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Caldwell School District Update
From Superintendent Dr. N. Shalene French
June 17, 2024
Message from the Superintendent
Dear Caldwell Families,
First and foremost, thank you for the opportunity and privilege to serve your children. Even when facing some very difficult decisions, there is so much to celebrate. Our high school graduations were exceptional! The administrators, teachers, and staff at both high schools did a phenomenal job of honoring and recognizing our class of 2024. Thank you to the families and friends of the Class of 2024 for making graduations truly a celebration.
I would like to share with you a few of our 2023-2024 academic highlights:
Our efforts towards improving early learning are making a difference. In Kindergarten this year, we began measuring reading progress starting in September 2023. By May 2024, our Kindergarten class made impressive gains. Kindergarten is pivotal to setting a positive academic trajectory.
We also want to highlight the academic progress in middle school English Language Arts and in 11th Grade Mathematics.
One of our most important goals is to Inspire Student Growth & Achievement - We will provide high-quality educational opportunities for all students that foster academic growth and the development of learner competencies that lead to success in post secondary education and the workplace.
We are committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities for ALL students, and we look forward to next school year as we continue our trajectory of improving student academic growth and achievement for all of our students.
Changes for the 2024-2025 School Year
On Monday, June 10, 2024, the Caldwell School District Board of Trustees approved the following budget cuts for 2024-2025 school year:
- Lincoln Elementary School closure
- Jefferson Middle School will now serve as an intermediate middle school serving 5th and 6th grade students
- Syringa Middle School will now serve 7th and 8th grade students
- New school boundaries for elementary school students
- Fee hearing for Pay-to-Play for athletics and activities
- Reduction of School Resource Officers
- Reductions in staff
We understand change can be challenging. Our primary goal is to support students during this transition. In-person student registration will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024.
The new elementary school boundaries can be found here.
We are committed to ensuring this adjustment is as smooth as possible. Thank you for your understanding, patience, and cooperation during this time. We are looking forward to a great school year. Thank you for letting us serve the students of Caldwell.
Advanced Opportunity Summer School
This summer, Advanced Opportunity Summer School courses are being held at Caldwell High School.
This summer school opportunity is different from traditional summer school programs. This program is ideal for those students who want personalized learning with flexibility to work independently. Students participate in a hybrid instruction model. They attend class in-person two days a week and work online to complete assignments through Google Classroom. Teachers are available to assist and facilitate instruction.
"This year we have 11 courses available for students to take and about 300 students enrolled," said Brennan Wurtz, Advanced Opportunity Summer School Administrator. "Students also have the opportunity to complete their senior projects."
The Caldwell School District is the only district in Canyon County to offer this unique learning opportunity for students.
6th Annual Latino Fest - Boise & Caldwell's Mariachi Program
The Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is sponsoring the 6th Annual Latino Fest Boise - 2024 on August 24th at the Cecil D. Andrus Park in downtown Boise!
Promoting the vibrant Latino community is a top priority for IHCC and bringing back Latino Fest - Boise after a four year absence, is an opportunity to celebrate our families and our community.
As part of this event, the IHCC raises money through charitable donations for an educational program. For IHCC members, they strive to make our community better. They believe that the basis of every society is education and improving educational opportunities for our children is the best way to make positive, sustainable change. This year, all donated funds raised as part of the 6th Annual Latino Fest Boise - 2024 will go to support the Caldwell School District's Mariachi program.
We are grateful for the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and for their support of Caldwell's youth.
First Generation College Student Dayna Buitron of Caldwell Earns Top Scholarship
Caldwell High School Graduate (Class of 2021) Dayna Buitron, and current University of Idaho microbiology student, recently received the Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation's most prestigious science scholarships for undergraduate students.
Dayna is currently learning about the inner workings of single-celled yeast and the toxins they produce to kill other fungi that occur in fruit orchards and agriculture fields of southern Idaho. She developed an interest in this after accompanying her parents to the orchards around Caldwell where she and her family tended to fruit and vegetables. This is where she learned about planting, pollination, germination, budding, and fertilization.
“My parents couldn’t afford a babysitter, so they took my brother and me to the fields with them,” Buitron said. “My first job was picking cherries.”
Visit the link below to read Dayna's full story.
Board Strategic Pillar: Inspiring and preparing scholars to achieve their post-secondary goals. We prepare our scholars to make choices for their future through a shared commitment to high levels of learning. We recognize that literacy is foundational.
Make a Difference
Make a difference and join the Ampact team as a Reading Corps Tutor.
This is an AmeriCorps member position with Reading Corps. Caldwell School District and Ampact are on a mission to help more kids become strong readers. Why? Because kids who read have the power to succeed!
If you are interested, we are looking for tutors to help students who need extra help with reading. Reading tutors meet one-on-one with students in kindergarten through third grade to help them become better readers. With training and on-site coaching, tutors will be prepared to help students succeed.
Perks as A Tutor
- Paycheck every two weeks
- Up to an additional $5,100 for college tuition or student loans. (Tutors 55 and older may gift the award to their child, grandchild, stepchild, or foster child.)
- Child care assistance (based on family size and income)
- Federal student loan forbearance and interest repayment
- Predictable schedule – daytime hours with no evenings or weekends
- Time off over most school release days and summer
Ready to put your passion in action to help students succeed? Learn more and apply here!
Questions can be sent to join@ampact.us or call 866.859.2825.
Safety Update
Summer Safety Tips
With the advent of the summer months, here are a few things to consider as your children head out of doors:
- Make sure your children are dressed appropriately
- Avoid things like long necklaces and scarves that could get caught in playground equipment
- Make sure they have shoes to protect their feet when they are playing
- Before they play on playground equipment, check to be sure it isn’t too hot to play on
- Stay hydrated
- Wear sunscreen
More summer safety tips can be found at Summer Safety Checklist for Kids.
Board Strategic Pillar: Safe & Supportive Schools
Parent Information
Summer Graduation
Summer Graduation for Caldwell and Canyon Springs High School students will be held in the Caldwell High School Auditorium on Thursday, June 27, 2024, from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.
Summer Program
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Canyon County is offering a Summer Program. All interested parents must attend an orientation. Breakfast, lunch, and a snack will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The programs include education, art, and sports. They are open from 7:00 am - 6:30 pm.
Chip Camp at College of Western Idaho
Chip Camp is a NO-COST day camp filled with hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
activities so students can see and experience what engineers and scientists do at a semiconductor company. Click HERE to register.
Community Events
Below are a few dates for upcoming community events happening in the Caldwell School District.
Free Event
Join the City of Caldwell for a free family movie night event on June 21! You can check out the RV Park, grab some food, and there will be a bounce house for the kids.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
On Friday, June 28, 2024, Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner and the Chamber of Commerce Director will be holding a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Caldwell Train Depot Plaza at 4:00 pm.
Stars, Stripes, and Rodeo
Proceeds for this year's Independence Day Celebration will go to the Caldwell Veterans' Memorial Hall to help them with their efforts to revitalize and relocate Veterans' Memorials around town.
Health Services Notification
Destination Education
Destination Education is a weekly video series highlighting students and staff from around the District. Each week this segment will bring you fun and exciting news stories. You will not only hear from administrators and educators during this weekly series, but from students as well. The videos will be posted to the Caldwell School District Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages every Sunday during the school year.
Strategic Plan
The Caldwell School District strategic planning framework is comprised of six areas of focus: Safe & Supportive Schools, Community Engagement, Inspiring Student Growth & Achievement, Stewarding Valued Resources, Empowering College & Career Readiness, and Ensuring Quality Instruction.
Vision:
Destination Education
Mission Statement:
Nurturing growth, eliminating obstacles, strengthening the community.
Superintendent Dr. N. Shalene French
Committed to Caldwell School District's mission, vision, and values to ensure equity and access for all students.
Email: nfrench@caldwellschools.org
Website: www.caldwellschools.org
Location: 1502 Fillmore Street, Caldwell, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 455-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caldwellschools.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caldwellschooldistrict/
Twitter: @CSD132Sup