DEVELOPING IN OUR STUDENTS: RESPECT, EXCELLENCE, DISCIPLINE

Volume 1 , Issue 2

SU P ER IN TEN D EN T 'S LE T T E R

GRACE SCHOOL DISTRICT #148 H IGHLIGHTS

“We are what we repeatedly do, Excellence then is not an act, but a habit” - Aristotle

SCHOOL CALENDARSCHOOL CALENDARSCHOOL CALENDAR October 25

Picture Day

Grace and Thatcher

Elementary Schools

October 26

Grace High/Junior High

Fall Concert and Soup

Supper

6:30 p.m.

October 27

Grace Halloween Carnival

November 10

Parent Teacher

Conference—Secondary

4:30-7:30 p.m.

November 14-17

Book Fair

Grace and Thatcher

Elementary Schools

November 17

Parent Teacher

Conference—Elementary

By appointment

Dear Patrons-

It is harvest time, the leaves are changing and the tem-

peratures are getting colder, but things are heating up in

the classrooms throughout the district. It is a wonderful

time of year! We are getting back into the swing of

things and our teachers and students are excited for the

opportunity to improve.

We have implemented Professional Learning Communi-

ties throughout the district. A Professional Learning

Community, or “PLC”, is designed to increase collabora-

tion among teachers while providing ongoing sustainable

professional development. This year our focus will be on

improving our instructional practices while gathering

evidence of the impact our instructional practice has on

student learning. I am excited about how eager our

teachers have been to share ideas and set specific

measurable goals. PLC meetings are taking place on

Tuesday mornings at 7:00 am in various locations

throughout the district, so when you see the lights on

Tuesday mornings, you will know we are trying to get

better at what we do. I appreciate working with commit-

ted professionals that are willing to make sacrifices for

our students.

The various Parent Teacher Organizations have been

busy raising funds; we appreciate all of you who have

contributed to this cause. It really is amazing how much

support we receive from the good people in this district.

I have been privy to some exciting news I would like to

share with you. The Idaho High School Activities Associa-

tion has selected the 1983 Grace Girls State Champion-

ship Basketball Team to receive the “Legends of the

Game” award. The award is intended to preserve the

heritage of Idaho high school athletics by showcasing

outstanding teams from the past. The award recognizes

outstanding players and coaches and considers win/loss

record as well as District and State Championships.

Grace has had one other team selected for this award,

the 1958-59 Boys State Championship Team. Congratu-

lations to Coach Yamauchi and the 1983 Championship

Team for being selected Legends of the Game.

We will be having Parent Teacher Conferences soon. The

Junior High and High Schools will be hosting parents on

November 10th from 4:30 to 7:00 pm in the high school

gym, and the Elementary schools will be hosting confer-

ences on November 17th by appointment. We are excit-

ed about what is being taught and learned and encour-

age parents to come and visit our schools.

Grace School District has formed a parent advisory com-

mittee that meets the third Tuesday of the month at 1:00

in the superintendents office. If you would like to serve

on that committee please contact the district office.

I appreciate all you do as patrons for the students and

staff of this district. We are excited to be developing

Respect, Excellence and Discipline through Rigor, Rele-

vance and Relationships.

Go big R.E.D.,

Jamie Holyoak

Superintendent of Schools

Grace School District #148

Page 2 Volume 1 , Issue 2

THATCHER ELEMENTARY HAS CAUGHT

THE “SPIRIT”

We’re SMALL, but we’re STRONG here at

Thatcher School! We are keeping busy with

many activities!

The students and teachers from Thatcher

School participated in the G.H.S. Homecoming

Parade. Everyone was decked out in RED,

and we had a great time!

Our monthly theme for August and September

was “Catch the Spirit of Integrity.:” The school

met together once a week and learned about

honesty, self-discipline, work, compassion,

and responsibility. Our theme for October is

“Catch the Spirit of Being Drug Free.” Mrs.

Abrams is in charge and has some exciting

things planned for the month and for Red

Ribbon Week (October 24 – 27).

Thatcher School was featured in two editions

of the Preston Citizen in August and Septem-

ber. The first article told about our school and

featured pictures of some of our students.

The second article highlighted JanaLe Fox and

her involvement with the Box Tops for Educa-

tion program. She has gone to the national

convention in Minneapolis and won additional

prizes for Thatcher School. Because of her

enthusiasm and organization, the students at

Thatcher have benefited with extra celebra-

tions, books, PE equipment, prizes, and more!

Thank you, JanaLe!

We also extend a big “THANK YOU” to the following individuals and businesses who have reached out

to Thatcher School through our P.T.O. They have donated cash, products, and services to help with

our carnival and to help purchase some much needed playground equipment for the school.

Cash donations have totaled $3030: Products and Services: MOUNTAIN STATES INSURANCE ALCO (Soda and Preston)

SIMS FUNERAL HOME KATHLYNN BALL

MENDENHALL OIL SODA SPRINGS TRUE VALUE

MAAG MEDICAL SODA SHOOTING SPORTS

KATHY GORTON AT FARMER’S INSURANCE SANDER’S FURNITURE

STEVE AND KAREN REEDER QUICK STOP

B & M DETAIL JODI HARDY

ARCTIC CIRCLE CAMI TAGGART

AGRIUM NOEL MICKELSON

LALLATINS LAVA HOT SPRINGS

LARSEN DENTAL CARE MOUNTAIN VIEW DENTAL

LONDON DRUG EZ WAY

DR. MARK GIBBY FAMILY DOLLAR (Soda and Preston)

WEBB FUNERAL HOME FRANKLIN CO. LIBRARY

EYE CARE FOR YOU DAVE’S TACKLE

IDAHO SALVAGE (MIKE LOWER) BOWMAN GYM

ANONYMOUS DONOR BAILEY’S MARKET

A-PLUS AUTOMOTIVE

ALLIANCE TITLE

SAM’S MARKET

BROULIM’S

WELLS FARGO (Preston)

OUTER LIMITS FUN ZONE

PERKIN’S RESTAURANT

PRESTON DRUG

STOKE’S

Thatcher PTO

Angie Smith President

Nicole Romney Vice President

Daralyn Mansfield Secretary

Sara Andersen AR Rewards

JanaLe Fox Box Tops

Thatcher Cubs and Teachers

bring RED to the

Homecoming parade!

GRACE SCHOOL DISTRICT #148 Page 3

GRACE HIGH LUNCH MENU

OCTOBER 2011

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

5 FAJITA

SOUP IN A LOAF

FOOD CHOICES

Pears

Tossed Salad

Milk

6. PIZZA

NAVAJO TACOS

FOOD CHOICES

Mandarin Oranges

Corn

Milk

10. CHICKEN FRIED

BEEF PATTY

Potatoes/Gravy/ Roll

CHICKEN CAESAR

SALAD

FOOD CHOICES

Corn, Pears

Milk

11. DELI SANDWICH

Chips

ENCHILADA

FOOD CHOICES

Carrots/Celery

Cinnamon Applesauce

Milk

12. SWEET & SOUR

CHICKEN

Fried Rice

GRAB N GO

FOOD CHOICES

Green Beans

Mandarin Oranges

Milk

13. PIZZA

TURKEY CLUB SANDWICH

FOOD CHOICES

Cheesy Veggies

Peaches

Milk

17. CHICKEN NOODLE

SOUP

Cheese Bread

HAMBURGER/ Fries

FOOD CHOICES

Green Beans

Peaches

Milk

18. CURLY SPAGHETTI

Breadstick

GRAB N GO

FOOD CHOICES

Crisp Green Salad

Pears

Milk

19. CORN DOG

Mac & Cheese

RANCH CHICKEN

WRAP

FOOD CHOICES

Mixed Veggies

Mandarin Oranges

Milk

20. HOT ROAST BEEF

SANDWICH

PEPPERONI CHEESE

BREAD

FOOD CHOICES

Corn

Applesauce

Milk

24.TURKEY GRAVY

Mashed Potatoes

Roll

BREAKFAST BAR

FOOD CHOICES

Green Beans

Pears

Milk

25. ALFREDO

Breadstick

SOUP BAR

FOOD CHOICES

Green Salad

Peaches

Milk

26. PIZZA

GRAB N GO

FOOD CHOICES

Baby Carrots

Mandarin Oranges

Milk

27.CHICKEN BURGER

Tots

WALKING TACO

FOOD CHOICES

Corn

Applesauce

Milk

31.GOBLIN GOO

TROLL TOES

FOOD CHOICES

Skeleton Teeth

Bones and Brains

Mud and Bugs

Ghost Juice

Page 4

MISS TRISSA HOWARD

JOINS GHS FACULT Y

Favorite quote:

"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." --Helen Keller

Trissa Howard was raised in a small farming community north of Rexburg. She grew up as a country girl riding horseback, sleeping under the stars, swimming in canals, and taking hay rides. Trissa studied at Brigham Young University--Idaho and during the summers she would travel

to work in different places from upstate New York to Cuenca, Ecuador. Trissa loves to explore, dance, read, cook, tell stories, and com-pose music. She has taken on the state school board, out-run a bull, and danced with Bill Nye.

Miss Howard has invigorated the music department since her arrival. GHS invites you to attend the Fall Music Concert on October 26th at the Audito-rium. The concert will begin at 6:30 with a soup and bread supper following the concert.

Grace High

Athletic Schedule

Volleyball

District Tournament at

Hansen

October 15, 18,20,22

Football

Oct. 21 Grace vs. Challis at Challis 4:00, 7:00

Oct. 27 Grace vs.

Shoshone at home

4:00, 7:00

Nov. 4 1st Round Playoffs

Nov. 11-12 Semis

Nov. 17-19 Finals

The Grace Chapter of Business

Professionals of America is

sponsoring an American Red

Cross Blood Drive.

Please contact JanaLe Fox at

427-6652 or Mrs. Newbry in the

High School office at 425-3731

for an appointment time.

Wednesday, October 19

11:00 am until 4:00 pm

GHS Auditorium Foyer

Fun at the Bruin Fun Run

The First Annual Bruin

Fun Run was a great

success!

The PTO appreciates

the students, sponsors

and volunteers for

helping to make this

such a fun event.

The money from the

pledges needs to be

turned in right away if

it hasn’t been already.

Mr. Sotutu has prom-

ised to sing a Justin

Bieiber song in the

bear suit if the goal

was reached!

We sure hope we made

enough money!

GRACE SCHOOL DISTRICT #148 Page 5

R E A D I N G

S P E C I A L I S T

AT GES

Grace PTO

Kimberly Andersen President

Cassie Walker President

For the first time Grace Elemen-

tary School has a Reading Spe-

cialist.

Miss Karla Dawn Peck has taken

on this challenging assignment.

She works with entire classes,

small groups and individuals.

Miss Peck also spends time col-

laborating with teachers to talk

about students’ progress and

needs.

Teachers are thrilled to have a full

-time reading specialist. Collabo-

ration is less complicated. We

have so many more options than

we had before. We can truly put

together a program that fits all

the students of Grace Elementary

Grace Junior

High wrestling

Schedule

Oct. 20 Grace, American Falls and Marsh Valley at Aberdeen 3:30 Oct. 26 American Falls, Soda and West Side at Grace 4:30 Nov. 3 Grace, Soda and West Side at Bear Lake 4:15 Nov. 10 Grace, Malad and American Falls at WS 4:00 Nov. 12 Irving at Pocatello 8:00 am Nov. 16 All teams at Pocatello

Grace Junior

High Girl’s

Basketball

Schedule

Oct. 26 Grace vs. West Side at home 4:30 Oct. 27 Grace vs. North Gem at home 4:30 Nov. 2 Grace vs. Malad at Malad 4:00 Nov. 9 Grace vs. West Side at WS 4:00 Nov. 10* Grace vs. Soda Springs at home 4:30 Nov. 16 Grace vs. Bear Lake at BL 4:15 Nov. 30 Grace vs. Soda Springs at SS 4:30 Dec. 7 Grace vs. Bear Lake at home 4:30 Dec. 8 Grace vs. North Gem at NG 3:30 * This game may be changed due to PTC at GHS

Three New Faculty Members at

Grace Elementary

Mrs. Wistisen, Mrs. Potter, and Mr. Sotutu

Wendy Wistisen is excited to be teaching

Kindergarten in Grace! She enjoys biking,

baking and spending time with her hus-

band and two daughters

Chelsie Potter was born and raised in

Utah. She is the oldest in her family and

has 2 brothers and 3 sisters. She and her

husband have been married for 5 years

and have two dogs, Lucy and Roxy. They

live in Soda Springs and like to fix up

houses for fun.

Mr. Sotutu is excited to be back teaching

2nd grade at Grace Elementary, where he

taught for 3 years prior to teaching last

year at North Gem. Before coming to

Grace, he taught a year in Idaho Falls and

3 years in Seattle.

PLC’s

What’s the Big Idea?

Professional Learning Communities are a new way of im-

proving schools. The idea behind using PLCs is to change

the focus from what the teachers teach to what the stu-

dents learn. Research indicates that educational staffs

that effectively collaborate increase student learning. By

collaborating in Professional Learning Communities within

a school or district, the teachers can increase their exper-

tise by learning from their colleagues. One of the great

things about the Grace School District staff being so small

is that the PLCs are very diverse. The PLCs are comprised

of teachers from different grade levels and content areas,

so the exchange of knowledge and ideas benefits the en-

tire student population.

Mr. Holyoak is excited about the idea of PLCs because it is

improvement that is driven from the ground up. The focus

is on the students, then the teachers, so change does not

come from the administration. The PLCs will develop as-

sessment instruments to determine if their teaching meth-

ods are successful. Using this method, Grace School

District will create evidence of the best practices for our

students. Then there will be cohesive and strategic imple-

mentation of what really works across the district.