Superintendent e-Newsletter

The School Levy passed! Thank you, everyone, for your part in the distribution of information. St. Maries Joint School District continues with its supplemental dollars for the 2025 -2027 school years!

SD 41 is committed to quality education and collaboration by teaching skills, developing knowledge, and fostering both responsibility and confidence so that all students become productive and successful citizens.

Goal 1. Academic Achievement for all students (measured by the ISAT in Math, ELA, and Science) (Social Studies is measured by end-of-year exams)

• Implement an instructional model with five key strategies for K -12
• Use of Professional Learning Communities

Goal 2. College and Career Readiness. Measured by the state's CCR rate and graduation rate

• see above

Goal 3. Setting a safe and welcoming school setting. Measured by the student climate survey, and discipline data.

• Have a standardized K -12 Behavior matrix
• Systemically recognize "the Lumberjack behaviors and be consistent/firm in consequences
• Grow the building safety measures and the student's mental safety.
• Develop a multi-step crisis prevention plan

Goal 4. Improve Communication between SD 41 and the families/community.

• Communicate frequently and in a variety of venues

Together, we have moved through several phases, each one shaped by your participation and support:

• With your active participation, we celebrated the opening of school, feeling the mix of excitement and nerves that come with a new school year. Settling into the routine of school as school gets underway.
• Special activities/events: a) student or family nights, b) Red Ribbon Week, c) Halloween, d) Veteran's Day, e) Book fairs.

The weather and events of each season bring a different element:

1. Sunshine and warm temperatures in the summer
2. Cooler temperatures, hunting activity, and vibrant colors in the fall
3. The onset of winter, cold, and snow

The ebb and flow of school, academic trends, and behavior patterns are like the changing elements of each season.

You can find more calendar events and pictures at the District and School's websites and Facebook pages.

• November 8. A Teacher Professional Learning Day
• November 11. Veteran's Day. No school for students and staff.
• November 14. PK - 8 After School Conferences
• November 15. PK - 12 All Day School Conferences
• November 18. A Regular Board Meeting to discuss the input regarding a CCW Policy
• November 25 week. The Thanksgiving Vacation week.

The Regular School Board Meetings are now being broadcasted through this link: https://www.youtube.com/@SD41YouTube/streams

The next School Board Meeting is Monday, November 18, 2024.

The following School Board Meeting is Monday, December 9, 2024.

WHEREAS, it is our duty as parents, educators, and elected leaders to create the best school environment possible where our children can thrive and learn; and

WHEREAS, in our day and age, technology and technological devices are integrated into .how we learn, teach, and operate day to day; and

WHEREAS, we are seeing the dangers of social media and personal technological devices in our classrooms when kids are more concerned about what is happening on their cell phones than what they are learning in class; and

WHEREAS, I join many leaders, including the Superintendent of Public Instruction and my legislative partners in recognizing cell phone use is happening in schools and that cell phones and social media present negative effects on student mental health, development, and learning; and

WHEREAS, I look forward to working with my fellow legislators in the 2025 legislative session to bring forward a codified policy on cell phones in schools; and

WHEREAS, it is not just our job but our moral obligation to safeguard our children's future and ensure that every student in Idaho's public school system has a chance to achieve the American Dream.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Brad Little, Governor of the State of Idaho, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Idaho, do hereby order the following:

Encouragement of all schools to have a comprehensive, district wide policy in place on cell phone restriction in schools by the end of the 2024-2025 school year. These policies should follow the policy guidance as issued by the State Department of Education.

With the adoption of a policy on cell phone use in schools, I am authorizing the State Board of Education to award $5,000 one-time funds to any district that adopts a district wide policy on cell phone use that follows the State Department of Education's policy guidance. The money will be distributed by the State Department of Education and must be used in priority order, as established by the State Department of Education.

You can read more about the new steps to limit cell phone use in schools at https://gov.idaho.gov/pressrelease/little-critchfield-unveil-new-steps-to-restrict-cell-phone-use-in-schools/

Three points:

1. The negative impact screen time has on children and young people is significant.

2. Instructional time is limited and needs to be protected. Students only spend 11-13% of a calendar year in school for class time. Every minute counts.

3. The use of cell phones can have serious consequences. It can disrupt sleep, lead to increased depression, and impair critical-thinking skills.

Understand that each building currently restricts where and when to use a cell phone during the day. For PK–8, the phones are not to be used in the school building. For high school students, phones should not be used in the classroom. Refer the school's student handbook to read more detail.

To be clear, students use district-issued devices (i.e., Chromebooks) during the school day.

In case of an emergency, parents/guardians can always reach the school's main office. SD 41 knows that there will be times or situations when a student needs to utilize the school phone or cell phone during the day.

Stay tuned for more messaging and information sessions between now and January.

Whether our students attend a private school, a public school, an online school, or a home school, I think it is safe to say we want to a provide quality education and teach the necessary skills and knowledge so our children can be productive and successful citizens. Let’s continue to work together to make decisions that benefit every child. Sincerely, the superintendent of St. Maries Joint School District.