Dear Farmin Stidwell Families,

    January felt like a long month, but we accomplished a lot at Farmin Stidwell. We focused and worked hard as a staff and school community to prepare for midyear academic testing in the Lake Pend Oreille School District -- and our students showed amazing growth in many areas. I am SO proud to share that our K-3 students are scoring 75% proficient on the Idaho Reading Indicator and we still have four months of learning! This is a huge feat and accomplishment for our team, and I couldn't be more impressed with our crew. Our end of the year goal is 81% and we have no doubt that we will get there. Our MAP growth as a school is improving year by year, and overall we are seeing a rise in English Language Arts proficiency and a slow increase in math knowledge. We will continue to focus on math intervention and enrichment while meeting students where they are at everyday. 

    In February, many students will have opportunities to extend their learning. Classes will cross country ski at Pine Street Woods, 4th grade will visit Schweitzer for a ski or snowboard lesson, grades 4-6 will attend the Panida Theater to see The Wardens perform, 3rd graders will continue swim lessons at the YMCA, and life skills students will snow shoe. I want to personally thank those of you who are volunteering with these classes -- we wouldn't be able to have these experiences without your help and support. 

    We are seeing an increase in speeding in our school zones before school and after -- so we ask that you please slow down near the school and be mindful of staff and students in parking lots. Our campus security officer will be on patrol a few days a week to help us with this issue. Also, I want to share that unfortunately, Farmin Stidwell was not selected this year in the Silverwood Read to Ride program (it is a lottery system). We will apply next year and hope to be included in the program again. For more information about what is happening this month, see our newsletter, shared electronically on Feb. 7th. 

With gratitude,
Dr. Betsy Dalessio
Principal, Farmin Stidwell 

*For the most up-to-date school information, please read our weekly Wolf Headlines sent every Sunday through text message at 4 p.m., read our monthly newsletter (sent through School Messenger text and email to all parents/guardians the first Friday of the month) or follow our Facebook page @Farmin Stidwell Elementary. You can find past newsletters here: PAST ISSUES 

Check out our student handbook HERE!