Weekly Newsletter
Thursday August 31, 2023
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FOR ADMINISTRATORS
Get $3,000 for Your School's Library with Bucks for Books
Every year, the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) partners with the Idaho Lottery Commission to bring Bucks for Books to Idaho's publicly-funded elementary school libraries. The program was created to ensure that Idaho students have the opportunity to access a full collection of high-quality, age-appropriate books to read at school or take home. Idaho's elementary school libraries have the opportunity to apply for awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 to buy library books for the 2023-2024 school year. All public elementary schools that have not yet received a Bucks for Books award are eligible to apply. Click here to see if your school has received a Bucks for Books award. Applications are due by October 8.
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Transportation Administrators: Please Prepare and Submit Your Fall Emergency Evacuation Plans
Currently, school districts should be preparing for their fall school bus emergency evacuations. To ensure passenger safety, districts are asked to provide all passengers transported to and from schools or school activities in a school bus with instructions on the location and operation of all emergency exits as well as a student participation practical emergency evacuation drill. These plans should be submitted once per semester. Instructions should comply with state requirements and/or Federal Highway Safety Guideline 17 and with 45 CFR Part 1310, as applicable. The emergency plan should be documented in each driver file. The Emergency Evacuations Procedures document (below) provides trainers with step-by-step guidelines and recommendations for an emergency evacuation.
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The University of Idaho Launches Project ECHO Professional Development Resources
The ECHO Idaho Education series provides training opportunities for school-based professionals and clinicians to equip them with additional knowledge and skills as they strive to improve the quality of life and well-being of students under their care. The trainings are offered to educators at no cost and the continuing education credits are also free. The trainings are open - participants can join via a provided Zoom link without registering. Recordings of the sessions can be accessed at any time.
Visit the Training Page
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Registration Still Open for the ESEA/IDEA Federal Programs Directors Meetings in Coeur d'Alene
Every year, the State Department of Education hosts an annual training for District Federal Program Directors that focuses on the many unique aspects of running federal programs within districts and schools in the state of Idaho. This training is for "new" directors (less than three years' federal programs experience) who want focused training in specific areas. There is still time to secure your place at the September 25 - 26 event at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn in Coeur d'Alene.
Register for the CDA Event
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FOR TEACHERS
Registration Now Open for Artemis ROADS II Professional Development
Northwest Earth and Space Sciences Pathways (NESSP) has officially opened registration for their ROADS II professional development. This PD training is designed for formal and informal educators who are interested in learning about hands-on, standards-aligned, NASA-inspired lessons and activities. The training is designed to be flexible, and will consist of three 2-hour live sessions, to be completed in order. Coursework also includes virtual asynchronous work, to be completed at various times throughout the training. Click the button below to register for the course. For any questions or assistance with the registration process, email info@nwessp.org.
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Poetry Out Loud Offers Student Performers an Opportunity to Shine
Budding student poets and performers in 9th - 12th grade are encouraged compete in the 2023-2024 Season of Poetry Out Loud. Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation contest that encourages 9th - 12th grade students to learn about poetry through memorization and performance. The program is completely free for participating schools, libraries and homeschools. Each school year, this program invites thousands of students, teachers and librarians to deeply engage with poetry and performance. Students read and interpret a broad range of poems, from classical to contemporary. They then choose a piece to memorize and perform in a dynamic contest at their school or library. The winner of each institution-level contest is invited to the state final in Boise, and the Idaho champion goes to Washington D.C. to compete in the national final for prizes totaling $50,000 in cash awards and school stipends.
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FOR PARENTS
Idaho Parents Unlimited Offering Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents
Idaho Parents Unlimited (IPUL) is happy to announce their upcoming September monthly workshop, "Champions for Change: the Power of a Personal Story." The workshop will be held on September 12 from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. MST via Zoom and will cover System Change, how sharing your story can impact change and advocacy tips. Registration is required. Parents can also view a selection of past IPUL webinars on-demand.
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Free and Reduced Applications Required for Participation in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs
Families in Idaho can now view the 2023-2024 income guidelines and apply for free and reduced-price meals for the upcoming school year. Free and reduced-price meals are available for eligible students. Eligibility is determined by household size and income, and categorically eligible students qualify automatically for free meal benefits. Qualifying students receive meals or milk free of charge, or may pay a reduced price of no more than 40 cents for lunch and 30 cents for breakfast. Families interested in viewing the income guidelines or learning more about notifications of eligibility can do so at the button below.
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