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Updates From D91 Supt. LaOrange
October Updates: Week of Oct. 30
From The Superintendent's Desk ...
Idaho Falls School District 91 is committed to providing a rich learning environment for every student. It is this commitment that fuels our conviction for student achievement.
This month, the Intervention Steering Committee will begin meeting to review how we can better utilize our time and resources to help all students learn, especially students who do not understand a concept or fall behind in a class.
The Intervention Steering Committee will work in conjunction with other school and district committees to determine best how to use our time and facilities to provide opportunities for students. It will look at how to ensure students get the extra help and support they might need to better understand and master the concepts and skills they need to graduate.
The Intervention Steering Committee will also study how to support teachers and provide them with the time they need to collaborate and meet the needs of students. Supporting our teachers and providing time to work with other professionals is a critical aspect of improving student learning. I am excited to partner with our teachers, staff, and parents in this important work!
Happening Around D91
Building Reading Skills Is Key To Student Success
Teachers are continuing to implement the district's new CKLA English Language Arts curriculum by Amplify. This program provides students with a strong foundation in reading skills and also builds student knowledge.
Every day, students in kindergarten through 2nd grade take part in daily lessons on foundational skills such as phonics, grammar, spelling and writing, as well as activities that build content knowledge. Recently, in Taylor Berent's first grade class at Hawthorne Elementary School, students were learning about the five keys to good health. They discussed the food pyramid and worked together to build a well-balanced meal.
"This domain was incredibly fun to teach and students were very engaged in the learning! We can tell you about the spongey substance in your bones, what your biggest muscle is, and how long it takes for your heart to pump blood to your entire body!" said Taylor Berent.
There are lots of things parents can do at home to help children master their reading skills.
- Plan to read with your child every day, even 15 minutes of reading can make a huge impact
- Read texts aloud together
- Ask your child what they are reading and discovering. Here are some sample questions to help start the conversation. What stood out to you from what you read today? What was your takeaway from the passage? Do you agree with the writer's ideas or descriptions? What connections can you make between what you are reading and your life?
- For more helpful tips and suggestions on how to support your child at home with the CKLA curriculum, go to the CKLA Caretaker Hub.
School Board Elections Are Nov. 7
Eight candidates are running for Idaho Falls School District 91's three open school board seats in Zone 3, Zone 4 and Zone 5. Only those who live in the respective zones -- Zone 3, Zone 4 or Zone 5 -- can vote in the election on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Not sure what zone you live in? Check out D91's zone map.
The candidates running in the election include:
- Zone 3 Seat: Patrick Jackson, Jordan Oseen and Jeremy Westwood are facing off in this zone. It includes the Theresa Bunker, Edgemont, Longfellow, Linden Park and Sunnyside school areas.
- Zone 4 Seat: Elizabeth Cogliati and Shay Ricks are vying for this seat. Zone 4 includes Erickson, Linden Park and part of Hawthorne school areas.
- Zone 5 Seat: Melissa LaPray, Hillary Radcliffe and Kari Vogel are competing in this zone. It includes Hawthorne, Longfellow, Sunnyside and Taylorview school areas. Jamie Lea Braithwaite has withdrawn from the race.
D91 Rolling Out New Program to Enhance Bus Safety
After months of preparation, we are excited to roll out the Tyler Drive System, which will enhance the safety and security of D91's transportation system.
With this new software, students who opt into the program will be issued ID cards, which they'll use to scan when they board a bus and when they exit a bus. This will make it easier for transportation staff to monitor the status of students, make sure they get off at the right bus stops and more. When the system is fully operational, parents will be able to use an app to get real-time updates on pickup times, drop-off times and potential delays, which will be especially helpful in the winter.
This new program will be piloted at Theresa Bunker Elementary School. Parents will have the chance to start signing up for the program next week. We will then roll it out to other schools across the district in the coming weeks and months. Watch for more information and updates.
Did You Catch Supt. LaOrange's Interview With Nate Eaton?
Important Dates In November
- Every Friday! D91 schools start an hour later than normal so teachers can collaborate on student achievement.
- Nov. 7: School Board Election, Polls are open from 8 am to 8 pm
- Nov. 8: School Board Business Meeting, 5:30 pm, IFHS Library
- Nov. 17: End of the 1st Trimester
- Nov. 20: Teacher Work Day
- Nov. 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
- Nov. 30: Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences (PM)
- Dec. 1: Elementary School Parent-Teacher Conferences/At-Home Learning Day for elementary school students
Last Chance!
Skyline's Theater Company is performing A Midsummer Night's Dream at 7 pm on Nov. 1-4 in the Little Theater. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students.
We Are D91Proud!
Congratulations to D91's All State Band, Orchestra & Choir qualifiers! IIFHS has three students who qualified for All State Band, and 21 students who qualified for All State Choir. Skyline had 8 students who qualified for All State Choir and two who qualified for All State Orchestra.
Don't Miss This!
There's still time to catch Eagle Rock Drama's performance of Mean Girls Jr. TONIGHT at 7 pm and at 1 pm and 7 pm on Saturday. Tickets are $8 for adults. $5 for students.
D91 Safety Check!
D91 Secures More Grant Money To Improve Safety
D91 has secured more state grant money through the Securing our Future grants program to improve the safety and security of our schools. This grant is for almost $100,000, and will be used to make updates and improvements to the fire suppression and sprinkler system at Eagle Rock Middle School.
This is in addition to the $282,688 in Securing Our Future grants the district received in October. Those funds are being used to pay for a number of high priority projects including window film installation, door access updates, stairway cameras, new digital radios, and installation of replacement fencing.
Schools benefiting from those grant monies include: Ethel Boyes, Theresa Bunker, Linden Park, Sunnyside, Longfellow, Fox Hollow, Dora Erickson, Edgemont, AH Bush and Westside elementary schools; Taylorview and Eagle Rock middle schools; Skyline and Idaho Falls high schools; Compass Academy; Emerson Alternative High School; and the district's Career Technical Education Center.
D91 will continue pursuing grants and other funding to invest in safety upgrades and improvements to our schools and buildings.
Some Safety Tips For Texting, Internet & Mobile Phones
The U.S. Attorney General's Office for the District of Idaho is working in partnership with the Idaho State Department of Education to share tips with parents and children about online safety. With the rise in smartphones and other electronic devices, it's more important than ever to be tech savvy.
Here are some tips for parents:
- Teach your child not to post identifying information on the Internet. Identifying information would include full name, date and place of birth, address, etc.
- Monitor your child's access to the Internet and texting and set a limit for how much time your child can spend online.
- Spend time with your child online. Ask them to show you their favorite online destinations and phone apps. Get to know your child's online friends as you would their real-life friends. Learn their passwords.
- Review your child's computer, emails and messages periodically and know who they they text and email. (Most providers have ways to track frequent contacts so you will know if they start communicating with someone new.)
- Use parental controls available from your internet service provider, apps or blocking software. (Questions? Contact your Internet ISP)
- Talk to your child about the danger of Internet predators. Watch for unexplained changes in your child's behavior. Do NOT hesitate to seek help from law enforcement if you think a predator may be be targeting your child.
For more Internet safety information, visit www.netsmartz.org. The site has age appropriate videos, activities and information for children of all ages.
Busy Week in D91!
This week, Supt. LaOrange met with the IFHS student government class, helped to judge the pumpkin Bake-Off at IFHS, led the monthly principal's meeting, and met with Lt. Gov. Bedke at IFHS. This weekend she's hoping to catch one of the performances of a Midsummer Night's Dream at Skyline High School. if you see her, please say hi!
We are #D91Proud
Congrats To Nelah Roberts!
We are #D19Proud of Skyline's Nelah Roberts, the first girl in Idaho to ever win four back-to-back cross country championships! Way to go!
Congrats to IFHS Tigers!
We are #D91Proud of the IFHS Tigers -- the 4A Cross Country Champions! And, a shoutout to Luke Athay, who led the team and won state.
Good Luck To The Grizz!
Good luck to Skyline High School football team as it continues chasing another state championship! The Grizz head to Twin Falls TODAY to play in the state quarter finals game against Twin Falls. Kickoff is at 7 pm at Twin Falls High School. Go Grizz! Make us #D91Proud!
Good Luck At State Swim Meet!
Good Luck To Our District Champs!
Good luck to Skyline High School's girls and boys swim team! They were crowned district champs last weekend, and they'll be competing at state this weekend! Go Grizz!
Good Luck To The IFHS' Swimmers!
Idaho Falls' girls and boys swim teams are heading to state this weekend! They were second at last weekend's district meet, and we wish them all the best at state!
Looking For Art, Idaho History & Anti-Vape Videos
Calling All Artists!
The Idaho State Department of Education is looking for student artwork for its 2023 Holiday Card Contest. This year's contest has two divisions -- K-6 and grades 7-12. Entries must be received or postmarked by Friday, Nov. 17. Learn more.
Celebrate Idaho!
The Bonneville County Heritage Association is inviting students in grades 4 and 7-12 to take part in its annual Idaho Day celebration. There are contests in map drawing, sculpting, painting, photography, handwriting, essays, poetry and song writing. Entries are due by 5 pm on Jan. 26, 2024. Learn more.