Weekly Newsletter

The 2023-2024 Data Acquisition Calendar 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.  

These are the remaining deadlines for the month of February: 

Districts Only: 

• February 1 | Application for Impact Aid | Contact Johanna Jones (208-332-6968). 

Districts & Charters:

• February 1 | Migrant Student Information System (MSIS) Data Reporting; Instructional Services, Supportive Services, Priority for Services, Continuation of Services | Contact Maria "Yuni" Rueda Barrera (208-332-6907).
• February 1 | SFA Onsite Review | Contact the NSLP Team (208-332-6820).
• February 14 | General Supervision File Review (GSFR) Compliance Notifications | Contact Debi Smith (208-332-6919). 
• February 15 | Independent Review of Applications | Contact Melissa Cook (208-332-6830). 

School Partners:

• February 15 | GEAR UP Semester 1 Data | Jacque Deahl (208-332-6946).

Idaho Science Educators have the opportunity to grow their professional network with the Idaho STEM Action Center and the Workforce Development Council's summer externship program. Educators will get hands-on experience on how STEM works both in the classroom and the professional world while interfacing with STEM educators and professionals of all backgrounds. Program participants have the opportunity to earn $500 and professional development credits are also available.  

Participants will complete 200 hours of hands-on work learning experience and are expected to continue a relationship with a STEM employer to collaborate on ways to integrate real-life STEM applications into the classroom. STEM Action Center will review applications and will respond in February, so educators are encouraged to apply now. Learn more about the program and apply at the button below: 

Educators interested in expanding their classroom's field learning are encouraged to register for the Idaho Botanical Garden (IBG) 2024 field trip series. The series is open to students in grades kindergarten through third grade. Each outing features 90 minute outdoor learning programs that include hands-on learning stations, grade-specific STEM curriculum and experiential learning, all led by an IBG instructor. 

The Idaho Botanical Garden is a nonprofit living museum dedicated to furthering science education and environmental stewardship in the Treasure Valley and beyond. Its learning program is designed to nurture a fascination with the natural world through a variety of hands-on outdoor programs including on-site field trips that meet Idaho Content Standards for kindergarten through third grade learners.

Learn more about this year's programming or make your reservation and the button below:  

Idaho's Regional Math Specialists, Regional Math Center directors and Idaho Department of Education have recently decided to align the language of the Idaho Math Instructional Framework cards to the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics' 2014 Principles to Actions document. 

The goal of adopting this national framework is to assist Idaho districts in aligning to the same vocabulary that educators will hear from publishers as well as at out-of-state conferences and events. The new document names eight high-impact practices for mathematics instruction and is downloadable for use in every Idaho math classroom at the button below:

The Idaho Department of Education has created new resources for parents in Idaho considering the best learning options for their student. This updated guidance walks parents through the many aspects of school choice in Idaho, from the types of schools to how they're governed. 

The resources are available for use in both English and Spanish at the buttons below. For more detailed descriptions of each school choice option or to view frequently asked questions about school choice in Idaho, please visit the Idaho Department of Education's School Choice page.

Parents in Idaho have the chance to connect with both local and statewide issues in education with the Idaho Department of Education's The Super in 10 podcast. Superintendent Critchfield interviews experts on important issues in Idaho education, all in 10-minute, bite-sized episodes. The podcast is aimed at all Idaho education stakeholders, including parents.

Parents are encouraged to check out the following episodes for a taste of what The Super in 10 podcast has to offer:  

The Super in 10 Podcast “Fentanyl in Idaho” – Episode 1
      “Idaho State Police Director Col. Kedrick Wills offers insight into a very real threat to our youth, ‘one pill can kill’. “
The Super in 10 Podcast “Fentanyl in Idaho” (Part 2) – Episode 2
     “The conversation continues about the fentanyl danger on the rise in Idaho.”
The Super in 10 Podcast “The Role of Data in Education” – Episode 3
     “ ‘The most important piece of data is sometimes one of those that the parent doesn’t see.’ Chief Deputy Superintendent Ryan Cantrell discusses how learning is measured in the modern classroom.”

Want to hear more? Access the complete Super in 10 podcast library on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or visit the podcast YouTube channel at the button below. New podcast episodes will also be released next week. 

2024 WIDA Annual Conference Proposals Due
January 24

SCALES Application Due
January 26

In Person With Emily Kircher-Morris
January 26

Migrant Student Information System (MSIS) Data Reporting; Instructional Services, Supportive Services, Priority for Services, Continuation of Services 
February 1 

Application for Impact Aid Due
February 1 

SFA Onsite Review 
February 1

Lunaria Grant Program Proposals Due 
February 2 

Think Make Create Lab Applications Due 
February 5

Young Women and Leadership Conference Applications Due 
February 6 

General Supervision File Review (GSFR) Compliance Notifications 
February 14 

Independent Review of Applications
February 15

GEAR UP Semester 1 Data
February 15 

Healthy Schools Program Grant
February 15

Ridership Counts Due in IBUS
February 16

Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Nominations Due
February 19

Bengal STEM Day
February 22

Critchfield Outlines Priorities, Goals for 2024 in Newly-Released Video - January 8

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Critchfield Applauds School Facilities Emphasis Outlined in State of the State Address - January 8

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Visit the Idaho Department of Education News page to read more!

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