Idaho State Department of Education

This week, our Federal Programs and Special Education departments hosted the New & Experienced Federal Programs Directors Meeting in Nampa, bringing together more than 200 school district administrators from across the state (and another 150 for our Section 504 training) to provide comprehensive training on the many aspects of running federal programs in Idaho schools! Superintendent Ybarra welcomed attendees to the conference on the first day of the training and held a raffle for a self-care bag! Our team hosted sessions on Migrant Education Programs, education for homeless children & youth, best practices for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), pandemic relief funds, and much more. Thank you to our attendees for joining us to gain new skills and/or hone your knowledge!

Nampa School District government students joined Governor Brad Little at the Capitol Building yesterday as the Governor proclaimed October "Next Steps Idaho" month, highlighting the importance of planning for life after high school! Helpful tools for college and career planning are available on the Next Steps Idaho website at https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/

Remember: Apply Idaho (one tool available through Next Steps Idaho) is NOW OPEN for Idaho high school seniors to submit their free application(s) to Idaho public colleges! Idaho high school seniors are pre-qualified through Idaho's Direct Admissions process to attend either six, or all eight of Idaho’s public colleges and universities!

Our department is currently seeking two (2) temporary Technical Records Specialist candidates to provide support to our Certification and Professional Standards Department! Find more info and apply here by 5 pm (MT) on Friday Oct. 15: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/idaho/jobs/3268370/technical-records-specialist-1-education-transcript-review-temporary?keywords=temporary&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

This will be a temporary assignment, lasting at least three (3) months, starting as soon as possible. This position does not have benefits. The successful incumbent must be detail-oriented to accurately review teacher education transcripts for specific criteria. Research will be conducted in two different systems, to verify the documentation and possibly transfer information into the newer of the two system. The incumbent should have experience accessing data using a computerized records system. Training will be provided on utilizing the data systems and what criteria is needed from the transcripts. Work is performed under the supervision of a Teacher Certification Coordinator.

Our department is currently seeking two (2) temporary Technical Records Specialist candidates to provide support to our Certification and Professional Standards Department! Find more info and apply here by 5 pm (MT) on Friday Oct. 15: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/idaho/jobs/3268370/technical-records-specialist-1-education-transcript-review-temporary?keywords=temporary&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

This will be a temporary assignment, lasting at least three (3) months, starting as soon as possible. This position does not have benefits. The successful incumbent must be detail-oriented to accurately review teacher education transcripts for specific criteria. Research will be conducted in two different systems, to verify the documentation and possibly transfer information into the newer of the two system. The incumbent should have experience accessing data using a computerized records system. Training will be provided on utilizing the data systems and what criteria is needed from the transcripts. Work is performed under the supervision of a Teacher Certification Coordinator.

Thank you Student Advisory Council member Bridget McNamee for joining Superintendent Ybarra at the Conference on Connecting Assessment and Instruction in Coeur d'Alene! Supt. Ybarra was honored to introduce Bridget, a 4th-grade CDA Schools student, to the educators in attendance! We look forward to seeing you again soon, Bridget!

Treasure Valley students in grades 9-12, apply now for the Guide, Engage, Mobilize (GEM) High School Internship Program at the Idaho State Museum! GEM brings together passionate, curious, and innovative teens to make a difference in the community and get a behind the scenes look at the Idaho State Museum. Interns will network with professionals including archivists, curators, and designers to advance important skills that will prepare participants for college and career. Dive deeper into exciting topics and develop key skills through exhibit development, event coordination, and volunteering. As a member of the Museum team, interns will meet teens from across the Treasure Valley and work together to create exciting and educational experiences for visitors of all ages.

Apply here: www.history.idaho.gov/teen-programs

Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2021!

Idaho State Historical Society

Treasure Valley students in grades 9-12, apply now for the Guide, Engage, Mobilize (GEM) High School Internship Program at the Idaho State Museum! GEM brings together passionate, curious, and innovative teens to make a difference in the community and get a behind the scenes look at the Idaho State Museum. Interns will network with professionals including archivists, curators, and designers to advance important skills that will prepare participants for college and career. Dive deeper into exciting topics and develop key skills through exhibit development, event coordination, and volunteering. As a member of the Museum team, interns will meet teens from across the Treasure Valley and work together to create exciting and educational experiences for visitors of all ages.

Apply here: www.history.idaho.gov/teen-programs

Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2021!

Idaho State Historical Society

McDonald's serving free 'thank you' breakfast to teachers, school staff nationwide

FYI for educators! Free breakfast for educators through the 15th - make sure to bring a valid work ID!

https://idahonews.com/news/coronavirus/mcdonalds-serving-free-thank-you-breakfast-to-teachers-school-staff-nationwide

McDonald's serving free 'thank you' breakfast to teachers, school staff nationwide MYRTLE BEACH, S. C. (WPDE) — McDonald's is recognizing and thanking educators and school staff who have really stepped up over the last year and throughout the coronavirus pandemic. All educators, such as teachers, administrators and school staff, can head to their local participating McDonald...

High school seniors and their families are invited to join the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance on November 4th at 6pm MST for a webinar about how to submit their free applications to Idaho public colleges through Apply Idaho, and how to use Common Application to submit for out of state colleges! Register for the webinar: https://forms.gle/kD4KNz2HcAYRUii6A

IDLA is excited to announce our College Application Week: November 1-5, 2021. During the month of October we are encouraging Seniors to get ready to complete at least one college application during the week of November 1-5, 2021.

We also invite you and your family to join us on November 4th at 6pm MST for a webinar where we will discuss how to submit for Idaho college applications on Next Steps, how to use Common Application to submit for out of state colleges, and support you in this process. Register for the webinar: https://forms.gle/kD4KNz2HcAYRUii6A

Superintendent Sherri Ybarra will be back in the classroom this month, filling in at local schools as part of her department’s effort to help meet a critical need for substitute teachers!

Supt. Ybarra, who lives in Mountain Home, has arranged with superintendents of the Mountain Home and Glenns Ferry school districts to substitute in elementary school classrooms that need a teacher this Thursday, Oct. 14, and again Oct. 25, 27, and 28. Specific assignments will be determined by the districts’ needs on those dates.

“With teachers out sick and a serious shortage of substitutes during the pandemic, Idaho districts and schools truly need this help,” Superintendent Ybarra said. “Plus, it is always wonderful to get back in the classroom – my natural habitat.”

“Happily, many of my staff also are certified teachers and eager to help out,” the superintendent said. “We are organizing a roster of substitutes from this department who can teach in a wide range of grade levels and subject areas for districts and charter schools across the region.”

“It’s a great way to interact with Idaho students and educators, and to see firsthand the operations of the schools we serve.”

A longtime third-grade teacher who also worked as a principal, vice principal and federal program director for the Mountain Home district, Superintendent Ybarra holds certification to teach kindergarten through 8th grade. In past years, the superintendent has filled in for teachers in local schools during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Employees of the superintendent’s office will be able to use paid leave – separate from their existing leave – to serve as substitutes for up to 16 hours per pay period under a new program announced by Gov. Brad Little last month for employees at Idaho executive branch agencies.

The governor also set aside $10 million in the state’s federal COVID relief funds as recruitment grants administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s office to help districts and charter schools hire the people they need – including bus drivers, paraprofessionals and other hard-to-fill positions – to continue in-person learning despite pandemic-driven staff shortages.

Superintendent Sherri Ybarra will be back in the classroom this month, filling in at local schools as part of her department’s effort to help meet a critical need for substitute teachers!

Supt. Ybarra, who lives in Mountain Home, has arranged with superintendents of the Mountain Home and Glenns Ferry school districts to substitute in elementary school classrooms that need a teacher this Thursday, Oct. 14, and again Oct. 25, 27, and 28. Specific assignments will be determined by the districts’ needs on those dates.

“With teachers out sick and a serious shortage of substitutes during the pandemic, Idaho districts and schools truly need this help,” Superintendent Ybarra said. “Plus, it is always wonderful to get back in the classroom – my natural habitat.”

“Happily, many of my staff also are certified teachers and eager to help out,” the superintendent said. “We are organizing a roster of substitutes from this department who can teach in a wide range of grade levels and subject areas for districts and charter schools across the region.”

“It’s a great way to interact with Idaho students and educators, and to see firsthand the operations of the schools we serve.”

A longtime third-grade teacher who also worked as a principal, vice principal and federal program director for the Mountain Home district, Superintendent Ybarra holds certification to teach kindergarten through 8th grade. In past years, the superintendent has filled in for teachers in local schools during Teacher Appreciation Week.

Employees of the superintendent’s office will be able to use paid leave – separate from their existing leave – to serve as substitutes for up to 16 hours per pay period under a new program announced by Gov. Brad Little last month for employees at Idaho executive branch agencies.

The governor also set aside $10 million in the state’s federal COVID relief funds as recruitment grants administered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s office to help districts and charter schools hire the people they need – including bus drivers, paraprofessionals and other hard-to-fill positions – to continue in-person learning despite pandemic-driven staff shortages.

Idaho high school seniors and graduates of an Idaho high school, apply now for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship! This is a need-based award for Idaho residents who have graduated or will graduate from an Idaho high school and will attend an eligible Idaho college or university. The Opportunity Scholarship awards eligible applicants up to $3,500 per academic year and is renewable for up to four years. Find more details on eligibility and apply on the Idaho State Board of Education's website: https://boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarships/idaho-opportunity-scholarship/

Eligibility:
To qualify for the scholarship, a student must meet all of the following criteria:

-Have an unweighted, cumulative GPA of 2.7 or above
-Be an Idaho resident
-Graduated or will graduate from an Idaho high school or its equivalent or Idaho home school (GED/HSE from Idaho)
-Complete the State Board of Education scholarship application by March 1
-FAFSA Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 1
-Maintain satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes. (See program rules for more details.)
-Must attend one of these eligible Idaho colleges or universities
-Boise State University
-BYU-Idaho
-The College of Idaho
-College of Southern Idaho
-College of Western Idaho
-College of Eastern Idaho
-Idaho State University
-Lewis-Clark State College
-North Idaho College
-Northwest Nazarene University
-University of Idaho
-Western Governors University

Idaho high school seniors and graduates of an Idaho high school, apply now for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship! This is a need-based award for Idaho residents who have graduated or will graduate from an Idaho high school and will attend an eligible Idaho college or university. The Opportunity Scholarship awards eligible applicants up to $3,500 per academic year and is renewable for up to four years. Find more details on eligibility and apply on the Idaho State Board of Education's website: https://boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarships/idaho-opportunity-scholarship/

Eligibility:
To qualify for the scholarship, a student must meet all of the following criteria:

-Have an unweighted, cumulative GPA of 2.7 or above
-Be an Idaho resident
-Graduated or will graduate from an Idaho high school or its equivalent or Idaho home school (GED/HSE from Idaho)
-Complete the State Board of Education scholarship application by March 1
-FAFSA Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by March 1
-Maintain satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes. (See program rules for more details.)
-Must attend one of these eligible Idaho colleges or universities
-Boise State University
-BYU-Idaho
-The College of Idaho
-College of Southern Idaho
-College of Western Idaho
-College of Eastern Idaho
-Idaho State University
-Lewis-Clark State College
-North Idaho College
-Northwest Nazarene University
-University of Idaho
-Western Governors University

October is National Principals Month! We are so thankful to Idaho principals for their leadership and their dedication to providing Idaho youth with the tools to be successful. Your hard work has an immeasurable impact on the lives of Idaho students! Thank you Idaho principals!

October is National Principals Month! We are so thankful to Idaho principals for their leadership and their dedication to providing Idaho youth with the tools to be successful. Your hard work has an immeasurable impact on the lives of Idaho students! Thank you Idaho principals!

Thank you to the Idaho educators who joined us at our CSI-Up Fall School Convening to collaborate & develop strategies to strengthen student success in core academic subjects in schools! Our Federal Programs team works with educators through these Convenings and through other coaching and professional development opportunities throughout the year to bolster student achievement and build effective leadership teams!

Learn more: https://www.sde.idaho.gov/federal-programs/sis/

Idaho schools and libraries received $11 million to provide students, staff, and library patrons with devices and broadband connectivity to support off-campus learning! This funding is the first wave of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), administered by the Federal Communications Commission. A second application window for ECF funds is open to schools and libraries through October 13: https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund

Here is the break down of awards made to Idaho schools/libraries in the first distribution wave:

American Falls School District #381: $142,560.00
Anser Public Charter School: $7,104.24
Bear Lake School District: $33,495.00
Bingham Academy: $8,550.00
Blackfoot Charter Community Learning Center: $26,850.00
Boise School District: $853,440.00
Buhl Public Library: $1,650.00
Camas County School District: $45,628.40
Emmett Independent School District #221: $56,800.00
Firth School District: $59,630.00
Glenns Ferry School District: $23,190.00
Hailey Public Library: $1,350.00
Holy Family Catholic School: $21,269.00
Horseshoe Bend School District: $22,960.00
Jefferson School District 251: $45,662.40
Kellogg Jt. School District 391: $31,800.00
Kuna Jt. School District No. 3: $1,182,550.00
Lakeland Joint School District No. 272: $560,000.00
Melba School District: $89,700.00
Middleton Schools: $1,710,333.00
Minidoka County School District #331: $258,699.40
Monticello Montessori Public Charter School: $25,650.00
Nampa School District: $4,402,155.50
Notus School District: $130,900.00
Palouse Prairie Educational Organization: $10,992.00
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25: $570,000.00
Potlatch School District #285 Official: $47,173.00
Preston School District: $192,000.00
Shelley School District: $539,848.60
Shoshone School District #312: $48,617.50
West Side School District: $23,217.39

TOTAL OBLIGATED (Idaho): $11,173,775.43

Idaho schools and libraries received $11 million to provide students, staff, and library patrons with devices and broadband connectivity to support off-campus learning! This funding is the first wave of the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), administered by the Federal Communications Commission. A second application window for ECF funds is open to schools and libraries through October 13: https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund

Here is the break down of awards made to Idaho schools/libraries in the first distribution wave:

American Falls School District #381: $142,560.00
Anser Public Charter School: $7,104.24
Bear Lake School District: $33,495.00
Bingham Academy: $8,550.00
Blackfoot Charter Community Learning Center: $26,850.00
Boise School District: $853,440.00
Buhl Public Library: $1,650.00
Camas County School District: $45,628.40
Emmett Independent School District #221: $56,800.00
Firth School District: $59,630.00
Glenns Ferry School District: $23,190.00
Hailey Public Library: $1,350.00
Holy Family Catholic School: $21,269.00
Horseshoe Bend School District: $22,960.00
Jefferson School District 251: $45,662.40
Kellogg Jt. School District 391: $31,800.00
Kuna Jt. School District No. 3: $1,182,550.00
Lakeland Joint School District No. 272: $560,000.00
Melba School District: $89,700.00
Middleton Schools: $1,710,333.00
Minidoka County School District #331: $258,699.40
Monticello Montessori Public Charter School: $25,650.00
Nampa School District: $4,402,155.50
Notus School District: $130,900.00
Palouse Prairie Educational Organization: $10,992.00
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25: $570,000.00
Potlatch School District #285 Official: $47,173.00
Preston School District: $192,000.00
Shelley School District: $539,848.60
Shoshone School District #312: $48,617.50
West Side School District: $23,217.39

TOTAL OBLIGATED (Idaho): $11,173,775.43