Weekly Newsletter
Thursday October 26, 2023
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FOR ADMINISTRATORS
District of Idaho Attorney Joshua Hurwit Issues Letter with Student Safety Tips for Internet, Mobile Phones and Texting
U.S. Department of Justice District of Idaho Attorney Josh Hurwit has issued a letter to Idaho parents and educators warning of the growing threat of exploitation of minors via digital channels such as the internet and mobile texting. In 2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 32 million reports related to online sexual exploitation, an increase of 82 percent from 2021. In 2022, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received 2,304 reports of child exploitation. To raise awareness and bolster prevention efforts, two internet safety tip sheets have been made available to all families. Local education agencies are encouraged to help distribute these to parents and guardians. Both the letter and the tip sheets are available for download at the button below.
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State Board Emergency Provisional Certificate Due December 26
The application process for the State Board Emergency Provisional Certificate has been amended and is reflected in the updated provisional application. Based on recent counsel from the Office of the Attorney General, the provisional application can no longer be used for administrator, pupil service staff or for special education teachers. The application can be found on the Certification page on the SDE website. Information on the provisional application can be found on the first accordion button, "State Board of Education Emergency Provisional." The application can be found at the lower accordion button, "State Board of Education Emergency Provisional Certificate" and at the button below. Click here to access the 2023-2024 Alternative Authorization/Emergency Provisionals Submission Schedule. Applications are due December 26.
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E-Rate 2023 Virtual Fall Training Coming Soon
2023-2024 ISEE manuals and documents are available to support ISEE certified staff assignment reporting and to ensure funding and compliance with Idaho Statute 33-1201. The documents located under the Resources Files accordion button at the bottom of the following webpage will provide helpful guidance: https://www.sde.idaho.gov/cert-psc/cert/. Please also review the 2023-2024 SDE Assignment Reporting Guidance for important information and deadlines. The document is available at the link below.
Download the 2023-2024 Guidance Document
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ACTE Region II Leadership Conference Registration Open
Administrators are encouraged to ensure that all employees have undergone their complete employment background check and that all documents have been submitted to the SDE. Under Idaho Code 33-130, all certificated and noncertificated employees hired on or after July 1, 2008 must undergo a criminal history check and to submit a completed ten-finger fingerprint card or scan to the SDE no later than five days following the first day of employment or unsupervised contact with students in a K-12 setting, whichever date comes sooner.
Visit the Background Check Webpage
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Upcoming Administrative Deadlines: A Quick Review
Several items have approaching deadlines. Please take a moment to review to ensure all publications, registrations and submissions are made in a timely manner:
- Publication of Statement of Financial Condition - Direct questions to Andrew Konopacky. Publication on or before October 28.
- IFARMS Annual Finance Report - Submit to Andrew Konopacky on or before October 31.
- Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Mid-Year Elections for the 2023-2024 School Year - Please let the SDE know if you would like to elect CEP by October 31. All documentation must be submitted to the SDE by November 3 for validation.
- FACE Conference: Boise Event - November 1 - 3. Places are still available.
- Independent Audit Report - Submit to Andrew Konopacky on or before November 10.
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FOR TEACHERS
TechRise Student Challenge Offers Students NASA-Guided STEM Instruction
NASA is calling on middle and high school student teams of four or more to submit experiment ideas that, if selected as one of 60 winning designs, will be built out to perform a high-altitude balloon or rocket-powered lander test next summer. Winners will get $1,500 to create their experiment, a flight box in which to build it, an assigned spot on a balloon or rocket-powered lander flight to test it and technical support from Future Engineers advisors. NASA will also be holding office hours to assist students as they progress in their experiment. All application materials are due by November 13.
Find resources and details on entering at the links below:
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Limited Seats Open for the Idaho FACE Conference
Educators interested in exploring ways to increase participation and communication between families, schools and communities are encouraged to secure their place at the 2023 Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Conference. This year's conference includes a two-day event at the Boise Centre on November 1 - 3 as well as a single-day event at the Coeur d'Alene Resort in Coeur d'Alene on November 13. Attendees at the Boise event can add an optional Community School visit on November 3. The cost for the Boise event is $150 and the cost for the Coeur d'Alene event is $50.
Learn More and Register
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Idaho Humanities Council K-12 Grants Due December 1
Idaho Humanities Council K-12 grants are focused on supporting Idaho K-12 teachers by enhancing humanities education across Idaho and creating opportunities for both curriculum and professional development. Awards of $1,000 will be granted to teachers for projects including field trips, teacher workshops, book purchases and more. Applications for the next grant award cycle are due on or before December 1. Visit the Idaho Humanities Council website to learn more about program parameters and eligibility or apply for the grant at the link below.
Learn More and Apply
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FOR PARENTS
New SDE Parent Corner Website and Student Resource Webpage Designed With Idaho Parents and Families in Mind
Parents and students in Idaho can now access digital resources designed just for them, curated and maintained by the State Department of Education. The Parent Corner features a variety of practical information tailored to parents, including information on parents' rights, the Empowering Parents Program and more. Parents looking to reach out to the department directly can also access a contact guide for personalized guidance.
Students now have their own personalized webpage, created in response to a suggestion by a member of Superintendent Critchfield's Student Advisory Council. Here students can explore department programs as well as a variety of easy-to-access resources including the Idaho LAUNCH program, information on camps, competitions, specialized scholarships and more.
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Apply Idaho Common Application Now Open for High School Seniors
Apply Idaho is a free, common application platform for up to 10 in-state colleges. Open October through June, this application is ONLY available to current-year high school seniors. Parents and students are encouraged to review participating Idaho 2 - 4 year and CTE colleges, access a complete application guide and more. Students can also find information on excellent alternative options, including Idaho Job Corp, workforce training opportunities and apprenticeships.
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RECENT NEWS RELEASES
View the Latest News from the State Department of Education
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