This week: Read the Superintendent's Letter, Welcome to the Class of 2030, + More

April 10, 2017

Read the Letter from the Superintendent

April 2017

Dear Blaine County Neighbors,

Please allow me an opportunity to update you on some of the amazing work the Blaine County School District staff accomplished in the past year. In the spring of 2015, the community helped us create a guide for our work: the BCSD Strategic Plan. In the past year the staff have:

greatly improved graduation rates, especially for some of our previously underserved populations,
improved attendance,
and significantly improved the number of students participating in advanced opportunity classes. We have been named to the national AP Honor Roll for our work in this area.

Read more here.

BCSD Announces Final Candidate for Hemingway Principal

The Blaine County School District announces Ms. Patricia Short as the final candidate for Hemingway Elementary Principal. Superintendent Dr. GwenCarol Holmes will present Short's name to the Board of Trustees for approval at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Minnie Moore Room at the Community Campus.

Dr. GwenCarol Holmes stated, "We are very excited to introduce Ms. Short to the Hemingway School family. She brings great enthusiasm and talent to the school and the district. Ms. Short has already been warmly embraced by Hemingway staff and parents whom she met during the interview process." Read more here.

Civics for the Internet Age

By Jamie Stark Spring for the Stanford Social Innovation Review, 2017

Students have cried in Tim Rierden's (pictured above) social studies class at Wood River High School in Hailey, Idaho, scared that their parents might be deported under President Donald Trump. Some of their classmates' parents probably voted for Trump, like 31 percent of voters in red Idaho's Democratic-leaning Blaine County.

How is Rierden supposed to lead political discussion in such an emotional and rapidly shifting, partisan world? Rierden has the kids jump on their school-provided Chromebooks. He uses a free curriculum, called AllSides for Schools , that aims to encourage productive discussions on controversial issues. The curriculum's first module, called "Relationships First," helps students recognize that despite political disagreements, they likely share core values with their peers. Read more.

Choir Students Shine in the Sunshine State

Choir students from Wood River High School spent part of their spring break attending the Heritage Music Festival in Anaheim, California. Collectively, the choir students were awarded the Choral Sweepstakes trophy, which is awarded to the best choral program at the festival. Congratulations to the choirs from Wood River High School.

Colla Voce - Gold Medal, 1st place in the Jazz Choir Division, Outstanding Choir Trophy

B-Tones - Gold Medal, 1st place in the Men's Choir Division

Enchanté - Gold Medal, 3rd place in the Women's Choir Division

Morning Blend - Silver Medal 3rd place in the Concert Choir Division

Led by Max Stimac, coaches included Dorinda Rendahl, RL Rowsey, Melodie Mauldin and Jaymie Stimac. " Another big victory for WRHS was the wonderful behavior of our students throughout the entire trip," stated Mr. Stimac.

Welcome to the Class of 2030

We are excited to welcome next year's Kindergarten class of 2030. We enjoyed meeting a few new students during Kindergarten registration last week. Find out what they want to be when the grow up.

Board of Trustees

Tuesday, April 11, 6:00 p.m.

Minnie Moore Room, Community Campus

1050 Fox Acres Rd, Hailey, ID, 83333

Agenda Highlights Include:

Board Accolades: Kevin Lupton, Kyle Carr, Sheriff Steve Harkins, Paul Zimmerman, Debi Gutknecht, Eric Anderson, Angie Martinez, WRMS, Bellevue and Alturas Staff
Superintendent Report
Board Chair Report: Student Liaison Report, Teacher, Zone 2 and 4 Elections, Board Self-Assessment
New Business and Decisions: Strategic Plan Update, Achievement Gap Plan, and Professional Development, 2017-18 Budget Preview
Policies: Please see agenda for list of policies being considered

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. Orden del dia. Spanish interpretation will be available at all regular Board of Trustees meetings.