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Superintendent Debbie Critchfield sits down with KTVB's Joe Parris to talk about some of the new guidance from the Idaho Department of Education about 4-day school weeks in Idaho.
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National School Bus Safety Poster Contest Submissions Now Being Accepted
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Every year, thousands of school districts in over 40 states participate in local and state-level competitions to select artwork that depicts school bus safety-related themes and encourages and promotes school bus safety. The winning posters are used to promote school bus safety and state winners advance to the national contest.
The 2023-2024 National Poster Contest aims to select the poster that best depicts the theme of "Driving Safety Into the Future." Completed posters must be 11" x 17" or 12" x 18". 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 button below:
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E-Rate Form 471 Due March 27
If you are responsible for your school’s E-Rate filings and are in need of a refresher or guided walk though the process, there are a variety of training opportunities upcoming to assist with this important document filing. The courses will review:
- How To Navigate the E-Rate EPC Portal
- How to Respond to Requests for More Information
- How To Upload New Contracts
- How To Create and Submit Your Form 471 Application
You are encouraged to sign up for a recurring informational webinars this season. These short webinars are designed to keep administrators on track as they navigate the form and filing. Choose from a variety of remaining sessions:
Available dates and times:
- Feb 14 11:00 a.m. MST
- Feb 28 11:00 a.m. MST
- Mar 13 11:00 a.m. MST
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Summer Food Service Sponsors Still Being Sought
The Idaho Department of Education continues to seek sponsors for this year's Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to provide free meals and snacks to children 18 years and younger by operating sites in low-income areas during the summer months. Major areas of need include:
- Region 1: St. Marie's Boundary County, Kootenai, Kellogg and Wallac
- Region 2: Only Lewiston, Lapwai, Moscow and Grangeville have sponsors.
- Region 3: Only the Boise and West Ada School Districts. Boys and Girls Club of Ada County cover Ada.
- Region 6: SFSP does not have sponsors in Custer and Teton counties and only one in Lemhi County.
Application information will be provided and is due to the Idaho Department of Education by April 26. For more information, call (208) 332- 6828 or visit the SFSP page.
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Upcoming Deadlines on the Idaho Department of Education Data Acquisition Calendar
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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.
Upcoming deadlines for the remainder of February through mid-March are:
Charters Only:
- March 15 | Charter School Significant Expansion/Enrollment | Brian Butkus 208-332-6900
Districts & Charters:
- February 14 | General Supervision File Review (GSFR) Compliance Notifications | Contact Debi Smith (208-332-6915).
- February 15 | GEAR UP Semester 1 Data | Contact Jacque Deahl (208-332-6946)
- February 15 | Independent Review of Applications | Contact Melissa Cook (208-332-6830)
- March 1 | Migrant Student Information System (MSIS) Data Reporting; Instructional Services, Supportive Services, Priority for Services and Continuation of Services | Contact Maria "Yuni" Rueda Barrera (208-332-6907).
- March 1 | Request for New Safety Busing | Contact Lori Olsen (208-332-6851).
- March 1 | Migrant Student Information System (MSIS) Data Reporting verified up to date | Contact Maria "Yuni" Rueda Barrera (208-332-6907).
- March 10 | Coordinated Early Intervening Services | Lisa Pofelski-Rosa 208-332-6916
- March 15 | Lunch Eligibility Report | Melissa Cook (208) 332-6830
Financial Specialist
- March 15 | CLDS Data Corrections | Kathy Gauby 208-332-6899
Post Secondary Groups:
- March 10 | College Enrollment and Retention Report | Jacque Deahl 208-332-6946
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Information Sessions Now Available: Be an Educator
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Are you a certificated educator who wants to brush up on interview skills? Or are you an educator who knows others who are interested in becoming a teacher? Or do you know of a career seeker or changer with a bachelor’s degree? Join the Idaho Department of Education to explore different routes to teacher certification and to learn interview strategies to highlight your strengths in the process, the profession and more. There are a variety of sessions offered in several regions throughout the state:
- Monday, March 11 – Idaho Falls at the Springhill Suites. 665 Riverwalk Drive, Idaho Falls 83402
- Wednesday, March 13 – Twin Falls at the Hampton Inn. 1658 Fillmore Street, Twin Falls 83301
- Monday, March 18 – Lewiston at Lewis Clark State College. ADM 201, 806 6th Avenue, Lewiston 83501
- Wednesday, March 20 – Coeur d’Alene at North Idaho College, Edminster Student Union, Driftwood Bay Conference Room, 495 N College Drive, Coeur d’Alene 83815
- Monday, April 1 – Meridian at the Galaxy Event Center. 1385 S Blue Marlin Lane, Meridian 83642
Select your region of interest and register for a public information session to learn more about the many available paths to becoming an educator in Idaho. Register at the button below:
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Genes in Space Professional Development for Teachers
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Looking for ways to draw students into an immersive science experience? The Genes in Space contest asks groups of students to design a DNA experiment that addresses challenges in space travel and deep space exploration. From bacterial cell growth to the human immune system, everything works a little differently in space, and this project asks kids to apply science concepts to this innovative topic. The contest is open now and student groups have until April 15 to submit their project and hypothesis. Winning projects will earn $2,000 and will have their experiment tested in space on the International Space Station.
Finalists, Honorable Mentions, Junior Scientist Awardees and Constellation Awardees will receive complete P51 Fluorescence Biotechnology Kits for their schools. Each kit includes a class set of P51 Fluorescence Viewers, a classroom set of micropipettes, micropipette tips and a Learning Lab kit - an $800 value. Semi-finalists will receive mentoring from Harvard and MIT scientists and one winner will have the opportunity to attend Space Bio Camp and to watch their experiment be launched into space at the Kennedy Space Center.
Learn more about getting your science classrooms involved at the button below: |
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Certification Renewal Application Window Now Open
The Idaho Department of Education is currently accepting certificate renewal applications.
Renewal applications are due by August 31, but for quickest processing of your materials please make your application before mid-May to avoid the renewal rush that often happens in the spring and summer months. Whenever you decide to apply, the renewed credentials should be sent within two weeks of receiving a completed application.
The Idaho Department of Education's Certification page has more information on how to file a complete application, including information on how to apply for the first time, how to look up a certification and more.
Visit the Certification Webpage
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Assist in a Research Project: School-Based Therapy Workers
Lincoln Memorial University Occupational Therapy (OT) is in the process of conducting a school-based research study exploring current occupational therapy practices across school-based settings. For this study, LMU is recruiting OT practitioners who currently work in or previously worked in school-based therapy in either private or public schools to better understand current K-12 practice.
Educators interesting in adding their voice to this research are encouraged to do so. The study consists of a brief, 5-minute online survey and an optional interview which will be completed at a later time. All information provided will be kept strictly confidential and will be used only for this research.
Click here to access the survey.
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FAFSA Deadline Extended for Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Applicants
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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application deadline has been extended to March 31 for students who also have plans to apply for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship. Parents and students should note that the application deadline for the Opportunity Scholarship is still March 1.
The reason for the deadline extension was to mitigate issues that students were encountering with the new, shorter version of the free application. Students and parents needing assistance completing their FAFSA form can visit https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help.
The FAFSA is required for Idaho Opportunity Scholarship eligibility. However, the scholarship is not required for the FAFSA.
Application(s) guidelines/deadlines:
- March 1 - Idaho Opportunity Scholarship deadline
Students must submit their Idaho Opportunity Scholarship application to the State Board office by March 1 in order to be eligible for the scholarship. Scholarship applicants must also apply for the FAFSA.
- March 31 - FAFSA deadline (for Idaho Opportunity Scholarship applicants ONLY)
Students have been given through March 31 to complete the FAFSA portion of the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.
Students can visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to complete the FAFSA application or can apply for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship at the button below:
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Aviation Scholarship Announcement from No Greater Love Aviation Foundation
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The No Greater Love Aviation Foundation is an approved 501 (C)(3) foundation which was formed to honor the memory of local Idaho Army aviators who were killed in the line of duty.
The foundation is honoring their legacy by giving local high school kids ages 16 to 19 an opportunity to apply for and receive named scholarships for aviation training.
Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements in order to apply:
- Idaho High School Student ages 16 to 19 with a 2.5 GPA or higher.
- Enrolled in or ability to enroll in aviation training and use scholarship in 2023.
- Complete and submit scholarship application online by March 31
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Subscribe for Regular Updates from the Idaho Department of Education
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Would you like to receive the Idaho Department of Education's weekly newsletter? Click here to add your name to the list for regular updates from the Idaho Department of Education and Idaho's educational communities.
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