D91 Update Nov 15, 2024

Schools are special places. Each day, our children are nurtured and taught as they learn new concepts and develop the skills they need to open the doors of opportunity. Our dedicated teachers lead our students to grow and reach their potential. I am continually grateful for their dedication and service to our children.

Standing behind our teachers is an army of educational support personnel who assist teachers and schools in the important work of educating our students. Our education support personnel provide tutoring and small group instruction, drive our students to school, help students register, clean our buildings to ensure a robust learning environment, deliver supplies, provide technology support, maintain our grounds, serve students lunch, help at recess, and the list goes on and on. Our support personnel are our unsung heroes!

Next week is Education Support Personnel Week. Please join me in celebrating the significant and incredible work of our support personnel, who make a difference in the lives of our teachers and students every single day. We couldn’t do this vital work without them!

Want to thank one of our Education Support Personnel? Send a Shout Out using this link:

Education Support Personnel Shout Out

Superintendent Karla LaOrange

Missy Geary of Linden Park Elementary shares what she likes about the Intervention Model.

With the launch of the new Intervention Model, a renewed focus on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and our continued emphasis on student success, we know teachers and staff are working tirelessly to support every student’s learning journey. As we implement these initiatives, you may have questions about the changes, or even about processes that remain the same. Please feel free to submit any inquiries through the following link: Ask the Superintendent

Compass Academy Report by Aiden

Teachers of the Year: Recognized for achievements in theater and speech.

Proposal Discussion: PASS Program

Overview of PASS (Proactive Approach to Student Success)
The PASS program is introduced as a structured behavioral intervention designed for students with behavioral or emotional challenges.

1. Purpose: The goal is to address challenging behaviors earlier, providing structured support to avoid escalation.
2. Structure: PASS consists of four phases, from orientation and intensive support to gradual reintegration into the general classroom.
3. Funding: Initially funded by federal grants for a pilot phase, with potential for further funding if successful. Pilot programs to be at A.H. Bush and Dora Erickson Elementary schools.

Teresa Bunker Elementary (Principal Kathy Pilkington)

Temple View Elementary (Principal Sarah Childers)

SAT Assessment Day: March 19, 2025, is set as an online learning day for non-testing students to provide a conducive testing environment for 11th graders.

You can watch the entire board meeting here.

D91 is holding weekly committee meetings to determine future curriculum. All meetings are held at the District Office and are open to the public. Agendas will be posted on ifschools.org 48 hours prior to the next meeting.

Here is the schedule.

• High School World History, Economics, and Government: Tuesdays at 4:30 pm
• High School Math Curriculum Committee: Wednesdays at 4:30 pm
• K-6 Music Curriculum Committee: Thursdays at 4 pm

We are also looking for parent volunteers to review the proposed curriculum and provide us feedback. If you are interested, please email Todd Brown at browtodd@sd91.org.

• Nov 18-22: National Education Week
• Nov 22: End of 1st Trimester
• Nov 25-29: Thanksgiving Break, No School
• Dec 4-5: Parent Teacher Conference- Elementary Schools
• Dec 6: On-Line Learning Day-Elementary Schools/Teacher Comp Day
• Dec 23-Jan 6: Christmas Break, No School

Elementary schools will be holding Parent Teacher Conferences on December 4th and 5th. Here's a breakdown of how it will affect the school schedule.

• Elementary School Students
• Thu Dec 5: Early Release
• Fri Dec 6: On-line Learning Day/Teacher Comp Day, No in-person classes
• Middle and High School Students
• No change. Regular School Days

Elementary school parents should contact your child's school for details on scheduling a parent teacher conference.

To give our community the information they need to try and make a difference in this fight, the City of Idaho Falls is planning a special community Town Hall on Fentanyl from 6:30 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Taylorview Middle School.

Discussion will include:

• Learn how the community can make a difference in battling the nationwide fentanyl epidemic.
• Hear from the U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, local law enforcement officials, and local healthcare and recovery experts.
• Find out what is happening with fentanyl on the national, state, and local level.
• Connect with community partners sharing resources on how to keep families safe or how to respond in a crisis.

Come learn how you can do to make a difference.

Idaho LAUNCH is a grant program that provides students a one-time opportunity to have 80% of the published tuition and fees at an eligible institution covered, up to a maximum amount of $8,000.

Eligibility:

• Graduate from an accredited Idaho high school or equivalent
  • Public School
  • Charter School
  • Private School
  • Homeschool
  • GED
• Be an Idaho resident
• Be enrolled in or have applied to an in-demand career program at an eligible Idaho institution
• Begin enrollment by fall semester after graduation, unless granted an extension
• Complete a Career Pathway Plan or equivalent, submitted for approval by each district
• Review the approved list of eligible in-demand careers

Find out more here.

Students are leading every aspect of the play. Atticus Chandler is the Director. Natalie Fries is the Assistant Director, Ainsley Braithwaite is the Choreographer, Aleah Whitmer is the Lead Tech, and Easten Rasmussen is the Assistant Lead Tech. Dusty Johnson, the drama teacher at Compass Academy is truly a facilitator, empowering students to take the lead at this project-based learning school. Tickets are $5 per person. Come out and enjoy the show!!

Now is the time to apply if your high school student wants to take classes at Compass Academy for the new trimester. You can apply here or click on the graphic below.

It was an extra special Veterans Day at Temple View Elementary this week. Spc. Isabelle Torres surprised her two kids Raiden and Nylah at today's assembly. She had been deployed to Romania and hadn't seen them in 9 months. Thank you Spc. Torres and all veterans for your service.

Skyline is one win away from getting back to the state championship game. The Grizzlies take on Minico in the 5A semifinals this Saturday, November 16 at 1pm at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello.

All tickets will be sold online on the IHSAA website. No tickets will be sold at the ICCU Dome ticket office. Skyline student and fan seating will be on the North side of the stadium. Go Grizz!!

Congratulations to all our D91 swimmers at state last weekend. The Idaho Falls Boys and Girls both took 2nd at state. The Skyline boys came in 3rd and the girls in 5th. The Skyline boys were also the state 5A academic champions.

For the Tigers, Rangi Grimes brought home two state individual trophies, breaking two state records in the process. Mehealani Grimes also took state in two different events. The Tigers also won the girls 200 yard medley relay and the boys 400 yard freestyle relay. Skyline's Elias Couch is a multiple state champ with two first place finishes. Well done on an amazing season!!

The first of the varsity winter sports tips off tonight with girls basketball. Both Idaho Falls and Skyline will start the season on the road. The Lady Tigers play at Canyon Ridge Friday and at Century on Saturday. Their first game in the Tiger Den is Tuesday Nov 19 against Madison.

The Lady Grizz will be at Owyhee Friday and at Twin Falls on Saturday. Skyline will then host three straight nights of hoops November 20-22 welcoming Rocky Mountain, Kuna, and Eagle. Good luck to both teams this season.

Our Transportation Department is so amazing. They recently took part in Stop the Bleed training. Someone who is severely bleeding can bleed to death in as little as 5 minutes. That’s why bleeding control—keeping the blood inside the body—is the purpose of STOP THE BLEED® training. Thank you to all of our D91 staff for working hard to be prepared to help our students in any situation.

The students and staff at Ethel Boyes Elementary are celebrating World Kindness Day this week by having a kindness wall and a chain of thankful events. All the students and staff can write or draw a act of kindness this week and post it on the wall or chain of being thankful! Let's follow their example and make a conscious effort to spread compassion and lift each other up. You never know how much a small, simple act of kindness can impact someone's life.

Help keep our students warm this winter! Dora Erickson Elementary is accepting donations of new and gently used coats, gloves, hats, snowpants, and boots. They are looking for children's sizes 4-18 or adult size small. Drop of donations at the front desk at Dora Erickson Elementary. The drive ends Nov 22. Call (208) 525-7612 for more information. Thank you for your generosity.

Idaho Falls High School: Secretary-Full-time

Emerson Alternative High School: Special Education Support Aide-Limited Full-time

Taylorview Middle School: Title I Tutor-Limited Full-time

Ethel Boyes Elementary School: Part-time Resource Room Aide

Eagle Rock Middle School: Special Program Aide (DACC) Full-time

Student Services Department: School Psychologist

See all current openings here.