D91 News & Updates
May 2021
Teacher Appreciation Week Is A Great Time To Celebrate D91’s Teachers!
There are lots of ways to celebrate our teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week May 3-7!
  • Brag about your favorite D91 teacher by filling out the “We Love Our D91 Teachers” form on the district website today. We’ll share those shout-outs on the D91Facebook page on May 4 & 5.
  • During Teacher Appreciation Week update your Facebook or other social media profiles with one of our “We Love Our D91 Teachers” photo frames as part of our “Frame Yourself” event on May 3.
  • Read all the “We Love Our D91 Teachers” shout-outs on May 4 & 5 on our D91Proud Facebook Page.
  • On May 6, finish the week with Tag A Teacher Thursday by giving your own shout-out to one of our dedicated teachers using the #WeLoveOurD91Teachers hashtag.
D91 Welcomes New Administrators for 2021-22
We look forward to welcoming Dr. James Shank as D91's new superintendent. Dr. Shank’s educational background includes teaching as a special education teacher, principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, central office experience as a director of special education, federal programs and assessments, and previous superintendent experience in Washington and Utah. He will start officially on July 1.
Some of our elementary, middle and high schools will also be welcoming new administrators in the coming school year. Staff changes include:  
  • Dr. Christopher Powell is the new principal of Idaho Falls High School. Chris is the current principal of Eagle Rock Middle School. IFHS Principal David England is leaving for a new position in Bonneville School District 93.
  • Ethan Wilford is the new principal of Eagle Rock Middle School. Ethan is currently Eagle Rock’s assistant principal. Fran Teske, the current principal of Westside Elementary School, will be the new assistant principal.
  • Stacey Barrett is the new assistant principal at Taylorview Middle School. Brooke Stosich, who was the assistant principal at Taylorview, has joined the district office team as the district’s Coordinator of Learning Loss Interventions. She will oversee efforts to try and close achievement gaps that may have occurred as a result of the pandemic.
  • Kelsey Anderson will replace Fran Teske as the new principal at Westside Elementary School. Kelsey currently serves as the assistant principal at Linden Park Elementary School.
  • Sarah Cherry is the new principal of Fox Hollow Elementary School. She will replace Tammi Utter who plans to retire at the end of the school year after more than 30 years with Idaho Falls School District 91. We wish Tammi all the best. She will be missed! Sarah is currently the assistant principal at Sunnyside Elementary School.
D91 Is Focused on Closing Learning Gaps This Summer 
If your child has fallen behind or is missing some credits, D91 is planning a number of summer school options to help address any learning loss that may have occurred during the pandemic.
For middle school and high school students who have failed a class, the district’s traditional summer school is the best option. Registration is now open, and packets are available at counseling offices or at www.ifschools.org. The middle school session runs from June 15 to July 27. There are three high school sessions: June 15-28, June 29-July 13 and July 14-27. The sessions will be held at Compass Academy. Transportation is available.
In addition, summer camps are being organized to help elementary and middle school students close achievement gaps. The focus of the camps will be on helping students gain critical reading and math skills. Students who are far below grade-level benchmarks will be invited to participate in this program, which will take place in June. Sessions will be held at Dora Erickson, Ethel Boyes and A.H. Bush elementary schools and Eagle Rock Middle School. Watch for more details.  
Schools Will Be Collecting Chromebooks/Laptops In A Few Weeks
D91 this year checked out thousands of Chromebooks and laptops to ensure students could do remote learning on Fridays or any other day as needed. As we start planning for the end of the school year, schools are preparing to gather up all those devices. Watch for more detailed information from your school, but here are some general things to think about:

  • All elementary and secondary students are expected to return their D91 device before they leave for the summer.
  • Watch for specific dates from your school, but most elementary schools will probably check devices during the last week of school. Secondary schools are still setting their dates.
  • Students/parents should clean the device before turning them in. Please remove stickers and wipe down the device with a damp Clorox or Lysol disinfectant wipe. (Please do not use wipes that have a hand softening agent because they leave a film on the machines.)
  • On check-in day, students should bring their device, charger and any other accessories.
Plans Under Way For Special 5th Grade Patriotic Program
Students have been hard at work preparing for D91’s annual patriotic program, and this year more people than ever will be able to share in this special event.
Performances at each of our elementary school will be filmed next week, and then compiled into a districtwide video that will be shared with parents, friends and the whole community. And, 6th graders who missed out on the experience because of last spring’s school closures will also have the chance to take part.
The theme for this year’s program is: “This Flag We Fly.” Watch for more details and the link to the performance on our D91Proud Facebook Page sometime in May. Students have been hard at work practicing the songs, and we can’t wait to showcase our students’ talents!
Sign Up Today For D91’s Summer Band & Orchestra
Do you have an aspiring musician? D91 is pleased to once again offer summer band, orchestra and strings camps. The camps are open to students in 5th grade and above. The cost is $45. This year’s camps are scheduled from June 9-July 2. Students must provide their own instruments, but instrument rental is available.
Learn more about the camps –
Questions? Call the D91 Music Office at (208) 525-7572. 
D91 Online Academy Registration Deadline May 6
D91’s newest choice for learning – D91 Online Academy – is still accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year for grades K-8, and has opened up registration to out-of-district students. The deadline for registration is May 6. The online academy provides high quality instruction, a flexible schedule and personalized learning. And, for the 2021-22 school year, many special activities are being planned such as tutoring, field trips and more. Get more information and register at: www.ifschools.org. 
Please Remember D91 Education Foundation During Idaho Gives 
Idaho Gives, an online effort to bring Idahoans together to raise awareness and money for Idaho’s non-profits is currently under way. If you participate in Idaho Gives, please consider a donation to the D91 Education Foundation, which supports teachers and inspires students in Idaho Falls School District 91. The foundation oversees a number of teacher grant programs that enrich learning by providing additional resources, supplies and materials for special projects. In partnership with several organizations and families, the foundation also provides thousands of dollars in scholarships to D91 graduates each year. In addition, the foundation holds a number of special events and activities to recognize teachers and staff.
Idaho Gives runs April 29-May 6. You can donate to the D91 Ed Foundation at: https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/d91-education-foundation. Thank you!
Mark Your Calendar: Important Dates
Mid-May: It’s Back! Whoohooo! 4th Grade Rendezvous
May 24-28: It’s Back! Whoohooo! 6th Grade Track Meet
May 31: Memorial Day – No School
June 1: Compass & Emerson Graduations
June 2: Idaho Falls High School Graduation
June 3: Skyline High School Graduation
June 4: Last Day of School! No Late Start - 90 Minute Early Release
Idaho Falls School District 91 | Email | 208-525-7500 | Website