Weekly Newsletter
Thursday October 5, 2023
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FOR ADMINISTRATORS
Upcoming Deadlines for Public School Finance
The SDE Public School Finance team would like to publicize the following upcoming deadlines:
- October 13 - Salary Schedules
- October 26 - Health Plan Information Report
- Submit to Andrew Konopacky at akonopacky@sde.idaho.gov
- Note: This form will be distributed soon. Business Managers and Superintendents, please keep an eye on your email in the coming weeks for the information.
- October 28 - Publication of Statement of Financial Condition
- October 31 - IFARMS Annual Finance Report
- November 10 - Independent Audit Report
For the complete 2023-2024 calendar of due dates, please visit the Data Acquisition Calendar at the button below.
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New E-Rate Invoice Video and Webinar Training Now Available
The E-Rate invoicing system will be upgraded November 7. Learn how to use the new system by watching Universal Service Administrative Co.'s new training videos, "Invoicing for Applicants." To supplement the training videos, USAC is hosting question/answer style webinars every Wednesday this month. Learn about E-Rate program updates, including E-Rate program rules and orders, guidance about compliance and filings, stakeholder support and more. Webinars will feature live question and answer sessions with members of the E-Rate program team and users can access instructional videos on-demand at any time.
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Celebrate National School Lunch Week With Free Resources
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) serves nearly 30 million children every school day. President John F .Kennedy created National School Lunch Week (NSLW) in 1962 to promote the importance of a healthy school lunch in a child's life and the impact it has inside and outside of the classroom. NSLW is observed from October 9 - 13. The School Nutrition Association website has provided a variety of resources to help schools and districts plan for their own National School Lunch Week celebration. Follow the link below to access celebration toolkits, activity guides and more. Many resources are available in both English and Spanish.
Visit the School Nutrition Association NSLW Webpage
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Nominate a Custodian for the LifeChanger of the Year Spotlight Award
Do you know a custodian that's gone above and beyond to make a difference for their school community? From now until October 22, the LifeChanger of the Year program is accepting custodian nominations for its Spotlight Award. School custodians not only maintain a clean and safe school environment; they also play a pivotal role in fostering the overall positive atmospheres that make our school thrive. Custodians often become trusted adults for students, providing a friendly face and a listening ear when needed. Winners will receive a $5,000 cash award to share with their school, a profile on the LifeChanger website and more.
Nominate a Custodian for the LifeChanger Award
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FOR TEACHERS
5th Annual Dyslexia Awareness Summit to be Hosted Online
Join Decoding Dyslexia Idaho for the 5th Annual Dyslexia Awareness Summit, hosted online on October 21 at the West Ada School District Building in Meridian. This annual conference benefits educators, healthcare professionals and parents alike.
Featured speakers are literacy experts Dr. Terrie Noland, Dr. Nell Thompson, Dr. Stephanie Stollar and Dr. Sally Brown. The Idaho State Department of Education’s Karyn Kilpatrick-Snell will be present to introduce the Idaho SMART program and the regional SMART coaches. Tickets will include a boxed lunch and an Idaho State Dyslexia handbook. One teacher CE credit will be available for an additional fee to those who attend the single-day conference and 3 additional virtual webinars. Download the event flyer here.
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Prepare Your School for Emergencies with The Great Idaho Shakeout - Get Ready!
The Idaho Office of Emergency Management encourages all educators to prepare their school and students for an earthquake-related emergency with the Great Idaho Shakeout. The drill will take place on International ShakeOut Day, October 19 at 10:19 a.m. Teachers can visit The Great Idaho Shakeout page to learn more about planning ShakeOut drills for students in grades K - 4 or in grades 5 - 12.
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The College of Idaho Presents "The Right to Read" Film Screening
The College of Idaho is proud to present "The Right to Read," a film by Jenny Mackenzie. The film shares the stories of an NAACP activist, a teacher and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read. The screening will take place on October 12 at the College of Idaho's Langroise Recital Hall and will feature an opening address from senior producer and correspondent for APM Reports Emily Hanford with moderation provided by George Prentice of Boise State Public Radio. Keynote remarks will be followed by a panel discussion with a variety of key stakeholders from the Department of Education, the State Board and more.
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Idaho Math Transitions Virtual Webinars Offered in November
Math and science teachers and leaders are invited to learn about the work of the Idaho Math Transitions Steering Committee. The group has been focused on supporting a successful transition in mathematics from high school to college. The webinar will be held on three dates in November. Teachers can choose the date that fits their schedule. The trainings are suited for high school math teachers, college career counselors and more.
Secure Your Place the Webinar Series
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Professional Development Opportunity: Crosscutting Concepts Book Study
Registration is now open for the "Crosscutting Concepts" book study. The study will begin on November 7 and will take place over the course of six separate meetings, to be held from November through April. Educators are encouraged to secure their place in this year's study now, and can do so at the link below. Click here to learn more about the study and its discussion topics and to access the study's full schedule of events.
Register for the Crosscutting Concepts Book Study
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FOR PARENTS
Applications Now Open for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship
Idaho students are encouraged to apply for the Opportunity Scholarship. This needs-based scholarship awards eligible applicants up to $3,500 per academic year. Recipients must renew each year and are eligible to receive the scholarship for a maximum of four years.
To qualify for the scholarship, a student must meet 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
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 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
- Brigham Young University – Idaho
- College of Idaho
- Idaho State University
- Lewis-Clark State College
- Northwest Nazarene University
- University of Idaho
- Western Governors University
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Take Me Outside Week Celebrates Outdoor Learning
Idaho parents looking for a fall activity are encouraged to check out Take Me Outside Day. Take Me Outside Day will be on Wednesday, October 18 with a full week of fun happening along with it. This year, community members will come together to create an art mosaic that may be featured in a larger photo collage of mosaics from across the country. Parents interested in participating can access a variety of resources and activities designed to get kids and families out of the house this fall.
The week's lineup of learning includes:
- Indigenous Knowledge - Monday, October 16
- Environmental Education - Tuesday, October 17
- Take Me Outside Day - Wednesday, October 18
- Health & Well-Being - Thursday, October 19
- Day of Reflection - Friday, October 20
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RECENT NEWS RELEASES
View the Latest News from the State Department of Education
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