January 12, 2015

Superintendent's Letter

Dear Blaine County Community,

School is back in session after the flurry of fall and winter holidays. This portion of the school year is one of the most productive times for learning. The holidays have concluded and students and educators are able to settle into a rhythm of learning without many interruptions during January, February and March. It is one of my favorite times of the year for visiting classrooms. Watching students learn as they collaborate with peers and apply their learning to life is a thrilling experience. Read more here.

Ways to See Daniel Pink: What You Need to Know About Tickets, Webcasts and Parking

Daniel Pink: Creating a Culture of Innovation

Thursday, January 15, 6:00 p.m.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater at the Community Campus

For People Who Reserved Tickets: Pick your tickets up at the Community Campus front desk by Wednesday, January 14. The front desk will be open from 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. through Wednesday.

For People Who Want Tickets: Beginning at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, January 15, all unclaimed tickets will be given to those wanting tickets.

If you don't have a ticket for Daniel Pink, there are two easy ways to see Daniel Pink:

Come on Thursday, January 15 to ask for unclaimed tickets
Watch a live webcast at Carey School, The Community Library or the Community Campus

Iconoclast Books will have books for sale the night of the event at the Community Campus.

Strategic Plan Begins January 21

Come to any one of the Community Meetings to brainstorm ideas around the educational values and mission of the Blaine County School District. This is YOUR chance to make your voice heard in setting the future direction of the school district. Come to any one of the meetings that fits your schedule.

January

Wednesday, January 21, 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Drop-in during Student Led Conferences

Carey School, Carey

Thursday, January 22, 12:00-1:00 p.m.

YMCA, Ketchum

Thursday, January 22, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Community Campus, Hailey*

Click here for meeting schedule in February and May.

*Spanish interpretation and childcare available.

Flu Season is Here: We're Committed to Stopping Its Spread

How will we respond to student illness?

Staff will assess the child.

If a child is coughing, sneezing or showing other signs of respiratory illness, the child will wear a mask to help prevent the spread of illness and germs while they wait to be picked up by a parent or guardian.

While waiting for a parent or guardian to pick the child up, we will keep the child isolated in a health room, conference room, or other space away from other students and staff.

Students Collaborate and Make a Difference

The entire 6th grade students of Wood River MIddle School participated in a powerful community service project. Students wanted to help with a book drive to add to the holiday baskets distributed by the Sawtooth Board of Realtors.

Students in five of the language arts classes created and mass-produced buttons to promote the gift of reading and caring for others. Students from the math classes marketed and promoted the sale of the buttons with the proceeds going to buy books to add to the baskets. Humanities students sold the buttons and helped get the fundraiser started.

Finally, all of the students in the science classes made homemade cards to include in the baskets. Every single sixth grader was involved in multiple parts of this project. They learned that they can each make a positive difference. Wow-students.org partnered with the 6th grade and helped raise over $7,000 to contribute to the baskets. 350 baskets were distributed during the holidays. A truly valuable experience for all!

Zions Pays for A's

Zions Bank presented Wood River High School student Nelson Cantrell a $100 Scholarship for Zions Pays For A's program.

Students in grades 7-12 are paid up to a dollar for each "A" on their report cards and entered to win scholarship savings accounts through the Pays for A's program. Following is the schedule for the Winter and Spring 2015 $100 savings account drawings, along with the $1000 statewide year-end drawing:

Winter 2015 $100 savings account drawing:

* Report cards due by 1/26

* Winners announced: 2/2-2/6

Spring 2015 $100 savings account drawing:

* Report cards due by 4/3

* Winners announced:4/6-4/10

$1,000 Statewide Year End Drawing:

* Report cards due by 7/10

* Winners announced: Oct. 2015

Find out more here.

2015/2016 School Calendar

Dates you need to know for next school year:

Tuesday, September 8 Start of School

Friday, December 18 Early Release

Monday, January 4 School Resumes

Friday, March 18 Early Release

Monday, March 28 School Resumes

Friday, June 10 School Ends

ISAT 2.0 Tip of the Week

The Smarter Balanced assessments provide an academic checkup for students by measuring real-world skills like critical thinking and problem solving. In addition, they provide real-time information during the year to give teachers and parents a better picture of where students are succeeding and where they need help.

Blaine County Commissioner's Hold Hearing on Social Hosting Ordinance

The Blaine County Commissioners' public hearing regarding the proposed Social Hosting Ordinance will take place on Tuesday, January 13 at 6:30 pm in the Minnie Moore room of the Community Campus in Hailey.

To read the proposed draft ordinance, click here.

Audition for Cinderella

The WRHS Drama Department will audition for Cinderella (an updated version) on Monday, January 12 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater at the Community Campus. For more information, contact Drama Teacher Karl Nordstrom at knordstrom@blaineschools.org. Young male actors are encouraged to audition for roles.

Student Spotlight

Meet Allison Jones in the Weekly Sun Student Spotlight. To read the article go here.

Each week, Jonathan Kane will be profiling a local high-school student. If you know someone you'd like to see featured, email brennan@theweeklysun.com.

Free Tech Classes for Parents:

Password Management

Tuesday, January 13

6:00-7:00 p.m.

Technology Department, 3rd Ave South, Hailey

Next to the Senior Connection

How many passwords do you have? Where do you store them? What if there was a way to remember your passwords in your head? Without writing them down? If you are intrigued, then come to this class to achieve password freedom.

Issue: 142