Inside 271
Staff Newsletter
Coeur d'Alene Public Schools — May 16, 2019
finding Deals for District 271 employees
"The Parker Auto Family wants to thank you for changing the lives of thousands of children each and every day! Your dedication to our youth is inspiring to say the least. The work you do plays a pivotal role in our children’s lives, encouraging a lifelong love of learning and making a difference in their well-being and long-term success."
We thought it would be nice if we designated a spot where all of us can see opportunities such as this. When you go to our district Intranet at my.cdaschools.org, click on the new "Deals/Offers" tab on top next to the Home tab. (If it's your first visit to our Intranet, just use your district log-in and password to sign in.)
And we're sure many of you know of other deals that we can add to the page. If you want us to add one, email it to info@cdaschools.org.
Spots available for our final Profile of a Graduate workshop
Thank you to those of you who have participated in our first two Profile of a Graduate workshops. The feedback we have received from the community about the knowledge, skills and dispositions we aspire to see in our graduates has been fantastic so far.
We have one more workshop, next Thursday, May 23. We would love to hear from more District staff (certified, classified, administrative) as we wrap up this exercise. Remember, the Profile of a Graduate is one of the cornerstones of our new strategic plan for Coeur d'Alene Public Schools. We want your voices heard in this process!
The last workshop will be 5-7 PM at the Hospice of North Idaho Community Room, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d'Alene. We will have snacks!
To sign up, please email Pam Westberg at pwestberg@cdaschools.org
Questions? Know of anyone else who should join us? Contact Scott Maben, ext. 10009 or smaben@cdaschools.org.
Last chance to share your opinion in annual staff survey
Many thanks to everyone who took a few minutes to fill out the Idaho State Department of Education staff survey. The final day to submit your responses is tomorrow, and we strongly encourage those of you who have not yet clicked on this link to do so today or tomorrow.
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey here.
Our goal is to have 95 percent employee participation. We're just over halfway there.
This survey asks for your opinion about school culture, resources that support student learning, and staff support. This is an important piece of the state’s accountability system for public schools, and the intent is to help us improve our schools. Your responses are anonymous and confidential. The survey is around 20 questions.
Congratulations to all of our employees of the year and our retirees
We want to congratulate Rebekah Comstock on being named Educator of the Year for Coeur d’Alene Public Schools. Rebekah teaches art, leadership and yearbook at Lakes Middle School, where she's been the past two years. Before that she taught fifth grade for 13 years at Atlas Elementary School.
“Relationships will always be the most important part of who I am, and I hope that when I build that connection with those I meet, I can help them to see their importance and value,” Rebekah said. “It doesn't matter if it is a student or a coworker. People are important and our words matter. We all need to be reminded of our influence and impact on others. I just try to live this truth out for myself and bleed it into my work.”
She encourages her students to serve others. “Any given day our service can look like high-fives in the hallway or a genuine comment of encouragement. Our sacrifice is giving our time to intentionally listen to the kids who carry a heavy burden. Every day we walk in the school doors with opportunities to potentially change the trajectory of our students’ lives.”
We also paid tribute that evening to the following award winners:
- High school teacher of the year Jared Helm, the theater teacher at Coeur d’Alene High School
- Elementary teacher of the year Nancy Nuttelman, a first grade teacher at Dalton Elementary School
- Rookie teacher of the year Jessica Gaynor, who teaches English, world history and contemporary issues at Venture High School
- Classified employee of the year Nicole Olson, the district’s administrative assistant for curriculum and assessment
idaho music educators association honors spencer normington
"I feel so blessed to do what I love every day," Spencer shared. "I’m thankful for all of the teachers that influenced me throughout my life. Terry, Jean, Pat, Kathy, Cindi, Dianne and of course Julie Johnson. I am who I am thanks to the teachers in my life."
Coeur Group needs our 'likes' to win $2,000 for school locker program
Our friends with the Coeur Group are asking our help to win a little contest sponsored by Safeco Insurance for a $2,000 grant to help with the school locker program. All you need to do is like or comment on a Coeur Group photo on Facebook to help them win. Deadline is tomorrow, May 17, at 1 PM!
Batter up! DISTRICT 271 staff night at Spokane Indians
Save the date (August 18) for our annual Coeur d'Alene Public Schools staff appreciation night at a Spokane Indians baseball game this summer.
The game that Sunday evening starts at 5:09 PM. Gates open an hour prior. Go here to reserve a bench seat for $5. Indians are hosting Eugene.
We also will have Family Feast game nights for all district families, employees and retirees on June 26 and August 28, both at 6:30 PM.
Benefits: Open enrollment begins july 15
The District now uses an online benefit portal, HR Connection, for your benefit needs. All benefited employees will need to re-elect their benefits through the portal during the open enrollment period this summer.
Reminders will be coming, but please mark your calendars now so you don't miss this opportunity and risk losing your coverage. You will not be able to make any new elections until the window opens on July 15. The open enrollment period will run through August 10.
Questions? Contact Shelley Hanzen, Benefits Specialist in our District Office, at ext. 10032 or shanzen@cdaschools.org
Long Range Planning Committee needs members
We are looking for members to serve on the School Board's Long Range Planning Committee. The committee especially is in need of members representing the Borah Elementary and Venture High school zones. But anyone from any zone is welcome to apply.
This group of volunteers creates and reviews the District's long-range plans for facilities. Participation is a four-year commitment. The committee meets once a month, generally on Mondays, from 4:30 to 6 PM at Midtown Center. More information about this committee is available on our website.
To apply, complete and submit this form. All applications will be reviewed by a subcommittee of Long Range Planning.
key dates: Mark your calendar
- May 17 - State accountability staff survey deadline
- May 22 - Native American Graduation and Academic Awards Celebration, Woodland Middle School, 6-8 PM
- May 23 - Profile of a Graduate workshop, Hospice of North Idaho, 5-7 PM
- May 28 - First session of Interest-Based Bargaining, Midtown Center, 9 AM-4 PM
- June 1 - Run for 271, McEuen Park, 7 AM
- June 5 - Project SEARCH end-of-year presentation and celebration, Kootenai Health-Health Resource Center, 4-5:30 PM
- June 6 - Venture High School Commencement, 6 PM
- June 7 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
- June 7 - Family Day in the Park, City Park, noon to dusk
- June 7 - Coeur d'Alene High School Commencement, 7 PM
- June 8 - Lake City High School Commencement, 11 AM
- July 15 - District benefits open enrollment begins
- August 18 - Staff appreciation night at Spokane Indians, 5:09 PM
Stay Connected
Email: info@cdaschools.org
Website: www.cdaschools.org
Location: 1400 N. Northwood Center Court
Phone: (208) 664-8241
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cdaschools
Twitter: @cdaschools