This week: BCSD and St. Luke's Improve Community Health, Watch the Webcasts for Syringa Mountain School and the Budget meetings, Celebrate Student Accomplishments, Read About Teacher Contract Negotiations

May 9, 2015

St. Luke's and BCSD Partner to Improve Community Health

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare recently reported that immunization rates increased in the Blaine County School District for the 2015 - 2016 academic school year. Records showing that students had completed all required immunizations is up to 77.2%, compared to 65.7% in 2013-14. The current Idaho percentage is 86.7% and the state goal is 90%. Read the press release.

Student Invited to National Competition in Washington, D.C.

Hemingway Elementary 3rd grade student, Rya Nichols, won an award at the Regional Invent Idaho competition and was invited to represent Idaho at the National Invention and Entrepreneurship Expo Competition in Washington, D.C. May 19-21. This event includes competition finalists of invention, entrepreneurship, engineering, and science fairs across the country, hosted by the STEMIE Coalition. The STEMIE Coalition elevates K-12 invention and entrepreneurship education to higher levels in schools across the United States. Not only will Rya showcase her invention, but she will be judged during a peer review event where she will present a four-minute pitch of her idea and be subjected to five minutes of questioning about her innovation. Hemingway GATE teacher Pam Duquette stated, "This will be quite an experience, so when you see Rya, share your congratulations and wish her luck!"

Silver Creek High School Honors Mentors, Invites Community to See Sound Studio

Wednesday, May 11

5:00 p.m.

Silver Creek High School

Silver Creek High School's Big Picture Learning program relies on the generosity of community mentors for the Big Picture Learning internship program. On Wednesday, May 11, mentors are invited to SCHS for an appreciation event. Following the event, SCHS will hold a ribbon-cutting for the new sound studio, which was Tyson Spellman's Senior Project. Learn more about Tyson and SCHS by watching this video. And then come on Wednesday to celebrate our community mentors and the new sound studio!

Students Use Trash to Examine Local Lifestyles

Wednesday, May 18

1:40-3:30 p.m.

Wood River High School, Distance Learning Lab

Public Invited, Check in at front desk for visitor pass and directions

Members of the Wood River High School W.A.T.E.R. club participated in multiple highway cleanups this year and instead of throwing away the trash, they created photography to answer the question; "What can we learn about our lifestyle through our trash?"

W.A.T.E.R. club adviser Erika Greenberg says, "This promises to be something you should not miss."

Robotics Students Compete and Learn

The Wood River Middle School Robotics teams competed in the VEX World Robotics Competition held in Louisville Kentucky at the end of April. According to adviser and coach Jeremy Silvis, they finished qualifying rounds with a 4 and 6 record ranking them #56 in their division. The team won their first match, then went on to experience electrical problems with their robot due to a faulty battery. After electrical problems were remedied, the team finished strong winning their last 3 matches of the tournament.

There were 172 Middle School teams from around the world which represent the top 15% of teams world wide. Coach Silvis was very impressed with the team's hard work and ability to compete with the best of the best teams. This trip was made possible by many people and community businesses who donated time and money including: 4H, Rocky Mountain Hardware, Blaine County Education Foundation, Wood River Middle School and Power Engineers.

The team of Andrew Nelson, Aaron Ornelas Andazola, Huck Sprong, and Davey Schrader qualified for VEX Worlds by winning the Idaho Middle School Excellence Award at the Idaho State Robotics Competition in Caldwell, Idaho.

Teacher Contract Negotiations Conclude

Negotiations concluded on Friday May 6, 2016. Read the press release here.

Board of Trustees Special Meeting for Syringa Mountain School: Watch the Webcast

The Board of Trustees discussed Syringa's request to become an Innovative School in the Blaine County School District. The Board of Trustees will vote on the request on Tuesday, May 10. If you have questions or comments, you can email the Board of Trustees here.

Board of Trustees Special Meeting for Budget: Watch the Webcast

The Board of Trustees discussed the proposed budget. The Board is scheduled to vote on the budget in June. If you have any questions or comments you can email the Board here.

Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

Tuesday, May 10

6:00 p.m.

Community Campus, Minnie Moore Room

Agenda Highlights Include:

Board Accolades: Gloria Giraldo-Hurst, Dorinda Rendahl, Suzanne Kiflawi, Barb Feehan, Paula Schwab, Brady Campbell, Jen Bradshaw, BCSD Technology and Maintenance Departments
Best Communities in Music Education Award from NAMM
School Report: Wood River Middle School
Public Comment - twice on the agenda, once at the beginning and later toward the end of the meeting
Mental Health Therapist Update
Superintendent Report: Student Engagement Survey
Board Chair Report
Decisions: Ratification of Master Agreement, Syringa's Innovative School Request

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.

The Board of Trustees also has a page for Public Records Requests here.