two of our high schools to discuss the impact of smartphones and social media on anxiety and depression. As part of our conversation, I shared a CBS News story about an 8th grader from Kansas who traded his smartphone for a flip phone.

He found that his grades improved, and he had more time to practice lacrosse and spend quality time with his family.

Students shared their own experiences with smartphones and their reactions to the story. Some expressed that they would feel disconnected from their friends without their phone, while others admitted they struggle with limiting screen time.

Last fall, Governor Little issued an executive order encouraging school districts to implement policies that limit student access to smartphones during instructional time. Currently, the legislature is considering bills that could make such policies mandatory. (Learn more about SB132 "Distraction Free Learning" here)

In light of this, I asked students for their thoughts on what should be considered if our district were to adopt a smartphone policy. While some students felt a policy isn’t necessary, others acknowledged how much time they spend on their phones. Interestingly, students in classrooms where teachers already require phones to be put away had fewer concerns than those who have unrestricted access. Some students also raised concerns about feeling anxious without their phone or missing an urgent message from home.

Next week, District 91 will launch a parent survey about student cell phone use. Your feedback will be invaluable as we explore what a potential policy might look like for our schools. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and will share the survey results in a future newsletter. Stay tuned!

Superintendent Karla LaOrange

At District 91, we are committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement to support both student success and teacher growth. One of the most effective strategies in achieving this goal is through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)—a research-based approach that emphasizes collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and shared responsibility for student learning.

What Are Professional Learning Communities?

PLCs are collaborative teams of educators who work together to analyze student learning, identify challenges, and implement effective instructional strategies. This model shifts the focus from teaching in isolation to working as a team to ensure that all students succeed.

Key PLC Strategies to Support Student Learning & Teacher Development

• A Focus on Learning, Not Just Teaching
• PLCs emphasize what students need to learn, how we will know they’ve learned it, and what to do if they haven’t.
• Teachers collaboratively design assessments and analyze results to guide instruction.
  
  
• Data-Driven Decision Making

• PLCs use common formative assessments to track student progress and adjust teaching strategies in real time.
• Data discussions help identify gaps in learning and provide targeted interventions.
  
  

• Collaborative Culture and Collective Responsibility

• Teachers meet regularly to share best practices, reflect on challenges, and support one another.
• Collaboration fosters professional growth and ensures all students have access to high-quality instruction.
  
  

• A Commitment to Continuous Improvement

• PLCs encourage an ongoing cycle of inquiry: identifying learning needs, implementing strategies, assessing effectiveness, and refining approaches.
• Professional development is embedded in daily practice rather than isolated training sessions.

The Impact of PLCs on Teaching and Learning

Districts that fully implement PLCs see higher student achievement, increased teacher effectiveness, and stronger school communities. When educators collaborate, share expertise, and focus on student-centered strategies, the entire school system benefits.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to strengthen our PLC practices in District 91, we encourage all staff to engage actively in collaboration, embrace data-driven instruction, and support one another in our shared mission to improve student outcomes. Thank you for your dedication to learning and growth!

District 91 is excited to announce a new partnership with Qustodio, a leading parental control and digital wellbeing platform, designed to help families navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. This partnership, made possible through our collaboration with Linewize, expands our commitment to fostering safe, balanced, and productive technology use for all students.

What is Qustodio?

Qustodio is a family-focused online safety and digital wellbeing app that gives parents valuable insight into their child’s online activity, providing tools to manage screen time, filter inappropriate content, and promote healthy digital habits. As our students continue to learn, explore, and engage online, District 91 wants to ensure families have the tools to help them thrive in a safe and supportive digital environment.

How Qustodio Benefits District 91 Families

Through the Qustodio for Families program, parents and guardians gain extended visibility and control over their child’s online experience, both at school and at home. With multi-parent access and easy-to-use management tools, families can work together to establish healthy technology habits. Key features include:

• Filter and block inappropriate content and apps
• View browsing history, social media use, and screen time reports
• Set time limits and create screen-free schedules
• Location tracking and a panic button for safety
• Monitor calls and messages for suspicious activity
• Tailored alerts for inappropriate content detection

Qustodio is fully COPPA compliant, ensuring student privacy and data protection remain a top priority.

Getting Started

District 91 parents and guardians can set up their free Qustodio account in just a few simple steps:

1. Visit qustodio.com/my-school.
2. Create your Qustodio account using the email address District 91 has on file for your student.
3. Connect your Qustodio account with your child’s District 91 school account.
4. Download the Qustodio app on your devices and start customizing settings to meet your family’s needs.

Qustodio works on a wide range of devices, including Windows, Chromebook, Android, iPhone/iPad, Kindle, and Mac.

Why This Matters

At District 91, we believe that digital citizenship and online safety are essential skills for today’s learners. By partnering with Qustodio, we are equipping families with tools and expert guidance to promote positive online experiences and protect students from emerging digital threats. The combination of in-school filtering and monitoring through Linewize and at-home visibility and management through Qustodio ensures that families and schools work together to provide consistent, collaborative digital support.

Learn more about what Qustodio offers, including the app, at the following link: Qustodio Information & APP

For more information or assistance with setting up your account, District 91 families can contact Qustodio directly at myschool@qustodio.com

District 91 juniors at Skyline, Idaho Falls High School, Compass Academy, and Emerson will take the SAT on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Parents with questions about the SAT are encouraged to contact their child’s counselor. We remind students that while assessments are important, they are just one measure of student achievement and success.

To accommodate the testing, Wednesday, March 19th, will be an online learning day for 9th, 10th, and 12th graders.

• Mar 7: End of 2nd Trimester
• Mar 10: Teacher Work Day- No School
• Mar 12-13: Elementary Schools: Parent Teacher Conference
• Mar 13: Elementary Schools: Early Release
• Mar 14: Elementary Schools: On-line Learning Day/Teacher Comp Day
• Mar 14: Secondary Schools: Regular Full School Day with 1 hour early release
• Mar 19: 11th grade: SAT
• Mar 19: 9th, 10th, and 12th grade: On-line Learning Day
• Mar 24-28: Spring Break

The Board of Trustees approved the calendar for the next three years. They are uploaded on our district website here.

We are thrilled to share the incredible results from the BPA State Leadership Conference! It was a fantastic week full of competitions, workshops, and leadership opportunities. Our students represented Skyline High School with excellence, earning top placements and demonstrating outstanding leadership.

Compass Academy is coming back from State BPA with success and a lot of growth. They had 4 students achieve their Statesman Torch Award: Henry Hernandez, Kenya Hernandez, Hayden Gallup, Alexis Davis

They had two state interns, Amara Hall and Aliya Alacron. Plus, they had 13 students make it to the stage in the top 10 of their events. Of those, there were 6 students who received plaques and made it to nationals.

Congratulations to the incredible Idaho Falls High School BPA students who represented our district with excellence at the Idaho State Leadership Conference! Five Tigers have qualified to advance to the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. These achievements demonstrate the exceptional talent, dedication, and problem-solving skills of our students as they tackle real-world challenges. We're proud of their accomplishments and leadership!

Compass Academy: Evening Custodian-Full-time

Ethel Boyes Elementary: Afternoon/Evening Custodian Full-time

Idaho Falls High School: Special Education Support 1:1 Limited Full-time Para

Longfellow Elementary: Special Education Support, Day Treatment Limited Full-time Para

Longfellow Elementary: Elementary School Secretary-Full-time

Student Services Department: Educational Sign Language Interpreter -Full-time

See all current openings here.