Dear LPOSD Families,

I am so excited for you to read the first DRAFT of our 5-year Strategic Plan. Countless hours by many groups and individuals have gone into the formulation of this DRAFT – the community, parents, staff, and students. We offered several community forums, focus groups, and online input survey. Every single person in the community was afforded the opportunity to help set the direction of the District for the next five years. As I re-read through all of the input in the survey, one major theme kept popping out at me: people who live here truly care and want to provide a safe and quality environment for our students. What an honor to be part of this community 💗 Take a quick moment to peruse the DRAFT and let me know what you think before the first iteration goes to the Board for review at the February 14, 2023 Board meeting. Thank you for your support during my first half of the school year - super grateful, bwm

Dr. Becky W. Meyer, Superintendent

Congratulations to Geraldine Lewis and Lonnie Williams. They were both re-elected to their previously held positions of Board Chairman and Vice Chairman at the annual meeting held on January 10, 2023.

• The resource closet began in 2019 with the help of Principal Dalessio. Initially it served students facing homelessness, but it has since expanded to a district-wide support system in which students are eligible for a variety of circumstances.
• The resource closet has new clothing in stock for all elementary sizes, including underwear, socks, coats, gloves, shoes, boots, hats, pants, shirt, sweatshirts, and even Halloween costumes.
• Additionally the closet has soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, deodorant, chapstick, laundry detergent, feminine hygiene products, disposable wash clothes, and pre-packed toiletry kits in stock.
• Resources in the closet are for all students in the LPOSD. At any time an administrator, school counselor, or administrative assistant can submit a request for items.
• The closet is 100% donation-based. Rotary has been a major donor, as well as annual donation campaigns through Avenues for Hope.

One common theme we keep hearing from our community of parents and partners, is that you all desire networking opportunities for your kids with local businesses and organizations. Well on Tuesday, March 14 from 5-7pm, Sandpoint High School is hosting an event called "Next Steps" to meet this need. This event is open to any 8th through 12th grader in the community who would like to explore options for their future. There will even be a random winner of a scholarship giveaway!

There is still room for your business to sign up for a table! If you are a passionate industry worker or business owner and would like to partner with LPOSD by signing up for a table, please contact angela.dail@lposd.org to reserve one at your earliest convenience. Thanks to PAFE for the grant that is helping to fund what will undoubtedly be a fantastic evening!

Wow! Hope Elementary 6th grader, Breckham Noble, is the 2nd place VFW District winner of the Patriot's Pen Essay Contest. This essay contest is a nationwide annual event for 6th-8th graders, and Breckham has placed among all entries from the 5 northernmost counties in Idaho. Congratulations!

Additionally, Hope Elementary School was presented a framed Certificate of Service for "distinguished service in furthering the aims and ideals of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States." Principal Sherri Hatley says that Hope Elementary is "so proud and grateful for our relationship with our Veterans!"

Did you know that 5 days a week, after school learning opportunities are provided for students at Southside Elementary, Kootenai Elementary, and Farmin Stidwell Elementary? The program is grant funded, and began at Kootenai and Farmin Stidwell 5 years ago. The students who are enrolled in the program take part in structured daily activities for several hours after school - Monday through Friday. Reading, art, STEM projects, physical activities, board games, tech-time and math are all incorporated into their afternoons. Each student is also served supper before leaving. The caring professionals who run the after school programs at each school, work with the teachers and staff of the students, partnering with them to support their learning standards. If a child needs extra help with reading or math, this is a supportive environment for them to get the assistance needed.

At Farmin and Kootenai, the After School Program partners with the Music Conservatory to offer choir and percussion lessons. Then in the Spring, University of Idaho and Southside Elementary team up to offer the after school students a "master junior gardening program". Lorainne Gee, CCLC Director, has been overseeing the program for 3 years. Lorainne says that she loves her role because "it is such a huge help to parents to know that their child(ren) are in a safe and supportive after-school environment, at no cost." Hundreds of families have benefited thanks to Lorainne's leadership, her team, and various community partnerships!

Thank you to LPOSD School Nurse Kristina Gavin for her initiative, and for speaking publicly about our school district's AED needs at a recent Bonner County Healthcare Coalition meeting. In doing so, she was met with generosity from Dr. Ron Jenkins, as well as Captain Alan Brinkmeier from Bonner County Emergency Medical Services (BCEMS).

On January 30th, BCEMS donated an AED to Sandpoint High School! It has been installed and is ready for use - should it be required in a sudden cardiac arrest emergency. A heartfelt thank you to BCEMS for helping improve student and staff safety through this incredible donation!

Last year after the Uvalde shooting, parent Tara Laub brought her concerns about school safety to an LPOSD board meeting and expressed her desire to see increased security in our district. Dr. Meyer approached her afterwards, and encouraged Tara to be a part of the District Safety Taskforce - a group of dedicated community members who would meet weekly to discuss ways to accomplish that same goal: increased safety for students and staff. Read more here...

Here is the presentation given to the LPOSD Board during the January meeting.

LPOSD has its first therapy dog this year! Farmin's school counselor, Miss Ellen, brings Pepper to school several times a week, and students are given the opportunity to read books with her. After they read 10 books aloud to Pepper, they get to bring one home as a prize! Thank you to PAFE for funding the books, and for creating this adorable video showcasing the benefits of having a furry staff member onsite.

Pictured above is Lake Pend Oreille High School senior student, Dylan Greer, who has recently presented about the refurbishment and maintenance of dirt bikes. Senior Projects at LPO include a topic of interest (usually career-focused), and includes an interview of someone in the field or a job shadow experience. Students write a paper and then present the information learned about their chosen topic.

At Clark Fork High School, 22 seniors and advanced juniors recently completed their senior projects! On January 11th, students presented skills that they acquired during 40+ hours of job shadowing throughout the semester, in an Independent Track - experiential learning overseen by Ms. Becca Palmer. These students each found a mentor, observed the mentor in their field, and developed job-specific skills. Students chose various careers: linemen, nursing, engineering, firefighting, equestrian therapy, and more! Ms. Palmer says, "About half of the students decided they were, in fact, passionate about pursuing the career they shadowed and one, Breezy Fournier, has already been offered a job as a junior graphic designer. The other half still gained the valuable experience of knowing what they don’t want to do after high school, ultimately saving money and time."

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES WHO SERVED AS MENTORS TO CFHS STUDENTS:

Ruen’s Drilling, Syringa Cyclery, Elite Tire, Evergreen Homestead Supply, Sam Owen Fire District, Turner Promotions, Daher Aircraft Manufacturing, Bagnell Custom Metalworks, Sheena Frymire, Avista Utilities, Northern Lights, Hope Elementary School, Dusty Greer, Little Heisel Service Station, Glahe and Associates, Sandpoint Urgent Care, Sandpoint Family Health Center, Krystle Kohal at Sand Creek Salon, Anderson’s Autobody, Pend Oreille Precision, Century 21 RiverStone, Lewis and Hawn Excellence in Dentistry, Shingle Mill Stables, and Wild Hearts Equestrian Center.

Your time is valuable, and we appreciate your dedication to helping students learn, grow, and thrive in their next steps!

3rd Place Art by: Makayla Fricker

Makayla’s detailed picture is dedicated to her friend Zara. Makayla said, “I decided to enter this art competition in her dedication because I am very thankful I got to meet her!”

2nd Place Art by: Jade Thompson

Jade’s painting captures the crisp, winter days skiing on beautiful Schweitzer Mountain. Jade says she is grateful for “Snowboarding with my friends, and having a great time at the mountain.”

1st Place Art by: Ida Gaddess

Ida’s intricate drawing is dedicated to libraries and books. She says “I love books because they can give you an adventure that you possibly don’t or can’t have.” While Ida is thankful for the public library she also states, “I’m so grateful for the school library and Ms. Curtiss for providing reading material for students, and I spend as much time there as I can. A lot of schools don’t have much for a library, but I am glad we do.”

While Sandpoint High School didn't walk away with the prize in their Battle for the Paddle competition against Lakeland, they did an outstanding job in various competitions against their opponents. We first want to congratulate the Bulldogs on fundraising nearly $16,000 for the Toys for Tots Drive, put on by Sandpoint Lions Club! If you were fortunate enough to be in the crowd on the evening of Friday, January 20th, you would have witnessed tremendous school spirit and energy, great athleticism, and entertaining dance moves! Congratulations to the Sandpoint High School Student Leadership team, and their advisor Mary Imaz, for organizing this traditional event another year...it is no small effort and we are very proud of you! For more pictures, view the Daily Bee Article from January 21 attached here.

A big thank you also to Parker Subaru in CDA for their support of Sandpoint High School clubs and athletics! Through their generous annual donation of a Subaru vehicle used for the raffle, Sandpoint High School has been able to raise $322,851 over 7 years! This has made a lasting impact on student opportunities at SHS!

The winner of the new Crosstrek was drawn at the Battle for the Paddle event. Pictured below is Parker General Manager Troy, and Athletic Director Kris Knowles, calling the winner!

Community members are welcome to attend!