March Newsletter

Calder School is proud to recognize Indigo Priddy as this month’s Citizen of the Month for her outstanding ambition.

Indigo consistently demonstrates a strong desire to learn, grow, and challenge herself. She approaches her schoolwork with determination and sets high goals for herself, always striving to do her very best. Whether tackling a difficult assignment, participating in class discussions, or taking on new responsibilities, Indigo shows initiative and perseverance.

Indigo models what it means to work hard, stay focused, and believe in your ability to improve.

Calder School is proud of Indigo’s dedication and drive. Congratulations, Indigo, on being named Citizen of the Month!

Each month's Citizen of the Month receives:

• a pie from School Board Trustee, Patrice Pfeiffer
• a gift certificate from the Avery Fly Shop
• an ice cream sandwich from the Avery Store and Motel
• a Smokey the Bear gift bag from Bonnie Lynch
• a Wolverines cup from Kim Sharp

Research consistently shows that regular school attendance is directly linked to academic success. Students who miss just a few days of school per month are at a higher risk of falling behind and facing challenges later on.

Since COVID, chronic absenteeism, or missing one or two days of school every few weeks, has increased significantly, both in Idaho and nationwide. Chronic absenteeism can have significant impacts on both short and long-term student achievement. For younger students, this can mean falling behind on skills critical to future learning, like literacy. For older students, it can be an indicator that they are struggling socially or academically and may not graduate.

With this in mind, our goal for this school year is for every student to have fewer than 9 absences.

We understand that life can sometimes throw unexpected hurdles, so we want to partner with you to ensure your child's attendance remains strong.

Your child should stay home when he/she has one of the following:

● Signs or symptoms of Covid/Influenza

● Fever (100 degrees or higher) - A child should be fever-free without medication for 24 hrs before returning to school

● Bad cold - especially if it keeps your child awake at night; Colored (yellow/greenish) drainage from nose or eyes; Persistent cough

● Strep Throat - must have been taking antibiotics at least 24 hours before returning to school

● Vomiting within the last 24 hours - A child should be able to keep solid foods down

● Diarrhea within the last 24 hours - A child should have solid bowel movement before returning

● Rash/Skin infections - especially with fever or itching

● Eye infections - teary, redness, swelling, yellow drainage

● Head Lice - must start treatment before returning to school

Staff and students were excited to begin this years' greenhouse project. Classes have been planning the community garden, determining when to start seeds, and discussing what a plant needs to grow. As a group, students helped create a list of vegetables, fruits, and flowers they would like to grow for themselves and to sell in May.

Mark your calendars for March 21. The Calder School Parents' Club is organizing their annual fundraiser that sustains the organization and student activities, including their annual trip to Triple Play, for most of the year.

The parents' club is asking for help. They are seeking auction items and volunteers. Volunteer roles include setting up, cleaning up, preparing food, gathering donations, and more. There's something for everyone.

Please help our organization attain our mission of supporting Calder School students and staff by coming to our event.

District staff has accomplished the feat of vertical alignment of learning standards for children from birth through grade 8. This was a huge lift that the Leadership Team began over 2 years ago. Over time, staff members have analyzed the State's grade level standards, unpacked them, and formatted them into understandable and achievable student learning targets.

This year this process included the Ages and Stages of Development and Idaho's eGuidelines for our youngest learners that are served in our Early Learning Center. All lessons delivered at the Calder School are created with these standards in mind and all have explicit purposes eliminating busy work or classwork that is not necessary to the overall growth and achievement of our learners.

For 30 years, iDFY has been a statewide substance prevention non-profit. iDFY values empowerment, fun, knowledge, and support to inspire young people to make positive choices. We know that when students feel accepted and connected, they develop healthy coping skills.

iDFY’s goal is to embrace individuals as they are, and invite youth to belong to something positive. Join our efforts to encourage the future leaders of Idaho.

All middle school students are invited to participate in iDFY.

The Calder School's iDFY group visited the Flying Squirrel in February. This was a great way to have safe and healthy fun.

The group is eager to plan monthly events with their mentors.

Reprinted from the Gazette Record

By Tyson Juarez

The Calder School is bringing outdoor recreation skills to the classroom. The local school has expanded learning possibilities with the launch of an outdoor recreation series with curriculum developed in partnership with University of Idaho Extension Educator Tami Goetz.

Calder School District Principal Megan Sindt said the collaboration grew out of the school’s existing focus on outdoor and natural resource education. “Our endeavor began when UI Extension Educator Tami Goetz reached out to us after reading about our forestry day last summer in an article published by the University of Idaho,” Sindt said. “She expressed interest in working with us on some outdoor recreation ideas.”

Sindt said she met with Calder middle school teacher Renee Anderson and librarian and PE/health aide Sybil Lynn to explore ways to incorporate physical education and health standards into an outdoor recreation curriculum being developed through UI Extension.

Sindt credited Goetz’s experience and enthusiasm for helping drive the program forward. “Tami has vast knowledge of outdoor recreation and whitewater rafting and a passion for getting kids outside,” she said. Sindt added that Anderson and Lynn share that passion, both having professional backgrounds with the U.S. Forest Service.

The series builds on existing programs already in place at Calder. Anderson has taught a forestry elective for middle school students for several years, and this year her students are helping Project Learning Tree test a new forestry curriculum. “The students will be learning about trees, responsible forest management, and forest ecology,” Sindt said. She said the coursework will complement hands-on skills students use as they prepare for the Idaho State Forestry Contest in May. Students will also have the opportunity to provide feedback to Project Learning Tree at the end of the semester, helping shape future versions of the curriculum. “Renee has previewed the curriculum, and is excited about the hands-on aspect of the material, as well as the applicability of the information to the area we live in and the careers that are available in the area,” Sindt said.

The course allows students to apply math skills to real-world situations, use technology to create educational materials and work with forestry tools to measure and analyze the forest around them. Outdoor learning is also a key part of the school’s physical education and health programming. Sindt said Lynn regularly incorporates outdoor activities into her classes, taking advantage of the the St. Joe Valley’s abundant natural landscape. “We are surrounded by ample natural resources that make outdoor education readily available right outside our back door,” Sindt said.

One recent unit focused on the local river and aquatic ecosystems. Lynn coordinated with Goetz to bring in an Avery resident and U.S. Forest Service employee to co-teach a two-day lesson on the river, fish species and their diets. The event ended in students tying their own fishing flies. “The teaching team did a phenomenal job and despite never working together prior to this event, the unit went flawlessly,” Sindt said. “The presenters noted how knowledgeable the Calder students are about their river and fish.”

Looking ahead, Sindt said Lynn and Goetz are planning additional units on snowshoeing, navigation, bicycling and rafting. Future lessons will also include guest speakers covering topics such as beacon use, outdoor shelter building, river classifications, water safety and avalanche awareness. While time constraints limit large off-campus trips during the school year, Sindt said the program is designed to connect with community partners. “Although there is not enough time in our school day/year for us to take students on big trips, the projects that Sybil and Tami are creating lend themselves to coordination with our local 4-H group,” she said. “We are eager to coordinate summer adventures on local bike trails and rivers.” Sindt said the goal of the program is to give students practical skills, foster a connection to their environment and highlight career opportunities tied to the region’s natural resources.

Our Early Learning Program is set to continue for the 2026-27 school year! The District will continue to offer small, school-based preschool and childcare serving children 5 and under.

💛 Why families love small programs:
• Very small group
• More individual attention and stronger relationships
• Calm, nurturing environment
• Consistent caregivers your child knows and trusts
• Play-based preschool learning built into the day
• Located on a K–8 school campus
• Monday–Thursday schedule with extended care options available

This program is designed for families who value quality over quantity and want their child to feel known, safe, and supported as they grow and learn.

Complete our questionnaire if you're interested in taking advantage of our program.

Our second annual Early Birds event returns on Friday, April 10. Area agencies and organizations will be available to provide resources not just for families with young children but also teens and young adults! This year we are eager to provide more information to more families regardless of the ages of the children in the home.

The St. Joe Adventurers have begun meetings again. The 4H group meets once a month to conduct group business, plan for the Benewah County Fair, and learn new skills.

In February, participants chose fair projects and made paracord bracelets.

All area children ages 5+ are welcome to participate. A fair project is not required.

Join us in cleaning up the St. Joe River Valley. The St. Joe Adventurers 4H club will be cleaning up Calder. Others have signed up for areas along the highway.

Reach out to Megan Sindt or Lori Young with questions.

Organizers of the annual Calder Kids' Doomsday Fun Run have announced the date of their 3rd annual event. May 2 children and families will participate in the event which promotes healthy living, physical movement, and being outdoors.

Children's fees are deeply discounted to encourage participation of area youth.

Sponsors support the day's operations, aid stations, and tshirts for all finishers and volunteers.

Proceeds of this non-profit event are donated to the Avery Community Center and the Calder Parents' Club.

If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please complete this form.

Participants can register here.