- By: Wendy Bott, Teacher, Idaho Youth Ranch
“Turning Troubles into Triumphs” is the motto of the Idaho Youth Ranch. For many young people this has been a place they can call home, school, recreation, and family, the life they have never had. The Ranch became a reality in 1952 when land was acquired from the federal government and construction began to ready themselves for the first resident in 1957. Through the IYR’s programs and services hundreds of individuals and families have been helped. Treatment includes group and individual counseling, structured classes, daily chores, recreation, and volunteer activities in the community.
The Ranch, which lies fifteen miles north of Rupert, currently has a lodge for girls and one for boys. The facility also includes a chapel, cafeteria, gymnasium, an administrative building, and an arena for the horse program…
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- By: Laurie Stimpson, RN and Shanna Legault, RN
Most people don’t realize what school nurse’s do. When asked, most people will tell you a school nurse puts bandages on “booboo’s.” This is part of what we do, but not all.
Minidoka County Schools are blessed with two registered nurses. Both are well versed in the various diseases and have had emergency training. Laurie Stimpson, RN is married and has two children. She has been in nursing for 23 years. Laurie is working for the school district full time. Shanna Legault RN is married and has two children one of which is in college. She has been in nursing 30 years. Shanna works as a school nurse part-time…
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- By: Shelley Coats, Gifted and Talented facilitator
The mission statement for Minidoka School District states: “We will increase INSTRUCTIONAL INTENSITY to significantly improve academic achievement for all students.” My students would relate that instructional intensity is not always fun, nor is it convenient. And as one student put it, “It is overwhelming and scary” at times. Often, instructional intensity causes some discomfort. Is all that discomfort worth the effort? Absolutely! Students learn they can do hard things. They gain confidence in their own abilities as well as skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
The following essay is excerpted from a 2500 word essay written by Melissa Dayley, a 7th grader who attends East Minico Middle School. Melissa’s essay is a sample of the quality that occurs with instructional intensity…
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- By: Shanan Aston, Elementary Gifted/Talented Facilitator
Recently our 5th grade Discovery students created group projects for a regional National History Day competition. They learned, practiced, and refined research skills. They sifted through and analyzed primary and secondary historical documents to support a central theme for their presentation. They worked together to design an appropriate eye-catching exhibit to enter in the competition. They learned to cite their sources and write a paper describing the process of their research. It required substantial work and some intense higher-level thinking. It was exhilarating to watch as these students used information, enthusiasm, and creativity to present their findings. All of the completed entries were high-quality and well worthy of recognition. After the judging, however, their focus shifted from…
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- By: Brian R. Duncan, Board Chairman, Minidoka School District
I’m certain that by the time this article publishes that all trustees will have spent so much time dealing with budgets and pinching pennies that all of us will have a permanent indentation of Lincoln’s head on our thumbs. I realize how difficult it is to maintain a positive perspective in these difficult times but hey, with all of these dark clouds floating around, there has to be a silver lining in their somewhere! This spring I have a decision to make, I am completing my sixth year on the Minidoka Board which means that this year my zone is up for election. In the face of unprecedented budget cuts, election consolidation, and the reauthorization “or not” of NCLB, a person might think twice before submitting the paperwork to stand for election and commit to another 3 or 4 years of this “high” pay, “huge” benefits job. However I can say, that I have acquired the needed signatures, completed the paperwork and turned it in to the board clerk. So, if the patrons of my zone are willing, I am up to the task of another term on the board. I feel that this is an important time for seasoned and experienced trustees to step up and…
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- By: Dan Rogers, Principal, Minico High School
To the Parents and Patrons of Minico High School:
On September 20th, 2006, Minico began Friday Help sessions. Two Fridays a month, we released school at 1 PM. All students with a D or an F in any class were assigned to help sessions with their teacher. Two sessions were scheduled on theses days. Students not failing a class were released to go home. Students wanting extra help could stay as long as they had the permission of the teacher.
We did see a 10% decrease in the numbers of students required to attend each week. Most of the faculty felt the first year was successful. We also had positive reports…
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