Idaho State Department of Education

Congratulations to Suzi Morgan, Idaho's School Nurse of the Year! Suzi Morgan treats students in the Emmett Independent School District #221; she will be honored next summer at a national conference in Atlanta! Suzi earned this honor after being nominated by her peers and responded with humility, saying, "It’s been a tough year for all school nurses. There’s no way I could do my job if I didn’t have great office staff to work with and the amazing support from Carberry’s Principal Greg Alexander. School nursing is the best job I could ever hope to have and I absolutely love the challenges and successes as I help students deal with health maintenance and chronic health issues. Healthy students are ready to learn and I do what I can to make that happen.” Thank you for all you do for Idaho students, Suzi Morgan!

Emmett School District’s nurse Suzi Morgan has been named School Nurse of the Year for Idaho and will be honored next summer at a national conference in Atlanta.

Morgan primarily treats students at Emmett’s Carberry Elementary, but also serves at Emmett and Black Canyon high schools.

Morgan, nominated by peers, has been a school nurse in Emmett since 2008. Nominees were reviewed by the School Nurse Organization of Idaho and then the winner was selected by a committee.

“I didn't know I was nominated so it was a big surprise,” Morgan said. “I am humbled, believe me. It's been a tough year for all school nurses. There's no way I could do my job if I didn't have great office staff to work with and the amazing support from Carberry’s Principal Greg Alexander. School nursing is the best job I could ever hope to have and I absolutely love the challenges and successes as I help students deal with health maintenance and chronic health issues. Healthy students are ready to learn and I do what I can to make that happen.”

Principal Alexander is very proud of Morgan.

“Suzi is an amazing colleague, school nurse and member of our community. She spends most of her time at Carberry but also serves Emmett High School and Black Canyon Jr-Sr High as needed,” Alexander said. “I knew of Suzi before I came to Emmett because of her reputation of getting so many students immunization records up to date. She knows the value of a healthy school and keeping track of her reports is something that is acknowledged at the state level. Before Carberry was a Community School, Suzi was the person whom teachers and staff went to get basic needs met for students.”

But more than that, Morgan has built a reputation as the person to go to when there is a need.

“Whether a bloody knee or a sad heart, Suzi can be counted on to listen and support the person, whether student or staff. If something is going on, Suzi knows about it or is planning it,” Alexander said. “I think she created the term ‘FOMO, Fear of Missing Out.”

Morgan has a long list of accomplishments. She started as a LPN in 1982 and became an RN in 1992. She became a school nurse in 1994. Before nursing, she was a teacher and has a Master’s in Vocational Education.

She just completed a term, serving on the national board as the Idaho Director for National Association of School Nurses. As a Director, she helped write position papers on chronic absenteeism and service animals in schools, among others.

She also:
+ Serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for NASN School Nurse magazine reviewing article submissions for publication.
Is the Secretary for SNOI and has served as President for SNOI as well.
+ In Emmett Schools, she is the CPR instructor for the district, serves on the Insurance and Wellness Committees, Leadership team for Carberry and Building Rep for GCEA.
+ Is a Certified Family Home provider.
+ Teaches driver’s education.

In May, Superintendent Ybarra cut the ribbon at the official launch of Idaho's Think Make Create Labs, a fleet of 12 mobile, pop-up makerspace trailers that will support STEM education in rural and underserved communities in Idaho! STEM education and serving rural & remote communities are key issues for Supt. Ybarra, and she was so honored to speak at the unveiling of this collaborative effort in which our department is taking part! The Think Make Create units were built in part by Idaho students, and are compact activity centers for K-8 hands-on learning; it is estimated that 8,000 Idaho students will use the labs during their first year! We are grateful to Idaho STEM Action Center, Idaho Out-of-School Network, University of Idaho Extension 4-H Youth Development, Idaho Career & Technical Education, Gizmo-CDA, and other community partners for making this initiative a reality.
Read more:https://stem.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/Press-Releases/2021/tmcLabs_NewsRelease_FINAL.pdf

Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Idaho Aviation Art Contest! 224 student artists ages 5-18 participated in this year's contest; 1st-place winners in each age category won a flight in an airplane and all winners will receive their artwork back with a signature from the Governor! We love seeing students' beautiful artwork and love the opportunity to celebrate students' achievements with them! Make sure to keep an eye out for next year's contest in spring of 2022 by following Idaho Division Of Aeronautics!

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED TOMORROW

The Idaho State Board of Education will gather for a virtual special Board meeting on Friday, June 4, 2021, starting at 3 p.m. (MDT).

The meeting will be carried via livestream on the State Board’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7j4VGGyNzPa6g6a-zVTHnA

The public can also listen to the meeting by calling 1(877) 820-7831, Passcode: 7483005.

Agenda items include:
• FY 2022 compensation for college and university presidents and agency directors serving under the Board.
• Consider approval of Idaho’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) State Education Agency plan. If approved, the ESSER plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education as required under the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The special Board meeting agenda is posted on the State Board’s website:
https://boardofed.idaho.gov/event/special-board-meeting-boise-35/

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING SCHEDULED TOMORROW

The Idaho State Board of Education will gather for a virtual special Board meeting on Friday, June 4, 2021, starting at 3 p.m. (MDT).

The meeting will be carried via livestream on the State Board’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7j4VGGyNzPa6g6a-zVTHnA

The public can also listen to the meeting by calling 1(877) 820-7831, Passcode: 7483005.

Agenda items include:
• FY 2022 compensation for college and university presidents and agency directors serving under the Board.
• Consider approval of Idaho’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) State Education Agency plan. If approved, the ESSER plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education as required under the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

The special Board meeting agenda is posted on the State Board’s website:
https://boardofed.idaho.gov/event/special-board-meeting-boise-35/

Join Idaho Public Television for their “Summer of Learning”: educational programming for school-age youth on weekdays from May 31 - August 20! Programming will be available on the Idaho PTV CREATE Channel and on many Cable channels!

From Camp TV, to Let’s Learn, DIY Science Time and Classroom Idaho, these educational programs will keep kids engaged and give them the boost they need to tackle school in the fall. Learn more at https://www.idahoptv.org/learn/distanceLearning/classroomIdaho/

Join Idaho Public Television for their “Summer of Learning”: educational programming for school-age youth on weekdays from May 31 - August 20! Programming will be available on the Idaho PTV CREATE Channel and on many Cable channels!

From Camp TV, to Let’s Learn, DIY Science Time and Classroom Idaho, these educational programs will keep kids engaged and give them the boost they need to tackle school in the fall. Learn more at https://www.idahoptv.org/learn/distanceLearning/classroomIdaho/

We are so grateful to our employees for the incredible response to the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s service event in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho! Superintendent Ybarra visited the Ronald McDonald House today to present them with a check in the amount of $700. Thanks to our team for their generosity and to Ronald McDonald House for the impact they make in the community! Learn more: https://www.rmhcidaho.org/

We are so grateful to our employees for the incredible response to the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s service event in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho! Superintendent Ybarra visited the Ronald McDonald House today to present them with a check in the amount of $700. Thanks to our team for their generosity and to Ronald McDonald House for the impact they make in the community! Learn more: https://www.rmhcidaho.org/

Congratulations to our amazing 2021 Idaho Teacher of the Year Jorge Pulleiro on this new chapter in his life! Jorge has been selected as the new assistant principal at Twin Falls High School! Best wishes to you Jorge, we are so happy for you!

Read more in the Twin Falls School District press release: https://www.tfsd.org/15068-2/

Congratulations to our amazing 2021 Idaho Teacher of the Year Jorge Pulleiro on this new chapter in his life! Jorge has been selected as the new assistant principal at Twin Falls High School! Best wishes to you Jorge, we are so happy for you!

Read more in the Twin Falls School District press release: https://www.tfsd.org/15068-2/

7's HERO: Mountain Home High School senior paints American flag mural for the gym

A lovely story for Memorial Day! Hunter Delsite, who graduated from Mountain Home High School on Friday, found out the school needed a flag in the gym, so he decided to paint one! He worked on the 6 X 18 foot mural for an entire semester, leaving a mark on his school and his community that will last for years to come!
Hunter is from an Air Force family, and this meant so much to him. Thank you Hunter for this gift to the community!

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/outreach/sevens-hero/7s-hero-mountain-home-senior-flag-mural/277-c28790b4-d623-4ca9-a1c8-3b3a145921a1

7's HERO: Mountain Home High School senior paints American flag mural for the gym Hunter Delsite, who graduated on Friday, says it was an honor to leave a powerful and lasting legacy at his high school.

529 Day (May 29), is a great opportunity to pause and reflect on preparing for your student's future! Make sure to learn more about IDeal - Idaho College Savings Program, our state's 529 education savings plan, this 529 day! https://www.idsaves.org/

Learn more about 529 Day and hear what Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth likes best about 529 plans:
https://swsmmagazine.com/2021/05/5-29-day-putting-higher-education-in-a-childs-vision/

529 Day (May 29), is a great opportunity to pause and reflect on preparing for your student's future! Make sure to learn more about IDeal - Idaho College Savings Program, our state's 529 education savings plan, this 529 day! https://www.idsaves.org/

Learn more about 529 Day and hear what Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth likes best about 529 plans:
https://swsmmagazine.com/2021/05/5-29-day-putting-higher-education-in-a-childs-vision/

Superintendent Ybarra took her annual Legislative Roadshow to eastern Idaho last week, and had the opportunity to visit American Heritage Charter School and Robert Stuart Middle School in the Twin Falls School District! Grateful to our hosts in Idaho Falls and Twin Falls!

Robert Stuart Middle School Bears

Opportunity for Idaho students! The Idaho State Museum is offering summer camps for youth entering grades K-2 and 3-5! Campers will engage with Idaho's cultures, traditions, architecture, recreation and more through hands-on activities, museum exploration, and play.

For students unable to attend an Idaho State Museum camp in-person, Explorer Camp Kits are available to purchase. Kits are complete with Idaho-themed arts and crafts, science experiments, games, and more and can be shipped or picked up curbside.

Learn more and register at www.history.idaho.gov/events

Idaho State Historical Society

Opportunity for Idaho students! The Idaho State Museum is offering summer camps for youth entering grades K-2 and 3-5! Campers will engage with Idaho's cultures, traditions, architecture, recreation and more through hands-on activities, museum exploration, and play.

For students unable to attend an Idaho State Museum camp in-person, Explorer Camp Kits are available to purchase. Kits are complete with Idaho-themed arts and crafts, science experiments, games, and more and can be shipped or picked up curbside.

Learn more and register at www.history.idaho.gov/events

Idaho State Historical Society

Our department is offering FREE, virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid training to Idaho adults who work with youth or have youth in their homes! Upcoming trainings are on June 9th and June 19th!
Register for the June 9th training: https://form.jotform.com/210664974065057
Register for the June 19th training: https://form.jotform.com/210664599776069

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to assess a person for signs of suicidal thoughts or other mental health conditions, how to listen nonjudgmentally, and how to help people connect with proper resources in their community to find help.

Topics covered include depression and mood disorders, suicide, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis and substance use disorder.

This is a six-hour class consisting of two hours of self-guided study with four hours of an interactive zoom call.

Our department is offering FREE, virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid training to Idaho adults who work with youth or have youth in their homes! Upcoming trainings are on June 9th and June 19th!
Register for the June 9th training: https://form.jotform.com/210664974065057
Register for the June 19th training: https://form.jotform.com/210664599776069

Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to assess a person for signs of suicidal thoughts or other mental health conditions, how to listen nonjudgmentally, and how to help people connect with proper resources in their community to find help.

Topics covered include depression and mood disorders, suicide, anxiety disorders, trauma, psychosis and substance use disorder.

This is a six-hour class consisting of two hours of self-guided study with four hours of an interactive zoom call.

Superintendent Sherri Ybarra appreciated the opportunity to have a discussion with Moscow High School students while visiting northern Idaho on her Legislative Roadshow! Supt. Ybarra even had the opportunity to meet Jaston McClure (one of only two Idaho students to be honored as 2021 Presidential Scholars) while at Moscow High! Many thanks to MHS for being such wonderful hosts!

Join our team! The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SOPI) is seeking a highly qualified candidate to serve as Program Information Coordinator supporting the Public School Finance department. Apply here by 5 pm MT on June 9: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/idaho/jobs/3096098/program-information-coordinator-public-school-finance?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

The principal function of this position is to collect, process and/or report data from public schools for the SOPI Office. The work is performed under the guidance of the Public School Finance Chief Fiscal Officer and Financial Specialists, but considerable latitude is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. This is a full time position serving under an appointment of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Please see the job posting with more details on the position responsibilities and qualifications.

Join our team! The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SOPI) is seeking a highly qualified candidate to serve as Program Information Coordinator supporting the Public School Finance department. Apply here by 5 pm MT on June 9: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/idaho/jobs/3096098/program-information-coordinator-public-school-finance?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

The principal function of this position is to collect, process and/or report data from public schools for the SOPI Office. The work is performed under the guidance of the Public School Finance Chief Fiscal Officer and Financial Specialists, but considerable latitude is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. This is a full time position serving under an appointment of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Please see the job posting with more details on the position responsibilities and qualifications.