We just completed a great Opening-of-School Institute with faculty and staff. As part of our meeting, our group went through a needs assessment and goal-setting process resulting in the following top areas of emphasis:

Communication within the school system. Staff comments included ‘between- school’ communication as well as communication with co-workers, everyone working as a team, and consistency. Newsletters shared between buildings. Know and publish testing dates well in advance. Build the sense of teamwork within and across buildings.

Academic Focus – Data Driven. Set high academic standards and stick to them. Use of instructional time for assemblies and extracurricular activities needs to be reduced. Use state testing when required only. Document interventions. Support each other in providing interventions.

Collaboration across and within the system. Accept responsibility to be part of the education team that is Salmon School District. Build the sense of teamwork.

Parent Involvement – Expectations and Communication. Educate parents on policy and expectations. Invite them to participate/volunteer in meaningful ways. Engage parents as partners in educating their students. Get information to them in a timely manner through a variety of means.

Professional Development. Align staff development with standards. Make focus on meeting the variety of needs of students. Include teachers in establishing direction for PD.

Communication with the community. Radio, newspaper, newsletter, phone calls, weekly newsletters, getting info to kids who share with each other and parents.

Safety and security of our students and staff. Supervision of students crossing back and forth for classes between buildings. Drop-off/pick-up times. Lunch.

As you can see, there is a strong emphasis from within our school district on parent and community involvement and communication. We are also facing some difficult realities about needs within our system. We welcome your feedback as we strive to make Salmon School District the best it can be for our community!

My thanks to those taking time to attend our ‘meet and greet’ sessions. It has been enjoyable to meet folks from our community. Your insights are informative as well. Some common themes are emerging as we chat:

Building Needs – It seems the residents of Salmon are in support of replacing the Pioneer and Middle School buildings. However, many concerns arise about the need to build efficiently. Great feedback is coming from the community on making sure we utilize all external fund sources. Of critical importance is the need to recognize that we have a limited tax base here in Salmon, and that we must NOT call on citizens to bear an undue burden for extravagant buildings. I am pleased at the positive support expressed for the need to get our children into safer, more educationally inviting buildings as soon as possible. Thank you for this support.

District/Community Relationship – It is clear there is a desire in the community for Salmon School District to be more transparent. I am delighted to report that this continues to be one of my primary goals for our district. We have a new website, and are using it to improve our communication in both directions! Look for information on a monthly basis about the operating budget and expenditures for the district. Please feel free to respond to my blog posts (www.salmonfooteprints.blogspot.com). In addition, my door is opened to you and I welcome your phone calls as well (208-940-0327 or 208-756-4271). Ask questions of our principals and teachers. You will find them more than willing to assist you.

School Volunteers – There is need for clarification on some procedural aspects of volunteering in Salmon School District, particularly around the issue of fingerprinting and background checks. When a volunteer is working with students under the direct supervision of a teacher (e.g. in the classroom) and is not alone with students, we do not fingerprint and background check. We welcome your participation in supporting classroom activities whenever your time allows. Please work directly with your child’s or grandchild’s teacher to arrange time to come in. If you don’t have a direct connection into the classroom, check with the office staff at the respective school where you’d like to volunteer. (Note: We check the Sex Offender Registry weekly and immediately report the presence of offenders on or near our schools to law enforcement.)

Other items will be discussed in coming weeks. Thanks for visiting this site!