O'Leary Student Holds Nations Best High Jump Mark

Ryan Carlson, and 8th grader at O'Leary Junior High cleared a mark of 6 feet, 1 inch in the high jump at the conference tournament. This mark is better than any other 7th or 8th grade student in the nation. Check out the Times News article:

http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2009/05/24/sports/local_state/162637.txt

Linda Watkins Named Education Foundation Director

Linda Watkins has been named as the new Twin Falls Education Foundation Director. Linda has lived in Twin Falls for 21 years, moving here from Missoula, Montana where she was an elementary school teacher. She graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Speech Communications and Elementary Education. Her husband, Mitch, and she have owned and operated Watkins Distributing since 1988. Linda has been a substitute teacher and also worked in advertising with Watkins Distributing while volunteering in area schools. She has served on the Library Foundation Board, Co-Chaired the TFSD Long Range Planning Committee and currently sits on the First Federal Bank Foundation Board. The Twin Falls School District looks forward to working with Linda and the Education Foundation.

Harrison and Morningside Multi-Purpose Rooms Complete

The Harrison and Morningside Elementary Multi-Purpose Rooms have been completed and turned over to the Twin Falls School District. Students and teachers will get acquainted and use the facility this month as well as plan for its use in the 2009-2010 school year. Students also be able to have physical education classes and lunch in separate facilities. The Board of Trustees presented each principal with a plaque. Steve Hoy, Principal of Morningside, and Chris Gillette, Principal of Harrison, are pictured above with the Board of Trustees.

May Employees of the Month

Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District May Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Katherine Plunk and Classified Employee of the month is Linda Condie. Both employees work at Twin Falls High School. We appreciate all their hard work and efforts! (Pictured First: Superintendent Wiley Dobbs, Katherine Plunk, Trustee Kenny Young, Chairman of the Board Bryan Matsuoka, Pictured Second: Trustee Richard Crowley, Linda Condie, Superintendent Wiley Dobbs, Trustee Dan King)

Swine Flu Information

Dear Parent or Guardian,

This letter is for informational use only in response to the recent H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) news. An outbreak of the Swine Flu has caused the United States to issue a public health emergency. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 17,855 cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection with 45 fatalities. Although we have limited cases in Idaho, we are doing everything possible to protect the health of our students and prevent against the spread of swine flu.

Below is a list of routine public health recommendations for preventing the spread of the flu:

1.Keep your child home from school and contact a health physician if they are experiencing coughing and have a temperature of 100.5 or higher.

2. Instruct children to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around your child from getting sick.

3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

4. Wash hands frequently to protect against germs. Wash with soap and water, or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.

5. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

6. Practice other good health habits. Keep yourself strong – and more resistant to disease – by getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious food.

The Twin Falls School District is staying informed and monitoring the situation every day. You are also encouraged to check the CDC web site (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ ) frequently for updates and revised recommendations.

Let us assure you that the health and well-being of our students is our top priority and we are doing everything possible to take proactive measures. Please feel free to contact the Twin Falls School District Office at 733-6900 if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Please Note: If you are experiencing the above symptoms and have traveled recently or visited an area of confirmed cases, please contact your health physician immediately.

April Employees of the Month

Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District April Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Whitney Miley and Classified Employee of the month is Charles Langley. Both employees work at O'Leary Junior High School. We appreciate all their hard work and efforts! (Pictured First: Superintendent Wiley Dobbs, Whitney Miley, Trustee Dan King, Trustee Richard Crowley, Pictured Second: Vice-Chairman of the Board Lori Ward, Chairman of the Board Bryan Matsuoka, Charles Langley, Superintendent Wiley Dobbs)

Jive Performance

Danny Marona Performing Arts Scholarship Finals THIS FRIDAY!

Don't forget the Danny Marona Performing Arts Scholarship Finals and Curtain Call Awards this Friday at 7 p.m. at the CSI Fine Arts Auditorium. There are nine winners from January's Regionals competing for up to $5000 in scholarships. Be sure to bring posters to root for your favorites! Doors open at 6:00. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door. Students are free.

Tina Bonnett Receives Highest Honor

Tina Bonnett, teacher at Perrine Elementary, was presented with the Idaho Middle Level Association Bev Bradford Lifetime Achievement Award. This is the highest award given by the IMLA and is given to an individual who has demonstrated a level of service, integrity, and leadership in the middle level education. Congratulations Tina!

Ted Hadley Receives Distinguished Service Award

Ted Hadley received the Distinguished Service Award for the Music Educators Northwest Division. Ted has been teaching music in the Twin Falls School District for thirty-five years. His expertise as a conductor, musician, composer and director has been very beneficial to the district. He is very deserving of this award!

Congressional Awards

The Congressional Award is a voluntary, individual and non-competitive nationally recognized prestigious award program. It is open to any young person ages 13 ½ through 23. With the help of an adult advisor, participants develop an individualized Congressional Award program with specific goals in four areas: public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. If the participant puts forth the effort, commitment, and excellence the program requires, a member of the United States Congress will recognize their accomplishments with a bronze, silver or gold Congressional Award Medal. Above is a picture of the 2009 Congressional Award participants.

Bill Brulotte Named National Distinguished Principal

CONGRATUALATIONS TO BILL BRULOTTE! Bill Brulotte, Principal at Perrine Elementary School, was named Idaho’s National Distinguished Principal of the Year for 2009. This is the highest award presented by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Mr. Brulotte will be attending a formal meeting with the nation’s other National Distinguished Principals in Washington, D.C. This is an outstanding honor and Mr. Brulotte joins the ranks of our exceptional administrators and former recipients of national principal recognition, Dr. Wiley Dobbs, Dale Thornsberry and Kirk Brower.(Pictured are Bill Brulotte and Ted Popplewell)

March Employees of the Month

Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District March Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Marita DeBoard and Classified Employee of the month is Lori McBride. Both employees work at Robert Stuart Junior High School. We appreciate all their hard work and efforts! (Pictured First: Trustee Kenny Young, Marita DeBoard, Dr. Wiley Dobbs, Chairman of the Board Bryan Matsuoka, Pictured Second: Vice-Chairman of the Board Lori Ward, Dr. Wiley Dobbs, Lori McBride, Trustee Dan King)

News Parents Can Use

The next "Education News Parents Can Use" broadcast from the U.S. Department of Education will focus on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The broadcast is scheduled for 8 a.m. ET on March 17, 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.ed.gov/edtv/.

Lincoln Elementary School Receives Honor

Lincoln Elementary School was honored at the national Title I Conference. Thirty-six states selected two schools from their state to be recognized as a National Title I Distinguished School for either exceptional growth or closing the achievement gap. Lincoln Elementary School was selected for exceptional growth. Lincoln received three awards from the Idaho State Board of Education for 22.18% point increase in Caucasian math, 27.39% point increase in special education reading, and 22.20% point increase in special education math.

The 72 schools selected from the nation were honored during the opening ceremonies of the Title I Conference, were invited to a luncheon and treated to dinner by the Idaho State Department of Education. Lincoln Elementary School received a banner and a certificate.

MVHS Culinary Places 3rd in "Death by Chocolate"

Magic Valley High School competed in the annual Death by Chocolate event sponsored by the Twin Falls Rotary Club. A team of students from MVHS competed in the Unique Dessert category and earned a third place award from the judges. Magic Valley is the only high school to compete and only one of two amateur entrants in the competition; the other being students from the CSI Culinary Arts Program. We are very proud of our students. Pictured from left to right are Superintendent Dobbs, Edith Suazo, Alba Aleman, Rachel Turner, Joey Patterson, Vice Chair Lori Ward from the Board of Trustees, and Bob Withrow, MVHS Culinary Arts Instructor.

February Employees of the Month

Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District February Employees of the Month! Certified employee of the month is Amy Mann and Classified Employee of the month is Ekrem Prutina. Both employees work at Oregon Trail Elementary. We appreciate all their hard work and efforts!

Employees of the Month

Congratulations to the Twin Falls School District Employees of the Month for December and January! December Employees of the Month are both from Lincoln Elementary. Sonja Evans, pictured first, was the Certified Employee of the Month and Charles McGlochlin, pictured second, was the Classified Employee of the Month. January Employees of the Month are from Perrine. Carol Hill, pictured third, was the Certified Employee of the Month and Becky Rigdon, Pictured last, was the Classified Employee of the Month. GREAT JOB! Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Wiley J. Dobbs, and members of the Board of Trustees are pictured with the employees.

2009 Danny Marona Performing Arts Scholarship

Congratulations to the 2009 Danny Marona Performing Arts Scholarship Twin Falls Regional winners. A junior at Twin Falls High School, Andrew Bortz, placed 1st (Center). Second place was awarded to Becca Stonemets (Left) who is a student at CSI and third was awarded to Susan Dodds (Right), a student at BYU Idaho. Pictured with the students are Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Wiley J. Dobbs (Left) and Danny Marona.

JIVE Performance