As we wrap up our November Cornerstone Focus on Learning and Literacy, it's a great time to reflect and celebrate the success of our students. Last year,
93% of our K–3 students demonstrated positive growth in reading last year.
The percentage of K–3 students needing intensive reading support dropped from 20% to 11%.
Our graduation rate increased to 93.5%, more than 10 percentage points above the state average!
Behind these numbers are real students who are developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond.
We're proud of these accomplishments and grateful for the dedicated teachers and staff who make them possible. We're equally grateful for the support you provide at home. Your partnership makes a difference!
We know there is still work to do, but we have a lot to celebrate as we continue working together to design success for every student, from every neighborhood, in every school.
One for the Books! Julie Briggs Named Idaho's 2026 School Librarian of the Year
In the Spotlight, Julie Celebrated her Collegues and Literacy.
When the D93 Board of Trustees recognized Julie Briggs as Idaho’s 2026 School Librarian of the Year on November 11, Julie used her moment at the microphone to celebrate the people she works alongside. She thanked the administrators who champion literacy and the school librarians who help children discover a love of reading while keeping up with everything from Chromebooks to testing. After 25 years in D93, she said she was grateful for the relationships she’s built across the district and throughout Idaho, and for the ways those connections have helped her serve our community.
Jason Lords, who presented Julie to the Board, shared how deeply she is respected by librarians across Idaho. She began as a librarian at Bonneville High School and went on to help schools across D93 share a single system for managing their library collections. She guided librarians through that transition and brought Sora, the district’s first online library, to D93 so students could borrow books year-round. Behind each of those changes was Julie, helping people learn something new and making it easier for students to find their next book.
Superintendent Scott Woolstenhulme recalled the question Julie asks whenever someone brings her a new challenge: “How can I help?” Anyone who has worked with Julie can probably hear her saying it, smile and all.
Congratulations, Julie! For 25 years, you’ve made time for people, helped your colleagues through change, and found more ways to put books in students’ hands. We’re so glad we had a night to celebrate you. This honor is so well deserved!
Jason Lords, Executive Director of Learning and Instruction, presented D93’s proposed policy on generative artificial intelligence (AI) for public review. The proposal draws on state guidance and a model policy from the Idaho School Boards Association. It outlines expectations for how students and staff use generative AI and identifies tools for district use.
The Board also discussed the importance of teacher input and practical training, including opportunities for educators to share how they use AI to plan lessons and support student learning. Lords noted that the policy will likely evolve as AI tools change and the district learns more about how to use them effectively in schools.
Staff, families, and community members are invited to review the proposed policy and share feedback before the Board considers it for adoption.
We're entering the final stretch of our D93 Healthy Attendance Challenge, presented by Café Sabor, and while reaching our districtwide goal of improving attendance by two percentage points is looking unlikely, there is still plenty to celebrate!
Our preliminary numbers through November 10 show some incredible individual accomplishments:
🌟 3,010 students have improved their attendance by at least two percentage points compared to last year.
⭐ 5,728 students have achieved an attendance rate of 99% or higher.
🎉 6,956 individual students have achieved one or both of these milestones!
That's nearly 7,000 D93 students making attendance a priority, and that's something worth celebrating!
The challenge continues through November 20, and every school day still counts! Students should continue working toward their individual attendance goals to remain eligible for the Disneyland vacation drawing.
We're working with our generous sponsor, Justin Hamilton of Café Sabor, to review the results and finalize the details of the challenge. We'll share more information in next week's Family Update.
Thank you to our students, families, and staff for making attendance a priority. Let's finish strong, D93!
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D93 Schools Honor Veterans on Veterans Day 🇺🇸
One of our favorite traditions in D93 is the opportunity to honor the brave men and women who have served our country.
On Veterans Day, schools across our district welcomed veterans and their families for special assemblies, performances, and celebrations recognizing their service and sacrifice.
These meaningful traditions bring generations together and give our students an opportunity to learn firsthand about the importance of service, gratitude, and patriotism.
To all of our veterans, thank you for your service! We are grateful to our schools for continuing this special tradition and helping our students understand the importance of honoring those who have served our nation.
988: Support for Idaho Youth, Anytime
Sometimes students need someone to talk to when they are overwhelmed, anxious, worried about a friend, or dealing with a difficult situation. Idaho’s 988 Crisis & Suicide Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and students do not need to be suicidal to reach out. Trained responders can listen, provide support, and help them decide what to do next.
Idaho youth can call or text 988 for crisis support without first obtaining parental consent. We encourage families to talk with their children about this resource so they know help is available when they need it.
Keeping Kids Safe Online: Free Workshop November 14
Parents and students in middle and high school are invited to a free workshop on online safety this Saturday, November 14, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Madison Junior High School in Rexburg.
Korey Payne of Idaho’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will discuss online exploitation, warning signs, and ways families can respond. Scott Pope will talk about helping young people build healthy relationships and connections in a screen-saturated world.
The workshop is hosted by the Upper Valley SAFE Initiative.
Did you know we share new stories, videos, and celebrations every week across our social media platforms? From heartwarming student features to behind-the-scenes looks at our schools, there’s always something happening in D93!
Presented by Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
❤️ EIRMC Health Minute: Keeping Kids Safe During Outdoor Adventures
Whether your family enjoys biking, swimming, camping, or playing outdoors, safety should always come first! Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) shares helpful tips to protect children from common injuries, including burns, drowning, falls, and head injuries.
Simple precautions like wearing helmets, supervising children around water, and practicing fire safety can make a big difference in keeping your family safe while enjoying the outdoors.
