This has been a tough week. On Monday, we celebrated the life--and mourned the loss--of our dear friend and long-time colleague Abbie Zaladonis. On Wednesday, we experienced another unexpected tragedy with the sudden death of our Black Canyon student Lila (Ash) Bradshaw.

These experiences have a way of helping us to reflect on what matters most in our lives. It is so easy to get caught up in the business of life and school and work and to miss the things that really matter.

For me, those things are my relationships with my family and my friends, and whether each day I am making a difference in someone’s life. But it is so easy to overlook those things and to let other responsibilities demand my time and attention.

I would bet this is true of most of us most of the time. The key is to make sure we prioritize what matters most and to make sure we are intentionally investing our time and attention on those things.

I hope that this Memorial Day weekend, you can find time to focus on the things that matter most to you. That you will be able to invest time in the relationships in your life. Because, as we have felt so deeply this week, we never know when our chances to have that time will run out.

No.

If a tragedy like this were to happen, we would communicate this critical information to our families and staff. As typically happens, someone started this rumor based on faulty assumptions.

No.

However, because of the need to inform teachers of our student's sudden death, we did ask all teachers attend a meeting during their class time. During that time, office staff as well as members of the District Leadership Team, monitored students in each pod to ensure students were safe and engaged in their learning. But the school was never put into lockdown.

We have a fundamental responsibility to communicate the essential facts of any incident, but we can rarely share all of the facts of any situation. Here are key reasons why:

• Law enforcement or other agencies may share certain information with us that we are not permitted to share with the public.
• We may receive preliminary information, but do not yet have an official confirmation of that information.
• Federal and state laws also protect the privacy of our students and our staff and we cannot divulge information that would violate those laws.
• We also feel a deep sense of obligation to respect the privacy of our families when they are experiencing personal tragedy.

For these reasons, we can only share the essential facts of any given situation, which unfortunately, does sometimes lead to unfounded rumors and speculation.

For years, D93 has organized a team of counselors and social works with specialized knowledge and experience in responding to crisis situations, especially incidents of sudden deaths. This team is called to respond whenever we experience the sudden death of a student or staff member at a school and at other times when additional support may be needed.

This week, the D93 crisis team has provided invaluable support to Black Canyon staff and students. In the video below, Christie Lamb and Jason Butikofer emphasized the importance of providing this support to our schools. They highlighted the team's swift, compassionate response to crises, helping both staff and students cope and heal. The team's proactive efforts and dedication to accurate, effective communication have been crucial in managing grief and preventing further trauma. Their ongoing work underscores the district's commitment to mental health and community support.

#WeAreD93

The last day of school is a 1/2 day on Thursday, May 30th. Please click the button for the schedule.

The next Board meeting which includes a budget presentation and hearing will be on June 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the District Office Board Room. The public business section of the agenda will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am excited to share information regarding a summer work experience opportunity for your student. District 93 has partnered with Vocational Rehabilitation to offer your student a chance to work and get paid while learning valuable job skills. This opportunity is open to any student aged 14 and older who has an IEP, a 504 plan, or a diagnosed disability. We have 40 spots available.

The program will run from July 1st through August 1st, with July 4th off, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants will work on weeding and trash pickup at the Campbell Gym, each of the high schools and middle schools, and possibly some elementary schools. The student (and/or their family) will be responsible for transporting the student to and from the job site each day.

The student needs to bring food to eat during a break, during which we will also discuss and practice job skills. Additionally, the student should bring water or other hydrating drinks to limit the effects of working in the sun. The student also needs to bring their own gloves; all other tools will be provided.

If your student is interested, please contact Rachel Schuldt (see information below). This opportunity is on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that those who submit their completed paperwork first will be considered first for the job.

Thank you for your interest in this program.

Best regards,

Rachel Schuldt

District 93 is inviting 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students to get out and enjoy outdoor learning at Pine Basin Lodge! Activities include group games, outdoor classes, hiking, swimming, campfires, visiting Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole Playhouse, and more!

To register, please go to pinebasin.com and click elementary application. You may select one of the following weeks for the elementary camp (Please note that some weeks may be sold out):

The cost is $226.42 plus state tax of $13.58 for a total of $240.00 (includes Pine Basin Summer Camp T-shirt and admission to Jackson Hole Playhouse). We cannot guarantee a reservation until it is paid in full. Follow the fee payment portal instructions to reserve your date.

Send questions to pinebasin@gmail.com

7th - 12th grade students may also register for an outdoor high school science credit on one of the following weeks:

• Week 1: July 29 – Aug 2
  Week 2: Aug 5 – 9

To complete the registration process for 7th-12th grade Science Camp:

1. Fill out the Pine Basin EcoScience Application
2. Pay your fees

This summer we would like to invite you to participate in our district-wide summer reading program. At this link you will find a Bingo card: Bonneville Joint School District 93 Summer Reading Bingo Children ages 0 to 18, or students enrolled in district programs until age 21, are welcome to participate. If your child gets a BINGO or a blackout, you are welcome to pick up their prize at the District Office, or your school library if it is open. Children 5 and under, or with disabilities, may be assisted with reading tasks.

Please click this link to see if your school library is open this summer: Open School Libraries Your schools will be sending out more information.

Our district’s online library/eBook service will be available all summer. Please see this link for more information: Sora Information. You may also download the Sora app on any device. If you have questions or need help, please contact Julie Briggs at briggsju@d93mail.com

Little Community Libraries are installed at Cloverdale, Bridgewater, Fairview, Falls Valley, Mountain Valley, Rocky Mountain Middle School, Tiebreaker, and Ucon. Students can take a book for their reading enjoyment. These will be stocked throughout the summer.

The recently opened youth crisis center “Rise Up” is now able to serve children in our region ranging in ages of 5-17 years old. This center provides a safe, secure, facility for children in crisis for up to 23 hours and 59 minutes (per crisis). This fully staffed facility will provide food, lodging, case management services to connect children and families with community services, and programming to support de-escalation, stabilization, and support. This is all free of charge to the family or individual and is funded by the State of Idaho. This is a great referral source for students in crisis. The contact information is below.

Phone: (208) 862-0994

Email: ybhcccdirector@gmail.com

Website: www.riseupyouthcrisiscenter.com

Address: 1140 Science Center Dr. Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402

ParentGuidance.org is website with free online courses and resources for parents and anyone who needs support. There is Parent Coaching, Ask a Therapist and Get Help options as well as specialized courses for your specific needs and support measures. Spanish is available if needed. Again these services are free.

Students, parents, and employees can reach out for help with bullying, harassment, suicidal tendencies, self-harm, threats, or to report weapons at school by going to d93.org/gethelp or sending the text @gethelp to 855-528-0074.

Thank you to our community partners at EIRMC for supporting our D93 News Family Update.

Follow us on Instagram for exclusive content.

Be a part of the D93 Community by browsing our selection of We Are D93 Spiritwear. There is a variety of sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets and vests. Check it out!