January 11, 2015

Read the Superintendent's Letter

Dear Blaine County Neighbor,

As we start a new calendar year and return from some time away with family and friends, I have been reflecting on the state of the Blaine County School District. This district exists for the future of our children. As a community we have said that we expect our schools to inspire, engage, educate and empower our children. We can look at traditional test scores to get one measure of how we are doing. There are other data points that can help us measure how we are doing as well; these include performances and/or competitions, projects students have completed, attendance, participation in school events, etc. Read more here.

BCSD Board of Trustees Offers Contract to Superintendent

In an open meeting on Wednesday, January 6, the Blaine County School District Board of Trustees voted 3-2 to offer a 3-year fixed contract to Dr. GwenCarol Holmes, Superintendent of Blaine County School District. Trustees Bennion, Clayton and Freund voted in favor of the contract. The contract can be terminated without cause with a maximum one-year salary payout without benefits. Read the press release here.

Come to an Elementary Parent Math Night

Monday, January 11

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Hemingway Elementary

Tuesday, January 12

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Community Campus

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.

Student Spotlight

Meet Brady N. Delgadillo 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.

Congratulations to Times News Students of the Week

Athlete / Clarissa Kirkland

Academic / Joel Parke

Congratulations to the Idaho Mt. Express Athlete of the Year

Alec Nordsieck is the Idaho Mountain Express "Athlete of the Year," for 2015, the first time in 38 years of the annual "athlete" selections that an active Wood River male athlete has been chosen for the honor. Read more here.

Hailey Elementary Celebrates Students with Perfect Attendance

Hailey Elementary students with perfect attendance were recognized in December. 63 students at Hailey Elementary had perfect attendance for the first trimester of school. Each student received an award from Principal Biggers and the names were entered into a drawing for an iPad mini. A second grade student in Mrs. Hughston's class won the iPad mini. Congratulations to all of the students who worked hard to come to school each day!

Read more about why attendance counts here.

Seniors Share Personal Projects

100 seniors shared their Personal Projects at Wood River High School. 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 in their projects. Last week, students shared their projects with their peers, teachers, family and the public.

Discover New Resources: Latino Outreach Coordinator Unveils New Facebook Page in Spanish

Distrito Escolar del Condado de Blaine is the new Facebook page for Blaine County School District in Spanish. Latino Outreach Coordinator Gloria Giraldo-Hurst maintains the page for the district. Information from the district Facebook page is translated into Spanish, in addition to other information regarding classes, resources, and opportunities for Spanish-speaking parents and families. Like Distrto Escolar del Condado de Blaine and stay up to date on district information in Spanish!