Wilder School District News
April 2024
Let's Go, 4th Quarter!
The end of the school year is approaching swiftly, remember to finish strong! Showing up everyday will set you up for success!
Check out the gains made in the elementary school. Way to go Wildcats!
The number of students qualifying for the 95% Club is consistently going up.
January - 86 Students out of 188 - 45.7% of student population
February - 121 Students out of 187 - 64.7% of student population
March - 134 Students out of 182 - 72.4% of student population
🗓 Important Dates
- 🌼 April 3 -6 - FFA State Leadership Convention
- 📝 April 12 - On Campus Kindergarten Registration
- 🍎 April 17 - FFA Alumni and Supporters Meeting
- 🐥 April 25 - Wilder FFA Annual Awards Banquet
- 🏃🏽♀️ April 27 - Fun Run!
- 🥎 Spring Athletics
- 📄 April 15 - May 7 - Spring ISAT Testing Window (Grades 3-8, 11)
- 📝 May 6 - 10 - Spring IRI Testing Window (Grades K-3)
Test Taking Tips
As we enter the spring season, it's time for state testing. We understand the importance of ensuring your students feel confident and prepared for these assessments. One of the best ways to support them is by encouraging healthy habits, such as getting a good night's sleep and maintaining a nutritious diet. These practices can significantly contribute to their overall well-being and performance on test days.
To help you support your child during this time, we've compiled some resources with additional tips and strategies. We encourage you to explore them and incorporate any helpful suggestions into your family's routine.
Thank you for your ongoing support in preparing our students for success.
- The 9 BEST Scientific Study Tips Test Anxiety: Crash Course Study Skills #8
- 13 Study Tips: The Science of Better Learning 3 tips on how to study effectively
- How the food you eat affects your brain - Mia Nacamulli
- 🙋♀️ For questions about our state testing, click here.
Important Levy Information from Wilder School District
Dear parents and community,
I am updating you on a recent decision made by the school board. In June 2024, the current COSSA (Canyon Owyhee Student Service Agency) Levy, which voters approved, will expire. The board has agreed to propose a renewal levy to the community to prepare for this.
Our responsibility is to inform you about the levy without trying to influence your vote. The COSSA Levy funds our partnership with neighboring school districts like Marsing, Homedale, Wilder, Parma, & Notus. This funding is specifically designated to pay for services provided by COSSA. Including ten top-notch Career Technical Programs and Special Education services for students who qualify for Individual Education Plans per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/).
How does this affect you as a local taxpayer?
The levy follows Idaho Code 33-317(2) and caps the impact at 1/10th of 1%, which is $100 per $100,000 of taxable property value per year. For our district, this amounts to around $400,000 annually, about 6.5% of our total budget in 2024.
Here's some good news:
In three years, we'll finish paying off the elementary school bond.
Over the years, we've worked with various stakeholders to lessen the financial burden on our community. In 2010, taxpayers paid $642 per $100,000 of property value. Now, in 2024, it's down to $160 per $100,000, including both the COSSA Levy and the elementary bond payment.
Our partnership with COSSA gives us a chance to offer high-quality services at a fraction of the cost.
The Wilder School District has the lowest tax impact on our patrons compared to the other districts in the COSSA Consortium. https://www.sde.idaho.gov/finance/
Contact the district office if you want more details about the COSSA Levy.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dillon
Superintendent
Our COSSA Partnership at Work
At our recent board meeting, Marisol Chavez, a student, was commended for her outstanding academic performance. She is set to graduate ahead of schedule and, thanks to her participation in the COSSA Career Technical Education (CTE) program, will earn her high school diploma along with certification as a nursing assistant!
Child Abuse Awareness Week
The Wilder Police Department partnered with the local school district to raise awareness about the harsh realities and impacts of child abuse. Throughout the week, various fun activities and themed dress-up days have been organized. Tomorrow, an exciting dodgeball event is scheduled, pitting students against members of the police and fire departments!
Spring Athletics Pictures 📸
Softball
Baseball
🥪 Breakfast & Lunch Menu (April 08-12)
Find the entire April menu here on our website. The menu is subject to change based on what is available, but we do our best to keep it updated.
FFA Updates
Wilder FFA Annual Awards Banquet will be held April 25th at 6:00 pm. Please come help celebrate our chapter’s growth and future! See the attached invitation for more information
Chapter Officer applications are available now. Students in 8th-11th grade that commit to being enrolled in an ag class for both semesters next year are eligible. Applications are due April 15th. Please let Mrs. Hernandez know if you would like to apply or have any questions.
The next Alumni and Supporters meeting is April 17th at 6:00 pm. Please come and help support our program.
Wilder Elementary School
Hello Wilder Elementary Wildcats!
I hope Spring Break was restful and fun, preparing students for the last two months of school. A few things to note in the month of April:
- Friday, April 12 is registration for incoming-Kindergarten students. If you know a child living in the Wilder School District that'll be 5 years old by September 1, let parents know we can register them on this day for the upcoming school year. Parents of current Kindergarten students: there will be no school for Mrs. Gallup's or Mrs. Joelson on this day: Friday, April 12.
- For students in grades 3rd - 5th, ISATs begin the week of April 22. Please check out the newsletter section on tips ensuring your student is prepared to demonstrate their commitment to Persisting and Striving for Accuracy.
- The Fun Run for Education is Saturday, April 27 at 9 am. See the flyer on this newsletter for more details.
April is an exciting month! If you have any questions for me, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
~Dr. Zamora
Wilder Mid/High School
Greetings, Wilder Families!
Welcome back from what I hope was an extraordinary and restful Spring Break! It's hard to believe we are in the final stretch of the school year; where did the time go?
We had our Career Fair on April 3rd, where our students could listen and interact with specialists in the workforce, such as cosmetologists, chefs, and architects. We also had nine colleges and five armed forces represented. The recruiters observed and commented that our students were "Well-behaved, polite, and had a deep knowledge base of questions to ask." Way to go, Wildcats!
COSSA Career Day is on April 11th for 9th-12th grade students. They will tour the COSSA facility, from nursing and paramedics to mechanics, welding, and culinary arts.
Congratulations to the Cesar Chavez Art Contest Winners:
1st Place: Kaylee Walker $250.00 prize
2nd Place: Lizvet Vega $150.00 prize
We are so proud of you!
ISAT testing begins this month, with our first test on April 16th and the final test ending on May 7th. Please encourage your student(s) by providing a positive mindset, emphasizing the importance of staying calm and confident, and promoting healthy habits such as sufficient sleep and nutritious meals.
Stay connected for further news and updates from Wilder Middle/High School. Our commitment remains strong in providing meaningful experiences for our students. Feel free to reach out if there's anything I can help you or your family with.
~Principal Lindsey
Idaho Future Ready Academy
Hello IFRA Coyotes!
This is an exciting month of announcements. First, housekeeping:
- IFRA 12th graders and early graduates - there is a bowling night on Thursday, April 4 from 3 - 6 pm at the Nampa Bowl. Two games have been gifted by the bowling alley - so IFRA seniors only need $6 for shoe rentals. Connect with Mrs. Jones at ljones@wilderschools.org for more info.
- ISATs begin the week of April 15 at the Nampa IFRA campus. For IFRA students, you will work with your Advisor to ensure you get scheduled for the correct test on your preferred day within the IFRA testing window. Please check out the newsletter section on tips ensuring your student is prepared to demonstrate their commitment to Persisting and Striving for Accuracy.
- IFRA students and families are invited to The Fun Run for Education is Saturday, April 27 at 9 am in Wilder. See the flyer on this newsletter for more details.
- Our next school social event is in the planning phases, but will be at the end of April. Keep an eye out for more information.
.... and now for an extra exciting announcement:
The Wilder School District Board of Trustees officially voted to rename Idaho Future-Ready Academy for Virtual Learning to....
Wilder Academy of Virtual Education (WAVE).
This is the same great school with the same model, teachers, and staff; however we wanted a name that embodies the experience of our school. We are riding the WAVE into bigger and better things in the coming years. Until this school year ends, we'll keep using IFRA, but as we start re-registration for next school year, you'll start seeing WAVE. Don't worry - if someone googles IFRA, even after we fully transition to WAVE, they should still be able to find us.
~Dr. Zamora