One of the most important things we can do to help all students learn to read and read to learn is to intentionally and strategically build their background knowledge. Studies have repeatedly shown that sufficient background knowledge matters as much--if not more--than decoding skills.

One way to build background knowledge is to ensure that we are helping students to expand and deepen their vocabulary, in writing, reading, and speaking. Here's one instructional strategy that Marybeth Flachbart shared in August for helping students build their vocabulary.

This week, I received an anonymous concern from the Ask D93 widget on our home page. The concern focused on conversations or emails not being held confidential. I would love to be able to address and resolve this concern, but I cannot do that without more specific information and details. Our policy for addressing concerns asks individuals to begin the process by meeting with the individual with whom they have a concern with first. Sometimes, to ensure that is a safe and productive conversation, we ask supervisors to also participate in that meeting. If you are part of the team that shared this anonymous concern, please email me directly and include more details regarding your concern so that we can take the appropriate and necessary steps to resolve it?

I hope the flashlight you picked up will be a little reminder to each of to be the light for those around us because we never know when they--or we--may need it.

Also, if you didn't get a flashlight at the opening meetings, just click the flashlight picture to get yours.

Key items on the agenda included:

• Board Recognition
• LoAnn and Evan Belnap received the District 6 Distinguished Service Award for their forty years of dedication to their youth basketball league.

Additional reports and recommendations were presented on:

• Finance and operations, including school facilities funding and enrollment updates.
• Planning and personnel, focusing on staff turnover.
• Learning and instruction, with a professional learning report. The Board approved Policy 3540 Emergency Treatment for public review.
• Click here to view Policy 3540 Emergency Treatment

We officially broke ground on the Willow Creek Elementary school project! Our amazing partners and local dignitaries came together with shovels in hand to mark the beginning of this incredible journey.

This new school will help alleviate overcrowding and bring a fresh, innovative approach to education in our district! We are so thankful for the continued support from our community.

Click the link to check out the photo gallery from this exciting event!

We are excited to honor our local heroes at the upcoming Hillcrest vs. Thunder Ridge football game this Friday! 🚒🚓🚑

All First Responders and their families are invited to enjoy free admission with an agency ID badge. It's our way of saying thank you for your dedication and service to our community.

Come out, enjoy the game, and let us celebrate you! We can't wait to see you there!

Exciting times in D93! This week has been full of ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings. We kicked off with Westmark Stadium on Friday, celebrated a new library branch in Ucon on Saturday, and cut the ribbon for a new trail system behind Falls Valley on Monday. Yesterday, we broke ground on Willow Creek Elementary, set to open in 2026 near 49th North!

Stay tuned for more on the trail system near Falls Valley, a special donation from our local Amazon warehouse, and our EIRMC Health Minute.

D93 News September 12, 2024

D93 Live is back! Join us this Monday night at 8:00 PM to hear about all the exciting things happening in our school district! This is your chance to ask questions directly to our superintendent and other district leaders.

Catch us on the D93 Facebook page! D93 Live usually takes place on the Monday after each board meeting during the school year.

EastIdahoNews.com is partnering with Ashley and Ashley Outlet of Idaho Falls to honor people in our community for Feel Good Friday. Every week, they surprise someone deserving of special recognition.

They recently received an email about a lunch lady who is bringing magic to the cafeteria. It said:

"I am an elementary teacher at Hillview in District #93 and would like to nominate Tiffany Pace and her staff.

This year we have a new kitchen staff. These wonderful ladies often go unnoticed and underappreciated. Our lead chef Ms. Tiffany Pace is a wonderful motivator and leader. I have been teaching for 28 years now and have never seen a kitchen staff so motivated to make the life of children so meaningful.

Each class of students is greeted with a smile and their name! Tiffany plays age-appropriate music during lunch time. Today, at the end of the lunch period, Tiffany invited all those that had finished their lunch to come forward and do “the Macarena”. Yesterday she had the dancing to the classic YMCA! This was the last class of the day and she had literally fifty children laughing and cheering each other on as they danced! It was simply wonderful!"

She feels it’s her mission to not only feed children but to make it a wonderful experience!

East Idaho News stopped by Hillview last week to surprise Ms. Pace during lunch. Check out the video in the player above!

The D93 Extra Mile Award celebrates those whose hard work and positive attitudes make a significant impact on our students, staff, and community. Thanks to our amazing friends at Rusty Taco, we’ll be recognizing those who go above and beyond with this special award! 🌮🙌

Who inspires you with their dedication and effort? We want to hear from you! Nominate them for the Extra Mile Award, and they could win five tacos and a Tres Grande, courtesy of Rusty Taco! 🌮 Submit your nominations at d93.org/extramile.

Let’s continue to celebrate the outstanding achievements in our community together! ❤️ #WeAreD93