November

Caldwell High School, we create opportunities, help students overcome barriers, and support every Cougar to learn, grow, and succeed. Our graduates leave confident, resilient, and ready for college, career, and life.

Dear Cougar Community,

My name is Chantel Kelly, and I am honored to be the new Principal of Caldwell High School. I am excited for the upcoming 2025-26 school year and look forward to fostering a community where every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. To help foster this in our school we will continue to help students find success by implementing both a response to intervention and positive behavioral intervention support in our school.

This year, CHS is implementing the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework, a proven approach to fostering a safe and positive learning environment. Staff and students have worked together to develop tools and resources for our school that promote positive behavior and a rewards system that will celebrate and recognize students who meet school-wide expectations.

At CHS, we are committed to building a community where every student feels valued, connected, and supported. Through our Positive Behavioral Intervention Support (PBIS), we will establish clear behavioral expectations, such as respect and kindness, while equipping students with the skills to create a positive school culture and climate.

Beyond the classroom, we encourage students to explore their interests through sports, clubs, CTE programs, and advanced learning opportunities, we will be celebrating learners achievements and success along the way. Communication with families is a priority for me—we will share updates through the Cougar Connection Newsletter and timely announcements via Blackboard messaging.

We value our partnership with families and the community as we guide students toward their postsecondary goals, collaborating with higher education institutions and workforce partners to provide multiple pathways to college and career readiness. Our continued investment in students' futures ensures that every learner has access to postsecondary experiences that prepare them for the opportunities of tomorrow.

I look forward to an incredible year ahead and am excited to work together to support our students' success!

Sincerely,
Chantel Kelly
2025-26 Principal, Caldwell High School

3401 S. Indiana Caldwell, ID 83605 (208) 455-3304

EMAIL: chs@caldwellschools.org

School District Dates to Remember

Link to 2025-26 District Calendar

Nov. 4th Election Day

My name is Mrs. Stevenson. I have been teaching 17 years; 3 here at Caldwell. Caldwell is the best high school I have worked at! I married my high school sweetheart, Shawn, and have three kids, Kristen, Kelly, and Jordan. I also have two adorable grandkids (Hailey and Kenna call me Mema). My family is very close and loves hanging out, watching football, camping, playing games, and music. I love teaching, but in my free time, I love to bake or help decorate for weddings and parties! My goal in life is to learn how to cake decorate!

When I was in high school, I wasn't a very good student, but I had one teacher that really believed in me. He inspired me to be a teacher and to make a difference. In college, I wanted to prove that I COULD do it. I ended up graduating with high honors and going on to get my Masters degree. I want my students to love the depth of good writing. My favorite books are The Great Gatsby, Wuthering Heights, Animal Farm, and Frankenstein! If my students even like the book after I teach it, it's a win! I currently teach American Literature 11 and CC/AP Literature and Composition 12. Go Cougs!

We invite students to participate in a college-themed BINGO game. Students can pick up the game card from me in Room 409. Squares include things such as "went to a 4-year college", "studied abroad", and "played a sport in college".

Wednesday Nov. 5th

Rising Voices will be premiering their newest episode during both lunches. The episode features an interview with Emily Garcia, a 2015 graduate of Caldwell High School. Emily went on to graduate from Boise State University and the University of Idaho College of Law. She currently works at a law firm while she awaits being sworn into the Utah state bar.

Thursday Nov. 6th

Advisory will feature a compilation of brief videos from Caldwell High School alum, sharing where they go to college and what being first-generation to college means to them.

Friday Nov. 7th

Friday will be "Dress Like Your Dream Job" Day.

We will be holding a staff vs. students volleyball game during both lunches.

All pictures to be placed in the yearbook must adhere to the following guidelines:

1. The photo must be vertical.

2. It is recommended that the photo be a waist-up shot so that the student’s face shows clearly.

3. Clothing in photos must adhere to the school dress code.

4. Photos must be submitted digitally (see below). They must be high-resolution in JPEG format. Please name them with the student’s LAST NAME, FIRST NAME. (Images taken on SNAPCHAT are not high resolution and will not be accepted.)

5. Selfies will not be accepted. These are low resolution and often print poorly in the yearbook.

Professional photo studios are not responsible for sending senior pictures to the school. Please upload your photo to the Google Form that is linked below. This form requires an email account; students, you can use your @caldwellschools email to upload your photo.

• Nov.

• Requests for Semester 2 - 2026 Change request Form: https://forms.gle/vEaztbSecBQGKKFG8 Please use the link to make any change requests for next semester, counselors will try to do as many change requests as possible. Please know that not all changes can be made.

• Planning for next year...we can always get better. This month we will be reviewing our programs, making necessary changes for this upcoming semester and looking at needs/wants for next year.

• In the next couple months we will be reviewing our courses that we offer at CHS and updating our courses for next year. We will be continuing to look at our career technical education pathways and update those to offer what our students are requesting and want additional courses that will further our students education.

• 
  

— All middle and high school students must wear or carry ID badges beginning Sept. 8th

— An employee monitors the north entrance at Caldwell High School

— Office Staff received updated guidance on student identification protocols

— High school students cannot access vehicles during school day without permission

Picture Day Information & Student Badges

Picture day was Monday the 18th during school, students have had a chance to get their picture taken by professionals and the parents received information on how to order pictures. Student badges were handed out during lunch all last week and we are continuing to hand out student badges during morning, lunch, and after school time.

Picture Retake day will be September 22nd!

Badges are to be worn daily, it is an important part of school safety and procedures.

To support a focused and respectful learning environment, CHS has established the following steps when students do not follow expectations regarding personal electronic devices during the school day other than during lunch time in the cafeteria:

1st Offense:

• Student is reminded of the cell phone/personal device policy.

• Teacher submits a discipline referral.
• The device is confiscated and taken to the main office.
• Administrator or administrator designee will contact the parent/guardian before the device is returned.
• The student may retrieve the device only after parent contact has been made.
• The behavior and incident is documented by administrator or administrator designee.

2nd Offense:

• The device is confiscated and turned in to the main office as soon as possible (no later than 2:56 PM).

• Teacher submits a discipline referral.
• Parent/guardian must come to the main office to pick up the device after school between 2:56 PM and 4:00 PM.
• The behavior and incident is documented by administrator or administrator designee.

3rd Offense:

• The device is confiscated and taken to the main office as soon as possible (no later than 2:56 PM).

• Teacher submits a discipline referral.
• A conference with the parent, student, teacher, and administrator will be scheduled.
• Parent must pick up the device from the main office once a meeting has been conducted.
• Behavior and incident is documented by administration or administrator designee.

Repeat Offender:

• Teacher submits a discipline referral.
• The device is confiscated and brought to the main office (no later than 2:56 PM).
• Administration or administrator designee will contact the parent, and a parent must retrieve the device in person, administration can request that the device not be brought back onto school grounds and a contract will be signed.
• A conference will be held to develop an individualized plan to address the repeated behavior.

Key Reminders

• Students must attend at least 90% of the time each grading period.
• Secondary: no more than 9 absences per class per semester.
• All absences count toward the limit except approved school activities.
• A student is tardy if they are not in the classroom when the bell rings.
• More than 20 minutes late = absent.
• Any time after 8:00 a.m., tardy students must report to the office for a tardy slip before entering class.
• Tardy notices go out at 4, 8, and 12 per class. Student will receive after school detention or Saturday school at their 4th, 8th, and 12th tardy.
• The 13th triggers disciplinary actions, including make-up time, activity ineligibility, possible license suspension, and potential credit loss. Parent notifications happen at the 5th, 7th, 9th, and 10th absences.

Please contact Josie Santana or Stephanie Archuleta with any questions.

Bus Safety

• CTC Bus company addressing disciplinary actions (for 2025-2026)

• First write up - CTC will contact parents

• Second write up for the same behavior - three days suspension off the bus

• CTC will contact the parents

• Third write up for the same behavior - five days suspension off the bus

• CTC will contact the parents

• Fourth write up for the same behavior - student contract and/or loss bus privileges for the year

• CTC will contact the parents

• CTC will scan and email the write-ups to the school for documentation purposes

As we prepare for an exciting new school year, we want to share important updates to our CHS counselor assignments. These updates will help us provide more focused and personalized support to students by grade level and last name.

Please review the updated counselor breakdown below for incoming student grade:

👤 Katie Sager
Supports:
• All 9th Grade Students
• 10th Grade Students (Last Names A–G)

📧ksager@caldwellschools.org

👤 Mr. Patrick Precht
Supports:
• All 11th Grade Students
• 10th Grade Students (Last Names H–P)
📧pprecht@caldwellschools.org

👤 Ms. Megan Forster
Supports:
• All 12th Grade Students
• 10th Grade Students (Last Names Q–Z)
📧mforster@caldwellschools.org

👤 Mr. Jose Alfaro-Ortega

All students College & Career Counselor

📧jalfaro-ortega@caldwellschools.org

We are here to help with course planning, graduation requirements, postsecondary goals, and any questions you may have as we look ahead to 2025–2026. Thank you for being part of the Cougar community—we’re looking forward to a great year ahead!

Counseling Department Website Link

• Welding

• Automotive Repair

• Certified Nursing Assistant

• Medical Assistant

• Pre-Engineering

• Hospitality & Tourism

• Business Administration

• Graphic Design

All incoming 9th and 11th graders are required to have a sports physical completed before they start practice for the 2025-26 season. If you missed our free clinic you will need to get this completed before the first day of practice. If paperwork is not turned in by tryouts students will not be able to tryout. Please see Coach Green, Mr. Fleshman or Mr. Hallock for more information on paperwork.

Link to Athletic Forms

Varsity

11/15/25 Varsity Basketball vs. Wood River HS 3:00PM

11/18/25 Varsity Basketball @ McCall-Donnelly 7:30PM

11/21/25 Varsity Basketball vs. Marsing HS 7:30PM

12/04/25 Varsity Basketball vs. Ontario HS 7:30PM

12/09/25 Varsity Basketball vs. Bishop Kelly HS 7:30PM

12/12/25 Varsity Basketball @ Emmett HS 7:30PM

12/16/25 Varsity Basketball vs. Middleton Senior HS 7:30PM

12/18/25 Varsity Basketball @ Nampa HS 7:30PM

12/19/25 Varsity Basketball @ OPEN (Ridgevue Tournament)

12/20/25 Varsity Basketball @ OPEN (Ridgevue Tournament)

01/06/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Skyview HS 7:30PM

01/08/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Vallivue HS 7:30PM

01/09/26 Varsity Basketball @ Ontario HS 7:30PM

01/14/26 Varsity Basketball @ Columbia HS 7:30PM

01/16/26 Varsity Basketball @ Bishop Kelly HS 7:30PM

01/20/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Emmett HS 7:30PM

01/22/26 Varsity Basketball @ Middleton Senior HS 7:30PM

01/28/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Nampa HS 7:30PM

01/30/26 Varsity Basketball @ Skyview HS 7:30PM

02/03/26 Varsity Basketball @ Vallivue HS 7:30PM

02/05/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Columbia HS 7:30PM (Senior Night)

02/07/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ High Seed TBA

02/09/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ Caldwell High School TBA

02/11/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ Caldwell High School TBA

02/12/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ Caldwell High School TBA

02/13/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ Caldwell High School TBA

IHSSA State Tournament 02/14/26 - 02/20/26

Boys Basketball:

Junior Varsity

11/29/25 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Borah HS 4:30PM

12/03/25 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Ontario HS 6:00PM

12/06/25 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. McCall-Donnelly HS 1:30PM

12/10/25 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Skyview HS 6:00PM

12/13/25 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Wood River HS 1:30PM

12/18/25 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Mountain View 6:00PM

01/03/25 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Ontario HS 6:00PM

01/07/25 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Bishop Kelly 6:00PM

01/09/26 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Emmett HS 6:00PM

01/13/26 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Middleton Senior HS 6:00PM

01/15/26 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Nampa HS 6:00PM

01/23/26 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Vallivue HS 6:00PM

01/27/26 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Columbia HS 6:00PM

01/29/26 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Bishop Kelly HS 6:00PM

02/04/26 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Emmett HS 6:00PM

02/06/26 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Middleton Senior HS 6:00PM

02/10/26 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Nampa HS 6:00PM

02/12/26 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Skyview HS 6:00PM

02/17/26 Junior Varsity Basketball @ Vallivue HS 6:00PM

02/19/26 Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Columbia HS 6:00PM (Senior Night)

02/21/26 Junior Varsity Basketball Districts @ Nampa HS TBA

02/24/26 Junior Varsity Basketball Districts @ Nampa HS TBA

Varsity

11/29/25 Varsity Basketball @ Borah HS 6:00PM

12/03/25 Varsity Basketball vs. Ontario HS 7:30PM

12/06/25 Varsity Basketball vs. McCall-Donnelly HS 3:00PM

12/10/25 Varsity Basketball vs. Skyview HS 7:30PM

12/13/25 Varsity Basketball @ Wood River HS 3:00PM

12/18/25 Varsity Basketball vs. Mountain View 7:30PM

01/03/25 Varsity Basketball @ Ontario HS 7:30PM

01/07/25 Varsity Basketball vs. Bishop Kelly 7:30PM

01/09/26 Varsity Basketball @ Emmett HS 7:30PM

01/13/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Middleton Senior HS 7:30PM

01/15/26 Varsity Basketball @ Nampa HS 7:30PM

01/23/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Vallivue HS 7:30PM

01/27/26 Varsity Basketball @ Columbia HS 7:30PM

01/29/26 Varsity Basketball @ Bishop Kelly HS 7:30PM

02/04/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Emmett HS 7:30PM

02/06/26 Varsity Basketball @ Middleton Senior HS 7:30PM

02/10/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Nampa HS 7:30PM

02/12/26 Varsity Basketball @ Skyview HS 7:30PM

02/17/26 Varsity Basketball @ Vallivue HS 7:30PM

02/19/26 Varsity Basketball vs. Columbia HS 7:30PM (Senior Night)

02/21/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ High Seed TBA

02/23/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ Rocky Mountain High School TBA

02/25/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ Rocky Mountain School TBA

02/26/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ Rocky Mountain School TBA

02/27/26 Varsity Basketball Districts @ Rocky Mountain High School TBA

IHSSA State Tournament 02/28/26 - 03/07/26

Girls Wrestling:

12/05/25 Wrestling @ American Falls (Dahlke Duals) TBA

12/06/25 Wrestling @ American Falls (Dahlke Duals) TBA 12/11/25 Wrestling vs. Canyon Ridge HS (Tri Dual vs. Mt. Home/Canyon Ridge) 6:00PM 12/12/25 Wrestling @ Nyssa HS (Calhoun Classic) TBA 12/13/25 Wrestling @ Nyssa HS (Calhoun Classic) TBA 12/17/25 Wrestling vs. Centennial HS 7:00PM

12/19/25 Wrestling @ Pasco WA (Best of the West) TBA 12/20/25 Wrestling @ Pasco WA (Best of the West) TBA

12/29/25 Wrestling @ Reno (Sierra Nevada) TBA

12/30/25 Wrestling @ Reno (Sierra Nevada) TBA

Boys Wrestling:

12/05/25 Wrestling @ American Falls (Dahlke Duals) TBA

12/06/25 Wrestling @ American Falls (Dahlke Duals) TBA 12/11/25 Wrestling vs. Canyon Ridge HS (Tri Dual vs. Mt. Home/Canyon Ridge) 6:00PM 12/12/25 Wrestling @ Nyssa HS (Calhoun Classic) TBA 12/13/25 Wrestling @ Nyssa HS (Calhoun Classic) TBA 12/17/25 Wrestling vs. Centennial HS 7:00PM

12/19/25 Wrestling @ Pasco WA (Best of the West) TBA 12/20/25 Wrestling @ Pasco WA (Best of the West) TBA

12/29/25 Wrestling @ Reno (Sierra Nevada) TBA

12/30/25 Wrestling @ Reno (Sierra Nevada) TBA

Students or community, it takes all of us to keep our campus safe and when we see something, we need to say something. We really appreciate the efforts of our students and community in keeping our campus a safe place. You can report something by going to the office and telling an adult, telling a trusted teacher, emailing administration or reporting it through See Tell Now. A quick response is best with as many details as possible, including location, time, number of people involved and names if you know them.

Thank you for your help!