D91 Employee News:
September 13, 2024
Superintendent message
Our school year is off to an amazing start! Teachers have been working collaboratively to implement the D91 Intervention Model, ensuring each student receives the individualized support they need to succeed. Our students are already hard at work, eager to learn and grow, while our teams and clubs are buzzing with great activities.
In our elementary schools, there’s a strong focus on building reading and writing skills. Behind the scenes, the D91 Technology, Transportation, Child Nutrition, and Maintenance Departments are working tirelessly to ensure everything runs smoothly, creating the optimal environment for our students to thrive.
The Importance of School Attendance
One of the key factors in helping students succeed is regular school attendance. Studies consistently show that students who attend school regularly perform better academically, from kindergarten through high school graduation. Poor attendance can impact a child’s ability to read proficiently by third grade, and research indicates a strong link between attendance and graduation rates. When students improve their attendance, their chances of graduating and reaching their full potential increase significantly.
Thanks to the fabulous efforts of teachers and staff, almost every school in the district improved its attendance rates last year. That’s incredible! Research shows that punitive measures for absenteeism may unintentionally worsen the situation, reinforcing school avoidance. Instead, D91 schools created a supportive and welcoming environment that reduced absences and enhanced learning. Thank you to everyone for helping increase our students' attendance and learning!
I am deeply grateful to our teachers and staff, who work tirelessly to ensure every student feels valued and supported. Your dedication is making a significant impact, increasing learning outcomes, and empowering students to strive for their best.
Thank you for all that you do to foster the growth and success of each and every student. District 91 is truly dedicated to students, and it’s because of your commitment that it continues to be a great place to teach and work!
Superintendent Karla LaOrange
Get to Know Gregg Baczuk: District Safety Coordinator
Gregg Baczuk was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and remains a strong Seahawks and Mariners fan. He graduated from High School in Florence, Montana.
From there he earned an Associates in Sociology from Ricks College, a Bachelor’s in Social Studies Education from BYU-Idaho, and a Master’s in Education Administration from Idaho State University. He then picked up an Education Specialist in Executive Leadership from Boise State University.
His professional career started at Clair E. Gale junior high school where he taught Social Studies and at Idaho Falls High School where he taught French. He would then stay at Idaho Falls for another year to teach social studies while coaching football and track.
Gregg spent the next 14 years doing the same thing at Skyline High School. He was also a department chair, technology mentor and on the Tech Integration Committee. He spent 10 years as a student government advisor.
Most recently he has served as the Athletic Director at Skyline. He is a certified master athletic administrator and also serves on the IHSAA Sportsmanship Committee.
He loves spending time with his family, cooking and baking, fishing, hiking and camping. He also likes to read, weightlifting, and travel.
Gregg has been married 24 years to IFHS graduate Karisa Ahlstrom Baczuk. They have four kids. Three of them graduated from Skyline High School and one who is a sophomore. They also have a dog named Chester.
Ribbon Cutting at Frontier Fields
Thank you to everyone who came out to support Tiger athletics Monday night at Frontier Fields. It was a fun night of food, games and dunking coaches. Frontier Fields will be hosting Idaho Falls baseball and softball games this coming spring and soccer games in the fall of 2025. We appreciate everyone's support.
Skyline Homecoming Parade
Thank you, Skyline l, for inviting administrators and staff from the District Office and members of the D91 School Board of Trustees to be in the Homecoming Parade. We had a lot of fun. See you at the game!!
Remembering 9/11
Eighth graders from both Eagle Rock and Taylorview Middle Schools got the chance this week to see the "Tunnels to Towers" mobile exhibit at The Waterfront. It was a great opportunity for our students to get an up close look at what happened on September 11, 2001 and how it still impacts us today. Thank you to Heroes Defense for making this possible.
New Job Postings this Week
Idaho Falls High School: Attendance Clerk
Technology Department: IT Support Technician
Taylorview Middle School: Title I Tutor-Limited Full-time
Skyline High School: Certified English Teacher
Linden Park Elementary: Child Nutrition Cashier-Limited Full-time
A.H. Bush Elementary: Part-time Custodian I
A.H. Bush Elementary: Resource Room Aide-Limited-Full-time
Theresa Bunker Elementary: Elementary Head Custodian-Full-time
Ethel Boyes Elementary: Title I Tutor-Limited Full-time
See all current openings here.
D91 Shout Out!
Thank you to everyone who submitted a shout out! Your comments were sent to the employee this week. Thank you for bringing some joy to our dedicated D91 teachers and staff! Didn’t get a chance to submit a Shout Out? Keep reading!
You can honor one of our fabulous teachers, administrators, or staff members by submitting D91 “Shout Out”! Your positive comment will be shared with the employee. Want to submit a “Shout Out”? Use the link below or the QR code. Thanks for helping to see and share the good!