![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/Ah24yWCDIBXEV1cgbTA2FA.9d8bc58d.jpg)
![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/Ah24yWCDIBXEV1cgbTA2FA.b4d0fe66.jpg)
Updates From D91 Supt. LaOrange
October Updates: Week of Nov. 6
From The Superintendent's Desk ...
In Idaho Falls School District 91, we value the input of our students. Students have tremendous ideas and potential, and I've seen that firsthand as I've visited with student leadership groups and Hope Squads around the district. They are an untapped resource that is critical to developing schools and programs that serve students well. That is why D91 is kicking-off the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
The Student Advisory Council will include representatives from each high school. Members of the Student Advisory Council will represent students from the arts, academics, athletics, leadership, and career technical education. The Student Advisory Council will meet monthly with the superintendent to provide input about how to help all students learn and reach their potential.
The council will also provide feedback for proposed policies and procedures that impact students. This important council will foster communication between students, the administration, and the school board.
The Student Advisory Council will be a strong voice that will be used to create a powerful learning experience for all students at every school. The really exciting thing about the Student Advisory Council is that for the first time, students will have a direct voice in providing feedback about their own learning and school.
I am beyond thrilled by the opportunity to work with our students to create strong schools and programs. D91 is the best and the right place for our students to learn and thrive!
Happening Around D91
CTEC Students Successfully Convert Bus Into RV
Students have spent months turning a school bus into an RV, and D91’s Career Technical Education Center is now accepting bids for its Skoolie.
About 130 students from CTE’s industrial mechanics, construction and welding classes have been involved in this project over the last 11 months, and the converted 2007 Thomas TK school bus now has features that will excite every Idaho camper and outdoor enthusiast. Those features include a queen bed, a full kitchen with a propane fridge, a stove/range, lots of storage and a dining area that can be converted into an additional sleeping area. The RV also has an outdoor shower, a waterless toilet and a solar panel, solar storage and a solar generator.
“The amount of work the students have put into this project is incredible,” said CTEC Coordinator Bev Hott. “It was amazing to watch the students grow as they worked independently and in groups to gain the knowledge and experience they’ll need for future jobs.”
Anyone interested in bidding on the converted RV can submit sealed bids to Jessica Swartwood, D91’s Comptroller, at the D91 District Office, 690 John Adams Parkway, Idaho Falls, ID 83401. Bids will be accepted through noon. Dec. 7. The minimum bid is $48,000. Learn more about the bid submission process. Those who would like to see the Skoolie, can call CTEC at (208) 525-7549 and make an appointment.
Proceeds from the sale will go to fund CTEC’s next big project – the construction of a tiny house, as well as pay for students to participate in upcoming Skills USA competitions.
Congrats to IFHS Speech & Debate
The IFHS Speech & Debate team recently took second at the 2023 Gate City Invitational! In addition, the Tigers had two individual champions -- Hailee Nordstrom in Informative Speaking AND Extemporaneous Speaking and Ariana Ashby in Impromptu Speaking!
Congrats To Cale!
Cale Meyers just signed with the Student To Registered Apprenticeship Program (STRAP.) He will be learning and working with Intermech, Inc. Cale is the third D91 student from the CTEC program to sign up for STRAP.
Important Dates In November
- 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 AND an At-Home Learning Day for elementary school students
Calendar Change For Skyline and Idaho Falls High Schools!
The Board of Trustees this week approved a calendar change for Idaho Falls and Skyline high schools. Friday, Jan. 19, will be an Intervention/At-Home Learning day to accommodate the Tiger-Grizz Wrestling Tournament, which brings hundreds of wrestlers from around the state and around the region to compete at Skyline and Idaho Falls high schools. The calendar change was made to address safety concerns. Again, this change will only impact Idaho Falls and Skyline high schools.
High School Seniors! Mark Your Calendar For Nov. 14!
Learn About CEI's Healthcare Programs
High school students and their parents are invited to learn more about the College of Eastern Idaho's healthcare programs at a special event at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 14. They will be able to tour CEI labs, talk to CEI faculty and learn how they can prepare for healthcare careers.
CEI Hosting Idaho Launch Night
The College of Eastern Idaho is holding a special Student/Parent Night on Tuesday, Nov. 14, for seniors at CEI, Building 6, Room #150/#152, with sessions at 5:30 pm and 6 pm. The evening will include an overview of Idaho Launch and more. Staff will also be available to help complete seniors complete their applications.
Election Updates
Radcliffe, Ricks & Westwood Win, Recount Planned In Zone 4 Race
Congratulations to Hillary Radcliffe, Shay Ricks and Jeremy Westwood! According to preliminary results, they were the victors in last week's school board elections, although a recount is planned for the Zone 4 race where Shay Ricks beat incumbent Elizabeth Cogliati by one vote.
Here are the preliminary results:
- Zone 3: Jeremy Westwood received 62 percent of the vote while challengers Jordan Oseen received 21 percent and Patrick Jackson received 16 percent.
- Zone 4: Shay Ricks received 50 percent of the vote with 359 votes, while incumbent Elizabeth Cogliati received 50 percent of the vote with 358 votes.
- Zone 5: Hillary Radcliffe received 55 percent of the vote while challengers Melissa LaPray received 38 percent and Kari Vogel received 7 percent.
The results will become official after they are canvassed today. After that, the county elections office will start the recount process for the Zone 4 race.
Political Parties Can Use Schools For Caucus Meetings
We are pleased to announce D91's schools can be used for political caucus meetings, as long as the political parties rent the facilities, provide liability insurance and follow all district protocols related to building usage.
Initially, when D91 first received requests to use its buildings for caucus meetings, legal counsel advised that public property could not be used to “advocate for or against a candidate or a ballot measure . . .” (Idaho Code 74-604) In light of a recent Attorney General’s opinion, the district asked legal counsel to review the matter again. After the second review, the district’s attorneys advised that D91’s buildings can be used by political parties as long as the parties rent the buildings and follow all district protocols related to building usage. We have shared this good news with our local political parties.
D91 Safety Check!
New Partnerships Focus On Safety & Maintenance
With it's renewed focus on safety and facility maintenance, D91 is implementing a new program with new partnerships to address issues in our school buildings.
Every school in D91 undergoes an annual inspection by the state building inspector and the local fire inspector, and now the district has formed a team to partner with those inspectors and ensure findings are addressed. Many items highlighted in the audits are minor like too much artwork on a wall or too many boxes in a storage area, while some are more serious like fire extinguisher maintenance or updates to fire sprinkler systems.
D91's Executive Director of Personnel & Planning Kelly Coughenour has started visiting schools with Technology Director Tito Paredes and Maintenance Director Dale Sheetz to review last year's audits and address issues. Simple things are being addressed immediately, while more extensive issues like a sprinkler repair will be added to the list of summer projects or long-term maintenance projects. If similar findings are reported from several buildings, the team may look at special trainings or putting prevention plans in place.
As they visit schools, Kelly will make regular presentations and progress reports to the school board. Our D91 team is looking forward to taking part in the 2023-24 audits with the state and local inspectors, and working collaboratively in this new partnership to improve the safety and security of our schools.
Congrats To D91's Swim Teams & Skyline's Volleyball Coach
IFHS Swim Team Takes 3rd At State!
We are #D91Proud of the IFHS girls swim team! They placed 3rd at the state meet with some terrific individual results. Abby Balsmeier was crowned state champion in the 100 Butterfly and took 4th in the 200 Individual Medley. Lauren Grimes took 2nd in the 100 Backstroke, breaking an IF school record, and took 3rd in the 100 Freestyle.
Congrats to Coach Pukahi!
We are #D91Proud of Skyline's volleyball coach Kekao Pukahi! He was named the High Country Conference 4A Coach of the Year after leading the girls back to the state tournament for the second time in 12 years.
Skyline Swim Team Takes 4th At State!
We are #D91Proud of Skyline's boys swim team! They took 4th place at last weekend's state swim tournament. Elias Couch took second in the 200 Freestyle, and the boys' 200 Free Relay team set a new state record! The girls swim team finished 12th! Go Grizz!
As Always, It Was A Busy Week For Supt. LaOrange
Last week, Supt. LaOrange held an all-day meeting with her leadership team, attended the IFHS staff meeting to get input on how we can work together to meet the district's goals, visited the Community Youth in Action Center to talk about partnerships, presented at the monthly school board meeting, met with the high school principals and athletic directors, toured schools with board members and met with her principal advisory council.