Dear Cascade Families,

We have a busy and exciting week coming up, and I wanted to share a few important updates with you.

Our Spring Book Fair will be held the week of April 14–17. It’s a great opportunity to encourage a love of reading, and we hope you’ll stop by!

• Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 3:45–5:00 p.m.

• Wednesday: Extended hours until 6:00 p.m.

We also invite you to come out and support our student-athletes this spring! Whether it’s cheering on the track team or rooting for our golfers, your presence makes a big difference.

On Wednesday, April 17 at 2:15 p.m., we’ll be hosting Grandparents Day for our K–5 students. We’d love to see as many grandparents as possible join us for this special event. Please watch for more details from your child’s classroom teacher.

As we head into the final stretch of the school year, I encourage all families to stay involved—attend events, support your children’s efforts, and help them finish the year strong. Your encouragement and involvement mean the world to our students.

Thank you for your continued support!

More information coming soon!

Elementary parents, please be on the lookout for an email with details.

We will be holding Kindergarten Registration on Friday, May 2nd, from 10:00–11:00 AM and 1:30–2:30 PM.
This is an exciting step in your child’s educational journey, and we look forward to welcoming our newest students! Please bring the following documents to complete the registration process:

• Your child’s birth certificate

• Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement)

• Immunization records

We look forward to seeing you there!

Parents in the Treasure Valley area are encouraged to join Idaho PTA, the Youth Mental Health Alliance and others on Saturday, April 26 at Eagle High School for the "More Social, Less Media" free community summit. The summit will feature hands-on workshops, interactive tech expo, food trucks and more. It will cover a variety of topics that affect students and families, including smartphone alternatives, internet security, home security and disconnecting from screens and connecting with the wider community. Parents are encouraged to drop in any time between 12 - 4 p.m. and free childcare is provided.

Members of the community can also sign up to volunteer at the event here. Learn more and sign up to attend at the button below:

This event provides parents with the tools, insights, and resources to better understand several of the major forces that are impacting your kids’ psychological, emotional, and physical well-being, including social media.

RSVP Here

Please continue to check our website for open coach positions for the upcoming school year!

https://www.cascadeschools.org/page/classifiedcoach-positions

What: Dream Big Career Connections Fair

When: Thursday April 24th 2025

Time: 1:30pm-4:30pm

Location: Cascade Schools Gym

Join us for this year's Career Fair, along with our 7th–12th grade students!
We’ll have representatives from various industries, hands-on activities, resume-building sessions, and mock interviews. It’s a great opportunity to connect with local employers and explore potential career paths. This event promises to be a valuable experience for both our students and the community!

For more information please contact our Guidance Counselor at:

candice@cascadeschools.org

Shore Lodge in Mccall is hosting a Career Fair on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025.

If you missed our February meeting, don’t worry! We’re hosting another informational meeting about the exciting opportunity for Cascade High School students to travel to Ireland and England in May 2026.

📅 Date: April 15th
📍 Location: Cascade School Board Room #135
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM

Come learn about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Bring your questions and your wanderlust—we’ll handle the details. Click on the link below to RSVP - Please register even if you can't make it to the meeting, but would like the information.

Hope to see you there!

Transition services help prepare students with disabilities for life after high school. These services focus on building skills for employment, further education, and independent living. Parents should be involved in transition planning, which typically begins at age 16, to ensure their child’s future goals are addressed in the IEP. Collaborating with teachers and exploring community resources can make the transition process smoother. ​

​.

Nicole Dellabalma

Director of Special Services

nicole@cascadeschools.org

The Idaho Legislature recently passed Senate Bill 1069, revising requirements for literacy support in grades K–3. Starting July 1, 2025, students who score below basic on reading assessments must receive at least 60 hours of extra support, while those at basic will receive 30 hours. The law emphasizes evidence-based instruction, parent involvement, and requires state-approved intervention tools.

Teachers and elementary administrators will also receive state-provided training focused on the science of reading. While the law offers valuable support for young readers, small rural districts like ours may face challenges with staffing, scheduling, and transportation under these new mandates.

We’ll continue working to ensure all students get the support they need to become confident readers by the end of 3rd grade.

Starting July 1, 2025, a new Idaho law (House Bill 396) updates school transportation rules. The law allows schools to use additional types of vehicles—like vans and activity buses—for specific student needs such as special education, preschool, and career training. Traditional yellow buses will still be used for most daily routes.

The law also includes updated safety inspection requirements and provides more funding flexibility for rural districts like ours. These changes help us operate more efficiently while continuing to prioritize student safety.

If you have questions about your child’s transportation, feel free to contact the district office.

The Idaho Legislature recently passed House Bill 305, updating how schools are funded for staffing. Starting July 1, 2025, schools like ours may see a slight increase in funding for teachers and administrators, with additional support for small districts like ours.

Key highlights:

• Extra staffing support for districts with fewer than 40 support units.
  

• Flexibility to use funds for virtual classes or shared staff.
  

• Kindergarten teachers can use the first week for family visits to build early relationships.
  

• Waivers are available if staffing falls short of accreditation needs.
  
  

While these changes bring modest improvements, staffing challenges in rural areas remain. We’ll continue advocating for the support our students and staff deserve.

April 16, 2025

6:00pm

Room 135

Topics you will see on this meeting agenda are:

• Policy 2720 - Participation in Commencement Exercises (2nd Reading)
• Policy 3335 - Academic Honesty (1st Reading)
• 2025-2026 Master Calendar Reading (3rd Reading)
• HVAC controller bid
• Long Term Strategic Planning Vision, Values, Objectives - see our website
• Simbli Board Management Software
• Special Education Teacher Resignation
• Elementary Teacher Resignation

Please contact joni@cascadeschools.org if you have questions about any of these topics.

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Carrie Ferguson as the next Principal of Cascade Schools! With over two decades of experience as a teacher, reading specialist, and administrator, Mrs. Ferguson brings not only deep knowledge of instruction and leadership, but also a heartfelt passion for kids and community. Her work has always centered on nurturing school cultures where students feel known, valued, and challenged to grow. Whether it’s through supporting staff with meaningful feedback or leading data-informed school improvement, she brings a calm and confident presence that puts people first—especially children.

What drew Dr. Ferguson to Cascade was not just the opportunity to lead a school, but to become part of a community that believes in raising kids together. Already connected to the Valley County area through her current teaching role, she understands the values that matter here: relationships, collaboration, and believing in every student’s potential. We are confident she will be a champion for our Rambler students and a thoughtful partner to families and staff. Please join us in welcoming Carrie Ferguson to Cascade!

"Engaging every student every day in character development and rigorous education."

Email: joni@cascadeschools.org
Website: https://www.cascadeschools.org/
Location: 209 North School Street, Cascade, ID, USA
Phone: (208)630-6057
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CascadeRamblers422
Twitter: @ourschool