D93 Family Update
September 28, 2023
Superintendent's Message
September Cornerstone: Learning and Literacy
For the past decade, starting back when I served as our Director of School Improvement, District 93 has used the framework of "Professional Learning Communities" as the design of our work to improve student learning in District 93. While I have held a number of different positions since then, I have never let go of my commitment to continue to improve our schools.
The fundamental belief of the PLC framework is that improving professional learning is the key to improving student learning. This belief that drives the work of our teachers. During Monday collaboration time our teachers work together to learn how to best ensure all students learn at high levels. They spend their time developing a deeper clarity of the standards that students are expected to learn, designing ways to assess students' learning progress, and planning ways to provide additional help and support to students who need it.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community to provide this time to our teachers and our teachers' commitment to learn continually how to design success for every student.
Thank you for sharing your FISH! stories about how our incredible teachers and support staff in D93 have been there for their students and for each other. We will share the notes you left with each of them to let them know the impact they have made.
Weekly Schedule
Charter Bus Incident
On Thursday, the driver of a charter bus from Teton Stage Lines who was transporting our Sandcreek volleyball team to Jefferson School District suffered a medical incident. This medical incident led to a minor accident with the bus partially off of the road and straddling an irrigation canal. None of the girls on the team were injured, but the situation did cause a lot of anxiety and trauma for them.
After our team had exited the bus, the driver left the scene of the accident. When he arrived back at Teton Stage Lines, he was transported to the hospital where he is being treated for bleeding in his brain and partial paralysis.
We are grateful that no students or staff members were injured during this situation and hope for a full recovery for the driver. We also wish to express our gratitude to Teton Stage Lines, the Idaho State Police, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and the Jefferson School District for their support in ensuring the safety of our students. Their actions exemplified the power of teamwork.
Our public statement on this incident is published at d93.org/09-27-23.
School Board News
September Work Meeting
Bond Sales Timeline
In their work session on Wednesday, the Board reviewed the timeline to sell the bonds that were approved by D93 voters in August. The Board is planning to sell the bonds on Tuesday, November 14th, if current market conditions remain relatively stable over the next few weeks. Local resident may purchase school bonds through Charles Schwab (www.schwab.com).
Transfer of Right of Way to City of Ammon
The Board also considered a proposal to transfer a 5 foot strip of property and grant an additional 15 foot right of way in front of Tiebreaker Elementary to the City of Ammon to expand 1st Street to a five-lane road. The Board authorized the District to proceed with an appraisal of the property so that they can take action on this proposal at a future meeting.
New School Name
Thanks to everyone who has made suggestions for names for the new elementary school. We would love to get everyone's thoughts about those names. Here is a link to rate the names that have been suggested: my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/682366747/rate.
You can also click "Share thoughts" on the side menu if you have other names you would like to suggest.
Upcoming Meetings
Regular Board Meeting - Wednesday, October 11, 2023 - 6:00 p.m. - Public portion of the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Board Work Meeting - Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 11:30 a.m. - PLC Building
School Communications
Community Events
Student Video Contest
The ISBA Student Video contest is looking for your student’s reason why they love their Idaho public school. Students are asked to create a 60 second video to highlight the reasons why they love their school. The videos of the winners will be shared at ISBA’s Annual Convention in November. For any questions regarding the contest or the rules, please contact katie@idsba.org.
The Details:
Deadline: October 2, 2023
Prize: Each winning district/charter will receive $300
Theme: Why we love our Idaho public school
Information & Details Page: Click here
If you have kids ages 3-5, this monthly newsletter is for you! We send home a newsletter and book to district families that sign up, once a month between October and May. Here is the link to sign-up: Preschool Newsletter Sign Up
D93 Get Help Line
Students, parents, and employees can reach out for help with bullying, harassment, suicidal tendencies, self-harm, threats, or to report weapons at school by going to d93.org/gethelp or sending the text @gethelp to 855-528-0074.
Thank you to our community partners at EIRMC for supporting our D93 Family Update.