A West Ada School District fifth-grader’s portrait of a masked Santa Claus flying on an Idaho-shaped sleigh will be featured on the State Department of Education’s official holiday cards, the agency announced in a news release.
Oliver Hedrick, of Siena Elementary School, won overall honors and his school grade’s division. He went up against more than 750 students across the state.
“Oliver’s imagery of Idaho Santa and reindeer gliding above trees and homes across a snow-flake studded sky is both unique and traditional, a lovely holiday greeting,” Ybarra said in the news release.
Other students recognized in the contest include:
- Alyse Arial, a kindergartner at Alturas Elementary in the Blaine County School District
- Sri Avanthika, a first-grader at Collister Elementary in the Boise School District
- Alayna Belnap, a second-grader at Ammon Elementary in the Bonneville Joint School District
- Liam Clifford, a third-grader at Borah Elementary in the Coeur d’Alene School District
- Sam Green, a fourth-grader at Bryan Elementary in the Coeur d’Alene School District
- And Birklee Burtenshaw, a sixth-grader at Terreton Elementary in West Jefferson School District
Find each of the winners’ artwork online here.
Here’s a look at other education news from the week:
Mental health training applications open
Applications are open for the Behavioral Management Institute’s February trainings, the Idaho Out-of-School Network announced Wednesday.
The Boise-based institute’s purpose is to share “research-based strategies with youth program providers serving youth in out-of-school time.” The trainings focus on three areas: behavior management 101, trauma informed practices and youth mental health.
The trainings will be held from Feb. 14 to 16 at Boise State University and online. Registration costs $50.
As a team-focused training, organizers encourage people in the same program or location to apply, but any groups of providers are welcome.
Register online at this link.
Boise holiday card contest winners announced
Two Boise School District elementary students will have their art featured on holiday cards after winning the district’s holiday card art contest.
Art from Trail Wind Elementary School third-grader Arjun Eruvuru will be used in the district’s holiday card this year. Third-grader Elliot DiRocco, of Whitney Elementary School, who also won the grand prize, will have her art featured in the Saint Alphonsus Foundation’s holiday card.
Eruvuru’s art features a deer with bells around its neck standing outside a wintry cabin. DiRocco’s art featured multi-colored trees surrounding a green tree with a star on top in front of a black-night sky.
The contest drew more than 1,500 entries this year, Mark Jones, Boise’s student programs administrator, said a video published Dec. 14 honoring the winners.
