Two Idaho schools are National Blue Ribbon award winners

Beutler Middle School in Dayton and Fairview Elementary in Idaho Falls were awarded National Blue Ribbon distinction by the U.S. Department of Education last week.

The distinction recognizes schools that are among the highest performing in their state based on standardized tests, and schools that are above-average at closing achievement gaps between groups of students.

Fairview Elementary was recognized as an exemplary high-performing school and Beutler Middle was recognized for its efforts to close achievement gaps. More than 40 percent of students at both schools come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the State  Department of Education said in a news release.

“Congratulations to the teachers, staff, and students at Beutler Middle School and Fairview Elementary School,” State Superintendent Sherri Ybarra said in the release. “This recognition is the result of hard work and reflects a tireless commitment to the success of all students.”

Free ‘Classroom Idaho’ lessons on TV, radio & YouTube

Idaho Public Television is offering free lessons in math, language arts and science on TV and online.

Classroom Idaho lessons are curated and taught by teachers throughout Idaho and are geared toward students in grades K-6. Lessons run every weekday on the Idaho Public Television/PBS station from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Find the lessons on YouTube, or on the IPT channel in your area:

For a detailed schedule, click here. The flyers below list specific times for each grade-level lesson.

Jefferson Joint adopts four-day school week

Students in the Jefferson Joint School District started a new four-day schedule this week.

Trustees voted last Tuesday to make Mondays a learn-from home day, the Post Register’s Brennen Kauffman reported.  Teachers will use the day to prepare for the week’s classes and hold office hours.

Jefferson Superintendent Chad Martin said the decision stemmed in part from feedback from teachers in districts that have adopted the four-day-a-week model.

Both the Bonneville and Idaho Falls school districts devoted one day a week for remote classes and teacher improvement during the coronavirus pandemic.

The district will survey parents to gauge preference between having Mondays or Fridays as remote-learning days, Kauffman reported.