Caldwell School District Update
From Superintendent N. Shalene French
April 16, 2021
In this newsletter:
- Plans to finish this year, summer opportunities & next year!
- We're offering new summer learning opportunities
- Please update your family's information in Skyward
- First day of school for students is Aug. 18 for next year
- Exploring start time change; not year round schedule
- May 11 deadline to apply for open school board position
- Special activities returning with safety protocols
Plans to finish this year, summer opportunities & next year!
We're busy finalizing the end of this usual school year, putting in place new summer learning opportunities, and planning for next year.
We appreciate your patience during this past year as schedules have changed during the pandemic to address concerns about the spread of COVID in our community.
As we review the final six weeks of this school year, we are discussing changing the last Wednesdays to in person at school learning, instead of digital day at home. This will better support many of the year end activities.
We will let you know as soon as this is decided so you can make plans.
We're offering new summer learning opportunities
We are excited that new one-time federal funds will allow all of our schools to offer learning opportunities for our students this summer.
New programs
Our elementary and middle schools are planning a variety of high quality camps, academies, etc. and will reach out to their families with information about these programs, dates, and how to sign up.
These programs will be taught by our highly qualified teachers. In addition, meals and busing will be provided for free.
Most programs will be in June and some will continue into July.
Continuing programs
Parents will also receive information about our summer programs that have been offered in the past including the Advanced Opportunity Summer School (Deadline to sign up is April 23) and Credit Recovery Summer School and Migrant and English Learners programs.
Please update your family's information in Skyward
First day of school for students is Aug. 18 for next year
Exploring start time change; not year round schedule
Year round
This concept did not generate much interest from families or staff, so at this time we are not exploring this for our district.
Changing start times
There is interest in changing start times, but also questions. Many school districts including our neighboring district - -Vallivue -- have secondary schools start later and elementary schools start earlier. Research shows later start times at secondary schools is better for our adolescents. We are exploring what a change like this would mean for Caldwell. The school board discussed it Monday and we will continue to explore. No decision has been made.
May 11 deadline to apply for open school board position
Zone 1 Trustee Claudia Suastegui resigned from the Caldwell Board of Trustees after moving out of the zone.
The board is seeking applicants for the post. Individuals must live in Zone 1. Interested individuals can learn more here.
This has been an usual year for our Board. We appreciate Trustee Suastegui's dedication and we are grateful for all of our trustees' commitment to the children and families of Caldwell and for their hard work.
Special activities returning with safety protocols
We are also planning the special senior activities for our graduates. Last year, many of these were cancelled. This year, we want every student to be able to participate and not be caught in quarantine because of exposure to COVID positive individuals or isolating because they are COVID positive. We are working to schedule COVID vaccination clinics for families to access if they choose to access this protection for their children age 16 older.
Thanks for taking time to read this update!
Sincerely,
Dr. N. Shalene French
Caldwell School District
Superintendent
Superintendent N. Shalene French
Committed to Caldwell School District's mission, vision, and values to ensure equity and access for all students.
Email: nfrench@caldwellschools.org
Website: www.caldwellschools.org
Location: 1502 Fillmore Street, Caldwell, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 455-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caldwellschools.org/
Twitter: @CSD132Sup