October 19, 2015

School District News

From Superintendent

Robert Vian

District

We are still looking for people who are interested in the school calendar.  Several suggestions for changes have come into the office.  The district calendar committee will explore all options before asking the Board of Trustees to adopt a calendar for the 2016-17 school year.  Adoption of a School Calendar is a routine part of each school year.

One option to consider is a “year round school” option. The current school year was designed decades ago when many children were involved in the family farm.

The traditional year round school consists of nine weeks of school followed by three weeks of breaks.  We can design any schedule we want as long as it improves the quality of education that is delivered to the students.  It could be 9 weeks of school and 2 weeks off until 36 weeks have been completed followed by 10 weeks of summer break.  We could schedule the week of Thanksgiving and two weeks for Christmas as breaks.

A second suggestion was to either start school earlier and/or add some Fridays so that school could end by Memorial Day.  The short run of days after Memorial Day, 7 this year, are not very productive, but still cost the same to operate.  The average cost for one day of school is $50,737.  Addressing this issue is my first priority.

A third suggestion was to look at what four days we attend school.  Would a Tuesday to Friday schedule be better than the current Monday to Thursday?   

vianr@jsd171.org or call 476-5593 and let me know you are interested in being a part of the discussion.

Timberline School

Timberline High School was fortunate to have the opportunity to send 31 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students to the University of Idaho and the Pullman Science Discovery Center.  This opportunity was fully funded through Educational Talent Search.  “Educational Talent Search (ETS) is a federally funded TRiO program serving students aged 11-27, focusing on those whose families are on a limited income and whose parents did not graduate with a four year college degree. The program targets "educationally talented" students, any who have the desire and the potential to seek post high school education, which includes two and four year colleges and technical schools. ETS helps students better understand their educational opportunities and options. Therefore, all students are encouraged to apply.” (http://www.lcsc.edu/educational-talent-search/)  

Students were able to visit the division of natural sciences as well as the entomology lab.  In the division of natural sciences, students learned about plant life, soils, and wildlife.  In the entomology lab, students were able to examine insect specimens and learn about the science of entomology.  Students saw parts of the U of I campus and were able to eat on campus and experience a small part of campus life.  This field trip was well worth the time spent and a small step in providing Timberline students a vision for their post-secondary education.  Check our website for pictures and additional information (timberlineschools.org). Principal Jason Hunter