Black Dir Kfoot S Rection 201 Chool D S News 10-2011 District Sletters 1 T 55 S
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Blackfoot School District 55 Directions Newsletters 2010-2011 Directions Newsletter November 2010 ................................... 2 Directions Newsletter December 2010 ................................... 6 Directions Newsletter January 2011 ....................................... 10 Directions Newsletter February 2011 ..................................... 16 Directions Newsletter March 2011 .......................................... 23 Directions Newsletter April 2011 ............................................ 33 Directions Newsletter May 2011 ............................................. 41 Directions Newsletter June 2011 ............................................ 50 Directions: Blackfoot School District #55 Volume 2 Issue 1 November 2010 In This Issue What is a "School Board?" Updated Dress Code Policy Blackfoot High School Hosts The short answer is, "Elected officials who govern the school district." It may not Argentina Principal be commonly known that school board members are not paid. When one District Drama Held at BHS considers the required 15‐20 hours each month of unpaid service, it must also be Students Toot Their Own Horns asked, "Why do they run?" The answer could be one of many: I have children, What is a "School Board?" or grandchildren, in the school district and I feel a sense of commitment to Schools Welcome New provide the best possible education, using a finite number of resources; or, I Administrators have something to contribute in the way of talents or abilities to better the mimios in Education school district; or, I represent a group of people in my voting zone who have a desire to change, or implement a program or issue. Regardless of the reason our Safety Procedures five board members ran, we expect them to represent each of us as they create Restructuring Brings New Programs to BHS policy. Updated Dress Protocol: The public is invited to attend school board meetings that are Code Policy for commonly held the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The November Blackfoot School meeting will be the 18th so as to not fall on Thanksgiving. Because these are Students business meetings, not an open forum, those who wish to address the board should contact Superintendent Crane prior to the board meeting. He will explain the proper procedure for addressing the board. Other than that time, patrons and visitors may not address the board. At the October 28th board meeting there was noticeable tension between the board members who vehemently represent their zones. It is perfectly understandable that when strong willed people feel passionately about a topic, that there will be conflict. It is hoped and expected that civility and decorum will The District Uniform/Dress preside and win or lose, each board member will accept the final vote. Code Committee worked diligently to decide the proper Being a school board member can be a tough and thankless job, but be assured direction the district should go when it comes to dress that you, as a patron, are being represented. It is proper to contact your school code and uniforms at our board member individually especially if you have a concern you'd like the entire public schools. The board to address. It's also appreciated when you see your board member to say, committee, headed by Jake Jacobson, shared they would "Thank you." like input from parents, students and the community before coming to their final decision. To make this possible, a survey was available online at the district website. A final decision was made and the Blackfoot Schools Welcome New Administrators School Board Policy was amended May 20, 2010. Five Schools in the Blackfoot School District welcomed new administrators this fall. To review the Updated Dress Blackfoot High School - Wes Jensen, Dean of Students Code Policy 511.50, please visit the District Website at Mountain View MIddle School - Brian Kress, Principal www.d55.k12.id.us Click on 'District News' then Fort Hall Elementary - Brenda Honena, Principal click on the 'Updated Dress Code Policy 511.50' link Groveland Elementary - Christine Silzly, Principal Picture Caption: 6th Grade Irving Kindergarten Center - J Thayne, Principal students at BSGS show off their style. Blackfoot High School Hosts Argentina Principal mimios in Education Shawnee Stosich, Public/Media Relations "The students think it's magic!" claims Elisa Miskin, Groveland's 3rd grade teacher and technology director. "They love it!" Ms. Miskin is referring to the use of a mimio in her reading and mathematics lessons. The mimio is a technological device that allows Blackfoot High School teachers to turn their whiteboards into interactive Students had the opportunity computer screens. Everything that is on their of welcoming Argentina computer is now accessible on their whiteboard. With the use of a mimio pen or the mimio Principal Luisa Diaz through pad, information can be recorded from the board and stored to be utilized later. The screen an exchange program known that appears on the whiteboard is the same page or worksheet that appears in the students' as the Fulbright Principal workbooks and text books. Many text book companies provide interactive websites for Exchange Program. teachers to use in their classrooms, the mimio helps that interaction to be realized and adds "I came here in order to learn to the overall educational experience. more about schools; not only schools, but their culture "This is such an interactive world, students almost need something like this to stay involved too. We understand how in the lesson" shares Miskin. The students view in their textbooks what is displayed on the schools function through the whiteboard, they have visual cues as to where they should be and can easily follow along. culture as well." shares Diaz, " I am looking for activities Groveland is the first elementary school to use the mimio in the classroom. When last happening in the schools, not year's principal, Troy J Thayne, learned of the opportunity, he jumped at the chance and only teaching but how obtained one of three available to the district at the time. He felt it should be utilized in the classes are organized, classroom and it has been in Miskin's class since last spring. Each teacher at Groveland everything was provided a projector this year thanks to the efforts of this year's principal Christine I can gain." Silzly. With these projectors and the mimio capability the possibilities are endless for what can be done in the classroom. "Students love technology," says Thayne, "the mimio allow us In June of 2010 Principal to access the adaptations we've made to the fullest. All around, technology is a better Blaine McInelly had the method of delivery." opportunity to visit Diaz's school in Cordoba. "She has Every school in the district has an opportunity to obtain a mimio for their school use through a a lot to share with us too" grant from the district. The school is asked to demonstrate how it is used in the classroom shares McInelly. "We have for teaching and in leadership capacities. The district is hoping to add more mimios for future really enjoyed having use. her. She is very pleasant and compassionate." To learn more you can visit www.mimio.com Diaz shared these last words Picture Caption: Groveland Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher, Elisa Miskin, reads along with about her her class using the interactive whiteboard that mimio provides. experience here: "I am very glad to be here. Thanks to all the staff here and the students. They are very kind and have shown me many things. I would also like to thank Mr. Safety Procedures - Reminder to Parents McInelly and his wife for hosting me and being so Infrequently, we are forced by emergency situations to close a particular school or to close all kind. I feel as if they are my of the schools in the district. Sometimes a closure will occur before the school children are to own family." report to school for the day. On other occasions, the closure will occur after school has started. Closures may occur due to a civil defense alert, a natural disaster, severe weather, Picture Caption: Luisa Diaz a problem related to the school physical facility or many other reasons. Should there be a poses for a picture with need for a school (or all schools) to close, we will follow these procedures so parents will be Blaine McInelly at BHS. notified as soon as possible. (Obviously, a personal contact cannot be made with each child's parents.) 1. The public will be notified by radio and/or television. If the emergency involves civil defense problems, police mobile broadcast, and civil defense procedures will be used. District Drama held at BHS 2. Students who ordinarily walk to school will be dismissed and will be expected to proceed directly home. However, parents may give their children specific instructions to go to another Saturday, November 13th, location, as family situations may dictate. Blackfoot High School hosted the district drama festival to 3. Bus students will be transported to their regular route drop-off point. As is usual at the select students who would close of a regular school day, it will be the responsibility of the parents to get their children represent their schools at the from these bus stops. If parents are not available, they should provide their children with State Drama specific instructions about how to proceed from the bus stop. Competition. BHS will be sending three: Haley 4. For the safety of their children, parents need to review with them the procedures they are Krehbiel in Audition, Angelica to follow should school close early, including where to go if the parents are not Winkler in Solo Serious, and home. Children need specific instructions such as where to find the house key, what to do Cheyenne Oleson in Solo when arriving home if no one else is there, and what to do at home should there be a real or Humorous.