December 16, 2015

Help the Board of Trustees: Take the Budget Survey by Friday

Over 430 people have responded to the budget survey. We want to hear your opinion on the services and programs that you value. Join over 430 voices and take the survey today!

The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees are in the process of creating a five year fiscal plan. This survey continues the conversation that began with the 24 budget meetings held in October during the Financial Plan Listening Tour. If BCSD maintains the current programs and services, in 2-3 years expenses will exceed revenue by $2.75 million annually.

The results of the Financial Plan Listening Tour indicated that the community would like more information on the following topics identified during the budget meetings:

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme
BCSD Administrative Staff - District Office
Communications Department
Two teacher prep periods at Wood River Middle School and Wood River High School
Parent Liaisons
Community Event Support
Two possible solutions to maintain current programs

Over 430 people have responded to the survey, we want to hear your opinion on the services and programs that you value. Join over 430 voices and take the survey today!

Emergency Drill Gives Students and Staff Time to Practice

On Friday, December 11, Wood River Middle School students and staff practiced a large-scale evacuation exercise and parent reunification. The purpose of the drill was to practice the safe evacuation of students and parent/student reunification. Staff used the Incident Command System and the Standard Response Protocol. Thank you to the WRMS students and staff, Hailey Elementary staff, and WRMS parents who volunteered to help. Thank you to the Hailey Fire Department, Hailey Police Department and Blaine County Disaster Services for providing feedback on the drill. We are grateful for their support.

Students Get Ahead with Microsoft Certification

Wood River High School business teacher Lisa Hoskins wrote, "A new program through the Microsoft IT Academy and Certiport at Wood River High School has provided the opportunity for freshmen in Computer Applications to train and certify for the Microsoft Office Specialist Word 2013 exam." Read more here.

Elementary Conferences Bring Parents, Students and Teachers Together

Elementary conferences brought parents, students and teachers together last week. At Alturas Elementary, students joined their parents to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the standards in student-led conferences. Standards based report cards were implemented district wide in grades K-3 several years ago, reporting progress specific to standards.

WRHS Drama Students Compete

The WRHS Drama department took its largest team ever to district drama in November at Canyon Ridge High School in Twin Falls. 32 students competed in 30 events and the results were a 3rd place finish for the Serious Ensemble "Emotional Creature" and a state birth, an alternate to state, placing for Juliette Rollins and Taylor Telford for their Serious Ensemble "'Night Mother." Maddie Biggers was an alternate to state for her costume design for "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Read more here.

Student Spotlight

Meet Carmen Leslie in the Weekly Sun.

Each week, Jonathan Kane will be profiling a local high-school student. If you know someone you'd like to see featured, e-mail jkjohnkane@gmail.com.

Read the article here.

Elementary Parent Math Nights

Monday, January 11

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Hemingway Elementary

Tuesday, January 12

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Hailey Elementary

Dr. Jonathan Brendefur and Sam Strother will present Parent Math Nights on January 11 and 12. Elementary parents will participate in fun and informative math activities that will help parents learn way to support the learning of mathematics for students K-5th Grade. Topics include basic number facts, fractions and algebra. Parents are welcome to attend either math night, regardless of where their child attends school. Spanish interpretation available.

Board Takes Action to Correct Mistake: Read the Board Brief and Watch the Board Webcast

At the December 8 regular meeting, the Board of Trustees corrected the open meeting laws that had been violated and made the motion that any action taken at those meetings was void. This nullified the Superintendent's contract extension and the Board's decision on November 17. Currently the Superintendent has a contract that expires July, 2016. Read the press release here.

For more information on the December 8 Board of Trustees meeting you can watch the webcast or read the Board Brief.

Happy Holidays from the Blaine County School District

Together, we can inspire, engage, educate and empower every student. Warm wishes this holiday season! Art by Caitie Sfingi, WRHS Student, 2015.

Public Invited to Personal Project Exhibitions

Wednesday, January 6

1:00-3:00 p.m.

Wood River High School

100 seniors will showcase their Personal Project in the Gym and the Commons at Wood River High School. The public is welcome to attend.

The Personal Project is a chance for students to choose what they want to learn and explore beyond the classroom setting. Students set their own criteria on how they will be scored allowing them the freedom of choice. Advisor Sarah Allen stated, "Seeing the different types of projects is a constant reminder about how amazing, interesting, and diverse our students in this valley are. Some projects that will be presented this year include an honor locker, building a fly fishing rod, stand-up comedy, building a convertible table, refurbishing a motorcycle, welding a chandelier, learning special effects makeup, learning other cultures through their cookies, and many more. Because the students are inspired by their project, they become engaged and enjoy showcasing their work. Please come to support the students on Wednesday, January 6 from 1pm-3pm at the Wood River High School Gym and Commons. The students would love to see you."

Cox Offers Discounted Internet Service for Low Income Families

Connect2Compete is high-speed internet that is available from Cox for $9.95/month to qualified families. According to Cox, families qualify if they have at least one child eligible for free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program unless they have an outstanding Cox bill or unreturned equipment or have subscribed to Cox High-Speed Internet service within the last 90 days.

Eligible families can apply online by visiting www.connect2compete.org/cox or by calling toll-free 1-855-222-3252.