March 2026

Hello LPOSD Families,

This time of year always brings a renewed sense of energy and focus across our schools. Spring ISAT testing is now underway, and I want to thank our parents for the effort you are putting into helping ensure your child(ren) are well fortified, rested, and eager to share how much they have learned this year 😍! We are proud of the growth they continue to demonstrate, and as the end of the school year quickly approaches, we are committed to finishing strong and supporting every student along the way.

I also want to extend my sincere thanks to the parents and community members who attended our Student Safety Summit this month. Supporting student wellbeing and safety is foundational and your engagement and partnership is paramount to the success of the youth in our community! We are grateful to be part of a community that shows up for one another in such meaningful ways 💝.

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership, bwm
Dr. Becky Meyer, Superintendent

Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Student Safety Summit! Thank you to Bonner General Health and Kaniksu Community Health for donating food and childcare!

As ISAT testing is underway, families continue to play an important role in helping students do their best each day. Simple routines can make a big difference—ensuring students get a good night’s sleep, start the day with a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time ready to focus. Encouragement at home also helps build confidence and ease stress during testing. Together, by supporting these everyday habits, we can help students stay focused, feel confident, and finish strong.

Just a few pictures of the celebrations happening across the district on Administrative Professionals Day! From flowers and breakfast treats to thoughtful gestures of appreciation, our schools and offices took time to recognize the incredible individuals who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. We are so grateful for the care, organization, and heart our administrative professionals bring to their work. They truly make magic happen every day!

When Amy reached out to share praise for Kenny, a bus aide who supports her son Joey, we knew it was a story worth celebrating. We’re grateful she was willing to share how Kenny’s kindness and care make a difference each day in this Green Light to Shine feature.

Students from Lake Pend Oreille High School recently participated in a hands-on career exploration event at the Kootenai Technical Education Campus in Rathdrum as part of the annual Hard Hats, Hammers, Healthcare and Hot Dogs experience. During the experience, LPOHS students engaged directly in skilled trades activities, including operating heavy equipment and completing a welding task, while also learning alongside peers from across North Idaho. Events like this provide meaningful exposure to career and technical education opportunities and help students envision future pathways in fields they may not otherwise encounter.

We’re proud to celebrate an incredible achievement within our Child Nutrition team! Sagle Elementary kitchen manager Dawna May has been named Kitchen Manager of the Year by the Idaho School Nutrition Association. For more than two decades, Dawna has created a warm, welcoming space for students while maintaining high standards in her kitchen, ensuring every meal is served with care. This well-deserved recognition highlights the meaningful role she plays in supporting students each day—nourishing both bodies and a sense of belonging.

At Northside Elementary, Mrs. Gillis’ third grade class recently brought learning to life through a hands-on “Spring Into Giving” project. With support from a grant provided by Underground Kindness, students visited Super 1 Foods to shop in small groups with a set budget, practicing real-world decision-making while selecting healthy meals and essential items. They then delivered their purchases to the Bonner Community Food Bank, where they learned more about supporting local families. In total, students donated an incredible 284 pounds of food with $500 in grant funding—an experience that highlighted both practical skills and the impact of giving back in our community.

Sixth grade students at Sagle Elementary recently had the opportunity to explore their unique strengths through a special workshop led by a certified strengths coach. Using the StrengthsExplorer framework developed by Gallup, students learned about their individual “superpowers” and how those strengths show up in the classroom and with their peers. From building confidence to strengthening teamwork, it was exciting to see students recognize what they do best—and how those strengths can help them grow. This is one of the first steps in a larger, growing effort to bring strengths-based learning to more students across our district.

We’re proud to celebrate the top scholars for the Class of 2026!

Sandpoint High School Valedictorian Hope Barnes plans to attend California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, where she will major in Biological Sciences on a pre-med track. Salutatorian Nathan Duke will spend the next two years serving a mission in Brazil for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and upon his return, plans to attend Utah State University to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering.

At Clark Fork High School, Valedictorian Olivya Caldwell-Vineyard plans to attend Western Washington University to study English and creative writing. Salutatorian Proscilla Mayorga will attend North Idaho Community College to pursue a degree in nursing.

We congratulate all four students on their outstanding achievements and look forward to all they will accomplish next!