Explore this month’s virtual sessions covering today’s most
important parenting topics from parentguidance.org.
Join as many as you’d like!
about 21 hours ago, Ellen Austin
PG
PG Sp
Flu Vaccine Info for students and staff: South Central Public Health will be at your child's school on Oct. 1st or 2nd to offer the flu mist to students and the flu shot to staff (see schedule below). It is completely optional. If you want your student to receive the flu mist, you must fill out the consent form and send it with them that day complete with guardian signature and insurance info (if applicable). You may obtain the form from your child's school office (some schools will send one home), this link https://shorturl.at/sNKuF , or you scan the QR code. Please contact the Heyburn South Central Public Health office for questions re: cost for the flu vaccine at 208-678-8221.
5 days ago, Ellen Austin
Flu mist
Free Resource for Parents & Educators
Bullying has become a growing concern, impacting children in schools, sports, and even online.

Dr. Melissa Lopez-Larson, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, offers a free on-demand course through ParentGuidance.org. By simply signing up, you’ll gain tools to help protect and empower your child.

Course Topics Include:
- What bullying is—and what it isn’t
- Who bullies and who gets bullied
- Breaking the bullying cycle
- Bullying in social media
- Bullying in school
- Bullying in sports

✨ You have the power to help! Together, we can stop the cycle of bullying and create safer spaces for every child.

https://parentguidance.org/courses/helping-child-bullying/

8 days ago, Ellen Austin
PG bully
Free Resource for Anxiety!

“I’m so stressed out!” A common phrase that we can often find ourselves thinking or saying. We all feel stress to some degree. The question is do we have control over stress? Life is busy! At some point we’re bound to feel overwhelmed and… stressed out. However, we have control over how we respond in those stressful situations. Join Camille Kennard as she teaches 5 steps to calm your mind when you’re feeling stressed out. These steps will lead to a happier and more productive life. Don’t let stress hold you back from accomplishing your goals.
https://parentguidance.org/courses/calming-anxious-mind/
15 days ago, Ellen Austin
pg
Thank you for your patience and support over the last two weeks.
Our Director of Transportation experienced very difficult personal circumstances this summer that delayed bus route setup. She will be back on duty tomorrow, Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

We’re deeply grateful for our staff and community who stepped up to keep students safe and supported. Moving forward, we are working to prevent disruptions like this in the future. Thank you for your continued understanding, kindness, and teamwork.
28 days ago, Ellen Austin
bus
🌟 Join Us for a Special Community Celebration! 🌟
Idaho Public Television invites families across southern Idaho to come together for Be My Neighbor Day at the Rupert Square! This FREE community event is all about connection, learning, and fun for children ages 3–8 and their families.
From hands-on activities with local partners to meeting Daniel Tiger himself, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate what it means to be a caring neighbor while discovering resources right here in our community.
📅 Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025
🕙 10 AM – 2 PM
📍 Rupert Square

Bring your family, invite your neighbors, and let’s make memories together!
about 1 month ago, Ellen Austin
PBS
NOTICE OF SCHOOL TRUSTEE ELECTION DEADLINES FOR DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY
Minidoka County Joint School District #331 Public Notice is hereby given according to law, and the requisite action of the Board of Trustees of Minidoka County Joint School District #331: Minidoka, Cassia, Lincoln, Jerome, Idaho Counties that the annual School Board Trustee Election for Zone 1 and Zone 4 will be held on
Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
Candidates interested in filing a declaration of candidacy must file no later than 5:00 p.m. August 29, 2025, with the county clerk. (Forms are available beginning August 18, 2025, with the board clerk at 310 10th St., Rupert, ID 83350.)
about 1 month ago, Ellen Austin
Map
new
🌟 Parent Workshop: READY! for Kindergarten 🌟
👶 Parents and caregivers of children ages 0–5 — come learn how to turn everyday moments into learning opportunities!
📚 Each FREE workshop includes tools, tips, and resources to make learning at home fun, easy, and effective.
🍎 Hosted by Minidoka School District in partnership with Idaho AEYC.
🗓 Workshop Dates (3-part series at 6:30 pm)
Part 1: September 18
Part 2: October 9
Part 3: November 13
📍 Choose the school location most convenient for your family:
Acequia Elementary
Heyburn Elementary
Paul Elementary
Rupert Elementary
✨ Free child care & light refreshments provided!

➡️ Register today: www.idahoaeyc.org/ready
about 1 month ago, Ellen Austin
Ready
Ready
🌟 Free Early Childhood Special Education Screening 🌟
📍 Minidoka County School District
Does your child (ages 3–4) experience difficulties in:
🧠 Thinking skills or academics
🗣️ Speech or language
💬 Behavioral challenges
🏃 Motor skills or physical conditions
🤝 Social or self-help skills
👉 The primary purpose of Early Childhood Special Education is to provide early intervention for children with disabilities.
📅 Upcoming Dates:
September 12, 2025
📞 For more information, contact MCSD at 208-436-4727
about 1 month ago, Ellen Austin
Child find
Child Find

Important Update for Minidoka & Cassia School Families 🌟
We’re excited to share that our local schools are launching an expanded mental health program—all designed to support students, parents, and staff in new ways!

What you need to know:
• A $289,800 grant, funded by the Community Cares Foundation, will bring new online and local mental health supports for the next three years .
• The program offers:
• Live online webinar series spread across the year—choose from 500+ sessions on anxiety, depression, child development, parenting tips, self‑care, and more .
• Free one-on-one online coaching, giving families flexible access to professional guidance from home.

about 1 month ago, Ellen Austin
Mental Health
Ment
Reminder: PPAT meets Tue, Aug 20 at 1:00 PM.
Topics: Levy • Zone 1 School Board Trustee Opening • Cooks Center Resources.
Parents & community members encouraged to attend!
about 1 month ago, Ellen Austin
PPAT
🚨 PARENTS – IMPORTANT BUS REMINDER! 🚨
❗ Do NOT send your child on the bus without knowing their home address — or having it written down and placed in their backpack.
🚌 If we don’t know where they live, we can’t get them home safely.
Thank you for helping us keep every student safe and get them home on time! 💛
about 2 months ago, Ellen Austin
bus

Parent Patron Advisory Team Meeting - All Are Welcome Join us for the first Parent Patron Advisory Team (PPAT) meeting on Tuesday, August 20 at 1:00 p.m.

We’ll be sharing details about our new partnership with Cassia County School District and the Cook Center for Human Connection—bringing powerful resources to support student well-being and family mental health in our community.

We’ll also discuss digital media challenges and how nonprofits #IWILLHELP and @icanhelp can help us build awareness and skills for safe, positive online spaces.
Learn more in our District Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/m3k42

about 2 months ago, Ellen Austin
PPAT
Minidoka County School District administrators gathered over lunch to share insights from the IASA Conference in Boise. Great conversations, fresh ideas, and renewed energy as we gear up for an exciting 2025–2026 school year!
about 2 months ago, Ellen Austin
District Admin
🌟 We are proud to share that Minidoka was honored with the Heart of the Community Award at the Community Schools Institute! 🌟

Staff from Heyburn Elementary, East Minico, and West Minico have been working together to strengthen school culture and create schools where students and families truly feel a sense of belonging and care. 💙💛

#WarriorWay #CommunitySchools #HeartOfTheCommunity #MinidokaStrong
about 2 months ago, Ashley Johnson
Community School Team
Heart of the Community Award

📣 Attention Parents & Guardians!
We’re excited to announce that our school is now using PaySchools for online payments! 💳✨

✅ What You Need to Do:
1️⃣ Register for a PaySchools account
2️⃣ Add your student using their student 5-digit number. Most students know the number to log in to computers, but you can call the school for more information.
3️⃣ Access important forms, including the Free & Reduced Lunch Application, located on the right-hand side of the dashboard

📄 Need help? Follow the attached instructions to get started!

Let us know if you have any questions — we’re here to help!

#SchoolUpdate #ParentInfo #PaySchools #LunchProgram #BackToSchoolReady

about 2 months ago, Ellen Austin
payschool
6th & 9th Grade Orientation
Minidoka County School District

📅 Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2025
🕗 Time: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Location: Your student's middle or high school

⚠️ IMPORTANT TIME CHANGE
Please note the updated orientation schedule:
All students will be released before lunch at 11:30 AM.

Helpful tips for a successful school year!

2 months ago, Ellen Austin
orientation
Minidoka School District Registration is Opening!
2025–2026 School Year

Online Registration Opens: August 1st
Register from the comfort of your home!

Need help with in-person registration?
Staff will be available from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM on the following dates:

Monday, August 4

Acequia Elementary

Rupert Elementary

East Minico Middle School

Minico High School

Mt. Harrison High School

Tuesday, August 5

Heyburn Elementary

Paul Elementary

West Minico Middle School

Minico High School

Mt. Harrison High School

For more information, contact your school office.
Get ready for a great year!

2 months ago, Ellen Austin
Registration
Back to School Vaccine Clinics for all ages (provided by South Central Public Health District). Aug 4th at East Minico 1805 H St. Rupert from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. & Aug 5th at West Minico 155 S. 600 W. Paul from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. The clinics will be inside the school this year. Vaccines are due before kindergarten, 7th, and 12th grade (if not exempting). Please bring vaccination records and insurance cards. Without insurance, the price of each vaccine is $20. Please click the link below for more information. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i6Kbg4RKA0vva69DawzJB8fLFycTYmVLs-W7KBIZbi8/edit?usp=sharing
2 months ago, Brittni Darrington
Back to School Vaccine Clinic
Vaccine Clinic Flyer
The 3rd Annual “Stuff the Bus” Community Event on Saturday, July 19, 2025, was a tremendous success — thanks to the incredible generosity of our community! Local churches came together to support students and teachers in the Minidoka School District by providing essential school supplies for the upcoming school year. Since many teachers often pay for supplies out of their own pockets, this event helps ease that burden. Grace Church, led by Pastors Travis and Tina Turner, hosted the event with the support of leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through the kindness of the community, nearly 100 boxes of donations were collected — enough to completely fill a full-sized bus! “We Stuffed that Bus!” A special thank you to Joe and Roxy Goodrich for packing the bus and to Steve Roberts, owner of the Snow Cone Shoppe, for treating attendees to free snow cones. This event shows the power of unity when faith communities come together to meet real needs. Grace Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invite all local churches to join us in making “Stuff the Bus” 2026 an even bigger success! ❤️ Thank you to everyone who contributed — you’re making a difference for our students and teachers!
2 months ago, Ellen Austin
Stuff the Bus