Dear Caldwell Families,
Welcome back!
With the start of the new year come great opportunities for students to continue their learning and improve academically. We also know winter comes with bad weather like freezing temperatures, slush, and snow and challenges like the flu, colds, and fevers. There are many reasons why your child may be absent from school or late to school during the winter months. However, attendance matters, and it is important for your child to be on time to school or return to school as soon as possible after an illness. We want all of our students to be on track to do well, so it is essential that they attend school everyday.
Showing up matters for R.E.A.L because it is an opportunity to:
Build routines
Increase engagement
Provide access to resources
Support learning
Routines: Establishing a routine of daily attendance helps reduce stress at home and supports a habit of attendance that will help your teenager get and keep a job.
Engagement: Being in school helps students to get to know each other and school staff so they can build relationships that can motivate participation in learning.
Access to Resources: Schools provide access to valuable resources such as meals, mentors, academic supports, and fun enrichment activities such as sports, clubs, music, and other afterschool and summer programs.
Learning: Students who attend school regularly do better academically in middle school and are more likely to graduate from high school.
(from https://www.attendanceworks.org/)
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve your children.
Board Strategic Pillar: Safe & Supportive Schools - We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and welcoming school environment.
Students enrolled in the Pharmacy Tech Program at Caldwell High School recently had the opportunity to participate in an unique industry tour. Students visited the Albertson's SavOn Pharmacy here in Caldwell. They also toured Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, ISU Meridian Health Sciences Center, and the Albertson's Headquarters for Pharmacy and Central Processing in Boise.
This yearlong course is designed to prepare senior-level students for entry-level employment as a Pharmacy Technician under the supervision of pharmacists in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and other settings.
Successful completion of the course qualifies students to take the National Health Association (NHA) Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT) and/or Pharmacy Technician Certifying Board (PTCB) certification exams. Students can also earn their AHA CPR and ARC FAST (First Aid for Severe Trauma) certifications.
Board Strategic Pillar: College & Career Readiness - We are committed to providing an academic foundation to allow students access to a variety of post-secondary options.
Cougars Shine at District Wrestling Tournament
"The kids wrestled hard and I am extremely proud of them," said Jefferson Middle School Athletic Director, Justin Gardner. He went on to say, "We finished 4th as a team."
We are extremely PROUD of our middle school wrestling program and what they are able to consistently accomplish!
Board Strategic Pillar: Inspiring Student Growth & Achievement - We will provide high-quality educational opportunities for all students that foster academic growth and the development of learner competencies that lead to success in post secondary education and the workplace.
Idaho English Learners will be participating in the ACCESS assessment between January 29, 2024, and March 8, 2024. English Learners take the ACCESS assessment each year to measure their level of English language proficiency and growth.
An ACCESS for ELLs Information for Families handout can be found on the district website in English, Chinese, Arabic, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese which gives more information about the assessment including its purpose, what scores will be provided, and how the scores will be used.
New Traffic Pattern at Jefferson Middle School
We would like to make you aware of a new traffic pattern at Jefferson Middle School. The main parking lot exit will be converted to a right turn only during school hours. This change is due to crosswalk safety concerns for the pedestrians crossing between the entry and exit to the main parking lot.
A right turn only sign and an orange barrier to angle traffic for the right turn will be placed at the exit.
This change is intended to ensure the safety of people and students using the crosswalk, since there are near misses with vehicles versus pedestrians when vehicles make left turns from the Jefferson exit.
Drivers, Slow Down
Drivers, slow down as children head back to school from Winter Break.
Remember that yellow flashing lights indicate a school bus is getting ready to stop, and motorists should slow down and prepare to stop. Motorists must come to a complete stop when a school bus is flashing red lights with a stop sign extended (Idaho Code 49-915 and Idaho Code 49-1422). Drivers are not to proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.
A violation can result in a $200 fine for the first offense, a $400 fine for a second offense, and $600 for a third offense. Please be on the lookout for school buses as they pick up and take students home from school.
Understanding the challenges in our current screen-filled society
- Since 2011, there has been a 59% increase in teens reporting depressive symptoms
- Scientific data shows that 2+ hours a day on social media correlates with a higher chance of having unhappy feelings
- Teens say their main way of coping with stress is to turn to a screen—this is concerning for many reasons, and we need to ensure they have other coping skills
We invite you and your family to view Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER. This film follows personal stories of families from an array of backgrounds with a spectrum of emotional challenges. It also highlights approaches in schools that provide strategies relevant beyond the classroom setting.
PLEASE JOIN US ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2024
FROM 6:30-8:30 PM AT
THE CALDWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Parents now have access to additional tools to keep children safe online. Two downloadable safety guides from Legacy Health Endowment offer a step-by-step walkthrough of the potential dangers of two popular online activities among young people: social media use and gaming. Guides cover warning signs of troubles, the realities of the associated risks, and tips on staying vigilant and safe for both students and parents. The resources are available in both English and Spanish:
- Social Media Safety Guide English
- Social Media Safety Guide Spanish
- Gaming Safety Guide English
- Gaming Safety Guide Spanish
Both guides are also available for download at the buttons below:
The newly-revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open for applications. Families should note that there is less time offered to complete the application than in the past, and this year's application must be completed by March 1, 2024 for students to eligible for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.
Known now as the Better FAFSA, the U.S. Department of Education delayed the opening date (FAFSA usually opens on October 1) to implement the changes to the form. The Better FAFSA is two-thirds shorter, just 36 questions compared to 108 in the old form.
In addition to a shortened list of questions, Better FAFSA includes other highlights:
- Students will be able to list up to 20 colleges on the application, up from 10 on the old FAFSA.
- Better FAFSA also includes new policies that will streamline assistance for students in foster care or who are homeless.
Students and families can also access a Better FAFSA FAQ sheet, use the student aid estimator or access the Better FAFSA application at the button below:
MLK Day of Service
Hot as Summer Cold as Winter Children's Theatre Auditions
Caldwell Fine Arts is holding auditions for "Hot as Summer, Cold as Winter" Children's Theatre. Auditions will be held for students in grades 1-12 on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at Caldwell High School.
Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age
On Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Caldwell High School, we will watch an award-winning film that probes into the vulnerable corners of family life and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games, and academics. The film offers solutions on how we can help our kids navigate the digital world.
Health Services Notification
Destination Education
Destination Education is a weekly video series highlighting students and staff from around the District. Each week this segment will bring you fun and exciting news stories. You will not only hear from administrators and educators during this weekly series, but from students as well. The videos will be posted to the Caldwell School District Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages every Sunday during the school year.
Strategic Plan
The Caldwell School District strategic planning framework is comprised of six areas of focus: Safe & Supportive Schools, Community Engagement, Inspiring Student Growth & Achievement, Stewarding Valued Resources, Empowering College & Career Readiness, Ensuring Quality Instruction.
Vision:
Destination Education
Mission Statement:
Nurturing growth, eliminating obstacles, strengthening the community.
Superintendent Dr. N. Shalene French
Committed to Caldwell School District's mission, vision, and values to ensure equity and access for all students.
Email: nfrench@caldwellschools.org
Website: www.caldwellschools.org
Location: 1502 Fillmore Street, Caldwell, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 455-3300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caldwellschools.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caldwellschooldistrict/
Twitter: @CSD132Sup
