March 2026

One of my absolute favorite days of the year is Student-Led Conferences! It’s such a joy to see our students take responsibility and ownership as they share their strengths, growth areas, and learning goals with their families. The pride they show in their work is inspiring, and I love hearing about the meaningful conversations happening between students and their parents. A heartfelt thank you to all the families who participated, you make this experience so special for our students😍!

As we look ahead, testing season is just around the corner, which requires more focus and concentration on computer-based assessments. It’s important for students to have plenty of time outdoors to expend energy, recharge and refresh. We live in the perfect part of the country to do just that🏔️!

I highly encourage ALL K-12 parents attend our upcoming Student Safety Summit on April 15th, where we’ll focus on topics that are critical to our students’ wellbeing at every age. Our sessions will include information on suicide awareness and prevention, child/adolescent mental health information, and supporting your child through a faith-based lens. Free food and childcare will be provided. Please join us for this important conversation💕- details in the flyer below.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership, bwm

Dr. Becky Meyer, Superintendent

We invite all parents, caregivers, mentors, and anyone who supports youth—not just in our district—to join us for an important Student Safety Summit. Free food—including gluten-free options—and free childcare will be provided. Please join us and share this flyer!

"Student Led Conferences are designated time for students to take the lead and share about their learning. This helps build a higher level of communication with continued meaningful conversation at home. It creates and broadens understanding. When students take ownership of their learning by being able to talk about their growth and their learning goals with their families, they demonstrate responsibility and accountability. Families also learn how they can support their child's learning. The student becomes the teacher and they LOVE this. I asked a couple of 1st graders what their favorite part of the conference was and they said, "Being the teacher to my mom", "Being the boss of my family." - Sherri Hatley, Principal, Hope Elementary

PAFE’s Teacher Grant program is making a real difference at Sagle Elementary through the Healthy Hawks afterschool program! Students get to participate in fun team-building activities that support emotional, physical, and mental health—and it’s clear from this video just how much they enjoy it.

A special shout-out goes to Campus Security Officer Derrick Hagstrom, who not only supports students during Healthy Hawks but also steps in wherever needed around campus. From helping in the office to volunteering his time with students, Officer Hagstrom goes above and beyond every day. Thanks to PAFE, his position as a CSO is funded, allowing him to be such a positive presence for our students. We’re lucky to have him on our team! 💛

Pictured left to right: Kalon Stanke, Jack Balch, Zainan Ziegler, and Carter Hutchens

We’re proud to share that Southside 5th grade students recently showcased their skills at the IDX 3D printing competition, tackling this year’s Sports Science theme—and earning top honors as Junior Division Winners. With guidance from STEM Coordinator Lynette Leonard, the CleatMaster team designed an innovative cleat with a removable sole, allowing athletes to adapt the same shoe for different sports. The students took their CAD-designed prototypes through multiple iterations, 3D printed their final design, and presented their process, what they learned, and the real-world benefits for athletes and families. Their creativity and problem-solving not only highlight Southside’s commitment to hands-on learning but also offer a practical solution to help parents save money on multi-sport footwear. ⚙️👟

Congratulations to Sandpoint High School students and Coach Becky Haag on winning the State Academic Decathlon Championship for an eighth consecutive year! 🏆 This remarkable streak is a testament not only to the students’ dedication and hard work, but also to Coach Haag’s years of guidance, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to their success. Together, they’ve brought pride and inspiration to their entire school community!

HSA had an incredible winter with the Ski & Ride program at Schweitzer Mountain! Over the course of eight Tuesdays, 65 students enjoyed 90-minute lessons, followed by lunch and afternoon free skiing with parent chaperones. This popular course gives students a chance to learn new skills, gain confidence on the slopes, and have fun as a community.

Program Director, Alissa McGonigal, shared, “Another fantastic year of Ski & Ride at Schweitzer. It was really fun to see the students having fun and learning to ski and board. What a special program this is for our community. Thanks to all who donated to the Schweitzer Coach Fund and for the sweet cards for the coaches and chaperones—they were very much appreciated!”

Clark Fork students and staff were all eyes on the mat as classmate Summer Birch battled her way to a 5th-place finish at the State Wrestling Championships! Not only did Summer, a 10th grader, show incredible skill and determination, she also made history as the first wrestler from Clark Fork to place at the state championship.

"From not going to state last year to taking 5th this year, Summer has shown all of us what hard work looks like. Our staff, students and community are very impressed with this young lady, " said KC MacDonald, CFHS Athletic Director. " We can't wait to see what next year brings!"

We are so proud of Summer’s accomplishment and the way our school community came together to cheer her on. Her perseverance and dedication inspire us all!

Students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs recently took part in a promotional video shoot highlighting the hands-on learning opportunities available at the high school. During the shoot, students were interviewed about their experiences in programs like nursing, forestry, journalism, and more—sharing how these pathways are helping them build real-world skills and explore future career interests.

“The goal of the video is to have a tool that we can show potential students… and communicate what a diverse offering of career and technical education opportunities exist here in Sandpoint,” said Alex Gray, CTEC Director. The finished video will help introduce incoming students and families to the wide range of CTEC programs available and the possibilities they open for life after high school. Stay tuned—we’re excited to share the completed video with our community soon. 🎥

March 13, SHS hosted the annual Higher Education Tour, welcoming representatives from 8 Idaho colleges and universities, 6 military branches, the Workforce Training Center, and Idaho Launch. This event gave our Juniors—and 30 students from Priest River and 25 from Forrest Bird Charter School—the chance to explore the many post-secondary pathways available in Idaho, including college, apprenticeships, military service, and entering the workforce. The Higher Education Tour is a wonderful way to spark early conversations about life after high school and help students begin envisioning their next steps.

This year, our Board of Trustees approved the adoption of Amplify CKLA as the new K–6 English Language Arts curriculum. After months of research, piloting, and community input, CKLA was chosen for its research‑based approach, engaging materials, and strong support for all learners — giving students a solid foundation in reading, writing, and critical thinking.

The Clark Fork Alumni Tournament, held the second weekend in March, once again proved to be the biggest and most spirited fundraising event of the year for Clark Fork Jr/Sr High School. With alumni and community members filling the gym for both basketball and volleyball matchups, the energy was high and the competition was fierce—in the best way. From intense rallies on the court to laughter in the stands, the entire town showed up to celebrate, reconnect, and support a great cause. A huge thank you goes out to the dedicated staff and volunteers who make this event possible each year, as well as to everyone who participates and cheers from the sidelines. Most importantly, this incredible show of community support directly benefits Clark Fork students, making the impact of the weekend truly meaningful.

Schools across our district recently participated in the annual Scratch for Schools fundraiser, where teams race to scratch Idaho Lottery tickets in a fast-paced five-minute challenge to raise money for their schools. A special shoutout to Sandpoint Middle School for scratching all 200 tickets, Northside Elementary for uncovering the $500 jackpot ticket to become the top earner, and Kootenai Elementary, for winning a $200 bonus through the event’s coin-flip challenge.

Funds raised by LPO schools = $4,745