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McCall-Donnelly Schools III
Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 On Campus Five M-D students named to All -State Choir Five McCall -Donnelly High School students have been selected to participate in the 2012 Idaho All - State Choir. Selected were Rebekah Bennett, Warren Draper, Lilly Moyer, Kathryn Riches and Mikalah Travis. Students submitted audition materials in October in competition with hundreds of other applicants from across the state. "This is the first time in my tenure that five M-D students have been selected to participate in such a prestigious event," M-D Music director Graham Pinard said. "I am very proud of our students and am excited that they will have this opportunity to represent M-D and the Valley County community," Pinard said. Students from across the state will rehearse and perform with a nationally renowned choral clinician in April in Coeur d' Moto for The SYa•Newv by Cauca &Mon McCall-Dounelly High School Students selected to participate in the 2012 Idaho All -State Choir are. top from left, Warren Draper and Kathryn Riches. uuddle from left, Rebekah Bennett and Lill' Moyer, freshman, front, Mikalah Travis Alene. Registration fee is $200 and helps cover the cost of housing, food, and clinician fees. Anyone who would like to sponsor a student should contact Pinard 634-6879 or pinardg@mdsd.org. http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php 1/12/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 YOUTH MOVEMENTS Wwuuaai.. : Photo by Amide Hathaway GEO BEE WINNERS - Payette Lakes Ahddle School recently held its local contest for the National Geography Bee sponsored by National Geographic Top winners paired are. horn left. sixth grader Naday Len, thud place. sixth grader Bethany Nov, second place, and seventh grader Kirby BL•tkeley, first place Blakelev won by correctly auswenng tins question. blesa Verde National Park, known for its ancient cliff dwellings, lies west of Durango in which Mae? Answer. Colorado http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep schools_page.php 1 /26/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Photo for The S. Neva by Cans. SM. EDUCATION AWARD - Board members of the McCall-Dounelly Education Foundation pose with the certificates of appreciation they were presorted by the M-D Board of Trustees for thew continuing support of the distinct and dedication to students Standing, from left, are Nancy Kralm, trustee Beth Weida, Erin Roper. Tun Noyoselsla. Linda Pittenger and Superintendent laden SZy111011Lak Sitting from left, mr Kathy Poston, MDEF President Dared Carry. Teny stable, Ballard Smith, bIDEF executive director Anna Demetnades and Laurie Erekson Not pictured are Heather Demdrg, Dan Scott and Mmy Anne 1Taughber. http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php 1 /26/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D's Parker named National Merit Scholarship finalist McCall -Donnelly High School student Mary Parker has been named a finalist in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program. Parker, who also attends North Fork School in McCall, will be recognized at the M-D Awards Assembly in May and a plaque in her honor will hang in the high school hallway. Parker will now compete for about 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than ma,_ l,;N.k,,,. $34 million that will be offered this spring. More than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state representational basis. About 1,000 corporate -sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by about 240 corporations and business organizations for children of the grantors employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 200 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,800 college -sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.. National Merit Scholarship Corp. in Evanston, III., is a not - for -profit organization that operates without govemment assistance. YOUTH MOVEMENTS Pooh for The She Neon by Mod Mosby TUBING FOR READING - Donnelly Elementiuy School Pnnnpal Jake Olson, center, hooks up usth some of his students for a shde at The _Janus Ban last week From left, Jonah Hunt. Joseph IdcCos Ashhv Jones and Ella Carey were some of the students treated to a day of tubing for meeting then reading goals Also enjoying a day- of tubing were students at Heartland High School who earned grades of C or better before the end of the last waiter Photo for The Sea• News by Da Gallagher PLACE YOUR BETS' - Lucy- Hmze shuffles the deck for a hand of blackjack on Saturday ckiring Casino Night at Cascade High School Proceeds from buying chips to play- and a dinner went to Sober (And Night that takes place dmwg the senior class graduation http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php 2/16/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D trustees eye lower graduation requirements for alternative high school Proposed credits would match those of State of Idaho "These students will more likely stay in McCall -Donnelly School District to be educated if the graduation requirement is more attainable for them. "- —Letter to M-D Trustees BY CARISSA SINDON for The Star -News The McCall -Donnelly School District Board of Trustees on Monday tentatively voted to lower the number of graduation credits required for students at Heartland High School, the district's alternative high school. The district currently requires 54 credits for both Heartland High School and McCall -Donnelly High School students. The board still must approve the requirement at two more meetings before it becomes official school board policy. Heartland students would only be required to complete 46 credits to graduate, which aligns with the state's graduations requirement. The topic came before the board in a letter from staff, students and administration at Heartland requesting the change. Troubled Lives Students qualify to attend the school for a number of reasons, including failing at regular schools, teen pregnancy and history with the juvenile justice system, the letter said. They are usually behind in credits, struggling to finish school and struggle for basic life necessities while trying to complete classes, the letter said. Maintaining the graduation requirement of 54 credits means there is a higher group of potential dropouts since they cannot re -take or make up failed courses, the letter said. Since 2006, Heartland has had 31 graduates, 39 transfers and 22 students that tried the GED high- school diploma equivalency program, the letter said. A percentage of the transfers were because other districts and programs require fewer credits, it said. "The goal is to have educated young adults who will be productive members of society," the letter said. "These students will more likely stay in McCall -Donnelly School District to be educated if the graduation requirement is more attainable for them." Unseen Consequences M-D Superintendent Glen Szymoniak described some of the unanticipated consequences of the change. One change would be that if a student graduates with the Idaho state standards, they would not be able to walk in the M-D graduation ceremony because that ceremony is for those students who have met the M-D standards, Szymoniak said. "I don't think that would be a huge issue for the Heartland kids," he said. "They do their own ceremony and I think they understand their priority is to get that high school diploma and move on." Trustee Betty Weida said she would love to see all Heartland students get their diplomas, but she would also like to see them honor the special opportunity they have been given to attend the school. "We have offered this opportunity and either they take it seriously or they don't take it at all," Weida said. Some students have felt the institution needed to change to meet their needs, Szymoniak said. "There's been a few students — they're not there any longer because they're disruptiveness was hurting the other students," he said. http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php 3/15/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D trustees give superintendent one-year contract extension McCall -Donnelly School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak's contract was extended for an additional year, until the 2014-15 school year, by M-D trustees Monday night. Szymoniak has a three-year rolling contract with the district. Each year the board decides to extend it or let it run out. Szymoniak makes $123,786 annually plus benefits and is also the principal of Heartland High School, the district's alternative high school. His salary will be renegotiated after salaries are negotiated with teachers, which could happen as early as next month, Szymoniak said. Szymoniak has been superintendent of the district since 2008. Before coming to McCall, he served as assistant superintendent of instruction from 2007 to 2008 in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Soldotna, Alaska. http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php 3/15/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Youth Movements Mow for The 3a.Nex by Casa Sadnn CHOIR STUDENTS CITED - McCall -Donnelly fligh school choir students were presented wadi certificates of appreciation Monday flight by the b I- D boa d of trustees for bang. selected to participated in the _or= Idaho AU -State ChM' MUSic teacher Grslvur Pina d was also honored for Ins support of the chow. This is the fast time the school has sent five students to the all -state choir Standing, from left, are ICadulu Riches, Warren Draper, Rebekah Bennett and Pinard. Kneeling, from left, are Lilly Moyer and hlilcalah Trans. http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php 3/ 15/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Moto by Brooke Caldwell SPREAD THE WORD - From left eighth -grader Camille Eotello, teachers Sandy Aiello and Jon Nesse]. and eighth -grader Emma Schoonover were among the students and staff at Payette Lakes Ahddle School who signed a banner last week as put of the Spread the Nord to End the Word campaign. The campaign seeks to end the use of the word "retarded' because it is offensive to those with intellectual disabilities, diem fanuhes and friends http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php 3/ 15/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 t. Pooh fier The 9[r -News b9 Cmrn $vdee VANDAL WRESTLERS HONORED - The McCall- Donnelly HSgh School wresthug team was In esented kith a cettdwate of apptrciattou at biondap's AI-D board of ttvstee meetmg for wummg the dishiet wtrsthug tobmmment and placing thud at state. Head Coach Scott Ereksou was hot»redfor being selected _a Dishict 111 Wresdu* Coach of Ute Sear, and Assistant Coach Anthony Waite was hotwtrd for beug selected 2A Dishict III Assistmn N'resthug Coach of the Year Standing from left are Ereksou, senior Ma%i Lafee, senior Todd Alec, junior Weston Appa, freshman Cosh' Appa• sophomore Ehjah Loweu• and Asststwt Coachn'ans Leedom. Kneeh g, from left, sophomorer Asa Cope, freshmw Seth Lower, junior 7Ach Lowers, senior Casey Clark and Assistant Coach Tauuer Leedom http :// www. mccallstamews .com/page- 1prep_schools�age.php 3/15/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Management Training Morgan students learn to set a good example for others "Even fifth graders can be trusted to handle this level of responsibility. " —Jim Foudy BY C ARISSA StNDON for The Star -News Scott Carr and Makena Klinge sat around a large table last Thursday at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School, munching on pizza and salad and discussing ways they could help themselves and those around them. The students were taking part in a meeting of Sell Managers, a program for fifth graders who take a leadership role in modeling behavior. The program exemplifies the pledge of the school's Kindness Campaign, "Take care of ourselves, Take care of each other, Take care of this place." During last week's luncheon, the students discussed studying, learning from their mistakes, staying organized, helping until the job is done and setting a good example for others. The Sell Managers program is one of the ways the school is trying to encourage positive behavior in students rather than reacting to bad behavior, said Principal Jim Foudy. Barhtwa R. Dios$au Eleweety }-Scholl cawsel� Jewnter Bates r6scrsses the pinkvs and tespouwlvbees of Self Mauagers at a lx rheon Last week M the schod Prchnrd, nth Bates are Jacob Babbit and Began DtonbWr "We are taking time meeting with kids because they are doing the right thing, not because they are in trouble," Foudy said. To be a Sell Manager, students gather a dozen signatures of adult staffers at the school, and show they are capable of modeling good behavior. Students are only allowed to tolled one signature a day, which makes the application process longer and raises its value, Foudy said. If accepted, a student is given the status of Sell Manager along with a badge for which they are responsible for keeping track and having on them at all times. Responsibilities & Privileges Sf,ff managers have a different set of responsibilities than other students, but they also have a different set of privileges. Self managers can spend time in a special student lounge, can go in the gym before school or at lunch, and can help in the cafeteria, office and classrooms. 'Even fifth graders can be trusted to handle this level of responsibility," Foudy said. "We want to teach them that with increased privileges comes increased responsibility. The two go hand -in- hand," he said. Klinge and Carr said it was difficult to find some teachers to get their signatures, but it was worth N. "I wanted to be known as a good person around the school and just anywhere; Klinge said. "The privileges are really fun and N just felt nice helping other people," Students can also lose their badge for engaging in negative behavior such as being disrespectful or bullying. The program started in January and has grown to more than two dozen students, Foudy said. "As more and more students see their buddies enjoy the privileges, they say, 'Hey, I think I can do that, too," he said. Fifth graders usually test boundaries in the spring, but now they are trying to be leaders, Foudy said. 'AN their homework is in and their grades are up," he said. "They are setting a good example for others." Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccalistamews- com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/29/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews wee b—d weal M -D STODENPS IN D C - Fomte u Mc .:all - Douuelh- Hgh School students tmN de l to I\-ashmgtom D r, wtth teacher Dated Ptekm-d The sa-day mp was w mte�acMr look at hay the federaigo.-eumeut.trorks madc),UOUtoseemg mouu is mtd cbem- bk,esotus to bloow. stixlents participated in a mod: cougiviz m which tle debatedkeyissuesofthedad •ThegioiVmet udhldaho Seu J. Ruch and Rep Raul Labrador and checked m mth two It S Hww- cL9tses back at bl -D yta Slope Pltturdm hmt of the It S Capitol are, from left. Daniel Cope, Bn ma Zak Ehztbeth Jbm-mau- N-estou Appa, Cone Catuec. Joshua 7Uwu md, Rachel blottou T- 6tolm Jade Hams, Bnsou Po yes, Miley Letts, Ehzt Luker. Tim \% 'tight and GmTm Brmtn Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 4/5/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews .fw b tti s• -t+� y ra �..m ALL I)OLLED UP - Sm�ah Spry models a mtque outfit des�gtedbt- Chase H.v-es as port ol the Junk to F�uilc Eco- F.asluon Show Lekl on Saturc4w at D cCall- Nnuellc HighSdiod The outfit coumsted of receded matenals such as pxkagmg• uve mesh, duct tape, sdk f.1c ms andparu of toy dolls The event'k about i(io people and vasedabout fti")for the 6l -D At 0& to help h muce chtb tops to gauenes. ShAos and museums Amw Rygh won hret place tot bestdesgpt fouowed by Abram Tomm m seeoudplace and HaN�m thnd Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 4/12/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M -D trustees to spend $96,000 for technology equipment BY CARISSA SINDON for The Star -News Spending $96,000 for technology equipment in the McCall - Donnelly School District was approved Monday by the M -D board of trustees. The new equipment will 'include 60 laptop computers to replace obsolete laptops at McCall - Donnelly High School. Other purchases include 110 tablet computers, carts, access points and covers to be distributed to all schools in the district. Also, 15 tablets will be bought for instructors requesting the devices. The request for the funds came from the district's technology committee, which surveyed teachers. The requests approved on Monday were for the highest - priority items, Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said in a letter to the board. T•ie money will come from technology funds received from the Idaho State Department of Education which have been appropriated to assist Idaho schools in creating technology -rich learning environments, the letter said The $96,000 expenditure will leave the district with about $116,000 in state technology funds. Normally the district would look at purchasing these requests with leftover end -of- the -year money or budgeting with next years money, Szymoniak said. But teachers wanted to get started using the equipment immediately, he said. "Not everybody is asking for them, but 1 want to try to get the tools in the hands for the teachers who are ready for il,' Szymoniak said. Maintenance Projects Approved Also on Monday, trustees approved $203,850 in major maintenance projects for the upcoming school year. The items will be written into the district's 2012 -13 proposed budget scheduled for approval at the trustees' June meeting. The largest expenditure is $47,500 to re- shingle the old wing of Donnelly Elementary School, which includes the kitchen area. Money for the projects will come from funds received during the construction of Tamarack Resort. The project will leave about $170,427 in the fund. State statute requires that school districts allocate funds annually for building maintenance and repair. Here are the approved items: MCCALL- DONNELLY HIGH SCHOOL • Replace dust collection system in the wood shop, $8,000. • Trash enclosure, $5,000. • Skylight shades in six classrooms, $10,000. Low flow flush valves and smart valves in mufti- purpose room bathrooms, $4,000. PAYETTE LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL • Clean and seal exterior walls, $16,000. • Remodel computer lab, $5,000. • Replace mufti- purpose room flooring, $31,000. • Seal door and window gaps, $10,000. BARBARA R. MORGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • New wall under awning at rear exit, $15,000. Skylight covers in gymnasium, $10,000_ Acoustic panels for cafeteria, $8,000. DONNELLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL • R e- shingle old wing of building, $47,500. Page 1 of 2 http: / /www.mccalistamews .com/pages /prep_schools_lage.php 4/12/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 2 of 2 • Repaint gymnasium, $5,350. • Window blinds for library, $1,500. • Hallway paneling and paint, $7,500. • Replace heating and ventilation units in old wing, $10,000. DISTRICT -WIDE • Asphalt sealing and repair, $10,000. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages/prep_schools _page.php 4/12/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 r � MArr.W.aRD - Douoelh- Elementac School filth grade teaches' D.*e BmP.,w, left, recen'es a Ceruhcate of _lpprmahou from 1, waR- Dorutellt- School Dtshut trustee Cbvr Pathe Soucek at the bond's regales- meebug Mouda}-utgbt for Bntganuuts coubmuug support of t1r elemenbrr schools sneurn program Also honored was 7S'otg ltdrwtled wbmtees Leslie Fre"wm not pictured Bmgmum ,, th the belp of Freetu m. has rased this rem m 99autsfar sctestce equipment to be used w the Boidder Creek Stuck Bnwlum stated the protect m _ou8 to stuck the health of the Boulder Creek, wllucb. beluudthe Doumny school http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 4/12/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews After-school program to start at McCall, Donnelly schools PLCA -4KIDS is accepting new students for the after school programs at Barbara Morgan Elementary School and Donnelly Elementary School. The program runs through the end of the school year. The program at the Morgan school is five days a week and costs $75 per quarter. The program at the Donnelly school is held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and costs $45 per quarter. Both programs begin immediately after school and end at 5:30 p.m. 'he PLCA -4KIDS After School Program is operated by the Payette Lakes Community Association, a non -profit organization that offers healthy, educational programs for children in McCall and Donnelly. This quarter's activities include exploration of Nepal, China and India, puppet craft and show, Earth Day and rain forest projects, and a featured children's movie. The program also includes a meal, recreation, reading, and homework support. Application forms are available at both schools or at PLCA4KIDS.org. Parents can also stop by the programs, which are located in the cafeteria at the Morgan school and the gymnasium at the Donnelly school. Scholarships are available for qualifying families. For more information, call 634 -9472 or go to PLCA4KIDS.org. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of 1 4/12/2012 Events and Arts The StarNews M-D Drama Troupe to present 'The Reluctant Dragon' The McCall - Donnelly High School Drama Troupe will present "The Reluctant Dragon' in six performances at the Alpine Playhouse starting tonight. Performances will be tonight, Friday and Saturday plus April 26 -29, all starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the high school office and cost $4 for students and $5 for adults. "The Reluctant Dragon" is a children's theater production adapted by Mary Hall from the book by Kenneth Grahame, the author of "Wind in the Willows' The comic story of the relationship between a book -loving shepherd's son and a dragon will be brought to life by 17 actors and three puppeteers. Animating the large dragon puppet created by Gayle Dixon will be Nate Youkstetter, David Garrison, and Collette Adams. towRhtattl� Aputepl;ch se St. George is played by Everett Minshall and the young boy is played by Asa Cope. The show is directed by Judy Anderson. http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/events—arts_page.php Page 1 of 1 4/19/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 k xwe yaey x�tr� DISMU(MIUSIC FBS'ITV -AL- Alembers of the WC.0 -DomAy High School ('cwmt &wd and Cancel Chau'pauttt= dai Hie DuL1M 3 Dltgslt Feslu-al m: X. Baudsmdeutspeltormedm Ca➢nve High School An& n mm.md receced m 'excelled- mm flow the Music adJmbtatols (Un-shidents, shown mphoto, petormedmthe um l,hM tin High School .An&otww and recededa"mipm `rating ham the music mimAcatom "Both eusembLes demons "ted eueeppuooal perfawaute abilwes ou stage and tire - ahaild be cnmmeudedfor thnr mn.9cal amoWlishweuts, dedlcauou andivoiketlnc.° waste dnwtor Q-aham Pmarcl said The M -D musk ensembles tB host dien next coucelt on 7Uesdn-, May 2-- at -p m iu the high school i rm The petoimauce is fire and open to the public http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 4/19/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews "students portray Important women In history Four students from McCall - Donnelly High School presented themselves as important women in history as part of the 16th "Profiles of Women Project" sponsored by the Long Valley Branch of the AAUW. The four student chose an important woman in history, wrote or found a script, put together a costume, made a poster, created an activity and then performed for the children at the elementary schools in McCall, Donnelly and New Meadows. This year the presenters were • Kara Barth as Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio, won three gold Olympic medals and went on to be called the fastest woman in the world. IUI.br Uy Ib %d Posing m characterfor the -Prables of Women Propecr are from left. F.'!A Both as Ohwpm WAina Rudolph Ruth Leatnsln m plr, c Mainda Sluut. &euwtt Roper m c,dhu'al tcou Rome the Rnieter, and Ldh- Dfocef m ph}scist Chem Slmuag \\'u • Lilly Moyer as Chein Shiung Wu, a renowned physicist who set the world of physics on its head when she disproved a long accepted law of physics. • Ruth Lewinski as Marinda Stuart, who went to great lengths to be a physician at a time when women were not allowed to attend medical school. • Bennett Roper as Rosie the Rivieter, a cultural icon during World War II who inspired women who worked at factories doing jobs traditionally done by the men. The AAUW coordinators were Susan Bechdel and Maggie Rosenthal_ The 'Profiles in Women Project' was created in 1987 by the Thousand Oaks, Calif., branch of the AAUW to 'introduce students to the important contributions women have made to society. Students also learn about the wealth of women's history often omitted from history and social science textbooks, organizers said. http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/prep__schools_page.php Page 1 of 1 4/26/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 + �l ww yu+n cs..u�� ,1N HONORABLE GROUP - WCalHtomrlh-HO Sclwol held its mstaBanou eet mmA Last week for Nadu" Hmor So ett- uwmbem who mH sere dmmg the ulnol cenr Fig6teeu uR�- mewbers wRre mductedbp the r3 emum members. The new membm can look forward to a �vm of semceto the school and mmmmum ulde postutg ho grades m demaudutg losses Actmea from left, ar Ebzabeth luu-tuaa Waham Btaler llwHught, Nate lomkstetter, IA=z Patrell i -Bm u LammHaguer, Heston ?spa, Bagley-(;w&wL Haler Hart, Ltadwu Lrn m. Mort Raper, Cesar Alontm bndgec Ball. Sa)iee ('lrambaiLam ( seated) Lamm Grnemg. Collette _Adams, Para B.atth, and Iza mma Stodd+ud h4:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_Schoolspage.php 4/26/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 STAR MUCK - &vbara R Alocgau Hemeutw Scbool fm th grader Rta Romeo checks out the mgbt *Kith a -* Dobsomau to-mch telescope at a star patty lixlas night atthe school that t1ns alteuded b� about tca studeftm patents audtencbels � Fattier m tlr dn', Led fidatatsou from the Base Astimotmcal soaety-gme a preseuhum to fmth and hhhgndmm m asuouom)- 11te telescope and %votherswempurhasedw1 tba gratd h=the T1ccau- Dauuelh- Bducaum Fouudauou ems ran. sra -x... er cs,o sd. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 4/26/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews YOUTH MOVEMENTS axe, IN It Ka. y nay—n.. NTH GRADERS LE.aRN CPR - klehssa khan's fourth -grade class at Domellc Elementan- School are betug ti-med m Fust Aid CPR at the Dmmelh- Fnr Statim The students wall be ebbed after tabug the two -dox class and w ll also be pepared for chald and infant CPR and fnst and Tbmz the scab srarfor tbepogram hipboto. mstnrtor Bath Me vuuncts Dalton Swallow, t anwr Larvuore. Liam mwartbr aud_Aratm Nest how to perform CPR on mfaut maunequms f6.m Ylie W.Kaw y Kindel Mu.er THE AWN -ER IS Raunort",ig a sophomore at McCall- DomeEc H;gb School hosts a suuulated game show educating Am surdeuts about the rusks of sesualh transmuted diseases, uupLanued pregnancy-, and other ptf & of teen r elatronslaps The show was staged last week at the sclool'stust mmuah Touch A"t P.MUMA p esrut The popam promotes healthy- relationships, mud afioratrs against teen prgvaucp and saoleuce Page 1 of 1 http : / /www.mccallstamews.com/pages /prep_ schools page.php, 5/10/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M -D considers scrapping valedictorian, salutatorian: Change would come with elimination ofclass ranking "Doing away with class rank offers an opportunity for our students to achieve without the competition. " —Betty Weida BY C ARISSA SINDON fa The Star -News The McCall- Donnelly School District is considering eliminating valedictorian and salutatorian at McCall - Donnelly High School as part of a policy doing away with class rank. The proposal would not affect the scheduled graduation of the Class of 2012 on June 2, but would apply to a future class The M -D Board of Trustees will take public comment on the proposal during its regular meeting on Monday starting at 6 p.m. at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. Under current policy, selection of the valedictorian and salutatorian, who give speeches at the graduation ceremony, is based on the accumulative grade -point average in all classes taken while in high school. There is a growing trend in the nation where schools have dropped class rank and come up with different ways to determine graduation speakers, said Ellen McKinney, the district's director of curriculum, instruction and professional development. Trustee Betty Weida, who also serves on a committee studying the issue, does not think eliminating class rank will hinder the ability of students to be attractive to top universities. 'Basically I think colleges look at academic standards, GPA, the courses students take (and) standardized test scores," Weida said. 'Probably they will not make the selection (based) on class rank anymore than they would on the other factors," she said. 100th of A Point McKinney questions the health of class rank because it can come down to hundredths of a point dividing two students. "(Doing away with class rank) offers an opportunity for our students to achieve without the competition," Weida said. The school district wants to make sure R recognizes those students who have worked hard and excelled, McKinney said. "I think we will develop some sort of an honor group,' Weida said. "I think it will be student, parent and facutty- driven how we honor those high-achieving students," she said. 'We just find ( valedictoraan and salutatorian is) an honor that's special for one or two students and we want to honor all of our top students,' Weida said. An unintended consequence of having valedictorian and salutatorian based solely on GPA is that students sometimes take a safer route with their course selection, McKinney said. That could mean avoiding more challenging honors or advanced placement classes that may prepare them more fully for their college or career plans, she said. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 5/17/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews row b r.A GE(KALAPHY BEE WINNER - Fufiv Blakeh- quabbedto replrseut Pavene lakes t hdtUe School at the state level of the Nafaoual Geograpluc Bee held receuth at Base State thn%vmty Natwual Geog,apinc . the hud dot the :nL NahOnal Geogra*C Bee ou MAY ^_{. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages/prep_schools _page.php 5/17/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 -, LZ7/4 KIDS Gtv WINNER - Danny Cochrane of M6 tE rsm turd place among tlmdgradets from soutlrru Idaho m the 2ou PBS Kids Go' Writers Contest. tonuerh-the Reading Ramb— Young Wnters and Illustrators Contest Cocla-aue waslwuondfor Iss illustrated ston--Ms from the Woods: and mll be honored at an award err emonr on Satmdav at the Gaudeu CW Lrbrauc All cm#esMuts wrote stones rlutstratedezth at leaasthrr pictures ('ocurare, pictured tnth a page tram las story,, rs the sou of .Awadmv and Beredv Cochrane of McC all He attends the class of Carne LaFac at Barbara R Dlotgau Elemeutuy School http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/Prep—schools_page.php 5/17/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 Artificial turf plan cancelled by M -D trustees Board says money is needed elsewhere BY CARLSSA SOO" for The Star -News McCall - Donnelly School District Board of Trustees on Monday voted not to install artificial turf at Rich Sabala Athletic Complex located at Payette Lakes Middle School. Trustees freed up the $900,000 that was set aside for the project last May to be used for other projects. Installation was supposed to have been done last summer a" with other improvements at the middle school. Last May, trustees voted 3 -2 to delay the decision for a year. The project was delayed due to the slumping economy and proposed funding changes in the Idaho Legislature. Trustees considered installing the turf in an effort to increase the use of the Sabala complex as well as cut down on maintenance costs and water use Vice -chair Mary Hart on Monday said she still does not see the turf as a priority for the district. "I think we've made a huge commitment for facilities in this district and long -tern planning," Hart said. 'What are some of the other things in other areas that would benefit from expenditures and I think that includes teachers' salaries, maybe different programs we can offer," she said. Trustee Neal Thompson said he did not want to spend the money on the turf this year because the district is already spending money on other projects, nckxling the final phase of middle school improvements taking place this summer. "It would quadruple the use of that field, but we're spending a lot of money already; Thompson said. http:// www.mccallstarnews.com/pages /fp_ stories page.php 5/24/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M -D teachers to get 1.75% pay raise under new contract BY CARISS a SDWN for The Star-Nees Teachers in the McCall- Donnelly School District will receive a one -year, 1.75 percent pay increase under a new contract with the district. The M -D board of trustees on Monday approved the contract, which also allows teachers to move up the pay scale for length of service and continuing education. The majority of members of the McCall-Donnelly Education Association, the districts teachers' union, voted on May 14 to ratify the agreement, said president Sandy Mello, an eighth grade math teacher at Payette lakes Middle School. Teachers will also receive a 1 percent increase to their base pay scale. The pay scale will range from $32,000 to $61,995 under the new contract. Trustees decided to extend the one -year 1.75 percent pay increase, 1 percent base pay scale increase, and the ability to move up the pay scale for longevity and education to all non - teaching staff, including administrators. Under the contract negotiated last year, teachers and non- teaching staff were able to move up the pay scale for length of service and continuing education. But the 2009 -10 school year was the last year teachers and non- teaching staff received a pay increase, which was a one -time 2.7 percent cost -of- living increase. The last increase to the base pay scale for teachers was during the 2008-09 school year. Teachers pay is not keeping up with the cost of living and Idaho ranks low in the United States for cost per pupil and teacher pay, she said. 'Teachers' buying power has diminished approximately 6.4 percent since 2008 which was the last year we got a raise to the base (pay scale),' Mello said. The actions at Monday's meeting will affect the 79 teachers, five administrators and 69 non - teaching staff in the district, some of whom work part-tine MDEA represents every teacher in the district and has 84 members, which includes teachers and non - tearhing staff with approximately 84 percent of teachers being members, Mello said. http: / /www.mccallstamews.com/pages /$ stories _page.php 5/24/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M-D High School makes Newsweek's top 1,000 again McCall- Donnelly High School made Newsweek's annual listing of the top 1,000 high schools in the United States for a YOUTH MOVEMENTS fifth year in a row. M -D came in at 876 on the report titled "1,000 Schools, That Made the Grade," and is among only three Idaho high schools to earn the recognition. The others were Coeur d' Alene Charter Academy (No. 67), and Eagle High School (No. 853). k c� o_: %i The ranking is based on a number of measures, including graduation rate, college acceptance rate, and number of advanced placement or high -level exams given per student The education system is in a rapid rate of change and the M -D district is doing everything possible to take the lead in this trend, Superintendent Glen Syzmoniak said. "It is no accident that McCall - Donnelly High School continues to be listed as one of'America's Best High Schools," Syzmoniak said. "We have outstanding students, teachers, and staff and 21 st century technology,' he said. I READM KAU MUSIC - Students, staff andthe Dragon mascot at Domrlh- Elettrutan School pose mth trvv uistia mts thec %% ill be usmg m rime class thanks to domlaous from The Kit Wbtthmgtou (Ile GW Foundation, the Domellp Y ). and panate donors lustltmrcu[s purchased were a steel en a stand for Roto -toms, two Somr bass bats. a Soum soprano s lophoue. and a coup dnm 1011' STATE LAW ton irlfe stras. y o.4� 'I�CO- t \'HEHL S.AFM - Cok l\'ilktm xwcis thIMO the ptions at the Bike Safeh-Rod- cbmc be the Cascade Police Depwtaient at Cascade Elemeuban- School m Fhdav Three bikes were Swe a to students north the best essays about satetc and r helmets uee gran out _Also t hw pact was the Forest Senam and Idaho De"'huent of P;uks aid Recreation tMrbOwrni.b Member of the t :ascade sigh School laugm Tomorrow Team are. from left Kmt Owitm Ere 1Cestou, Matt Butgnian and Am:uxia Bennett —awn r —sa"d. t AS1: ADESTItDENT:U\_ARDS- Thefinalround of the - Cauglit 1a Bong (;ood' auw-ds were given to sttdeuts at Cascade Elenteutan-School .lttop. April a wtmers wets flout tow tiom left Faith luwatck, Gavm tbttel and Ev w Miller Back row. from left. Caleb Cooksec. Jttstiu Ltttk)dm and Nimi Redmon . Above, Mm's unmets aver, fiont row, from left. B1ake113snstom Nma Bracht -Bede6 mAJohmy fhig. Baek row, roiu left (Yam IVINWe, .4101 Deatr audJosh 11%bodeaus Page 1 of 2 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 5/24/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews YOUTH MOVEMENTS RE.IDS76 DUKE MITSIC - Stm% t . sbd mdthe DrAgm ummot At DomieW Ml to Sfhod POSP N'llll llLhY II18111101Pl1151ht {' wX he uswg m WLLVf fD186 IhAUks to do.=fto The Kit i4t1' flLe Wig) FomdALm, the Ibmxllr l l-12 dou 1 F lu4ttmients parhASed Mete A Steel dma A mW kr Roto tom& iNo SOIKIt hxs5 hArs. A SmQ SOIIIAOO S{'1011llolle, mid A fmgA dr m Page 1 of 1 hq:// www. mccallstamews- com/pages /prep_schools _page -php 5/24/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews an\- AMING(AFT- Barbara R M Elemmtan- School thud graders F ar Cougehou, left and Cassadc• Lamm present a lap bLvdret dxev made to Rita Nd. , a resdeut o the McCall Rehabilitation and Care Center Last Friday Students in the thud -gade clams of Brand Wassmuths class made the blankets for rrsdents w,thyarn and hooks purchased ivith a S- oogrant fromtheD [wall ?a wcoon,,b. studeutsalso presented residents with spring poems andhmd- made tissue paper flowers. read stores to them and peformeda dance 2 nr2 IN 2or2 - R-ow left Barbara R. Morgan Elementaq• School second grader, K. xssidr• G"bel. kudergvtuer Reese Johnson. Lest grader £athernie Martin and scroudgrader hike Loper pose in front of some of the foodthnt has been gathered for the uhod's'2.or2m2wa campangtr The goal of the campargo is to collect 2,or2 items for Heartland Hunger Resource Center. The school has abrade collected r,r.t'" rtemss and the community can help with the goal by dropping off mnrpenshable food items by June r Page 2 of 2 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 5/24/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 rms Twins to graduate from high school, then join Marines "Y think every male should do some form of service to their country. " —Chase McPherson BY CARISSA SINDON for The Star -News Chase and Chance McPherson have had a dream since childhood that is about to come true. The identical twins will join the Marines next month after graduating from high school. Chase will graduate from Meadows Valley High School on Saturday and Chance will graduate from McCall - Donnelly High School on June 2. The young men said they are not nervous about joining the Marines, but rather are excited because R is all they have ever wanted. "We've been looking forward to this for our entire lives and we're just days away from R,' Chase said. The two are in the delayed entry program, which requires them to travel to Boise once a month where they work out to make sure they meet the physical requirements. They also work out at their schools. Chase has participated in track and basketball and Chance played lacrosse. They have signed up for the "buddy program,' which means they leave together on June 11 for 13 weeks of boot camp in San Diego, but they are unsure how much time they will spend together. Chance and Chase feel R is their duty to serve their county, but also noted the military provides job security and retirement benefits. "1 think every male should do some form of service to their country," Chase said. "I think R helps instill discipline and self- reliance. I think there'd be less trouble (if every male served his country)," he said Two Different Schools C rase and Chance live in the M -D school district, but Chase chose to attend Meadows Valley for his sentor year because he has more friends there and likes the curriculum better. The brothers have enjoyed spending the year apart because R has allowed them to form individual identities and not get mistaken for one another. "I feel like I can be myself," Chase said 'Ever since 1 went to New Meadows, I feel like I've been more outgoing,' he said. "When I went to McCall, I was shyer and didn't talk a whole lot." When asked how they feel about the possibility of being sent to war, the young men said every Marine expects to go and they are prepared to give their lives for the county. 'I don't realty know of any Marine that doesn't want to fight," Chance said. Their mother, Wendy McPherson, said she would prefer R they went into the Navy like their older brother, Jason, but she supports them. "I know this is what they've always wanted so I support them and R scares me' she said. Chance and Chase are not sure it they will make a career out of the military or move on to other endeavors. "If I don't (re- enlist), the training that I'll get out of R, I'll be able to go to school and become a security contractor,' Chance said. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 5/24/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 Tnesdavfornan planned br strndv panel on class rand-mg "Why don't we give gold medals to people who work in academics? " —Dave Kennell BY CARISSA SBK ON for Tim Sur-News Everyone who spoke at a meeting in McCall Monday night was against ending class ranking, including the naming of a valedictorian and salutatorian, at McCall-Donnelly High School. The testimony before the McCall- Donnelly School District Board of Trustees was unanimous for keeping the current system in place. Trustees are considering a proposal by a school committee to eliminating Gass rank and doing away with valedictorian and salutatorian. Trustees took no action on Monday. Instead, the study committee will hold a public forum on the proposal starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the high school commons. Both written and verbal comments are invited. Under current policy, selection of valedictorian and salutatorian is based on the accumulative grade - point average in all Gasses taken while in high school. The board heard from about 10 parents who said class rank shows work ethic, motivates students to excel and is needed for college entrance applications. Lewann Ball cited a 2006 New York Times article which she says points out that if a school does not provide class rank, colleges have to try to reconstruct tt from other information which often means making a guess. Ball also noted a comment from the dean of undergraduate admissions at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., who said the university's admission rate was highest for students with a class rank and lowest for those whose schools provided neither a class rank nor general data about grades. Popular culture degrades academics, and the school board and parents should be sending the message to students that academics is important, Dave Kennell said. "We already go overboard on recognizing the kids for sports, they get thew gold medals," Kennett said. 'Why don't we give gold medals to people who work in academics ?' Kennett was also concerned that allowing graduation speakers to be determined by students and teachers would turn into a popularity contest. 'You let teachers decide, teachers can be just as bad as students,' he said. M -D School Resource Officer Jason Pannell said he encourages his six children to be more than average. "We have a great education system, we have a great opportunity 9 you want to get ahead and great things before you go to college," Pannell said. 'I hope we wouldn't even challenge the idea of lessening that to be something average," he said. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 5/24/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 K — f.-- -New E, W. M.W PONDERING HER NE .lT AIOCE - S'"Ud -Vada- &ulor Cav Mddevdmp considers leer veal step dmwg FavulN-Vh— NWt held Ltict week at Barbara R Aloigan Elementary Sdiod http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 5/31/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of I M -D seniors ready to move on after graduation Saturday Forty -nine graduates of McCall- Donnelly High School and three graduates of Heartland High School will move onto the next phases of their lives when they receive diplomas on Saturday- A commencement ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at the M -D gym in McCall. Those attending will hear remarks from Valedictorian Kara Soucek and - Salutatorian Sarah Wright before hearing the commencement address from M -D High School science teacher Matt Hellhake. Graduates will then be presented with their diplomas by members of the M -D Board of Trustees. i f::u;t satcrl: Sarah Wright MACNICHOL MEMORIAL 1 idtdiiYOnarr Satutatorian A dedication ceremony for the Douglas Ault MacNichol Memorial will be held on Friday at 3:30 p.m. on the east side of the McCall - Donnelly High School Annex building. MacNichol served on the M-D board of trustees for 10 years before he was killed in a work - related accident near McCall in November 2010- The memorial consists of a fountain at the northwest comer of the annex that is handicap accessible and includes a fountain that can be used by dogs. More than $11,000 was raised which was used to fund the project and dedication ceremony. There are also inscribed pavers, landscaping, a large boulder with a plaque and a bench to accompany the fountain. MacNichol's service to the community prompted the development of the memorial site by six current senior students, including his son, Neil MacNichol, school board chair Pattie Soucek said. All funds used to design and construct the memorial were raised by the students through the sale of the pavers and donations from several local businesses and individuals. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 5/31/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-0 cancer survivor savors graduation ceremony "Sometimes on the way to a dream, you get lost and find a better one. " —Kara Soucek BY C XRISSA SINDON for The Star -News Graduation is a special time for any senior, but it was especially so for Kallie Neisinger on Saturday. The McCaIEDonnelly High School senior was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer a year ago, Stage III Non - Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and was not expected to live to see graduation day. But there she was, standing with 48 of her classmates and three seniors from Heartland High School at the commencement ceremony held at the M -D gym. Neisinger disease is now in remission and she will attend Boise State University this fall majoring in creative writing. "Its pretty awesome,' Neisinger said. "Now I get to do my own thing.' Those in attendance were treated to a performance by Abagail Hambrght and Brianna Russell of a song they had written especially for the occasion. Valedictorian Kara Soucek and Salutatorian Sarah Wright shared memories during their addresses, from hacking into a teacher's computer to obtain test answers to being stalked by a mother cougar on the playground in elementary school. "To my class, you are very capable of doing everything and anything you want' Soucek said. 'Do not fear going after the wrong goal either, after all, sometimes on the way to a dream, you get lost and find a better one,* she said. During his commencement address, M -D High School science teacher Matt Hellhake encouraged graduates to continue to develop and progress toward defining their niche in life. 'Whatever it is that you guys decide to put your energy into, do it well and do with passion," Hellhake said 'Find your passion and nurture it, find a way to incorporate your passion into your life,' he said. As diplomas were awarded by M -D trustees Pattie Soucek and Neal Thompson, senior pictures of graduates were projected onto a screen and they were presented with red - and -white carnations while exiting the stage. Parents were impressed with the ceremony and experienced a range of emotions watching their children graduate. 'it was a great accomplishment for him and I was happy to see him achieve it," said Clay Campbell's mother, Sally. h": / /www.mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/7/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 McColl- Donnelly announces student scholarships McCall- Donnelly High School hosted its annual Awards Assembly in the high school gym last week. Graduating seniors, underclassmen, families, staff and community members celebrated the achievements and accomplishments of students. Principal Tin Thomas announced Class of 2012 Valedictorian, Kara Soucek and Salutatorian Sarah Wright. National Merit Finalist Mary Parker and National Merit Commended Student Gerrit Egnew were honored. Thomas recognized the 'Top Scholars" of each Gass with medals and certificates and also recognized students enrolled in Advance Placement courses. Presentation of local scholarships and awards followed with over thirty community organizations, clubs or individuals recognizing this year's seniors. Local scholarships were awarded from American Association of University Women, Amar Jyothi Jorgensen Helping Hand Art, St. Luke's Hospital Auxiliary Margaret Fogg Memorial, McCall Rehabilitation & Care Center, Idaho School Board Association, Idaho Power, Donnelly EMS & Fire Members, Jason Place Memorial National Honor Society, Bryan Dunn Memorial and American Legion Veteran's Memorial Other scholarships awarded were Masonic Lodge, Nancy Stathis McCall Snowmobile Club, McCall - Donnelly School District Employees, MDHS Music Program, Michelle Nelson Memorial, Millemann, Pittenger, McMahan & Pemberton Law Firm, Neisinger Trust and American Legion Boys and Girls State Scholarships also awarded were Optimist Club Dehlinger Memorial, Payette Employees Association, Payette Lakes Progressive Club, PEO, United States Marine Corp, Shelton Foundation, McCall Rotary Glob and Paul's Market Special student recognition was given for the Principal's Leadership Award, Home Town Sports Award, Army Reserve National Scholar /Athletes, MDHS Athletes of the Year, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, HSAA Interscholastic Star, Elks Student of the Year, and Optimist Club Student Recognition. Two student received Senior Quilts from a community member. Students in grades nine through 12 were recognized for achievements through high school department awards including outstanding underclassmen and Vandal Pride, several memorial awards, perfect attendance, Microsoft Office Specialist Business Awards and health professions. Other awards presented were National Council Supervisors of Mathematics Awards, Trig' Star Awards, culinary arts, science, Quiz Bowl and social studies, Presidential Physical Fitness, art, music, drama and technology education. h4: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/7/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M-D foundation gives out $30,000 In grants The McCall-Donnelty Education Foundation has awarded $30,000 to eight education programs in the McCall_- Donnely School District. Grants included: • Payette Lakes Community Association for their Lifestyles after- school program for the Barbara Morgan and Donnelly Elementary schools. • Payette Lakes Middle School to build a greenhouse to teach students how to grow and tend their own garden, valuable lessons in nutrition and biology. • Payette Lakes Middle School will also receive funds for an after- school technology camp, 21st Century Leaser. • Donnelly Elementary School for the Missoula Children's Theatre, in which the students are invited to play key roles in the play; Tyler Vance's new music program concept, Music Matters; Angel Hudson's kindergarten class for Touch Math, an interactive way of teaming math concepts and formulas. • McCall - Donnelly High School's Winter Sports Club to purchase new equipment for the Winter Sports Are for Everyone program, which gives access to winter recreation equipment for students who would not otherwise be able to afford it. • McCall- Donnelly High School also received funds to purchase poetry anthology e- books, which will redefine the way students and teachers look at and discuss poetry. The McCall - Donnelly Education Foundation is an advocate of educational excellence in our community. More information an be found at YOUTH MOVEMENTS r r Jr f! 41C FIMTSLItRP - McCall- Douttelh- HO School Sena Ned himllwhol. left looks m as a dog uvned Tecade becomes the fast annual to di tins a tomitam dedteated to the memorc of his father, Doug hlAePhchol m FfAiv The fotmtam is homed at the high school auues idwh Lie been remamedthe D A klwHidol BmIdmg Also picft d m Donaw CoLdramceschn whose tan ih adopted Tecade after Mwlc <hol a M -D school baud member tot it, iwtir& died m a work - related amdeut m November _ovi The memaud featiars Lvdw.lpulg, a boulder ulih pLique, inscribed pares, latniseapmg, a beeh and dock. -. - -- � ,_ ino. y oo worse. LONA WORK - MeadousVill -studemsamd teadkm seamed derkmg amd s ding for Bear Cieek Lodge near MN'an m eschagge for the use of the facihR-tor thus ceaYs Jumor Sena Prom From left are Josh Ecetsou, C lions Slettum Rebecca Baud d= ah wor Jeff Psuett atd Sage Mcuomald �l A,r Vr LeW w.e BLANKM FOR F7uS - Tle thud grade class of Ikbbie McCoy at Donnelly E.lememtin- School made blankets i and preseutedthem to Iddio state Pohce 71ogxr Vic hWmithr. ceitet, i and l:�Bec l'ouutrShedfs deputies Eddie Dunca midJasou Metz `Me blvikets were made as part of the Wwm lip Ameua project mud rill be kept m patrol cos to comfort chikhru dmnlg au a Amt or odwr emergeitin students pcttred mre. h wehng from left. Sam Dads, Tbonm Jones, McCoy. Wistt Marohf and t)s`r" Rodriquez Stimamg. from Wt are Nathan Nelsm .tiara Blachcrow, Tessa Pmknus, Aiden Vdrwk H ade Ltdm. Robb} Bmtou Olmm Bmgams" caefep khlle -Ryan Ktff Brahss and Dmuuff Coburn . At reur are klez, MN'artlyy aid Domca Mu aWron rs. c�e„n OLDIES B17 � x tDIES - Membets of Domelh Dancepos foll aiujg thin rental het dSaturdac at DouueA' Flemertan" School the theme of the recant n-ae -Rockm to the Oldies, Hunt car from left -me Emmi Elkuigtm Japie kticklesom Emih- birkli t abet Kohier Ellmgford khdde row. from left are Lassa Rude, Hmnsm Mckutghit and EEre (7:wiblet Bmck row, from left, air Hauuiih P.vmeA Page 1 of 2 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/7/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Chloe Cobtnh, Tiler Vadue. Sam Fh- aud_lmka (laiublet Not petturd is Had Pemell hhstiarrtor Tara Colas, is standing at rear. MCP WS POSTER - Rachel Morton, a sophomore at McCall- Domie11r fitgh School works on a pmtmg that waschosehas thistear's Bark mthe Pack posterartworkbeMCP 1%-SRepouadttmtal Shelter. Morton and An students of Al -D `isual Arts Teacher Crnthut Dittmer cane to MCPAN S m .VW to twit mth the murals and take photos Back m the classroom the stitdeuts made pop an nmderiugs from based ou their teat RLADY FOR RELEASE - Barbara R Wigan Fleum ml School fourth grader Judith Iveimel tracts as IC m.Aghetsou, a fishes- biologist frith the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, tags one of the ao rmubow trout rmsedby L kedke -Thuel's Fish nd mm m =were tugged before beiig released mt. Payette Lake last week so they cm be hacked to see it ties surge and follow the same imp atory patterts as wild fish tll•� K' "ki -t _ seem (me) w n. si. -x... er ua wo.trnmm Nmmm) irhoe. W �r ARBORDaS- Atop.BmbaraR mt Motg ffiemeutan• students Adau thsho and A r-,= plant seedhggs m the school grotndi as part of au .Aber Dat celebrahou last weekm McCall The seedhugs tier donated bN- the Idaho Foust Prodals Comusshou and were platted with asswtwce trop the McCall Park and Recreation Department At bottom, Domhelly Elementary School fifth Dade stdmts Calm Schohec and KUoe Memi putrnptted w Arbor Dar by plcmtutg a tree near the school Page 2 of 2 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page.php 6/7/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 2 M -D board wants to keep valedictorian at high school Study panel told to find better ways for class ranking "We've heard people say that's important so we need to honor that. " —Kathy Deinhardt- Hill BY CARISSA SINDON for The Star -News The McCall - Donnelly School District Board of Trustees on Monday urged a study committee to keep valedictorian and salutatorian at McCall - Donnelly High School. Trustees also told the panel to keep class ranking, but to change the formula by which class rank is determined. The study committee had previously recommended doing away with class ranking, which would mean elimination of the graduation tradition of valedictorian and salutatorian. On Monday, the committee presented three options based on comments received from the public and at a forum on the topic held last month. Under current policy, selection of valedictorian and salutatorian is based on the accumulative grade - point average of all classes taken while in high school. The five advanced placement courses offered by the high school are also weighted higher than other classes under the current system. The first option would see class rank eliminated with graduation speakers selected by a panel of top students and teachers. A system based on grade point average would also be used at graduation to recognize student achievement. One example provided is that a 3.5 to 3.99 grade point average would be designated as "silver" and 4.0 and above would be "gold." Rigor of Classes The second option would keep class rank and base it on the rigor of student classes using a to -be- determined formula that represents what is important to the district. Valedictorian and salutatorian would be determined by class rank and student achievement would be recognized at graduation as in the first option. The last option was to keep the current policy in place. Trustees asked the committee to come back with a proposal that combines the first two options. A new proposal could return to trustees this fall. Trustees want class rank plus valedictorian and salutatorian to be preserved and student achievement recognized at graduation. Trustees also asked the committee to suggest ways to determine graduation speakers other than by class rank. Board members said the community has told them they still want valedictorian and salutatorian. "We've heard people say that's important so we need to honor that,' trustee Kathy Deinhardt -Hill said. Trustees also directed the committee to come up with a different formula for determining class rank that would recognize students who take a full schedule of classes. It was discussed that designating one class as more rigorous than another is not a good idea. "We probably have some great (advanced placement) calculus students who would flunk art," Deinhardt -Hill said. 'You want (honor students) to be actively involved in our school, not disappearing an hour a day,' she sad. No Perfect System There was much discussion about the inequities of the current system, but those at the meeting also agreed that a perfect system does not exist. The current system can reward the top achieving students who take the most rigorous classes, but it also rewards students who do not, said committee Chair Ellen McKinney, the district's director of curriculum, instruction and professional development. For example, students who are teachers' aides, which are graded as pass/fail, have an advantage because these credits are not factored into students' grade point averages. A student who took three advanced placement courses and received all As and was a teacher's aide would have a higher grade point average than a student who received all As by taking three advanced placement courses and a non - advanced placement course like art or band. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 6/14/2012 This week's front page stories Page 2 of 2 Another concern discussed was that an uneven playing field can be created if students take advanced placement courses online above what M -D offers and transfer them to the high school. h4: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fip_stories _page.php 6/14/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Donnelly teacher Bingaman given national honor Donnelly Elementary School fifth grade teacher Deirdre Bingaman has been selected as one of 18 teachers nationwide to receive the 2011 -12 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. The award is given by the White House Council on Environmental Quality in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program recognizes teachers who make use of in - experiential and environmental opportunities that help students develop a sense of civic responsibility and stewardship in ecosystems, an EPA press release said. Bingaman and the Donnelly school each received a check for $2,000 which can be used for professional development and to fund environmental education activities and programs for Bingaman's classroom. Bingaman was selected for "her demonstrated excellence in focusing her class on environmental education projects that reflected real -life community challenges and creating a powerful connection between her students and the natural world." the release said. t}udr 6 &4e, left, a pubhc mtanuahon othn+r 1%itb the Emunumeutal Protectwu .{gew,c s Eotse office, presents Pennelle Elemeutan- School h t grade teacher Iku&di a buipm:n xnih a plaque and checkfor$2.000 for bemg named a ur -r2 Preadenhal lunmatronAmardfor Emwmmtental Educators reapent Bingaman's Gasses have worked on a range of environmental projects with area professionals. She started the Boulder Creek Project in 2008 after teaming the state identified the stream, which runs alongside the school, as suffering poor water quality. Each year, Bingaman's classes compile water quality data and use the scientific method to investigate a selected question. Students have presented the final results to the Donnelly City Council and community members. YOUTH MOVEMENTS Her students have also started a statewide Web site, �*+ called www kids4action orn, which tracks how marry trees are saved, along with other natural resources, by elementary students recycling paper at their schools. I All ix JL -4 .hb 4 Te 9i-Xew M Ya Y.,M WHIPPER- SN,WPER' Niles Theumsmfrom McCall creates an "old man- obstacle mule Carter Toukste er. background. prnides a mmwug mr obsbk* for partrapauts m the Mkt :al Erke Rodeo held on Satmdac at the Frasel Ranger luust ct $Lan011 LEGION AN:a,RD - PaiMte lakes Mhddle School m-th pwdess Chase Stauts and Pam Nelsan teem given Citizeuslnp Au trds Last ueek by the WCA Amenc:n Legwn Post Dawk and Penelope lVd L'nwan of the post gme each student a plaque and si— sa mW band http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/14/2012 Outdoors Page The StarNews Payette Lake Cruises offers all- weather tours Cruises of Payette Lake can now be taken in any weather thanks to the enclosed tour boat operated by Payette Lake Cruises. The company operates the boat Idaho docked behind The Yacht Club building. The enclosed, temperature-controlled r� 85 -foot cruise boat holds 85 people for daily tours as well as special events such as weddings, reunions and meetings. There are a variety of ways people can enjoy the Idaho. A w 90- minute cruise that showcases lakefront homes leaves at �-- •� 1 30 p.m each day. Starting Friday, a second daily cruise will leave at 3:30 p m., with an expert tour guide explaining the history and ''anmR smdff pomsa glass dawetoisamaud lore of the lake and surrounding areas. Mary Towr of Ka uum ,1tn , on dx sun (leek of die Pmrtte Likes l7mti boat Idaho Starting this weekend, Payette Lake Cruises will begin a weekly Sunday brunch cruise leaving at 11 a.m. featuring a full breakfast buffet catered by Delish Catering of McCall. Two-hour sunset dinner cruises, also catered by Delish Catering, are also offered, as well as a special Fourth of July fireworks cruise starting at 8:30 p.m. Private charters are affordable for parties from two to 85, as the Idaho is available for a flat hourly fee and can pick up guests from any dock on the lake. All cruises feature beverages for sale, including beer, wine and a full liquor bar. The cabin can seat up to 40 for dinner, and the open top deck can seat up to 55 for a cocktail party or wedding ceremony. Payette Lake Cruises is operated by a partnership of Seth Jacobsen of McCall and Fred Finney of Coeur d'Alene. Jacobsen grew up in McCall and also works as the snowsports director at Brundage Mountain Resort. He became inspired by the restored vintage photography offered through the family's picture- framing shop and gallery, Mountain House, also located in McCall. Fnney owns and operates Finney Boat Works, Inc. in Post Falls. He began his career in the cruise industry at the age of 11 and built and managed a fleet of six tour boats for the Hagadone Corp. Costs for adults are $20 for the daily scenic cruises, $39 for the Sunday morning brunch and $49 for the Fourth of July cruise. For information or to make reservations, call 834 -LAKE or stop in the office located at the front of The Yacht Ckib building. Other information is available at info @payettelakecruises.com or www.payettelakecruises.com, http: / /www.mccallstamews.com/pages /outdoors _page.php Page 1 of 1 6/21/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D student group sells manure compost Bags of composted horse manure are being sold as a fundraiser for the McCall- Donnelly High School chapter of Health Occupations Students of America. The compost is on sale at May Hardware under the brand name "Oscar's Best* for $4 per bag. The manure was shoveled, bagged and tagged by the students, who will use sale proceeds to help pay for travel to state and national competitions. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/21/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 BTCPL ISaaCLAMPTETH for The Stu -News CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan - After being delayed by rain and high winds, a small break in the clouds opens, allowing two helicopters to deliver much- needed fuel and supplies to a tank battalion operating in northern Helmand province, Afghanistan. Undeterred by the threat of bad weather, the CH -53E Super Stallions lift off and r ifland a few hundred feet away from the airfield. Coordinating with Marines from their support group, the giant copiers hook up fuel bladders that carry approximately 9,000 pounds of fuel. WNW Capt. James Everett, a pilot, said using heavy lift helicopters to resupply ground units prevents exposing convoys to attacks or hidden roadside bombs. s � "We can fly right over areas that are heavily occupied with the threat of bombs —M �s6� or ambushes," said Everett, of Donnel . 'The safest way to transport a lot of FohwerMcl :>Oh�de�t Ill Y P damns Everett plots a food, fuel or water is by air.' Ira, y-h tLncmpter to Everett is the son of Marie Furnary of Donnelly and Ken Everett of Eagle- He byaw to tivopsw vnu attended Payette Lakes Middle School and The North Fork School until 1998. nkpro nstaamo Y d ¢eras for couv ova M thr gotwd He then graduated from The Thacher School in Ojai, Calif., in 2002, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2007- In addition to the constant threat of convoys coming under attack, delivering supplies by helicopter is a much quicker option than having convoys deliver them over treacherous terrain, Everett said. 'With the kind of terrain thafs in Afghanistan, it just makes it easier on everyone to fly supplies instead of putting them on a convoy," he said. After flying for 20 minutes, the helicopters land and deliver their precious cargo. Marines, already on the ground, secure the fuel while crew chiefs inside the Super Stallions prepare for a hasty departure. They reel up their cables, drag cargo nets inside and take off within a mater of minutes. Once all gear has been secured and supplies have been unloaded, the helicopters take oft and head back to Camp Bastion, ready to take on their next mission of the day. (Cpl. Isaac Lamberth is a correspondent with the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System.) http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fo_stories _page -php 6/28/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Final phase of middle school repairs gets underway BY CARISSA SO4DON fa The Ste -News The third and final phase of repairs to be made to the roof of Payette Lakes Middle School to lessen heat loss and ice damming has begun. The first phase of repairs was completed during summer 2010 and incktded the building's east wing roof. Second phase repairs were made last summer to the rest of the building's roof except for the roof covering the gym which will be the work completed this summer. Funding for the project, which cost about $2.9 million, came from the district's general fund balance and federal forest funds. Inckrded in that total is $823,000 leftover from the $28.5 million bond issued in 2006 that was used to build Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School, rebuild McCall - Donnelly High School and expand Donnelly Elementary School. work also done during phase two included improving exterior site lighting at the west side of the school, drainage enhancements to the north of the building, and handicap accessibility improvements at the main building entrance and Rich Sabala Athletic Complex. Other improvements included replacing the fire alarm system, installing lighting controls to reduce electrical usage and cost, and installing automated mechanical system controls to allow district pefsonnel to better manage energy usage. raffic control gates at the east access road were also installed and lot striping adjacent to Sabala field was done. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.i)hp 6/28/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Mw ar b -Maw br Caw Swim HOW TO POP aBallA)ON - Parson Crawford Wt. ad Nklwlas Harfi-. fifth graders at Barbara R Morgan Mementm) School demonstrate the mxLne they un -ente d intended to break a kffoou dmmg Camp bn'eabou held last week at the schod. More than,;,, students m fast dwo gh mah gades aredm the screuee and mMh Camp where they also worked m temps to esplom magnetic action and hmv it can be used to help Pepe Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages/prep_schools_Me.php 6/28/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 P;1.D students to start insectary to battle knapwPPd McCall - Donnelly High School Environmental Science students need the public's help to create a root weevil insectary to battle spotted knapweed. Residents are invited to dig up the roots of spotted knapweed, a noxious weed, from their property and bring them to the southeast end of the high school campus, adjacent to the bus lane, on Wednesday, July 11- The site will be known as the 'Western Idaho Spotted Knapweed Root Weevil Insectary' and will supply local resident with a biological control against spotted knapweed, teacher Debbie Fereday said. The weevils will be given away free and collection events will be scheduled. Environmental Science students will gain experience educating and working with the community to use sound ecological prnciples to solve problems, Fereday said. The site will be ready to plant at 10 a.m. on July 11 and volunteer are needed to place the 140 plants in the insectary. Area residents should dig up spotted knapweed plant six inches below the ground trim the tops before dropping them off at the school on July 11. For questions, call Fereday at 634 -5830. The project is in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands. h4:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages/prep_schools _page.php 6/28/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M -D students to start insectary to battle knapweed McCall - Donnelly High School Environmental Science students need the public's help next week to create a root weevil insectary to battle spotted knapweed. Residents are invited to dig up the roots of spotted knapweed, a noxious weed, from their property and bring them to the southeast end of the high school campus, adjacent to the bus lane, on Wednesday - , e site will be known as the - Western Idaho Spotted Knapweed Root Weevil Insectary' and will supply local resident with a biological control against spotted knapweed, teacher Debbie Fereday said. The weevils will be given away free and collection events will be scheduled. Environmental Science students will gain experience educating and working with the community to use sound ecological principles to solve problems, Fereday said. The site will be ready to plant at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and volunteers are needed to place the 140 plants in the insectary. Area residents should dig up spotted knapweed plants six inches below the ground trim the tops before dropping them off at the school For questions, call Fereday at 634 -5830. The project is in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands- http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php 7/5/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Weida resigns as McCall - Donnelly trustee Betty Weida has resigned as a member of the McCall- Donnelly School District board of trustees. Weida announced her resignation during Monday's regular meeting of the board, on which she has served since 2004. Weida said she had intended to not run for a third term in 2011 but changed her mind I when the "Students Come First" legislation was enacted by the Idaho Legislature that year. aztn W-1, "It made sense for me to continue on the school board to help with the difficult transition, she said. "McCall - Donnelly did a remarkable job of implementing this legislation in the limited time given." Weida said she is now ready to see new leadership for the school district. "It has been very rewarding to work with the school district's administration, staff, and board to build such excellent facilities and educational programs for the students," she said. The next challenge for the district will be implementing the national Common Core Standards initiative to help students meet the challenges of the 21 st century, she said. Applications are now being accepted for residents of Zone 2, which Weida represented. Zone 2 generally takes in areas of McCall west of Idaho 55. Specific boundaries are available to viewing at the school district office at 120 Idaho St. Applications are due Aug. 30, and applicants must be registered voters. Trustees meet at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month plus special meetings as needed. Schools that operate within the district are McCall- Donnelly High School, Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School, Donnelly Elementary School, Payette Lakes Middle School and Heartland High School. Other school board members are Patti Soucek, Neal Thompson, Mary Hart and Kathy Deinhardt Hill http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 7/12/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 KNAPWEED BATTLE BEGINS From leH Rick Feredav, Thane Green, Jdm Rrgh, and K ft -Them hwsyiwt spotted kunpweed plattts nt the DIcCalMlouuelh Ihglr Schod shdeut gardnr Inst week. The pl, will be coed to breed the western Idaho root weenl, a natural enemv of the mmous weed 'ilre sde was built coopentnelc with the federal Bureau of Iaud Maungemeut and Idaho Departmeut of Lau& and the weeds will be mailable to the conuuumty as au alternative to using herhmdes http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 7/19/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 Year -round fieidhouse proposed near M -D High School Building would allow Vandal teases to practice in poor weather BY TOM O korm The Star -News Kelsie Made] remembers how she and her teammates on the McCall - Donnelly High School track team were forced to train on the McCall Airport runway due to snowfall in town. That would change if a year - round fieidhouse proposed by a citizens group is built near the high school. The vision of the group would see a building 180 feet by 145 feet rise on a grassy site near the city tennis courts along Mission Street. The building, estimated to cost between $1.1 million and $1.5 million, would contain an artificial turf with markings for track, football, baseball, softball, soccer and other sports. The M -D board of trustees took the first baby steps toward supporting the project at its July 9 monthly meeting. ILL �ie. Gr r 'The school board is interested in working ith the community on the feasibility 9 Y Y '�'� sketch shuns d of a covered field house; according to a statement from trustees, who stopped maested4vout for th short of committing a site or funding for the project. rhfieW Wavade a xN'O��oo& -d dthleb 119 use proposed However, that was good enough for Joey Pietri of McCall to begin a community umMecall -D au�elly drive to raise the money to design and build the feldhouse. ghSchool 'Kids are at such a deficit because they don't have any place to practice field sports' said Pietri, the owner of Legend CrossFit in McCall who has been an assistant M -D football coach since 1994. The long winters in McCall force spring sports teams to flee to lower elevations to train or take their chances running on slush- covered streets or in school hallways where doors suddenly fly open, Pietri said. The fieidhouse is especially needed now that trustees have decided against installing artificial turf at Rich Sabala Athletic Complex, he said. "With the field turf being rejected the natural thing would be to have a covered facility with a controlled climate," Pietri said. Community Use The fieidhouse also would provide a safe haven for community members, especially senior citizens, who are seeking a place for athletic endeavors or just a brisk walk, he said. Pietri's groups plans to hold community meetings to gather ideas on planning and funding, which could be a combination of donations, public and private grants and direct funding from the school district. Questions still to be determined would be who would manage and maintain the facilities and whether amenities such as showers, locker rooms and bleachers should be added, Pietri said. M -D teams are now at a competitive disadvantage, said Medel, who graduated from M -D in 2000. "We often got to our first few track meets without having stepped foot on a track," she said. "Snow, sleet, icy roads, practices in almost dark, we saw it all." http:// www. mccalistarnews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 7/26/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D's Cochrane completes atomic nuclei program McCall - Donnelly High School science teacher Andrew Cochrane has completed the Physics of Atomic Nuclei program at Michigan State University. The week -long program, funded by the National Science Foundation, is held at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory, which is part of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics. Zach Constan, outreach coordinator for the laboratory, selected Cochrane to be part of a group of 20 teachers from all over the United States. Each summer, Constan conducts the program for two groups of teachers and two groups of high school students. During the summer session, teachers and students attend a series of lectures by nuclear researchers, laboratory tours and demonstrations, and they conduct experiments they design together in small groups. Evening programs in which Cochrane participated included a night of astronomical viewing through the MSU observatory telescope on campus, and a presentation on a larger telescope high in the mountains of Chile, accessed remotely by MSU researchers. Teachers in the program learned how to conduct activities in their own classrooms that may be used to teach the concepts of nuclear science. Cochrane also participated on a team of four teachers who developed a hypothesis for a research project to investigate the nature of cosmic rays http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools page.php 8/9/2012 The Star News Groups Page 4& 111 rates.. i r ffiom br The 5« -Meav by MYr MneM TASIT THE An - :lamette limiter from Spokane, Wash. gets a fish -treatfrom the Stacey Cakes table den ng the Taste of McCall beld oa Sattmd v at Ricer Raach m rlcCaE. Prorneds from the event belp fad the WCall- Pommelh- Edacatma Fammdahon gmit pmgrams Page 1 of 1 http : / /www.mccallstamews.com/pages /groups _page.php 8/16/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 McC all's Hambright to study for year in Brazil A bagail Hambright of McCall left on Aug. 1 for a year -long study trip to Brazil sponsored by the McCall Rotary Club. Hambright, 18, said she become interested in the program after seeing Rotary exchange students in the hallways at McCall - Donnelly High School. >< "Brazil seemed like the sort of place I would really love!" she said. "I was so excited when I found out it was an option to study abroad. I'll probably learn more this year than ever before." Ha,"NHambright is the only McCall - Donnell student participating in the Rota Club's foreign }KUt 9 y Y Pa Pa 9 Rotary 9 study program this year. She will attend a high school in the city of Campo Grande, but won't have to worry about class credits since she graduated from M -D this spring. She will be living with host families during her time in Brazil. "It's pretty amazing I have this opportunity," Hambright said. "I'm so ready for life's next adventure!" Any high school student age 15 to 18 is eligible to aply for a Rotary Club student exchange. Deadline to apply is mid - September and 'information can be found with the student's school counselor. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 8/16/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews New Mountaineer coach brings experience to the court BY MATT NIOEHR for The Star-Ncas First -year Meadows Valley High School volleyball coach KC Wheeler brings 10 years of coaching experience to the squad. Wheeler will be holding the whistle when the Mountaineers open their season in McCall on Saturday at the McCall Tourney. Wheeler attended Alfred University in New York where she played volleyball and softball before transferring to Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. Wheeler suffered knee injuries at PLU and began concentrating more on coaching the sports she enjoys. Last year, she accepted a teaching position at MV and is excited to bring new game strategies and hitting techniques to the Mountaineer team. She will be joined by her husband, Dan, as assistant coach. "I believe in these girls, we're going to bring a lot of intensity," Wheeler said. Students from Salmon River High School will join MV this season to bring more numbers to the volleyball program. Eight seniors will highlight the Mountaineer roster. 9 s tl 0 N Fhab brine 9r�Nm by Mtlt MOebr Nomitaureaf volleyball placn, Taylor Slettum takes part m a spluig dell dmu;g prachee m New i\IeadoMS. Senior Saige McDonald believes the team's strength will stem from aggressive play at the net with good communication and teamwork. The Mountaineers finished last season with a 7 -13 overall record while posting a 5 -7 record in the 1 A DII conference. Both the players and coaches are looking at Garden Valley and Tri- Valley as their biggest obstacles on their way to the state tournament. Page 1 of I http: / /www.mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 8/23/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews YOUTH MOVEMENTS ""Portte - -N hrY!bl.h AMTV AND AN HONOR - Fanth and fifth gradets at Bvfiara R hlotgau Elemeutvy School spent pmt of the fvst dac of school at T\londay levuu)g how to tvse and lower the IT S Hag. Members of the cLasws -11 be as ngued the &-ulp duh- tin ogghout the h}car In photo, Kohl, Cog" and Knsttvat Stag- wdle the flag wlnle Frank L-he and Jvrm Bauer look on Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page.php 8/30/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page l of l M-D football group sells peaches as fundraiser The McCall Donnelly Football Association is selling peaches to raise funds to help replace equipment. Order deadline is Friday, Sept. 7. To ensure fresh delivery this year, orders can be picked up in person at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at the McCall - Donnelly High School parking lot. Orders can be placed with any high school football player by calling Kellie Brown at 634 -2216 or 315- 1136. Orders can also be placed at mccallfootball.com- New team jerseys purchased by association will be on display at the Vandals' first home game on Friday, Sept. 14, against Grangeville. http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /prep_schools _page.php 8/30/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 MD trustees debate sexual orientation in student rights policy BY TONI (MOTE The Star -Bens How to best phrase a policy on student rights was debated Monday night by the McCall- Donnelly School District Board of Trustees. Trustee Neal Thompson objected to including the words "sexual orientation" to the list of student rights in the school district's policy manual. The discussion was held during the trustees' regular monthly meeting held at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. The language was proposed by the district's policy review committee as part of routine review of all district policies, M -D Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. Federal officials previously required language forbidding discrimination due to sexual orientation as a condition of federal funding, Szymoniak said. But he told board members that attorneys and representatives of the Idaho Department of Education recently told him the requirement no longer exists. Thompson said he was not opposed to protecting the rights of homosexual students, but was worried about the precedent the language would set. "If you give this group a right, then another group will want the same rights and soon more groups would be lined up to get their rights," he said. "We would be creating a monster and we couldn't go back." Other school board members said discrimination against homosexual students was already occurring in M -D schools. 'This is an issue that has been identified and this wording is stating the reality," trustee Mary Hart said. Specific language would protect board members from liability it a student brought legal action against a teacher or other staff members who unfairly treated them due to sexual orientation, Szymoniak said. Trustees agreed on compromise language that removed mention of any specific classes of students. The new proposed policy reads that all students "have an equal right to equality of educational opportunities." The proposed policy will undergo the third of three required readings at the trustees' next meeting on Oct. 8 before it is adopted. The trustees will need to review three other policies that propose the same language on protecting the rights of students for sexual orientation, Szymoniak said. http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 9/13/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 Walker named to McCall- Donnelly school board Jon Walker was appointed on Monday to the McCall- Donnelly School District Board of Trustees. e Walker, 41, is executive director of Quaker Hill Camp and Conference Center in McCall. r He assumes the seat vacated by former trustee Betty Weida, who resigned. w t Walker will serve out Weida's term, which ends in July 2015. He joins Chair Kathy Deinhardt -Hill and trustees Pattie Soucek, Mary Hart and Neal Thompson on the board. Walker was raised in Boise and moved to McCall eight years ago when he was hired for his current job. He and his wife, Sara, have three boys, ages 5, 7 and 10, who attend Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. He was the only applicant for Weida's seat. In a questionnaire issued by the school district, Walker said he enjoys serving others. 'I would hope that some of the value I might bring to the school board would be the fact that I have worked under and for a board for nearly 20 years, Walker said. ' i also enjoy people and working together toward a common goal - especially goals that benefit our kids and our community,' he said. He told board members Monday night that his areas of interest were sports, the environment, science and recreation. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 9/13/2012 This week's front page stories Neal Thompson resigns from M -D school board Neal Thompson will step down from the McCall - Donnelly School District Board of Trustees next month. Thompson told school board members during Monday's regular meeting that he will be moving out of his trustee zone and into the zone now held by trustee Chair Kathy Deinhardt -Hill. Thompson, owner of High Country Electric, was first elected to the board in 2000. Nei He included among his achievements the successful school building program following Tl1O1llt " "" the passage of a $28.5 million bond in 2006. "I saw the botched effort they did on building the middle school," he said, referring to the construction of Payette Lakes Middle School, which opened in 1995 and just completed a three -year remodeling to fix roof problems. His experience in construction helped guide the various projects that resulted in building Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School, rebuilding McCall- Donnelly High School and remodeling Donnelly Elementary School. "We saved money and spent wisely," he said. `We did a good job." As far as unfinished business, Thompson would like to see a year -round indoor fieldhouse built to allow for poor - weather training by M -D sports teams as well as community use. A citizens group is currently pushing to build a fieldhouse near WD High School, and Thompson believes the school district should pay half the costs. Letters of nomination are now being accepted for Thompson's zone, which generally runs along the west side of the North Fork of the Payette River and Lake Cascade to the school district boundary south of Donnelly. Applicants must be at least age 18, a registered voter and a resident of the zone. Applications should be submitted by Oct. 3 to Glen Szymoniak, Superintendent, District Business Office, 120 Idaho Street, McCall, ID 83638. Call 634 -2161 for questions. http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/fp_stories_page.php Page I of 1 9/13/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M-D buys Harlow's bus garage, 20 acres of land, for $600,000 Purchase intended to make bidding more competitive BY TOM GROTE The Star -News Purchase of the building housing the buses used to transport McCall - Donnelly School District students was approved on Monday by the M-D board of trustees. The school board approved spending $600,000 to buy the 20,000 square -foot building and 20 acres of land at 14030 Highway 55 just south of Johnson Lane. The action was taken at the board's regular monthly meeting held at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. The garage and maintenance facility was purchased from Harlows Bus Service and Sales based in Bismark, N.D. Harlow's has held the contract with M -D to haul students since 1999. Funds for the purchase came from funds accumulated by M -D from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Setf- Determination Act, which provides federal funding to areas once dependent on the timber industry. The school district decided to buy the Harlow's facility to make t easier for other bus companies to make bids on the school bus service, M -D Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. The length of contracts is usually five years, which makes it difficult for other companies to recoup the amount of money it would take to buy property and build a garage, Szymoniak said. 'Whoever's already there really has an advantage over someone who has to come in and invest," he said. By owning the facility, M -D would have a ready -made home for any new bus provider, Szymoniak said. That theory will be tested next year, when the districts seeks bids for provide bus services for the next five years. The current contract with Harlow's expires in June 2014. The move also is expected to save the district money In operational costs, Szymoniak said. During the current school year, the district estimates It will pay Harlows about $773,000 to take students to and from school as well as provide transportation for sports teams and field trips. The State of Idaho Is expected to reimburse the district about $420,000, leaving M -D to pay the balance of about $353,000 with its own funds, he said. Owning the facility is expected to cut the school district's share by about half, or between $100,000 and $150,000 per year, Szymoniak said. That means M-D would recover the cost of the purchase in just a few years. Monday's action by trustees comes at the end of months of negotiations with Harlows as well as studies of the site to ensure there were no problems with groundwater pollution and other environmental risks, he said. http://www.mccallstamews .com/pages /flp_stories _page.pho 9/13/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 55 Yards! Vandal kicker lets it fly in field goal against Grangeville "I didn't really know how far it was until they announced it from the stands " - Cesar Monte$ BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News Trusting his coach's decision, McCall - Donnelly kicker Cesar Monies said he had no idea the field goal he was about to make during Friday's hone football game against Grangeville was 55 yards. 'He (Coach Larry Henggeler) asked me if I was ready and 'go F r I said, 'yes Coach' and then he told me to get the points,' j ° Monies said. ![ The kick came as the Vandals were up 14 -0 against the Bulldogs there were four minutes remaining until halftime. "The snap was a Tittle off and hit the ground," Monte said. "Matt (Henggeler, the holder) did an incredible job of getting +. j the ball back on the tee." Pb"lob� Crol Wngb[ M -D's Cesar htoutes lacks a s5 ya d held goal "I didn't really know how far it was until they announced 4 agwiuwaugenlledawgFiiday-s game m from the stands," he said. hfwall Mattlimggelerudhehokkn The kick brought a packed Vandal audience on its feet. As the bail seemed to float endlessly through the sky then sailed through the uprights the entire Richard Sabala Athletic Complex exploded with cheers. Coach Henggeler said there was absolutely no hesitation that it was the right call to make. "We knew he'd make it," Henggeler sail. "He's been practicing and he's consistently making these kicks from ridiculous places and we're standing there in practice watching him do it." Although it was announced Monies had kicked a state record, it was later discovered that was not correct, M -D Athletic Director Michael Kraemer said. "The state does not keep track of regular season statistics," Kraemer said. "Had the kick been during a state tournament game it would have been a record." The fact he didn't set a record didn't seem to bother the senior kicker. "As soon as it went through the uprights I was ecstatic," Monies said. "I've received a lot of community support and there's always room for improvement." http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 9/20/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews 011 it he.r.tr e.st». e�ay HANDS-0N LEARNING - Meml ers of the Euvammental Saeuee class at AIcCA- Douuelh, High School as weB as the Health and Welhhew classes have found leuun>`q w not hunted to the classmouh In photo at top, Sarin Sates, r1Qbt moles hW some Yukon gold potatoes grouv m the vegetable garden on the school g ouud ufiile :vex Dawsou, left, prepares bacou for the local food feastiu Health and N'eHness d..us lu photo above, Jeff Bauer, Brooke lbouhas and 7F Btvuu take pirha uy data on the deism- of spotted knap —ed near the McCall sewer treatmeutplaut Students released motweevds at the ate on m put d a Audv to counA the uovous weed The weevils are also bm% cultivated at the high school Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 9/20/2012 Star -News News Page—Announcements MOSS receives award for innovation in learning The McCall Outdoor Science School is among six grand prize winners in the ID21 Awards, a contest designed to discover and reward Idaho's most creative and innovative learning programs. MOSS and the other winners will each receive $50,000 at an event Oct. 16 at the Egyptian Theatre in Boise. "MOSS gets students out into the woods for an unforgettable adventure learning experience away from home," the award citation said. 'MOSS leverages Idaho's natural resources and a unique mentoring approach to inspire a new level of excitement about science," the citation said. MOSS is operated by the University of Idaho at the university's McCall Field Campus located on the shore of Payette Lake near Ponderosa State Park. "These transformative programs represent the education revolution in Idaho," said Jamie MacMillan, executive director of the JA. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, sponsor of the ID21 Awards. The ID21 Awards sprung from "The Ed Sessions," a popular speaker series in Boise featuring Sir Ken Robinson, Mike Rowe and Sal Khan. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews.com/pages /announcements _page.php 9/20/2012 This week's front page stories Schools take precautions against fire smoke Students kept inside; practices & games cancelled BY TOM GROTE The Star-News Local schools took precautionary steps last week after poor air quality descended on the region due to nearby forest fires. The air quality reached the "unhealthy" last Thursday and Friday at the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's measuring station on Mission Street near McCall- Donnelly High School. Air quality for the rest of last week was considered unhealthy for those with medical conditions affected by pollution, according to the DEQ readings. The air quality levels had decreased to "moderate" by Monday due to cooler weather and winds. The severe pollution caused McCall - Donnelly High School to cancel its scheduled boys and girls soccer games on Saturday with Rocky Mountain High School, M -D Athletic Director Mike Kraemer said. During severe air - quality alerts, team sports participants with asthma must show their inhaler to their coaches before practicing, Kraemer said. Practices have been cut short or cancelled out of concern for students' well- being, he said. Some parents brought inhalers to health offices at the schools so their children could use them in case of breathing difficulties, M -D school nurse Lewann Ball said. At McCall- Donnelly High School, three students missed school last week due to the heavy smoke, attendance secretary Billie Walker said. All outside sports and practices were cancelled on Friday at Payette Lakes Middle School, but there was no marked decrease in attendance, Principal Susan Buescher said. Students Kept Inside At Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School, all students were kept inside on Friday due to the poor air quality, Principal Jim Foudy said. Students with breathing conditions were kept inside during other days when pollution was high, Foudy said. Physical education classes were adjusted to bring several classes into the Morgan school gym during one of the recess times in order to provide students with some physical activity, he said. At Donnelly Elementary School, about five students did not take part in outside physical education or recess due to medical conditions, and another 20 students opted to stay indoors, Principal Jake Olson said. School staffers have worked to communicate with students and parents about the warning signs of health problems associated with poor air quality, Olson said. The pollution led to adjustments in the ventilation systems at the district's schools, M -D Director of Operations Matt Moss said. The automated controls at the schools were adjusted to run longer flush cycles at night when the smoke typically died down, Moss said. We then shut it off early in the morning, or when the smoke settles in," he said. "It's been a balancing act." Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 9/27/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Teaching the Teachers Two M -D educators to be honored as mentors BY KYLA SAWYF,R for The Star -News When Sara Wolf got advice from Maggie Crawford on how to be a better teacher, she knew she could trust it. That is because Crawford is a teacher herself. Crawford and fellow teacher Sandy Mello will be honored tonight at the 2012 Celebration of Teaching — Mentors of the Year awards at Boise State University. The two will be among 18 Idaho teachers and counselors who will be given the award at Boise State's Stueckle Sky Center. Crawford is a second grade teacher at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School and has been teaching for 19 years. Mello a 24 -year teaching veteran is the eighth -grade mathematics teacher at Payette Lakes Middle School. Their respective school principals nominated them for the awards. "Teaching is a collaborative thing," Mello said "We find our niche in what we're good at. Everyone helps each other." "I think what I'm most proud of is that my last three student teachers are in the teaching field —two here in the district," Crawford said Poom ffi The Rr N. by Kr Sewn Barbm'a R. Alorgm Ele—tan-School teacher Magpe Crawford, suuiduq at WL and Payette Lakes diddle School teacher S.ndc Mello, standing at light offer advice to fellow teachers Sm,s Wolf, athug at left, and C: llie Nokm srttutg at night . r�-mriord and Wilo will be honored at the 2012 Celebration of Teachers - hlentors of the Yem everrt tonight at Boise State Umver sin Wolf, who now teaches third grade at the Morgan school says having a good mentor is an asset to educators. "In your first years of teaching it's really important to have some you can ask questions to," she said. "Maggie's a phenomenal teacher and mentor and her suggestions never feel judgmental." Callie Nokes, a first year Life Science & Art teacher at the middle school, echoed that sentiment about Mello. "Especially for new teachers like myself you have so many questions that aren't covered in your student teaching or entry days," Nokes said. The awards were praised by Barbara Morgan, a former McCall elementary school teacher and NASA astronaut for whom the elementary school is named. Morgan is currently a Distinguished Educator in Residence at BSU. By bringing mentors together, we highlight their quality teaching and counseling practices, mentoring skills and abilities to build positive relationships and provide encouragement," Morgan said. This is the second year of the Mentors of the Year program, a joint project of BSU, the Idaho Education Association, Meridian School District, Blaine County School District and the Idaho Department of Education. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 9/27/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M-D High School Class of 2012 students earn AP Scholar Awards Seven members of the Class of 2012 at McCall- Donnelly High School have earned Advanced Placement Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP exams. 2012 graduate Gerrit Egnew qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Katherine Ormiston and Kara Soucek qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. GONE BIKING mli."�7^ 6t' *-e Fdthgradeis at Donnelh, Elementay School were able to learn abmu mowtaw bilmig last week as vast of physical education classes Students and statf members rode thew takes atTamvack Resort west of Donuelk Four graduates and one current student qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are graduates Ruth Lewinski, Holly Moss, Levi Schoonover and Sarah Wright plus M -D senior Bennet Roper. Through 34 different college -level courses and exams, AP allows students to earn college credit or advanced placement and stand out in the college admission process. Most four -year colleges in the United States provide credit and /or advanced placement for qualifying exam scores. The exams are administered by The College Board, a not - for - profit organization based in New York City that also administers the SAT college testing program. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 9/27/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews 16ob 6r lbs Si -Nm by Mr[ M.eL ITIE ROYAL 7RE MENf - Birooke W lfe vid Nate Soukstetter cclebrate thm selection as the N16'all- Domellc High School Homecoamig king and queen Fndap not The selection was anuouuced at halftime of the l :audal football game .ga—t hha og held at R lu" Sab.-da,lthletc Couq)lez Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/4/2012 Star -News News Page—Announcements Page 1 of 1 M -D, McCall among 2012 Smart Growth Grow Smart winners The McCall - Donnelly School District and the city of McCall are among the 2012 recipients of the Smart Growth Grow Smart awards. An award ceremony is slated for Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Grove Hotel in Boise. Event sponsors are Idaho Power and Idaho Business Review. McCall - Donnelly High School was the recipient of the Green Remodeling Smart Growth and Green Building Award. "By renovating and expanding a former elementary/high school building, the high school remained downtown," the award citation said. "In addition, many materials from the former building were re -used in the renovation." The 2010 remodeling of Legacy Park on Payette Lake received the Midas Gold Inc. Small Community Award. "The project revitalized a city park, enhanced public access to Payette Lake, and added interpretive panels, street lighting, sidewalks, pathways and more, creating a downtown focal point," the award citation said. Idaho Smart Growth recognizes and promotes individuals, companies and communities in Idaho for embracing smart growth principles and putting them into action, a news release said. "People want walkable communities where you can bike or walk to work," said Rachel Winer, Idaho Smart Growth executive director. "If you go back to the 1950s and 1960s, neighborhoods were designed where you could walk to the grocery store or to school." http: / /www.meeallstarnews.eom/pages /announcements _page.php 10/4/2012 HUE AND CRS Photo by Matt Moehr /tor The Star -News colors on Friday as they rode in the M -D homecoming parade through downtown McCall. 77 he st ntswere cheering for the M -D football team, which played Marsing Friday night. See Sports/Schools on Page 18 for results of the game. Prep Sports Page The StarNews ee er oar awe NOW MIS [S SCHOOL LItNCH' - St uderrt at Dounelh' Elemeutatc School celebrated Oktoberfest last creek m a cm3eh- of wad', nwhtdutg this group that made pretzels :Adults Saucha Kraig and Dace C.met' give (nuts to students Tannin Qant, Ana km Kremer and Jack Cvec. The oc .astm Has a celebration of students' reading aaomphsLmeuts, o th future celebrations toctrsnig ou each of dw world's counueuts http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of 1 1� 10/1/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews TV' r The Rr Nm 0y Kyle3ewyer A CHILLS STROLL - BarharaR Morgan Elementary School thud -grnde teacher Sara Wolf, rVght, offers some relief fi om the chill dmmK lnternafiomd Walk to School Paclast week near the whool From left are N-lan 1 \ *orth, Sailor Sw Alyddemlorp. Terra l h lef :md:y>d Chmrh The ereut is mteuded to ruse mvarmess of the need to create safer rordes for -dkmg wd Inc.,Thr�q http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page -php Page 1 of 1 /j 10/1`3(2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 } . J M.. by T)I. V.- BRINGONTHE NOISE'- Lcocalprofessicual petrussiomst Jared Hallock helps thud -grade students make musk w0h sucks d"nug a recent ns�t From left —Amb t�rmblet, Sydney 1n asurth, Sivany Smth, Melissa Roouet, and McKenzie Penkutns. HWmk i cE make fom- more rests to the school as part of a grant from the McCall- Dounellr Education Fo»udauou to gude mdents on hoiv to eoEabmatn"eh- compose a prece The results will be parsntted ata pnformauce at 6 p. m Nov t at the school. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/13/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews T. by Crol Wngla FO OD DRICE 1 \INNERS - The Mc('all -0mmelly Booster Clubs fall .pmts food &—l' collected a total Of 62; items dmutg Homxoumtg Week The wimmxg teaw wee the Caudal football and Vandal prls.oc— team with a combmed 586 item.. Team members will jrcei— team }claque and pizza p,vV Pictmrd mr, front prom left, N"estou Appa mid Timmy Wi*t Rear, from left, Matt Heuggeler, Zach Lowem Collette Adams, Kmm Bmth audTy Bromv. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of 1 /i 10//2012 Star -News News Page Lead Story Page 1 of 1 Z I OZ /81/01 dgd•3i3-ed— s3ijots dj/ s3OLd /tuoa•smou.ivtsllcaaurnvAm / /:dnu 4.0 students to select M -D High School graduation speakers New policy will take effect with the Class of 2016 BY KENDEL MURRANT For The Star-News Graduation speakers at McCall - Donnelly High School would be chosen by the members of senior class with a grade -point average of 4.0 or higher under a proposed policy change. The proposal, reviewed on Monday by the M -D board of trustees, would take effect with the Class of 2016, or this year's freshmen. The changes have been part of a year -long process with comments from participants at community meetings and parents, M -D Director of Curriculum Ellen McKinney told trustees. "The board asked us to look at how graduation class speakers are chosen, find a better formula to determine class rank and look at ways to honor more student for academic excellence at graduation," McKinney said Formerly class rank was based on each student's grade -point average. Under the proposed policy, class rank would be determined on each students' weighted GPA times the number of graded courses a student takes. In conjunction with this, the new policy also would ensure students who retake a course they previously failed and improve their grade will not have the failing grade calculated as part of their grade - point average. "We didn't want a student who was willing to go back and do the work to be penalized," McKinney said. "We wanted to honor rigor and a full schedule of classes," McKinney said. School board trustees are expected to take a final vote on the new policy during their Nov. 12 meeting at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. Z t 'AON uo 6ulleaw jeinbai prou jlayl le aloA leug a jol saalsrul ajo ;aq o6 plm 6ollod ayl is {eads uogenpeA a se papala aq of alg16iia aq pinom anoge Jo Vd`J 0'b a gllm sluapnls Aluo sia�eads ssep ayl Palos 1pm ssep 6ullenpei6 anlue ayl leUl Builaaw 9 loo s8 le paploap I9Allelu9i saalsnil ;o pieog Pulslo lootloS Apauuop-IleOoIN aql 'anoge jo O p ;o a6eiane lulod -opei6 E paulelle pey oqm siagwaw ssep Fq papalas aq pinom sialeads leyl pies A1pajjoou1 tiols aql 9l,OZ ul 6ugiels sta4eads uol ;enpeiB IoogoS 461H kllauuop - peoOyy pales lllm otlm 6ulpae68.1 uollewJolu! PO.UODUI pau!eluoo >laam Ise[ smON-aelS 041 u! fuOls V N01103Mi100 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages/lead _page.php 10/11/2012 I Jo I 32ud sauots o2ud luog s,xaom sig1, Prep Sports Page The StarNews State Bound Againi Vandal girls win district soccer tourney, head to Twin Falls nut week BY KYLA SAWYER for The Stu -News Dominating the competition, the McCall - Donnelly girls soccer team won the 3A District III tournament, powering past Fruitland, 7 -1, at Weiser on Tuesday. The victory earned M -D another trip to the 3A state soccer tournament to defend the title they won last year. The tourney will be held Oct. 18 -20 at Twin Falls' Sunway Soccer Complex. The number one seeded Vandals shut out Weiser 5-0 on Saturday to advance to the championship game against the Grizzlies. It was a complete turnaround from last year's district tourney, where M -D lost to Weiser and had to battle back through the play -in bracket, coach Greg Pittenger said. "The team is ecstatic!," Pittenger said. "It's nice to be able to get the job done the first time around." es M5Znom", ,.. Members of the Vandal gins soceer team hoist the 3.1 District nl tropin' follm m g'DtesdWs ew ova Filudaud The Vandals enter the state tournament with a 15 -1 -1 overall record and a 13 -0-1 record in Snake River Valley Conference play. M -D 7, FRUITLAND 1 Lindsey Hall scored three goals as the Vandals easily out - played Fruitland at Weiser on Tuesday. M -D was up 5-0 at half time then added two goals before the Grizzlies lone score in the 63rd minute. Kylie Hoogendyk and Brooke Thomas each added a goal and two assists for the Vandals. Alyssa Tomevi and Kara Barth also had a goal apiece. Barth, Sarah Spry, Taylor Howell and Kelsey Breen each had an assist. Vandal goalkeeper Kathryn Egnew stopped seven of eight attempts to score. M -D had 23 shots on goal. M -D 5, WEISER 0 The Vandals were up at the half and added three more goals for a 5 -0 shut out victory over district tournament host Weiser on Saturday. "We felt this was a must -win game," Pittenger said. Thomas, Hall, Tomevi, Hoogendyk and Barth each contributed a goal for M -D. Breen, Hall and Collette Adams had an assist apiece. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews. com/pages /Prep_schools_page.php 10/11/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews WD's Singaman named state finalist for national award Donnelly Elementary School teacher Deidre Bingaman has been named a state finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The awards are the nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education, according to the award's mission statement. Bingaman was nominated for her student - driven studies of the water quality in Boulder Creek, which runs behind the Donnelly school. The nominations of Bingman and two other Idaho teachers will now be sent to a national committee, which will select the Idaho winner next spring. Recipients receive a certificate signed by the president of the United States, a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., to attend a series of recognition events, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation. ges /prep_schools_page.php Page 1 of 10/11/2012 This week's front page stories Nuggets Out, Silverware In: M -D schools make changes to student meals BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -Nrns It wasn't the usual chicken nuggets, but Donnelly Elementary School second grader Jonah Hunt gave the homemade chicken Alfredo and fruit cup a rave review. "Well, I think it's really good and I like the peaches too, Hunt said. New menu items plus real silverware and milk dispensers instead of plastic bottles are among the changes found in McCall- Donnelly School District lunchrooms this year. Many of the menu changes are in response to new federal requirements, M -D School District Lunch Supervisor Lisa Howes said. `Making more food from scratch has been a way for us to make sure the kids are getting enough to eat," Howes said. nomrelh- Elementm,- School fastgradets t,hlar Nfi.- halland tL .. d', AVAe tiT oirt the sclwol "s There is a now a maximum meat and protein alternative nea' milk chspemer requirement. That meant each student could only have three chicken nuggets, so they were dropped from the menu. The push is aimed at getting students to eat healthier, with more fruits and vegetable. One of the other victims of the change is chocolate milk, which is no longer offered. No More Bottles Dispensers now offer fat -free or one - percent milk to supply the 25 gallons of milk distributed each school day. Plastic silverware has been replaced with real forks and spoons. Early next year, recycling bins will be in place as well as bins for composting leftover food scraps. "Lot of the changes came from recommendations from the school district's Green Committee, wanting to save the landfill and not fill it up (with plastic)," Howes said. Although it costs the district less to use milk dispensers, the changes are causing a need for more lunch staff positions. "The washing of the cups and silverware all takes time," Howes said. "We also are pre - packing grab - and-go lunches at the high school and we've seen that becoming more popular." The changes were also part of a conscious decision to be good stewards of the community and environment, M -D School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "We expect to pay more in labor to wash the dishes but save on purchasing utensils and cups for every meal," Szymoniak said. "Some of the savings will come from less trash removed from the schools." The district is also striving to buy as much of its food from local or regional suppliers, Howes said. Among the other additions have been a new stove top and cooking oven added to Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. "Before, school cooks had to use a microwave to make the gravy for biscuits and gravy and it was horrible," Howes said. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 10/18/2012 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 GED testing offered by M -D schools helps with job- hunting "It's a great service that can make a huge difference in someone's life. "— Andrew Cochrane BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Tom Cope has a lot to smile about these days. The 25- year -old McCall native is about to start classes at the College of Western Idaho and already has a job lined up at an event center in Boise_ It a promising future thanks to the high - school equivalency certificate Cope earned earlier this year through the McCall- Donnelly School District. RN, a The General Educational Development classes, also .,.rs ,4 known as GED, have been available to the community ! *�� through M -D school for the past eight years. 1!Z A new six -week session will ! begin in January, instructor . Andrew Cochrane said. kAL A.m h Kyl.$ n "We've had a variety of people take the classes, some The fuft r a bnghtforTom Cope, shmmher want to o to college or et into the military," said. aortagestFoggla@e CateurMWill, folloavigthe 9 9 9 ry," romplehou of 1 rs GED certncrahun "Others are hoping to get promoted at their current job and find they need a GED to do so," he said. Cope's parents wanted him to finish high school, but he ended up dropping out when he was 16 "I did drywall for two years and worked on the oil rigs down in Texas when I turned 18," he said. His plan was to join the U.S. Army, but was turned away by the requirement of a high school diploma to join the military. "But since then life's taken me in a different direction," Cope said The GED tests are based on reading, writing, math, science and social studies. A person who passes all five tests is certified as having the equivalent of high school level academic skills. "It's a great service we provide to the community that can make a huge difference in someone's life," Cochrane said. GED classes are offered at no cost. The school district supplies the materials and covers the $20 per test fees as long as the candidate doesn't miss more than seven days over the six weeks of classes, Cochrane said. The classes are offered to anyone age 16 or older in the D.A. MacNichol Building located next to McCall - Donnelly High School. "Frankly without it you just don't really have much," Cope said. "You don't have your high school diploma and it just seems like you're barely getting by. I've been able to get a better line on jobs with a GED." For more information on GED classes, call 634 -2218. http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /fp_stories _page.php 10/25/2012 This week's front page stories Two Timers: Vandal girls soccer team wins second straight 3A state title "We had the hest team fitness, work ethic and camaraderie. They deserved this. " —Greg Pittenger BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News The McCall- Donnelly girls soccer team has brought home the 3A state championship trophy for the second year in a row The Vandals won three games at the state tournament in Twin Falls last weekend, capping a season of 18 wins, 1 } loss and 1 tie. The championship was sealed with a 2 -1 victory over 3A District IV Champions Community School on Saturday. Both goals were scored by Vandal Taylor Howell. "It was just one of those things where I was in the right place at the right time," Howell said. The junior forward scored in the 28th minute assisted by Taylor Garber for a 1 -0 lead at halftime. The team from Community School, located in Sun Valley, scored early in the second half to tie the game 1 -1. Then in the 48th minute, senior Lindsey Hall took a shot that ricocheted off the goal post. Teammate Alyssa Tomevi got control of the ball and sent it over to the side to Howell, who buried the ball into the right corner of the net. Pbom by Belly Thomu Alembets d the Vand is girls soccer te:wr celebrates thew repeat as 3A state champions m S at -dal". Ti Falls. The Vandals had beaten 3A District V Champions American Falls 4 -1 last Thursday and went on to defeat 3A District VI title - holder Shelley, 2 -0, in the semi - finals on Friday to advance to the championship game held at Sunway Soccer Complex, "The first year we won it was kind of a surprise," senior forward Lindsey Hall said. "This year there was a lot of pressure so it was a relief of expectations when we won." Team members started working out in the school gym last January, and many of them played spring soccer and practiced all summer, M -D coach Greg Pittenger said. "We had the best team fitness, work ethic and camaraderie," Pittenger said. "They deserved this.' "We had a really good season and everyone was just so excited when we knew we had won," Vandal Taylor Garber said. Sprinkling Grass Team members partly credit their victory to an unusual routine - sprinkling grass from the Vandals practice field in McCall on game fields elsewhere. "It all started when Kylie Hoogendyk and Alyssa Tomevi got a bunch of grass from our practice field stuck in their cleats they wore and we ended up winning that game," Hall said. This year Hoogendyk's father, Ron, built a special box for the team to carry their home -field advantage. "It's a tradition that we hope to continue," Garber said. "The rule is you can't just walk and around and drop grass, you have to frolic and dance while you do it." See Page 11 for game reports from the 3A state soccer tournament. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /fp_stories _page.php 10/25/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Vandal girls top seasoned Community School to secure repeat of 3A state title BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News For the second year in a row, the McCall- Donnelly girls soccer team claimed the 3A State Championship Title with a 2 -1 victory over 3A District IV Champions Community School at Twin Falls on Saturday. 'Everyone brought their'A' game," M -D coach Greg Pittenger said. "It was really quite something!" The Vandals got on the scoreboard first with a goal from Taylor Howell assisted by Taylor Garber in the 28th minute, and M -D led 1 -0 at halftime. This was Community School's 12th consecutive time at state so they came out really on fire," M -D coach Greg Pittenger, The Community School's leading scorer, Hannah Dies, tied the game 1 -1 with a goal scored in the 41st minute. The Vandals' Lindsey Hall attempted to score but the shot went off the goal post and was collected by teammate Alyssa Tomevi. F , " Alyssa found Taylor Howelloff to the side and Taylor just buried it," Pittenger said. ,bmbye",y nom V.W(lal _Uumi(b Batchelor battles ha- the ball Both teams fought hard on both sides of the field until time <huuig last Fndi. sstatetc nv eutg, ueag. , st ran out and seated M -D's 2 -1 victory. shellev MCCALL - DONNELLY 2, SHELLEY 0 The Vandals shut out 3A District VI Champions Shelley, 2 -0, in Friday's semifinal game. "The field was extremely hard and fast," Pittenger said. "This was also a very physical game for us." M -D's Amanda Batchelor took a comer kick off her head and Tomevi was there to put the ball in the net for the Vandals in the 11th minute. Collette Adams scored, assisted by Lindsey Hall, in the 38th minute and the Vandals held on to a 2 -0 lead all the way through until the final whistle to advance to the championship game. "Shelley had a different system of play and our team really adapted well to earn this win," Pittenger said. MCCALL- DONNELLY 4, AMERICAN FALLS 1 Hall and Brooke Thomas each scored two goals apiece to lift the Vandals 4 -1 over 3A District V Champs American Falls in the quarterfinals round on Thursday. Hall scored, assisted by Thomas, in the third minute. Then Thomas scored, assisted by Hall, in the 21 st minute. Hall stole the ball and scored unassisted in the 27th minute to give M -D a 3-0 lead at halftime. "We were able to shut down American Falls' number one player," Pittenger said. Thomas added her second goal of the game, assisted by Hall, in the 50th minute. American Falls put a lone shot in the net off a penalty kick in the 80th minute with just seconds left in regulation time. Page I of I http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/25/2012 Events and Arts The StarNews A...l .A..Nen M Me YOarc A HIt41ER VOICE - Harlem Ambassador Nick Simpson gives Mouutam faller N ;vim- bhke Kraemer a wedgie during a basketball game on Saturday afternoon at McCall- ItotmelIN High School. Kraemer, who is Ai -U-s athletic dawtor, and other local ballers took on the touring group to the delight of those attending. Proceeds went to the McCall Optinusts Club. Page 1 of I http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/events—arts_page.php 11/1/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews .aN - -%LANc'HE FINISH SEASON - Memben of the ldcl ill Avalauche bobs soccff team and their coach, %VA.Nrte Ruemmele, pose for a photo titter ting comple t1uv- season m the twMtlOmal league f(W ages a to 14 Standing, from left, me Rwuuuele, Shwe V-1, Bretmer Rrgh, Estebmi :1y l.m (luis Smdord, Couum S- d[, ll- H.wultou and Jews Huamw. Kneeling, from left m Dotmtuc Ruemmele, Will Nau and Domunc Kemie(t- Coahesue Ta)l r Poukstettm mud Cametnn Lewis. Not pichnvd uv Awtin Showell, Noab Bmdhecker mid Wet W--r Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/1/2012 Prep Sports Page The JA` ^PoO�o b� Md &tlmirt ' CI'S CAN I R CONTROL — A(�+ :dl Fu'e fi EA1S luefU[er AUcUael Gwve�- suyenzses Sara \\ "off cUa'wK au ewageurc nvwug �� °u far Akc Dowselh-ScUooI lUsUxt staffers Satwdac 1Ue a as ZhId by Su,y ,iA� �t l2eu SZnnm k ta' statfeis h'ow all AI -D schools http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep schools� _age.php 11/8/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 1 TZ G- IUSIt-IRY IN PERSON - Fourth gtaders fiom B.arbw•aR Morgau Elementary- School got personal feel for thee Idaho HW st ches last week doing a iwt to the lustanc Rosebern' town9te east of Douuellt Mmv of flr students std guest teacher' Be%-"- Coclaaue ware tradtuonal dress, and the sludmts took pat m old- fashioned games mdleaned soup that would h., -e beeu sung be Students of past erns In photo. Cutue HettrE and Danny Cochmne take put m potato sack races idde Suawme Gebluu'da looks m http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/8/2012 This week's front page stories Page I of I M -D school board ponders effect of repeal of education laws BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News No actions of the McCall - Donnelly School District Board of Trustees were affectged by the outcome of last week's election on education reform laws, trustees said Monday night. The defeat of Propositions 1, 2 and 3 on Nov. 6 repealed laws passed by the Idaho Legislature in 2011 and partially implemented by the state and M -D. One of those actions was a new contract with the M -D teachers union, the McCall- Donnelly Education Association. "The district has a contract negotiated in good faith under the law and will stick with it until its time to renegotiate," board chair Kathy Deinhardt -Hill said. "Our understanding is the election outcome repealed the law, not the actions of the board," Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. The defeat of Proposition 1 repeals the law that relates to teachers' collective bargaining agreements. The law ended tenure and removed issues like work load and class size from contract negotiations. The failure of Proposition 2 repealed bonuses for performance for teachers based on test scores. Bonuses for this year will still be paid. "All of our schools tested in the top percentiles so the teachers are all going to get the maximum amount allowed by the state," Szymoniak said. The voting down of Proposition 3 repealed a law that required all high school students to take two online classes to graduate. Students and their teachers would have been given laptop computers or tablets. "We already encourage integrating technology into the classroom," Szymoniak said. "Hopefully the state will find a way to do this." http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 11/15/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M•D athletic director wants two more buses for team trips BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News A proposal to purchase two additional 14- passenger school buses for transporting athletic teams was proposed to the McCall- Donnelly School District Board of Trustees Monday by M -D Athletic Director Mike Kraemer. The district already has two white mini -buses that are used primarily for transporting teams to athletic events, as well as field trips and other school activities, Kraemer said. "Both current buses are approaching 100,000 miles; Kraemer told trustees. New buses cost $45,000 to $55,000 but could end up saving money for the school district, he said. When the district uses the smaller buses it eliminates the need to hire a driver because they legally can be driven by a teacher or coach, Kraemer said. Plus the vehicles have much better gas mileage, he said. "We could save approximately $2 per mile per trip using the white buses versus using a bus company for transportation for these types of events,' Kraemer said. "Before we were using volunteer drivers for field trips and if anything went wrong it could be considered negligible," M -D School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. `It's just not a winnable situation to put kids in private cars for field trips," Szymoniak said. The smaller buses already owned by the district are currently stationed at McCall - Donnelly High School. With the addition of two more buses, one could be stationed at Donnelly Elementary School and another at Barbara R. Morgan and Payette Lakes Middle School, Kraemer said. Board members asked Kraemer to return with more exact numbers for cost of insurance, maintenance and tires to compare cost savings. http : / /www.mccallstamews.com/pages /prep schools page.php 11/15/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 sur s,n. s. -x�.cr rri.s.nQ ANMHER ('11,41PIONSHIP - McCalldtomlelk School ihstnetni stee P.ahe Souc& left, bonois M -n cosh' guts soccer lend coach (keg Nttaiger. pL"— '-}'lie Hoogej -jk and Tm-lor Gvfie and assstaut conch Forest Stainer for tle eaudals 3.a state chaminonslip as well as the state aradeiuc champiouship dcuug Aloidac s board met" at Barbara R hlotgm Elementary School Mus s the second Nvar ma row the l ;m" girls caush- soccer team lure wet both awards Mm tvat °s team GPA N:aS 3'44 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/15/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews New Vandals boys coach confident in search for offense BY KYLA SAWYER fm The Star -News First year McCall - Donnelly toys basketball coach Jason Tinney is optimistic the Vandals will be competitive in the challenging 2A Western Idaho Conference this season. The Vandals will get their first test at the reigns of Tinney at the Parma Jamboree on Tuesday. After losing 70 percent of the team's offense with graduating seniors Clint Thomas and Micah Liston, M -D will have its work cut out for them on offense, Tinney said. r "We may be searching a little bit but we definitely have — -- enough talent to compete," Tinney said. am. fittLe 4r NewlyYO YOb Tinney previous was the head boys varsity basketball ntatt tie, Ide•a� dAhe head coach Siau�ger a�htte l "audal head coed[ Jasoa TYuaec coach for six years at Deary and a year at Potlatch. He and Iooka ou diam% practice thisweekm McCall his family recently relocated to the McCall area. Last year M -D finished with an overall Winning record of 13.9 and were 7 -8 in the WIC. This year M -D looks to field both a junior varsity and varsity team with about 18 players. Two key returning varsity players and seniors are six -foot point guard Matt Henggeler and interior post player Jeremy Meuser at 6- foot -7. "Matt is the glue of this team and Jeremy is just a tremendous athlete," Tinney said. Rounding out the varsity lineup will be senior forward Bailey Goodwin (6 -2), junior guard Bryson Powers (5 -10), forward Jeff Bomer (6-3) and sophomore forward Billie Shipley (6-3). 'I'm a defense- minded, fundamentals coach. We're going to dig in at the defensive end," Tinney said. )ols _page.php Page 1 of 1 11/15/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews New coach, returning seniors give Mountaineer girls a boost BY hI.,kTT MOEHR for The Star "Nen s The Meadows Valley High School girls basketball team hopes to improve on last years 8 -13 overall record with the help of a new head coach and a determined senior class. The Mountaineers will open their 2012 -13 season on Saturday against McCall - Donnelly in McCall. Junior varsity play will begin at 6 p.m. while varsity is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Tashia Ingle will make her head coaching debut this year with help from her husband, Aaron, as assistant coach. The couple moved to New Meadows this fall from Kuna where Tashia was a student teacher at Boise High School. Ingle expects to overcome taller teams by using speed and quickness to their advantage while implementing a run -and- gun offense. On defense, she hopes to out pressure on the ball with a man-on-man scheme or a full court press. hlO axt„ - bask`abslipra` eetlw,, -k.N�� 1leadms Ingle wants to see her team give 100 percent throughout the season and have fun while improving. Currently the Mountaineers have 13 players on the roster which should be enough for both a junior varsity and varsity team if they can avoid 'injuries and have a few girls play on both teams. Four seniors, Sarah Price, Becca Baird, Saige McDonald and Bayfee Moore, will bring experience and leadership to the Mountaineer roster. Baird believes the team's biggest obstacle will be to keep everyone motivated to play their best during the long three month season but doesn't see any weakness that can't be overcome as a team. "We want a banner on the gym wail so we can come back for years to come and say we did that," Moore said m/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 11/15/2012 This week's front page stories Area teachers to receive $508,000 in bonuses Money was under payfor performance' plan repealed Nov. 6 BY TOM GROTE The Star -News Bonuses totaling $508,000 will be divided among 128 area teachers under the state's Pay for Performance Plan_ This will be the only year the bonuses will be paid, as the program was repealed when Proposition 2 was defeated by voters in the Nov. 6 general election. Teachers will see the following amounts in their paychecks soon: • McCall - Donnelly School District: 82 teachers will share $336,000. Each full -time teacher will receive a bonus of $3,587. • Cascade School District: 25 teachers will share $95,000, with each teacher paid between $2,880 and $3,292. • Meadows Valley School District: 21 teachers will share $77,000, with each teacher paid between $2,071 and $4,1. Payments from the state were based on spring 2012 student test scores and high school graduation rate. The Idaho Legislature passed the pay for performance plan in 2011 as a way to reward teachers for student achievement, growth, and excellence. However, opponents of the plan gathered petitions to place the issue and two other education reform bills passed by the 2011 legislature on the Nov. 6 ballot. All three were soundly defeated, with Proposition 2 defeated with a 58 percent "no" vote. Proponents of Proposition 2 lauded its formula of paying teachers based on performance rather than only on years of experience and continuing education. Opponents of Proposition 2 did not like the fact the bonuses were based on a single test score. The system was criticized as a "one -size- fits -all plan" that would discourage the best teachers from working in the schools that need them most. Page I of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 11/21/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M -D students head to Carnegie Hall to perform in honors choir BI" KENDEL htURKkNT For The Star-Ne Lilly Moyer and Mikalah Travis, two McCall- Donnelly High School sophomores, have been chosen from among a nationwide pool of teen vocalists to sing at Carnegie Hall in New York City in February. Moyer and Travis, both 15, sang in Idaho's state honor choir last spring, which made them eligible to apply for the American High School Honors Performance Series This year, the national program picked 270 student vocalists to sing and perform for nearly a week under the direction of world- renowned conductors. M -D music teacher and choir director Graham Pinard said both girls have excellent voices and deserve the chance to perform. 'They both have talents that certainly benefit our choir and our school, and it's great for them to be able to extend that into these other avenues that will be life changing for them, Pinard said. p6om vd, IdikalMAYniu, leftaud Ldh- hfoNw head to suLgm cmuege Hall Although Moyer and Travis have a lot in common, they have different paths as to how they discovered and pursued their love of singing and music. Travis starting performing in second grade, mostly in church plays and musicals. Although she's never taken voice lessons, Travis decided to try singing in her school's junior high choir. "I enjoy performing," she said. "Being able to sing and feel like you've done a good job, and to get that huge applause, it feels good." Travis said she is most looking forward to singing in a professional environment. 'I really want to see what it's like to sing with a bunch of people who care a lot about it and realty want to try (their best)," she said. "I think it'll make A a more enjoyable and fun learning process." Moyer's first vocal performance was at the Alpine Playhouse when she was just 3 years old, and it's been full steam ahead ever since. She has acted and sang with Missoula Children's Theater several times, the first time when she was just 5. When she was 10. Moyer won a statewide singing competition for the ages 10 -16. She continues to act and sing through school and community projects, most recently playing The Cat in the children's musical "Honk! Jr." 'I know most people get nervous before they perform, but I never have," Moyer said. "I just have a lot of fun." The news about making d into the honors series came in the middle of a devastating time. Moyer's home near Council burned last month and all of the family's possessions were lost. During that time, Moyer was also performing in "Honk! Jr.,' which she said was a helpful way to shift her thoughts. "I was really upset before I went on stage, but I put myself into a different place, thinking like (my character)," Moyer said. "When 1 sing, its like a big bubble goes around me and everything else is blocked out." Both girls need to pay $1,599 plus the cost of air fare to participate in the program. Travis, who works as a barista at The Yellow Mug Coffee Shop in McCall, is contributing her own money as well as selling locally roasted Blue Pony coffee beans. She is also recording a Christmas CD, "Wonderland,' with a suggested donation of $10 to help fund her trip. To order a CD, e-mail jessicahtravis1 @gmail.com. Travis also has a Facebook page, "Katie Goes to Carnegie Hall," with more information Moyer asked that donations for her trip be mailed to P.O. Box 19, New Meadows, ID 83654. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/21/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews On Campus M-D band, choir members picked for Treasure Valley honors Twenty -two members from the McCall Donnelly High School Band and Choir were selected to participate in the 2012 Treasure Valley Honor Band and Choir. Students audition for a panel of judges and were selected Ph"ro 690�.Ew FtivN mNlerabns.f thr rtc(':dl- Ctouuell�' HO School Baud and Chou' who Here s Ierted to pnttapate m the _ots Measmr l:aIlec Honor Buid and ("har were, hunt left. Jacoby Ga)ittw, Kara Butte, 7.,,h LMen Chore Le ,iimin, Alallas Heitst, Seth I.aven, 4messa Beckhvu, Rebekab Betmett, Nlikalah 7}atvs, (:deb Birkntbme, Ltesel Holland, Heather Crawford, Tatum Nelson Seam Straw, Sat at Sp»-, kaLille Mt f, Scdnec Radcliffe, Katiuyu Rtches, nvrwt Nay. Ale - attder Callw and (tbtva sm"t, based on their ability to perform the required music. The M -D students played alongside other students from Idaho's District III, and Oregon's District IX. Students participated in three Monday night rehearsals at Middleton the High School and then spent two days working with a guest clinician. The event was established about 60 years ago to give small school musicians an opportunity to perform in a large group setting. "This is a great opportunity for our students to play and sing with other students in the area," M -D Music Director Graham Pinard said. "Not only are we able to perform a diverse selection of music, but we also get the chance to perform in one of Idaho's top performance venues," Pinard said. The M -D musicians will perform during a Christmas Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at the high school gym. Admission is free. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mecallstarnews.com /pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/21/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Vandal football, volleyball players earn honors Twelve members of the McCall - Donnelly High School football team earned 2A District Conference awards. Senior Zach Lowen was selected first team linebacker and first team running back. Teammate and senior Matthew Henggeler Seniors Jeremy Meuser and Ty Brown both were awarded first team defensive linemen. Meuser was also selected second team wide out. Senior Cesar Montes was also selected for first team kicker. Teammate and senior Matthew Henggeler was awarded second team defensive back. Seniors Warren Draper, Graham Briley and Brown were selected second team offensive linemen. Vandals seniors Jesse McGinnis, Tim Wright and Weston Appa along with junior Elijah Lowen and sophomore Hunter Onthank received Honorable Mention M -D VOLLEYBALL Two members of the M -D volleyball team earned 2A All Conference selections. Lauren Wagner was the lone Vandal netter selected for the Senior All Star Volleyball team. Rebekah Bennett, a junior, received Honorable Mention award for the All Conference selections. h"://www.mccalistarnews.com/pages/Prep_schools_page.php Page 1 of 1 11/21/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M -D's Kara Barth to run track and field for Carroll College "She's a hard worker and she's going to fit in really well with this team. "— Harry Clark BY JESSE ZENTZ for The Star-News McCall- Donnelly High School senior Kara Barth has committed to compete in track and field for Carroll College in Helena, Mont. "I really like the small schools, because I come from a small school, and everyone was so welcoming here, I couldn't say no," said Barth, who decided Carroll would be her college of destination midway through summer. "I had a really good experience meeting the team, too, when I came on my first visit," she said. "And Helena's like a big McCall, so that's a bonus." Both head coach Matt Morris and assistant Harry Clark, who coaches sprints, said Barth will be a big asset for the Saints. "She really loves track and that's important for a guy like me, a track guy," said Clark, who left his assistant coaching position at the University of Montana to join the Saints this summer. "She really wants to do well and she's going to do whatever you tell her to do to get better, so she's coachable," he said. "Plus, she's fast. She's a hard worker and she's going to fit in really well with this team." Morris is equally excited to bring Barth into the fold when she arrives on campus next fall. "Athletes like her are really the whole basis of the construction of a track and field program, because 400 -meter runners can run anything from the 4x100 to the 4x800," he said. "You really can't have too many 400 runners." As a junior, Barth missed the 2012 Idaho high school state meet because of a hamstring injury, but as a sophomore in 2011 she claimed the state's Class 2A crown in a personal best of 57.24 seconds. She was third in the 3A classification as a freshman in 61.06. 2011 State Winner Barth's winning time in 2011 was the second- fastest time at the Idaho state meet, regardless of classification, only behind 4A winner Ali Eisenbeiss who is a sophomore at the Pac -12's University of Utah. Before falling victim to an injury at her district meet last spring, Barth had posted a season best of 57.53 in the 400 and a lifetime best of 26.44 in the 200. In the 400, she finished the 2011 season ranked second in Idaho and capped the 2012 season ranked fourth. Her personal best would have been the fourth- fastest time in Montana last spring. Barth also ran a leg for McCall's state championship 4x400 relay team in 2010 and 2011. In her final high school season, she said she's aiming for another state championship in the open 400 and hopes to achieve the overall state record of 55.98 set in 2000 by Nampa Christian's Danielle Pridgen. S. Barth was also a standout soccer player at forward for her high school and helped McCall claim state titles at the 3A level in 2011 and 2012. Barth is unsure what she'll pursue academically, but she's excited to further her education in the classroom and on the track. "I just want to run and I want to run here, so this is really exciting," the youngest of three siblings said. (Jesse Zentz is a reporter for the Independent Record in Helena, Mont., which granted permission to reprint this story.) http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/29/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Owrs seamhL r"meads SHRINERS -ALT. STARS - C•lci ,tR- Douuellc thgh School football placers Man Henggeler, left, and Ztch Lowen were selected to the _oL Shnuets:lll- Star Football Team. The two competed- the East - West Slume last Friday at Rocks- hlomtvu iligh School to Meridian. Hniggeler placed deteusice back for the East team while Laveu was a itummg back for the East team The Kest team wou the game, 35-15 Places nouuuated be coaches and represented schools wall school &Nmous m the state. R-oceeds from the game benefit Idaho clildreu'stranspottanou and care at the Shuues Hospitals for CUldreu http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/29/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 • It �1 I i ahem ty i�awe�a HIGH CLIMBERS - Fifth graders from the phpscal edtranou class at Pounellr Elementvt- School I e th experienced the sport of rock climbing and bouldervig at Cascade Mountain Sports and (7uubutg G}vt m Cascade Shoav raring to the top at the wall are, from left. Bella Lopez teacher 1leinb-e Bmgamm niratc Serber. arid-Abby lhifhth http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page -php 11/29/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D's Rebekah Bennett selected for NW All- State Choir BY KENDEL MURRANT For The Star-News Rebekah Bennett of McCall will represent her school and her state when she sings with the 2013 Northwest Division All State Choir in Portland in February. Bennett, a 16- year -old junior at McCall- Donnelly High School, has been singing for most of her life and enjoys participating in choir. "It brings me a sense of peace," said Bennett, who also plays the saxophone. Last spring, Bennett was chosen along with four other M -D students to sing in the state's honor choir in Coeur d'Alene. Rebelml� ilem" n From that elite pool, Bennett was selected, based on an audition tape, to sing at the Portland event with other top vocalists from Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming and Alaska. Only about 20 percent of honor choir students from Idaho making the cut, Bennett said. It's a bar she didn't expect to surpass. `There was such a slim chance, I was honestly so surprised," she said. M -D music teacher Graham Pinard, who has been Bennett's teacher since she was in sixth grade, was excited for his student. "I am excited for the opportunity she has to grow and perform musically and I am confident that she will represent herself, school, and community to the highest standard," Pinard said. http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/Prep—schools_page.php 12/6/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D fair spotlights science, math projects Science and math enthusiasts viewed 19 entries in last Friday's science and math fair held at McCall- Donnelly High School. Entries in the fair, hosted by the M -D Science Club, ` xw K included presentations on Fibonacci and Einstein, green t��s`�'• ry . a`' e �LQ`�Lw iguanas, sea turtles, the Mayan number system and the history ► of mathematicians and mathematics. �- yvg�► rt Other enties included the effect of the loss of the sense of smell on the sense of taste, the biggest genome, McCall Payton Nfo—y, left• m d Dakot, Hitgl —topbc water and wastewater facilities, making omemade markers g the table of a_vhth grader Bndgff Pttn— at l:mi and the evolution of numbers. Fndac s path and mm- M -P thgh School thttmer mceshgated the ptaess of making cogent Posters, models, and hands -on activities were displayed vatpmndedtasw*samples where students and adults explained their research to others. Presenters included students from kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as professional scientists from the community. The next fair is scheduled for April 12, 2013, and all ages are invited to participate. For more information, visit ..,v.mdsd.org and navigate to the high school, then clubs, science club, and science fair. More information may also be found by contacting the M -D Science Club president Kaytlyn Marcotte at MarcotteK @mdsd.org, or advisor Andrew Cochrane at acochrane @mdsd.org. http: / /www.mccallstarnews.com /pages /prep_schools _page.php 12/6/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M -D schools launch standardized recycling program Color -coded bins helps students sort their trash BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Members of McCall- Donnelly High School's Environmental Science class belted out a catchy tune about recycling to students at Payette Lakes Middle School last week. The song, written and composed by M -D junior Asa Cope, was performed at the school to introduce a new standardized recycling program. The previous week, the students traveled to Donnelly Elementary School and Barbara R. Morgan Elementary to sing and make presentations as well. "The song helps us remember where each type of recyclable goes in what color -coded bin and it makes people think about recycling," Cope said. "Every school to some degree has been recycling," McCall- Donnelly School District Director of Operations Matt Moss said. "But there hasn't really been any consistent program and that's what we're now trying to accomplish." AI-D Emvo m tal Scieuce class.embus, from left. Asa Cope, L-- Hammond and Ray-Speucer ang a sogg composed by Cope to enc .ag, sttulents at Payette Lakes bfiddle School to rw new re y hikg bms properly The bins are color -coded so that students of all ages can easily identify their use. Gray is trash that cannot be recycled. Blue is all paper, black is for aluminum and green is for plastic, M -D School District Lead Custodian Arlen Gilmore said. "It teaches our young kids from the beginning through the end of their school time here exactly what needs to be done and where items go as far as recycling here goes," Gilmore said. Bins Will Be Recycled The district invested about $5,000 so far to purchase the recycling bins, labels and plastic inserts that will also be recycled to get the program underway, Moss said. The monies came from existing funds that had been set aside for the program, Moss said. "When I first started here at we were hauling at least three 40 to 50 gallon trash bags from the top floor of Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School alone," Gilmore said. "When they started recycling that went down to one." At McCall- Donnelly High School alone, custodians hauled away 200 pounds of recyclables in one week and taken to the McCall recycling center, Gilmore said. The materials are taken to the McCall recycle center and placed into the appropriate bins. Each school will be measuring the amount of trash reduction and will ultimately report their results to the M -D School District Board of Trustees. The board approved the Green Policy in 2011 which emphasizes sustainable practices such as the recycling program. "It was one of the first projects the Green Committee wanted to take on," Moss said. The district modeled the program after one similar to a recycling program that has been successful at Council schools. The district has also worked with Lake Shore Disposal on the program. "Although we aren't making money on the recyclables, the cost savings should be realized in reducing use as well as downsizing or removing dumpsters," Moss said. The district now spends $35,000 to $40,000 per year with Lake Shore Disposal, he said. "My hope is for us to get rid of a few dumpsters, save the district some money as well as teaching our kids to have a low impact on the environment," Moss said Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page.php 12/13/2012 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Erekson named to WD board of trustees Laurie Erekson was sworn in Monday night as the newest member of the McCall- Donnelly School District Board of Trustees. Erekson replaces former trustee Neal Thompson, who resigned. She joins Chair Kathy Deinhardt Hill and trustees Pattie Soucek, Mary Hart and Jon Walker on the board. Erekson was hired by the school district in 1998 as principal of Payette Lakes Middle School. In 2001, she was appointed the district's curriculum administrator and given the G u,r additional title as Heartland High School principal. Erekson From 2002 to 2005, Erekson's position was expanded to instructional development, creating a teacher evaluation system and supervising the aligning of district curriculum to state standards She has been a member of the McCall - Donnelly Education Foundation since 2007 and serves as a board member of The Shepherd's Home, the group home in McCall for neglected and abused children. "I am committed to supporting, fostering and improving public education," Erekson said in response to written questions from the district. "As a former teacher, administrator and parent in the McCall- Donnelly School District, I understand the many variables and challenges facing our education system today," she said. Erekson said she has achieved a reputation for fairness, ethics, and the ability to seek positive solutions, which wilt make her an asset to the board. The challenge to public schools is to ensure students are well prepared for the 21st century, she said in response to a question. "How do districts hold students, teachers and administrators accountable to measured goals while utilizing a system that encourages growth and recognizes success? she said. "I would like to be part of the team creating the solutions to achieving this balance." hftp: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 12/13/2012 Star -News News Page—Lead Story Pagel of 2 M -D High School to lock doors in wake of Conn. shootings Only front door near office will be open all day "Ifyou ... hear what sounds like gun shots, HIT THE DECK. " —M -D Emergency Training Manual BY TOM GROTE The Star -News Doors at McCall - Donnelly High School will be looked during the day in the wake of the mass school shooting in Newtown, Conn., McCall - Donnelly School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said this week. School administrators met on Monday and decided to end the practice of keeping all doors at the high school open during the school day, Szymoniak said. The doors to the school commons and doors where students are dropped off by school buses will be kept open until the start of classes, after which they will be locked, he said. The only doors that will be kept open during the day are the front doors to the school which can been seen from the school office, Szymoniak said. School officials at the M -D, Cascade and Meadows Valley schools joined school districts across the nation in reviewing security procedures following last Friday's shooting in Newtown that left 20 first - graders and six staffers dead. MV Access Limited The MV school building in New Meadows already keeps all doors locked except the front door, and all visitors must check in with the school office, MV Superintendent Mike Howard said. Howard sent a memo to staffers on Sunday asking for suggestion as he reviews the school's emergency plan. He said the school counselor, Scott Nelson, was available to talk to any students who were in distress Limiting entry to the front door has worked well, and there have been no incidents in recent memory of an unwanted person in the building, Howard said. The Cascade school building also limits entry to a single door on the side of the building where the junior high school and high school are located, Superintendent Vic Koshuta said. The school's safety plan will be reviewed to be sure all staffers and comfortable with the procedures in place, Koshuta said. M -D High School was the only M -D school that had open access, Szymoniak said. Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School, Payette Lakes Middle School and Donnelly Elementary School all limit access to the front door, he said. The open access at the high school was for the convenience of the school buses as well as for teachers and students who parked around the building, Szymoniak said. Now, students will be asked to park near the front entrance and teachers will need to use their keys to enter other doors, he said. Emergency Training All M -D staffers are required to undergo training in emergency drills developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Szymoniak said. Staffers also receive training using a specialized emergency manual developed by Szymoniak when he was a school superintendent in Alaska 15 years ago. The manual details procedures for such incidents as severe weather, earthquakes, a bomb threat, hazardous material spills, fire or intruders. The manual has a specific section for an attack by a gunman. "If you ... hear what sounds like gun shots, HIT THE DECK," leads off one page. The most recent full -day training session was held in November in which two dozen custodians and other staffers attended, Szymoniak said. In May, M -D High School took part in a drill in which an officer posing as a gunman entered the school and took hostages. Local fire departments, the McCall Police Department, Idaho State Police and the Valley County Sheriff's Office were participants as well as St. Luke's McCall. Despite the precautions, Szymoniak said a line should be drawn on the extent of security. 'You only go with as far as the community will tolerate," he said. "If you surround the buildings with huge fences or put in metal detectors, it will look more like a prison than a school." Officers Will Enter Spokespersons for the McCall Police Department, Valley County Sheriffs Office and the Adams / http: / /www.mccallstarnews.com/ pages / archive_ 2012/ 12_ 20_12_webedition/Copy %20of%2... 1 X112@/// Star -News News Page—Lead Story County Sheriffs Office all said their officers are training to immediately enter a building where a gunman is reported rather than wait for reinforcements. Early entry by officers is credited with saving lives in the Newtown shootings as the gunman committed suicide when he heard officers approach. "Our response is to move directly towards the threat in order to stop the threat," McCall Police Sgt. Pete Rittenger said. Officers would stay back only if a suspect had taken hostages and had barricaded himself in the school, Rittenger said "We do not wait for SWAT teams as they would be from the valley and require a two-hour response,' Valley County Sheriffs Lt. Dan Smith said. "We have trained to respond with a minimum of two officers and actively locate, move directly to and eliminate the threat," Smith said. The Adams County Sheriff's office conducts emergency training with schools in Council and New Meadows each year, Sheriff Rich Green said. Page http: / /www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/ archive_ 2012/ 12_ 20_12_webedition/Copy %20oP%2... -W20t3" This week's front page stories Special Challenges M -D copes with high number of students with needs "Special education is now this huge piece of the puzzle. "— Jennifer Sadhana BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star News Carissa Lohff knows the rewards of teaching come in small gains, especially when dealing with students with special needs. "Just the other day we had a parent here watching their child looking at family pictures," said Lohff, who has taught for the past three years at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. It was the first time the mother heard her child refer to her as 'Mom,' " she said. The McCall-Donnelly School District is having to work :...� harder to continue those gains as it copes with a surge of \gy students with intellectual, academic and physical sprc,a E hu,non Rr,auW reche Jan u Griffith impairments. 5ru3:x hitL stuckuts chnvg small gra<y> wahurUw ttw at Pouudh• Ek- wuBU,- school About 100 students of the total enrollment of about 950 -- — students in the district have special needs, or about 10 percent of the total, M-D Director of Special Programs Jake Olson said. "That's a high number when you look at how that compares statewide or even nationwide, where it's 3 to 5 percent with some districts as high as 7 percent," said Olson, who is also principal at Donnelly Elementary School. The higher numbers forced M -D to hire two additional full -time positions this school year specifically forthe program, he saki. The Full Spectrum Special education encompasses everything from a student who may need a little extra help with a specific subject to teaching daily life skills. "Ifs the full spectrum," Olson said. "We basically look at what level of accommodation or adaptation each eligible student may need." The district has seen a spike in the number of students with higher needs that require having someone with them at all times, Olson said. A total of 13 students are enrolled at various age levels that require constant attention throughout the six -hour school day, he said. Federal law requires schools to consider the individual needs of all students, and the district receives funding from the state and federal governments to cover the added costs of instruction. For the current budget year, the district will receive an estimated $245,000 from outside sources for special education, while the district will spend about $683,587 from its general operating funds on pre- school and K -12 special education programs, Olson said. "Ifs really complicated these days because we work as teachers but special education is now this huge piece of the puzzle," said Jennifer Sadhana, a special ed teacher at the Morgan school. In addition to a full day of teaching, special education instructors also must keep up with each student's record- keeping that includes scheduling regular meetings with care -givers and parents. "This entire piece of the case management is huge," Sadhana said. "It's doing two jobs everyday trying to find some happy medium where you feel stretched thin." A Goal of Inclusion The goal is to include students with special educational needs into general education classes, Olson said. "They deserve to be in the classroom, just like anybody else,' he said. "The more we can do this then the more the community can be accepting and get rid of any stigmas that may be out there." Some of the students are working on basic functional skills, but staffers are working hard and take heart when they see their charges pass milestones to be more independent, Olson said. Page 1 of 1 �I7,69i►� http : / /www.mccallstamews.com/pages /archive - 2012/12 20_12 webedition/Copy %20otb /o2... 1/8/2013 This week's front page stories No Holdinn Bach Morgan school offers transitional classes for younger students BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News Jamie VanMiddendorp is happy when students leave her class, because she knows they will continue their journey of learning with their peers. VanMiddendorp teaches first graders at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School in McCall who need help with reading or other subjects. But, rather than being held back while their friends move on, the goal of VanMiddendorp's class is to return the students their classmates. The classes are called "transitional," and are targeted to kindergartners and first - graders who need special tutoring to reach the levels of others at their same age, Morgan Principal Jim Foudy said. "The biggest difference between a transitional classroom and a traditional classroom is the ratio of students to teacher," Foudy said. i� � l Transitional classes have about 10 youths in each classroom with a teacher and perhaps another staff member or a parent volunteer, Foudy said. Jatwe Vauhhdd -61, mds a stmt —tm1m tusr- gadehaus�ho��ilelassatFm$m'nR Nto.gm. 'The key with the word 'transitional' is to think flexible," he Eler °e t r` shoot said. "A child could become proficient and ready to move on to the common core at any time during the year." Various Options The intent is to put children in a position to always be promoted and not be held back, Foudy said. In the old model, a child could go through an entire year of kindergarten with a series of repeated failures and then have to repeat kindergarten the next year while their peer group moves on to first grade, he said. "I think these are kids that would normally be always struggling and pulled out," VanMiddendorp said. "Instead they have the confidence to learn and because it's a smaller group you are able to tailor more to each student's individual needs," she said. "Right now the kids that are in the T1 program are out - performing many of the kids in the lower groups of the first grade," Foudy said. Reaction to the transitional program has been mixed. Some parents whose children were recommended for the program where worried their child may feel left behind, Foudy said. Those fears have since been eased. "I was talking to one of the dads who's child is in the program and he said, 'My child is reading to me, "' he said. "So when you have a child who goes from not recognizing letters to 'Dad, let me read you this book,' that's amazing; Foudy said. http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/fp_stories_page.php Page 1 of 1 1 4/2013 This week's front page stories Hart resigns as trustee of McCall - Donnelly school board Mary Hart has resigned as a member of the McCall - Donnelly School District Board of Trustees. Hart, who joined the board in 2004, told her fellow trustees in an e-mail dated Monday that she made her decision "after an in -depth reality check and some soul - searching." It's a painful decision because I will certainly miss all the wonderful people I've come to know in the district including board members, teachers, staff, the children and their families," her letter said. rt:v,-xur Hart declined a request by The Star -News to provide additional comments. Hart moved to McCall 35 years ago with her husband, Tim, according to the school district Web site. Applications are now being sought for a replacement for Hart, who represented Zone 5. The zone generally includes areas east of Idaho 55 between McCall and Donnelly. Whoever is appointed would serve until the end of Hart's term in 2015, after which they would need to seek election to the seat. Hart is the third member of the five- member board of trustees to resign in the past several months. Jon Walker joined the board in September replacing Betty Weida, and Laurie Erekson replaced Neal Thompson in December. Also on the board are chair Kathy Deinhardt Hill and trustee Pattie Soucek. Page 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 1/10/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Cassie Drake makes George Fox dean's list Cassie Drake of McCall earned dean's list recognition at George Fox University for the fall 2012 semester. Drake, a sophomore majoring in economics and international studies, earned the distinction for eaming a 3.5 grade -point average or better for at least one term. Nearly 3,500 students attend classes on the university's campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem, and Redmond, Ore. Schoonover named to University of Portland dean's list Levi Schoonover of Donnelly was listed on the 2012 fall semester dean's list at the University of Portland. Schoonover is a freshman majoring in business administration. Students need at least a 3.5 grade point average to be eligible for the dean's list. The University of Portland is Oregon's Catholic university and has been closely affiliated for nearly a century with the Congregation of Holy Cross of Notre Dame, Ind. Emily Mudie named to dean's list at U of I Emily Mudie of McCall has been named to the dean's list at the University of Idaho in Moscow for the fall 2012 semester. The distinction is limited to students who complete 12 or more credits and earn a grade -point average of 3.5 or higher. Mudie is enrolled in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /prep_schools _page.php 1/17/2013 This week's front page stories $2.000 donation kicks off fieldhouse project Building would allow Vandal teams to practice in poor weather BY TOM GROTE The Star -News A $2,000 donation has given a kick -start to a citizens effort to build a year -round fieldhouse near McCall- Donnely High School. The donation, by Foresters Club owner Jason Ventress, is hoped to be the first of more donations collected by the citizens group. The vision of the group would see a multipurpose building rise on a grassy site near the city tennis courts along Mission Street. ** The building would contain an artificial turf with markings xmPo <m Fivw Wt. Jason mtv- w.lnasou. T1.,tcLn. _, awl for track, football, baseball, softball, soccer and other sports. Joec hem chspLrky a clx k bar trove \'enttexc to lack off a effort led fi' hem to bmld au There also would be a climbing wall, space for adventure all—eathm heklhot emMcCall courses and facilities for special events, according to the current concept. No cost estimates have been made. "A former chamber of commerce slogan said, 'McCall, We Have It All,' but the reality is, you don't," said Ventress, who lives in McCall and Malibu, Calif. Summer sports are short- lived, and there is no place for recreation for residents or winter visitors and their children who do not take part in skiing or other snow sports, he said. "Let's launch the Yeldhouse drive' and make this needed sports center come alive!" Ventress said. Last summer, the McCall- Donnelly School District Board of Trustees said they were "interesting in working with the community" on the fieldhouse idea, but stopped short of a commitment. Joey Pietri of McCall, who is leading the effort, said he plans to return to trustees in March to seek a more firm commitment. The group is now able to accept tax - deductible donations, and former M -D Trustee Neal Thompson has joined as a supporter, Pieth said. "Kids are at such a deficit because they don't have any place to practice field sports," said Pietri, the owner of Legend CrossFil in McCall who has been an assistant M -D football coach since 1994. The long winters in McCall force spring sports teams to flee to lower elevations to train or take their chances running on slush- covered streets or in school hallways where doors suddenly fly open in their path, Pietri said. The fieldhouse also would provide a safe haven for community members, especially senior citizens, who are seeking a place for athletic endeavors or just a brisk walk, he said. Page 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 1/31/2013 Prep Sports Page Pope named to dean's list at Syracuse Universlty Kathryn Pope of McCall was entered on fall semester dean's list at the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y. Pope, the daughter of Clem Pope and Jodie Lea of McCall, is scheduled to graduate in May. She graduated from McCall - Donnelly High School in 2009 and attended North Fork School in McCall. Page http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 1/31/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Miller competes at Nordic junior world championship Anika Miller of McCall completed two races as a member of the U.S. Ski Team at the FIS Junior World Ski Championships held in Liberec, Czech Republic. Miller finished 52nd out of 76 finishers in the Junior Ladies 5 Kilometer Free individual Race held on Jan. 23. She also finished 52nd out of 68 finishers in the Junior Ladies 1.3.km Classic Sprint held Jan. 21. Miller, a senior at McCall - Donnelly High School, was selected for the team based on age -group rankings after three races at U.S. nationals. Page http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 1/31/2013 page Eld appointed to McCall- Donnelly school board BY TONI GROTE The Star -Nin-s Frank Eld of Donnelly was appointed Monday to the McCall - Donnelly School District Board of Trustees. Eld will take the seat of former M -D trustee Mary Hart, who resigned after eight years on YNNEW the board. Eld will serve until the end of Harfs term in 2015, after which he would need to seek election to the seat. 1 Eld is the third new member of the five - member board in the past four months. �r;u 'Ell Jon Walker joined the board in September replacing Betty Weida, and Laurie Erekson replaced Neal Thompson in December. Also on the board are chair Kathy Deinhardt Hill and trustee Pattie Soucek. Eld previously served on the M -D board of trustees between 2001 and 2004. He left the board when he joined the Valley County commission, a post he held for five years. Eld is the founder of the Long Valley Preservation Society, which over the past 40 years has moved and restored two dozen historic buildings to the Roseberry townsde east of Donnelly. "My commitment is to our community, its history, housing, education and employment," Eld wrote in his letter of application for the school board. Security in the schools is an important topic that "needs to be addressed in a practical and rational manner - for the long term," he said. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 2/7/2013 page M -D schools chief gets 1 -year contract extension BY ToM GROTB The Star -News McCall- Donnelly School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak on Monday received a one -year extension of his contract by M -D trustees. The extension to his contract means his current agreement will expire on June 30, 2016. Szymoniak, 55, has been superintendent of M-D schools since 2008- He previously was assistant superintendent of instruction at Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Soldotna, Alaska. Trustees voted to extend Szymoniak's contract following a closed -door evaluation during G1,U Monday's regular trustee meeting held at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. Sswomak He's done some good things for the district," trustee Chair Kathy Deinhardt Hill said. She cited Szymoniak's work to acquire the Harlow's bus garage on Idaho 55 and refinancing the district's construction bonds as examples of his performance. "He's forward thinking as far as technology in the schools and teacher training," Deinhardt Hill said "He was pretty steady with the Luna laws when they were in effect and when they were repealed." She declined to say whether trustees suggested any areas of improvement for Szymoniak, saying that was a confidential personnel matter. Szymoniak earns $128,428 per year. His salary was not part of Monday's evaluation, but will be reviewed later this spring. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page "php 2/7/2013 Prep Sports Page Pope named to dean's list at Syracuse University Kathryn Pope of McCall was entered on fall semester dean's list at the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y. Pope, the daughter of Clem Pope and Jodie Lea of McCall, is scheduled to graduate in May. She graduated from McCall- Donnelly High School in 2009 and attended North Fork School in McCall. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 2/7/2013 page stories Switched Off, Calmed Down Ban on cellphones, energy drinks in effect at M -D alternative school "We want to do everything we can to make this a safe environmemfor students. " — Angela Hersel BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News With the lunch hour over, one-by -one Heartland High School students turned off their cellular phones and placed them in a slotted organizer in secretary Angela Hersel's office. Since the start of the school year last August, students at Heartland are no longer allowed to have their cell phones with them while on campus. Heartland High School is the alemative high school for the McCall - Donnelly School District. The school combines learning in academic and social skills using a different class schedule than a traditional high school program. "Our teachers found t (cell phones) very disruptive to the learning environment," Hersel said. Heartland students are required to check in their cell phones and other electronics to the office before class and may pick them back up during lunch. The students then check their phones back into the office and may pick them up when they are done with class for the day. "This is a school of privilege; Hersel said. "Students have to go through an interview process, meet state criteria for at -risk students. We want to do everything we can to make this a safe environment for students." At first the new cell phone rule at Heartland was met with protest. "Everybody had an issue with it because everyone wants their cell phone - we're teenagers," said Rachel Rowe, a junior at Heartland said. "But now everyone's gotten so used to it and its just what you do " No Energy Drinks In addition to the no cell phone use rule, Heartland students are also not permitted to have energy drinks, such as Red Bull, Monster or Rockstar on campus - another new rule that went in to affect last August. "We really noticed a mood change when the kids had those kinds of things and so we just said we're not going to allow those," Hersel said. Students appeared jittery and impatient when they would consume energy drinks on campus, staffers said. Behavior improved after the ban, Hersel said. "I don't understand it – if we show them that its not alcoholic then we should be able to have them and caffeine does seem to help some people to focus," Rowe said. Just across the playing field from the Heartland school, different rules apply at McCall - Donnelly High School. Each teacher at M -D handles cell phones in their classrooms differently, Principal Tim Thomas said. "Some have a basket they ask students to drop their phones into as they come in to class," Thomas said. "Others ask that all phones and electronics are turned off completely once they start class and some allow students to use the tools on their phones such as the calculator only." If a student's cell phone use is deemed inappropriate, a teacher may take the phone until the end of the day, he said. The second time a student has their phone taken the parents are called to pick rt up, Thomas said. Energy drinks are allowed at M -D, but they are not sold, Thomas said. "When the federal government recently changed the regulations healthy eating education, it completely changed the content of our vending machines here at school," he said. "We no longer offer regular pop or soda," Thomas said. "The choices are either caffeine free, reduced calorie drinks such as diet pop or fruit juice." Page http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 2/14/2013 This week's front page stories Knitting is Cool: M -D students learn skill, make blankets for babies "They were saying, 'You want me to what?' and then when they saw what we were doing wanted to be a part of it. " —Becky Dwello BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News With knitting needles clicking away, Tevan Clayson put the finishing touches on his blue square of yam "Almost got it," Clayson, 15, said as he and several other Heartland High School students placed their knitted pieces down on the craft table at Keep Me In Stitches Yam Shop in McCall. ' After only three weeks of teaming to knit, the students had i t created enough colorful blocks to form the first of several "' baby blankets to be donated to Nampa's Mercy Medical ; Center. ` �1 i d The idea for the project came from Heartland High w humanities teacher Becky Dwello. Heaudwd Fh.4 SAK.1 &w4uts Tr, -au �Ra�suu. "The kids are really interested in the 'paying it forward' left, wd56vxC:v1 ra,a,sow,at th,il 6antuyq Rps hnw harL,r E..e -1,- t�reDo at dr, F:e,l, concept," Dwello said Melusntth, v,nnshopmMWAllonl,toufb "At first some of my big boys didn't want to do it. They were saying, 'You want me to what ? and then when they saw what we were doing wanted to be a part of it," she said. Dwello purchased the knitting needles and yarn and shop owner Lynda Vrgora donated her time, space and some materials. "They (the students) were going at it like gangbusters," Vrgora said. "In like 20 minutes they were all knitting." In addition to helping out the community and others, the students gain a valuable life skill, Dwello said. "It's amazing to see how many kids these days are losing the hand skills like knitting or crocheting, so picking up something like this is a life skill," she said. With their first baby blanket completed and more to come, the students are also planning to take part in Scarves for Soldiers – a project to donate handmade wool scarves to those in the armed forces. "I think it's fun that we're helping out other people," said student Kahli Lopez, 17. Fellow Heartland student Shane Carpenter, 18, agreed learning to knit wasn't as hard as he thought it would be. 'It was pretty easy to catch on," Carpenter said. "I think kids don't want to learn because they think its kinda sissy but it's not - it's fun." page.php Page 1 0 2/14/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M-D students sing in choir at Camegie Hall McCall- Donnelly High School sophomores Lilly Moyer and Mikalah Travis sang in a national honors choir on Sunday at Camegie Hall in New York City. The two students went to New York City as part of the American High School Honors Performance Series. The national program allowed 270 student vocalists from around the country to sing, attend workshops, and perform for a week under the direction of world - renowned conductors. Singers in the series must be honor choir students and recommended by a mentor to apply. Moyer and Travis raised $1,599 each plus travel expenses in order to attend. Page http: / /www.mccallstamews. com/pages /prep_schools_page.php 2/14/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Honor Rolls McCall - Donnelly High School 2012 -13 Semester 1 High Honor Roll (4.00 and above) Grade 12 Weston Appa, Kara Barth, Justin Ty Brown, Kaylee Chamberlain, Elizabeth Farrell, Lauren Groenig, Lindsey Hall, Madison Lowe, Anika Miller, Rachael Miller, Bennet Roper, Elizabeth Thurman, Lauren Wagner, NathanWYoukstetter. Grade 11 Jefferson Bomer, Hattie Geist, Mallory Herbst, Taylor Howell, Bryn Kennell, Rachel Morton, Caleb Mudie, Seara Straw, Keenan Walgren, Briana Zak. Grade 10 Jennavere Ball, Amanda Batchelor, Joshua Borg, Heidi Carter, Justin Chapman, Molly Dixon, Taylor Garber, Kylie Hoogendyk, Claire Lewinski, Cassady Lord, Lilly Moyer, Jordan Nash, Naomi Porter, William Ruemmele, Jessica Shotwell, Alix Stanley, Savannah Summers, Alyssa Tomevi, Krystan Welborn. Grade 9 Saskia Bock, Camille Botello, Bethany Danner, Amberlyn Diener, Ethan Groenig, Kayli Jones, Ava Mazzoni, Cole Morton, Kamron Nay, Emma Schoonover, Lexis Tinney, Hannah Wilson. Honor Roll (3.5 — 3.99) Grade 12 Alicia Bateman, Graham Briley, Bayley Goodwin, Dylan Leavitt, Jason Orme, Haley Robertson, Izanna Stoddard, Jessica Wilkinson, Timothy Wright. Grade 11 Annessa Beckham, Caitlin Caprio, Kathryn Egnew, Jade Harris, Corbin Klock, Daniela Rodriguez, Brooke Thomas, Blade Wilkinson. Grade 10 Cody Appa, Caleb Birkinbine, James Borg, Thena Cook, Alexandra Dawson, Kimberly Herbst, Hannah Hunt, Ryan Hutcheson, Monica Jackson, Katelyn Jimenez, Hayden Lowe, Kaytlyn Marcotte, Amie Pool, Hanna Veal, Angela Wright, Sarni Yates, William Youkstetter. Grade 9 Jade Ashley, Naomi Bennett, Analiese Brahs, Benjamin Crogh, Breanna Ellis, Paltyn Frederick, Smoky Frees, Hailee Harris, Brenda Huaman, Emily Parker, Canyon Pulliam, Jackelin Rodriguez, Kiera Schulz. Payette Lakes Middle School 1 st Semester 2012 -13 High Honor Roll (4.0 GPA) 8th Grade Jayden Christensen, Sophie Hill, Erik Pedersen, Austin Shotwell. 7th Grade Payton Arrasmilh, Aboil Bennett, Hannah Carter, Paige Chapman, Kaden DeLuna, Thomas Gebhards, Hunter Hagen, Benjamin Knudson, Pamela Nelson, Tatia Wood. 6th Grade Julian Figueroa, Noah Hattrup, Miles Klind, Gabrielle Klinge, Sophia Mazzoni, Benjamin Montague. Honor Roll (3.5 to 3.99 GPA) 8th Grade Christian Beckham, 3.60; Grace Kindall, 3.71; Bryce Moss, 3.60; Anise Ryan, 3.50; Logan Spade, 3.50; Jade Starry, 3.66; Noah Walgren, 3.80. 7th Grade Jordan Akers, 3.60; Ashlynne Burger, 3.73; Kaityn Collett, 3.53; Laurel Crawford, 3.86; Morgan Culley, 3.53; Emma Griffith, 3.86, Trevor Hamilton, 3.86, Maet Weaver, 3.53; Caleb Jones, 3.86; Trey Niel http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 2/14/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Mohler, 3.86; Garrett Nash, 3.73; Bethany Nay, 3.73; Sean Nikkei, 3.86; Savannah Ormsby, 3.77; Carolyn Penny, 3.86; Aleeya Pickard, 3.86; Brenner Rygh, 3.86; Willow Smith, 3.86; Chase Stauts, 3.73; Justin Welborn, 3.73; Sarah Wright, 3.86. 6th Grade Stokli Ashcratt, 3.63; Jacob Babbitt, 3.63; Hannah Baker, 3.54; Sebastian Bock, 3.63; Haley Calkins, 3.81; Dylan Cropp, 3.81; Rylie DeLuna, 3.63; Makena Klinge, 3.63; Nayeli Lopez, 3.63; Kyanne McLaughlin, 3.63; Lyle Nelson, 3.54; Bryson Pannell, 3.81; Stockton Raines, 3.63; Dominic Ruemmele, 3.81; Kyle Schulz, 3.81; Dillon Wilkinson, 3.63; Taylor Youkstetter, 3.81. Page http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 2/14/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page I of 1 '6'n .. Nevin by ZvS AIVIMR +) MG.- Tlwd gradesat Barba�a R. W% Wm Ele entwy School ui WA took time be week to evcy d e winter wouderkmd of Powlei''m State Park Iu plwto. N58a Svwlmr aucl Thomas Rnubou tn- Out fi e— Mille Ou avoweho x http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 2/21/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M -D robotics team competes in First Tech Challenge tourney Six students and one robot from McCall- Donnelly High School and Payette Lakes Middle School took pert on the Idaho ROKS FIRST Tech Challenge Championship Tournament held last Saturday at the University of Idaho. The robotics team, part of the M -D science club, has been working since September to build its robot for the U of I competition. Students on the team included PLMS eighth - graders Robin Cochrane and Austin Shotwell, home - schooler Henry Kindall, and M -D sophomores Adam Onne, Beau Horenberger, and Molly Dixon. This year's robot was an 18 -inch by 18 -inch design made with a wooden base and extending wooden rack. Metal components and software components were built from a Tetrix kit. Flan ktt. Bltl :111- Donrelp-rvbDb" teanv; R"dmx Heny Ku 1-& bean Horrulxr ;. e"% A im At the competition, robots from two different teams worked throe. atsnn sl Ot"eU awl sobw cocbr,; r look together. Each alliance attempted to score more points than ou while r ul —tors <.,,nme &1irrobot the opposing team by remotely controlling their robots to remove plastic rings from dispenser pegs on the side of a 12 -feet by 12 -feet playing field. The robots were then told to place the rings onto pegs on a rack in the center of the field. Bonus points were awarded for placing the rings in a tic -tac -toe configuration, detecting rings that were heavier than others, lifting the alliance partner's robot, and placing rings on a peg identified by an infrared transmitter signal. The M -D team had to employ both offensive and defensive strategies in working with their alliance partners in each of five matches, science teacher and club advisor Andrew Cochrane said. FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. In the McCall- Donnelly area, younger students participate in the FIRST Lego League, and older students participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 2/21/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Driver education classes slated for M-D, MV students Signups are now open for students in McCall- Donnelly and Meadows Valley high schools for driver education this spring. Students must be at least age 14 years and six month to take the class and must purchase a permit from their county department of motor vehicles. Each school also charges a fee. Home - schooled students and students from school districts other than M -D and MV are eligible for the classes. The class at Meadows Valley High School will begin March 4. Call the school office at 347 -2411 or Mike Howard at 315 -2582 to sign up. To register for classes at McCall- Donnelly High School, go to the school websde and follow the link for Driver's Education or call Howard. The first class for M -D will begin on April 1. There will also be summer Gasses in McCall. For questions, call Howard or e-mail him at mihoward@mvsd 11.org. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 2/21/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Andrew named to BSU dean's list Katie Andrew, a 2009 McCall - Donnelly High School graduate, has been named to the dean's list at Boise State University in Boise Idaho. To qualify for the dean's list, students must receive a 3.50 or higher grade average while earning grades of A or B and taking at least nine credits. Andrew is the daughter of Barbara Andrew of McCall, and Ivan Andrew of Washington. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 2/21/2013 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 `fill the huckPt' with compliment Weekly sessions stress positive behavior BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Almost every Friday, students at Donnelly Elementary School gather together to give each other compliments. With hands held high, students wad to be called on then say a nice comment about another student or something have r nice that a staff member may done. The giving of compliments is called Fill the Bucket and is part of the all - school weekly meeting called Community, Principal Jake Olson said. "Being such a small school we all used to fit in the halfway for a meeting and now the meetings been moved in to a' classroom, Olson said r- "It's a great way to talk to the entire school at one time do mmr n. K yi.se some fun things all together," he said. Donadh- Mementar,, school Phaunpd Jamb Olson calls on students to TtU the Bucket• oath hrhbal compluuents em-mg the whool's Fnday The idea for Fill the Bucket came from a children's book, mnt uuurty --bug "Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids," by award winning author Carol McCloud. The book tells the story of what happens when someone's "bucket" is filled through positive behavior and teaches children to see how rewarding it can be to express kindness and appreciation each day. The compliments themselves have ranged from one student thanking other students for playing with them because they were new to the school, to complimenting another student or staff member for helping them. "We've seen the advantages of getting the entire school together," Olson said. "We used to have the students write down the compliments on paper and then literally pass around and fill up a bucket with the pieces of paper to be read aloud but that slowed down the meeting," Olson said. "Now over time'Fill the Bucket' has come to mean verbally adding to someone's day, fill their soul with something positive,' Olson said. "It just feels right, making this a priority to talk to kids that this is important; Olson said. "I like it because you get to thank people and tell everyone about maybe something nice you saw someone do for another person," third grader Sydney Arrasmith said. Student are encouraged to "Fill the Bucket" at home by being thankful and acknowledge when people do nice things for them. "My favorite part is how friends are really nice and they tell you good things about you - it's really easy," fifth grader Josh Weiskircher said. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 2/28/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M-D's Goodwin attends private golf camp in Ariz. Jacoby Goodwin, a senior at McCall- Donnelly High School attended a private golf camp in Arizona's Tucan Valley last weekend. The camp invites fewer than 30 students per year and Goodwin is the first golfer from M -D to attend. i The four -year varsity golfer was selected by Shadow Valley Goff Course Pro T.J. Gomez and Assistant Pro Roy Ahnstedt in Eagle. Goodwin joined 25 other golfers at the camp to receive instruction and training from PGA instructor Tony Martinez. The students trained at San Ignacio Golf Club and Torres Blancas Goff Club in Green Valley, Ariz., and Francisco Grande Hotel and Goff Resort in Casa r„„i,, -' ml Grande, Ariz Goodwin and the rest of the students played several rounds during the camp, and by the end of the weekend he had shot a personal best of 79 strokes for 18 holes. Goodwin is the son of Lynn Johnson- DeHaven of McCall and Jerimie Goodwin of Donnelly Donations from local businesses, friends families and a few strangers totaled more than $1,000 to help him attend the camp. Goodwin has been accepted into the PGA Golf Management program through the University of Idaho this fall. The program is the only golf school in the Northwest. http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/Prep_schools_page.php Page 1 of 1 2/28/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 New Vandal softball coach to build on program's success BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-New., The new coach of the McCall - Donnelly softball team is looking forward to building on the program of his predecessor. Former junior varsity assistant coach Anthony Botello has taken over the reigns from former head M -D softball coach Bill Shipley.r Shipley, who coached the Vandals softball team for the past 12 years, is the new assistant varsity coach for the M -D baseball team. "My son (Billie) is on the baseball team,' Shipley said. "Last year I missed most of his games and this year I just -- wanted to see him play." wM Foam 6r The Str -New, by MYt Moebe \'audal s pt., rher gets some help mth her Botello knows he is taking over a program that is well s m4 from assistant coxh Damelle hh',am established. "It's a great group with excellent chemistry," he said. The Vandals were 10 -6 overall and 4 -5 in the Western Idaho Conference before finishing fourth at state and third place overall at the 2A WIC District Tournament last year. With 24 players turning out to play the Vandals will again field both a varsity and JV team for a double- header season opener at Weiser on Saturday. Back on the mound for M -D will be seniors, all- conference players and captains Alex Provancher (pitcher and third base) and Madison Lowe (catcher and pitcher). "They are really the core of our program and have outstanding skills and leadership," Botello said. While there are no juniors on the team, M -D returns about eight sophomores and one freshman to the varsity squad. "We have a good group with lots of chemistry," Botello said. "They really support each other and realize we need all 12 to contribute." The Vandals have benefited from the use of the Idaho Power Co. building on Lakeside Avenue in McCall that formerly housed the company's offices and maintenance equipment. "We have five stations set up that focus strictly on building our hitting, so in addition to solid pitching and good defense, powerful hitting will be a big asset for us," Botello said. The Vandals will have their hands full in the competitive 2A Western Idaho Conference including games against 2012 and 2009 state champions Melba, 2011 state champion Marsing and 2010 state champs New Plymouth. M -D has also scheduled games against three larger 3A schools including Saturday's game at Weiser along with match -ups at Payette and Homedale. The Vandals first home game is against Melba on April 23 and will be played either in McCall or New Meadows depending on weather and field conditions. Shipley softball alumni play on in college Former M -D head softball coach Bill Shipley has seen a number of his players move on to compete with Idaho college teams. 2012 Vandal alumni Natalie Hattrup received a scholarship to pitch for Treasure Valley Community College at Ontario, Ore. Former 2006 M -D graduates Bailey Weeks (outfielder) and Laura Shipley, Shipley's youngest daughter (pitcher), played for TVCC. Shipley's oldest daughter, Dana, graduated from M -D in 2006 and went on to play for Nampa's Northwest Nazarene University. Former Vandals outfielder Jamie Peterson, a 2006 alumni, also played for TVCC. After 12 years coaching the Vandals softball team, Shipley has moved to assistant M -D baseball coach so he can watch his son, Billie, play. http: / /www.mccallstarncws .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/7/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Morgan students learn about beef production A lesson in beef production was given last Friday to students at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School in McCall. Representatives from the Valley /Adams Farm Bureau and the Payette River Cattleman's Association conducted the program, called Ranchers Feeding Youth. Students were shown the various aspects of beef production and products from beef, after which barbecued hamburgers were served_ http: / /www.mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/7/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M -D contract to fix telephone woes at high school, elsewhere BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News For the last month, a call to McCall - Donnelly School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak cannot not be transferred to his desk phone. Central Services Secretary Erin Branstetter must get up from her desk, walk down the hallway at the school district office on Idaho Street and hand the phone off to Szymoniak. Across the field, staffers at McCall - Donnelly High School also have not been able to transfer calls. The fax line is not operating, and Instead of multiple calls being able to come in, the school has only three phone lines, secretary Billie Walker said. "Ifs kind of like going back to the 1960s," Walker said. The problems started on Feb. 13 when the computer failed that handled phone traffic for the campus that includes the high school, district office and Heartland High School, Szymoniak said. On Tuesday, the M -D board of trustees met in a special meeting to approve a fix awarded to Ednetics in Post Falls. The breakdown came when the district was already in the process of deciding on proposals for its Internet, network and telephone services, with the intent for those new contracts to begin July 1. "Since we were right in the middle of the bid process we asked the potential vendors 'rf they would be willing to expedite the installation," Szymoniak said. Contracts for the district's Internet and network services were awarded to the current provider, Frontier Communications Inc., Szymoniak said. "We have been encouraging employees with district cell phones to use those as needed," he said. The district will reimburse employees using their personal cell phone at the affected buildings, he said. The new phone system is scheduled to be operational at the three buildings by April 1. The rest of the district's schools, which were not affected, are scheduled to be converted starting July 1, Szymoniak said. The Ednetics three -year contract is priced at $102,000, but the final cost is expected to be about $74,000 after a federal rebate available to schools If paid, he said. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools page.php 3/14/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M -D students portray female historical figures for'Profiles of Women' Five women from McCall - Donnelly High School each recently chose to portray an important woman in history as part of the 17th annual 'Profiles of Women Project." The students wrote or found a script , put together a costume, made a poster, created an activity and then performed for the children at the elementary schools in McCall, Donnelly and New Meadows. This year the presenters were: • Kara Barth as Joan Goodall, considered to be the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees. • Lilly Moyer as Marion Anderson, an African - American contralto and one of the most celebrated singers of the 20th Century. • Claire Lewinski as Rosalind Franklin, best known for her work on the X -ray diffraction images of DNA which led to the discovery of DNA double helix. •Iles }rat's Women m Hisston-pawentets were, from left, Claav Letnwsla as kosahad Fraukm, Kara Batch as Jane Gmta& Dam Ro hrgnez :es :lmeha Earhert. Bement Roper as Edah FLvng m. and laa Timm as Mmzou:Ytdersou • Bennett Roper as Edith Flanigan Edith, a well -known chemist who worked with molecular sieves that are crystalline structures that contain molecule -sized pores. • Danille Rodriquez as Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The portrayals are sponsored by the Long Valley Branch of the AAUW. The Profiles in Women Project was created in 1987 by the Thousand Oaks, California Branch, Inc. of the AAUW. The program's purpose is to introduce students to the important contributions women have made to society and the wealth of women's history often omitted from history and social science text books. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/21/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M -D honored by Idaho Leads for teaching innovations BS-1 YLA SAWYER for The Star -Neav; The McCall- Donnelly School District was honored last week as one of 49 districts to participate in the "Idaho Leads" project M -D was one of seven districts selected to share a video highlighting the technology and teaching innovations happening at their schools. The first -of -its -kind event, held at the Egyptian Theater in Boise, was designed to share bright spots in Idaho's K -12 education. M -D Superintendent Glen Szymoniak credited his district's success to his staff and to help from the Idaho Leads Project. "1 can't think of another event where we have been able to share successes stories in education," Szymoniak said. Nearly 500 people attended the event including Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and Lt. Gov. Brad Little. The Idaho Leads Project was launched last year by Boise State University's Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies. The project works with staff, parents, trustees and students to promote innovation, develop leadership, support effective teaching practices and continuous improvement with the implementation of the common core standards. The project is funded by a $3.85 million grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation. The foundation has agreed to contribute another $2.85 million to support the project's work through the year. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/21/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Real -World Connection Middle school students go hands -on to understand science BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News With water and samples of ink taken from three handwriting samples, Payette Lakes Middle School worked to solve the crime of "Who Stole Spring Break." Students in Karen Morrow's sixth grade class used a forensic science technique called chromatography, where water is used to separate each sample of ink. The samples were then compared to the ink and discovered who wrote a note stating plans to "stear spring break. "I like it because we get to use our imaginations a little bit more," sixth grader Stokli Ashcraft said. "My favorite lab has been this one with the ink and mystery." The "crime" and laboratory work is part of the Smithsonian Institution National Science Resource Center curriculum introduced at PLMS last fall. Hob M Tha Au.Mem M Krto BOgn Pacette I.nkes khddle School such grndeia GnbbA- Khuge attd Stoektou Ramer coudtrt = extent to wh-e the m3vm of -X1U Stole SpnA Br,-&- The new program integrates the new statewide Common Core State Standards to help graduating high school students fulfill or exceed expectations in reading, writing, speaking, listening, language and mathematics as they prepare to enter college or the work force. "What I've noticed is that they are learning more and are able to carry science into their everyday subjects more," Morrow said. "I like that we get to do labs rather than just reading stuff out of books and writing k down," PLMS sixth grader Stockton Raines said. "We get to think more and use our hands instead of just reading," Raines said. The curriculum includes at least three labs a week, writing in science journals and reading stories about work done by real scientists. "I liked the dissolving solutions lab best," Raines said. "We had ketchup, Sharpie pen ink and kerosene and we used rubbing alcohol and water to try and dissolve all three." The answers are not written down in a book, Morrow said. " l hey have to use a lot of math and science together which shows them the connection that there is a little bit of math and science in almost every job in the world," she said. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/28/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Achievements of M -D Class of 2013 highlighted during graduation ceremonies BY KYL.A SAWYER for The Star -News Bill Anderson's message to the McCall - Donnelly High School Class of 2013 on Saturday was simple. "If you try to please everyone, you're going to lose your ass," Anderson said Anderson, who teaches history and is the Vandal track and cross - country head coach, was chosen as this year's commencement speaker by the 62 graduates of M -D and Heartland High School. Telling the story of a grandfather, his grandson and a mule, Anderson had the audience at the M -D gym laughing, cheering and at times in tears during graduation ceremonies last Saturday. This year's graduates have both brawn and brains, Anderson said. ' We have a world -class Nordic skier, a nationally ranked wrestler, repeat state soccer champions, repeat track and field champions, a grand -slam home run hitter and a 55 -yard field goal kicker," Anderson said. w1► -- �, , is A.. r.n. - -N—N NI-1) Class of 2o>3 member Alex Prmaucher dressed up her mortarboard for Saturday's gradoathou ceremom The Class of 2013 had additional distinctions, including the Elks Regional Student of the Year, gifted artists and musicians, he said. Plus, 50 percent of the class challenged themselves in advanced placement classes. "As Forrest Gump said, 'Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get'," Anderson said. "The world is a mosaic of elements. It can be either good or bad depending on how you react to it," he said. "Your personal integrity is always in your own hands." Addressing the sea of red and blue traditional caps and gowns, class valedictorian Bennet Roper, salutatorian Madison Lowe and class vice president Kaylee Chamberlain echoed similar themes of learning from the past to help shape the future. "Do what makes you happy," Lowe said. "Take time to be passionate. "Live everything; Roper said. "Live the questions now - someday in the future live your way to the answer." Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/6/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M-D's teacher Hellhake honored by disabilities council McCall- Donnelly High School biology teacher Matthew Hellhake has received the 2013 Inclusive Education award from the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities. Hellhake was nominated for this award by Jo Lynn Garrison of McCall, whose son, Scott, has Hellhake as his biology teacher "Matt welcomed Scott into his biology class with open arms," Garrison said. "He has spent many hours developing materials to ensure that Scoff is learning information relevant to his academic level and pertinent to the class curriculum." Council Executive Director Marilyn Sword presented the award to Hellhake at M -D's awards assembly last week. Hellhake and the school were given a grant of $500 to further pursue inclusive practices at the school. From Ieft are blurhn SAvord of tir Idaho Couual on Dc elopmentd rhsabilides. Jo L\mn Gatnaom Scott Gansson, and Matt Hellhake Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities is a 23- member volunteer board that advocates on behalf of Idahoans with developmental disabilities and their families. Each year the council seeks nominations from around the state to recognize educational programs and practices that demonstrate exemplary inclusion of students with developmental disabilities. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of 1 6/7%2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews aN -Nen Nom hTem Omm ATHLETIC VC41S DONATHI) - Tln'ee Mc('all Health -cmv pwnckts donated then'senices to I onde requvedpl"cal exammafons for students who plan to compete m athlefcs at Pa ette Lakes Aftddle School atd McCahl DcameII'y ffgh School •Ihe, �Ta the thud the pmm-iders have donatedtles senices, ,inch dus'yea'rmsed 480 for the 1,f -P athletic deputmeut from discounted fees Stauduig, from left, me M-D athletic traumg Herschel Wattter, M -P athletc durctor l hke Kraemer atd Gu'yJeppe from McCall C:Itiroptschc presenfgg a check to Itroemet• Stthug are fattma Rude, left, from Petsonahaed Heahug and Bra h Solace from Solace Natw'al Aled cue. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools_page.php 6/21/2013 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M -D trustees approve $14.6 million budget for 2013 -14 school year BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News McCall - Donnelly School District trustees on Monday approved a $14.64 million total budget for the 201314 budget year that starts July 1. That amount is down 5.5 percent compared to the current overall school budget, but the district's total operating budget will be 2.2 percent higher next year, M -D School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. The 2014 operating budget totals $10.9 million as compared to $10.7 million in the current budget year, Szymoniak said. Salaries and benefits make up about 80 percent ofthe budget. The base salary schedule will remain the same, but trustees approved a 1.5 percent one -time bonus for all employees. Tie district will receive more money under the federal Title I programs due to changes resulting from the 2010 U.S. Census, Szymoniak said. "The poverty level went up and it allowed us to qualify for more federal funding," Szymoniak said. In past years the district qualified for just under $,000. Next year, Title I monies will add up to about $180,000, Szymoniak said. Title I money pays for teachers to instruct intellectually and physically challenged students as well as for remedial education in math and reading. About $219,000 of the total budget is earmarked for major capital improvements next school year. Some of the larger items include a bathroom remodel at Payette Lakes Middle School, extending the playground barrier at Donnelly Elementary School and upgrading the key card security system district - wide. The majority of the M -D School District revenue, about $5.6 million, will come from property taxes in next years budget. M -D is one of four school districts statewide that kept a property -tax levy when the state switched education funding from property taxes to sales taxes in 2006. The district is planning to receive about $4.9 million in revenue from the state compared to the current amount of $4.6 million. Federal and some local funds make up the rest of the district's revenue. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 6/13/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M -D trustees increase prices of school breakfast, lunch RY" A SAWYER for The Star -News Students and staff for all schools in the McCall- Donnelly School District will pay more for school - provided meals when classes begin in the fall. Members of the M -D School Board of Trustees on Monday approved increases of five to 10 cents for breakfast and lunch during its regular meeting held at the Douglas MacNichol Building. The new prices are within the 5 percent allowed by federal guidelines and closer to federal reimbursement rates, M -D Clerk Cheryl Moriarty said. A student breakfast will cost 85 cents and a teacher breakfast $1.75, both up 5 cents compared to previous meal prices. The cost of an elementary, secondary and teacher lunch increased 10 cents. Students at both Barbara R. Morgan and Donnelly elementary schools will pay $1.90 per lunch. Those at Payette Lakes Middle School, McCall- Donnelly High School and Heartland High School will pay $2.30 and a teacher lunch will cost $3.40. Milk was the only item to stay the same price at 35 cents. "We've been able to keep prices down but at a loss," Moriarty said. Just before approving the new prices, board members also approved an inter -funds transfer of over $85,000 to cover the cost of meal service. "The transfer covered two years of shortfall," M -D School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "The cost of preparing meals exceeds the amount of revenue that we take in." The district's only two sources of food service revenue come from collected meal charges and federal government reimbursement for free and reduced meals. "We hope the increased food prices will help cover the shortfall but I don't think it will cover the difference," Szymoniak said. http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/13/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 y --,- -. v of M. a.. IT AR-END RUN - Smdeuta puruta ad staff at Doaadlh- Ekmentan- School rpu� to make the trad.haual -Run to Rosebem�d<aneig the fmab days ofschoolListweek huhnledwere paz ?Rants �nsself- esteem pprorogaw for girls called w, t3ui. Rim'- A(embera of Donudly Fvr and EMS asuaed m did voluntem at ad etanous handing oat Gatorade, dwcolate cups and ganmy bears http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page.php 6/13/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews P h, sir—Po w.hf JUMPING INIV SLTIMER. FadenDeWw. front. and 7Lomas Gebhards. both of McCall, jump for lop over the fact diet• am oit of school for the smumm and are able to enjoy dw sand and wate at Legacy Park m McCall http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 6/20/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Honor Roll McCall - Donnelly High School Second Semester Honor Roll - 2012 -13 High Honor Roll 4.0 and above GRADE 12 Appa, Weston Naghsh; Chamberlain, Kaylee Michelle; Farrell, Elizabeth Irene; Groenig, Lauren Kathleen; Hall, Lindsey Barbara, Lowe, Madison Taylor; Miller, Anika Marie; Miller, Rachael Mariah; Roper, Bennet Lane; Thunman, Elizabeth Ann; Wagner, Lauren Rachael; Youkstetter, Nathaniel Hunter_ GRADE 11 Beckham, Annessa Rachelle; Borner, Jefferson Franklin; Geist, Hattie Krieger; Herbst, Mallory Nicole; Howell, Taylor Reece; Kennell, Bryn Catlin; Morton, Rachel Renee Valo; Mudie, Caleb Anthony; Walgren, Keenan Lee; Zak, Briana Catherine. GRADE 10 Ball, Jennavere Renae; Batchelor, Amanda Elizabeth; Borg, James Kyle; Borg, Joshua Dwayne; Dixon, Molly Marie; Herbst, Kimberly Lynn; Hoogendyk, Kylie Ann, Lord, Cassady Autumn; Ruemmele, William Warner, Summers, Savannah Jo; Tomevi, Alyssa Nicole; Youkstetter, William Carter. GRADE 9 Bock, Saskia Alexis; Danner, Bethany June; Fee, Destiny Blue; Groenig, Ethan Walden; Huaman, Brenda Sofia; Jones, Kayli Rebecca; Mazzoni, Ava Lee; Morton, Cole Philip; Schoonover, Emma Louise; Tinney, Lexis Ivy; Wilson, Hannah Noel. Honor Roll 3 5 to 3.99 GRADE 12 Barth, Kara Lee; Bateman, Alicia Jean; Brown, Justin Tyler; Goodwin, Bayley James; Leavitt, Dylan Anorew; Montes Padilla, Cesar Alejandro; Orme, Jason T.; Radcliffe, Sydney Marie; Robertson, Haley Jarelle; Stoddard, Izanna Shay; Wright, Timothy William. GRADE 11 Bennett, Rebekah Lynn; Caprio, Caitlin Jillian; Fuller, Morgan Catherine; Harris, Jade Spencer, Selmer, Morgan Genevieve; Straw, Seara Marie, Wilkinson, Blade Stephen, GRADE 10 Birkinbine, Caleb Jordon; Carter, Heidi Nicole; Chapman, Justin Jesse; Dawson, Alexandra Nicole; Garber, Taylor Megan; Jackson, Monica Lynn; Jimenez, Katelyn Elizabeth; Lewinski, Claire Louise; Lowe, Hayden Jade; Lowen, Seth Michael; Moyer, Lilly Lanting; Nash, Jordan Elizabeth; Porter, Naomi Ruth; Shotwell, Jessica Erin; Stanley, Alix Johanna; Sylvia- Clarno, Jessica Juaneke; Veal, Hanna Kole; Welborn, Krystan Marie; Wright, Angela Ruth; Yates, Sarai Marie. GRADE 9 Bennett, Naomi Ranae; Botello, Camille Nina; Crogh, Benjamin Alexey; Diener, Amberlyn Breann; Ellis, Breanna Noelle; Frederick, Paityn Jory; Frees, Smoky Allan; Harris, Hailee Willow; Nay, Kamron Calvin; Phelps, Ashli Breanne; Rodriguez, Jackelin Irene; Sawdy, Olivia Rose. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/20/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews ft- i,a�a —. M -D STItPENTS aTTa17AR RANCH -71ww shdenw from AhcCa l- Domidlr High School Eucirouweutal Science class receuth• took its amual nip to the ttun-nuty of Idaho ()utdoor Research St h. atTmiorRauchimad, the Drank Church Ricer of No Rehm Wildeiuess Students snaked macrmmveitebrates, and viewed aucieut ptt homes awl penoghl" dmirig their oretuigid auto' StaudWg, Low left, are Daniel Cope' Gmmar Ba�Cei•, Blalce.luhau, lluum Hinson, 71•erm Simpson. Jeff Brauer, Alax Torres. Kelleu Crawford, l.mus Hammoud, teachers Debbie Fer edar and Mart Helhhike,71' Bronze. Sem-a Straw, and:lslilet• Lewis. Frmx row. firm left, are Cmtliu Capno. Brooke 7homaa and Bnu Keuuell Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/20/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews PLMS says farewell to four retiring teachers Four retiring teachers at Payette Lakes Middle School were acknowledged by students, staff and their fellow teachers at the end of the school year. Ralph King Ralph King has been in the McCall - Donnelly School District for 28 of his 31 years, during which he has taught math and a multitude of technology classes. King has also been the middle school principal a couple of times and served as the district special programs director. During one year, he worked as a technology fellow for the Albertson's Foundation. Joan Brundige R,uo rnueny Pgem L.tn Piddle 9ched Rething Payette Lakes 6hddle School teaches were h noted be their am-ice at the end of the school pear. From left me Joan Bnmdrge, Cheryl Knowles, Kurt Dwello and Ralph Kntg Joan Brundige has been in the McCall- Donnelly School District for 22 of her 39 years teaching, primarily teaching math, but also drama and Spanish. Brundige is known as a cheerleader for her students who always puts her heart and soul into her teaching to make it the best possible experience, PLMS Principal Susan Buescher said. Cheryl Knowles Cheryl Knowles has taught for 32 years in the McCall- Donnelly School District to students in elementary, high school, and middle school. Knowles is well -known for her love of her students, her love of health and physical education and her expertise as a volleyball coach. Kurt Dwello Kurt Dwello started teaching in Montana and moved to McCall where he has been the past 29 of his 35 teaching years. Mr. Dwello is known for his dry sense of humor, his many science experiences, and his fame as a basketball and football official. Many evenings have seen Mr. Dwello running up and down the court and field supporting middle school supports. http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/Prep_schools_page.php Page 1 of 1 6/27/2013 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 State grant to buy Wads for all M-D High School students BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Every student at McCall- Donnelly High School will be able to have an Fad thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Idaho State Department of Education and an idea from M -D senior Brooke Thomas. The grant will pay for 300 iPads and associated applications. "I was sick of carrying books and notebooks everywhere, Thomas said. "I wanted a new way to study for tests, finish book assignments and take notes." w �y Last year, Thomas collaborated with her father and M -D Principal Tim Thomas as well as M -D Business Technology lle' Teacher Shell Chamberlain to form the 1 st Generation Y 1 & o°'"'°°° McCall- Donuellc High School student Brooke iC lub. Thomas speaks m hlen<hau on hloudat ahotit the applicahm she helped wnte for Idaho Tedmolo� Students in iClub receive an iPad they can use to take Pilot Program At left is Idaho supe i tendeut of class notes, complete and turn in assignments, and have hr IushvchouTom Luca access to textbook reading. As part of the club, students are expected to help others learn how to use the iPad, Brooke Thomas said. The grant is part of a $3 million Idaho Technology Pilot Program established by the state legislature earlier this year. M -D was one of only three high schools, including Sugar -Salem and Middleton, to receive grant monies. Applications from 81 schools across the state were received by the state, of which 11 schools were chosen to receive funding. `Their iPad becomes their backpack," Chamberlain said. "It doesn't replace a laptop or desktop computer but it becomes a reference tool." —he $150,000 award is the largest technology grant ever received by a school in the district, M -D Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "We will be making upgrades at the high school to accommodate the load of 300 students needing wifeless access," Szymoniak said. Those technology upgrades are scheduled to take place this summer and will be paid for from the district's school budget, he said. Brooke Thomas and her family, as well as Chamberlain and Szymoniak, were awarded the grant on Monday during a presentation by Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna at Discovery Elementary School in Meridian. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 7/3/2013 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M -D bans ball caps, stocking hats for students Each school will be able to tailor policy BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Ball caps and stocking hats are some of the clothing items no longer allowed during class hours at McCall - Donnelly, schools under a revised dress code policy passed by school trustees on July 1. However, each school in the district will be able to amend and relax the proposed policies as needed to suit its specific situation. The dress code was one of 12 new discipline policies passed by trustees at their monthly meeting last week. In addition to the dress code, the updated policies cover student searches, bullying, inappropriate use of technology and prohibiting gang activity as well as weapons on school grounds. "For the most part, the new policies spell out what the legal procedures are for these things," M -D School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "We want to make sure that our policies reflect what the legal compliance is." Under the newly- adopted dress code, students are prohibited from wearing or carrying accessories or jewelry. Also banned is displaying tattoos that depict or allude to drug usage or paraphernalia, controlled substances, gangs, violence, illegal acts or sexually explicit or offensive material. Other changes to the dress code policy include prohibiting clothing that reveals a student's breasts, abdomen or buttocks. The previous district dress code had specific language addressing appropriate hem lengths for skirts, dresses, and shorts. It also stated cropped, strapless or low -cut clothing and clothing with slits must provide adequate coverage and that specified underwear was not to be visible, Szymoniak said. "Each school has its own dress code policy written out in the student handbook, and this district policy allows each school's student council and principal the flexibility to follow what they feel is appropriate,' Szymoniak said. For example, the current dress code at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School states that hats are not allowed, but M -D High School permits students to wear hats, Szymoniak said. http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /fp_sto.ries _page.php 7/11/2013 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M -D ponders getting back into operating school buses to save money BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Going back into the school bus business is one option members of the McCall - Donnelly School District board of trustees will be considering this fall. The district's five -year transportation contract expires June 30, 2014 with Harlow's Bus Service of McCall. M -D has had a contract with Harlow's since July 1, 1999, to provide school bus service for the district, Harlow's manager Jack Hellbusch said. 'It's a business decision they are considering' Hellbusch said. "As far as the service we've provided there have been no issues." M -D School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak says there has been no formal decision by board members, but he does intend to put out bids this fall for both the purchase of buses as well as for contracted busing services. "We have not made any formal decisions, however we want to provide board members with as much accurate information as possible for both of those charges,' Szymoniak said. One of the advantages of the school district owning its own busses would be the ability to depreciate those costs with the Idaho State Department of Education, Szymoniak said. "The district is subsidizing transportation to the tune of at least $400,000 this year," he said. The district hopes to reverse a pattern of increasing costs so that the expenses for busing are equal or close to what reimbursement d receives from the state, Szymoniak said. "Based on the advice we're receiving from finance people at the state, preliminary savings estimates could be approximately $100,000 to $200,000 per year," he said. As part of its current contract with Harlow's, the district already pays for bus maintenance and drivers. Last year, the school district purchased Harlow's bus garage and maintenance area along Idaho 55 south of McCall. "We anticipate the board making a decision no later than November as there is a lot of work involved in ordering buses, getting them delivered, inspected and having everything in place so that the district can depreciate them," Szymoniak said. M -D is one of about two dozen school districts in the state that contracts out for bus services, he said. The district may also consider providing pre - school and kindergarten bus services only in the morning and at the end of the school day starting in the fall of 2014, Szymoniak said. Parents would need to either pick up their pre - school or kindergarten students after the end of the morning session or drop them off before the afternoon session. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages/fp_stories _page.php 7/11/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Three M-D schools receive five -star rating from state BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Three McCall - Donnelly schools received a five -star rating by the Idaho State Department of Education this spring. Donnelly Elementary School, Payette Lakes Middle School and McCall- Donnelly High School each received five stars, the highest rating based on student achievement and growth compiled from ISAT scores, M -D School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "I'm overwhelmed by the performance," Szymoniak said during the monthly M -D board of trustees on Monday. "Lots of schools are happy to get a three -star rating and I was told this district scored the highest out of all districts in Idaho," Szymoniak said. The high school scored 94 out of points possible. Donnelly Elementary had 92 points and Payette Lakes Middle School earned 84 points. Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School received a four -star rating with 68 out of points. "Within the Idaho five -star system, student growth at the elementary level represents 75 percent of the value," Morgan school Principal Jim Foudy said. "So for this coming school year, we can make the greatest impact in the area of mathematics, but we must continue our efforts in the area of English Language Arts," Foudy said Four -star and five -star schools will be publicly recognized for their excellent performance as top - performing schools across Idaho, according to the department of education website. Idaho received a waiver from the U.S. State Department of Education to conduct the Five -Star Rating System instead of the controversial No Child Left Behind Act accountability system. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page.php 8/22/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews >IE.ro6 The —.Nm Ey MM... FALL RMTAL- 811M.OBneu gets help from Gast grad! iPAeha LPeln• l)oaue dining the filet dm• of sehod on Moe5&l ' at Barb!: R Mo7gAn mementan• Schod iu b(cCall. Students to :t ,==classes I>tstnct salted classes on Monday. Cascade students nt grades ^ to 12 Also began school on Monday. wbile Cascade grades K to 6 will begau classes on Twsdm- Meadows l'aflq xhools wU begin clMft on Weduesdac. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools —Page.php 8/29/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews -1. br laeih e'— JUNIOR VOLIWMERS -flight students of the ZM Summer Junior Volunteer paogram at St Luke's McCall werehonorediu a recent appreciation mtrmour The students donated time to the emergency department, the foot clam, at the McCall Semor Citizens Center, the St Luke's McCall Awahan• Thrift Shop as well as the St Luke's McCall Foundation and Center for Heahh Promotiou. Pictured from left. are McC.au- Pomheu}• High School students Saslaa Bock. YAtlyn Marcotte and Cody Apps with St. Luke's nurses Stacy Spade, Mary Scott, and N- Jennifer Grav Not pctu ed are Spencer Smith of waslnugton. Ruth Lewmsld and weston Appa of Hfecau and Colm Feueuo of Afendian. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of 1 8/29/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page I of 1 Recycling pays for M-D schools Program eliminates need for trash bins BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News Less trash and recycling efforts are saving money for the McCall - Donnelly School District. As a result of the standardized recycling program that began last November, the district has been able to remove — three large bins previously in use at McCall - Donnelly High School, Payette Lakes Middle School and Donnelly Elementary School, Director of Operations Matt Moss said. y e . "Those three Dumpsters used to cost the district t� approximately $1,000 per month," Moss said. "That adds up to potentially $12,000 a year we could be saving thanks to the recycling program efforts." Although every school had been recycling, a standardized s program did not exist at all M -D facilities. Now color -coded bins and signs help keep the recycling process the same from elementary school up through the high school and at all district buildings. McCall- Domrelly High Sdwd sophomore Ben l� tats m the correct color-mcled �dmgbw Blue bins are for paper, black bins are for aluminum, green atM -n High School bins are for plastic and gray bins are for trash only. The bins and signage cost the school district about $5,000. The monies came from existing funds that had previously been set aside for the recycling program, Moss said. Schools are also saving all food scraps that are picked up by local farmers for use as animal feed. At first, the standardized recycling program had a few bumps to overcome, such as plastic bottles placed in the aluminum bin or paper placed in the plastic bin, etc. "It's not very hard, it's just the fact that people can get lazy and just don't do it but people are a lot better about it now," M -D sophomore Ben Crogh said. Learning Curve Moving the gray garbage bin in line with the recycling bins had made a big difference as students can make one trip to one place with their trash and recyclables. "Every school's learning curve has been a little bit different," Moss said. "We've learned the elementary kids seem a little bit easier to train." Before the standardized program began, the district averaged hauling away 13112 tons of trash in four months, Moss said. "It did create a little bit of extra work to figure out how to be efficient about transporting recycling from the schools to the recycling center," Moss said. "But what we are finding is the custodians would be hauling away that material no matter what." 5 http:// www. mccallstamews. com/pages /prep_schools_page.php 902013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D to test the waters on running its own school bus operation BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News The McCall - Donnelly School district wants to know if operating its own school bus fleet would be cheaper than hiring an outside company. The school district plans to seek estimates for both contracted bus services and to purchase its own fleet of school buses, M -D Superintendent Glen Szymoniak told M -D trustees at their monthly meeting Monday. M -D paying as much as 2 -1/2 times the cost per mile and per rider over the state average for school buses, according to the Idaho State Department of Education. During the 2012 -13 school year, the district paid an average of $5.32 per mile compared to the statewide average of $3.77 cost per mile, Finance Specialist Brandon Phillips told trustees. The district's cost per rider is about $2,120 compared to the statewide average of $813 per rider, Phillips said. Transportation for field trips and out-of -town sports contests cost the district an additional estimated $111,000 last school year. This year the school district budgeted $120,000 for extracurricular transportation trips, Szymoniak said. Last September, the school district bought the former Harlow's Bus Service and Sale garage on Idaho 55 south of McCall for $600,000. Harlow's continues to provide the school buses and maintains them in the district's building- The company's contract with the district ends June 30, 2014. M -D is also exploring purchasing fuel in bulk as an additional way to reduce costs, Director of Operations Matt Moss said. "How do we know d we go to owning our own bus services these costs will go down ?" Board Chair Kathy Deinhard -Hill asked. The ability to offer a district-own garage and possibly supplying fuel should reduce the bid estimates, Phillips said. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 9/12/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Updated M -D security system has more control over locking doors BY KYLA SAWYER fm The Star -News When someone has propped open a door at McCall- Donnelly High School, Principal Tim Thomas will know that has happened simply by checking a computer screen. The new technology is part of the $90,000 security upgrade recently completed for all schools in the McCall - Donnelly School District, Director of Operations Matt Moss said. The new system has updated card lock readers to unlock doors with the swipe of a key card. 'We had an existing access control system installed around 2005, however not every outside door had a card - lock reader," Moss said. 'The new system traces what cards are used, what time they are used, when someone leaves plus it's tied to our camera system," Moss said. "So if someone is using another person's card that's been reported missing or stolen we can see who's using their card," he said. ( Vrahom Matt Moan demonstrates the new ke.v cm•d wstem at lot -P High School The new software also gives staff the ability to remotely unlock and lock doors by computer. "We now can set doors to open and lock at certain times of the day, such as for games or if there were to be a lockdown situation," he said. The new security software is also a time saver. A new employee's key card can now be programmed with a point and a click of a computer mouse. Under the old system, the key card had to be taken to every door and programmed manually, a process that required three to four hours, Moss said. If the old key card software system failed, district employees had to resort to the old hard -key system. If someone lost a hard key, locks had to be reinstalled at an entire school, Moss said. Parents and visitors to any of the school facilities should not notice a difference when they walk through the doors, Moss said. Each school was given the option to decide what entry doors they wanted to leave unlocked or locked down and on what time schedule. The district offers emergency training to staffers but also realizes it's impossible to plan for every emergency, Moss said. "With this new security software system, we just want to make sure we are being as efficient as possible and that we are giving ourselves the best chance to keep everyone safe," he said. Page 1 of l http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools�age.php 9/12/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Erekson resigns as M -D trustee clue to move McCall - Donnelly School Board Member Laurie Erekson has resigned her position nine moths after joining the board. Erekson said she and her husband, Scott, will soon move into a home that is outside the boundaries of the zone she represents. Erekson was hired by the school district in 1998 as principal of Payette Lakes Middle School. In 2001, she was appointed the district's curriculum administrator and given the additional title as Heartland High School principal. From 2002 to 2005, Erekson's position was expanded to instructional development. She joined the school board last December. The school district is advertising for a new trustee who lives in Erekson's zone. But if no letters of interest are received, the district may accept applications from anyone living outside zone boundaries. Erekson's zone extends from Rock Flat on the north along the west side of the North Fork of the Payette River and Lake Cascade. Details can be found at the M -D School District Office on Idaho Street across from McCall- Donnelly High School- h4://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/Prep_schools �age.php Page 1 of 1 9/12/2013 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 Enrollment up at McCall- Donnelly, Cascade, Meadows Valley schools BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Student enrollment is up in the McCall - Donnelly School District from projected numbers for the 2013- 14 school year. Current total enrollment in the district is at 994 students, or a 6 percent increase from last year's total enrollment of 937 students, Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. This trend should mean the school district will receive more money from the state than what was budgeted for, Szymoniak said. Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School saw the largest jump with 334 students currently attending school compared to a projected enrollment of 314 for this year. Fayette Lake Middle School is at 222 students and was predicted to see enrollment around 206. "We have over 80 sixth graders which is a significant bubble coming in," Principal Susan Buescher said. M -D High School is holding steady at 296 students, up from 285 expected to attend this year. Donnelly Elementary School's enrollment is at 124, an increase from the 117 prediction and Heartland High School has 18 students, up three from the 15 predicted at the alternative high school, Szymoniak said. The overall trend for M -D schools is to see a larger enrollment in the fall compared to the number of students attending in the spring. The McCall district saw its highest number of enrollment peak so far at 1,232 during the 1994 -95 school year. http: / /www.mccallstarnews .com/pages /fp_stories_page.php 9/19/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Former, current 1*0 students earn AP Scholar Awards Nine former and one current students at McCall- Donnelly High School have earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP Exams, The College Board's Advanced Placement Program allows student to take college -level courses while still in high school. The students earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. About 22 percent of the 2.2 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to also earn an AP Scholar Award. All students mentioned below graduated with the Class of 2014 except for Bryn Kennell, who is a senior this year. • Bennet Roper qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average score of at Last 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. • Weston Appa, Madison Lowe and Nathaniel Youkstetter qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. • Six students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher. They are Elizabeth Farrell, Bayley Goodwin, Kennett, Sydney Radcliffe, Elizabeth Thurman, and Lauren Wagner. Page l of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews. com/pages /prep_schools_page.php 9/19/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of l CORRECTION A clarification is needed for a story that appeared in The Star -News on Sept. 19, 2013, regarding current and former McCall- Donnelly High School students who earned AP Scholar Awards. Bennet Roper, 2013 AP Scholar with Distinction, and Madison Lowe, 2013 AP Scholar with Honors, took their AP classes in U.S. and Works History, English Language and English Literature, four out of their five AP courses, at the North Fork School in McCall while attending M -D from 2011 to 2013. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 9/26/2013 EE =T"RECESS- FifHtgtadmsat Domtelk EkmtMan• School weffi ou a mowrtam . bilaog escmr4on last week at Tamarack Aeeott The Central Idaho Motmtam Bike Assombou otgmvzedthe 4% Gravity Spotts muductedf W bike safely checks, and Hie'Irl Falue Ckpattmeutmpsta dthe bks and checked the fit of lehnets. es /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of l 9/26/2013 1� 1F �I nae b nwu�. roGr 11.ORPSMUHS - Bob Halbck abudaig. and Dave Hamm stttmg, of the McCaU Rotmy Club pose wtth members of the thud -grade class at rx=rlh- Merut flefihm y.fdhge after gnug each Audut RMary gave duaouanea to tlmdgraders m McCa4 New Meadows, Cascade and Dounelp Home - schooled e uimts also i my mem e a dtehouaq• by callmg Hamm at 315 -3382. )_schools—Page.php Page 1 of 1 9/26/2013 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 Start Them Young: M -D football coach Joey Pietri believes in teaching fundamentals to youths "There was a need to have a younger -aged team because our middle school team was getting beat so badly. " —Joey Pietri BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Joey Pietri believes football is a game that needs to be taught at a young age to build skills. That is why Pietri has dedicated himself to youth football in McCall for two decades. Pietri is an assistant football coach at McCall - Donnelly High School, he the the McCall where watches results of Optimist football program that he helped create. "Coach Pietn is the first name that comes to mind when ! , you say the word 'football' in McCall," M -D head football }v coach Larry Henggeler said. "Joey has more passion for the fundamental part of the \� game than anyone I've ever known and he pushes the players he coaches to be perfectionists and to not settle for anything less," Henggeler said. Po"m 6. thesa Nemz b� Mae M"eLr Petri, 64, has been coaching the game at all age levels for w<Ld nsystuit tootbed] emwhjoe ple"I at least 19 years. The Woodside, N.Y., native owns Legend ""-v"mdat- Idmer,Rnto Grob diuvie+i meat CrossFit in McCall with his son, Cheyenne. sawe.n H� Call "It's a very passionate sport," Pietri said. "It's given me some incredible life -long friendships and when I was a kid it gave me a place to immerse myself." Pietri's three grown sons all played football in McCall and were one of the reasons he became interested in the Optimist program in 1994 along with co- founder Eddie Grey. "We felt there was a need to have a younger -aged team here in McCall because our middle school team was getting beat so badly, Pietri said. First Team in 1996 The McCall Optimist Football program officially kicked off its first team in 1995. Members of that first group of youths age 11 -12 went on to win the Snake River Valley conference title in 2001 for the Vandals. Members of the 1995 team of nine - year -olds eventually went on to the 3A state high school championship game in 2004. 'We've had kids go on to play college football and that's an incredible experience to see these kids go on and then come back to be doctors, attorneys, accountants, ministers, teachers, and so on," Pietri said. McCall Optimist football alumni include Clay Charles, who went on to play quarterback for Michigan State University. Charles's brother, Colt Charles, was a backup quarterback and placekick holier for Oregon State University. "It's also been fun to see the coaching staffs come through such as seeing Mark Wright and Larry Henggeler now at the varsity high school level," Pietri said. Pietri's tireless efforts to travel to Optimist meetings in Boise have been a huge support for the program, current director Kimmi Onthank said. "Joey has helped keep the program going and is a very respected person in the Optimist program statewide," Onthank said. The growth of the McCall Optimist Football program has been a team effort from many volunteers, Pietri said. "We have so many people who have made wonderful contributions to the football program," Pietri said. " Kimmi Onthank has done a world of good for the Optimist program and without her it would probably not survive." Even after almost two decades of being a part of the program, Pietrfs love of the game and coaching has not diminished. "We want to see kids develop good character and work ethic, get that early football experience and develop good technique," he said. L-,4, http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 10/3/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Two M -D students to attend national honors singing ensemble in Nashville 61' KYLA SAWYER for The Star -Nc�x s The singing talents of McCall - Donnelly High School students Rebekah Bennett and Kathryn Riches are hitting a nationally recognized high note. Both were recently selected to join more than 670 musically talented high school students from around the country to perform at the 2013 National Association for Music Education All-National Honors Ensemble at 1 Nashville's Gaylord Opryland Hotel on Oct. 30.c The National Association for Music Education is among the world's largest arts education organizations and addresses h. all aspects of music education. KatlnpiRichm left andRebe_kahB iwetttr�lre m fi 11 -D nww dawtor IATLnw Pnwdfor &-v Bennett, a senior, and Riches, a junior, were selected after ustionahmorseuwuibleperfa wane submitting recorded auditions earlier this year, M -D music director Graham Pinard said. "This is the first time any student from M -D High School has earned a spot in this national honor ensemble," Pinard said. "Both of these young ladies are exceptional vocalists and I'm excited they will have the opportunity to sing on a national stage with some of the most accomplished high school musicians in our country," he said. The honor ensemble will consist of a concert band and symphony orchestra of about 150 instrumentalists, a 20- person jazz ensemble and a mixed chorus of approximately 350 vocalists, a press release said. "It's just hitting home, we're about to get our actual music and start practicing," Riches said. Bennett and Riches are required to memorize all the concert music prior to when they arrive in Nashville. "We got the list of music and its pretty difficult literature so it will take a lot of practice time; Bennett said. "There are seven pieces, one in Greek, one in Latin and one in Indian as well as English," she said. Bennett and Riches are among seven students from Idaho selected for the event, which costs about $1,000 to attend. Call Pinard at 634 -2218 to make a donation. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/3/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 "seeks trustee to replace Laurie Erekson The McCall - Donnelly School District Board of Trustees is seeking a replacement for board member Laurie Erekson, who is moving outside of her district. Erekson represents Zone 3, which generally runs along the west side of North Fork of the Payette River. A detailed map is available at the M -D district office at 120 Idaho St. Letters of application are due by Nov. 1 to Superintendent Glen Szymoniak, 120 Idaho Street, McCall, ID 83638 or gszymoniak®mdsd.org. Whoever is appointed to the seat will be up for election in 2017. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a registered voter, and live inside District 3. The board of trustees meets on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. plus special meetings as needed. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/3/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 r Pooh for M BtrNen 6r Mt Yo.tr VANDA SPIRIT -,1hna Rader and Bobbu 42asacock shay- then' VaufW Rule du aW Fh&N, s parade through dav7ttouv McCall to celebrate Homecouuug Week at McCall- Dovuelh Ito School h4:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/3/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Aleb br is YrXSw by YM Modr M -P ROYALTY - Brooke lhomm and Blade l�'illauaw acknrnvlecjge the crowd atre• being uame Akt .dl- DouueUvHigh Scholl Houurouuug Queeu and l the auuouueewenrcanu• dining lhll- of Ihxhy'a � audnl footba6 gave aganud New Ph-outh Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page -php 10/3/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 qbb b� pebhis fmNq ILAR1 -ES MME -J»rns mid semoismti, MWA- DunueIIy HOSchool Eumo meistal Scumres class luaTested t'egetables from the stockist garden at tlx lugh school tclnle members of the 2i -P freshnwis teen h�W d w prepared the roasted carrots. beets, and potaatoes. In photo, Jade Stun'. �aq-?�isdetsou mud Glace Kudnll. pt�ave I tYgetabks, whtrh ear senrcl at the arlwd dmW Homecomnigtl'eek http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/3/2013 M -D seeks trustee to replace Laurie Erekson The McCall - Donnelly School District Board of Trustees is seeking a replace- ment for board member Laurie Erekson, who is moving out- side of her district. Erekson represents Zone 3, which generally runs along the west side of North Fork of the Payette River. A detailed map is available at the M -D district office at 120 Idaho St. Letters of application are due by Nov 1 to Super- intendent Glen Szymoniak, 120 Idaho Street, McCall, ID 83638 or gszymoniak@ mdsd.org. Whoever is appointed to the seat will be up for election in 2017. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, are gistered voter, andlive inside District3. The board of trustees meets on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. plus special meetings as needed. J ':�I"Cr /U"r-, , 11 C. �/ 5 FOOD DRIVE WINNERS - The McCall - Donnelly Booster Club fall sports food drive collected a total of 212 items during Homecoming Week. The Vandal football team came out on top with 123 items. Team members receive a plaque and will donate the cost of the pizza party money back to the food pantry. From left are Hunter Onthank, Dalton Bradshaw, Justin Grob, Levi Blakeway, Elijah Lowen, Jade Harris and Blake Julian. Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of I WD students keep track of weevil to combat spotted knapweed Students from the Environmental Science class of McCall- Donnelly High School are continuing to watch the progress of a natural way to control spotted knapweed. The studies are a follow -up to the release last year of 50 knapweed root weevils at a city -owned lot near the sewer ponds on Deinhard Lane. The students also are monitoring a piece of private property on McCall Avenue as a control site. The students are using a monitoring technique to see how knapweed in the area planted with the weevil fares when compared with the McCall Avenue property, which has no weevils, teacher Debbie Fereday said. The technique, called Standardized Impact Monitoring Protocol, has been endorsed by various state, federal and tribal agencies. The weevils were first released in the 1980s and is established in much of the western U.S., Fereday said The weevils do not attack native plants. The female weevil lays eggs into the root crown of the knapweed. The larva emerges from the egg and tunnels into the root where it feeds on the plant. Adults feed on the leaves but it is the larva that does the most damage to the plant, she said. A breeding ground for the weevils has been set up on the high school grounds, and the weevils will be made available to the public next August, Fereday said. http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /Prep_schools _page.php 10/24/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 B,tes 6oro by Debbierende/ P From left, M•D em-ironmental anence ahuknb Taylor Ryde, Brooke Els , Kamren Korb, aid Trmda Cornell monitor Imalnreed &mty on a ttuh�ol - wair a home on McCaB -�kcenite. h4:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page -php 10/24/2013 Star -News News Page—Lead Story Three -Peat! Vandal girls dominate 3A state soccer tournament "Community School was reduced to sending long, hopeful balls towards our goal keeper. " —Greg Pittenger BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News With three straight shut -out victories, the McCall - Donnelly High School girls soccer team brought home its third consecutive 3A state championship title on Saturday. In a repeat of last year's state finals, the Vandals once again defeated Ketchum's Community School, 6 -0, to capture the three -peat win at Middleton High School. The Vandals earned their place in the title game by defeating Teton, 4-0, last Thursday, and Filer, 5 -0, on Friday. "We had a chance to do something no other 3A school girls soccer program can say they've done," coach Greg Pittenger said. The Vandals have made winning look almost effortless this season with an overall record of 19 -1 and 18 -0 in the Western Idaho Conference. This is the sixth time the M -D girls soccer program has brought home the first -place trophy from the state tourney. Senior forward Taylor Howell was M -D's leading scorer with six goals and an assist tallied during the entire weekend. "I definitely didn't see this as easy," Howell said. "Every game was a challenge because we hadn't played some of these teams before, so we approached it as if anything could happen." Long -Ball Strategy M -D abandoned its passing game in the final match against the Cutthroats and sent long balls over the Community School's defensive line. Howell scored once and Vandals forward Brooke Thomas sank two of her three goals of the game running full speed towards the net. "The tactic was extremely successful for us and we scored two goals in the first 12 minutes," Pittenger said. Ahead 3-0 at hatflime, the Cutthroats never found a way to penetrate M -D's stoic defense that allowed just eight goals scored on them the entire season. "Our midfielders were making 60 -yard runs from attack to defense to attack all day long," Pittenger said. "Community School was reduced to sending long, hopeful balls towards our goal keeper that were never a threat." The Vandals closed the door in the second half with goals by Thomas, Howell and junior Kylie Hoogendyk for the shut -out victory. "it's amazing to win a state title for a third time, but it was also a big shock at the end realizing this was the last time we were going to play together," Thomas said. M -D will graduate a core group of seven seniors from its varsity squad this year. "Our success is really a product of this group of juniors and seniors who've played together since youth and worked very hard in the off - season," Pittenger said. There will be five returning juniors and a number of junior varsity players that saw a significant amount of second half action during the state tourney. With that line -up Pittenger is optimistic a "four -peat" could be possible in 2014. "It's always a goal to get to state," Pittenger said. "McCall has built a soccer program that can make a run at it." http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pagesAeadpage.php Page 1 of 1 10/31/2013 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M -D trustee applicants can be fron3 any;;.:he!a in di Applicants are now being accepted from anywhere in the McCall - Donnelly School District to fill a vacancy on the district's board of trustees. The board is seeking a replacement for board member Laurie Erekson, who is moving outside of her district Erekson represents Zone 3, which generally Pins along the west side of North Fork of the Payette River. The district previously sought applicants who were residents of Zone 3, but no applications have been received from residents of that zone. When that happens, state law allows residents from anywhere in the district to apply. Letters of application are due by Dec. 8 to Superintendent Glen Szymoniak, 120 Idaho Street, McCall, ID 83638 or gszymoniak ®mdsd.org. Whoever is appointed to the seat will be up for election in 2017. L, ,4 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 11/7/2013 Outdoors Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Rom br tpe R� -New b� Matl Mvebr FOUR EYES - Gw hi Tammy Jackson of toe A[cC.ill Afae 77tnu n Haudfiil team gets some help hackwg down a puck h'om het hea em' while defeusemau Jared I3wk Masts against t Suu Cauc (meta on Semdap monamg a Mccall The game was part of the Ptuk atthe Rmk pocket- toutumnett held at Alnuchester lee and Ewa Ceuttr trlachratsed mar than $16,ar? to ftghtcaucer http : / /www.mccallstamews.com/pages /outdoors —Page.php 11/7/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 CORRECTION A photo caption in The Star -News last week of the McCall - Donnelly High School football game against Nampa Christian gave the wrong name for one of the tacklers. The player pictured was Ryan Hutcheson. http:// www. mccallstarnews. com/pages /prep_schools_page.php 11/7/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews She likes middle schoolersl PLMS teacher enjoys early teens, hormones and all BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Suzanne Gebhards remembers well the reaction she got from friends when she told them she was leaving real estate to teach middle school. 'They said,'Are you crazy?!'," said Gebhards, 49, who started teaching seventh grade math and eighth grade r't693`?9.- 1°G' algebra at Payette Lakes Middle School this fall. Perhaps it's because most people hear the words "middle school" and immediately think of hormone- charged students bouncing off the walls. But so far, Gebhards says her experience teaching has been far from that stereotype. "Most of the kids just make me smile and giggle about 17 what they're going through," Gebhards said. "Sometimes ♦ iq =' =€ Em you get the rolling eyes or the huff of heavy sighs about ' homework but really it's pure joy and its just fun - really enjoy it." A Gebhards, a McCall native, had previous teaching 4ws 1W experience instructing high school students more than two decades ago at Salzburg Preparatory School in Austria. Her I Pooh byK�3tgeem IDs3tl .N w choice to come back to teaching math was about career Ftrst yev Payette ink.Md&eschoolteacher fulfillment. Stnatute Gebhaids chats math seremh pncle r Btendm Glkeiwn about m asstgmuent "Seeing the light bulbs come on when kids understand and some even realize, 'Hey I do like math'— there's real fulfillment for me in that," Gebhards said. The average starting salary for a new teacher holding a bachelor's degree, without any prior teaching experience is $30,802.00 for the McCall - Donnelly School District. However that figure can fluctuate based on the amount of education and experience a teacher applicant has accumulated. "This is the hardest I've worked mentally and as essentially a first -year teacher I'm working a ton and making less money than I did before; Gebhards said. Time of Transition Principal Susan Buescher says the school is fortunate to have great support from the community. "it s a really good school district and a great community so the kids are awesome here,' Buescher said. She sees middle school as a time of transition where sixth graders are still allowed a Halloween party but can't go to the school dances like the older grades. And the school has rules addressing some of the maturation problems that can occur at the middle school ages. For example sixth graders aren't allowed to hold hands, Buescher said. "Seventh and eighth graders can hold hands and that's it," she said. "They can hug sideways and only for a second." The true challenge for teachers is keeping up with constantly changing requirements, Buescher said. "At this age we spend time also teaching them how to be organized and how to study for tests in addition to the core concepts," Gebhards said. Although the pay and hours are much different that when she was in real estate, the rewards are great, Gebhards said. "The kids overall are so eager to learn and please," Gebhards said. "I feel like I'm contributing a little more to society." Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /Prep_schools _page.php 11/14/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of I Vandal girls hope height, speed, experience will lift them to winning record BY KYLA SAIA YER for The Star -News McCall- Donnelly girls basketball coach Tim Thomas is hoping this years team will accomplish something that hasn't been done in awhile. "As a varsity team I would really like to see us have a winning record," said Thomas, who returns for a second year as head coach. The Vandals' season tips off at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday against I non - conference opponent Council at the M -D gym. Thomas is hoping the team's experience, height and speed will help them improve on their 9 -13 record last year. _ On paper, M -D looks like a young team with just one varsity returning senior. However the group played summer �- league and has worked hard in the off - season to overcome last year's challenges. Van&darlshasketball wa liTim Thomas gives defemve pouters to Heather C) a%1ord rvlWe "When we make a mistake we just have to let it go and not Camille Botello looks on let it affect the rest of the game," returning varsity starting post player and sophomore Camille Botello said. Botello will be the backbone of the Vandals on the court along with 5- foot -7, four -year varsity senior starter Brooke Thomas and 5 -8 sophomore varsity starting point guard Lexi Tinney. "Our team looks young but almost everyone has varsity playing experience," Brooke Thomas said. The Vandals also have height at the basket. Botello is 5- foot -11, and M -D's back -up varsity post players Heather Crawford (6.2), Emma Schoonover (5-9), Alix Stanley (5 -9) and Kayli Jones (5 -7) will be tough for other teams to box out. "We also have a lot of fast guards who can really dribble," Tinney said. Taylor Hill (5 -7) has some varsity playing experience from last year. More than 30 girls turned out to play and so M -D will field a varsity, junior varsity A and junior varsity B teams, Tim Thomas said. M -D's toughest competition in the Western Idaho Conference will be last year's state consolation winner Melba and state qualifier New Plymouth. The Vandals will also play Central Idaho League district champions Grangeville for two of its non - league match -ups. "We have a really great schedule and my hope is it will allow us to develop and see where we are, Thomas said. "Most importantly, I want the girls enjoying the game of basketball." http: / /www.mccallstamews .corn /pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/14/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Breaking Up Is Hard to Do Splittingfrrst -grade classes took more than division "The only negative was the fear of change. " — Heather Haynes BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Splitting two first -grade classes into three at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School was much more complicated than just drawing lines on a list. The move to reduce class sizes for first graders involved a carefully orchestrated process to ensure parent comfort and student happiness. R' The change started at the beginning of the school year, when the two first -grade classes ended up with 27 students each �. r While there is no required minimum for class size, teachers prefer a class of 18 to 22 students, Principal Jim Foudy said. "This is the first time in my 11 years with the district that we have divided a classroom at this point in the year," Foudy said. About 80 percent of the 54 first -grade families attended an open meeting to discuss splitting up the classes. The overwhelming vote was to move ahead. T7uia Jacks- teaches the uewh- fotwni fr st -g clam at Bvbara R hlorg:m Eletuentus School 'Parents were asked to put up our positive and negative thoughts about the potential choice to split the classes, and really the only negative was the fear of change," parent Heather Haynes said. Both parents and teachers had strong feelings about which children would be good candidates for the new classroom, Foudy said. "Each family was surveyed and we had some general criteria, such as any students that had moved into the district would not be moved again into a new class," he said. The newly formed class sizes are 18, 18 and 19 students One new student enrolled after the process started. Besides parent preferences, an effort was made to have the new class include students with a range of academic skills as well as socio- economic diversity to reflect the real world, Foudy said. Class Started Nov. 4 Tricia Jackson was hired to teach the third class and had one week to prepare her new classroom. Sessions started on Nov. 4 and included Haynes's daughter, Mackenzie. "1 had the chance to sit in on parent - teacher conferences, which was very valuable," Jackson said. The first graders still have lunch, recess and reading groups with their previous classmates. So far, the transition seems to be positive. "She's happy and is loving school; Haynes said of her daughter's experience so far. "The children are adjusting well to the new configurations, and based on progress we see, are acclimating well to the new classroom," Foudy said. Historically, student enrollment slows down in the fall but hat has not been the case this year, Foudy said. New students are continuing to come in at second through fifth grades. "Most of the families seem to be either young retirees or people with jobs that can work from anywhere," Foudy said. "Some are new business owners here who have chosen McCall as where they want to live." http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php Page 1 of 1 11/21/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M -D schools move toward Idaho Gore Standards BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-Neu s Soon, by the time students in the McCall- Donnelly School District enter the third grade, they will already know how to tell time. That is one year earlier than what happens now. When to teach time is just one of the changes that will be seen when M -D schools fully implement the Idaho Core Standards. The Idaho Core Standards is the name given to the national Common Core Standards adopted by the Idaho State Board of Education in 2011. The standards set goals for what a child should know and master at each grade level. "The standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them," M -D Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. Common Core identifies English Language Arts and mathematical skills students' need for career and college 1LJt_S__%W4%, readiness, Payette Lakes Middle School Principal Susan Buescher said. as.m s,.Ths a..w., by Keatm Swift and Koh\]euua Bokard students m "The standards don't tell schools what curriculum to teach hm: xmutrou'swaudgr,dednss at MIES use or what books to use - they identify skills students need for the iNdtonu tet the stall4tellmgtuoe career and college readiness," Buescher said. Currently 45 states and the District of Columbia have adopted the standards. "Teachers in the district began studying the CCS in the fell of 2011 and have been gradually implementing them," Barbara R. Morgan Elementary Principal Jim Foudy said. "The biggest change is the focus on students critical thinking," Foudy said. "We've moved beyond just getting the right answers and into much higher level skills," Foudy said. "Because of this, there is an increased emphasis on writing skills! For example, students will now be asked to explain their thinking in writing, even in the area of mathematics, Foudy said. 'Step one was unpacking the standards and really reading through them," Szymoniak said. "Step two is now helping teachers reassess their curriculum and lessons plans to meet the Idaho Core Standards." A key part of this process is the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, a collection of states that are working together to produce assessments to measure students' progress. "The new assessments will include a variety of question types — not just the standard multiple choice of the previous ISAT," Buescher said. New tests would be scored by computers and people. In English Language Arts, students may read, listen to a video clip, highlight sections of the text that correspond with specific questions and then write a short essay, Buescher said. "Previous standards were unique to every state," Szymoniak said. "The Common Core Standards enable collaboration between states for curriculum and testing systems that are aligned." Members of the M -D School Board of Trustees have authorized Szymoniak to take out three advertisements in The Star -News to help inform the community about the changes. The first advertisement appeared in the Nov. 21 issue and the second message appear on this issue of The Star -News on Page 11. "Board members heard misinformation being stated at the state school board conference they attended this month and wanted to be pro- active with accurate information to the public," Szymoniak said. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /prep_schools�age.php 11/27/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 ASSUME THE POSE S Mom 6r 1M 8tr H. by hl .o I10aeus of students at Barbatn R Dldagm Flement. Scholl dtresaed w shat mbd ne ou blax4ty so they could look bke PtmaPnl3im Foudh-, center The sulmse dress-upwas a cekbinnouofFoufi's.t3tdbnthdar Someof the sludlents who dressed the pat were, from left. Lee IGnd nM Jack M41ams. rassuh• f mum and WiDn smeLur http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/27/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page I of I Laurie Erekson to return to WCaR- Donnelly school board Laurie Erekson was reinstated on Monday to the seat on the McCall- Donnelly School District Board of Trustees that she felt in September. Erekson had served as trustee for Zone 3 for nine months prior to her resignation in September. Erekson had announced she and her husband, Scott, would move into a home that is outside the boundaries of the zone she represents. The school district advertised for a new trustee living Zone 3, but there were no applicants. In that case, state law allows any resident of the school district to serve in the seat, and Erekson was the lone applicant. Erekson was hired by the school district in 1998 as principal of Payette Lake Middle School. In 2001, she was appointed the district's curriculum administrator and given the additional title as Heartland High School principal. From 2002 to 2005, Erekson's position was expanded to instructional development. She retired from the M -D School District in 2005, working as a consultant for a strategic planning firm specializing in higher education. http:// www. mccallstamcws .com/pagcs /Prcp_schools _page.php 12/12/2013 Rehearmug for the M -P Dram'EvoWe prodirtio of "7he ftghttugrle" mr, from left. Caner Y.,*Aetter as the emperrn. mhe Mpj , Brumia Zak atd lrta [arker as the coictesaus, and Bn ce t\blfe as a a d r . http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of 1 12/5/2013 Prep Sports Page The StarNews ve m b, a . Mme, 1 ELLffi MCk�SE V1S1'IS - bawellv Ekmentmy � School students hxd A itisitft»m Uv Blue Moose (Sierra Swain) at last week's meef�q{ of Uu student bo<h• Even• student wL met then rc,a goals in the [first q"-ter of the scbool YeA - were entered into the Mooseketerrs Club ow .71g] A cerhfcate for a free Peru," su piui At Eilue (.[Dose Fizzx in 6h•C:ell. Page 1 of 1 http : / /� "kik,.mccallstarnews.com /pages /prep_ schools_pagc.php 12/5/2013 S )4,t /I'll I �,_s M -D students owe $10,000 in unpaid meal fees BY KYLA SAWYER For The Star -News Almost $10,000 in outstand- ing breakfast and lunch fees by McCall- Donnelly School District students may result in some students not being allowed any new meal charges when classes resume Jan. 6. A review of the district's food service program by the Idaho Department Education revealed $9,782.00 balance in unpaid meal charges by students. "We started this school year with $4,071 in outstand- ing student breakfast and lunch charges from last year," M -D District Business Man- ager Cheryl Moriarty said. "The desire of the school board has been not to refuse to feed kids, however we're getting to the point where federal reimbursement rules are dictating we can no longer do that and we have to collect," Moriarty said. Out of a district -wide en- rollment of 992 students, there are 43 students with balances over $50, which makes up close to $6,500 of the delin- quent charges, Moriarty said. McCall - Donnelly High School students make up 37 percent of the unpaid meal fees. Students at Payette Lakes Middle School account for 32 percent and children at Bar- bara R. Morgan Elementary School account for 25 percent of the total. District Food Services Supervisor Lisa Howes has notified parents by telephone and in writineof students car- rying a delinquent balance, Moriarty said. All fees includ- ing food charges must be paid before a student graduating from high school may receive their diploma. "We added the MySchool- Bucks.com software so parents can see online what their child's charges are, how much money is left in their ac- count and pay by credit card," Moriarty said. The district is also con- tinuing to encourage parents to apply for free or reduced meals. Applications are avail- able online at the district website at www.mdsd.org. Applications are also avail- able by contacting Howes at lhowes @mdsd.org. "If anyone is having dif- ficulty paying we really want to encourage you to use these resources and apply," Mori- arty said. "Even if you can qualify for the reduced prices it can make a big difference." M -D students, staff embrace Wads Grant gave every student an Apple tablet computer BY KYLA SAWYER For The Star News McCall - Donnelly High School senior Taylor Howell doesn't like to think about what her day would be like without her iPad. "I use my iPad for every- thing," Howell said. "All of my class notes, apps that help me with school work - if I broke it I wouldn't want to have to go to a computer and print everything off." A $150,000 grant from the Idaho Department of Education has allowed stu- dents andteachers at M -D to bring iPad technology into the classroom. The school received enough money to purchase about 300 iPads and applications. Halfway through the school year, almost all of the 285 students enrolled at the high school have been issued an iPad. And so far, there have been few kinks, Principal Tim Thomas said. "Iwalkaroundthe school and see kids engaged in us- ing the technology to take notes, take quizzes and tests, compose their papers, etc.," Thomas said. Iseeanamazingamount of learning and it's a testa- ment to our teachers to implement this in their lesson plans," he said. See iPads, Page 3 iPads (Continued from Page 1) Use of iPads has many advantages, English and ad- vance d placement literature teacher Alison Foudy said. "Personally I love them because they can be used for more than just note taking or research," Foudy said. "Stu- dents can also put together their presentations, record their presentations, take photos and put those with their notes." Although students must still turn in work on actual paper, the iPads allow stu- dents to keep their work stored remotely so they can get to their work from any device. In fact, many students use both an iPad and laptop or computer to do research and write at the same time. "It mimics most people's work stations in the real world," Thomas said. have iPads, but it's only a couple that I know of," Thomas said. For teachers the tran- sition has meant some adjustments, M -D science, health and wellness teacher Deb Fereday said. "A lot of teachers have Indispensable Tools had success using apps for The iPads have become lessons, etc.," Fereday said. indispensable tools thathelp " But I also think we're see - students be more produc- ing the other side, which is tive by helping them keep students playing games and track of assignments and so teachers have had to learn when work is due, said M -D how to deal with that." senior Brooke Thomas, who For example, Fereday will co -wrote the grant as part of her senior project. "I think it's pretty suc- cessful so far," Thomas said. "I'm really surprised how well teachers and students were excited about it and got onboard." Onlyahandfulof students did not choose to receive an Wad either because they already had one of their own they wished to use. "There's a few kids that like the traditional way of school using paper and don't tell her class, "iPads down" when students are expected pay attention to her instruc- tions. While there have been no problems with how students keep and treat their devices - less than 1 percent have broken - a few students have had their iPads taken away for excessive game - playing, Tim Thomas said. "It's building that culture of `turn it off now, it's time to focus,' " he said. And there have been other problems, such as enough Internet bandwidth to accommodate the entire school's online needs. "The day the latest operat- ing system from Apple came out was during school hours and pretty much everyone here tried to download at the same time, so the network crashed," Brooke Thomas said. Overall both teachers and students agreed the iPads have made learning more fun. "In this day and age you have to teach using all kinds of hands -on concepts," Fereday said. "This is the generation that is totally visually oriented." W Ste. Vandal girls Crevelt's 21 points ' help Ramblers get by take Vandals, 51 -47, in OT down Ramblers at home, 44 -24 BY KYLA SAWYER For The Star -News The McCall - Donnelly girls basketball team led a balanced attack with few mistakes to defeat Long Val- ley rival Cascade, 44 -24 at McCall last Thursday. The Vandals (5 -4 overall, 2 -2 WIC) built an early lead 13 -4 after the first quarter and more than doubled the point spread, 26 -8, by halftime. M -D was up by double the points, 34 -16, headed in to the final quarter. Cascade (1 -6 overall, 0 -4 Long Pin) struggled to get past the Vandals solid game and team rebounding, coach Pal Sartori said. Vandals top scorer se- nior Brooke Thomas had 12 points. Sophomore Camille Botello scored eight points and led M -D with six re- bounds. Cascade's Josie Hubble was the game's top score r with 14 points and six re- bounds. The two teams will mee t again on Saturday, this time on the Ramblers' home court. Junior varsity tips off at 3:30 p.m. and varsity plays at 6:30 p.m. NEW PLYMOUTH 47, M -D 30 Thomas scored 20 points during the McCall - Donnelly girls basketball team hard fought loss, 47 -30, at New Plymouth last Saturday. "The girls played very hard with first place in the Western Idaho Conference at stake," coach Tim Thomas said. The Vandals controlled the tempo and led 29 -28 with four minutes to go in the final quarter. The Pilgrims benefitted from a six -point possession followed by a five -point pos- session to pull past M -D in the final minutes. New Plymouth had un- usual basketball plays that broke our spirits and out- scored us 19 -1 at the end of the game," Thomas said. M -D's Botello had six points and Lexi Tinney scored four points. BY KYLA SAWYER from," Tinney said. For The Star -News Hunter Onthank was the Logan Crevelt scored 21 Vandals top scorer with 13 points to lead the Cascade points. Bryson Powers had Borner boys basketball team to a 11 points and Jeff scored 10 points for M -D. 51 -47 overtime victory over Cascade (3 -3 overall, 2 -0 host McCall - Donnelly last Long Pin) hosts the Vandals Thursday. for another Long Valley This is the second time rival match -up on Saturday. Crevelt has scored points Junior varsity plays at5p.m. this season, coach h Conor and varsity tips off at 8 p.m. Kennedy said. ,,We were able to capital- Burner posts 22 points izeonsomeMcCallturnovers in Vandal victory over and our shooting really im proved when it counted atthe Nampa Christian end," Kennedy said. The teams went back Jeff Borner scored 22 and forth with M -D up 12 -5 points to help the McCall- after the first quarter. The Donnelly boys basketball Ramblers came back to close team get past Nampa Chris - the gap and overtake the tian, 53 -49, last Friday. Vandals, 1948, at half time. The visiting Vandals Cascade held a slim lead, handled the Trojans press - 31-29, headed into the final ing and trapping with poise, quarter. M -D outshot the coach Jason Tinney said. Ramblers 15 -13 to tie the "That was the difference game at the end of regula- in this game," Tinney said. tion, 44 -44 and sent the game "I'm proud of how our team into overtime. bounced back after a tough "We kept our composure loss to Cascade the night and, although we hadn't re- before andturneditar after ally shot well for most of the M -D was up game, we seemed to find our the first quarter and 26 -23 at groove to pull away enough halftime. The Vandals and for the win," Kennedy said. Trojans were tied going in to Cascade scored seven the final quarter 35 -35. points to the Vandals' three M -D went on to out -score points to pull away with the Nampa Christian 21 -14 overtime win, 51 -47. points in the final quarter The Ramblers Chris Per- to seize the victory. kins scored 13 points. The Vandals (3 -3 overall, "It was a learning experi- 1 -0 WIC) will once again play enceforus," M -D coach Jason Long Valley rival Cascade on Tinny said. the Rambler home court on "We needed to be put in Saturday. Junior varsity tips that situation and made some off at 5 p.m. and the varsity mistakes that we've learned plays at 8 p.m. ����l v w . - 1 > l 1 4 / V a n d a l g i r l s p o s t s e c o n d w i n o v e r C a s c a d e i n 9 d a y s B Y K Y L A S A W Y E R F o r T h e S t a r - N e w s V a n d a l L e x i T i n n e y l e d a l l s c o r e r s w i t h 1 0 p o i n t s a s t h e M c C a l l - D o n n e l l y g i r l s b a s k e t b a l l t e a m d e f e a t e d h o s t C a s c a d e , 3 2 - 2 5 , o n S a t u r d a y . T h i s w a s t h e s e c o n d m a t c h - u p i n n i n e d a y s b e - t w e e n t h e t w o L o n g V a l l e y r i v a l s . T h e V a n d a l s a l s o d e - f e a t e d t h e R a m b l e r s o n D e c . 1 9 i n M c C a l l . " W e p l a y e d a d o m i n a n t f i r s t q u a r t e r a n d c a m e o u t w i t h g r e a t e n e r g y , " M - D c o a c h T i m T h o m a s s a i d . T h e V a n d a l s ( 6 - 4 o v e r a l l , 2 - 2 W I C ) f o r c e d s e v e r a l t u r n - o v e r s t h a t l e a d t o s o m e e a s y b r e a k a w a y l a y - u p s i n t h e f i r s t h a l f . M - D b u i l t a n e a r l y 1 0 - 0 l e a d a f t e r t h e f i r s t q u a r t e r a n d w e r e u p b y d o u b l e - d i g i t s , 1 9 - 6 , a t h a l f t i m e . C a s c a d e ( 1 - 7 o v e r a l l , 0 - 4 L o n g P i n ) f o u n d a w a y t o t u r n t h i n g s a r o u n d a n d o u t s c o r e d t h e V a n d a l s , 1 1 - 5 , i n t h e t h i r d q u a r t e r . " O u r d e f e n s e w a s m u c h b e t t e r a n d , o u r b a l l c o n t r o l w a s m u c h m o r e p o i s e d , " C a s c a d e c o a c h P a l S a r t o r i s a i d . T h e V a n d a l s l e d 2 4 - 1 7 a t t h e s t a r t o f t h e f i n a l q u a r t e r . T h e R a m b l e r s f o u g h t h a r d b u t r a n o u t o f t i m e t o c a t c h M - D . " T h i s w a s a g o o d r o a d w i n a g a i n s t a n i m p r o v i n g C a s - c a d e t e a m , " T h o m a s s a i d . " I l i k e w h e r e w e a r e a t a s a t e a m a n d K a y l i J o n e s , T a y l o r H i l l a n d A l i x S t a n l e y p l a y e d o u t s t a n d i n g b a s k e t b a l l , " T h o m a s s a i d . J o n e s s c o r e d e i g h t p o i n t s f o r M - D , a n d H i l l a n d S t a n l e y c o m b i n e d f o r 1 0 p o i n t s . C a s c a d e ' s l e a d i n g s c o r e r s A B O V E : R a m b l e r S p e n c e r P e r k i n s e l e v a t e s f o r a s h o t o v e r M - D d e f e n d e r s H u n t e r O n t h a n k a n d T a n n e r B o r g e s o n d u r i n g S a t u r d a y ' s g a m e i n C a s c a d e . L E F T : V a n d a l s A l i x S t a n l e y a n d A n g e l a W r i g h t t r y t o g e t c o n t r o l o f a l o o s e b a l l a h e a d o f R a m b l e r s J o s i e H u b b l e a n d B r e a n n e H a s k i n s d u r i n g S a t u r d a y ' s g a m e i n C a s c a d e . P h o t o s f o r T h e S t a r - N e w s b y M a t t M o e h r w e r e C e l e s t e G u n d e r s o n a n d K e l s e y L a m b i r t h e a c h w i t h s e v e n p o i n t s . J e s s i c a H u n t e r p u l l e d d o w n s i x r e b o u n d s f o r t h e R a m b l e r s . T h e V a n d a l s r e s u m e p l a y i n t h e 2 A W e s t e r n I d a h o C o n f e r e n c e a t M a r s i n g o n F r i d a y . C a s c a d e t r a v e l s t o N a m - p a ' s L i b e r t y C h a r t e r o n S a t u r d a y . There's a Test For That Morgan school uses battery of quizzes to judge student achievement BY KYLA SAWYER For The Star News Jim Foudy compares school achievement testing to visit- ing a doctor's office. `A doctor uses different tests to help diagnose what needs to be fixed or what is working well," said Foudy, the principal at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School in McCall. As students returned to school this week from Christmas break, testing will once again be a part of the normal aca- demic activities. See ACHIEVEMENT, Page 2 Morgan school first grader Kadee Fee, 6, goes through her list of words with reading program teacher Crystal Culp. Photo for The Star -News by Kyle Sawyer Achievement (Continued from Page 1) The McCall - Donnelly School District uses two types of testing at different times of the year to help educators determine where students are in their skills and performance, Foudy said. In kindergarten through third grade, the tests mea- sure only one or two skills and are administered three times a year. "The test is very general and broad and was only ever intended to be an indication of possible achievement or possible concerns," Foudy said. Other tests are more spe- cific and flexible, and can be administered throughout the year to tell teachers how an individual student performs relative to a specific criteria. "For example, can a fifth grader add and subtract fractions with unlike de- nominators — the test tells us either they can or they can't with a certain degree of proficiency," Foudy said. Specific Improvements The assessments help teachers pinpoint what specific skills may need improvement for each stu- dent. The tests also indicate what skills are mastered so a teacher could give a student more challenging material for them to learn. "The real work happens after assessments are given because they measure stu- dents to specific standards and not to a general popula- tion," Foudy said. Also to be added will be the Smarter Balance As- sessment to report student achievement results to the Idaho State Department of Education, BRMES Math Specialist Sarah Wolf said. Idaho is one of 20 states that will administer the tests this spring. The results will "You're constantly adjusting what and how you do things in class." Jim Foudy be used as a benchmark for -the summer of 2015 as the first round of tests will be used to improve or throw out test questions. "If a teacher focuses on teaching students a skill for three weeks and then students are tested and 80 percent still don't have mastery of that skill, then it becomes an instructor is- sue," Foudy said. "It's a humble process because you're constantly adjusting what and how you do things in class based on students needs today," he said. For parents, the testing isn't about passing or failure, but more an indicator about what is working or not work- ing to help their children master skills, Foudy said. "A test is a test and is generally a more accurate indication of mastery of skills than grades," he said. This week's front page stories M -D forgoes buying buses, signs new contract with Harlow's g}' K)TA SAWYER for The Star -News The MoCali- Donnelly School District Board of T(usiees decided Monday they do not want to get inio the business of owning school buses. Instead, trustees unanimously approved a five -year contract to continue school bus services with Harlow's School Bus Services and Sales. Harlow's has provided contracted bus services for the district for the past 15 years, Harlow's Owner Jeremy Hageness said. The current contract between the school district and Harlow's expires in June. "We're proud to be part of the McCall community and it's exciting to extend our services," Hageness said. Under the new contract, the district will pay Harlow's $647,875 for the first year for school bus services, plus another $113,052 for extra curricular bus transportation, M -D Business Manager Cheryl Moriarty said. The contract will adjust yearly based on the consumer price index. As a part of the new contract, Harlow's will also lease the M -D bus transportation facility from the district. Harlow's sold the 20,000 square -foot building and 20 acres south of McCall to the district in 2012 for $600,000. Contract Cheaper i TRAINING COMPLETED i4- 4 Pnao ur no�,n wn�dR McCall Fur fi EMS volunteer GmLim Pu d asasts wth a toirible -e by test m Domdellv l} rKmt Tlie depmtiuent sa�v du ee hdl -hme firefl¢hteis wd fair vohmteem complete thew I Fn'ehgliter itestwg The) wchaled Capt Freddie \'au ,h,kl n ioip and tn-ehrj tei s Nick Caple aid Joe Ed ckei plus cry unteeis Jnu Corbet. Jnwn Cock. Matt ( khvellmd.>Ae Stmlmiev Last year, trustees decided they wanted to see if it would be cheaper to operate their own bus fleet rather than pay an outside operator. Harlow's was one of three companies that submitted bids last year for both contracted bus services and for the district to purchase its own bus fleet. After comparing the cost to run its own bus services versus contracting services, school board members were quick to endorse continuing to use contracted bus services. "According to the numbers, going with contracted services will save the district about half a million dollars over the next 10 to 12 years versus managing and owning our own bus fleet," school board trustee Pattie Soucek said. "A lot of the people we talked to at the state level gave us the impression that we would see immediate savings by operating our own fleet," M -D Director of Operations Matt Moss said "1 think the general consensus was we might be seeing increased costs with contracted overhead, but the numbers show it will be a huge expense to switch," Moss said. Harlow's has its headquarters in Rolette; N D Page 1 of 1 http:/ hwww. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 1/16/22014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page I of I � sAHa H MYpe M.nN� AG1I� SO1,fE NOISE' - Thtrd greders at Sabra R 6{aEatt Elemeuta, - School got to make some horse last week durng a drumming lesson from Eduardo Mendatca, left . The Mccall Folldore Smetp and Idaho Mountain Samba arranged for the session which also included samba dance lessons by Dora Oliveira Students Pictured from left, are I aplec Frat"m Joshua Ford Lucas Clouser, Team [Piero, and L". I.atsoa http:// ti" vw. mccallstarnews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page.php 1/223/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews GEOGRAPHY BEE WINNER lot Poam by M,—[ W dls :ai'i11] \\ 11g11F, illl eigllFh g]'ade]' at Pacette G�1:es Nhddle Schml, is tle ],v ff of die local Nat]onal Cx Vapluc Bee spowored be the Naho]L'd C: g vipluc Soaeh- t\-]tgf]two]]tbe ea]test, held fast Flub'. b, co]recth wstcei=g ti]e question "71� \ :01.1 of the Iti]]gs, the bmz"t rate fnr luau, nders, was once 'l Pit of the au—nt atr of Thebes ui,&a com]ttT .Al]swer E, gqyt \ \3lght will neat take a quahf}v]g %aitten test. u] "Inch the top 1w mideuts will he selected to attelA the state geog]'apluc bee m Rexbtug on.ApnI d. Page I of I http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page.php 1/30/2014 This week's front page stories Smoke leads to evacuation of Barbara Morgan school Monday BY KYLA SAWYER fcx The Star -News Smoke detected by employees at Barbara R_ Morgan Elementary School led to the evacuation of students on Monday afternoon. No one was injured. About 300 elementary students and 40 school staff were evacuated to nearby Payette take Middle School. A smell of burned plastic and smoke was caused from a burned -out bearing inside a furnace fan motor, Principal Jim Foudy said. That speck furnace ventilates into the teacher's lounge and counselor office rooms located near the south main entrance to the school, Foudy said. "Our office staff smelled a burning plastic smell and we all went on a quick sniffing expedition," he said. School staff called school district maintenance personnel and McCall Fire & EMS at about 1:46 p.m. Monday. "We found where the smoke was coming from and were able to flip the disconnect within a couple minutes of when the bearing had flamed up" M -D Operations Director Matt Moss said. "Just glad it didn't happen at night or else the damage could've been significant" Moss said. The cost to replace the fan motor is about $500 and should be completed this week, Moss said. The furnace affected heats and owls only the teacher's lounge and counselor offices area, he said. "Principal Susan Buescher and the middle school were gracious hosts and showed a movie foi the kids to watch," Foudy said. Although there was minimal damage, the smell caused from the smoke led to the decision not to have students return to their classrooms for the rest of the day, he said. "The burned plastic smell can be an irritant for people who have compromised respiratory situations, such as asthmatics so it was decided to keep students out of the area until the smell cleared," Foudy said. Harlow's School Bus Service rerouted its services to pick children up at the middle school. Students due to be picked up by parents were walked back to the elementary school just before the end of the school day, Foudy said. Page 1 of 1 http:// ww-vN r. mccallstame,ATs.com/pages /flp_stories _page.php 2/6/2014 This week's front page stories Luna says passion endures despite not running for new term State's top education official speaks in McCall The students are looking at us scratching their heads thinking why don't we get it? " —Tom Luna BY KYLA SAWYER for The StarNews The state's top education official said in McCall on Friday that he has felt a great weight lifted from him now that he is not seeking re- election "But I don't think I'm going to be unhinged," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna told a group of educators at Shore Lodge. "I think you'll hear me talk about the same things I've continued to talk about before because I'm still passionate about them." Luna said. Friday's comments were made during Luna's first public appearance since he announced Jan. 27 that he would not seek re- election this year. About 40 school superintendents, university officials, principals and school board members from around the state attended the meeting, which was hosted by the McCall - Donnelly School District and the Education Networks of America. t1 i "I think I've always tried to be somebody who just said ,uuw�s quern ius &on, ni ho supewrendrnr of what I believed and worked towards what I believed needed Public Hvstrvctron Tau Lima as pat of Hie r0id) to be done and if there's political consequences so be it," Ixes®naton druwg a meenug of edwarorsou Luna said. tiidepat3LMrIaJge IPad Presentation Part of Friday's meeting included a presentation from students from McCall - Donnelly High School s iC lu b. Using iPads to draw pictures, write and answer quiz questions, those attending had a chance to see how one - to-one technology has benefitted M -D students' learning and organization. Placing technology in the hands of all students in Idaho classrooms continues to be one of Luna's passions and was part of the so-called "Luna Laws" passed by the Idaho Legislature in 2011. The laws were repealed by voters in 2012. McCall- Donnelly was one of four schools that received a grant for one -to -one technology. "The issues with more and more technology in schools are an adult issue,' Luna said. "The students are looking at us scratching their heads thinking why don't we get it?" Parents should not have to hope that their child is fortunate enough to go to a school that was lucky enough to get a grant, he said. "What's going on herc in MuCbll- Duuueily High Schoui should be happening in every schuul acruss the state and hopefully this is the beginning," he said. Luna said the current legislative session will see several items before it proposed by the State Board Task Force for Improving Education, of which he was a member. "We're going to take the first step towards changing the way we compensate teachers, start restoring those dollars that were cut during the recession and look at providing more operational funding for our schools," he said Page I of I http: /h�ww.mccalistarnews.com /pages /fp_stories _page.php 2/6/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page I of 1 A Special Honor: M -D band to perform at educators conference Bl' I:1'LA ,SAXVYFR for The Star -Newi Graham Pinard admits he's nervously excited the McCall- Donnelly High School Band has been chosen to perform at what's been called the'super bowl' of performances. The M -D Band is one of only four high school music groups selected to play at the 2014 Idaho All State Music r Educators Conference, April 17 -19. �► as, 'j xsr i "We get to show off and represent however its a long road ahead to make sure our performance is well done," said Pinard, who is both the M -D and Payette Lake Middle School music teacher and band director. (h Mum P g TlcCall- Dolmellc High School Dfuslc Pm�m Dire for ulaham P1ua1d stnkc up the baud for Its The conference is expected to see more than 100 dadv lwmhce S 1011 elementary to collegiate instructors attend from around the state. Eaoh of the four groups selected will perform for 20 minutes, Pinard said. The concert will be held at Brandt Centers Swayne Auditorium located at Nampa's Northwest Nazarene University campus, which seats 1,500 people and is home to the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra. "That will be the highlight to play in this beautiful auditorium made for a performance like this," Pinard said. Traditionally music educators select groups from larger 4A to 5A schools to perform. This year the group requested smaller schools to submit entries. Pinard has commissioned a University of Idaho graduate and composer to incorporate the M -D school song in an original concert march just for the event. Pinard also plans to have the band perform the "Vandal Stomp." "We are also planning to perform a free concert here in McCall as we get closer to the date to fine tune ourselves and hear what the community thinks,' he said. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 2/6/2014 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 Book Buddies: Two groups work to help M -D students succeed "Tutoring isn't for dummies ". —Susie Reddick BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Jeff Sheldon thinks learning should not be confined to the classroom, especially d students are having trouble in school. Sheldon helps connects students with tutors through The Yellow Couch Teen Center. The volunteer tutors are either adults or members of the McCall- Donnelly High School Honor Society. "We want to plug into what kids ages sixth grade through high school need," said Sheldon, a retired teacher with 30 years experience at the M -D School District. "We can plug in to either peer tutoring or adult volunteer tutors depending on the students seeking help," he said. 4 Needing help outside school is something many students encounter, M -D Sh rrcznf,ell of rir u" teacher and Honor Society advisor Susie Reddick said. tutorsa local lnpj, what student at "Tutoring sn't for dummies," Reddick said. "It's for students in challenging DIcCalls Yellow CoucL 9 Teeo Cetta' classes who could benefit from extra support." When Sheldon or Reddick receive an inquiry from a student, parent or teacher, they consult with each other to determine if an adult tutor or student tutor is best suited for the situation. Word of Mouth The Yellow Couch started offering its free tutoring services about a year ago and has had about 20 local siudenis lake ddvdnidye, Sheldon said. 'Jvurd of muuih drnuny siudenis and ieauhers has hciped the program to grow. "So far most of our requests for tutoring are for subjects in hard -core math and science, but we offer help for all subjects from middle through high school," he said. The volunteer tutors are former teachers who must undergo background and reference checks, Sheldon said. Retired teauhet and mdlirernaiics tutur Sherry Zubeli has lulured five students in subjects ranyiny frurn sixth grade math to algebra and trigonometry in the last year. "Sometimes what a student needs is just a little one -on -one help and a different way of explaining it and then they can move on themselves and not require tutoring all the time," Zobell said. Students enjoy working with someone who has a different perspective, who can review assignments and tests, collaborate with teachers and help them prepare, Reddick said. ht±p: /hN,ww.mccallstarnews.com /pages /fp_stories _page.php 2/13/2014 This week's front page stories For Ladies Only: McCall hockey festival allows girls to play without boys "When they play with girls they pass more, where boys tend to be puck hogs. —Matt Wappett BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News Abby Gugino and Hunici Mabuncy iraveled daubs the siaie to fvtcCail just bu they cuuld play hockey with other girls. Gugino, of Post Falls, and Mahoney, of Idaho Falls, were among about 70 girls ages 8 to 17 who attended the first Girls Hockey Festival in McCall last weekend. "It s been fun making new friends with girls from other places and getting to play with new people," Mahoney said. Most hockey programs don't have enough players to put all -girl teams on the ice, said John Schulz, director of the McCall Youth Hockey Association, which sponsored the event at Manchester Ice and Event Centre. "We had a meeting at the state level last fall and discussed having festivals as an opportunity to play all -girls hockey and see what its all about," Schulz said The girls were divided up by age and level of playing experience then grouped into teams, including 23 girls from McCall. The experience was designed to offer the girls a chance to play with and get to know people from other teams, Schultz said "We know developmentally girls tend to be more cooperative," said Moscow hockey coach Matt Wappett, who with several other coaches assisted in the festival. "Girls play a different style of hockey," Wappett said. "When they play with girls they pass more, where boys tend to be puck hogs." Worth the Drive s V - t . W� Top Photo br The StaNemr by Mn Moebr, Above pb"ro Em 1De SMNew by Kyla Sawyn AaT7t.)P Md '.A "sAka}1ah Poll IAotects the goal tclnle F ml-hv H:num f 2 ;1 Ines to wore wd .mdz Cvues of i.lzs wa mcwes dtuvyg last Nreekend's Mct ;all E:uis Hock, Festival at Mtmehester lee vhd Ecent Centre The ecmt feattred guis-onh- teams ages 8 to i- fir,m %otuuf Idaho ABOVE Hittites Mahoney. u. of Idaho Fealls gets help lacmg up Iter skates fi om her father, Curhs Mahoney. huukg the ! trls Hock,- Fesht;al M Smldac For hockey mom Julie Bollinger of Moscow, the experience was well worth the long drive through the snow to watch her two daughters on the ice. "It can get intimidating on the boys team," Bollinger said. "They enjoy working hard and playing tough with the boys but this has given them a different feet for the game." Gugino's mom, Kiley Nick agreed. "She loved it," Nick said. "At home they're the only two girls on their Pee Wee team so it's been a whole new experience here." The festival was not only a fun sportsmanship event, but the girls also learned and benefited from the casual, fun atmosphere, tournament director Deanna Schnider said. " I he girls walked away meeting new friends with their same passion, the love of hockey!' Schntder said Next year, McCall and other hockey associations around the state hope to invite teams from a wider at ea such as Muniana and Canada lu avuid having to play the same learn fuur titnes in une weekend, Coeur d'Alene hockey coach Bufford Howell said. "It would've been nice if they could've switched up the teams more," Howell said. "It's the first time ever we have held an all -girls tourney so there are some growing pains." Page I of I 1,.+.tp://Nvww.mccallstarnews.co.—../,-ages/fp _stories�age.php 2/13/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-Nemi Purr Hoogland has been named to take over the head coaching position of McCall- Donnelly High School's three -time consecutive state championship girls soccer program. Hoogland will replace former head girls soccer coach Greg Pittenger, who announced his retirement following the 2013 season. P Hoogland, 56, is a former Olympic Development Program soccer coach. A Dutch citizen and resident of the United States, Hoogland has coached at all levels of soccer ranging from entry level to high school to competitive league play. hm H"o "i Some of his former coaching positions have included head boys varsity soccer coach at Capital High School in Boise, junior varsity head coach at Borah High School and Idaho Youth Sooner Association coach and instructor for referee clinics. Hoogland lives in Riggins and is the owner of Pim's Incorporated Carpet, Rug and Upholstery Cleaners. "Coach Pittenger built a great program that's already a success and lefl some big shoes to fill,' Hoogland said. "1'm looking forward to meeting more of the players and parents." http: / /www.mccallstarnews.com /pages /prep_schools _page.php 2/20/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Pagel of 2 Honor Rolls McCall - Donnelly High School 2013 -14 Semester 1 High Honor Roll 4.0 and above Grade 12 Kaili Marie Anderton, Annessa Rachelle Beckham, Hattie Krieger Geist, Mallory Nicole Herbst, Taylor Reece Howell, Bryn Caiiiin Kennett, Rachel Renee Valo Morton, Caleb Anthony Mudie, Seara Marie Straw, Keenan Lee Walgren, Briana Catherine Zak. Grade 11 Jennavere Renee Ball, Amanda Elizabeth Batchelor, Caleb Jordon Birkinbine, James Kyle Borg, Joshua Dwayne Borg, Justin Jesse Chapman, Molly Marie Dixon, Taylor Megan Garber, Kimberly Lynn Herbst, Kylie Ann Hoogendyk, Tasia Marcia Linett, Cassady Autumn Lord, Jordan Elizabeth Nash, Naomi Ruth Porter, William Warner Ruernmeie, Alix Johanna Stanley, Savannah Jo Summers, Alyssa Nicole Tomevi, Krystan Marie Welborn, Angela Ruth Wright. Grade 10 Saskia Alexis Bock, Bethany June Danner, Emma Louise Schoonover. Grade 9 Amelia Marie Andersen, Mark Dominic Colafranceschi, Aspen Christiene Fontaign, Sophie Merrel Hill. Grace Ruby Kindall, Henry Robert Kindall, Anisa Bailey Ryan, Austin Merritt Shotwell, Grace Gwendolyn Stanley, Jade Alexandra Starry, Noah Reece Walgren, Bailey Hope Weiskircher. Honor Roll 3.5 — 3.99 Grade 12 Jefferson Franklin Borner, Caitlin Jillian Caprio, Jade Spencer Harris, Tianna Lynn Hinson, Eliza Jane Lucker, Morgan Genevieve Selmer, Brooke Marie Thomas, Blade Stephen Wilkinson. Grade 11 Heidi Nicole Carter, Mikayle Raylynn Goodwin, Hannah Nicole Hunt, Monica Lynn Jackson, Claire Louise Lewinski, Hayden Jade Lowe, Seth Michael Lowen, Kaytlyn Michelle Marcotte, Lilly LanTing Moyer, Amie Ann Pool, Sierra Anne Spade, Hanna Kole Veal, William Carter Youkstetter. Grade 10 Camille Nina Botello, Analiese M Brahs, Amberlyn Breann Diener, Justin Daniel Doyle, Paityn Jory Frederick, Brenda Sofia Huaman, Kayli Rebecca Jones, Cole Philip Morton, Kamron Calvin Nay, Jackelin Irene Rodriguez, Olivia Rose Sawdy, Lexis Ivy Tinney, Joseph Michael Viehweg, Hannah Noel Wilson. Grade 9 Christian Matthew Beckham, Jayden Alexis Christensen, Tessa Dawn Jackson, Kailey Kordon Linden, Maysun Lee Moore, Christopher Cole Nikkei, Shaylene Elizabeth West, Brian Douglas Wilkinson. Payette Lakes Middle School 1 st Semester 2013 -14 High Honor Roll — 4.0 GPA 8th Grade Paytan Arrasmith, Hannah Carter, Thomas Gebhards, Pamela Nelson, Sean Nikkei 7th Grade Hannah Baker, Julian Figueroa, Miles Klind, Gabrielle Klinge, Benjamin Montague 6th Grade Tess Billmire, Sophia Clay, Hannah Ellis, Hailey Grande, Madeleine Hinson, Jessica Jones, Jack Kindall, Elizabeth Loper, Nicholas Monahan, McKinley Montague, Elijah Walker, Gracie Warren, Shelby Wilson, Rachel Wright Honor Roll — 3.5 to 3.99 GPA 8th Grade Abigail Bennett, 3.73; Paige Chapman, 3.87; Laurel Crawford, 3.73; Kaden DeLuna, 3.60; Emma http: / /www.mccallstarnews.com /pages /prep_schools�age.php 2/27/2014 Prep Sports Odge The StarNews Page 2 of 2 Griffith, 3.73; Trevor Hamilton, 3.87; Caleb Jones, 3.73; Trey Mohler, 3.60; Bethany Nay, 3.73; Savannah Ormsby, 3.73; Aleeya Pickard, 3.60; Brenner Rygh, 3.87; Justin Welborn, 3.54; Tatia Wood, 3.87; Sarah Wright, 3.7 7th Grade Stokli Asheraft, 3.73; Jacob Babbitt, 3.60, Philip Billingsley, 3.60; Tanner Davis, 3.58; Rylie DeLuna, 3.87; Seth Jones, 3.60; Isabel Kiiha, 3.60; Makena Klinge, 3.73; Kyanne McLaughlin, 3.60; Bryson Pannell, 3.73; Dominic Ruemmele, 3.87; Kyle Schutz, 3.67; Quinn Walgren, 3.6 6th Grade Osha Ashcraft, 3.82; Sofia Hawkins, 3.82; Peter Knudson, 3.64; Angelina Minshall, 3.64; Luke Nelson, 3.82; Megan Pannell, 3.82; Remy Sawdy, 3.64; 1 unity Selber, 3.82; Dalton Swallow, 3.82; Phillip Vance, 3.6 Academic Improvement Sierra Johnson, Emily McKinney, Cedar Moms, Cedar Pulliam, Natalie Sofaly. http./ hvww. mccallstamews ,com/pages /prep_�chools _page.php 2/27/2014 p_schools _page.php SPLAT! DomieBy Elemeutuv School ehulent —ho met them readuig goals mere challenged to make m shaxtm a fiom stra" mud maslang tape to protect a ra.r egg Amnpal Jake 01-w sh—m heir, then (L-opped the cmtripnoms from a lai6.ler lTmtoitmatelr. moue mae tham hero ci Wn Page I of I 3/6/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of l M-D's Thurmond named to national society McCaw- Donnelly High School senior Savannah Thurmond has been selected to join The National Society of High School Scholars. Thurmond, the daughter of Wade and Tracey Thurmond of McCall, plans to study nursing at Lewis -Clark State College in Lewiston. Formed in 2002, the society recognizes excellence among high school students and encourages members to apply their talents "for the betterment of themselves and the world," a news release said. 0 am ME s;,cuuia r Membership entitles qualified students to apply for scholarships, enter academic Thwwond competitions, attend free events, and take part in programs offered by partners of the society. http:/ hvnN,,Ar. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/6/2014 The Star News Groups Page Page I of I M -D alum with rare illness turns to crowdfunding The family of MoCall native Virginia (Ertter) Patton, 36, has turned to crowdsouroe funding to help her get treatment for a rare and poorly understood illness. Patton, daughter of McCall photographer Gary Ertter, suffers from gastroparesis, a rare illness that has rendered her incapable of eating end digesting food. Gestroparesis, which primarily strikes females, paralyzes the gastrointestinal tract. For most victims it is a life -long condition. Patton, a mother of two now living in Spokane, has undergone several failed surgeries and suffered acute pain, infections, and severe weight loss. Patton's sister, Wendy Ertter, recently set up the Hope for Virginia fund to help offset her medical costs and get her to specialists for life- saving treatment. To date, the fund has raised $14,800 from 112 contributors as far away as Alaska, Connecticut and Finland. The fund has already allowed Patton to travel to a specialist in Boise and to Seattle to begin treatment. To contribute or learn more about Patton's condition, visit www.youcaring.conVgogoginny. Contributions may also be sent to: Virginia Patton Fund, 2015 Hazel Street, Boise, ID 83702 http : / /www.mccallstarnews.com/pages /groups _page.php 3/6/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page I of I tub students portray 'Great Women in History' Nine Moeali- Donnelly High School students recently portrayed historical figures as part of the "Great Women in History" project sponsored by the Long Valley Branch of the AAUW. Thd$Wenta wrote or found a script, put together a costume, made a poster, created an activity and then p ffbrmed for students at elementary schools in McCall, Donnelly and New Meadows plus Payette Lakes Middle School in McCall. This marks the 181h year that the project has sponsored by the Long Valley Branch to note Women's History Month in March http:// www. mccallstarnexN, s .com/pages /prcp_sphools _page.php 3/20/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews MW. fmn. "' -Z b' on odl.'bn SPONGE -BOB F-�CE PLAN•F -Joey a mo and Gage Frederickson react to brtgg peltedtu file face by a wet spoig[e at Last Fnd.. s l'ascatle Schools Spprholg Caimval Mom fire The—N. by Ky S. lhtual held trip - Donnell, Elementary School thud gader auge Daphinias assists her class during a -intual field trip" in which the students toturd the Dluuhesota Zoo v>.a the Internet at rear, host Galen Siostrmu lest the tom mid mswered questions from students Mom by sues eucmir JOINT CHOIRS - Payette Lakes hhddle School choir students toned forces with the Notlnvest Nazarene Bella voce Konen s Choir on Fndav during a performance at rte school Ihrectohs Graham Pinad of PLAIS audJud.v Ahulett of NNU worked nzth the students du nig an hotir -long vocal clinic, and PLDIS students joined the Bella Mao by .d-. Nov LEARNING IN BOISE - Douuelh- Elemeutary School fotuth gaders K.avlee Kober. SvAwy :Vvwn nth. Jesmca Saber and Stnnp Sinith take a break from an educational held trip to Rase to have some fun The stutlalls visited The Discovery Center, Zoo Boise and the Idaho Statehouse last FulLiv t \Guile at the Statehouse, the Mile nts met Rep Lmdat Batemw. R -Idaho Falls, who spoke abaft Idaho history and read the Cetta sbtng :kfdrrss iath the students Page 1 of I http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/20/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page I of I Dashing Through the Snow Spring weather forces Vandals to practice indoors or in poor conditions BY KYLA SAWYER fix The Star -News Running with small parachutes behind them, members of the McCall - Donnelly High School track and field team didn't seem to notice it was snowing hard as they sprinted around the parking lot. "We're used to adapting to whatever conditions we get," M- D track and field coach Bill Anderson said. "We were on the track a few days ago, but then it snowed again so we're finding ways to keep training." Practices that other schools in the Boise Valley can plan r for outdoors are relegated to the indoors in McCall. In the M -D gym, the softball team catches pop ups and went through a series of throwing drills. Down the hallway, the golf team practices its swings b hitting balls into floor -to- 9 P 8 Y 9 l:wcLfl track team members Elacle l \'ilkunson .uul ceiling nets in the old gym. NtnxKmulsou brave stimflmvesumngnnnimi; i pntaclnUes tuug a recent in�ac6ce. d "In some ways its great because we get a lot of swinging _ __ — practice in at the beginning of the season," M -D golf coach Jim Beaver said. "But then we lose out on the chance to actually get on the greens and work on our short game " For the past couple of years both the Vandals softball and baseball teams have set up batting cages in the former Idaho Power Co. offices on Lakeside Avenue. The team also travels to Riggins to continue to sharpen both hitting and fielding skills. Despite the obstacles snow, cold and weather may bring, it hasn't stopped Vandals athletes from striving to play hard and be the best. The M -D girls got? team won the 2A District III title and came in second place at the state tournament last season. The Vandals girls track team has won the district title several times in recent years with several athletes qualifying for the state meet And the M -D girls softball team placed second at both the district and state tournament. "We're just looking to improve and get better like other teams," M -D softball player and junior Jordan Nash said. http:// NvNuw. mccalistarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/27/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Senior Moments Students at M-D, MY show off the results of their senior projects "It was really fun and great to learn something new. " — Taylor Howell BY KYLA SAWYER A. The Star -News Blake Julian hopes his senior project will help McCall firefighters save lives. For most of the school year, the McCall- Donnelly High School senior researched and built a metal fire door similar to those used on commercial buildings. "This door can be used to train firefighters how to quickly use an axe and other tools to leverage the door open and get to people inside a building," Julian said. Julian was one of about 56 seniors at McCall- Donnelly High School who presented their senior projects earlier this month. Seven seniors at Meadows Valley High School also completed senior projects. The graduation requirement includes at least 20 hours of time invested, a 10 -page research paper, portfolio, completion of the project and public presentation, coordinator Ted McManus said. ffioW fo, Thc Sta -N<+"e by Kyle Smrycr Jodi Howell, left, and her daughter. Taylor, stwd aath the readt of Tatter`s senior project, "Rehtuldmg a io- yaumlm L. 3ec hfot.m de " "We try to encourage seniors to pick something outside the academic classroom that's not specific to any one subject," McManus said. "Usually it's based on their individual interests with mentors to help guide them along the way." Senior Taylor Howell chose to rebuild a 1971 Yamaha 125cc motorcycle that she plans to take with her to college in the fall. "Both of my parents grew up on motorcycles and this look up a lot of my time but it was really fun and great to learn something new,' Howell said. Projects ranged from Zumba dance to smokejumping to working in a mortuary. "It's fun to see what the kids have done and where their Interests are,' senior project judge Kimmi Onthank said. For McCall Fire & EMS, Julian's forcible entry door prop will be used for future drills, firefighter and paramedic Nick Caple said. "It's fantastic when senior projects help the community," Caple said. M -D senior projects have been part of the curriculum for nearly 20 years, McManus said. "We hope students gain the confidence to speak up in front of people and also the fortitude to stick with a project and complete it," he said, Page I of I http://-vvww. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/27/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarlVews Page 2 of 2 Gunnar Baker, Teaching Judo To 5 -6 Year -Olds. • Jefferson Bomer, Learning To Play The Piano. Rachel Morton, The Art Of Screen Printing. • Mallory Herbst, Transforming A Pop Song Into Jazz. • Eliza Lucker, Job - Shadowing A Mortician. • Caitlin Caprio, Learning To Play The Drums. • Shayla Becker, Using A One - Handed Keyboard. • Heidi Cavens, Creating And Recording Mp3 Music. • Kaild Anderton, Permeculture And Gardening. • Blade Wilkinson, Ultra Distance Running. • Chase Heys, Creating Graffiti Stencils. • Nataliya Kennedy, Coaching Downhill Skiing. • Dillon Hill, Interviewing Local Military Veterans. • Bryn Kennell, Shadowing A Veterinarian. Rebekah Sennett, Music Production & Performance. • Zachary Stahlberg, The Art of The Tattoo. MEADOWS VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL • Hannah McDonald, Scoliosis Awareness. • Lindsey Bauer, The Dream Dress. • Laurann Neill, Training a Therapy Dog. • Trent Perkins, Meadows Valley: A Living History. • Justice Gregersen, Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing. • Lucas Rhodes, Blecksmithing: Art and History. • Jesse Hearold: Converting a Gasoline Engine to Propane. http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/27/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews From Lunchroom to Garden 4th graders learn how worms can turn food scraps into fertili_er BY CHRISTIE GROB for The Star -News Melissa Rooney and Jayson Martin had the rare privilege recently of playing in the dirt - as part of a school project. Rooney, Martin and other fourth graders at Donnelly Elementary School filled up plastic bins with thousands of wiggly worms at the environmental science class at McCall - Donnelly High School. The worms went right to work on table scraps collected from Jordan Lawley's food classes. In as little as two months, depending on temperature, nutrients, and moisture, the worm bins will produce high -grade fertilizer. "The kids love it; anything hands -on is great!" said Melissa Maini, teacher of the fourth grade class. This is the third year Maini's students have worked with Debbie Fereday's class at the high school, where juniors and seniors pass along their enthusiasm for environmental responsibility. 'Worm composting can help us learn about how waste equals food," Fereday told the fourth graders Through decomposition, the tiger worms, also known as red wrigglers, turn organic waste into fertilizer used for gardening. A 11r -- Tielusn Rorntec and Jason biarbn dtg mto the u�v ocetgxurts of tlry wmm mmpoeter. My passion comes from the desire to leach students about becoming more self- reliant," said Fereday, who has used worm compost at her home for the past decade. Maini received a grant for her class to grow a garden at the Donnelly school. Work will start after spring break on three raised beds and a greenhouse where seedling starts will be planied Willi the Wonn compost. Fereday's class also received a grant to buy a temperature probes and other equipment that has made the composting process more successful this year. Environmental science students help raise money by accepting donations for the worm compost every spring. The composting also follows one the school district's Green Policy goals to recycle more luncluoom waste, Faraday said. Page 1 of l http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 3/27/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Ten - And -Two: Teens suffer through drivers ad to gain the ultimate freedom Rl' KYLa SAWYER for The Star -News As Gabe Gonzalez drove around the crowded Rite Aid parking in McCall during a spring snowstorm, the other cars had the undivided attention of the Meadows Valley High School freshman. "OK, go ahead and safely back into a parking spot next to those cars," instructor Mike Richards said. Learning to drive is still a major rite of passage for teens, said Richards, who also teaches driver's education to McCall youths. "I think students are more focused here compared to, say, a math class," he said. "They intuitively have it figured out N you don't pay attention, sooner or later you're going to have a hard time being a safe driver," Richards said. .P' a. K >Nesa b� K�Is Bew�a Ihrcm edwahou mshmetor Mike Ridmr k offers mhwe to ldeadoms l ;allec driver Cabe uonudez wide alwaig ),lei ;Ill Students must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction, six hours of observed driving and six hours of behind- the -wheel instruction with an 80 percent minimum grade before they can receive their driver's license. Students must then successfully complete a six -month supervised driving period that includes a total of 50 logged hours of driving with an adult over age 21 and 10 hours of night driving. "None of it is really hard, but remembering the signs and colons was tough," Gonzalez said. "1 was nervous about parallel parking, but it wasn't as hard as I thought lt would be." A student must be at least age 14 plus six months on the first day of class to participate. MV typically averages about 10 students per year, however McCall numbers are much larger. "We have three full sessions typically and already have 80 kids signed up this spring," Richards said. A Lot to Learn Learning to drive can be a bigger responsibility than what some students realize. "There's a lot more laws and things you need to know," MV student Elliot Guest said. "I think it would be harder to learn in a place like Boise, because they have more traffic." The summer class can get interesting with more pedestrians and cars, Richards said. "I have a brake on my side of the car; he said. "There's been a time or two I wish I had a steering wheel to go with it." Richards has been the MV and M -D driver's ad instructor since 2011. "1 think everyone remembers their driver's ed class and first experiences," he said. Despite the length of time required to learn to drive, the reward is worth it, Guest said. "I was pretty excited because I was tired of my parents taking me everywhere," he said. http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/Prep_schools_page.php Page 1 of 1 4/10/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D concert choir receives 'Superior' scores at festival The McCall-Donnelly High School Vandal Concert Choir received Superior scores and the Most Expressive award at the District III Open Choir Festival held last Thursday at Eagle High School. The choir received a superior rating from all three choir judges, choir director Graham Pinard said. "The students performed beautifully and positively impacted everybody in the audience," Pinard said. "All performance aspects came together at the right time to contribute to a near flawless concert," he said. The choir performed three pieces of music for a small audience and a panel of judges. Following the performance a judge worked with the choir to refine small musical elements. The choir will perform next on May 20 in the M -D gym. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 4/10/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Do No Self -Harm PLMS students hope to raise awareness of those who hurt themselves "We just want to make it clear what self- harming is and that no one romanticces it. "— Sarah Wright BY KYLA SAWYER for The StarNews A young girl stood up in an assembly at Payette Lake Middle School last week and revealed a secret_ "About a year ago I cut myself because I was in a very dark place," the student said. The admission was part of a program started by two PLMS students to raise awareness of students who harm Fri themselves as the result of emotional turmoil. 7 Self- harmers cut, burn and bruise themselves, pull out their hair, purge or starve themselves, said eighth - grader Sarah Wright. Wright and fellow student Paige Chapman enlisted the help of about a dozen students at PLMS to create a video, informational brochure and several social media pages as part of the "Not Alone" project. — _L E the lm p iLuwd out "Not Alone' brncelets at Payette Lakes I,tui Ile 3ehool Inst ,eek The project aims to help others better understand why some people deliberately hurt themselves and offer hope to those coping through self - harming behavior . "We just want to make it clear what self - harming is and that no one romanticizes it," said Wright, 14. The duo was inspired to start the program after studying self- harming and the effects of bullying, said Chapman, 14. Societal issues such as teen suicide, self- harming and bullying seem to surface in waves, PLMS Principal Susan Buescher said. "Recently it seems like we've been dealing with some of these issues," Buescher said. Pressures of life, including expectations at school, sports, extracurricular activities and family, can seems endless. Wright said. "I's a big change, hormones are taking over and everything's changing," said eighth grader Pamela Nelson, 14. "We're put in a spotlight all the time about having to have our hair a certain way or being a certain size," Nelson said. Bracelet Reminders As part of last week's assembly, students were given bright pink bracelets printed with the words "Not Alone" and the Chinese yin -yang symbol of interconnection. Wright and Chapman hope the bracelets will remind others they're not alone and there are places to seek out help. "We want to encourage students to tell a responsible adult" if they know of someone who is harming themselves, PLMS school guidance counselor Ryan Swift said "It's not tattling when you help one of your friends through something as serious as this," Swift said. Wright and Chapman have created social media sites on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in an effort to educate others and help those who are self- harming get help. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 4/17/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 On Campus M-D band to hold public rehearsal today for all -state event The public is invited to attend a dress rehearsal today by the McCall - Donnelly High School band for the Idaho All State Music Educators Conference. ;9, Ni, Pheb 6r The StrNm by Kyle Sawyn ALL -S AIT CHOIR - From left. Nc('all- Donnell I High School students Heuh Caveus. Ldh- Mover. Radmu Riches and Ri-an Httcluuson ee-ere selected to perform as pmt of the m the Idaho .All- State Honor Chou on Saturday- at Nampi s Northwest Nazarene l huversAY Brandt Center The perfavumce w part of a sears of musical events takwg place tlus weekend dmurg the Idaho all - State mid the Idaho Mumc F.ducahou As anon Insemce Convention http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 4/17/2014 This week's front page stories The Final Curtain M -D drama teacher Anderson to retire after 18 years BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News After nearly 20 years of bright lights and curtain calls, McCall - Donnelly High School drama teacher Judy Anderson is taking her final bow. Anderson, 65, who has taught drama, playwriting and interdisciplinary humanities classes for 18 years at M -D, is retiring at the end of the school year. Her final production, "Circus Vandals: The Circus of Everyday Miracles," will debut tonight at the Alpine Playhouse with six performances set through May 2. Anderson leaves behind a legacy of directing about 600 students in nearly 40 plays during her career. "I had a lot of very talented students," she said. "It's great to see kids develop their generosity of spirit and watch them get a sense of accomplishment working together in a totally collaborative art form." Pham br'Re &rNewe by Mm Moehr M -P drauha teaeher Juctp:lrxiersou. left dae is Justuh Grea%r uxi f nssidc Nas diu u g reheusals fa Vuam l;whisk The C]urus of Env v&., Dfundes - Anderson has directed at least two plays a year since 1998. "Judy's an excellent teacher with a passion for kids; M -D Principal Tim Thomas said. "She has touched the lives of hundreds of students." Some of the more challenging and memorable moments have come during live performances, Anderson said. "At almost every play there's been the triumph of human spirit over adversity," she said. Started As Volunteer Anderson started teaching drama as a volunteer in the 1980s at the former McCall Elementary School. "I think the biggest challenge is to realize that as a teacher you have to keep improving yourself as a human being," Anderson said. "You have to keep expanding your self - knowledge and learn to be more and more honest with yourself." Even though she is stepping down from her teaching job, Anderson will continue her work with the Alpine Playhouse where she has been a member of the board of directors since 1983. "I hope the school district continues to support drama in the high school at many levels, including developing the multipurpose room into a real performance space,' she said. "Circus Vandals: The Circus of Everyday Miracles" Opens Tonight List of plays directed by Judy Anderson Here is a list of plays directed by McCall- Donnelly High School drama teacher Judy Anderson over the past 18 years. Anderson is retiring at the end of this school year: • "Blood Wedding" • "The Clown of God" • "Under Milkwood" • "The Nightingale" • "Peter Pan' • "Pinocchio" • "A Gap in Generations" • "Scapin" • "Playboy of the Western World" • "The Crucible" • "Bye -Bye Birdie" • "Grease" • "Toad of Toad Hall" • "Rootabaga Stories" Page 1 of 2 http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /fp_stories_page.php 4/24/2014 This wcel 's, front page stories Page 2 of 2 • "Antigone" • "A Midsummers Night Dream" • "Selkie" • "The Snow Queen" • "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" • "The Virtuous Burglar" • "Happy Journey" • "A Doctor in Spite of Himself' • "The Second Shepherd's Play" • "The Reluctant Dragon' • "Voices from a Medieval Village" "The Laramie Project" -"The Raccoon" • "Something Different" -'Alice in Wonderland" • 'Royal Hunt of the Sun" • "A Christmas Carol' • "Inherit the Wind" -'Circus Vandals" • 'Circus Vandals: The Circus of Everyday Miracles' http:// www .mccallstarnevvs.com/pages/fp_ stories _page.php 4/24/2014 This week's front page stories M -D trustees give Szyntoniok one -year contract extension BY KYL-a S.VN'}"ER for The Star -Nrns McCall- Donnelly School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak has been given a one -year extension on a three -year rolling contract by school district trustees. "I'm pleased to be asked to continue," Szymoniak said. N "Glen has shown great leadership in supporting Common Core and teacher ' d development," M -D trustee Chair Kathy Deinhardt -Hill said. Szymoniak, 56, has been the M -D school superintendent since 2008 and is paid ;le $133,244.83 per year. Part of his pay is cash value for health benefits in lieu of being yzcmom.l: covered under the district's health insurance policy. Prior to the one -year extension, Szymoniak's contract had been a standard three -year contract due to expire June 30, 2016. With the extension, Szymoniak is contracted by the district through June 30, 2017 and may be considered for a salary increase after salary negotiations are completed with the teachers union for next school year. Prior to 2008 he was the assistant superintendent of Instructional Services for the 25,600- square -mile Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Soldotna, Alaska. The M -D School District has about 955 students enrolled in five schools located in McCall and Donnelly. The district has 152 part -time and full -time employees and a total budget of $10.9 million. pages /fp_stori es _page. php Page 1 of 1 4/24/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Not Just A Statistic: Morgan school students raise feness of autism B}- KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Standing before the first and second grade classes at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School, fifth - grader Spencer Hamilton said he had something important to share, its "People l ot st a statist c," are our friends Hamilton and classmates; for us id. just The session was held as part of Autism Awareness Month in April. Members of the school's Self Managers group wrote a letter that appears in today's issue of The Star -News and created a slide show on the topic. "We want to show the kids how to take care of each other." +i fifth grader Cassidy Lamb said. autism, and g Y Janer Fµueroa left. who has aahsm, and Slxucr Hanulton iuve each other ingh -fives Hmmlton u One in 50 people are diagnosed with autism, a —ig the tdthpndeiseho lvaw In ormsed to "take rare of each otim- as part of .auhsiu developmental disorder that appears in the first three years Aa;vrrmss hlonthn0pil of life and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. Students learned the importance of using "people first language." For example saying, "Johnny has autism" describes the person before the disability. "Since second grade we've worked with people with autism," Hamilton said. "We hope people will see there's some differences and some similarities, but we're all people." Julian Figueroa's son, Javier, is a fifth grader at the Morgan school who has autism. "We thought it was great," Figueroa said. "I think it really sets in stone for the kids to be good human beings in the long run." The students' efforts also emphasized how important it is for all students to have friends. "We are lucky to live in a community that accepts him and understands him for the most part," Figueroa said. "It's really important for him to be part of the community." http: / /www.mccallstarnews.com /pages /Prep_schools _page.php 4/24/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews D heads to state meet in Rupert Monday BY KYLA SAWYER for The Slar -Ness The McCall- Donnelly girls golf team won its second 2A District III championship in a row on Monday at Nampa's Ridgecrest Golf Club. The Vandals turned in the low team score of 438 on the 18 -hole course to out--------- - - - - -- - - -- - -- - -- play Nampa Christian (488), Liberty Charter (558) and Victory Charter (559) " The M -D girls now advance to the 2A state championship at Rupert Country d & Club on Monday. 117 ,. "The team played really well," coach Jim Beaver said. "The entire team now goes on to play at the state tournament and I think we will be in the top five ' 1,i teams." IS -/ M -D's Baylie Holsman tied a Nampa Christian player with an 87 for the lowest •� score then finished the day in second place in a sudden -death playoff. ly "Baylie had a phenomenal day of shooting," Beaver said Sarah Spry was third overall with a 109 and Amanda Batchelor took fourth with - .a a 112. Savannah Summers finished with a 123 and Kaytlyn Marcotte had a 128. The Vandals boys team came in fourth place overall out of five teams. Memlxrsofthe Vandal aA 11'v4ndlll cum hpi-girLcgolfteum , rnmt n,w, rn,m lea, Hooey [1.I., 8,.h Spry and Kaytlp '.. Me tte. Huck mw, Smannuh Summers, Ica, and A,m Ad Colton Campbell was the top M -D scorer with a 91 and tied for sixth place Isatehel�r. overall. Dillon Hill had a 102, Keenan Walgren finished with a 104, Joe Viehweg - -__ -- - -- - "- shot 111 and Ben Crogh ended the day with a 114. "I'm proud of our boys team," Beaver said. "They played well and three of our five varsity players will be back next year." Page l of' l % 'c / F(/ �l v � h,et / http: / /www.mccalistamews.com /pages /archive 2014 /05_08_14_webedition/ Copy %20of%20prep_schools _page.php 5/17/2014 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M -D trustees to take harder look at proposed softball field Proposal would build, field next to Morgan school "It would be a multi -use field for many groups in town. " - Anthony Botello BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News Members of the McCall- Donnelly School Board of Trustees will take another look on Monday at a proposal to build a softball field next to Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. The project was removed from the list of major maintenance projects proposed for the next school year that came before trustees at their regular meeting on Monday. "I want to see a breakdown of the budget for the $175,000 estimated cost," trustee Frank Eld said. Monday's meeting will begin at noon at the district office at 120 Idaho St. M -D varsity softball coach Anthony Botello presented several possible locations in both McCall and Donnelly but preferred a location behind the Morgan school. "The girls softball program is the only sport that doesn't have its own home field," Botello said. "This is a field that would be built to high school softball field standards, that also matches little league baseball standards so it essentially would be a multi -use field for many groups in town," he said. About $30,000 of the $175,000 estimated cost was earmarked to fix the field's existing drainage problems, M -D school district director of maintenance and operations Matt Moss told trustees. "It's been on my list for the last several years to fix the drainage at that field," Moss said. "It was decided that because there's significant change possibly planned for that field, there's an opportunity to gain some economies of scale to do everything at once." Board members questioned what the remaining $145,000 dollar budget would pay for. Trustees asked if the field behind the Morgan school is the best location compared Donnelly Elementary School or on the fields located next to McCall- Donnelly High School. The M -D softball teams have held practice in the school's gym, at Cascade, New Meadows and Riggins, Botello said. "Some of the pros of having the field at (Morgan) would be the nearby location to existing maintenance equipment, its closer location to the high school and its existing infrastructure with a backstop," Botello said. Several parents in attendance at Monday's meeting voiced worries about players getting rides from other players and coaches using their own vehicles to transport players to practice facilities. "One of my concerns is the ongoing travel to go to and from practice," board chair Kathy Deinhardt -Hill said. "We need to also see what it would cost to bus players for practice and players to Donnelly." "We are facing (discrimination) issues because we don't have the same facilities for the softball program as we do for the baseball program currently," M -D Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. rh http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories_page.php 5/4/2014 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M -D trustees approve 2014 -14 building projects Here is a list of maintenance and improvement projects planned for the 2014 -15 school year in the McCall- Donnelly School District. The items were approved by the M -D Board of Trustees during its regular board meeting on Monday. • Acoustic panels /room dividers /sound system for Commons /Multipurpose Room at McCall- Donnelly High School. Increase ductless air conditioning size in McCall- Donnelly High School server room. Replace entry carpeted areas with Marmoleum at Payette Lakes Middle School. Add door to multipurpose room at Payette Lakes Middle School. Window and doorjamb repainting at Payette Lakes Middle School. Repaint all lockers at Payette Lakes Middle School. Building drainage and asphalt work at maintenance shop. Replace multipurpose curtains at Payette Lakes Middle School. Acoustic panels in gym at Donnelly Elementary School. Replace bathroom stalls at Rich Sabala Athletic Complex. Carpet replacement rotation district-wide- District-wide asphalt sealing /repair district wide. District -wide interior painting. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 5/16/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Former astronaut Morgan tells PLMS students their dreams have no limit BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Seven years after she flew on the space shuttle, former McCall teacher Barbara Morgan's achievement continues to resonate with students. Morgan, who flew on the NASA shuttle Endeavor in 2007, visited Payette Lakes Middle School on Monday to talk about the school's motto, "Vikings Dream, Learn, Achieve." "I really want them to know the sky has no limit; said Morgan, for whom Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School in McCall is named. "They truly can do whatever it is they dream." Although students at PLMS were only five, six and seven years old at the time of Morgan's historic trip, her videos of the launch and what daily life was like in space showed students that dreaming, learning and achieving goals is a lifelong journey. "I liked the video where the astronauts were playing with M &Ms and water," sixth - grader Kaelin Ashley said. "If I ever get to space I'm going to mess around with stuff like that," PLL NEVER WASH THAT SHOULDER - Former NASA astronaut Barbara Barbera Morgan sig an autograph for Payette Lakes Middle School seventh grader Siena Johnson on Monday. Dreams are turned into reality when observers look at what can be learned in all kinds of situations, including play, Morgan said. "Dream it first and don't put up any roadblocks in your own way," said Morgan, now a Distinguished Educator in Residence at Boise State University. "Don't let anyone else put up roadblocks on your path" "It's really cool students can see someone who did live in McCall made it big and they can achieve great things from math and science," said PLMS Principal Susan Buescher, who arranged for Morgan's visit. Monday's appearance was Morgan's her first visit to McCall schools in almost two years. "This is my favorite school district in the world," she said. "It still feels like home" http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of 1 '.4 5/8/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 PLMS greenhouse gets students In touch with plants BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Tara Seubert enjoys reading about plants in books, but the new greenhouse at Payette Lakes Middle School lets her get her hands dirty as well. "It's really nice to be able to get outside rather than just ~!1 reading from books and doing worksheets," said Seubert, 12, a seventh grader Science teacher Lynn Swift and the school received a ^i ` grant from the McCall - Donnelly Education Foundation in 0+ 2012 to purchase the shell of the greenhouse. < l Volunteers and contributions from local businesses helped i to create shelving, a composting system, and soil recycling, t y. as well as get seeds and create a water system. l "This is a learning greenhouse," Swift said. "So it's been \ rb• wieyKrb�- designed and constructed so students can have their own Eighth grade students Tater Benz and Quinton weed explore the Payette Ickes Middle School research area in the greenhouse for experiments on g pe greenhouse with science teacher Lynn Swift, variables that determine plant growth." center. Students learn how variables such as temperature, moisture, fertilization and climate can affect plants. The greenhouse allows students to learn the parts of plants, plant pollination and photosynthesis. "Kids really gain an understanding of the nature of science when they get to choose their variables outside of a text book," Swift said. So far students seem to be growing a lot of interest in what happens in the greenhouse. "It's surprising," eighth grader Quinton Ward said. "Just seeing how difficult it can be for plants to grow from seeds." The greenhouse hopes to eventually sustain itself with plant sales, Swift said. Proceeds would be used to purchase the following year's seeds, fertilizer and other associated costs of operating a greenhouse. ;5 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 5//12014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M K FIA.OW - Tian. Hinson lights a Ruben's Tube during a math and science fair held last Friday at McCall- lbnnehy High School. The propane Flames in the tubes move to music as a wav of demonstrating acoustic waves. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 51WI2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 AFFORDABLB CARE - McCall - Donnelly School M District Nurse I.ewann Ball and Pam Davis, founderofthe Community Children's Medical Fund, hold certificates presented to them Monday by the M- D board of trustees. The pair were honored for their work to belp t` students who cannot afford medical care teteNT the treatments they need. Rom rs lleS Nm4rar1 S-. / L7 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 5/x/2014 This week's front page stories Page 1 of 1 M -D trustees want to see plans for softball field near M -D High School BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News McCall- Donnelly School Board of Trustees on Monday said it wants to see what it would take to build a softball field next to McCall- Donnelly High School. Trustees want to know details of placing the softball field on the current site of the Vandal football practice field. 'We need to deal with providing a softball field first so that we can address (gender discrimination) issues facing us," board member Pattie Soucek said. "The other community sports have been able to use this area but we have to handle this first" Soucek said. The girls softball program is currently the only M -D sport that doesn't have its own field, varsity coach Anthony Botello told trustees during their regular meeting on May 12. Botello presented possible locations in McCall and Donnelly for a home field, including a site near Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. However, board members struggled with the project's proposed $175,000 cost. "I have a hard time spending that kind of money on a field that can only be used 23 days of the year for the softball program," board chair Kathy Deinhardt -Hill said. District attorney Elaine Eberharter -Maki of Boise told trustees by telephone on Monday that the real issue was the district's failure to provide the same sports opportunity and experiences for girls as they do for boys. "The fact that you have additional sports for boys compared to girls does send out a red flag," Eberharter -Maki said. M -D currently offers football, soccer, cross-country, wrestling, basketball, track, baseball and golf for boys. The Vandals girl program includes soccer, volleyball, cross - country, basketball, track, golf and softball. "We have a discrimination issue," M -D School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "Building a (softball) field is a costly use of funds however it will help us to solve these issues." School staffer are scheduled to present construction plans at the board's next regular meeting starting at 6 p.m. June 9 at the D.A. MacNichol Building. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 5/22/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M-D foundation awards nine grants for education projects The McCall - Donnelly Education Foundation on Monday gave checks totaling $29,744 in grants to nine recipients for the 2014 -15 school year. The checks were awarded during a presentation at Hotel McCall The foundation, which is independent of the McCall - Donnelly School District, has awarded 63 grants totaling $290,580 since 2007. N r�� "We are glad we live in a community that values education and thank everyone who helps us carry out our vision," /, ' foundation president Nancy Krahn said. Grant recipients were: tr` <by cC Recipients of grants from the Mall - Donnelly Education Foundation on Monday —, front row Club Espanol: Lida Clouser will offer free Spanish /English from bottom, 1Ya y Kindall, McCall Arts and lessons for students in kindergarten through sixth grade and Humanities council; Jenny Ruemmele, Payette their caregivers at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School ]ec[; Susan Buescher, Payette lakes Public cc Art Pro Club; Cynthia ; Suss Dr Buescher, and Alison Lakes and Payette Lakes Middle School. Middle School; Jenny Schon, MOSS; and Kelly O'Connell, Nordic Ski Program. Back row, from Little Ski Hill K-6 After School Program: Payette Lakes 09 Y bottom, are Don Ja Association; n, Payette lakes Community Asrociation; end Jake Olson, Donnelly Ski Club will fund scholarships for elementary students who Elementary School. need help paying their program fees. • Heartland High School STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics): McCall Outdoor Science School will deliver a three -week outdoor STEM program to Heartland High School students for a second year. • Hometown Art, Public Art Project: McCall - Donnelly High School teachers Cynthia Dittmer and Alison Foudy and their advanced art and English students will work with second and fourth grade teachers and students from both elementary schools in McCall and Donnelly to create public art and associated writings that will revolve around the theme "Hometown Art." • Espanol Rapido: Students and teachers at Donnelly Elementary School will participate in innovative and fun Spanish language activities four days a week led by Lida Clouser. • Expanding Horizons Program: Payette Lakes Community Foundation will add new components to their after - school program at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. • Nordic Ski Program: M -D physical education teacher Kelly O'Connell will purchase Nordic ski equipment for use in the Donnelly Elementary School lifetime sports classes. • Children's Theater: The McCall Arts and Humanities Council will provide after - school drama workshops for students in fourth through eighth grades and produce a full-length theatrical production. • "Winter Survival: It's Not Just About Keeping Warm:" Thirty new pairs of snowshoes will be purchased for Payette Lakes Middle School for use in its physical education Gasses and Winter Survival Day. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 5/22/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 NOZ /6Z /9 dud-c)SLCsloouos daid /sagpd/woa•smoureisllLoow -A " / /:djju M -D environmental class records work for future students Storyboarding is latest project of school garden "It was hard gravel, no top soil, but we took it. " - Debbie Fereday BY CH USTIE GROB for The Star -News Members of the McCall - Donnelly High School environmental science class are so proud of what they are doing, they are preserving their work for future classes. The class of students has been making video "storyboard" to record the years activities in the outdoor class garden that has occupied much of their class time Under the guidance of teacher Debbie Fereday, the students recorded their work with the Gass chicken coop, worm composting and recycling education. The resulting video will appear on the high school website. With the help of videographer Kelly Martin, the class has scripted and directed the video in styles ranging from infomercials to news broadcasting. One skit acted out by students demonstrated the importance of recycling. c .- A i s. T1-- " Ph"1" fu 11e Sm -Nawa M (Lvtie Gmb From left, videographer Kelly Martin takes footage of M -D ea%ironmental science students Jeff Hughes, Thena Cook, Ttenda Cornell, and Josh During a recent class, there was never a shortage of ideas Shipley at the school's chicken yard. or suggestions on the way each segment was formed. After viewing the previously shot video it was decided a reshoot was necessary to produce a better quality program. Fereday would like to see the program expand to add more teaming experiences with all classes and ail curricular areas in the high school. Started In 2009 The storyboarding is the latest phase in the evolution of the M -D garden, which was started in 2009 in what had been a playground. "It was hard gravel, no top soil, but we took it," Fereday said. Students layered the area with cardboard, manure, and dried leaves which, over time, built the soil in the garden area. The next year a deer fence and raised beds were added with student labor and donated materials. Soon the garden sprouted apple trees, cherry trees, and Siberian pea shrubs as well as rhubarb, raspberries, mint, horseradish, and hops. Next came chicken coops built by the industrial arts class and populated with chickens from the Miller ranch in Roseberry that are tended by the students. Students plant root vegetables each spring before the end of the school year the next class harvests them in the fall to serve a lunch of lunch of beets, carrots, and potatoes to their fellow students. Fereday's class also operates a root weevil insectary to raise natural enemies of noxious knapweed on a piece of city land on West Deinhard Lane. The weevils need several years to do their work, but the method is an alternative to pesticides. Most recently, students have built worm - composting bins where food scraps from the teen living classes and school lunchroom are fed to the worms. The resulting worm castings are filtered from the compost to fertilize the student garden and are sold at the annual fundraising dinner for the class. -t(feloasul 0tg le pastel sllAaam 014110 Ssauangoage agl afine6 of told lsel a sl 'Ile03yy 10 t410 atp kq pau —'ails aueq pletiupa 9gl'uaple6 luepnls lootps 14618 aLp mou paleool sl tieloasul eql -aue-1 ple14ulaap 6uole peleool Senn SSBID saoualoS lelu0utu0J!AU3 0141 kq palelado Aleloesul Ilnaam loos paamdetni periods ayl pies kllaallooul uapieb luepnls loogoS 4611-1 Allauuop- 1le0oW agl lnoge Neam lsel small -lelS ayl ul tiols y uolpauo0 http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep_schools_page.php 5/22/2014 i J0 1 aftd smaNnIS agjL aged suodS daid Prep Sports Page The StarNews Last Lessons: Retiring teachers reflect on career, students, state of education BY KYLA SAWYER and DAN GALLAGHER for The Star -News Here are some reflections from retiring teachers in the McCall- Donnelly, Cascade and Meadows Valley school districts as they complete their final school year. SANDRA KING DONNELLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sandra King believes teaching is a lifestyle with people who are always looking for new activities for students. "It's amazing what kids are capable of and I think we expect more of students," King said. After 22 years of teaching, King, 56 is retiring from the McCall- Donnelly School District, having taught kindergarten, first and third grade as well as special education reading. "When I started teaching kindergarten we worked on letters, numbers and shapes, and now they're learning to read at this age," she said. Education is never a waste of time, King said. "Even if you go to college to try it and find out it's not for you, it's not a waste because learning is a good thing." she said. CINDY RAWLINGS MEADOWS VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Cindy Rawlings has one motto in life. "I tell my students, 'Be brief, be bright and be gone, " Rawlings said. "Which means tell me what you think the problem is, how to solve it and then go do it." After 32 years of teaching, Rawlings has taught students to solve problems from seventh -grade math to college trigonometry, including duties as the professional technical instructor and network technology teacher at Meadows Valley Schools. -j R Jb,l Au by K,4 Sv Donnelly Elementary Scbool teacher Sandra King presents a lesson to first graders. "Students today are so tech savvy," she said. "They've grown u with it, so you can hand them almost anything with Rawlings 9 P Y Y< � 9 Meadows Valley teacher Cindy Rawlings an operating system they've never seen before and they can problem to Algebra 11 students. figure it out almost instantly." CLINT KENNEDY CASCADE JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Under the guidance of Clint Kennedy, Cascade High School students have built an international following. Kennedy's innovative advanced - biology projects have been covered in the international press, including using algae to feed and provide oxygen for an Australian scientist living in a submerged home. "The students are great and always have been at Cascade," said Kennedy, who is retiring after 24 years. r Kennedy regrets the political fighting over education in the i; Idaho Statehouse has crept into the halls of the state's schools. l ` "Too many people micromanaging teachers who don't J really know what they are doing, especially at the state level," she said. j■ But the spark between teachers and outh still motivates Y ascade teacher Clint Kennedy watches as Rob Paw him. peers into a microscope. "Empower teachers and students and trust them," Kennedy said. "Give them responsibility and let them truly shine." VERNIE KUSHLAN http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of 2 5/29/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews CASCADE JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Today's students seem to be less motivated to work and succeed, said Vernie Kushlan, who is retiring as a history and science teacher at Cascade. `The emphasis has changed from learning to doing well on tests," said Kushlan, who has taught for a total of 17 years. "I used to prepare students for college and careers. She applauds Idaho's Common Core standard that she believes 'will get students back on track to becoming life -long learners with a skill set that will lead to a successful career track." Kushlan congratulated the Class of 2014 that graduated on Saturday and offered some advice. "Enjoy the ride, you only make the journey of life once," she said. JIM HEATH CASCADE JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Jim Heath thinks computers are important but they have shifted students away from other skills. "Yes, they will need to know some of the basics of computers, but their place of employment will have programs they need to team; said Heath, who is retiring after 37 years of teaching, of which 20 has been in Cascade. Heath has acquainted students with working skills, including business, shorthand, typing, industrial arts, hobbies, auto mechanics, welding and computer applications. He has instructed them in how to drive and coached every available sport. "What I have noticed most profoundly in the changes of the educational system is the breakdown of the American family, along with Washington's interference through theories that not don't work in the real world," Heath said. BARB CREVELT CASCADE JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL The computer age has had its effect, as students are much more technologically savvy, retiring Cascade teacher Barb Crevelt said. "They are much more aware of their unsafe world," Crevelt said. "Unfortunately, they've been robbed of some of their innocence as they deal with lockdown procedures and hear of school violence." Crevelt has guided Cascade's innovative SAIL program, in which classes for fourth, fifth and sixth - graders are blended together. The educational system has become more rigorous for both the student and teacher, she said. "Teachers are being held accountable to teach to the standards," Crevelt said. "This can be daunting, causing teachers to abandon creative lesson plans in order to cover all the standards that will be assessed" Page 2 of 2 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 5/29/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M -D halts charge accounts for school breakfasts, lunches BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Students in the McCall- Donnelly School District can no longer charge for meals served in district schools. Earlier this month, parents received an automated telephone call announcing the district no longer will allow students to not pay for breakfast or lunch as of May 19. Since then the district's outstanding meal charges balance has been reduced about 50 percent, from more than $6,000 to $3,866, M -D Food Services Director Lisa Howes said. "It's getting better," Howes said. "The announcement, emails and phone calls have helped." A dozen students are carrying outstanding meal charge balances totaling $2,075 of that $3,866 figure, Howes said. A new federal rule does not allow school districts to carry over deficits into a new budget year. Any unpaid charges would have to be paid for by the school district, Howes said. "We do offer students at the elementary school level a cheese stick and crackers if they cannot pay for a meal as an alternative," she said. Students who wish to charge meals at Payette Lakes Middle School or the high school do not have this option. Most school districts in Idaho do not allow meal charges. About 955 students are enrolled in M -D schools. School officials encourage parents to apply for free or reduced meals based on household income. Applications are available online at www.mdsd.org or by contacting Howes at Ihowes @mdsd.org. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 5/29/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Spanish club expands languages for elementary students The Elementary Spanish Club has finished its first year of giving elementary school children early exposure to a second language. The club, offered to students at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School and Donnelly Elementary School, also taught 24 students about cultural and geographic differences in the world in addition to language. The free program was funded by the McCall- Donnelly Education Foundation and taught by Lida Clouser. The foundation has provided funds to continue the program during the 2014 -15 school years. Language study helps children develop cognitive skills, including problem solving and critical thinking, according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Language programs make communities and their schools attractive to potential residents and employers, according to the program's proponents. http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /prep_schools _page.php 5/29/2014 This week's front page stories No Stopping Shayla M -D senior with cerebral palsy to receive diploma Saturday "I can learn the same subjects, but it just takes me longer sometimes. " — Shayla Becker BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News Shayla Becker has taken many steps, sometimes in braces, to reach Saturday's graduation ceremony for the McCall- Donnelly High School Class of 2014. "The most important thing I've learned is that you have to keep working hard to get to where you want to be," said Becker, who will be among 68 graduates of M -D and Heartland High School to attend ceremonies starting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the M-D gym. At one year old, Becker was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that affects brain and nervous system functions including movement and thinking. The condition primarily affects the right side of her body and her left leg and foot. "A lot of people don't notice anything until I go to shake their hand," said Becker, 18. "When I was a little girl, I always had braces on my left leg and I've had surgery plus physical therapy to help with my walk," she said. The daughter of Joe and Victoria Becker of McCall, Shayla has attended the M -D schools since kindergarten. rho," -- Sn.-Ne '7S."Yc Shayla Becker has overcome the challenges of cerebral palsy to graduate on Saturday from McCall - Donnelly High School. "What has impressed me about Shayla is that she came in very socially withdrawn and shy and now she's so much more outgoing and involved," said M -D teacher David Reddick, who oversees students with disabilities. "What people may not realize about Shayla is that she has learned and goes through hundreds of routines to accomplish tasks in a way most people don't think of, such as buttoning a shirt or using her right hand to hold a glass or plate," Reddick said. Wild Challenge Learning to use one of the Pads given to each M -D student at the beginning of the school year also poses challenges for Becker. "I can learn the same subjects, but it just takes me longer sometimes to learn something," she said. "I did want do sports and activities but my grades were my big priority and studying took up most of my time." When Becker took the high school's certified nursing assistant class, she worked with the instructor to find new ways to compete tasks such as making a bed and changing pillowcases. "She has worked so diligently to look into what's possible and now she's leaving the school with some skills that could lead to employment," Reddick said. Becker is not sure what the future holds, but may attend the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. "I do love kids and have been looking at becoming a kindergarten teacher," she said. Becker has been happy with her experience with students and staffers at McCall - Donnelly schools "Most people like you for who you are and teachers are willing to work with you when you take the step to ask for help," she said. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 5/29/2014 This week's front page stories M -D trustees to air $14.2 million budget for next school year BY KYLA SAWYER for 7Le Star -News A public hearing will be held on Monday for the proposed $14.2 budget for the 2014 -15 fiscal year of the McCall- Donnelly School District. The hearing is scheduled before M-D trustees at 5:30 p.m. Monday at M -D High School's Douglas A. MacNichol Building at 401 N. Mission St. The proposed maintenance and operating budget is up just over $700,000 from the current budget of $13.5 million. "At every phase of the budget we try to see what will give us the biggest bang for our buck to improve student achievement and accomplish the district's strategic plan," M -D School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. Salaries and benefits make up about 74 percent of the budget. The district has proposed a one -time $500 bonus for full -time employees and a $250 bonus for part-time staff. A 1.9 percent base increase has also been proposed for all employees, Szymoniak said. The district employs about 152 employees to serve 955 students at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School, Donnelly Elementary School, Payette Lakes Middle School, McCall- Donnelly High School and Heartland High School. The district maintains a fund balance of $3 million that's equal to about three months operating expenses, Szymoniak said. "In other words we are not spending $14 million, we are spending $11.2 million," he said. Next year the district is predicting an increase to just over $5.3 million in state funding as opposed to $4.9 million in state funds this year. "Our enrollment went up so we are generating more state money and the legislature increased the amount its giving for entitlement funding for non - salaried line items such as busing, paper, etc.," Szymoniak said. The district will also receive approximately $5.6 million in local property taxes. That amount is capped at the 2006 maximum under state law. About $788,000 of the budget is earmarked for capital improvements next school year. That amount is up from $441,000 allocated last year. Some of proposed projects include new computer equipment, installation of district -wide security cameras, drainage for the field behind the Morgan school and installation of acoustic panels at the M -D High School Commons area. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstarnews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 6/5/2014 This week's front page stories M -D trustees, teachers reach new contract agreement BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News The McCall - Donnelly Education Association and M -D Board of Trustees have agreed to a one -year contract that includes a one -time bonus and salary increases. The MDEA is the negotiating union for teachers of the M -D district, but the package agreed to by both sides also will apply to non - teaching employees. "Membership feels very supported by the board and is happy with the agreement," said MDEA negotiator Mary Wells, a fifth -grade teacher. Full time employees will receive a $500 one -time bonus while $250 will be awarded to part-time employees, M -D School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "All employees will receive 1.9 percent base increases to their salary," Szymoniak said. "This will cost the district about $140,000' Salaries and benefits make up about 74 percent of the proposed 2014 -15 fiscal year $14.1 million proposed budget that take effect July 1. Of that total, 55 percent are salaries and wages and 19 percent are benefits such as health insurance and retirement, Szymoniak said. The M -D district employs about 152 employs including 80 teachers. The new starting base salary will be $32,000 for a first -year teacher with a bachelor's degree. Certified teaching staff with a master's degree and 36 college credits may be eligible for the maximum salaried position at $63,173 under the new contract. Last year the board of trustees approved a 1.5 percent one -time bonus only to employees. The base increase also applies to M -D administrators, Szymoniak said. Effective with the new contract, the district will no longer offer part-time employees health insurance coverage. "The decision was not so much about saving the district money, but allowing these employees the opportunity to see what better deals there are on the open market," Szymoniak said. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 6/5/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M -D Class of 2014 celebrates breaking with tradition 68 graduates of M -D, Heartland receive diplomas BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News McCall - Donnelly High School Valedictorian Bryn Kennell knew exactly where to go for commencement speech inspiration. "When I found out I would have to give a speech, I did what any McCall - Donnelly High School student would do - I whipped out my iPad and Googled 'valedictorian speeches,' Kennell told the Class of 2014 during ceremonies held in the M -D gym last Saturday. "The iPad didn't generate any new ideas, so I'm sticking with the clich6s starting with, 'we have all learned so much,' Kennell said. t. The 68 graduates of M -D and Heartland High School listened to traditional speeches that focused on the very nontraditional character of this year's Vandals senior class. "I thought I would pick out a quote or something appropriate for this particular class and it comes from one of my favorite movies, 'Dumb & Dumber,'" said M -D teacher David Reddick, who was chosen by the class to give this year's commencement address. "After the two main characters travel and arrive at their destination, one turns to the other and says, 'We're there!'" Reddick said. From ice skating to firefighting, origami to computers, athletics to practicing their right to free speech, the M-D Class of 2014 has demonstrated passion for their interests and been shaped by their experiences living in McCall, Reddick said. Fbbror IDe Sts -Ne". by M At top, M -D graduates Seara Straw and Rebekah Bennett display messages on their mortarboard during Saturdays ceremonies. Above, Chase Hays celebrates receiving his diploma. "I've heard a lot about your character, but it's more that you are all characters and you are all different," Reddick said. "You surprise us." The community, families and teachers have had the greatest influence on this years class, M -D Salutatorian Hattie Geist said "Growing up here has helped to shape us into the people we are today," Geist said. The graduates were introduced one- by-one by M -D Superintendent Glen Szymon!ak. District trustees Frank Eld and Kathy Deinhardt -Hill presented each graduate with their diploma as they walked across the stage as each graduate's photograph was displayed on a large screen. The ceremony concluded with Vandal alumni new and old singing the "Vandals Fight Song" and 2014 Class President Rachel Morton's instructions to change their cap tassel to the other side with the words, "We did ft." http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/5/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews VETERANS VISIT r "+ 1 ��t I POP- -.Akdffdh* FRno by Riau �wiR River Cogan, a sixth grader at Payette Lakes Middle School, visits with a resident at the Idaho State Veteran's Home recently. The PLMS students played patriotic music and sang songs for the veterans as the culmination of a year -long relationship between the veterans and students. It was the 23rd straight year HAS sixth graders have mare the trip to Boise to perform for the veterans Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/5/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M -D students presented with awards, honors McCall - Donnelly High School students last week received awards and honors at the annual award assembly in the M -D gym. Graduating seniors, underclassmen, families, staff and community members celebrated the achievements and accomplishments of students. Principal Tim Thomas announced of the Class of 2014' valedictorian Bryn Kennell and salutatorian Hattie Geist. Thomas also recognized the M -D top scholars of each class and presented them with medals and certificates. Students enrolled in advance placement and dual credit courses were also recognized. Presentation of local scholarships and awards followed with more than 30 community organizations, clubs or individuals recognizing this year's seniors. Local scholarships were awarded from: • American Association of University Women. • St Luke's Hospital Auxiliary Margaret Fogg Memorial. • McCall Rehabilitation & Care Center. Donnelly EMS & Fire Members. Jason Place Memorial National Honor Society. • American Legion Veteran's Memorial. • Masonic Lodge. • Nancy Stathis Memorial McCall Snowmobile Club. • McCall - Donnelly School District Employees. • MDHS Music Program. • MDHS Drama Program. Richard J. Sabala Foundation and the Sabala Family. • Michelle Nelson Memorial. • Millemann, Pittenger, McMahan & Pemberton Law Office. • Dr. Nathan E. Neisinger Trust. • Optimist Club Dehlinger Memorial. • Payette Employees Association. • Payette Lakes Progressive Club. • PEO. • Shelton Foundation. • McCall Rotary Club. Paul's Market. VETERANS VISIT P by Ry.v Soria River Cogan, a sixth grader at Payette lakes Middle School, visits with a resident at the Idaho State Veteran's Home recently. The PLMS students played patriotic music and sang songs for the veterans as the culmination of a year -long relationship between the veterans and students. It was the 23rd straight year PLMS sixth graders have made the trip to Botse to perform for the veterans. Two new scholarships, Evergreen and The Valley County Court Services, were also awarded this year. Special student recognition was given for: • Hometown Sports Award. • Army Reserve National Scholar /Athletes. • MDHS Athletes of the Year. • HOBY (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership). IHSAA Interscholastic Star. • Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Page 1 of 2 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/5/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 2 of 2 • Elks Student of the Year. Two students received Senior Quilts from a community member. Several memorial awards, perfect attendance recognition and department awards were given. For information on offering a future scholarship, contact Wendy Schafer at 634 -2218. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/5/2014 This week's front page stories M -D trustees approves softball field at high school Board only gives half of estimated $100,000 cost BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News McCall - Donnelly School District trustees on Monday voted to build a softball field at McCall- Donnelly High School but allocated only half the money to build it. After over an hour of deliberation during their regular meeting, board members voted to allow the softball field to be built in the southeast corner of the high school's field where the soccer practices are currently held. However, trustees voted to fund only $50,000 of the estimated $100,000 price, with the rest to be raised privately by softball boosters. M -D is scheduled to host the 2A Western Idaho Conference District Tournament next spring, varsity softball coach Anthony Botello said. "We need to break ground and use the entire building season," Botello said. "The drainage is going to be the expensive part, but if we don't have good drainage there's no sense in playing on it." The new softball field will also require a playable infield, a usable backstop, a special type of clay for the infield, fences and dugouts, Botello said. "The Mountain Madness softball program has subsidized the girls program with existing fundraising from parents that are hugely involved in this process," said Kimberly Lowe, a parent of students who have participated in the M -D softball program. Trustees questioned the need for so many spring sports and separate facilities when the playing time is limited in McCall due to weather. "The fact that softball and baseball can't use the same field - it's a huge expense for the district, for two activities that don't have a lot of kids and maybe don't get to use the facilities very much," board chair Kathy Deinhardt -Hill said. "I've had a ton of calls not to build this field for that reason," Deinhardt -Hill said. "1'd like to see us take an approach where we say, 'Here's a specific amount of money and you need to work with it,' " trustee Frank Eld said The baseball field that now exists on the high school field cannot be used for softball because it has the wrong dimensions for softball. The baseball fields were built with donated money, materials and labor, but the school district funded improvements to drainage. The Vandals softball program is the only sport that does not have its own home field. Teams now practice and hold games at Riggins, New Meadows and Cascade. The Vandals took second place overall at both the 2A WIC district softball tournament and state tournament in 2013. http://www.mccalistamews.com/pages/fp_stories_page.php Page 1 of 1 6/12/2014 This week's front page stories M -D approves higher prices for school breakfasts, lunches BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Students and staff in McCall - Donnelly schools will pay more for breakfast and lunch when school begins this fall. The M -D Board of Trustees unanimously approved increases for school meal prices during its regular monthly meeting on Monday. "We have to make sure the prices of our meals are comparable to the free and reduced meals reimbursements we receive from the federal government," M -D Business Manager Cheryl Moriarty said. Breakfast will now cost 90 cents, up 5 cents from the just - completed school year. An elementary school lunch will go up 10 cents, from $1.90 to $2. Milk and lunch costs for middle school and high school students will stay the same cost at 35 cents per glass and $2.30 for middle school and high school lunches. The cost for a teacher breakfast saw the largest increase, up 25 cents from $1.75 to $2. Teacher lunch costs also will go up from $3.40 to $3.50 for next school year. Charging for meals will not be allowed, but anyone wishing to purchase school meals without cash must have money in their accounts to do so, Moriarty said. "We're encouraging parents to pre -load their accounts so their children's accounts are all set to go in the fall," she said. Student lunch accounts may be seen online at www.myschoolbucks.coin. Free or reduced lunch applications are available at the district office on Idaho Street in McCall and online at www.mdsd.org. http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/fp—stories_page.php Page 1 of l 6/12/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Lardo Bridge closure to cause longer bus rides for M -D students BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Students in the McCall- Donnelly School District will have to get up earlier to catch the bus due to the upcoming scheduled Lardo Bridge closure this fall. About 80 students who ride the Goofy and Pocahontas school bus routes will have pick -up times 15 to 20 minutes earlier and afternoon drop off times 15 to 20 minutes later when school starts in August, according to new bus schedules. The extra time will be necessary due to work to replace the 83- year -old Lardo Bridge, which takes Idaho 55 over the North Fork of the Payette River, with a new bridge starting this summer. The crossing will be closed for a month after Labor Day as part of the project. "Where it would take us under a minute to cross the bridge before, now we will have to double -back on Mission, Deinhard and Boydstun streets to go around and pick up students," Harlow s Bus Service Area Manager Jack Hellbusch said. "It will take our drivers at least 15 more minutes to get to the same place," Hellbusch said. The Goofy route picks up children living on Warren Wagon Road, Rock Flat and areas around the St. Luke's McCall. The Pocahontas route transports students living in the Rio Vista and Valley View subdivisions as well as areas surrounding McCall- Donnelly High School. "We have been told they will also have one -lane bridge closures in August and we are making plans to avoid those delays," Hellbusch said. For more information contact Harlow's at 634 -1089 or the school district office at 634 -2161 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/12/2014 Page 1 of 1 Pom sr nrr... tm® STUDENTS LEARN CPR - Donnelly Elementary School fourth graders earned their certificates for First Aid, CPR and AED training before the end of the school year. The students walked to the Donnelly Fire Department station to attend the adult classes over two days. In photo, EMS trainer Jayme Berheim works with, from left, Aerm Anderson, Jayson Martin and Jaxon Wells. hools —Page.php 6/12/2014 ` * y1 rf ! f vew sr o�x w.a CITIZENSHIP AWARD - Two sixth graders from Payette fakes Middle School were given Cdizenship Awards before the and of the school year by American Legion Post No. rrq of McCall. Pictured are students Elijah Walker and Abby Griffith with post members Derek and Penelope Williamson. The award is given each year to middle school students who best exhibit good citizenship throughout the school ),ear through their service to their school and to the community. hq:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php Page 1 of 1 6/12/2014 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /groups _page.php Phan Fm I Ar.I.'.w. by M Abby WONDERS OF WATER - Kate Martin, left, and Ella Klasner of McCaE Gul Smut Troop No. 06 take caster samples from Shiner Creek in McCall last Friday as pan of the troop's "Wow, Wonders of Water Journey." The troop adopted Shiner Greek by completing a stream -side clean -up, testing the creek's water quality and studying how macroiovertebrates indicate the health of the stream. Page 1 of 1 6/12/2014 Events and Arts The StarNews `Selfies from High School' M -D drama students stage their works at Seven Devils Playwrights Conference "This is the next generation of theater -goers and possible playwrights. " Jeni Mahoney BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Brandon Spry had fun watching his classmates -fumed -actors learn how to fall on stage. "Movement pieces are always the coolest," said Spry, 16 of McCall. Spry was one of several McCall - Donnelly High School students who were able to write, cast, choreograph and direct a short, theatrical piece to perform as part of the annual Seven Devils Playwright Conference. During "Selfies from the High School," seven, separate devised pieces created by M -D drama students made their stage debut at the Alpine Playhouse last Thursday. The process of having professional playwrights and actors mentor local students has been a part of the conference since it began 14 years ago, conference Artistic Director Jeni Mahoney said. "For us this is the next generation of theater -goers and possible playwrights," Mahoney said. Working with the students is in the spirit of giving back and passing on the process of performing, she said. s. McCall -D ..ay High school students re rs rehearse a scene from "Selfies from the High School" as part of the Seven Devils Pla)-rights Conference m McCall. "Students are very real; they don't hide behind anything and it reminds us to be more real with ourselves," Mahoney said. Spry's piece was a murder mystery that used its actors also as part of the stage setting and props. "This year the students aren't just writing plays, they've created these theatrical pieces that are shorter, but the students did most of the work themselves in school before we got here," Mahoney said. Spry and other student creators then met with conference professionals to work out technical details for their performances. 'Mine is a crime investigation scene with a detective and his assistant trying to solve a murder," he said. Spry's classmates doubled as cast members and worked with stage combat specialist Danette Baker to fine -tune the best way for the characters to fight or fall without hurting themselves. The students created theatrical pieces that varied from a large cast of a dozen people to just two actors on stage. The theme of each piece varied from loss to the future, to what to do with their lives, to dealing with family and friends. "We hope the students see their work that represents the things that are important to them and as fully realized as possible," Mahoney said. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /events arts _page.php 6/19/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Grants awarded for forest management education Three local grants were among the 16 grants awarded by the Idaho Forest Products Commission to help youths learn more about Idaho's forests, management and products. Winning proposals for grants of up to $250 each were selected from applications submitted from throughout the state. Local winners were: " Came LaFay, Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School, McCall: Third graders will make field trips to two forest sites, with remaining funds used to purchase seedlings for community planting projects. " John Lillehaug, Idaho Department of Lands, McCall: Third through 12th graders will learn about timber cruising, forest health, Arbor Day tree planting, silviculture, and forest practices. • Dan Richards, Meadows Valley Schools, New Meadows: Classroom field guides and a reference copy of "Northwest Trees" will be purchased to support an "Adopt a Tree" unit for junior high school and high school students. Books will also be used by other classes, and available for loan to individual students. http: / /www.mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 6/19/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Pomp by Deb—h H--h MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL STARS - Six players from Payette Lakes Middles School earned spots on the Treasure Valley all -state football team which played Saturday in Twin Falls. Playing for the setenth grade team were, pictured at top, Noah Hattrup (21) and Josh Hernandez (70). The Treasure Valley team defeated Team Idaho, 24 -12. Playing for the eighth grade team were, pictured above, Kaden DeLuna (81), Ben Knudson (12), Thomas Gebhards (25), and Tater Bentz (98). The eighth grade Treasure Valley team defeated Team Idaho, rq-6. )ols _page.php Page 1 of I 6/26/2014 Outdoors Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M -D senior seeks ideas for Riverfront Park clean -up A McCall - Donnelly High School senior is seeking ideas on how to clean up the undeveloped Riverfront Park in McCall as part of her senior project. Heather Crawford wants to beautify the existing land to make it more pleasant for pedestrian, bicyclists and others who use the area, located along Mission Street across from the McCall Smokejumper Base. "1 chose to work with the McCall Parks and Recreation Department to restore and beautify the currently drab and dirty stockpiles and gravel lots down at Riverfront Park, by the Sheep Bridge on the North Fork of the Payette River, and across from the Smokejumper Base," Crawford said. The undeveloped park is popular with dog walkers and fishermen, and twice a year hundreds of sheep pass through on their way to grazing pastures, she said. "Improvements in the area will provide benefits both environmentally and socially, as places by the river have been eroded or damaged due to heavy use in the popular space," Crawford said. Every year, seniors at McCall- Donnely High School are required to take on a project to broaden their horizons, explore career options, try something new, or further advance their skills in an area. Suggestions should be sent to riverfrontparkmccall@gmail.com_ hnp: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /outdoors _page.php 8/21/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Ready To Teach M -D staffers gather to kick off new school year "It's great to see what they are most interested in learning. "— Emily Olsen BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News A rousing exercise with laughter yoga had McCall- Donnelly School District staffers all smiles during the annual back - to-school breakfast at the high school Commons on Tuesday. "We're off to a great start laughing," Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said to the assembled teachers and office assistants. The event welcomed new employees, acknowledged the ~ I {► r.: <• X hard work of last year and outlined objectives for the new school year that starts on Monday. "As we engage students more with technology, we are also having our staff and teachers complete some of their annual IN training online this year," Szymoniak said. 14n"rmlLeSu -News by Kyh S' Teacher Lindsey Truxel, left, and secretary• Ginger Hughes enjoy "Laughter Yoga" during the McCall - This applies to the district's 153 employees including 12 Donnelly School District's annual back - to-school new staff members hired this year. h —kras2 on Tuesday. "I'm really excited to meet and get to know the new students," second year teacher Emily Olsen said of the nearly 1,000 students expected to arrive on Monday at the district's five schools. "It's great to see what they are most interested in learning," said Olsen, who teaches seventh grade science and art at Payette Lakes Middle School. About 200 students will require individual attention, ranging from special education to gifted and talented programs, Special Education and Programs Director Jake Olson said. "We must make the connection to do whatever is needed academically, socially, etc., to include these kids as part of their class," said Olson, who is also principal at Donnelly Elementary School. The district will also focus on expanding creative learning, such as drama and art, Szymoniak said. 'I'm tired from vacation so it's great to be back and getting into a routine," 27 -year McCall- Donnelly High School teacher Susie Reddick said. Twenty -year teaching veteran teacher Bill Anderson smiled at the thought of getting back to teaching history and government at M -D High School next week. "Meeting all the new students is my favorite reason to come back to school," Anderson said. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 8/21/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 s 5 Phmo Wr The Siv -4em by Mm M1fodu First- grader Brendan l.Fay works on an activity while teacher Ryan Aronson supervises during the first day of school on Monday at Barbara R. Morgan Mementary School in McCall. All McCall - Donnclly School District students returned to class on Monday. In Cascade, Monday was the fast day of sebool for grades 7 -12 with grades K-G starting next Tuesday. Meadows Valley schools will start classes on Wednesday. �.. http: / /www.mccallstarnews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 8/28/2014 This week's front page stories Local school enrollment stays steady M -D up 11 students, Cascade down 12, MV 8 students lower BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Student enrollment is up just slightly in the McCall - Donnelly School District from the beginning of last year. Both the Cascade and Meadows Valley school districts reporters slight lower enrollment over the start of the school year in 2013. M -D's total enrollment stands at 1,002 students, or a 1 percent increase from last year's total enrollment of 991 students at this time last year, Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "Overall we tend to have higher enrollment numbers in the fall and then drop down in the spring time," Szymoniak said. Donnelly Elementary School saw the largest jump with 142 students currently attending school compared to a projected enrollment of 120 for this year. Payette Lakes Middle School is at 248 students and was predicted to see enrollment around 237. PLMS saw a doubling of students with special education needs, from 13 to 27, Principal Susan Buescher said. Both PLMS sixth and seventh grades saw an increase in enrollment this year. The sixth grade class currently has 90 students and was predicted to have an enrollment at 84. The seventh grade class was predicted to see about 78 students and has an enrollment of 84. McCall - Donnelly High School held steady at 265 students, exactly the number predicted to attend this year. Heartland High School has 20 students currently registered compared to a projected enrollment of 18. The M -D School District saw its enrollment peak at 1,232 students in 1994 -95. More recently McCall saw its enrollment rise to 1,064 during the 2006 -07 school year. CASCADE SCHOOLS The Cascade School District had 254 students enrolled at the beginning of the school year, or eight less than the 266 students at the start of last school year. A total of 125 students were enrolled in kindergarten through sixth grade, and 129 were enrolled in seventh through 12th grade, according to figures provided by the school district. The 2013 enrollment was the first increase over the previous year since the 2005-06 school year. Enrollment peaked in Cascade schools with 381 students in 2005, the year after Tamarack Resort opened its ski area and the area was in the middle of a construction boom. MEADOWS VALLEY SCHOOL The Meadows Valley School District reports its fall enrollment at 154 students in all grade, down the 162 students enrolled last fall. MV's enrollment peak so far was during the 1994 -95 school year with 265 students. "Economics and the need to find work are main issues we see why families decide to move out of the district," MV Superintendent Mike Howard saki. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 9/11/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Three local schools receive reading grants Three local elementary school have received $2,000 grants to help children develop strong literacy skills in early grades. The Idaho Commission for Libraries awarded the Read to Me grants to Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School in McCall, Donnelly Elementary School in Donnelly, and Meadows Valley Elementary School in New Meadows. The grants will help the schools increase access to books, improve collections, and change check -out policies to better meet the needs of emerging readers, State Librarian Ann Joslin said. "Research shows that the best way to improve a child's reading skills is to provide convenient access to reading materials," Joslin said. "It's critical that Idaho's school and public libraries offer strong collections of quality, age- appropriate books" http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/prep—schools_page.php 9/18/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 rr ��• .X. cmm M �� w�•m FOOD DRIVE WINNERS - Members of the senior class of McCall - Donnelly High School celebrate being named the winner of the annual Homecoming Week food drive sponsored by the McCall - Donnelly Booster (,'lab. The senior class took in 175 of the 253 total items collected during the drive. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 9/25/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 M IN 3 GO GET'EM WEEVILS! - McCall - Donnelly High School students Emilv Parker and Vivienne Wiegers release hundreds of knapweed weevils along the Valley County Pathway south of The Activity Bam last week as part of a continuing project by the M -D Environmental Science Class and the federal Bureau of Land Management. The weevils will take five to seven years to kill knapweed, a nmriow% invasive plant. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 9/25/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews PoorefariSe Sw_se by GuyE VANDAL PRIDE -At left, McCall - Donnelly High School students showed their school pride on Friday with a Homecoming Week parade through downtown McCall. From left, Samson Large, Brianna Ellis, Olivia Sawdy, Josh McGinnis and Am Brahs fire up the spectators along the parade mute. AT RIGHT -ROYAL WELCOME - Josh Borg and Taylor Garber were named 2014 McCall - Donnelly High School Homecoming King and Queen. The announcement was made during halftime of Friday's football game against Grang -111. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 9/25/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews YOUTH MOVEMENTS &6Ai6 r— by T.. r.rk,m NEW WORDSMITHS -The third Bade students of teacher T ri ©a Jackson at Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School show off the new dictionaries they received from the McCall Rotary Club. The Rotary Club has an annual program to donate dictionaries to third graders in the area. Y a; Po br\bievbh® PAPER AS ART - Andrew Alvamt displays "Picasso Slug," the result of work by his teem at Donnelly Elementary School. Twenty teams of kindergartners through fifth graders designed papier -mache sculptures which will be displayed in downtown Donnelly during the week of Halloween. Members of the fourth -grade class built the forms for the sculptures using recycled materials. Next will come painting the sculptures and coating them with preserivibe to withstand the fall weather. Page 1 of 1 http : / /www.mccallstamews.comlpages /archive 2014/ 10 _02_14_webeditionICopy %2Oof%... 11/5/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Dhjb vu Former French exchange student hosts teen 40 years later "If teenagers all around the world got to know each other, they would not want to fight later in lie.' —Lina Moisan BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Dave and Susie Reddick brought home more than just the usual souvenirs on their trip to France this summer. "We thoughts about it for like, five seconds and then said, 'O.K. let's do it'," Dave Reddick said. The McCall- Donnelly High School teachers were on a - h bicycle tour of France when they became host parents for French exchange student Lina Moisan through the American Field Service program. "When we arrived at the Sarlat town square there was this vehicle that said 'American Field Service' and I thought, 'Wow that's the group that I went to France as an exchange student 40 years ago'," Reddick said. After talking with members of the local AFS chapter, Susie Reddick learned there was a student hat needed an — exchange family in the Pacific Northwest. - �► As it turns out, Dave Reddick, 57, had been an exchange g eve. Dave and Susie Reddick watch as their student with the AFS program in 1974 at age 17. French foreign exchange student, Una Moisan, After a few hone calls, Moisan and her parents met the p p looks over photogrsphs taken qo years ago when Reddicks the same day in France. Dave Reddick was an exchange student in "It's rare because your real parents almost never get to France. At left, Dave Reddick, kneeling at left, meet your exchange parents," Moisan said. is pietured with his French high school "Foreign exchange was the biggest learning experience of basketball team from my life, even over college," Reddick said. 1974-75 K96 Laa.'P W o (Id1) rme+y D..e Redtii Arrived in August After returning from France, the Reddicks and Moisan went through the usual process of completing paperwork and background checks for both countries. With a freshly painted guest room, the Reddick's were ready for Lina's arrival in mid - August. She is attending classes at McCall - Donnelly High School and will return to France next summer. Moisan is a student in Susie Reddick's French class this semester and next semester she is scheduled to be in Dave Reddick's U.S. Government class. "The goal is making peace through young people," said Moisan, 17. "if teenagers all around the world got to know each other, they would not want to fight later in life." Both the Reddicks are fluent in French and met in a French language class at Berkley. "When we're alone or travel in France we try to speak French to stay in the groove, " Dave Reddick said. "Here in McCall, we speak English and sometimes say words in French if we're struggling to translate something." So far Moisan says her experience in McCall has been positive. "All the landscapes are beautiful and the people are so nice – I really like it," Moisan said. "Every day you discover something new and meet new people." http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/9/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Heartland High School loses phones, Internet when line cut Saturday Volunteers helping to install the backstop for the new McCall - Donnelly softball field accidentally knocked out Internet and telephone service to Heartland High School last weekend. The volunteer construction crew had been working to install the metal poles needed for the new softball field backstop. They were removing a large rock when the fiber optic line running from McCall - Donnelly High School to Heartland was accidentally sliced, M -D School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak told trustees during the regular school board meeting on Monday. The school district will pay the estimated $1,200 cost for the repairs, which had not been completed as of Wednesday. Students and staff at Heartland High School were unable to access the Internet and calls to the school's landline went directly to voice mail, Heartland High School Secretary Angie Hersel said. "We're back to old fashioned pen and paper and so the teachers and students are making the best of it," Hersel said from her personal cell phone on Tuesday. Students and staff had to walk over to McCall- Donnelly High School to access the Internet on their Pads and take tests, Hersel said. http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/16/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews "n ny—� r —u TRACKING KNAPWEED - Hunter Boyd, left, and Luke St. Clair were among fourth graders from Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School who took data at spotted knapweed site near the Sheep Bridge in McCall last week. The students and future fourth graders will track how well knepaRed weevils placed on the site serve as a natural control to the noxious weed. The students also learn from guest speakers about the types of jobs that are related to invasive species and erwyste ns. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools,-Page.php 10/16/2014 This week's front page stories M -D sees sharp rise In special ed students About 120 students now require various aids BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Students requiring special services by the McCall- Donnelly School District have risen 41 percent in three years. There are now about 120 students in the school district's special education program, with each of them required by federal law to have an learning program drafted just for them, said Jake Olson, M -D's director of special programs. "Kids come in all shapes, sizes and abilities and we do our best to meet the needs of all our students," Olson said. In 2011, M -D saw a total of 85 students enrolled in special ed. That number rose to 97 student by the end of 2013, he said. Idaho recognizes 19 types of mental and physical disabilities to qualify for special education services. Flee"& The3 News by Kyh S. Teacher Stacey Bangs works with a student in the McC 11 Do Hell School Districts de elo me t I These include developmental delays, learning disabilities, pm aschool program ° v n a visual and hearing impairments, fluency disorders, emotional disturbances, speech or language impairments, traumatic brain injury, autism and health impairments. Olson declined to release figures on the number of M -D students with each type of disability, citing student privacy rights. The learning programs for each student are created by teachers, parents, aides and others. The program is intended to guide a student's education and help monitor each student's progress. "Even though you may have only jumped up by say, two students for example, that doesn't show the specific needs or level of needs per student," Olson said. "We have kids on (learning programs) but are in the general classroom all day," he said. "On the other end of the spectrum we do have some students that require significant individualized attention throughout the school day," he said. Reputation Noted Part of the reason for the increase in special ed students is M -D's reputation for quality special ed services, M -D Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "I've had at least one parent tell me they moved specifically to McCall," Szymoniak said. "Others are moving to Cascade or New Meadows for their job but then want their child to go to school here because we have a solid reputation," he said. Olson estimates up to 75 percent of new special education students this year moved into the area. The increased students required the district to hire two aides at the start of the school year. Other staff duties had to be rearranged or moved to other buildings within the district to meet students' needs, Szymoniak said. The district is relying on new techniques to try to keep students who need special education services in the classroom, Olson said. "In the olden days, you would immediately test a student that was struggling and then pull them from the classroom to get them into special education," he said. Now educators are encouraged to intervene and try different approaches or methods with a student to help with learning or behavior problems. Teachers are encouraged to keep students with their peers as much as possible, rather than pulling students out of the classroom to receive help. "It's a big shift in the profession, but in the end your efforts focus on all kids learning in the least restrictive manner," Olson said. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 10/30/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Hao foe llrc. ua \�.s b� \I.n �IoeB� EARLY FRIGHT- Students at Donnelly I Elementary School got an early start on the scary Season during the annual Harvest Festival at Donnelly Elementary School on Saturday. Zombie Tyler Hess, 7, from McCall goofs amend with his friends Ninja Lance Haws 6, and Cowboy Levi Haws 7, both from Donnelly. http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/30/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 ,pfd •� rea.�.m. sr..r,<.. nrnterrar SOUNDS OF FALL - Director Graham Pinard directs choir members Tuesday night during a fall concert Presented by students fomr Payette Lakes Middle School and McCall- Donnelly High School. Front are Becca Born left, and Alma Salinas Perez, middle is Philisitie Nicklas, left, and Hunter Hagen and rear is Bailey Burd. h4: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 10/30/2014 Star -News News Page—Lead Story Rule For One? BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News The mother of an autistic student enrolled at McCall- Donnelly High School says school district officials imposed a districtwide rule for observing students in class because of her actions. Kristi Pedersen said a new rule requiring two forms to be submitted at least a day in advance and strict limitations were imposed after she asked to have an outside observer attend one of her son's classes last month. The new rule limits observations to one hour, and taking photos, video or audio records is prohibited. The school principal can assign someone to watch the observer and the observer cannot communicate with any students, under the new rule. The observation can be ended and the observer "must immediately leave the school premises" if they are found to be disruptive, the new rule says. Flom ba[LeS -N br K,%Sa Krish Pedersen spends time with her son Erik, 15, who has been diagnosed with non - verhal autism. Pedersen said the new rule was made soon after she asked a consultant from Minnesota to sit in on a class for her son, Erik. "These rules were coincidentally written the same day that 1 advised the school district that we would like to have an consultant observe and provide feedback," Pedersen said. The consultant was Marietta Janecky, a clinical supervisor with the Holland Center, a pediatric and rehabilitation center for children with autism located in Minnetoka, Minn. Pedersen asked Janecky to watch how Erik's needs were being met at M -D and assist in creating a behavior and learning plan for him, she said. After back - and -forth negotiations, Janecky was allowed to observe Erik on Oct. 7-8. Erik, a sophomore at M -D, has been diagnosed with nonverbal severe autism. He has been a student in M -D schools since age 3, when he was enrolled in the early intervention program. Erik cannot speak and uses limited sign language to communicate. He is prone to bolting or running away from his helpers, his mother said. Outside Parties The district still has a policy for most school visitors, but the new observation rules are intended for outside parties wanting to collect information, M -D School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said "Parents are still welcome to come see their child Just as they always have been," Szymoniak said. "However these rules are for a totally different situation than a parent wishing to come and watch their child give a report or help in the classroom." Szymoniak said the new rule was written because "a parent wanted to send in a consultant to observe their child," but he declined to say whether that parent was Pedersen, citing privacy reasons. "If a parent shows up with a notebook or sends someone else in with a notebook, conducts data observations, sends in a psychologist or their attorney for a divorce case, for example, there are now procedures and paperwork they must first complete," Szymoniak said. The forms were developed by school administrators and approved by Szymoniak in September. Members of the district's board of trustees were made aware of the new rules, but they did not review the new forms, board chair Laurie Erekson said. "The board is tasked with reviewing and making changes to school policies; Erekson said. "The existing policy allows administration to adopt procedures without the need for board review." Adjustments Allowed The new observation fors were not taken to M -D trustees for approval because the school visitation policy allows adjustments as they arise, such as student safety, Szymoniak said. "We want to know if the person is collecting data on just one student and the teacher or are they also collecting data about how a teacher interacts with all the students in their classroom," Szymoniak said. The aim is to protect students' privacy and insure the educational process for all students is not disrupted, he said. Pedersen and her husband, Eric, protested the new rule in a Sept. 25 e-mail to the board of trustees. "Why would the high school manual allow a friend or guest to follow around a student through their day to classes with a guest pass and 24 -hour approval but there are stringent restrictions now on us ?" the e- Page 1 of 2 http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /lead _page.php 11/13/2014 Star -News News Page—Lead Story Page 2 of 2 mail asked. 'This is our life, trying to help our son," the e-mail said. 'We believe you have a serious conflict here not to mention a potential charge of discrimination." The new rule is intended to protect students, Szymoniak said. "We have parents who do not want someone coming in and collecting data about their child without their permission," he said. "We also have students whose parents do not want their pictures taken for any reason." http: / /www.mccallstamews.com /pages /lead _page.php 11/13/2014 Star -News News Page_Lead Story Missing records, lack of notification cited by probe BY KYLA SAWYER for ne Star-News The McCall- Donnelly School District was found this summer by the Idaho State Department of Education to have violated federal law over the education of a disabled student. The complaint was filed by Kristi Pedersen, the mother of McCall- Donnelly High School sophomore Erik Pedersen. Erik, 15, has been diagnosed with autism. In a report sent to the school district in June, the state said that three of the six complaints filed by Pedersen were found to be valid, while three others complaints were unfounded. The findings were written by an investigator hired by the state who visited the school in early June and conducted interviews with 13 district employees. The district was found to be non - compliant in three of the six allegations made by Pedersen of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, according to the final state report. Erik's learning program says he will attend general classroom sessions between 40 percent and 79 percent of the school day, but this did not happen on "B" schedule days and Kristi Pedersen was not notified, the state investigation found. Monthly Consultation Erik is supposed to receive 30 minutes of occupational therapy consultation once a month, but the staffer who was supposed to do the consultation told the investigator she is not at the high school every month, the state report said. There are no records to say whether consultations were done during the months when the staffer was absent, the state report said. High school staffers are required to document steps taken to prevent Erik's tendency of bolting or running away, but the high school did not have those records, the state report said. Three of Pedersen's claims were unfounded, according to the state study, including her questioning whether Erik was evaluated for special education services and whether the school tracked Erik's progress at least once a year. The state report required the school district to take corrective actions on the problems found in the report, but Kristi Pedersen said this week she is not satisfied the violations have been corrected. "Unfortunately this is the only way to get school districts to listen and to take the education of the disabled seriously," she said. M -D School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said he could not comment on the violations found by the state. "It is not our practice to comment about a student or their family," Szymoniak said. ige.php Page 1 of 1 11/13/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Mind Games M -D students learn how to spur their thinking through creativity BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News Andrew Alvarez likes playing the xylophone for more than just making music. "It's really fun," said Alvarez, a fourth grader at Donnelly o �M Elementary School. "With music, when you're in the rhythm it helps me a lot in math with solving multiplication problems." ■ Alvarez and other students at the Donnelly school listen to music patterns while improvising their own tunes on xylophones and other musical instruments in music teacher Tyler Vance's classroom. Giving students time to be creative pays off in many other �~ emer". nr sW a rc >�s ",a ways, Vance said. Dounelly Elementary School music teacher Tyler Vance, right, looks on as fourth grade students There's all kinds of studies that have been done that link Jonah Hunt, Andrew Alvarez, Ella Carey and Catherine Bingaman improvise a tune on creativity to higher level thinking skills," Vance said xiophones while listening toa music pattern playing in the background. Vance uses improvisation with musical instruments as part of a lesson plan that ties into the fourth grade requirement to learn Idaho state history. Students learn about the Nez Perce flute and music and then create and write their own songs using recorders, which sound similar to the flutes. "If kids have creative experiences they can then pull from this skill set," Vance said. Creative Committee Earlier this year, M -D trustees charged members of the newly formed Creativity in The Classroom committee with keeping track of creative classes such as the Nez Perce music lessons. The committee, composed of teachers, administrators and school board members, will also explore ways creative arts could be expanded at every grade, chairperson Alison Foudy said. "Ultimately the need for creativity in the classrooms is paramount, especially since the Common Core State Standards require students to think analytically and creatively," said Foudy, a literature and composition teacher at M -D High School. Making time for students to be creative in their day is more than just arts and crafts. Creative activities can be used in science, math and other studies. But with the push for schools to be accountable for good test results, students and teachers are often left with little time in their day to be creative, M -D School Superintendent Glen Szymoniak said. "We need to make time for creativity and allow students the opportunity to be innovative," Szymoniak said. "Studies have shown that when kids have time to explore and be creative whether it's in math, science, etc., it helps with teaching kids how to be innovative," he said. Back To Index/Menu Vandal girls ready for tip -off M -D squad to open baseball season Tuesday vs. Council BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star-News Alix Stanley wants to do something that hasn't been done by a McCall - Donnelly High School girls basketball team in 21 years. "The last time we went to state and had a winning season was in 1993, so we want to blow that out of the water," Stanley said. The Vandals tip off their season opener on Tuesday, hosting non - conference competitor Council at the M -D gym. Junior varsity takes the court at 6 p.m. followed by varsity at 7 p.m. The Vandals will be lead by new head coach Cody Hansen, who took over the job from Tim Thomas, who is also the principal at M -D. Hansen was varsity assistant coach under Thomas last season. A teacher at Payette lakes Middle School, he coached both the girls and boys basketball teams at North Gem High School in southeastern Idaho. Page 1 of 2 http://www.mccallstarnews.com/pages/prep_schoois_page.php 11/13/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews Page 2 of 2 20 Players Turn Out _ With 20 girls turning out to field a varsity, junior varsity and - possibly a C -team, the Vandals are poised to take on a full schedule against non - conference rivals Grangeville as well as meet Western Idaho Conference teams Melba, Marsing, North Star, New Plymouth, Nampa Christian and Cole Valley. "I'm really looking forward to playing both Marsing and Melba just because we lost to both of those teams by one point at districts," player Lexi Tinney said. M -D also hopes to improve on last season's 9-12 overall record and 4 -10 WIC record. -� "They're an extremely coachable team which helps," Hansen said. "They work hard and we have a lot of girls Vandal Bmrna Schoonover dribbles while Shay back with talent and experience." west sets a screen against Angela Wright as coach Cody Hansen looks on. The Vandals graduated one senior from last years team. Senior and 5- feet -7 starter Taylor Hill and 5- 11 junior Camille Botello will fill the Vandals post positions. Juniors Tinney (5-8) and Kayli Jones (5-7) will take over as guards, and senior Angela Wright (5-7) will take over the point guard position to start, Hansen said. Seniors Stanley (5-7) and Heather Crawford (6 -2) round out M -D arsenal for the varsity squad. M -D plans to go with a motion offense and is also changing up its defense this season, Hansen said. "We're transitioning to playing a man -to-man defense rather than the zone," he said. "We're moving to the next step with less structure to maximize our skills." http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/13/2014 Star -News News Page_Opinion Page 1 of 2 Letters to the Editor M-D complaint meant to Improve special ed care To the Editor: Thanks for the article on our son and our complaint against the school district ( "State says M-D violated law on disabled student," The Star -News, Nov. 13, 2014). The complaint was made to provide better training and resources to the para pros and teachers who are at the end of the line in terms of pay and other education opportunities, and who provide direct care to students with disabilities. There are many resources that are available to the school district through state and federal funding and they are not tapping into them. By the way, the morning the article appeared, we were told that the special ed access doors in the back of the school would be locked from now on, so all special ed parents would have to drop their children off at the front of the high school, creating additional work for students with disabilities, their families and staff since the classroom is in the back of the building. Krist! Pedersen, McCall Back To Index/Menu M -D special education team Is an amazing group To the Editor. Our son, Lincoln, was born severely pre - mature in Los Angeles, weighing only 1 pound, 2 ounces, about 17 years ago. We soon discovered the amazing team of autism specialists working through the L.A. school district. The second public school special needs team took over when we moved to Portland, Ore., when Lincoln was age 3. Each team did a fabulous job working him through each phase to push him to his full potential. We moved to McCall a little over four years ago in the middle of summer with a deep concern about Lincoln's development. We assumed that since McCall was such a small town, we would need to homeschooi him. We never expected that there would be a program that would be suitable to his needs. We were also fearful that he would be at risk to endure his first experience of bullying. As we pondered our choices, a wise McCall resident said, 'Please try the public school before you make a decision; we think you'll be surprised." We are so glad we did. We found an amazing community of teachers, administrators, and aides who have loved and encouraged Lincoln, helping him to develop into the incredible young man that he is today. The kids in the middle school and the high school have been remarkable. There has been no bullying. In fact, it has been quite the opposite. In middle school, the kids cheered wildly when Lincoln sang an Italian operatic aria and won the annual talent show. This year the sophomore class graced us with the gift of voting Lincoln in as homecoming prince! What a joy! We have watched the McCall - Donnelly team of adults and students act in a loving way toward all special needs children. When the educators have bumped into difficult, previously unexperienced challenges, they have worked diligently to adapt and develop programs to maximize each child's potential. We are extremely grateful. We can honestly say that the educational team here in McCall is just as fine as any large city school district we have experienced, maybe better. There is no way we will ever be able to thank you all enough. L. Bryan and Lynette Williams, McCall Back To Index/Menu M -D not perfect, but special ad student gets good care To the Editor. This is in response to the articles about the McCall- Donnelly School District and the opinions expressed about education for students with disabilities ( "Mother of autistic student says M -D rule drafted because of her actions," The Star -News, Nov. 13, 2014). Having moved here just over two years ago, with a son who has a severe disability, I was worried about the unknowns of a new school district and how my son would cope with the change. Coming from a different state, which happened to have an exceptional tax base for the school district we were in, I was especially cautious. 1 would like to express how pleased 1 was with the smooth transition and implementation of new goals shortly after my son started attending McCall- Donnelly High School. The professionalism and serious concern for my son's well -being and education did not go unnoticed. Have there been some bumps in the road with all the change and getting to know a new education team? Of course. People and systems are not anywhere near perfect and they never will be. I believe everybody (students, parents and staff) is doing the very best they can! http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /opinion _page.php 11/20/2014 Star -News News Page—Opinion Page 2 of 2 Over the many years I have been involved as a parent with the special education system, I truly believe those who choose to work with our kids always have their best interests and safety in mind. Again, is it perfect? No. Nothing ever is. Is my kid getting what he needs at MDHS? Absolutelyl Valerie Billmire, McCall Back To Index/Menu M-D needs to live up to Its 5-star rating on special ed To the Editor: I wanted to say I appreciated the news stories regarding the special education program at McCall - Donnelly High School that appeared in The Star -News on Nov. 13, 2014. 1 moved here from the Greater Cincinnati Ohio area and have had 18 years experience dealing with schools' special ed programs as well as 24/7 experience over those 18 years dealing with special needs within the dynamics of my own family. I have some concerns that I feel I have a unique perspective on. While I was very happy to research Idaho schools before moving here and to find that McCall- Donnelly High School was given a five -star rating, this isn't the first school my children have attended with that rating. In fact the school my children were raised in for 10 years is Indian Hill Exempted School in Ohio and is ranked No. 113 in the country by U.S. News. The same publication ranks McCall - Donnelly High School at No. 574 in the country. I have five children, three of who have dealt with high functioning disability/teaming issues as a result of medical challenges, and one child has a very severe chromosome disability. I repeatedly hear the superintendent boast 'we are a five -star school" and they have earned that title. However, what 1 do not feel I hear from the upper administrative side of MDHS is how there is room for improvement. Having witnessed good and bad teachers in my 22 years of being a parent, I can assure you that MDHS has some very qualified, dedicated teachers in its system. Sadly, what I have witnessed in MDHS, which is unique to the other schools my children have attended (all three prior schools were also five -star schools) is a lack of diligence of correction or even compassion by our superintendent and high school principal towards anyone in this district having a concern or need for better services for their child than what are offered. It saddens me that the high quality of our teaching staff, both special ed and otherwise, can be so greatly overshadowed by what appears to be an arrogant attitude of our superintendent and high school principal. I have witnessed parents who struggle daily to keep their severely disabled, nonverbal children safe from harm, and need the extra assurance from the school that their chill is getting the five -star education they hear our school district celebrate. I have witnessed the superintendent forcing the parent(s) to fight tooth and nail for services such as intensive occupational therapy, adequate transportation for their child from school to their home, or even the ability to hire a specialist to observe their child to help structure the best possible learning environment for their severely disabled child. This does not mean that the faculty working with the disabled children are subpar, but when the high school principal and superintendent do not support the family(ies) who are struggling to provide the best life possible for their severely disabled child, but in fact "bullies" the parents by setting up rules or constant denial of services, it begs one to question who the professionals are and how they are capable of maintaining their position here in our school district without any reprimand. When the superintendent/high school principal has dealings with an advocating parent or even self- advocating student, they run them through the wringer and give them hostile treatment. i have witnessed this with communications sent to me, sent to the Pedersen family as well as with my own son who was advocating on his own behalf. You will have great stories of success from parents on the special needs program. I, for one, love the team that works with my daughter. But our administration has to be wise and open to the fact that there is always room for improvement. When you have a family like Eric and Kristi Pedersen, who have been cornered by the hostility of the school district superintendent and high school principal, of course you will see them "fighting" for better services for their child. What caring parent(s) of a nonverbal, severely disabled son wouldn't? While we all vary in our methods of how we communicate and advocate for our children, we need to remember that only a few people are being paid to be advocates for all our kids, and those "advocates" need to spend less time in adversarial roles such as calling the police and writing harassing emails, and spend more time diligently seeking ways to make sure every student in their school district gets the best, five -star education that is possible. Even if it means spending extra money to make sure this happens. There should never be a surplus in budget while children are being denied services that the parent's believe their child needs for a better life. The laws of our state supports this advocating of parents, and now we need our superintendent and high school principal to do so as well. Michele Hughes, McCall http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /opinion _page.php 11/20/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews All About the Moves M -D students learn link between movement & classroom "We're not worried about if they're dancers or not. " —Kay Braden BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Jackelin Rodriguez thought it was weird at first learning how to move her body into different shapes or embodying an emotion. "In the beginning I was like, 'Why are we doing this? This is weird!'" said Rodriguez, a junior in the McCall- Donnelly High School drama class said. "But then you get used to it and you learn so much from your body." Rodriguez and about 100 students and staff worked with teacher and choreographer Kay Braden to learn how to integrate movement into the classroom experience. The week -long residency sponsored by a $1,500 Arts Powered Schools grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts. Braden worked with students in M -D's drama and visual arts classes, assisted with the cast of the upcoming high school play and held a workshop for district staff. faeu(n lie S,u -News M' KYh Swya Choreographer Kay Braden shows Jazmin Alias Calderon how the position of the head can dictate the mobility of the rest of the body. "It's been exciting to watch students find some inner confidence that doesn't necessarily have a place to be exerted sitting at a desk," drama teacher Audrey Linville said. Emotions & Shapes With music playing in the background, Braden began a recent session with warm -up exercises designed to help student focus on how they were standing in a space. She also had the class use their bodies to show different emotions or shapes and used walking in a variety of ways to express emotions. "We're not worried about if they're dancers or not," Braden said. "This is creative movement and not 'and five, six, seven, eight dance.'" Students were taught how to embody a concept, such as a character feeling anger versus just memorizing that a character was angry in the play, Linville said. "We hope students learn embodied understanding of concepts versus cognitive understanding," she said. M -D junior Brandon Spry said most students seemed to enjoy the sessions. "It's fun to move," Spry said. "When you move you come out of your shell a little bit more." Integrating movement in the classroom can help students learn concepts along with movement and expression, Linville said. She hopes other teachers will find a way to work movement into English classes and other studies. "The impact is having students discover a new dimension of confidence within themselves as well as comfort interacting both intellectually and physically with their peer group," Linville said. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /prep_schools _page.php 11/26/2014 Outdoors Page The StarNews Page 1 of 1 Osprey Meadows Golf Course makes leap In Golf Week rankings Snow hides the challenging bunkers and rolling fairways of Osprey Meadows golf course at Tamarack Resort, but it can't hide Dustin Simons' enthusiasm over the course's ranking as the country's 63rd best resort course in this year's ratings by Golf Week magazine. "It gives legitimacy not only to us, but to Valley County as a destination for golf enthusiasts; said Simons, the head golf pro for Osprey Meadows. Tamarack jumped to 63rd from last year's ranking as the 81st best resort course in the country. Whitetail Club in McCall 77th this year, down three spots from 2014. Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Ore., led the rankings as the number 1 resort golf course. 'It's still a little bit of a secret as to what a fantastic course that we have here in Idaho at a superb value compared to other highly regarded resort courses in this country," Simons said. 'Our peak rate for 18 holes of golf is just $74, compared to courses like Pacific Dunes at $325 or Whitetail in McCall which can go for north of $125," he said. Simons attributed much of the improvement to staff and upgrades to equipment. "The hard work of course superintendents Ben Wilmarth and Jory Felder and their team, along with investments in new equipment and the support of our homeowners and hole sponsors, really paid off this year," he said. Payette Lakes Pool hnp: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /outdoors _page.php 11/26/2014 This week's front page stories Recipe for Success: Heartland HS student turns senior project into a job `After quite a few boxes of macaroni and cheese 1 knew that I wanted to be a chef. " — Naryan Clements BY KYLA SAWYEP for The Star -News Naryan Clements decided to focus his senior project on how a restaurant kitchen works. By the time he was done, he was working there. Clements, a student at Heartland High School in McCall, spent time in the kitchen at Shore Lodge watching how Executive Chef Steven Topple orchestrated the preparation of meals at The Narrows restaurant. He took a hands -on approach, chopping, stirring and tasting alongside other kitchen employees while leaming techniques for preparation and handling of food. His shifts were four days a week for about 11 hours per day. The results became his senior project report that will allow him to graduate next month. And, it also led to an offer to work full -time at Shore Lodge. "Naryan is a great kid with lots of passion," Topple said. "He is going to go far in his life, I really like his excitement in this career, and it is hard to find great people who are really interested in their chosen career path." Clements, 19, has had an interest in cooking since age 9, when he starting cooking for his three younger siblings. Naryan Clements works in the kitchen at Shore Lodge, where he was hired after spending time there as part of his senior project. "After quite a few boxes of macaroni and cheese, I knew that I wanted to be a chef and to create food that no matter what its made of will taste good," he said. Sauces were the most fun to prepare and he was surprised at how many different sauces could be made. Clements enrolled in Heartland High School, the alternative high school of the McCall- Donnelly School District, because his family had lived in four different towns during his high school years. "1 was at risk for not graduating because I was short the amount of time needed to be in the classroom to graduate," he said. Heartland's flexible schedule allowed Clements the time to complete his studies well as work on his senior project. He plans to continue to work at Shore Lodge, learn all he can and save money to eventually go on to study at a culinary school. "I'll always cook for my family in the future and now It's going to be really great making amazing food for them." Clements said. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews .com/pages /fp_stories _page.php 12/4/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews On Campus , 91, enao w�nm� xro wab snow EMERGENCY RESPONDER - Mikayla Goodwin, a senior at McCall - Donnelly High School, shows off her Emergency Medical Responders certificate. At left, is Graham Pinard,the musical director at M -D who is also a volunteer RMT with McCall Fire & EMS. Pinard taught a year -long class on emergency medical response at the high school, after which Goodwin went on to pass the physical and written tests to earn her the national certification. Page 1 of 1 http: / /www.mccallstamews .com/pages /Prep_schools _page.php 12/4/2014 Star -News News Page_Lead Story M -D officials quiet over status of Szymoniak Acting schools chiefs have been in place since Nov. 21; 'Employee X' and ''Employee Y' put on paid leme "We have been instructed to talk to no one. "- -Frank Eld BY TOM GROTE and KYLA SAWYER The Star -News McCall- Donnelly School District Superintendent Glen Szymoniak is not at his job, but school district trustees are not saying why. Payette Lakes Middle School Principal Susan Buescher was named acting school district superintendent on Nov. 21, the same date two unnamed employees were put on paid leave by the trustees following a closed session. One of those employees was reinstated by the board on Monday following a day -long closed session. No names were released. Glen Szymoniak, superintendent since 2008, declined to comment when zvmoniak Y moniak, who has been su P contacted on his personal telephone last week. "I'm not supposed to say anything," he said. Trustees contacted also declined to comment. "This is a personnel matter," board chair Laurie Erekson said in an e-mail response. "We have been instructed to talk to no one," trustee Frank Eld said in an e-mail response. On Nov. 21, trustees met for about 1 -1/2 hours in a closed session to discuss personnel matters, which is permitted by the Idaho Open Meeting Law as long as no decisions are made in private. The trustees came out of the executive session and voted to place "Employee X" and "Employee Y" on "temporary administrative leave with pay until further notice." Buescher was named acting superintendent the same day. Since then, Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School Principal Jim Foudy has been named acting superintendent. Another closed session was held on Dec. 1 and lasted about 2 -1/2 hours, but ended with no actions announced Trustees met again in closed session on Monday between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a 90 minute break for lunch, but no actions were taken. Leave Terminated On Monday, night, trustees went back into closed session after their regular monthly meeting. After an hour, they emerged and voted to "terminate the administrative leave of Employee Y effective December 2,2014.- Another closed session was held on Tuesday. After meeting for five hours, trustees adjourned without taking action. Trustee Kathy Deinhardt -Hill said Wednesday that another closed session likely will be needed, but she declined to comment further. Eld attended the executive sessions even though he announced his resignation from the board in October. The school district has advertised for a replacement, but Eld has not submitted a written letter of resignation with a specific date for stepping down. In April, trustees gave Szymoniak a one -year extension on his three -year rolling contract. Szymoniak, 57, is paid $135,776.49 per year. On July 4, 2009, Szymoniak was arrested and charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence. A breath test showed he had a .172 percent blood alcohol content, well above the .08 percent legal limit. Pleaded Guilty He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three days in jail, one year of unsupervised probation, fines totaling $882.50, and a 90- suspension of his driver's license. School district trustees took no disciplinary action against Szymoniak following his arrest and conviction. Prior to coming to McCall, Szymoniak was the assistant superintendent of Instructional Services for the 25,600- square -mile Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Soldotna, Alaska. The M -D School District has about 955 students enrolled in five schools in McCall and Donnelly. The district has about 150 part-time and full -time employees and a total operating budget of $14.2 million. http://www.mccallstamews.com/pages/lead—Page.php Page 1 of 1 12/11/2014 Prep Sports Page The StarNews M -D drama students to perform 'Nicholas Nickleby' this week McCall- Donnelly High School drama students will be present the Charles Dickens comic delight "Nicholas Nickleby" on three nights starting tonight. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday at the M -D Multipurpose Room. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $4 for students and can be purchased in advance at the high school office or at the door. The show is a melodramatic parade of colorful characters including wicked Uncle Ralph, played by sophomore Bryce Wolfe; and the amazing Crummles, played Fontaign, and their troupe of entertainers. ahem ra n. sm ::eo. q umr rma From left, Robin Cochrane, Austin Shotwell, Carson Gunk, and Sierra Lewis rehearse a scene from "Nicholas Nicklebv." by seniors Carson Guzik and Diamond Also featured are the villainous owners of Dotheboys Hall, Wackford Squeers and his wife, played by seniors Brady Strohmeyer and Jessica Shotwell. The headstrong yet well- intentioned youth, Nicholas Nickleby, is played by sophomore Austin Shotwell. Page 1 of 1 http:// www. mccallstamews. com/pages /prep_schools_page.php 12/11/2014 Schools chief Szymoniak left job on Nov. 21 BY TOM GROTE The Star -News McCall- Donnelly School District trustees continued to meet behind closed doors this week, but still have not said what they are talking about. Glen Szymoniak Meanwhile, school district principals continue to serve as acting superintendent in the place of Superintendent Glen Szymoniak, who has not been at his job for nearly a month. School board members met for three hours in private on Monday, the sixth such meeting since Nov. 21, when two unnamed employees were put on leave with pay. One of the employees was reinstated on Dec. 8. Nov. 21 was the same day that an acting superintendent was named for Szymoniak, who has not returned to work. Another closed meeting is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Friday at the Douglas A. MacNichol Building next to McCall- Donnelly High School. The agendas for Monday's meeting and for Friday's meeting are different that agenda for previous meetings. Previous agendas cited a section of the Idaho Open Meeting Law that allows a closed session "to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee (or) staff member. . " The agendas for Monday's and Friday's meetings cite an additional section of the open meeting law to allow a closed session "to consider hiring a public officer, employee, staff member or individual agent ..." Trustees and Szymoniak, who has been superintendent since 2008, have declined to comment on the topics of the closed meetings. In April, trustees gave Szymoniak, 57, a one -year extension on his three -year rolling contract. He is paid $135,776.49 per year. 6�� xfAAerru Elementary principal to hold position for next 6 months "Our focus is on a smooth transition that promotes the best education for our students. " Jim Foudy BY TOM GROTE The Star -News Jim Foudy expects the "world -class education" offered by McCall- Donnelly schools to continue under his watch as superintendent. V , n_ 1i^ Jim Foudy Foudy, 44, was named by M -D trustees on Friday as interim superintendent after Glen Szymoniak resigned from the post after six years. He has been told to expect to serve in his new position until June 30, Foudy said. He expects to meet with Szymoniak about his duties until Jan. 1, when Szymoniak's resignation takes effect. Foudy has worked for the school district for 11 years, the first five of which was spent as principal for both McCall and Donnelly elementary schools. He became principal of Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School when that school opened its doors in 2008. His new job means he will have to step down as principal, and he will recommend an acting principal to trustees at their next meeting on Jan. 12. Foudy earns $85,000 per year, but he doesn't know if that will change with his new duties. "We haven't talked about compensation for the new assignment," he said. "Right now our focus is on a smooth transition that promotes the best education for our students." Community Service Foudy sees his new role as supporting his commitment to serve the community and provide leadership. "McCall- Donnelly offers a world class education because of our family and community involvement and the high quality of our staff," he said. The McCall- Donnelly School District has about 955 students enrolled in five schools in McCall and Donnelly. The district has about 150 part-time and full -time employees and a total operating budget of $14.2 million. Foudy was raised about 50 miles outside of San Francisco, according to his online biography. While serving in the U.S. Army in Ft. Hood, Texas, he pursued his dream of being an elementary school teacher by taking night classes at a community college. After leaving the military, Foudy completed his bachelor's degree in elementary education at Boise State University. He worked for the Boise School District, teaching first, fifth and sixth grades. Foudy worked in administration while he was teaching, leading summer school and reading intervention programs. He was hired by the McCall- Donnelly district in 2003. M -D superintendent resigns, get paid half of contract No reason given for Szymoniak's leaving after six years "The Board of Trustees expresses its gratitude for Mr. Szymoniak's service to the District — M -D News Release BY TOM GROTE The Star -News Glen Syzmoniak resigned on Friday as superintendent of the McCall- Donnelly School District nearly a month after he stepped down from his duties without explanation. { Glen Syzmoniak Syzmoniak and M -D trustees on Friday signed a separation agreement that will pay Szymoniak $165,000. That amount is half what his contract with the district said he would be paid if he stayed through the end of its term in June 2017. Syzmoniak's salary was $136,000 per year. The school district issued a news release about the resignation and released the separation agreement and Syzmoniak's letter of resignation. None of the documents say why Szymoniak is leaving the post he has held since 2008 or why he was not being paid the full amount in his contract. "The Board of Trustees expresses its gratitude for Mr. Szymoniak's service to the District and the great progress the District made under his leadership," the M -D news release said. "I appreciate the support the board has shown me during my time in McCall," Szymoniak's letter of resignation said. "I wish the absolute best for your success in the future." Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School Principal Jim Foudy was named interim administrator, a post he said he expected to hold until June 30. M -D Trustee Chair Laurie Erekson declined to comment on why Szymoniak was leaving. "The board of trustees is committed to fostering and supporting the McCall- Donnelly School District," Erekson said, declining further comment. Szymoniak was reached by telephone on Saturday but declined to answer questions. Left Office Nov. 21 Szymoniak, 57, become absent from the school administration office on Nov. 21, the same day that trustees placed two employees on paid leave following a closed meeting. The employees were not named other than "Employee V and "Employee Y." Employee Y was reinstated on Dec. 8. The trustees met behind closed doors eight times between Nov. 21 and last Friday for a total of more than 25 hours. The closed sessions were justified by citing an exemption in the Idaho Open Meeting Law that allows closed meetings "to consider the evaluation, dismissal or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, a public officer, employee, staff member ..." In its news release, trustees praised Szymoniak for technological advances at the district's schools, for national awards won by the district, and for completing construction and remodeling of school buildings under budget. "The Board supports his decision to seek employment elsewhere," the news release said. The separation agreement will not be made part of Szymoniak personnel file. Also, Szymoniak waives his right to request a hearing in front of trustees "or any other proceedings." Both sides agree to release each other "from any and all claims, actions or causes of actions" for "any perceived or actual violations of state or federal law." Prep Sports Page The StarNews Vandals On The Web M -D Fligh School starts streaming varsity games on Internet BY KYLA SAWYER for The Star -News Page 1 of I Watching your favorite McCall- Donnelly High School sport is now as easy as a few clicks on the Internet. Using a free program called High School Cube, Vandals fans with an Pad, laptop, computer, Smart TV or cellular phone with Internet access can now watch games broadcasts live, M -D Athletic Director Michael Kraemer said. 47N F "The process is simple," Kraemer said. "From the game site we use an Pad, a $20 wide angle lens and a $60 plastic case with handles." A student operator holds the Pad and follows the action as games are streamed live to eager fans. ieMO fx Ibe Sm -:Jem by K,l Swye M -D freshman Bethany Nay operates an iPad for a webeast of a recent Vandal girls basketball game. Fans can watch games free by going to www,highschoolcube.com and either create a log -in or download the app. A list of past games is displayed as well as the current competition on game nights. Streaming of Vandals girls and toys basketball games has been successful as long as the wireless network at each school has had enough capacity, Kraemer said. "It's great for family members who may not live McCall and want to catch a game or events that may be a three -hour road trip away," he said. Coaches have the ability to make short video clips that can then be sent via text or email to players to review. Vandals girls basketball coach Cody Hansen is not totally sold on the new technology. "I like it, I just want to still see as many fans as possible, especially at the home games," Hansen said. 1213112014 page.phP