Wolverines, Wildcats off to a great start to school
With the first week of school under our belts, the Naples Wolverines and Mount Hall Wildcats are off to a great start. The students and staff are excited to be back and are prepared for the successes and challenges ahead.
Both schools kept busy this summer. Naples had a blast during their summer reading program that ran on Tuesdays and Thursday and, after a 10-year hiatus, Mount Hall ran a successful migrant summer school.
Many of the teachers were just as productive and took advantage of an incredible in-service training in Kellogg. The training was offered by Spence Rogers and PEAK Team.
The focus of the in-service was on student relationships, engagement, and positive classrooms environments. Teachers came from the training more than ready to start teaching.
Before I get too far, I need to address all the changes that have happened since last year. One thing you will notice if you stop by either school are the new faces.
For Naples, Ms. Kylee Knelsen is our new third-grade teacher, Mr. Jason Murray is taking on fourth-grade, and Mrs. Bethany Cavender is switching things up and is the new fifth-grade teacher. Naples also has another Cavender on staff. Ms. Chloe Cavender is our PE/music instructor. Helping out Naples in the Special Education program is Trystan VanDyken.
As far as the new additions to Mount Hall staff, Mrs. Aimee Christopherson is on board as our new Special Education teacher, and Mrs. Tracy Roemer is tackling second-grade. Aside from staff, we are offering some new programs this year.
An early reading intervention program is being implemented district-wide grades K-3. In addition to this program, we also are offering computer lab two days a week. Mrs. Jessica Hanna is bringing beginning band to the 5th graders across the district.
If any of you happen to have an extra instrument lying around, any of the three elementaries would gladly take it off your hands and give it to a budding musician.
At Naples, HATS is going to run a little differently this year. For those of you who don’t know, HATS is our enrichment program that offers classes in the areas of Humanities, Arts, Technology, and Science.
Instead of three HATS sessions, we are going to offer four. Each student will take a HATS course in all four areas. The classes will run for four-weeks, one each quarter, and instead of being at the end of the day, we are going to run them first thing in the morning.
If you are interested in helping out with our HATS program, please contact Linda Lee at Naples office.
Mount Hall Elementary is adopting a No Homework policy. Does this mean your child will never have work to complete at home? No, students are still expected to study for upcoming spelling tests, read, and finish work they didn’t finish in school or missed while they were absent. What a No Homework Policy does mean is that new concepts are being taught at school, and students are given the opportunity to spend more quality time with their family.
The staff at Naples and Mount Hall understand the increasing demand school puts on kids, as well as the importance of family time. We encourage you to help your child be successful by asking them about their day, reading with them daily, and playing fun math games. Both schools are going to host a math and literacy night this fall. Please stay tuned for that date.
Aside from academics, we all know that a child learns best when their basic needs have been met. Breakfast is free for all students, and lunch forms were sent home last week.
Even if your child takes cold lunch, filling out the green lunch forms helps the schools qualify for programs such as Title One and the Fruit and Veggie program.
In addition to a healthy diet, dressing appropriately for Idaho’s unpredictable weather is just as important. Please make sure and send your child to school with the appropriate clothing for the day. Layers are a great idea especially as we transition from Summer to Fall.
If you ever feel like volunteering at Naples or Mount Hall, the need for volunteers is still in high demand.
Volunteer packets can be picked up at the District Office.
A big thank you to Idaho Customs and Border Protection for offering free fingerprinting at Mount Hall’s Open House. Every school is going to take advantage of this generous opportunity.
Naples will have its free fingerprinting night during their Math or Literacy Night.
A reminder of this date will be sent home.
We continue to strive for excellence at both schools and expect all students and staff give their best. At Naples and Mount Hall, we live by our motto: Safe, Civil, and Productive. It’s a motto students hear every day, and one they will continue to hear throughout the year. Speaking of the year, I have a feeling we are in for an amazing one. Until next month, Go Wolverines and Go Wildcats!
Lisa Iverson is principal at Mount Hall and Naples elementaries.