D91 Employee News:

Empowering Learning Through Collaboration

Last week, I had the opportunity to join several PLC teams as they engaged in thoughtful, purposeful collaboration. It was inspiring to see our dedicated teams delving into core concepts, analyzing data, and designing evidence-based instruction that truly meets students where they are—all while remaining committed to closing learning gaps. I witnessed professional educators asking reflective questions, rethinking practices, and exploring strategies to best support our students. This experience served as a powerful reminder of the joy and impact that meaningful collaboration brings to our schools.

We often use “PLC” to describe what we do together in our PLC teams. But the heart of a Professional Learning Community isn’t simply “PLC-ing”; it is collaboration grounded in trust, shared goals, and a vision of what we want to accomplish. True collaboration starts with trust, shared goals, and a vision of what we want to achieve. PLC teams rely on each other deeply, build interdependent relationships, and create an environment of mutual respect that fosters openness and vulnerability. When we collaborate, we depend on each other deeply, work interdependently, and develop the kind of mutual respect that fosters openness and vulnerability. This commitment and purpose give rise to a true community of learners and leaders dedicated to student success.

Our D91 PLC teams empower one another to support every child’s learning journey. They honor each member’s unique expertise and perspectives, forming a collective strength that benefits all our students. The dedication of D91’s teachers and staff to student learning, powerful teaching, and unwavering focus on student success is truly exceptional. Together, D91 educators are empowering student success every single day!

Superintendent Karla LaOrange

Question: There’s some uncertainty about what teachers should assign online for intervention Fridays. If we are assigning enrichment activities, should we grade those assignments? Some teachers in the district do, while other schools say we shouldn’t grade them.

Answer: Great question! Let’s review assignments for students designated as Online Learning for Friday Intervention School Day.

1. Assignments should be provided for each course. These assignments are intended for practice or extension only and do not include new content. Examples of practice or extension assignments are editing writing assignments, conducting research, completing lab write-ups, or solving math problems, etc.
2. Assignment Accessibility: Assignments must be easily accessible for students. Students can find their assignments based on the school attended.
1. Middle School & Emerson: Schoology
2. Compass: Echo
3. IFHS & SHS: School or Teacher Option
3. Submission: Teachers decide how assignments are submitted (online, paper, presentation, etc.)
4. Grading:
1. Teachers are not required to grade independent work, but grading is allowed. If a teacher opts to grade a Friday intervention assignment, the following apply.

• Independent work grades should not cause a student’s overall course grade to inflate or disproportionately lower a student’s overall course grade.
• Students attending in-person sessions on Intervention Friday, whether required or not, are exempt from the assignment.
• Any students required to attend school in person on Intervention Day are exempt from the assignment.

Some schools have developed additional guidelines to support students with these assignments. Thank you for everything you do to support our students' learning on Fridays and every day!

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

I know the thought of snow can make us all shiver, but the good news—no snow yet! Before we find ourselves digging out of drifts, let’s review the expectations and board policy (Administrative Procedures 2210P1).

• Administrators and non-teaching exempt personnel are expected to report to school, along with the head custodian and at least one secretary, as long as it’s safely.
• 10, 11, and 12-month Classified employees may report or not report for duty, depending on the direction of their immediate supervisor or the superintendent.
• Transportation staff, food service staff, paraprofessional aides, librarians, and other 9-month classified staff should not report unless directed by their immediate supervisor or the superintendent.
• Teachers, including certified librarians, psychologists, and counselors, are not expected to report unless directed otherwise directed, such as during a remote learning day.

When a snowstorm is forecast, I’ll stay on top of weather conditions and work closely with our Transportation Department to decide if D91 will hold school. But for now, let’s enjoy the beautiful fall weather and keep snow day plans as a distant memory. Here’s hoping for a mild winter ahead!

Nick Birch is an Idaho Falls native who grew up in District 91. He attended Emerson Elementary, Claire E. Gale Jr. High, and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 2005. Nick played baseball at Treasure Valley Community College where he earned his Associates Degree.

He then moved on to Brigham Young University where he also played baseball and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Wellness. Nick would go on to get a teaching certificate for the state of Idaho.

Nick returned to D91 in 2018 to teach PE, health and advise the Hope Squad at Eagle Rock Middle School. During that time, he has also helped coach the Idaho Falls High School baseball team.

He loves being involved in sports. In high school, he played football, basketball, and baseball and would try anything that involved competition. Nick is a dad of all girls and they share his passion for competing in athletics. They love softball, basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics. He loves supporting them and watching them improve and better themselves through competition.

Nick loves hanging out with the family, being outdoors, and fishing. They especially enjoy the little pond on Sunnyside to fish and catch what his four year old calls “crawdaddies”.

His wife is also a graduate of Idaho Falls High School. Calling himself a “proud Tiger” his entire life, Nick says he knew they would always come back to Idaho Falls to raise their family.

• Oct 29: Board Work Session, 12:30 pm at the District Office, 690 John Adams Parkway. View Agenda here.

• Nov 3: Daylights Savings Time Ends, Move clocks BACK an hour
• Nov 5: Election Day, Online Learning Day
• Nov 11: Veterans Day
• Nov 22: End of 1st Trimester
• Nov 25-29: Thanksgiving Break, No School
• Dec 4-5: Parent Teacher Conference- Elementary Schools
• Dec 23-Jan 6: Christmas Break, No School

The Museum of Idaho is once again hosting its Educator Days event, to take place on November 1 - 2. All active educators, including teachers, aides and school administrators will receive free admission, which includes access to the "Above and Beyond," "Way Out West," and the "Nisei Trials" museum exhibits.

The museum will also be promoting a suite of resources for educators, including Discovery Trunks and lesson plans for the classroom as well as professional development opportunities. Educators can simply present a school badge or other proof of employment at the ticket counter for free admission.

Learn more about Educator Days as well as available resources, including curriculum materials, CEU courses, field trip and more from Museum of Idaho at the button below: Museum of Idaho Educator Resources

The Idaho Falls High School Marching Band performs for the final time this season Friday night at halftime of the football game at Ravsten Stadium. The band is the biggest it has been in a decade and competing in the biggest and best division in southeast Idaho.

Here's a recap of their season:

Highland HS Competition - 2nd place finish overall, 2nd place finish for music - visual - and visual effect

Madison HS Competition - 2nd place finish overall, 2nd place finish for music - music effect - and visual effect

Utah State University competition - 2nd place finish overall, 2nd place finish for music and color guard

ISU Mountain West Invitational - 4th place finish overall, 2nd place finish for percussion and color guard

Congratulations on a great band season!!

The Future Farmers of America club at CTEC is working on some big plans. This week they invited Superintendent LaOrange to their classroom to make a presentation. The students proposed a project that will involve other students in the district and help get them excited about CTEC and the FFA. More details will be shared at a later date. It is inspiring to see our students take initiative to make a difference and lead the way.

We are celebrating Bus Safety Week. Here is a closer look at how D91 is using the latest technology to help keep our students safe.

Dora Erickson Elementary: Special Education Support Aide-Limited Full-time in the DAC Program

Skyline High School: EL Tutor Limited Full-time

Eagle Rock Middle School: Custodial Night Shift Leader Full-time

Intervention and Support Department: Migrant Student Sucess Facilitator-Full-time

A.H. Bush Elementary: Elementary Media Center Specialist Part-time

Child Nutrition Department: Kitchen Worker Part-time at Taylorview Middle School

Child Nutrition Department: Substitute Child Nutrition Worker-Various locations

See all current openings here.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women, and 1 in 8 women in the U.S. have a chance of developing breast cancer at some point in their life. This October, as we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we hope you will take a moment to consider your risk factors and make a plan for screening and prevention.

As a Regence member, your plan covers an in-network preventive mammogram every year with no outof-pocket costs for women 40 and older, and for younger women at higher risk.

Visit www.regence.com to find an in-network provider that offers mammograms. If you have questions or need help, you can use the chat feature when you sign in or call the number on the back of your member ID card.

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

According to the 2023 Teacher Wellbeing Index at educationsupport.org.uk, 51% of education staff suffer from insomnia and difficulties sleeping.

Many people claim they only need 5-6 hours of sleep each night to be productive. But science proves this is a myth. Ninety nine per cent of people do physically require the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep.

So what can you do?

3 tips for a good night’s sleep

• Cut the caffeine: Caffeine sensitivity can vary, but doctors recommend limiting caffeine after 12pm.
• Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol has a dehydrating effect and reduces sleep quality.
• Set Boundaries: Take regular breaks during the day and switch off when it’s time to do so.