Congratulations, David DeMers, for being selected to fill the trustee vacancy on LPOSD’s School Board. DeMers, a longtime LPOSD educator, coach and administrator, will fulfill the term for Zone 4 due to the resignation of Geraldine Lewis in December. He was sworn in during the Board’s January meeting. DeMers retired in 2018 after a celebrated career in the classroom, and brings a wealth of experience to the job. He is a great addition to a hardworking group of trustees, committed to providing the best education opportunities for all LPOSD students.

Sandpoint High School learned that it was awarded the honor of establishing a new Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program in 2025-26. JROTC is considered an elective class, meaning students choose to take it as part of their course load. There is no military obligation, and the program is not a military preparation class. JROTC will not limit students from participating in extracurricular sports, band, student government or any other club. LPOSD is hosting an informative meeting for students and parents in the Sandpoint Middle School cafeteria Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. For additional information, contact kyle.olmstead@lposd.org. The program is open to all North Idaho secondary students.

Loud, exuberant school pride pulsated everywhere in Sandpoint High School’s gym this month. Students and parents cheered, screamed, clapped and whistled in support of SHS at Battle for the Paddle, a friendly high school competition of spirit, sports and community service against Lakeland High School. The energy was electric during wrestling and basketball games. SHS came up short (Lakeland retained the coveted paddle) but SHS students and fans were amazing. Another impressive effort, SHS!

Lake Pend Oreille School District is proud to highlight a multi-year safety enhancement effort to protect children and staff at all schools.

“It’s essential for this district to protect its greatest asset,” said Superintendent Dr. Becky Meyer. “We are proactively improving school safety protocols for all students and staff.”

Enhancements are visible across all 11 campuses. There’s complete fencing protecting school perimeters, except at SMS and SHS (which continues to be a goal of the Safety Task Force); three LPOSD Campus Security Officers interacting daily with students and staff; and locked internal and external doors.

Clark Fork Jr-Sr High School was recently at the center of the district’s latest effort: an evacuation and reunification drill involving staff, students and families. Within the next three years, all schools will conduct similar drills.

Additional major projects completed:

• Safety communication apps for staff and families.

• Blue beacon & integrated intercom speaker systems updated & expanded.

• Near 100% staff radio accessibility.

• Move-Secure-Defend training for students and staff.

• All schools completed building vulnerability assessments.

• Consistent Lockdown drills to ensure all systems are operating correctly and staff is trained in district protocols.

• Controlled access entries at front entry doors.

• Raptor safety check-in process.

• Required staff badges.

• Crisis Response Plan protocols updated & reviewed with all staff.

CTE courses are associated with higher graduation rates, increased confidence, soft skills, and advanced opportunities! We are passionate about continuing to offer these engaging, hands-on courses that students love!

Sandpoint High School’s Honors International Relations class is hosting a silent auction and fundraising dinner with international cuisine by Marigold Bistro on Saturday, Feb. 1 in the atrium of the Sandpoint Center. Students are attending the most prestigious Model United Nations conference in the world in New York City, and need your help to get there! All funds raised will go towards hotels, flights, conference fees and hopefully some cultural experiences in New York City! For more information, contact coordinate Natalie Thaete at nthaete@gmail.com

Click here to access LPOSD's 2024-25 Academic Calendar!

Idaho's open enrollment law allows students to apply for enrollment in a public school outside their designated attendance area or school district. Open enrollment applications will be accepted at any time throughout the year. However, applications submitted by Feb. 1 may receive first consideration for enrollment in the indicated grade. Planning to attend the school in your designated zone? If so, there is no need to complete the open enrollment application.

This month, Clark Fork juniors and seniors recapped their "job shadowing" work before a panel of judges, responsible for assessing their work and presentations. The semester-long job experience pairs teenagers with Clark Fork, Sandpoint, Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and Montana employers. This year, 12 seniors and three juniors completed 40 hours of work between September and December. If successful, students receive credit for their senior project, an Idaho graduation requirement.

SeeTellNow has a goal of keeping all students in Idaho schools safer by having a confidential

or anonymous tip line to report safety concerns. Go to SeeTellNow.org 24/7/365, download

the SeeTellNow app, or call 888-472-2835.

Through a partnership with Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador’s office and the State Department of Education, LPOSD will share a resource with those who want to participate: free at-home inkless identification kits for the parents or guardians of kindergarten children. When a child goes missing, parents can immediately hand over the completed ID kit to law enforcement, saving valuable time during the initial stages of investigation. A kit will be available for every kindergarten student in the district. Schools will provide notification when the kits are ready. A couple key points to consider:

• The personal information contained in the kits will not enter any database.

• The kits are stored at home by parents and guardians.

• The program is 100% voluntary.

• These kits are provided at no cost to the district or parents.