Hot, Hot Updates
May 25, 2022
Last Day of School Reminders
A couple of reminders as we wrap up the 2021-22 school year on Friday, May 27.
- There will be NO Late Start Friday on the last day of school.
- All schools will be dismissed 90 minutes early.
- There will be no kindergarten on the last day of school.
- There will be no pre-k classes on Thursday or Friday.
If you have any questions about the schedule, please check with your school.
Reflections on the 2021-22 School Year
We launched the first issue of this year’s D91News Newsletter with an interview with Supt. Dr. Jim Shank so it seems only fitting we end the year with another interview with the superintendent.
- What have you enjoyed most about your first year leading the district? I have very much enjoyed working with so many talented, dedicated educators, and the wonderful students they serve. Reconnecting with the community of Idaho Falls and its great culture has been a real highlight and a pleasure.
- What are you most proud of? I am proud to be a part of a great institution that promotes learning, growth, and development for all its students. As part of that focus, we are implementing the largest summer learning program in the district’s history. Next year we also are launching new programs including districtwide full-day kindergarten and the new stand-alone Career and Technical Education Center.
- What else are you proud of? I am very proud of the many accomplishments we’ve celebrated with students and staff this year such as individual, state and district athletic championships; our three National Merit Scholarship finalists; the 40th anniversary of the District Musical; the 4th grade Rendezvous; the 5th grade Patriotic Program; the 6th Grade Track Meet; our regional, district and state qualifiers in BPA and other clubs and organizations; and our first school earning HRS Level 1 status. We have so much to celebrate!
- What are your plans this summer? I hope to spend a few days with family on the west coast and also in the local mountains.
- What will you be working on this summer to prepare for the 2022-23 School Year? District administrators and principals will initiate a strategic planning process focused on becoming a system of “High Reliability Schools.” This work will be a top priority as we identify where we are in our progression, where we want to be, and what we will do to get there.
- What about facilities work planned this summer? We have a full slate of construction projects underway that will require my attention. In addition, I’m very excited about the improvements to Ravsten Stadium, which will include turf and track and lighting upgrades. It is a significant investment in the future of this facility, which will serve our community for generations to come.
- Anything else you want to add? I want to thank everyone for working together to help keep our kids in school as we managed a fair amount of illness. There were weeks in January and February where we “bent but did not break.” This is due to the great support of teachers, staff, principals, substitute teachers and their willingness to step forward and fill in where needed. We simply could not do have done this without all of you!
D91 Offers Free Meals This Summer
The district is pleased to offer free breakfast and lunch at schools throughout Idaho Falls this summer. All children in Idaho Falls ages 18 or younger can take advantage of this program. Breakfast at all locations will be served from 8:30 am to 9 am. Lunch will be served from 11:45 am to 12:15 pm. All meals must be eaten on site. To-go meals are not available this year.
Please check dates carefully because they vary by school:
- Skyline: June 6-July 1
- Compass: June 13-24
- Emerson: June 13-30 & July 6-28
- Fox Hollow, Hawthorne, Longfellow & Dora Erickson: June 13-July 1 & July 11-29
- Ethel Boyes: June 6-July 1 & July 11-29
If you have questions, please call the D91 Child Nutrition office at (208) 525-7532
Still Time to Give Input!
D91 is considering adoption of the digital Second Step as the K-6 counseling curriculum. See resources and give feedback at www.ifschools.org.
Download D91App Today!
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Sign Up For Summer Band/Orchestra:
D91 is offering summer band and orchestra classes from June 6-29 at Taylorview for students in 5th grade, 6th grade or older.
Seeking Volunteers For Curriculum Committee
As part of D91’s ongoing efforts to involve parents and patrons in the curriculum adoption process, the district is looking for volunteers to serve on a newly created District Curriculum Materials Adoption Committee. This committee will provide oversight on curriculum adoptions and advise the Board of Trustees on the selection of curriculum materials.
The creation of this committee is in accordance with new requirements passed by the Legislature. It will include three teachers, one board member, a district administrator, a community member and six parents. The group will meet about three times a year. If you’re interested in serving, please complete this form. If you have questions, contact D91’s Director of Curriculum and Professional Development Kris Smith at smitkris@sd91.org.
“As we work to ensure our teachers and students have the very best curriculum resources and materials aligned with state standards and state assessments, we strive to be fully transparent, to involve parents and to work with our community,” Smith said.
Investing In Our Teachers & Staff
With increased state investments in education this year, D91 has been able to invest in its teachers and staff. Contract negotiations between the Idaho Falls Education Association, which represents D91’s teachers and certified staff, and a team representing the Idaho Falls Board of Trustees concluded earlier this month. The teams reached an agreement that provides increased compensation and better benefits for D91’s teachers and staff. Highlights of the 2022-23 contract include:
- An average 5 percent increase in salaries for teachers and staff
- A shift to the state health insurance fund, which will result in savings for most employees, especially those with families. (This constitutes a substantial investment by the district, but will be a huge benefit to our employees and allow us to provide a very competitive and rewarding benefits package.)
- A $50 monthly one-time payment for a medical premium offset.
- At least a $750 one-time payment in November 2022 paychecks for eligible full-time employees. Part-time employees would receive a prorated amount.
- A $750 one-time payment in the January 2023 paychecks for eligible full-time employees. Part-time employees would receive a prorated amount.
Coming Soon! New D91 Website:
Support the D91 Ed Foundation!
Come to the 4th of July Parade!
Important Dates:
Friday, May 27: Last day of school. Schools out 90 minutes early
- Monday, May 30: Memorial Day
- Wednesday, June 15: D91 Budget Hearing, 5:30 pm, IFHS Media Center
- Wednesday, June 15: Board Business Meeting, 6 pm, IFHS Media Center
- Tuesday, June 11: Board Work Session, 6 pm, IFHS Media Center
- Monday, July 4: Independence Day
- Wednesday, July 13: Board Business Meeting, 6 pm, IFHS Media Center
- Wednesday, Aug. 17: First Day Back For Teachers & Certified Staff
- Saturday, Aug. 20: Heart of Idaho Century Ride, Snake River Landing
- Tuesday, Aug, 23: First Day of 2022-23 School Year. (Whooohoooo!)
D91's Biblioburro To Inspire Summer Reading
Watch for D91's Biblioburro this summer! Inspired by the story of Luis Sorian, a Columbian teacher who delivered books to children in La Gloria, Colombia, using his two donkeys, D91will be using the specially decorated van to deliver books to children around the Idaho Falls community this summer.
The van loaded with books will be visiting each of the district's summer school locations, as well as other community events. Watch for more details and please keep reading with your children this summer!
D91 Offers Mental Health Resources
Just a reminder Idaho Falls School District 91 is pleased to offer our parents and families mental health resources through a partnership with the Cook Center for Human Connection and ParentGuidance.org. Resources range from online classes and tutorials to Ask a Therapist Q&A’s to Coaching for Parents. These resources are free of charge, and they are available all summer.
The Coaching for Parents program includes weekly calls, 24/7 texting with 24-hour response, guided, step-by-step resources, tools & tips to help you parent and confidential help. Learn more and register for free parent help here: Superhero-Coaching flyer. Check www.ifschools.org this summer for more mental health tips and resources.
Tech Project On Tap This Summer
D91’s technology department will be hard at work this summer with a number of projects designed to make our students, staff and schools safer, and to also enhance the instructional technology available to students. Here’s a quick look at some of these projects:
- New Chromebooks For 7th & 8th graders: Next year’s middle schoolers will be assigned brand new generation 9 Chromebooks with a hard-shell case, and students will use these same computers for the next four to six years. Watch for more details in August!
- Elementary Surveillance Project: Tech crews are finishing up installation of a comprehensive security camera system at all 12 of our elementary systems, and the project is two months ahead of schedule. (Whooohooo!!!) Improvements and updates to augment and modernize camera systems in our secondary schools are planned this summer.
- Vape Sensors Coming To Secondary Schools: About 40 to 50 HALO vape sensors will be installed in our middle and high school restrooms this summer. These sensors will help administrators detect and minimize vaping in our schools.
- Access Controls In High Schools: As part of the district’s longtime effort to improve the safety and security of all our schools, we are pleased to announce an access control system has been installed at Skyline High School. An access control system will be installed in Compass Academy this summer, and then another at IFHS next fall.