D91 Employee News:

Cell phones have become a central part of our daily lives, connecting us to the world through calls, texts, social media, and the internet. According to the California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, nearly 95% of Americans own cell phones, with 77% owning smartphones. Globally, close to 3 billion people rely on smartphones.

While cell phones offer convenience and connection, overuse can have unintended physical and academic consequences, particularly for children and teens. Research has linked excessive cell phone use to stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and even depression. This dependency can also negatively impact academic performance, often due to lack of sleep or insomnia caused by late-night phone use.

How can parents recognize if their child is struggling with unhealthy cell phone habits? Some signs include feeling anxious or depressed when their phone is unavailable, difficulty reducing screen time, or strained relationships due to excessive phone use.

Parents play a crucial role in guiding their children toward balanced and healthy phone usage. Setting boundaries and monitoring screen time can help young people enjoy the benefits of technology while maintaining their overall well-being and academic success.

Superintendent Karla LaOrange

Emily Kvamme of Taylorview Middle School shares what she likes about the Intervention Model.

Question: I am experiencing more behavior issues in my classroom. Is there a plan to address these increased challenges?

Behavioral challenges in schools are a concern we take seriously, and I want to express my appreciation for our teachers’ dedication and professionalism in navigating these situations. Their ability to manage behaviors ranging from classroom disruptions to more severe incidents is truly remarkable. I also recognize the importance of ensuring our teachers feel safe, supported, and equipped to handle these challenges effectively.

To address this, I convened the Behavior Committee, a group of Kindergarten through 12th-grade educators committed to studying student behaviors and the district's response systems. This committee held its first meeting in November, during which subcommittees were formed to dive deeper into specific behavior types and the supports available at each grade level. The data gathered will inform the committee’s development of a survey, needs assessment, and recommendations aimed at enhancing support for teachers.

This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for both teachers and students. Please stay tuned to the newsletter for updates as the Behavior Committee progresses. I am excited to work alongside this outstanding group of educators and look forward to sharing their findings and recommendations!

Please feel free to submit any inquiries through the following link: Ask the Superintendent

We’re thrilled to share more details about the upcoming launch of the Human Resources Department's new ticketing system! As mentioned in our last newsletter, this system is designed to enhance efficiency and streamline communication, making it easier than ever for employees to connect with HR.

The HR team has been collaborating closely with our amazing Technology Department to ensure the process is simple and user-friendly. If you’ve ever submitted a tech or maintenance request, you’re already a pro! The HR ticketing system will work the same way—just log in and "enter a ticket" to get the assistance you need.

We deeply appreciate the feedback you’ve shared over the past year, which has been instrumental in shaping this new service. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the big launch—we can’t wait to roll this out and better serve you!

We’re excited to announce a new improvement to the open enrollment process! The District is partnering with American Fidelity to enhance how employees review and select their benefits.

Here’s what you can expect:

• January 2025: A representative from American Fidelity will meet one-on-one with each employee to review your benefits information.
• April Open Enrollment: Employees will sign up for benefits through an online portal, which will reduce errors and streamline the process compared to traditional paper forms.

The District has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with American Fidelity, and we’re confident this new service will improve employees’ understanding of their benefits and simplify the enrollment process.

We’ll share additional details as we get closer to January. If you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to Human Resources at Human Resources@sd91.org.

If you need to the send an email to the HR department, please direct those to humanresources@sd91.org.

I’m thrilled to announce an exciting new way to connect with you—our very own district podcast! This podcast will provide insights into the incredible things happening in our schools and give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we’re working to support student success.

As we begin this journey, I’d love your input. What topics would you like to hear about? Here are a few ideas to get us started:

• Updates on district initiatives and programs
• Tips for supporting your child’s learning at home
• Highlights of student achievements and teacher innovations
• Insights into how the district operates (e.g., budgeting, curriculum decisions, safety measures)
• Interviews with educators, students, and community partners

Your feedback will help us create content that’s meaningful and engaging. Please share your suggestions using the following link. Podcast Ideas Survey

Thank you for being such an integral part of our district family. I’m excited to embark on this new adventure together and keep the lines of communication open in a fun and accessible way!

• Dec 23-Jan 6: Christmas Break, No School
• Jan 7: School Resumes
• Jan 20: MLK Day, No School
• Jan 28: D91 College and Career Fair at Mountain America Center
• Feb 13: Parent Teacher Conferences for Secondary Schools, Early release for Middle Schools
• Feb 14: On-line Learning day for Secondary Schools/Teacher Comp Day
• Feb 17: Presidents Day, No School

The Idaho Falls High School Chamber Choir delighted holiday shoppers at the Grand Teton Mall with a performance Thursday night. The IFHS Choir will be presenting Christmas at the Colonial Wednesday, Dec 18 at 7pm at the Colonial Theater. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door.

We want to wish good luck to our D91 students competing at the state drama championships in Twin Falls this weekend. The drama programs in D91 are so amazing. We have such talented students with great teachers guiding them. Break a leg!!

In support of the NFHS and the IHSAA, District 91 is encouraging sportsmanship at athletic events by participating in the #BenchBadBehavior campaign. Watch for videos like this one below when you attend D91 home events this winter season. Thank you to the student athletes for helping us spread the word.

Longfellow Elementary: Reading Intervention Tutor Part-time

Administrative Office: School District Facilities Director

Elementary Department: PASS Teacher (Behavior Program Teacher)

A.H. Bush Elementary: PASS Teacher (Behavior Program Teacher-Elementary)

Hawthorne Elementary: Special Education Aide

Linden Park Elementary: Special Education Support Aide-Limited Full-time

Idaho Falls High School: Part-time Custodian II

Longfellow Elementary: Special Education Support Aid (CNA Preferred) Limited Full-time

Emerson Alternative High School: Special Education Support Aide-Limited full

See all current openings here.

Work-life balance is often discussed in the education sector but can be difficult to achieve. One of the difficulties in finding a balance is that life constantly changes, as does the amount of pressure at work. The key is to have strategies and techniques ready to use when needed.

With the Christmas Break approaching, this week's tip involves the holidays.

Do not fill the holiday with work you have not been able to do during term time. Allow yourself time to rest properly and do not over schedule yourself so you feel overwhelmed. Everyone’s comfort-level is different – be honest with yourself about yours.

Do not try to accommodate everyone else’s needs. Prioritize what you want to do and give yourself permission to serve your needs first.