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Updates From D91 Supt. LaOrange
September Updates: Week of Sept.25
D91 Planning Two Days of Staff Development Focusing on Student Success
Idaho Falls School District 91's teachers and certified staff are gearing up for two full days of staff development Oct. 5 and Oct. 6. They will tackle the district's goals of increasing student achievement and the district's graduation rate.
Elementary teachers will attend workshops on the district's new English language arts curriculum (CKLA/Amplify) as well as our new math curriculum (Into Math). They will learn more about implementing the curricula in ways that keep students engaged and help them be successful.
Secondary school teachers will focus on how to get the most out of their professional learning communities. They will learn how to use student data to increase student achievement, the benefits of implementing interim assessment resources, how to ensure teaching is aligned to the state's new standards and more.
Additionally, SROs and counselors have been invited to attend a school safety conference at the Melaleuca Center and teachers can spend a day learning about effective classroom management. Our world languages teachers will be in training on best practices in language instruction and our ELA teachers have the opportunity to participate in a dyslexia simulation. We'll miss our students, but will have lots of new ideas to share when they return to school on October 9.
Seniors! Watch the Mail!
Idaho high school seniors will soon receive their Idaho Campus Choice letters, which notify students with a certain GPA they are guaranteed admission to Idaho's colleges and universities. Students must still apply to the schools. It's easy to do online.
Congrats to Tigers!
Get Your Senior Ready To Launch!
If you have a high school senior, make sure they don't miss out on the new Idaho Launch program, which provides seniors beginning with the Class of 2024 up to $8,000 in tuition and fees for eligible colleges, universities or training programs.
The goal of the state's new LAUNCH program is to prepare Idaho's students for Idaho's workforce needs by providing grants for not only colleges and universities but also apprenticeships and training programs for in-demand careers.
To participate in the program, students must graduate from an Idaho high school, be an Idaho resident, be enrolled in or have applied to an eligible Idaho institution, begin their post-secondary program by fall semester after graduation and complete a Career Pathway Plan. All D91's seniors will have the opportunity to complete a career pathway plan on Oct. 18 when our 10th graders take the PSAT.
The application window for Idaho Launch opens next week on Oct. 3. Students are encouraged to apply by the Nov. 30 priority date. The application window for the Class of 2024 closes on April 15, 2024. If students don't apply for the program during their senior year, they will lose their chance to use this money. Learn more about the Idaho LAUNCH program.
Important Dates In October:
- Every Friday! D91 schools start an hour later than normal so teachers can collaborate on student achievement.
- Oct. 3: Idaho Launch Application Window Opens for Idaho Seniors
- Oct. 5-6: No School! State & District Staff Development
- Oct. 9-13: National School Lunch Week
- Oct. 11: Board Business Meeting, 5:30 pm, IFHS Library
- Oct. 10 & Oct. 17: Parent-Teacher Conferences at middle schools and high schools
- Oct. 13: Skyline Homecoming Parade
- Oct. 16-20: National School Bus Safety Week
- Oct. 18: K-12 Celebration of College & Career opportunities and pathways
- Oct. 18: PSAT for all 10th graders and 11th graders qualifying for the NMSQT
- Oct. 19: Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill
- Oct. 24: Board Work Session, 4 pm, D91 District Office
Emotion Bowl Highlights!
We Are #D91Proud!
Congratulations to David Moore! He was selected as IFHS' Great American Rivalry scholar athlete at the Emotion Bowl.
Congrats to the Grizz!
We Are #D91Proud!
Congratulations to Alex Dennert! He was selected as Skyline's Great American Rivalry scholar athlete at the Emotion Bowl.
Remind Tool Will Help Connect Teachers & Parents
We recognize parent engagement is the key to student success. Today, D91 is pleased to provide teachers, staff and coaches with another tool to connect easily, conveniently and safely with students, parents and families.
Remind is now the district supported and approved tool that teachers, coaches and staff will use for two-way communications. Some D91 teachers and coaches have been using Remind for years. For others it will be a new tool. But, it will replace all other applications teachers, staff or coaches have been using for two-way outreach such as Band, Bloomz, GroupMe and any other Apps staff may have implemented.
If your child’s teacher or coach chooses to use Remind, here are some tips to set up your account so you can receive messages. Teachers who don’t use Remind will still reach out to parents using traditional email and/or phone calls.
- If your child’s teacher or coach sets up a new Remind account, you will get an email or a text asking you to claim your account. If you get these notifications, follow the step-by-step directions.
- If you have questions about setting up Remind, refer to this step-by-step guide we’ve created for parents. Or, you can call the D91 IT Help Desk at (208) 525-7556.
- You will be able to access your Remind messages through the D91 App, but you will still need to download the Remind App from your favorite App store. Once you’ve downloaded the Remind App, just follow the directions. (If you don’t have the D91 App, we encourage you to download it. It puts all D91’s school tools like PowerSchool and LINQ in the palm of your hand. Look for it in your favorite App store.)
Whether you child’s teacher chooses to use Remind or not, D91’s teachers, administrators and staff are committed to connecting with parents, providing updates and ensuring all students are successful. If you have a concern or a question, please reach out to your child’s teacher or school.
Connect with Us!
D91 Communications
Margaret Wimborne is D91's Public Information Officer. She shares information about all the cool things happening in D91 with parents, patrons and the media. She also leads many of the district's community engagement initiatives. Want to connect with D91? Send her an email at wimbmarg@sd91.org
Are We Connected?
D91 routinely sends out text messages and emails about events, activities and happenings in our schools and across the district. To receive those messages, make sure your contact information is up-to-date in PowerSchool. Not sure? Check with your school.
Come To A Meeting!
D91's Board of Trustees typically holds its business meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm in the IFHS Library. Usually, there also is a work session on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the District Office. Board meetings are always open to the public. We livestream meetings when we can. See the Board Meeting schedule.
D91 Safety Check!
D91 Safety Protocols: What Is A Lock Down?
The goal of a Lock Down is to protect students and staff. Safety and survival takes precedence over education. Movement within the school is severely restricted. Classroom doors are locked. Blinds are closed. If necessary, teachers would be prepared to secure and defend their location, and lead without prompts if they become aware of an unsafe situation. Lockdown drills are sometimes done in collaboration with local emergency personnel so don't be alarmed if your school is conducting a drill and there are police cars or fire trucks at the school.
All the drills we hold during the school year -- evacuation, reverse evacuation, shelter in place, hall check and lock down -- are conducted to help prepare students and staff in cases of an emergency. If you have questions about D91's safety protocols, pick up one of our safety protocol brochures at your school or check with your principal.
Save The Date!
D91's middle schools and high schools are holding Parent-Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, Oct. 10, and Tuesday, Oct. 17.
Don't Miss This!
If you have a student in high school, make plans to attend the annual SE Idaho College Fair from 5 to 8 pm on Oct. 16 at Thunder Ridge High School. Register today!
Get What You Need!
Did you know you can customize the D91App to get exactly what you need? Download it TODAY from your favorite App Store.
Tigers Take 2nd in XC, Prepare For Big Swim Weekend
Congratulations to Idaho Falls High School's cross country team! Last weekend they competed at the Bob Firman invite in Boise. JaCee Jensen won 1st in the girls varsity race. The team took second in the competition, which featured 4,400 runners from seven different states. Nice job!
IFHS' swim team has a big weekend. They will be taking part in the Boise Invite TODAY and Saturday. The volleyball team will be competing in the Madison Invitational TODAY and Saturday. The football team will be playing Century in Pocatello TONIGHT. Kickoff is at 7.
Grizz Celebrate Victories!
Congratulations to Skyline's Nelah Roberts, who was the top finisher for the Grizz in the elite division at last weekend's Bob Firman Invite in Eagle. SHS' swim team also earned victories last Saturday against Madison, Hillcrest, IFHS and Shelley.
Amani Morel was honored as the player of the game in the Emotion Bowl rushing for more than 200 yards and two touchdowns. And, congratulations to this week's athletes of the week are Alejandro Ledezma, who plays soccer for the Grizz, and Audrey Atwood, who plays volleyball.
After their Emotion Bowl win, the Grizzlies face Rigby at home in Ravsten Stadium. Kick off is at 7 p.m for the game, which is also Grid Kid Night for the west side grid kid teams. The swim team competes in Boise TODAY at the BK Invite beginning at 4 pm and the cross country team will run in the Bee Invite TODAY at the soccer complex beginning at 3:45 pm.
We Need You!
Free Resources for Parents!
Online classes, parent coaching and other helpful resources are available to parents for FREE through D91's partnership with ParentGuidance.org. Check them out!