Weekly Newsletter

The Idaho Children’s Trust Fund offers grant funding in the $1,000 to $7,500 range to programs that seek to prevent child abuse and neglect by increasing protective factors to strengthen families and promote well-being. Grants are available to public or private non-profit and faith-based organizations, government agencies (e.g. schools or health departments) or qualified individuals who provide community based educational or service programs designed to reduce or prevent child abuse and neglect.

To apply, send a PDF copy of the application electronically to kim.hemmert@ctf.idaho.gov by 5 p.m. on November 10. 

Idaho Science Educators Unite (ISEU) invites K-12 science instructors to add their voices to a statewide virtual learning community, hosted by Idaho Science Coaches Sara Tolman and Edmond Walsh. The kickoff meeting is scheduled for November 15 with monthly virtual gatherings to follow. Meetings will bring together a variety of science education stakeholders to collaborate, share teaching strategies and to discuss the shared goal of enhancing science education in Idaho. Educators interested in joining can download the program flyer or join the Zoom meeting at the buttons below. 

The Idaho Geospatial Office is seeking students, teachers and schools looking to take advantage of  the Environmental System Research Institute (ESRI’s) free Geographic Information System (GIS) software to create innovative and engaging GIS projects and Story Maps. Students will compete with peers around the state for recognition and prizes and an opportunity to represent Idaho at the national level. Though the subject matter best suits geography classrooms, this instruction and contest has a place in any classroom in Idaho. Teachers are not required to know anything about GIS software, and will receive support from a local GIS expert assigned to their school.

The contest is open to all Idaho students in grades 4-12 at the time of project submission. Students can work on their own or in groups of two. Each school can enter an unlimited number of teams into the local competition.

The required software is all provided digitally and is available free to schools; no downloads required. The deadline to apply for participation is December 31. Click here to learn more or download the program flyer at the button below. Questions can be directed to megan.wheatley@its.idaho.gov.  

Idaho math teachers and leaders are invited to learn about the work of the Idaho Math Transitions Steering Committee. This group has been focused on supporting a successful transition from high school to college mathematics. The group will discuss topics such as what standards should be taught in each grade of high school, how high school courses can best align to Idaho colleges and universities and integrating high school math into CTE programs. The webinars are suited for high school math teachers, college and career counselors, school and district administrators, instructional coaches and more. There are three options for attendance:

Secure your spot at the button below. 

Families planning to apply for federal financial aid for higher education will soon have the option to use a new, streamlined version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The new "Better FAFSA" application is two-thirds shorter than its predecessor with just 36 questions compared to 108 on the old version. Because the updates to Better FAFSA are so extensive, there has been a delay in opening the application to families. This means that students and parents will have a reduced time frame to complete the application. The application window will open at the end of the year rather than its typical October 1 opening date. 

Reminder: Idaho students interested in applying for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship will need to fill out Better FAFSA in order to be eligible. The deadline to apply for the Opportunity Scholarship is March 1. 

Additionally, Office of the State Board of Education staff members are offering free webinars for families interested in learning more about financial aid, Better FAFSA and state scholarship programs: 

• November 9, 7:00 pm MT – Click here to register
• December 7, 7:00 pm MT – Click here to register

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Mid-Year Election Documentation Due
November 3 

Idaho Math Transitions Virtual Webinar
November 6

E-Rate Invoice Training Available
November 7 

Crosscutting Concepts Book Study 
November 7 

Independent Audit Report - Submit to Andrew Konopacky
November 10 

Statewide Suicide Prevention Training
November 10 

Idaho Children's Trust Fund Grant Application Due 
November 10

Kids Discovery Expo 
November 11 

TechRise Student Challenge Applications Due
November 13

2023 FACE Conference - Coeur d'Alene
November 13

Statewide Virtual Learning Community for Science Educators Kickoff Meeting
November 15 

Holiday Card Contest Submissions Due 
November 17

IDOG Public Records Training 
November 28 

Idaho Launch Applications Due 
November 30

Content and Curriculum Coordinators Webinar 
December 6

Idaho Humanities Council K-12 Grants Due
December 1 

Curricular Materials Review Members Application Due
December 17 

State Board Emergency Provisional Certificate
December 26 

GIS Online Competition for Idaho Students Applications Due
December 31

Spots Still Open at the 2023 Idaho FACE Conference - October 26 

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