
Sandpoint High School
Let's Connect With Curiosity- March 2024

Dear Bulldog Students, Families, and Friends
This year’s extra day in February has highlighted my anticipation for the days of spring ahead! We have had so much excitement this past week sending our Boys basketball team to the State Championships along with our pep band and cheer team. Wish them luck! Last week we were supporting our wrestlers and cheer team at state. I see busy thespians working daily on the upcoming 12 Angry Jurors production, Aca Deca students studying for state, choir students preparing for the large group choral festival, HOSA students refining their skills for state, and wins for our Business Professionals of America. We look forward to softball, baseball, tennis, and track to get us outside after a long, gray winter. There are truly so many opportunities for students to be involved and so many students who choose to do so! Thank you for encouraging your child to participate in high school activities.
The counselors are updating the course catalog and preparing for registering students in the next few weeks ahead. Please plan to discuss your student’s four-year plan and the courses they will sign up for as they create their schedule for the 2024-2025 school year. Current Juniors will also begin taking the Idaho state ISAT tests before and after spring break to show their competence in English, math, and science classes. Please continue to encourage your student to finish strong in all areas of assessment and future planning.
I am looking forward to spring, all the excitement the end of the school year holds, and all of the continued celebrations of students' success. Please, always feel free to reach out to me, the SHS administrative team, counselors, and teachers if you have questions or input.
Sincerely,
Principal Jacki Crossingham
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.”
~ Albert Einstein
Athletics and Activities
Hello wonderful parents. Winter sports are coming to an end and there is tons to be proud of. We have girls basketball with one of the highest records ever, boys basketball winning the regional championship, and wrestling representing well in Pocatello. Bringing “hardwear” home is becoming a Sandpoint Bulldog norm. We are super proud of all of the hard work this winter and we are grateful for our wonderful coaches and athletes. Thank you to all of the teachers for working around our crazy athletic schedule and thank you to all of the parents for allowing us to teach them how to win.
With winning on the mind, I want to assure everyone that we are excited about creating a positive athletic culture with all of our programs. Sandpoint High School athletics recognizes that we have a lot of great things going on and we also recognize that there is room for growth. We are planning to implement future coaching training, books studies, athletic leadership programs, and much more. We look forward to increasing our partnership with parents so the athletic culture can remain positive and successful for everyone. We are really excited to join you in winning on and off the field.
We have spring sports up and running. Our numbers in track and baseball are looking really healthy, and softball is about to show its potential. Tennis has an amazing team of talent this year and our coaches are setting the tone. Hopefully the weather will hold out and our games can remain on schedule. I’d like to thank the City of Sandpoint for working so well with us on scheduling games and practices. We could not do what we do without our amazing partnership with them so thank you. You may see the lights on a little later this year at Memorial Field as we are trying to create more night games to not only set a better experience for our athletes, but to allow more parents to get to games after work. With that said, remember to bundle up because it is going to be cold.
We look forward to seeing you at our games, meets, and matches so please come by and support our Bulldogs. Please join in our winning culture!
TJ Clary, Athletic/Activities Director/Assistant Principal
Mr. "D" is back!
Library Gets Much Needed Energy
Whew!! It is great to be back this year! Missing all of semester two last year due to a car accident wasn’t much fun. My life was turned upside down in a heartbeat and I learned that you shouldn’t take anything for granted. Before I get to the topic at hand, this is a great space to thank everyone for the well wishes and support. The support provided me was the fuel I needed to work through the challenging recovery process which is still ongoing, but being back at SHS is truly a blessing.
This year, one of my tasks is working on revitalizing our school library. We have long talked about making our library a more utilized space for students, and so far this has been an enjoyable experience. Now that we are just over half way through the school year, we are seeing our hard work payoff and it is time to tout our accomplishments. One of the biggest changes to note is we now have students coming into the library everyday! We have students in the library looking for a quiet place to work, relax, read, and study. We also have students coming in at lunch to eat and socialize in a setting removed from the commotion of the commons.
To make all of this a reality we had to accomplish some key objectives. We moved many stored textbooks from the library to the district office. We engaged in an extensive weeding out process of books which hadn’t been checked out in over a decade or more. We removed huge book cases that took up the bulk of the space in the middle of the library. This added space allowed us to move some furniture around to make it more inviting to students.
Speaking of furniture, one of our next big steps is to add some updated furniture items to really take our library to the next level. I am hoping to secure some additional grant money to help make this a reality. I have been fortunate to secure one grant already. You may have seen the recent article in the Bonner County Daily Bee regarding the items I received from the Idaho Lottery Classroom Wishlist Program. For this particular grant, I focused on some much needed technology upgrades to help enhance the library.
Back in December, we had students in English classes identify the direction we should take in our efforts to revitalize the library. Student interest will drive our transformations as we progress. We are excited to see these changes take place and look forward to the positive impacts they will have on the overall culture of Sandpoint High School. In a way, I feel the revitalizations which are ongoing in the library are a parallel to my own revitalizations. Sometimes you just know you are the right person for the job.
🎖️Congratulations BPA🎖️
BPA students travelled to Boise, Idaho February 11-14 for their state competition. Over 18 awards were earned with all ten students earning at least one medal. Eight students qualified for nationals.
Pictured Above: Lucca Grillo, Phoebe Lang, Olivia Meyers, Mandy Hanson, Hannah Bennett, Rachel Aylward, Ryan Kimmelshue, Owen Miller, Anna Woodward, and Rylie Hancock.
AcaDeca Competes for IAD Regionals
On Saturday, February 3, 2024, Sandpoint High’s Academic Decathlon team competed at their Regionals competition for northern Idaho. Due to the disbandment of the Priest River team this year, SHS competed against themselves, but still maintained impressive scores despite lacking the competition. Our team 1, as a whole, scored a grand total of 38,184. Sandpoint’s team 1 and team 2 participated in the Idaho Academic Decathlon SuperQuiz Relay, and scored higher than any other school in other regions around the state. This meet was very important for putting together the team that will be representing SHS this March at the IAD State competition. As five time State champions, our team is confident in their abilities, and putting forth all their efforts to do well and win once again and hopefully earn a berth at the National competition in April. Stay tuned for updates from the state competition next month and if you see an SHS Bulldog decathlete, give them a high five and wish them luck!
February Elks Students of the Month
CARE Students of the Month
Jakeb Addison was chosen as the February CARE Student of the Month. Jakeb was nominated by Mr. Johnson, his science teacher. Jakeb works hard in science class, actively contributes to classroom discussions, and makes connections between the content and everyday life. Beyond academics Jakeb is polite, courteous, and helpful, which is always appreciated and contributes to a positive learning environment for all students. Other students nominated were, Jayce Hartle-Groff, Tristan James, Zella Lopez, Noah Wagner, Hailey Hustead-Swaim, Derrick Chamberlain and Colton Eberley. We also celebrated Shane Sherrill as the Coca Cola Athlete of the Month and Staff of the Month, Mindy Roget.
February Staff of the Month - Mindy Roget
The students and staff have voted and the results are in...Our February Staff Member of the Month is Mindy Roget!
Here are a few of the things that students are saying about her:
- She is an amazing person! A trusted adult and is always there for anyone and everyone who needs it.
- Mrs. Roget has been a great teacher to all of us and has always been happy to help anyone who is struggling. She also is great at making sure that everyone understands the lesson and for these reasons I picked her to be teacher of the month.
- She is the GOAT!
- Mrs. Roget is kind, funny, and a caring teacher.
The Coca Cola Athlete for the month of February is Shane Sherrill. Josh Ratigan, Shane's wrestling coach had this to say about him. "Shane's leadership and work ethic is an inspiration for years to come. He has led the Bulldogs for the last two years and set the foundation for the new era of Sandpoint Wrestling. My only regret is that I wish I had more time with Shane. He will be greatly missed in the room."
Some of Shane's accomplishments are: First Ever National team title for Greco, 100+ career High school wins, 5th @ State Idaho 2023, 3rd @ State Idaho 2024, 5th @ Tri State 2024 and 4x time team Idaho freestyle member.
Art Student of the Month
Sophomore, Ollie Benoit. Art II student.
March 1st and 2nd @ 7pm
March 8th SHS Science Circuit
SHS Science Circuit is back! On March 8th, Sandpoint High School honors students representing Chemistry, Physics, and Anatomy and Physiology will put on an interactive event for all 5th and 6th grade students around the LPOSD district. We are slated to have nearly 40 different tables of demonstrations and experiments for students to engage with and discover the wonders that exist in the world around us! The 2024 SHS Science Circuit is open to 5th and 6th grade students only during the school day, but families and the public are welcome to come explore after school from 2:00 - 3:30 on Friday afternoon. See you there!
This Month's Shout-Out ~ NHS
NHS
Lovely in Red
"Be Mine"
SHS/SMS Choirs tour the Elementary Schools!
The Sandpoint High School Chamber Choir along with the Sandpoint Middle School Select Choir toured Southside, Kootenai, Farmin, Northside, Sagle, Washington Elementary Schools singing their songs and talking about the benefits and positives from participating in a performing vocal ensemble. The middle school choir sang three songs, the high schoolers sang two songs and then they both sang one together. A good time was had by all. Director, Jon Brownell, hopes to recruit some 6th graders for next year's middle school program!
Unit of the Week
Mrs. Mullen's Everyday Physics & Chemistry classes learned about leather tanning and flintknapping from community member Shaun Deller. Students had the opportunity to try pressure flaking obsidian.
Counseling Department News
If you are struggling and need someone to talk to, please reach out to your school counselor. We are here for you!
Last names A-G (9th-11th grade) and A-F (12th grade): Shannon Kerrigan
Last names H-O: Jessica Lippi
Last names P-Z and 12th grade G: Jenay Moore, Counseling Intern
Post-secondary Transition Counselor: Jeralyn Mire
Planning for 2024-2025
Yep, that’s right! We are starting to plan for next school year and that means it’s time for students to review their four-year plans and forecast for the courses they will take next year. An email will be sent with finalized forecasting dates.
Mid March
Letter home to families with forecasting and four-year planning information
Presentation during Connections so students have information to guide their course requests
Students receive four-year planning worksheets with available courses listed per grade level and their transcripts
One week later
Students return with completed four-year planning worksheet
Students enter course requests directly into PowerSchool
Teachers collect four-year planning worksheets with parent signatures
April-May
School counselors will meet with all students for academic advising
Counselors will review four-year plans and course requests with all students individually
SAT Test Day: Juniors
The SAT will be an optional test for all Juniors at SHS. The test will be offered on Tuesday, April 16. Juniors will be required to sign up for the SAT by March 15. Signing up for the exam can be done through the QR code in the Counseling Office. More information on this exam will be presented to Juniors in US History classes during the first week of March. Information will also be emailed to Junior parents. Please email amanda.skinner@lposd.org with questions.
Higher Education Tour
The Idaho Higher Education Tour is an opportunity for Juniors to meet representatives from area colleges and universities, military and workforce training.
This year the Higher Education Tour will be held on March 6 during the school day.
ASVAB (military aptitude test): Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
The ASVAB will be offered at SHS on Friday, March 29th at 9:00AM. Students can sign up using the QR code located in the Counseling Office. Please email angela.dail@lposd.org with questions.
Local Scholarships
SHS Local Scholarships are now OPEN!! Details can be found at: https://sh.lposd.org/counseling-center/senior-scholarships
Enroll for the 24-25 School Year Now! Returning Students Too!
Bulldog Esports
Bulldog Esports has started their spring season with the Idaho Esports Association's Spring Season. Not only have they started, but in the first week they won all three matches. In Valorant, the Bulldogs went against Rigby High School and took themselves to a clear and solid victory of 13-2. In Rocket League, the Bulldogs went against Burley and should be named the comeback kids as they were down 0-2 in the series, rallied and won 3-2. In Overwatch, after a reschedule, the Bulldogs claimed a clear victory over Century High School, taking the series 3-0.
You can watch the games on twitch.tv/sandpoint_esports, don't forget to like, and if you have an Amazon Prime account, subscribe for free!
Don't be Late -- Spring Ahead March 10th
District News
In order to make certain all our students receive appropriate educational supports, Lake Pend Oreille School District is conducting a second semester Residency/Housing Survey. Residency is defined as where your family sleeps at night. Has your residency changed since the start of school? If so, please fill out this
Brief Residency/Housing Survey or speak with your building Principal or Counselor.
Save the Date! April 17
💡 Reminders
IMPORTANT DATES 📆
March 5th - Band Concert
March 19th - Springboard to High School
March 22nd - NIC Roadshow
March 22nd - Sadie's Dance
March 29th - EQ3 (Non Student Day)
April 1st-5th - Spring Break
June 1st - Prom "Viva Las Vegas"
June 7th - Graduation 6:30 pm War Memorial Field
Spring Break April 1st - 5th
March
Email: beth.dean@lposd.org
Website: sh.lposd.org
Phone: 208-263-3034
Address: 410 South Division Ave, Sandpoint ID
Facebook: facebook.com/SandpointHighSchool