- By: Terry Garner, Principal, Heyburn Elementary School
At a time when there are so many education initiatives ranging from the 90% Reading Goal, No Child Left Behind, technology issues, advanced placement and graduation issues, even child obesity concerns, it is probably more important than ever before that educators and parents not forget to help each child develop and/or maintain strong character values. Values such as responsibility, integrity, consideration for others, and acceptance of one another's differences must be modeled and taught both in school and in the home. I know that each school is required to have a vision or a mission statement, and those statements include statements about character values.
I recently have been privy to see first hand some of these characteristics taught and modeled in our schools. I would like to compliment those who are working hard to help students (without mentioning any names) with these issues. Last week fifth grade teachers at Heyburn Elementary invited the Minico Student Body President and Minico Quarterback to talk to the students about cooperation and competition, which just happened to be the theme of their unit in Reading…
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- By: Suzette F. Miller, Principal, Acequia Elementary School
Today, I am proud to say that the Fish! philosophy is still alive and well at Acequia Elementary School! Implementing the Fish! philosophy has changed our school more than we ever thought possible. After reading the first Fish! book three years ago, we realized that the Fish! philosophy was all those things we believed, but never quite knew how to put into words or actions. Now we have a common language that we can share with our staff, students and parents.
In the first Fish! book, we studied the four main components which include: Choose Your Attitude, Be Present, Play, and Make Their Day…
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- By: John Fennell, Assistant Superintendent, Minidoka Schools
Even before the first bell rang to begin the new school year, a number of students were already participating in fall sports and other school sponsored activities. These programs provide opportunities for students to learn new skills, develop further those skills already acquired, foster a sense of being part of a team or organized group, understand and follow the rules of fair play, and commit to maintaining grade point averages that allow participation.
Statistics show that students who participate in extra-curricular activities perform better in school that their peers who do not participate. The State of Idaho's High School Activities Association has set minimum standards for participation in activities they sponsor and sanction. Local districts also set standards for participation in activities outside of the realm of the State Activities Association. The purpose for all of these standards is to encourage students to establish good study habits as a priority so they can perform well academically; an important by-product is eligibility to participate…
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