This week: Attention All 5th Grade Parents, Trustee Vacancy, Students News + More

January 30, 2017

Attention All 5th Grade Parents: Deadline Friday, February 3

Tell Us Your Plans for 6th Grade

Hemingway School would like 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. Starting next year, Hemingway School could be a new choice for parents and students in addition to Wood River Middle School, depending on the interest of parents and students going into 6th grade.

5th Grade Parents: Fill out the Middle School Choice form by Friday, February 3. The goal is to have 65 students interested in attending 6th grade at Hemingway School. We would like to hear from all 5th grade parents so that we know what your plans are for 6th Grade. Thank you!

Trustee Vacancy for Zone 5: Deadline Friday, February 10

Individuals interested in applying for the Zone 5 seat should submit a letter of interest to Board Clerk, Amanda LaChance via email at amandalachance@blaineschools.org, via fax at 208-578-5110, or in person at the District Office located at 118 W. Bullion St. Hailey, Idaho.

Letters of interest are due to the Board Clerk by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2017. Read more.

BCSD One of Four in Idaho to Earn a Spot on the AP District Honor Roll

Blaine County School District is one of 433 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 7th Annual AP ® District Honor Roll. To be included on the 7th Annual Honor Roll, Blaine County School District had to, since 2014, increase the number of students participating in AP while also increasing or maintaining the number of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. Reaching these goals shows that this district is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for AP.

Superintendent Dr. GwenCarol Holmes stated, "The recognition of being listed on the 7th Annual AP District Honor Roll provides another data point to confirm that BCSD is increasing opportunities for all students to participate successfully in advanced opportunity classes. It is testament to the incredible work happening in our schools and the dedication of BCSD staff to the children of our valley." Read more.

Meet Malila Freeman

By Andrew Reed for Idaho Ed News - The good news just came one week ago, but Malila Freeman still finds it hard to believe.

"Congratulations on your admission to Harvard! I hope you will join us in Cambridge this August as a member of the class of 2021," read the email from Harvard University.

All the hard work paid off. Malila is headed to one of the world's most prestigious institutions. Read more .

Volunteers Needed
Freshmen Boards at WRHS

WRHS freshmen will present proposals for their Personal Project through March 16. Each student will explain their project and answer questions. This presentation, known as Freshman Boards, determines whether the student is approved to begin working on their project. This is a chance for the community to get involved by listening to the presentations and providing feedback. Read more .

Board of Trustees Make Changes to School Calendar

Students Will Have Full Week Off at Thanksgiving,

Spring Break Moved Back One Week

A year ago the Board of Trustees convened a Calendar Committee consisting of the Blaine County Education Association, teachers from each school, principals, and parents from each Trustee zone. After reviewing attendance data for the first half of the school year and further considering the recommendations of the Calendar Committee, the Board of Trustees voted to make their own adjustments to the school calendars for the next two school years. View the calendars and read more here .

Blaine County School District Announces Retirement of Hemingway Principal

Blaine County School District announces the retirement of Hemingway Principal Don Haisley. Haisley retires after a 37 year career in education. He has spent the last 16 of those years as principal, and the 8 years prior to that teaching at Hemingway Elementary.

Blaine County School District Superintendent Dr. GwenCarol Holmes said, "We are grateful to Mr. Haisley for his service over the past 24 years at Hemingway Elementary. We appreciate having ample notice to begin the search for a new principal to lead Hemingway in its expansion to a STEAM school and we wish Mr. Haisley the best of luck in his future endeavors." Read more.

Coffee with the Community

Join us! Superintendent Dr. GwenCarol Holmes will host coffee with the community this Friday, February 3 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Hailey Coffee Company on Main Street in Hailey.

The event is meant to be an informal opportunity for conversation with the Superintendent. There is no agenda or formal presentation. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions and comments and come and go whenever their schedule allows.

WRMS Students Excel in Future City Competition

32 students from the Wood River Middle School GATE: Future Solutions class attended the 2016-2017 Idaho Regional Future City Competition. The students were divided into three teams: Team Olympus (7th grade students), Team OB City (7th grade students), and Team Metatropia (6th grade students). All three teams earned a special award. Read more.

To view more photos go here.