Dear Parents and Staff,

Wow! It has been a rough return from Winter Break with school closures due to negative temperatures and wind chill that put students at risk for frostbite.  On top of that we had icy roads and snow falling so fast that road and snow removal  crews could not keep up. The decision to hold school is always based on the answer to the question, can we get the students to school safely?  

We started the year with fabulous attendance and a long stretch of great, uninterrupted learning time. I am hoping the weather will cooperate and we can take advantage of this next stretch of the school year. Between now and spring break, we are looking forward to uninterrupted learning time and terrific attendance.

I appreciate the incredible work done by parents, city and county road crews, the BCSD buildings and grounds team, custodians, bus drivers, principals, school secretaries,  the communications team and our community partners in helping us get students to school safely when we could and keeping students safe and cared for on days when we had to close school.

Please accept my deepest gratitude. It is a privilege and pleasure to work in a community that so values its children and their education.

With gratitude,

GwenCarol Holmes

Superintendent

Parents and students in the Wood River Valley will now have a choice for students advancing to 6th grade. Hemingway School is planning to expand to grades 6-8 with a focus on STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math integrated across subjects and throughout the learning experience. Hemingway School is a new choice for parents and students in addition to Wood River Middle School.  Come learn about both schools at informational meetings.  Meet the principals from each school and learn more about the exciting choices for middle school in Blaine County!

Parent Meetings - Parents are welcome to attend any meeting that fits their schedule. Geared toward parents of 4th and 5th grade students, but anyone is welcome

Meet Ellen Sanders, Orchestra Teacher at Wood River High School, read the article in Idaho Ed News.

The Blaine County School District understands that unexpected adverse economic conditions may occur to any family at any time. This type of hardship may cause a change in a desired living condition and a loss of housing. It could mean that a family must move in with relatives, friends, or other people until the economic hardship passes. It may mean that the living conditions are no longer adequate in  accommodations (lack of running water, electricity, other utilities). The Blaine County School District wants to make sure that these conditions do not negatively impact the education of your child. If you are experiencing economic hardship that impacts your housing, please talk to your School Social Worker to discuss education possibilities and assistance that may be available. We are here to support you.

El Distrito Escolar del Condado de Blaine entiende que inesperadas condiciones económicas adversas pudieran afectar a cualquier familia en cualquier momento. Este tipo de dificultad puede causar un cambio en la condición de vida deseada y una pérdida de la vivienda. Podría significar que una familia tenga que mudarse con familiares, amigos u otras personas hasta que pase la dificultad económica. Pudiera significar que las condiciones de vida ya no son las adecuadas en cuanto al alojamiento (falta de agua potable, electricidad u otros servicios). El Distrito Escolar del Condado de Blaine quiere asegurarse de que estas condiciones no tengan un impacto negativo en la educación de su hijo. Si usted está experimentando dificultades económicas que afectan su vivienda, por favor hable con su trabajador social escolar para conversar acerca de las posibilidades de educación y la asistencia que puede estar disponible. Estamos aquí para apoyarlo.

Tuesday, January 17,  6:00 p.m.

Minnie Moore Room, Community Campus

1050 Fox Acres Rd, Hailey, ID, 83333

Agenda Highlights Include:

How can you participate in the Board meetings? Public comment is always welcome at regular Board meetings. To read about how to make a public comment, click here .

You can also watch Board webcasts here .

Habrá interpretación al español en la reunión de la Junta. Spanish interpretation will be available at all regular Board of Trustees meetings. Please contact Olga Maza-Santos, District Translator, by 4:30 p.m. the night of the meeting to request interpretation services.

A few parents have asked whether school closures will affect the school calendar.  The State of Idaho requires hours, not days.   The hours vary for elementary and secondary grades. Despite the three school closures, all of our schools still meet the time requirements except Wood River High School which will need to make some small adjustments in their schedule. Stay tuned for more information.