BCSD Staff Newsletter March 2017
Superintendent Letter to Staff

Dear Colleagues,

In Blaine County School District, we pride ourselves on our students' high achievement. We are known for this both within and outside of Blaine County.  However, we still have students who are not meeting the minimum Idaho Content Standards, let alone excelling beyond them.

It is imperative that we close this gap; it is also the directive of the Board of Trustees.  Dr. Russell Quaglia told us, "If you have high expectations, relationships, and get students participating, you will not have an achievement gap."

We must expect nothing but the same high expectations for all of our students, regardless of what door they walk out of each morning.  To expect anything less is not worthy of the children we have been entrusted to educate. The road map forward will require all the courage and will power we can muster.  However, if there ever was a team to make this happen, the BCSD Family is that team. We can do this. We will do this.

It is great to have you on the team. Thank you.

With gratitude,

GwenCarol




Don't Forget!  Today is Idaho Day!


Idaho Day is March 4, 2017

March 4th, t he official Idaho Day, was established to commemorate the creation of the Idaho Territory by President Abraham Lincoln on that day in 1863.

This year's theme for Idaho Day is "Idaho the Beautiful." Idaho Day is a day for communities to come together and celebrate the Gem state. It is also a great time to learn more about Idaho's rich history. For example, did you know that Idaho's state seal is the only one in the United States created by a woman? Or that Boise replaced Lewiston as the territorial capital in 1865? If you want to learn more, visit the Idaho Historical Society's website . For more information go here.
Teaching & Learning
Pictured left to right, Marcia Grabow, Angie Martinez, Aaron Bronson and Debi Gutknecht.

Professional Development in BCSD


Professional Development is one of those terms that brings to mind multiple meanings and activities. Remember the days when you might have thought of Professional Development as a 2-3 day conference where you enjoyed a variety of topics, new sights and sounds, meeting professionals from all over the U.S., and maybe even finding something that you could implement when you went back to your school site?  

Although attending a conference is still one type of PD opportunity that is still available, Professional Development in Blaine County School District is taking on new meaning and direction. PD also includes group discussions, increasing knowledge and education through research, collaborating with colleagues, reflection of practices and data, as well as  book studies. Additionally, BCSD is now focusing our Professional Development in fewer areas with a greater emphasis on school and district goals. Remember, the one thing that all PD should do is to increase knowledge/skills that leads to a sustained change or improvement in practice to meet the needs of students.

Do you know the PD focus for your school?

Each school has a focused PD plan that was developed for the 2016-17 school year, based on the priorities of the school. Ask your principal if you have questions about the current PD plan. The focus of your 2017-18 PD plan will be developed in the next several weeks. 

Do you know the PD focus for the District?

As a district, we take our lead from our Strategic Plan: Inspire, Engage, Educate and Empower every student. This year, we have focused on the following areas district-wide:
  • Inspire: Relationships and school culture
  • Engage: The relevant why; Dr. Russell Quaglia and Student Voice
  • Educate: Elementary reading; Academic language development for all students through co-teaching, co-planning and ENL endorsement; Curriculum adoptions and development
  • Empower: Youth Mental Health First Aid classes; Social Emotional Learning Standards (research and adoptions by the Board)
What is the PD focus of the District for next year? 

The 2017-18 plan is being developed with DLT (District Leadership Team)  and TAC (Teacher Advisory Council) to transition and deepen current  focus areas. The district's staff collaboration days will give us the opportunity to work together on these goals.



Second Chance: Earn Your ENL Endorsement for Free!
Information Meeting - March 30, 3:45-4:45 @ Community Campus (Minnie Moore)


Boise State University (BSU) recently received a grant that will pay for credits that afford Idaho teachers an ENL (English as  New Language) endorsement for free. The BCSD already has a cohort of teachers working on their ENL endorsements from BSU ~
come join them!

Do you want to:
  • help close the achievement/opportunity gap?
  • effectively develop the academic language of ALL students through your content?
  • increase the achievement of students and improve access to rigorous content who are English learners in your classroom?
  • earn your English as a New Language (ENL) endorsement and continue to teach in your primary area of endorsement?
  • have the opportunity to have most of a master's degree paid for or advance on the salary schedule?

The opportunity is yours!
  • Available to certified teachers across the Blaine County School District
  • Join our ENL cohort of BCSD teachers to earn your ENL endorsement through Boise State University
  • This endorsement is FREE through the grant BSU was awarded (application required)
  • Credits earned will apply to salary advancement schedules

To learn more:

Teachers  interested in this opportunity are invited toattend an informational session with BSU and district leadership on Thursday, March 30th from 3:45 - 4:45 PM in the Minnie Moore Room at the Community Campus. If space becomes limited, preference will go to secondary teachers. If you can't make the meeting, please contact Angie Martinez, Director of Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning at 578-5017 or amartinez@blaineschools.org  for more information or to express interest.
Buildings and Grounds

The Buildings and Grounds crew participated in the staff professional development with Dr. Quaglia in February.  Several staff members enjoyed learning about the work of teachers, parapros and other staff and the importance of relationships and communication with students.  The Buildings and Grounds crew will be looking for ways to continue building relationships with students.  One recent example is the Buildings and Grounds crew serving as panelists for Personal Projects at WRHS.  Discussions are underway to collaborate with Greg Urbany and the construction academy to provide education regarding trades such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. 
Communications
 
Do You Know About Resources for Parents in Spanish?
Check out our Spanish Facebook Page and Learn How to Translate the Website


Did you know that you can translate the website into any language? Look for the translate link on the right-hand side of every page on every website at blaineschools.org. Tell your family and friends that they can translate the website with the click of a button.  And then, check out our Spanish Facebook page.  



Finance

Food Service Accounts Reminder

BCSD Policy 701.2 requires prepayment in all food service accounts. Please monitor your account and, when necessary, add money via Skyward, at school, or call Karen (x5018) at the District Office to make a credit card payment.

Want to know your balance for PD? 

Simply sign on to Skyward and follow these prompts:
  • Employee Access
  • Employee Information
  • Personal Information
  • Scroll through the links on the left-hand side all the way down until you see the heading UDF Tables
  • Open your UDF Tables
  • Click on the heading Professional Development
  • This screen will show you your available balance as well as usage for the current school year

Mental Health Training

Social workers Rebecca Tinsley and Carlos Meza are trained to provide an 8 hour training on Mental Health First Aid. According to Rebecca, "We teach signs and symptoms of common Mental Health Disorders that affect youth, Risk Factors, Protective Factors, Resiliency, and then how to step in to help a student.  We focus on the ALGEE (Action Plan) and how to help students and their families access professional help and self help strategies.  Suicide prevention is also a big part of the program."  The Strategic Plan goal is to train all staff in mental health first aid by 2020.  Congratulations to the staff who have completed the program!
Professional Development and Grant Opportunites

Code.org Professional Development Opportunity in Boise June 19-23

We're excited to announce that applications for Code.org's Professional Learning Program for CS Principles (HS) and CS Discoveries (MS) are now open. If your school plans to offer these courses in 2017-18, please encourage interested teachers to apply today!

Code.org's Professional Learning Program is an intensive, year-long professional learning program for middle and high school educators who are interested in teaching Code.org's CS Discoveries (middle school) or CS Principles (high school) courses. These programs are designed to prepare educators to provide high quality instruction based on the curriculum, tools and approach to students in their classrooms. 

Read more here.



The Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation is seeking proposals for conservation education projects for youth in the Wood River Valley.

The Foundation will award a single grant of up to $20,000 or two grants each of up to $10,000 by May 1, 2017.
  • Grant funds will be awarded for projects including, but not limited to: youth conservation and education activities and/or hands-on habitat improvement. Projects must be completed within a year of the grant award.
  • Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations. Volunteer groups may apply under the fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
  • The deadline for submitting proposals is April 6, 2017.
Read more here.