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Weekly Newsletter


January 4, 2024

Welcome to the Idaho Department of Education Weekly Newsletter
For Administrators | For Teachers | For Parents | Important Dates
For Administrators 

The Idaho Department of Education Wishes You a Very Happy New Year! 
Join Superintendent Debbie Critchfield for a look back at her first year in office at the Idaho Department of Education. Want to see more? Visit the Idaho Department of Education's YouTube channel today!

Upcoming Deadlines on the Data Acquisition Calendar 
Take a quick glance at the Idaho Department of Education's upcoming administrative deadlines with the 2023-2024 Data Acquisition Calendar. This document shows deadlines on documents, reports and more, including who the deadline applies to, details about the required submissions as well as the departmental contacts for both submissions and questions.  

Upcoming deadlines through mid-January are: 

Districts Only: 
  • January 6 | Application for Tuition Equivalency Funds | Contact: Israel Silva (208-332-6910).
  • January 15 | Border Contract Expense Report | Contact Morgan Phillips (208-332-6840).
Charters Only:
  • January 15 | Charter School LEA Designation | Contact Michelle Clement Taylor (208-332-6963). 
Districts & Charters:
  • January 15 | Title I-A Title I-A, Application for Reallocated Funds | Contact: Brian Butkus (208-332-6900)
  • January 15 | Funding Cap Appeal Application | Contact Zane Cliver (208-332-6832).
School Partners:
  • January 15 | Low of Missing APR Data (prior school year) | Contact Jacque Deahl (208-332-6946).
The calendar is available on the Idaho Department of Education website on the Public School Finance page under "Highlights", or can be downloaded at the button below:
Download the Data Acquisition Calendar
Request for Public Comment: 2024-2025 ESSA Consolidated Plan

The Idaho Department of Education is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to Idaho's Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), reauthorized as Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Consolidated State Plan for 2024-2025. The complete ESSA State Plan proposed changes are summarized at the link below. Proposed changes include technical or grammatical edits as well as updated practices in fulfilling the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Acts (ESSA). The public comment period on the proposed changes to Idaho's Consolidated Plan will end on January 15. Interested parties can submit comments by completing the feedback form here. Questions can be directed to Josh Noteboom at jnoteboom@sde.idaho.gov.

Access a Summary of Changes & Amendments
Head's Up from the Transportation Department - Ridership Counts Upcoming
 
You'll soon be hearing from the Department of Education's Student Transportation Department regarding the second annual collection of ridership counts. Local education agencies will receive a route ridership training document along with a route data template to assist in completing this submission. Transportation administrators will also find information on what is required to submit a complete and correct ridership count as well as how to upload the required documents into the IBUS system. 

The ridership collection dates are January 22 - 26 and the due date to submit information is February 16. Questions on completing the submission or uploading to IBUS can be directed to Lori Olsen at lolsen@sde.idaho.gov. 

Visit the Student Transportation webpage
For Teachers

Registration Now Open for ISU's Bengal STEM Day 
Teachers interested in expanding their students' experiences in STEM are encouraged to register for the 2024 Bengal STEM Day at Idaho State University. Middle and high school students will have the opportunity to get hands-on with STEM concepts at an immersive, all-day event. This year's STEM Day will be held on Thursday, February 22. The event is hosted by Idaho State University's College of Science and Engineering and will feature various activities including hands-on workshops and demonstrations led by ISU faculty, students and local STEM professionals. Space is limited, so educators are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Access a registration walkthrough here or register at the button below: 
Register for Bengal STEM Day
ISP Leadership and Development Academy Registration Now Open

Students ages 15 - 17 are invited to hone their leadership skills while learning more about careers in law enforcement with the ILEAD Academy, offered through the Idaho State Police. Attendees will dive into the world of law enforcement at a weeklong academy-style camp, led by Idaho State Police Advanced Academy graduates. This year's academy will be held on June 23 - 28 at ISP headquarters in Meridian. The week will feature:
  • Leadership training
  • Physical fitness training 
  • Unarmed self-defense training 
  • Alcohol impairment detection 
  • Weapons safety 
  • Radar training 
  • K9 demonstrations 
  • Classroom experience 
  • Community service excursions 
Reach out to Lieutenant Colonel Bill Gardiner at 208-884-7004 or bill.gardiner@isp.idaho.gov.

Download the Program Flyer
National School Bus Safety Poster Contest Accepting Submissions
 
The window for students to submit their best artwork to the National School Bus Safety poster contest is still open. Winning posters will be used to promote safer school bus safety and state winners will advance to the national contest. 

This year's theme is "Driving Safety Into the Future." Completed posters must be 11" x 17" or 12" x 18" and designs should be submitted on quality tag, poster illustration board or heavy paper. Construction paper may be used but entries must be mounted on quality tag paper. Lamination is not permitted.

All entries must be submitted by April 17, 2024. Submissions should be mailed to: Idaho Department of Education, Attn: Ali Stolzman, P.O. Box 83720, Boise 83720-0027. Download the complete 2023-2024 poster contest guidelines at the link below:

Download the Contest Flyer

Registration Now Open for Three-Part Professional Development on Student Vaping 
Idaho Public Television is offering a three-part, online professional development series for educators on the dangers of vaping. Throughout the course, participants will learn about the damage caused by vaping, the connection between vaping and mental health and the how to help students avoid the habit.

The professional development series is a follow up the short, student-centered documentary "Nic Sick" and is part of Idaho Public Television's Know Vape campaign. The documentary can used in tandem with the professional development series to offer schools and students the most accurate information on the dangers of vaping.    

Webinars will be held on January 24, February 28 and March 27 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The course is being offered for university credit through Idaho State University, Boise State University and the University of Idaho. Please ensure that you have also completed registration and payment through the university. 
Learn More & Register
For Parents

New, Shorter Application for Free Application for Federal Student Aid Now Open 
The newly-revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open for applications. Families should note that there is less time offered to complete the application than in the past, and this year's application must be completed by March 1, 2024 for students to eligible for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship. 

Known now as the Better FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education delayed the opening date (FAFSA usually opens on October 1) to implement the changes to the form. The Better FAFSA is two-thirds shorter, just 36 questions compared to 108 in the old form.

In addition to a shortened list of questions, Better FAFSA includes other highlights:
  • Students will be able to list up to 20 colleges on the application, up from 10 on the old FAFSA.
  • Better FAFSA also includes new policies that will streamline assistance for students in foster care or who are homeless.
Students and families can also access a Better FAFSA FAQ sheet, use the student aid estimator or access the Better FAFSA application at the button below:
Visit the Better FAFSA Application

Parental Guides for Download: Gaming and Social Media Safety
Parents now have access additional tools to keep children safe online. Two downloadable safety guides from Legacy Health Endowment offer a step-by-step walkthrough of the potential dangers of two popular online activities among young people: social media use and gaming. Guides cover warning signs of troubles, the realities of the associated risks and tips on staying vigilant and safe for both students and parents. The resources are available in both English and Spanish:
Both guides are also available for download at the buttons below:
Download the Gaming Safety Guide
Download the Social Media Safety Guide
Important Dates

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650 W. State Street, Boise, Idaho 83720-0027


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