In this Ted Talk, researcher Sean Achor explains how intentionally engaging in a few simple acts will help us to retrain our minds to see the world in a more positive light. Doing so not only will help us be happier, it will also have a positive impact on our learning. This is why positivity is one of the cornerstones of our culture in District 93.

Last year, our Board adopted school calendars for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, but we would like to get your thoughts on these key items for those calendars to see if we need to adopt changes to them. Those items include:

• Holding classes on Election Day
• The week for Spring Break
• The best weekday for teacher collaboration and secondary school intervention time

Last week Governor Little issued Executive Order 2024-11, which encourages school district and charter school boards to adopt policies on cell phone usage in schools. We would love to hear your thoughts on what changes, if any, that we should make to our current cell phone policy. Will you please take a moment to respond to a few questions about this policy before Monday?

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! 🌮🙌

In next week's newsletter, we will catch up with a number of our outstanding employees who have been recognized for going the extra mile.

A huge thank you to our community for getting out to vote and for your continued support of D93! Your involvement and commitment make a real difference in the lives of our students and staff. We are grateful to be part of such a dedicated and engaged community. #WeAreD93

For over eight decades, the Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) has been hosting its annual convention—the largest gathering of school policymakers in the state. This event serves as a cornerstone for training and collaboration among Idaho’s educational leaders.

“The ISBA Convention is where our school district board members and our charter school board members and their superintendents or charter administrators really come,” said Quinn Perry, ISBA Policy and Government Affairs Director. “We have excellent workshops that are all related to school board governance and how school boards can be better serving their students, developing their leadership skills to be the school board members that our students deserve.”

“This is where we learn,” said Paul Jenkins, Chair of the Bonneville Board of Trustees. “It's set up with classes of a variety of different subjects. And this is the place where we're able to ask questions, talk with people, school boards from other districts. And it's just a wonderful way to keep our school boards associated and together.”

These trainings have a direct impact on Idaho communities. The insights and decisions from this convention ultimately influence the policies brought to the statehouse, shaping Idaho’s educational future.

“Friday, trustees will convene and vote on our legislative platform,” Perry explained. “So, it's really where we collectively decide as an organization of school board members, like, what are the priorities of school boards and how are we going to make change at the state legislature.”

Perry highlighted D93's active involvement, stating, “D93 does such a great job. One, you brought a resolution this year that I think you're going to work on more, but you care so much about kids and their ability to have fun and at recess, and I think that was really a cool resolution. D93 is also partnering to really see how the clerk and the school board chair and the superintendent can work collectively to ensure that you're having fair, open, transparent, and equitable processes for school governance. So, the D93 team, always here in full force. It's always so good to have you here.”

D93 Superintendent Dr. Scott Woolstenhulme shared how the district has been actively involved in presentations at the convention. “We've been invited to present for the last few years,” he said. “In this session, Guy Wangsard presented a session about budgeting. He's obviously a recognized expert on school budgeting, really well respected across the state for his expertise in how to set conservative budgets that really do a good job for schools. And then Sam and Paul and I were asked to present about just how we help things go right in our school district. So, it was definitely nice to be asked to participate in that and we're excited to share the good things that are happening in our school district.”

“Well, I have to tell you I'm very proud of our school district. I think we have a wonderful district,” said Chairman Jenkins. “Our administration is, they're nonpareil. You just don't find better people than what we have in District 93. And I'm very proud to be a part of that.”

🎙️ This week on the We Are D93 Podcast, Lori sits down with Shawna Bragg, a true pageant extraordinaire and community powerhouse! 🌟 Tune in as Shawna shares insights from her journey in the pageant world, her commitment to empowering young people, and the unforgettable stories that have shaped her career. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! #WeAreD93

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/d93news/episodes/Shawna-Bragg-e2qkv7d/a-abk8v95

For Veteran's Day, celebrate a veteran who is now working in education. If you know a veteran who is an educator or if you are interested in being highlighted by the Idaho Department of Education pleae click on this link for more information.

BCLD Learn With Me! is a kindergarten readiness program for 4-year-olds that focuses on skills needed to help children succeed in school. Learn With Me! is not preschool but instead a 45-minute parent/child program that focuses on kindergarten readiness skills. This special library program is targeting children who do not qualify for head start and who are not currently attending private preschool. The program will begin in January 7th and will be on Wednesday mornings at 9:30, every week at the Iona Branch and Tuesday mornings at 9:30 at the Westside Branch.

Registration begins November 1st 2024.

CLICK HERE to register or follow the QR with your hand held device. Answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to any of the registration questions does not automatically guarantee or disqualify you or your child from having a spot in the program. However, space in BCLD Learn With Me! is limited.

You will be notified by December 1st, 2024, if you and your child will or will not be enrolled in the program. If you have not received a response by December 5th, please contact Rasheil at bcldteam.rasheil@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our program please attend one the meetings listed. Our Child Development Specialist, Rylea Farrens will be there to explain the program in detail. (Any questions before these dates can be sent to bcldteam.rasheil@gmail.com.)

Communities across the country are battling the fentanyl epidemic, and our community is no different. I’m sure your SRO’s, teachers, staff, and families can attest to the impacts of this epidemic. To give our community the information they need to try and make a difference in this fight, the City of Idaho Falls is planning a special community Town Hall on Fentanyl from 6:30 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at Taylorview Middle School. The Town Hall will include a presentation from U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit, along with panel discussions with local law enforcement officials and local healthcare and recovery experts. Community partners will also be on hand to share resources.

Thank you to our community partners at EIRMC for supporting our D93 News Family Update.