Bickel Elementary Featured in Commercial

KinderVision is a non profit community service organization whose primary purpose is to teach children and youth personal safety education via a unique, pro-active multimedia program aimed at preventing abduction and sexual exploitation.

They needed a classroom to film a part of their commercial so we had them, along with several children of TFSD staff members head down to Bickel Elementary. The kids had a great time, and it was alot of fun!

(HINT) Our district is featured towards the end in the classroom scene.

For more information on Kindervision please visit their website at http://www.kindervision.org/.

MVHS Takes 3rd Place for the Third annual Death by Chocolate

Recently, several students from Magic Valley High School spent dozens of man-hours preparing an entry for the third annual Death by Chocolate, sponsored by the Rotary Club. Their entry was a Pound Cake Sundae. First, orange flavored milk chocolate was spooned over the pound cake with a dollop of chocolate mint mousse topping the chocolate. A dark chocolate dipped maraschino cherry and shaved white chocolate topped off the mousse and a sprig of mint completed the ensemble. The students built 1000 of these creations and our Third Place award in the People’s Choice category is something every one at Magic Valley High School is very proud of. None more than teacher, Bob Withrow, who says, “These kids did an outstanding job! We’ll be back next year.”

National Counseling Week - 2/4 - 2/8

School Counselors Celebrate During National School Counseling Week, Feb. 4–8, 2008

National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 4–8, 2007, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact that counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century. Dr. Dobbs, the Twin Falls Superintendent supports Feb. 4–8 as National School Counseling Week.

In a proclamation, Dr. Dobbs cited school counselors for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students' social/personal, educational and career development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master's degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.

"Every day, school counselors work with school counseling programs that address the personal/social, academic and career needs of all students," said Eric Sparks, ASCA 2008–2009 president. "Their ultimate goal is to enable all students to achieve success in school and to become responsible and productive members of our society."

More than 21,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week's celebration honoring school counseling.

Any parent or other community member with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs should contact the individual counselor at his/her school. More general information can also be found on ASCA's Web site, www.schoolcounselor.org

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a worldwide nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Va. Founded in 1952, ASCA supports school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, personal/social and career development so they not only achieve success in school but are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. The association provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more professional school counselors around the globe.

Perrine - Leah Bess Awarded $5,901 from QWest

Mrs. Bess has been awarded $5,901.00 from Qwest for a technology grant she wrote. A representative from Qwest and from the state department was here to award her this check. Leah will be using this money for a smart board and accessories!

Congratulations!

Danny Marona Performing Arts Scholarship Competition - Twin Falls Sectional

The Twin Falls Sectional for the Danny Marona Performing Arts Scholarship Competition was held last night in the TFHS Roper Auditorium. The following students qualified for the finals which will be held on Saturday, April 5th, 2008 in the CSI Fine Arts Auditorium:

1st Place ($1500 scholarship) – Carson Howerton - Clogging (Twin Falls High School)
2nd Place – ($1000 scholarship) Danielle Essma – Dance (Twin Falls High School)
3rd Place – ($500 scholarship) Susan Dodds – Vocals (Twin Falls High School)

Nine students have qualified from three sectional competitions that have been held around southern Idaho and they will compete for a grand prize $5000 scholarship.

Robert Stuart Wrestling Conference Champs

The 7th and 8th grade wrestling teams at Robert-Stuart Junior High were BOTH conference champions!!!

GREAT JOB!!!

Students Raise Donations - Principal and Vice Principal GO RED!

O'Leary Junior High established a event called "Festival of Giving". The students were challenged to collect 7,000 canned goods and $1000 for donations.

Well, they exceed their goals!!!! The students were able to collect 7,721 canned goods (721 over their goal) and $2,132.69 ($1,132.69 more than their goal)!!!!

So check out Mr. Withers and Mr. Lords new hair do:

***UPDATE***

The O'Leary Student Council is presenting Sharon Breshears with a donation of $2,132.69. (Pictured left to right: Jayson Welker, Madison Traveller, Henley Blick, Hannah Meyerhoffer, Jade Byce, Braydon Urratia, Sharon Breshears of Valley House, Sarah Chappell, McKenzie Johnson, Rocky Todd, Ashtin Meeks.)

Thank You Morningside Honor Choir!

On December 11, 2007 the Morningside Honor Choir gave a fabulous performance at the Twin Falls Senior Center. The members at the Senior Center were so pleased and entertained ... they loved them!

Thank you Mr. Gibson and your honor students for spreading holiday cheer to the senior center!

O'Leary JH - Erik Harris - A Phenomenal Runner!

8th grader, Erik Harris competed at the National Junior Olympics Cross Country competition in Lawrence, Kansas this last Saturday (12/8). Out of almost 300 runners (ages 13 and 14) from all over the nation he placed 7th. He had qualified for this event by winning first place in the regional race last month in Boise. Erik is a phenomenal runner! He won every junior high cross country meet this year! GREAT JOB!

MVHS - Mix It Up Day

National Tolerance Day, recognized on the school level as Mix-it-Up Day, is a time to recognize and work to dissolve social barriers. For many students, school is an exercise in exclusion. The Mix-it-Up program works to improve inter-group relations by encouraging students to identify and challenge social boundaries and make new friends.

This year, MVHS joined 4 million students in 9,000 schools in asking students to step out of their comfort zones and meet new people. We had several activities planned November 13. These included a poetry contest, food and decorations from countries around the world, a video featuring MVHS students about diversity, and the signing of the MVHS pledge to “tear down the walls and build up the bridges.”

1st place winner of the poetry contest was Hayley Stiles, 2nd place was Kelsey Bohlmann, and 3rd place was Tabitha Rabe. Mr. and Ms. Diversity (chosen by their peers for displaying kindness and friendship to all) was Kevin Whitehead and Alyssa Munning.

PB & J Day Update

Bruin News Students Place at State Competition

The Bruin News just returned from the Idaho Journalism Advisers’ Association conference, and all students who attended placed in their individual competitions:

• Dana Wright – Superior in News Writing
• Sam Roper – Excellent in Editorial Writing
• Meredith LaPatra – Honorable Mention in Editorial Cartoon
• Hannah Morishita – Honorable Mention in Feature Writing
• Arial Linam – Excellent in Review Writing
• Josh Haines – Honorable Mention in Column Writing
• Ali Caval – Honorable Mention in Newspaper Layout
• Kelsey Bordewyk – Excellent in Newspaper Advertising
• Brooke Baker – Excellent in On-the-Spot Photography
• Carson Howerton – Proficient in News Writing Proficiency

The Idaho Journalism Advisers’ Association (IJAA) is a group of newspaper, yearbook, and media advisers throughout Idaho. Every year, the group hosts a conference for junior high and high school journalism students. There are two parts to the conference: workshops and contests. This year’s conference kicked off with a keynote address by young adult author Chris Crutcher. On Monday, October 29, students began the day with competitions. Before the conference students signed up for competitions, and they were given two hours to work on stories, layouts, videos, etc. The rest of the day was spent in sessions led by journalists, advisers, and other media professionals; students could also participate in newspaper and yearbook critiques. The conference ended Tuesday, October 30 with an awards ceremony in the morning.

September Students of the Month

Congratulations to these students for getting Student of the Month in September!!!

O'Leary Junior High School, (left to right) Staci Baird, Alex Jahns, Tyson Warth

Oregon Trail - Vicent Borja

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween from (left to right) Michelle Lucas, Lisa O'Leary, Dr. Wiley Dobbs, and Sandy Rayborn!!

TFHS Cross Country Teams - Congratulations!

Congratulations to the TFHS Cross Country Teams!!

Saturday the boy’s team won their first state championship in 31 years!!!
The girls finished in 5th place with Freshman Amanda Ward finishing 3rd overall!!

They represented Twin Falls, our schools and their families very well, on and off the course!!

Great job to coaches Marty Grindstaff, Jerry Kleinkopf, Marjie Atkins, and Jay Bryan.

The girl’s team at state included:

• Natasha Bortz, Senior
• Dani Bates, Junior
• Vanessa Sanchez, Sophomore
• Emily Williams, Sophomore
• Amanda Ward, Freshman
• Abby Beidenbach, Freshman
• Stephanie Filas, Freshman

The boy’s team at state included:

• Evan Malberg, Senior
• Chris Schenk, Senior
• Ander Jayo, Junior
• Nick Jacobs, Junior
• Spencer Lundgren, Junior
• Alex Schenk, Sophomore
• Dunia Emmanuel, Freshman

GREAT JOB!!!!

Most Inspirational Teachers

On Friday, October 26th it was Most Inspirational Teacher night. Each senior varsity football player presented their white away jersey to the teacher who most inspired them from Elementary to High School.

The class of 2008 Football Players would like to thank and recognize the following teachers for providing inspiration during the course of their education in the Twin Falls School District.

You can also view the story published by Times-News > click here

Lincoln Elementary - Hand in Hand They STAND!

As people walk the street on Main Avenue in Downtown, an approching sound is getting closer and closer. It sounds like children and they are yelling! People rush out of their office to see what is going on ... it is Lincoln Elementary yelling "Don't Do Drugs! Don't Do Drugs!"

Today, Lincoln Elementary walked hand in hand in honor of Red Ribbon Week. What a great turn out and for a great message!

Oregon Trail Honor Choir - 3 Students Chosen to Represent at State

The Oregon Trail Honor Choir had three students who were selected to represent them in the state elementary honor choir which will perform for the State Music Educators Conference in Pocatello. The three students accepted were Whitney Comstock, Alicia Taylor and Jourdon Collis. They will begin working on the choir music in November and will be part of an all day clinic in Pocatello with Dr. Paul Broomhead from B.Y.U. He has been a popular clinician through the Northwest region for the last 10 years. They will then perform a final concert at ISU at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, January 25, 2008.

Congratulations to all three students! It is quite an honor for these students, and the Oregon Trail Choir and Director are very proud of all of you!

Welcome to Our New Blog!

Welcome Staff, Students, and Patrons!

My name is Lisa O'Leary, and I am the Communications and Public Relations Specialist for the Twin Falls School District.

I look forward to sharing all of the exciting events, news, and accomplishments of the Twin Falls School District!

So please, stop by often and check out the excitement going on in our district.

Mr. James Haycock, Twin Falls High School

Yeah Mr. Haycock!

Mr. James Haycock, Drama Teacher at Twin Falls High School was named Idaho Drama Teacher of the Year last week at the yearly Idaho Speech Arts Teachers Association Convention!

Excellent!!!