October 2026

Last month I shared a few routines that help students settle into the school year at home. This month I want to extend that conversation. Supporting our kids is not only about the academics that happen at your kitchen table or in our classrooms. A lot of it comes down to how we support one another, adult to adult, family to family, home to school. When students see the grownups in their lives working together, school starts to feel like one connected place instead of two separate worlds.

Come to us first, and come early. If something does not seem right, whether it is a grade, a friendship, a bus ride, or a comment your student brings home, please reach out to the teacher or the school. Most concerns get sorted out in one short conversation, and they are much easier to solve in week two than in week twelve. We would always rather hear from you early than have you sit with a worry. A phone call or an email gets a problem solved. A post online usually does not, and it often reaches your student before it reaches us.

Watch how we talk about school in front of our kids. This one is subtle, and it matters more than most of us realize. Kids take their cues from us. If they hear us speak about their teacher or their school with respect, they walk in ready to learn. If they hear frustration, they carry that in with them. You can disagree with us and still say, "Let's find out what happened," in front of your student. That single habit protects their relationship with the adult who spends all day with them. Likewise, our staff members always do our best to find out more information rather than jumping to conclusions.

Give each other grace, including yourself. Families are stretched thin, and so are our teachers and staff. Everyone here is doing this work because they care about your kids. Some weeks will be bumpy, for us and for you. If your family is going through a hard stretch, let us know what you can. We cannot help with what we do not know about, and we can often do more than families expect.

One new thing to try this month: protect sleep. Elementary students need about nine to twelve hours, and teenagers need eight to ten. A steady bedtime, even on weekends, is one of the simplest things we can do for learning, attention, and mood. Most families who move phone charging out of the bedroom overnight notice a difference within a week.

None of this requires extra time you do not have. It is mostly about the tone we set. Thank you for the way you already show up for your own kids and for each other. It is a big part of what makes this district feel like a community, and our students feel it every day.

• On September 18 teachers across the district worked collaboratively to identify essential learning targets for students, how to best assess student learning, and how to help support struggling students. Teachers also considered strategies for supporting positive student behavior.
• Russet Way is very near completion. Sidewalk and fencing are the last areas that need to get wrapped up. This project has fixed the roadway, added parking, increased lighting and visibility, and created safe places for crossing the entry.
• Science Labs are well underway
• Hobbs flooring upgrades are finishing up over harvest break.
• We are seeing an increase in SPAM and hijacked emails. The district technology team is reacting to these issues while also taking a proactive approach to help our teachers and students recognize and avoid these malusers.
• We are insulating the Ag building for storage of our Ag drone system. We also have received new welding hoods through a grant.

Parents and students wondering about next steps towards college are invited to search and compare different institutions with The College Scorecard. The Scorecard is a free tool created by the U.S. Department of Education designed to help students and families make date-driven decisions when choosing a college.

Parents and students can search for colleges using filters like location, annual cost, degree type, and more. Site users can also view U.S. Department of Education data about costs, student debt, graduation rates, admission test scores, acceptance rates, post-college earnings, and more.

Get started today on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard website at the button below:

Findhelpidaho.org connects Idahoans seeking help with resources in their local community. The site is free, confidential, easy-to-use, and provides up-to-date information in more than 100 languages. The database covers assistance with housing, food pantries, medical care, transportation, child care, job training, and financial aid. Through community collaboration and support, findhelpidaho.org works to improve health and social outcomes throughout Idaho.

The statewide initiative is managed and expanded by the United Ways of Idaho in partnership with local community organizations and major healthcare providers. Parents can search through 4,743 available programs, access free support, and more on the findhelpidaho.org website at the button below:

Are you looking for a meaningful way to contribute to your child's school? Do you enjoy working with students and have a flexible schedule? If this sounds like you, becoming a substitute teacher could be a fantastic opportunity to get involved and make a difference!

We’re always on the lookout for caring individuals who can step in when a teacher is out of the classroom. The process is simple: just complete the Substitute Application, then come in for a meeting with the superintendent. After a state-required background check and board approval, you’ll be all set to go. Plus, we offer training materials that you’ll be paid to complete.

Your support can make a big impact, and we’d love to have you on board!

Child nutrition is looking for substitutes to help serve lunches and to help clean up after the students have eaten. If you can support the school by helping out, we would love to have you. Contact Charlotte Haderlie at 208-357-7435 ext. 5.

Please check your child's account balance periodically to ensure they are not accidentally falling behind. Please click on the link below and follow the directions to see what your child's balance is.

• 10/12/26 School Resumes
• 10/12/26 Columbus Day
• 10/14/26 Shelley High School FAFSA and Scholarship Night 6:00-7:00 (During P/T Conferences)
• 10/21/26 School Board Meeting
• 11/1/26 Daylight Saving Time Ends
• 11/3/26 Election Day
• 11/3/26 Online Learning Day-No In Person School
• 11/3/26 Sunrise Book Fair (During P/T Conferences)
• Parent Teacher Conference Schedule
• Shelley High School 10/14/26 4:30-7:30 Open House
• Hobbs Middle School 10/15/26 4:30-7:00 Open House
• Stuart Elementary 11/2/26 4:30-7:00 Open House/Student Portfolios
• Goodsell Elementary 11/3/26 8:00-5:00 By Appointment
• Sunrise Elementary 11/3/26 8:00-7:00 By Appointment
• Riverview Elementary 11/3/26 8:00-7:00 11/6/26 8:00-7:00 By Appointment