D91 Employee News:

It was my third year of teaching, and the holiday season was in full swing. Our classroom was alive with the buzz of excited students singing holiday songs making small treasured gifts for their families. Amid the festivities, I couldn’t help but think about one of my students who had mentioned they weren’t expecting much under the tree this year.

Later that day, I shared the story with a few of my colleagues. Without hesitation, they sprang into action. Together, we pooled resources, purchased gifts, and spent the evening wrapping toys, books, and other treasures. What had been one tired bunch of teachers turned into joyous laughter and hearts filled with the hope of Christmas. The next morning, we ran through the snow to deliver the brightly wrapped presents. We entered the home to see that not only were there no presents under the tree, there was no tree. We carefully placed the gifts around and on the couch. The joy and surprise we saw on the mother’s face when she realized her family would have Christmas is a moment I have never forgotten.

That experience has stayed with me as a powerful reminder of the incredible heart and generosity of educators. It also highlights the profound impact of small acts of kindness and how they can create lasting joy for the families and students we serve.

During this holiday season, I hope you find time to rest, recharge, and create cherished memories with your loved ones. May you also be reminded of the tremendous difference you make in the lives of others every day. Your dedication, compassion, and kindness inspire me, and I am deeply grateful to work alongside such an incredible team of educators in our District 91 family.

Best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year!

Superintendent Karla LaOrange

We’re excited to share that a new layer of safety will be in place at all D91 schools when students return after the Christmas break!

Starting January 7, all our schools will feature the new Visitor Aware check-in system to enhance the security and safety of our students and staff.

Here’s how it works:
When visiting during the school day, you’ll check in at a user-friendly kiosk. The system will take your photo and ask a few quick questions, like your name and the purpose of your visit. You’ll then scan your driver’s license or ID for a quick background check. Once verified, a badge with your photo will be printed for you to wear during your visit.

Check out the brief video below to see how simple and seamless it is! This system is an added safety measure to ensure we always know who is in our schools, helping us create the safest environment possible for our students and staff.

Thank you for your support as we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone in our schools!

Our District is looking for ways to improve open enrollment, minimize the rise in our health care costs all while providing you with one-on-one guidance navigating your benefit options. Beginning January 6th, 2025, American Fidelity will host benefits review meetings at each school location across our district.

Annual benefit reviews take 30 minutes and can help ensure you fully understand the options that are available. All benefit eligible employees are strongly encouraged to meet with an American Fidelity benefit counselor for the review in January.

You can schedule your one-one-one appointment during one of your building's scheduled days here. You will be asked to provide documentation verifying the eligibility of your dependents. Refer to the Dependent Eligibility Documentation Requirements.

If you need to obtain documents, please do so as soon as possible. You can order official documents from appropriate county offices, or copies online at www.usbirthcertificate.net or www.vitalchek.com.

During these confidential one-on-one sessions with American Fidelity, you will verify your information and can discuss voluntary insurance programs if you have them or are interested in having them. There is no obligation to purchase any American Fidelity products.

Failure to complete your review may affect your coverage, including the termination of ineligible dependents from the plan, effective March 1, 2025. Please be aware that there will be no disciplinary action taken against employees for ineligible dependents, whether their coverage was purposeful or accidental.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in ensuring cost-effective benefits for all Idaho Falls School District employees.

Be watching for your W-2 forms next month. They will be mailed before Jan 31 and be sent to the address in the Tyler system. Please log on and confirm that your address is current. This is how you can do that.

• Idaho Falls School District 91 Website → Single Sign-on → Tyler ERP Pro → click Employee Access → click My Information → click Profile → view Mailing Address to confirm its correct. To change the address → click on the pencil icon → enter the new full address → click Submit

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

• Dec 23-Jan 6: Christmas Break, No School
• Jan 1-15: Window to Submit a Transfer Request. Certified Employee Transfer Request Form.
• Jan 6: Staff Development/Teacher Work Day
• Jan 7: School Resumes for students
• Jan 11: In-House Job Fair at the District Office. Click here for more details
• Jan 15: Early Notice Stipend Deadline for Teachers not returning for 2025-26 School year
• Jan 20: MLK Day, No School
• Jan 28: D91 College and Career Fair at Mountain America Center

The Grinch was no match for the holiday spirit at Idaho Falls High School. Students raised hundreds of dollars to help other students in need this Christmas during the Money Blitz assembly on Thursday. What a great tradition of giving at IFHS. Thank you to all the students, teachers, and staff that made this possible.

Students at Emerson Alternative High School spent the last day of school before the Christmas break doing service for others. Among the several acts of service were tying together blankets for those in need and making cards for veterans and neighbors. We love how our D91 students are so community minded.

Longfellow Elementary's Reading Night was a success this week. Superintendent Karla LaOrange was one of many guest readers who came to read to the families. We also want to thank all of our readers. Great job by the Longfellow staff to put together such a wonderful event.

Students at Idaho Falls High School participated in the Democracy in Dialogue Virtual Exchange Program. The Smithsonian Club wrote letters and swapped reveal boxes with Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Helotes, Texas. Both schools opened the box in a Zoom meeting. The blue/purple potatoes were a huge hit with Texas! IFHS students enjoyed some snacks from Buc-ee's. The students loved it and are already wanting to send another box.

Idaho Falls High School: Assistant Tennis Coach

We are accepting applications for teaching positions for the 2025-2026 school year:

Elementary Teachers K-6

Middle School Teachers 7-8

High School Teachers

Special Education Teacher

We will also be having our in-house job fair at the District Office on Saturday January 11, 2025, for certified teaching positions for the 2025-2026 school year. If you would like to be considered for an interview, please fill out an interview request form using this link. This information can also be found on our website www.ifschools.org

See all current openings here.

Getting away from the classroom during the day increases your productivity. And no, we’re not talking about eating your turkey sandwich at your desk between classes. The operative word in the phrase “lunch break” is “break.” Getting away from the classroom, even if it’s just for a few minutes, can help you be more creative. Taking a walk around the block has been shown to boost your productivity, and taking a walk in nature is even better. Being in nature is the most effective way to relax your brain and refresh your senses, so head to the nearest park if possible.