This quote feels timely given the stormy weather we are heading into and our focus this month on staying positive. Positivity doesn’t mean pretending challenges don’t exist. It means continuing to show up for each with respect, honesty, and kindness, even when things feel uncertain and especially when we have disagreements.

One storm that we're heading into is a critical budget situation. As I shared with our elementary teachers on Monday, after spending down our fund balance by more than $10 million, we now have to take steps to reduce our budget. The biggest reasons are the return to attendance-based funding and a drop in student enrollment (see graph below). And to make the situation even more complicated, the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee is now calling for school budgets to be cut even more. Because about 90% of our budget is employee pay and benefits, reductions at this scale ultimately require staffing changes.

If you want your child to attend a school other than their zoned school, please submit an open enrollment application.

Applications received by February 1 will receive priority consideration, and we will use the number of applications received by that deadline to help determine staffing at each school. Because school boundaries are changing next year, any student in kindergarten through 6th grade who plans to attend a school other than their zoned school will need to submit an open enrollment application.

We’re excited to tell you about a fun, hands-on percussion clinic happening tomorrow (January 30, 2026 ) 5–7 PM at Bonneville High School!

This clinic is open to elementary-age students and serves as both a fundraiser and senior project. Students will:

✨ Learn basic counting and rhythm

✨ Play bucket drums

✨ Learn a song to perform

✨ Take home their own pair of drumsticks

Instruction will be led by staff from North Star, a professional indoor drum line, along with advanced BHS percussion students.

📍 Location: Bonneville High School (enter through The Hive doors)

🕓 Sign-in: Begins at 4:45 PM

💲 Cost: $20 (includes drumsticks)

🎶 7:00 PM Performance

Featuring the BHS Percussion Ensemble, RMMS Percussion Ensemble, North Star Independent — and ending with our participants showing off what they learned!

Idaho Falls Family YMCA Spring Sports: Registration is open January 12 to March 7 (late registration March 9 to March 14 with a $15 fee). The season runs March 30 to May 23, with youth options like soccer, basketball, volleyball, and flag football (plus adult leagues). Financial assistance is available, and volunteer coaches get 50% off one sports registration. Click here for more information.

Idaho middle schoolers are invited to compete to represent the state at the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington D.C. by entering the statewide Idaho civics bee in Idaho Falls on May 29. Students are asked to submit written essays that identify a community issue and propose a solution. Based on the essays, judges will select 20 finalists to attend the competition in Idaho Falls. 

All students in grades 6 - 8 who attend public, private, charter or homeschools anywhere in Idaho are eligible to participate. Winners at the state level will take home $1,000 plus a potential $5,000 donation to their schools, and the first place award at the national level will receive a $100,000 529 plan contribution.

Click here to learn more about Idaho's statewide competition or submit an essay on or before February 3 at the button below:

High school students with an interest in civics, history, and public service are invited to participate in the Presidential 1776 Award, a new national civics scholarship competition created in honor of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. From February through June 2026, students will compete in a multi-round challenge demonstrating their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, the American founding, and the principles that shaped our nation. After local and regional rounds, top students will advance to a national final in Washington, D.C., where three national winners will earn scholarships totaling $250,000. This exciting opportunity aligns well with U.S. government and history coursework and offers students a chance to be recognized on a national stage. More details, including registration information, will be shared with interested students and families.

The State Department of Education and the State Board of Education are currently accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Curricular Materials Selection Committee. Accepting applications until filled.

Vacancies currently include positions for:

• K-12 Public Education Parent

• K-12 Idaho Certified Public Education Teacher

• K-12 Idaho Certified Public-School Administrator

• K-12 Idaho Public School District Trustee/Board Member

• Idaho Higher Education Official

• Appointment on the committee is for a 5-year term.

• The Committee meets at the call of the chair: Evaluation week usually lasts 3 – 5 days in

the summer (tentatively mid-June) in Boise. Attendance is expected for evaluation

week.

• Committee members participate in orientation and a comprehensive training session.

• Committee members evaluate all textbooks/instructional materials offered for adoption and make recommendations to the State Board of Education.

• Textbook Committee members may recruit teachers to serve as Textbook Evaluation

Advisors to review materials during evaluation week.

• Committee members facilitate activities and debriefing meetings during evaluation week (tentatively 3-5 days in June).

• Committee members are reimbursed for mileage, lodging, and meals according to state

guidelines for any in person meetings.

• For committee members who require substitute teachers, reimbursement is provided

for the substitutes at the state reimbursement rate of $70/day.