Dear Cascade Families,

Well, we’ve made it through another week of learning, laughter, and just a sprinkle of chaos—mostly the good kind! I wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for continuing to partner with us as we guide your incredible kids through academics, adventures, and the occasional mystery smell in the hallway (we’re still investigating…).

Here at Cascade Schools, we don’t just raise test scores—we raise future leaders, thinkers, and possibly a few professional loggers, inventors, or interpretive dancers. And let me tell you, your kids are rocking it. Whether they’re solving math problems, sharing kindness, or discovering that glue sticks are not, in fact, snacks (again), they are making us proud.

To all our parents and guardians: you're doing amazing. We see your early-morning coffee-fueled pep talks, your creative excuses for why a science project isn't quite finished, and your heroic efforts to navigate drop-off traffic without losing your sanity. You deserve a gold medal—and probably a nap.

As always, we are here to support you and your students. If you have questions, concerns, or just want to swing by and say hi, my office door is open.

Thanks for being part of what makes Cascade so special. Go Ramblers!

With appreciation,
Principal Chuck Silzly
Keeper of the Lost Lunchboxes

More information coming soon!

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

We’re proud to announce that Cascade Jr/Sr High School has earned accreditation from @CogniaOrg! We’ve been recognized for our steadfast commitment to providing a high-quality education for every one of our students and our promise to continue improving for them.

Fourth graders and their families have the opportunity to access free admission to any national park or waterway in the United States. Students are asked to complete an adventure diary, provided on the Every Kid Outdoors website, to receive their pass. Parents can guide students through that process or have the option to plan an exciting educational trip as a way of accessing a free pass for their student. Parents can plan close to home or try somewhere new.

Parents are encouraged to learn more about the program and how to apply on the Parents section of the Every Kid Outdoors website. From planning a trip to official program rules, families can find everything they need to take advantage of this free program. Access the complete Every Kid Outdoors website at the button below to learn more:

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.

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

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

SAT Test - April 9th, 2025

Attention students and parents! The SAT will be administered on April 9th, 2025 instead of April 7th 2025. All students who are required to take the test have been registered.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Test Date: April 9th, 2025
• Location: Cascade School
• Time: 8:15am Check in
• What to Bring: Charged Chromebook, Water, Pen/Pencil
• Additional Information: Please review the SAT test day checklist to ensure you're fully prepared.This has been sent out to students but is also included below. We will have a trial run on April 1st to ensure devices are properly working and students can get a feel for how the test day is going to go.

If you have any questions or need assistance leading up to the test, feel free to contact the Guidance counselor Mrs. Candice.

Best of luck to all students taking the SAT!

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat-school-day/practice-preparation

We will be hosting a Career Fair on Thursday, April 24th, 2025. If you're interested in talking to our students about career opportunities, internships, or other opportunities, please contact our Guidance Counselor at:

candice@cascadeschools.org

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

Some children experience anxiety related to school, whether it’s due to academic challenges, social interactions, or changes in routine. Parents can support their child by teaching calming strategies like deep breathing, providing reassurance, and working with teachers to create a supportive classroom environment. Small steps like having a familiar object at school or using a visual schedule can help reduce anxiety.​

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Nicole Dellabalma

Director of Special Services

nicole@cascadeschools.org

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!

Cascade School District is excited to introduce Leigh Patterson, a dedicated and experienced educational leader who is eager to serve our community. With over 22 years in education, Leigh has worked as a teacher, coach, principal, and superintendent, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for student success. A native Idahoan, Leigh values the importance of strong school-community partnerships and believes in leading by example—continuously learning, growing, and supporting both students and staff.

Throughout his career, Leigh has been committed to fostering safe, engaging, and high-quality learning environments. His leadership has been shaped by hands-on experience, from coaching student-athletes to guiding school districts through instructional improvements and community collaboration. Leigh is excited to bring his enthusiasm, expertise, and dedication to Cascade School District, ensuring that every student is empowered to learn, grow, and achieve success. Please join us in welcoming him to our community!

Cascade School District is delighted to welcome Megan Patterson as our newest elementary teacher! With a strong passion for student success and years of experience in early education, Megan believes that every child can learn and thrive in a supportive classroom environment. She is dedicated to making students feel valued, engaged, and excited about learning.

Megan brings a wealth of experience from her time as a third-grade and kindergarten teacher, as well as her background in special education and literacy support. She is skilled in differentiated instruction, creative lesson planning, and integrating technology to enhance student learning. With training in Orton-Gillingham (OG) and UFLI, she is especially passionate about building strong foundational skills in young learners. We are excited to have Megan as part of the Cascade family and know she will make a positive impact in the lives of our students!

We value your input as we work to update and refine our Academic Honesty Policy to best support student learning and integrity. A draft of the revised policy is available for review, and we invite you to share your feedback and any suggested edits.

Please send your input directly to Joni Stevenson at joni@cascadeschools.org by April 10, 2025. Your thoughts and insights are important in ensuring that our policies reflect the needs and values of our school community.

Click below to view the suggested edits to this policy.

Thank you for your time and engagement in this process!

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 repair 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.

"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