August 2026

Hello LPOSD Families!

The start of the new school year is just around the corner! Since our last edition of The Loop, we’ve welcomed new families and finalized a few more back-to-school details worth sharing. So, while it’s only been a couple of weeks, we’re sending one more update with the information you’ll need as we head into September.

For those new to our district, The Loop is our monthly newsletter, sent on the last student day of each month. It’s where we share important updates as well as celebrate the students, staff, programs, and opportunities that make LPOSD special. If grandparents or other family members would like to join the Loop, they can subscribe on our homepage at lposd.org.

As we begin a new year, I want you to know how genuinely grateful I am to serve this District and to be connected with your family. I truly believe we have something special here, and at the heart of it is a simple commitment that guides everything we do: Every Student, Every Day.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership, bwm 🌻

Dr. Becky Meyer, Superintendent

Under new Idaho law, House Bill 822, if a student requests to be called a different name or pronoun that is not their legal name or a common derivative of it, school staff are required by law to notify a parent or guardian within 72 hours.

If you have already approved a preferred name for your student through the registration process, that name will appear on class rosters and does not require additional approval. Students and staff will be informed of the new requirements so students understand when a request will result in parent/guardian notification.

Under new Idaho law, House Bill 623, all public schools are required to provide a minimum 60-second period of silence at or near the beginning of each school day for students in all grade levels. The law also directs schools to encourage parents and guardians to provide guidance to their students on how to spend this time in silence, as school staff are not permitted to direct students on how to use the time.

We ask that you have a conversation with your children before the school year begins and let them know how you would like them to use this time, whether reflecting, meditating, praying, reading or another silent activity of your family’s choosing.

Thanks to the generous support of Angels Over Sandpoint, additional school supplies and back-to-school essentials are available for LPOSD students who need them. Farmin Stidwell Elementary is serving as the hub for these donated supplies and is also distributing additional supplies to schools across the district.

Families can contact the Farmin Stidwell office directly at fsoffice@lposd.org or reach out to their student’s school for assistance.

Student connection happens in the classroom and well beyond it! During the 2025–26 school year, Sandpoint High School students found plenty of ways to connect, create and contribute:

🏅 667 athletic participations across fall, winter and spring sports
🎵 67 students in choir
🎺 34 students in band
🎭 86 students in drama

As we head into a new school year, we encourage every student to find something that interests them and get involved! Athletics, arts, clubs and activities are great ways to meet new people, discover your strengths and feel more connected to your school community.

Sandpoint Middle School students and staff will notice plenty of construction underway as the school’s major modernization project continues. Construction will take place in phases throughout the 2026–27 school year, with crews transitioning between areas of the building as work progresses.

Made possible by the School Modernization Fund established by the State of Idaho, the project includes improvements throughout the school.

When complete, improvements will include:

• Expanded cafeteria and kitchen
• New wrestling room, locker rooms, and dressing rooms
• Gymnasium improvements
• New office and classroom spaces and renovations to existing classrooms
• Renovated restrooms and improved accessibility
• New heating, ventilation, plumbing, and electrical systems
• Roof and other building infrastructure upgrades
• Parking and site improvements

While some of the transformation will be easy to see, much of the work will happen behind the scenes. We appreciate the patience of our SMS students, families, and staff as construction continues and look forward to the safer, more accessible, and improved school that will result!

The first two days of school (September 8-9) are used to gently ease students into their new routines. School offices will contact you to set individual time slots for your child to visit their new classroom for initial screening assessments. Our goal is to make the first week of kindergarten smooth and comfortable for every child.

**These lists are recommendations. Purchasing classroom supplies is optional.**

NIMSEF — the North Idaho Mountain Sports Education Fund — is now accepting applications for its 2026–27 youth ski and snowboard scholarships. The program helps Bonner and Boundary County children ages 7 to 17 whose families can't afford the cost of skiing, providing a Schweitzer season pass, equipment, and eight weeks of lessons.

Since 2009, NIMSEF has helped more than 1,100 local youth — and 96 percent of donations go directly to scholarships.

Applications are open through October 1.

To apply or donate, visit NIMSEF.com.