Genesee School District Superintendent

2019 Scholarship Awards

2019-06-10T13:56:00.002-07:00

Dear Patrons and Community Members,

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of those individuals, families and agencies that contributed to our 2019 Scholarship Awards. This year alone, 51 local scholarships were awarded at graduation totaling $30,350. Not only were our students recipients of local awards, but they also received an additional $52,602 in outside scholarships for the 2019/2020 school year. With the potential for many of those scholarships to be renewed, our graduates have the potential to receive a total of $202,952 over 4 years.

Students also had the opportunity to earn dual credit while attending Genesee High School. 95% of the 2019 graduates took advantage of this program and earned a total of 401 college credits while attending Genesee Joint Schools, with an average of 18.7 college credits earned per participating student.

Out of our current 2019 graduates, 18 of 21 are headed directly on to a college or university to continue their education in the fall. College and Universities our students have been accepted to are:

Lewis- Clark State College
University of Idaho
Washington State University
North Idaho College
Columbia Basin Community College
Walla Walla Community College

Two have committed to the U.S. Air Force and the National Guard to serve our country, and four will be going directly into the work force.

We know the class of 2019 will achieve great things as they continue their education. But we couldn't have provided them all of these opportunities without the outstanding support from our community. On behalf of all the students and the Genesee Joint School District we would like to thank you for all your support, scholarships, and guidance you have provided our students over the years.

Sincerely,

Dr. Wendy J. Moore

Superintendent

Measles and Vaccinations

2019-05-16T12:49:00.002-07:00

With the growing concern about the Measles outbreaks across the country, Idaho wants to help make parents and guardians aware of what they need to do to ensure they and their child(ren) are protected. Currently only 73.9% of Idaho's children between 19 months and 35 months old have received their primary vaccination series. This is well below the recommended 90% rate to prevent the spread of contagious diseases such as measles.

The CDC encourages parents to follow this schedule:

Children 12-15 months old should get their first dose.
Children 4-6 years old should get their second dose.
If a child has not been vaccinated on the recommended schedule, it is not too late. Parents should talk to their doctor immediately.
Teens or adults who were never vaccinated should get at least one dose.
Adults in high-risk situations (post secondary students, health care professional, international travelers) who were never vaccinated should get two doses.
Women of childbearing age should make sure they are vaccinated before they get pregnant.
If you were born from 1957-1968, you are encouraged to be re-vaccinated.

The Genesee Joint School District highly encourages parents to vaccinate all child(ren). All children must present a valid immunization record to school officials or completed exempt forms. Families who chose not to vaccinate will be notified by the district if an outbreak occurs and students may be denied attendance depending on the risk and number of students affected. If you have any questions, you may contact heather Morrow, School Nurse at hmorrow@sd282.org or Wendy Moore, Supt. at wmoore@sd282.org or call 208-285-1161.

Resources:

· https://www.getimmunizedidaho.org/

· Board Policy 470.20

· https://idahopoliticsweekly.com/politics/2612-press-release-get-immunized-to-protect-against-measles

· https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Portals/0/Health/Idaho%20Immunizations/Schools/201819GuideSchool%20Immunization%20RequirementsFinal.pdf

Supplemental Levy Election 2019

2019-02-14T13:55:00.001-08:00

The Genesee Joint School District #282 will ask voters on March 12, 2019 to RENEW the proposed one year levy of $935,000. This supplemental levy allows the district to maintain quality educational programs and opportunities for students of the Genesee Joint School District #282.

The Levy is a RENEWAL of the 2018/19 levy.

The determination of the levy amount is based on the discrepancy between the revenue available to the school district from state and federal funding and the educational needs as determined by the Board of Trustees. Taking into account the property tax reduction provided by the agricultural equipment replacement exemption and the personal business property tax exemption, which combined is approximately $52,119, the estimated cost of this levy will be approximately $882,881.

This supplemental levy allows the district to support educational and extra-curricular programs for students attending Genesee Joint Schools for the 2019/20 school year. The proposed levy provides necessary funds that state and federal dollars do not cover.

If you have any questions regarding the levy an informational meeting will be held on Feb. 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose room. If you are unable to attend and have questions, please contact Mrs. Lezah Shinkle, Business Manager or Dr. Wendy Moore, Superintendent at 208-285-1161.

Polls are open March 12, 2019 from 8:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Latah Co.
Precinct 21: Genesee Senior Center, 140 E. Walnut, Genesee, ID
Precinct 23: Julietta City Hall Annex, 203 Main Street, Julietta, ID

Absentee(In person voting) will take place at Latah Co. Auditors Office, Room 101, 522 South Adams, Moscow, ID(Deadline for Absentee Voting is March 8th at 5:00 p.m.)

Nez Perce Co
Ballots will be mailed beginning Feb. 11, 2019.
Absentee (In-Person) voting will take place at Nez Perce Co. Courthouse, Room 100, 1230 Main Street, Lewiston, ID . (Deadline for Absentee Voting is March 8th at 5:00 p.m.)

Thank you for supporting our students and our school district! We literally can't do it without you!

The Greatest Gift - Your Child(ren)

2018-12-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

I would just like to take a moment of your time to Thank You for sharing your children with us each and every day. I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to know that I get to get up and go to a job that I love every day and work with children. Yes, there are some days that have a speed bump or two, but there are many more positives that outweigh the rest.

I often think that as a Superintendent it is often easy to get caught up in the politics of the job and sometime my focus gets directed to things that matter, but are not the biggest priorities in my life. So I often try to find things outside of school that keep me focused on the things that really matter in my life: my faith, my family and my love for education. One of my latest readings is a blog called "Her View From Home". One of the recent articles talked about what really matters to children. One of the quotes that stuck with me is "Feeling secure in a family will have more of a long term effect on the well-being of a person than any of the minor stuff so much of our time and effort is spent on. We say our value is family, but our actions show something completely different. "

This really resonated with me as we move into the holiday season. It isn't so much what we gift each other, but it is the time that we spend with each other that we will remember as we grow older. As you look for the "perfect" gift this year, I want you to encourage you to consider how to make the time you spend with your families and friends matter. Give that hug before you say goodbye. Tell them "I love you" before you tuck them in at night. Spend 5 min. reading a book and sharing a cup of cocoa. Send that card to a person that you haven't talked to in a long time and let them know you are thinking of them. Building memories is what really matters!

That is why I send you a heartfelt "Thank You". Your children build my memories. Their hugs, smiles and laughter brighten my days. Their struggles give me opportunities to grow and be a better educator. They are why I became a educator! Thank you for sharing your greatest gift - Your child!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Wendy Moore

Screen Time and Online Safety - SmartSocial.com

2018-10-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

One of the discussions we have had recently in the elementary is how much time is too much time for students in front of a phone, ipad and/or computer screen. As we continue to implement technology as part of our curriculum and assessment process, we constantly have to weigh the pros and cons of integrating technology into our schedule. As parents, I'm sure you also wonder how to determine what is appropriate for the age of your child.

One of the blog posts I receive bi-weekly is from SmartSocial.com. The most recent post talks about how to limit screen time without conflict. The blog lists 4 recommendations for parents to consider:

1) Build a routine for your family. Have other activities for students to do after school that does not involve a screen. Have students do chores, help fix dinner etc.

2) Challenge your student to take a one week vacation from technology. Consider having them delete Snapchat or Instagram for one week and see what other things they can find to do with their time.

3) Earn time on the internet, don't just give it. Example: For every minute they spend reading, they earn a minute of screen time etc.

4) Set times for social "blackout". Limit the times students can access technology. Leave the phone outside the bedroom when going to bed. No phone at the dinner table, etc.

If you would like to read more about technology and what parents can do help keep their children safe in an online environment, I encourage you to sign up for their emails.

Link to website: https://smartsocial.com/limit-screen-time

Welcome Back to 2018/19 School Year

2018-08-21T15:55:00.002-07:00

Welcome back students and parents! I don't know where the summer months have slipped away to, but I hope that you have found time over the past couple of months to make memories with your families and friends.

This summer we have been busy preparing for the 2018/19 school year. Although we do not have any new staff joining us this fall, we do have some current staff members who will be working a different capacity for the 2018/19 school year.

Mrs. Heather Kirk - Title One Teacher
Mrs. Amy Wareham - First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Heidi Wasianen- K-12 Librarian

Please mark your calendar to attend:

Elementary Open House on Thursday, August 23rd from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
High school Open House on Tuesday, August 28th from 6:30 - 8:00.
First Day for students: Monday, August 27th :).

Staff is officially back to work on August 22nd. We are bringing in Dr. Danny Brassell to share a motivational presentation to staff. Dr. Brassell will be speaking about "Bringing the Joy Back into Education". Mr. Caldwell and myself had the opportunity to hear Dr. Brassell in 2017 and what a great way to start the year. We anticipate that he will motivate, encourage and prepare us for a great school year.

I hope you enjoy these last days of summer!
As always, I look forward to seeing you soon!

Wendy Moore, PhD.

Superintendent

2018 Scholarship Awards

2018-06-04T16:15:00.002-07:00

Dear Patrons and Community Members,

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of those individuals, families and agencies that contributed to our 2018 Scholarship Awards. This year alone, 60 local scholarships were awarded totaling $29,150. Not only were our students’ recipients of local awards, but they also received another $142,218.00 in outside scholarships for the 2018/19 school year. With the potential for many of those scholarships to be renewed, our graduates have the potential to receive $382,718.00 total over 4 years.

Students also had the opportunity to earn dual credit while attending Genesee Joint high school. 90% of the 2018 graduates took advantage of this program and earned a total of 442 college credits while attending Genesee Joint Schools. This has been our largest number of credits earned to date.

Out of our current 2018 graduates, 25 of 28 are headed directly on to a college or university to continue their education in the fall. Colleges and Universities our students have been accepted to are:

· Lewis-Clark State College

· University of Idaho

· Washington State University

· Blue Mountain Community College

· North Idaho College

· College of Idaho

Others are headed to the U.S. Marine Corps or directly into the workforce.

The class of 2018 has raised the bar high for fellow students and we know that they will achieve great things as they continue their education. But we couldn’t have given them all these opportunities without the outstanding support of our community. On behalf of the students and the Genesee Joint School District, we would like to thank you for all your support, scholarships, and guidance you have provided our students over the years.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Wendy Moore, PhD.

Superintendent

Smarty Ants - Reading Ready Initiative for 4- Year Olds

2018-04-17T07:29:00.002-07:00

Dear Genesee Joint School District Families,

The Idaho Department of Education has announced a new FREE reading readiness initiative exclusively for Idaho 4-year-olds!

The 4-Year-Old Initiative: Early Literacy for PreK Learners is the result of a special partnership between Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra, Idaho Department of Education and Achieve3000^®. Thanks to the initiative, Genesee Joint School District students who are 4 years of age will receive a free subscription to Smarty Ants^®, a research-based, foundational literacy program designed for young learners.

Smarty Ants provides everything children need to start kindergarten with a love of reading —all in a fun online environment that will keep them engaged and learning all year long. Enclosed is a flyer that shares more information about how Smarty Ants provides every child with a personalized learning path for building key reading, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.

You can activate your free subscription today by calling 877-235-2525 and using the code “SmartyIdaho” or by visiting www.achieve3000.com/SmartyIdaho. This will give your child access to Smarty Ants until the fall they start kindergarten. As a parent or guardian, you will also have access to the Smarty Ants Teacher Dashboard so you can monitor and support your child’s progress throughout the year.

For more information about this special initiative, please contact Wendy Moore, Superintendent at wmoore@sd282.org or 208-285-1161. To learn more about Smarty Ants or Achieve3000, please visit www.achieve3000.com.

We can’t wait to see all that your child accomplishes with Smarty Ants.

Happy learning!

Smarty Ants - Free Reading Readiness Initiative for Four-Year Olds

2018-04-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Genesee Joint School District Families,

The Idaho Department of Education has announced a new FREE reading readiness initiative exclusively for Idaho 4-year-olds!

We can’t wait to see all that your child accomplishes with Smarty Ants.

Happy learning!

Thank You for Supporting Our School District

2018-03-14T10:46:00.001-07:00

On Behalf of the School Board, Administration, Students and Staff of Genesee School District, I would like to thank you for supporting our 2018 Supplemental Levy.

Your support enables the district to continue to provide the quality education that our students will need to be successful. Your "yes" vote continues to show students and others that education is valued among the community. By supporting public education you are enabling us to be able to provide our students with skills and tools to be successful in the future.

As District Superintendent, I appreciate your support and hope to continue to be able to provide our children with the quality education that our children deserve and need. It is a pleasure to be a member of such a strong, supportive community.

Our school district wouldn't be the great institution it is today without such great community support. Thank you for voting YES!

Sincerely,
Dr. Wendy Moore
Superintendent

Supplemental Levy - Please vote on March 13, 2018

2018-03-05T16:29:00.000-08:00

SUPPLEMENTAL LEVY ELECTION

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LEVY?

The Genesee Joint School District #282 will ask voters on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 to RENEW the proposed one-year levy of $935,000. This supplemental levy allows the district to maintain quality educational programs and opportunities for students of the Genesee Joint School District #282.

This levy is a RENEWAL of the 2017/18 levy.

The determination of the levy amount is based on the discrepancy between the revenue available to the district from state and federal funding and the educational needs determined by the Board of Trustees. Taking into account the property tax reduction provided by the agricultural equipment replacement exemption, which is approximately $57,725 and the personal business property tax exemption , which is approximately $5,500. The estimated cost of this levy will be approximately $871,775.

This supplemental levy allows the district to support educational and extra-curricular programs for students attending Genesee Joint Schools #282 for the 2018/2019 school year. The proposed levy provides necessary funds that state and federal dollars do not cover.

If you have any questions regarding the levy please contact Dr. Wendy Moore, Superintendent or Lezah Shinkle, Business Manager.

If you have questions regarding the voting process, we encourage you to contact Latah County Auditors Office, Room 101, 522 South Adams, Moscow, ID.

Polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For Electors in Latah Co:

Precinct 21: Genesee Senior Center, 140 E. Walnut, Genesee, ID

Precinct 23: Juliaetta City Hall Annex, 203 Main St, Juliaetta, ID

Absentee (In Person) voting will take place at: Latah County Auditors Office, Room 101, 522 South Adams, Moscow, ID.

Deadline for Absentee (in person) voting is March 8th at 5:00 p.m.

For Electors in Nez Perce Co.

Absentee (In-Person) voting will take place at: Nez Perce Co. Courthouse, Room 100, 1230 Main St, Lewiston, ID Deadline for Absentee (in person) voting is March 8th at 5:00 p.m.

Parent Support = Student Success

2017-11-21T13:27:00.001-08:00

One of the most important factors in a student's success is their parent(s). Showing support for your child's education leads to success in school and a positive attitude regarding learning. Here are some important ways you can support your child and motivate him/her to do well.

Talk about learning

Take an interest - Showing an interest in what your child is learning at school shows that you believe what they are doing is important.
Find real-world connections - Look for activities to connect what your child is studying in school.

Support Homework

Be a resource - Ask students to explain homework to you. This helps them remember and focus on what needs to be done. If they get stuck, ask questions rather than giving answers. When studying for a test, offer to quiz them, make flash cards etc.
Set the stage - Find a quiet location for students to study and complete homework.
Afterschool Program - Need help in this area? Genesee schools provide assistance Monday - Thursday for homework assistance.

Create Routines

Read aloud daily - Choose a variety of materials, including fiction/nonfiction, magazines, and poetry. Don't forget the classic nursery rhymes as well.
Plan a healthy lifestyle. - Good nutrition provides energy to do well academically.

Communicate with the school

Update your information - Has your contact information changed since the beginning of the year? Check that your updated address, phone numbers and email addresses are on file.
Participate in events - Consider joining the PTO or attending special events. You should be receiving those invites home from your teacher(s) throughout the year.

Set expectations

Communicate what you expect. Example: "I expect you to finish your homework before you watch TV".
Be realistic. Set reasonable times for students study, read etc. Ask your child's teacher what is reasonable based on their age.
Make attendance a priority. Good attendance is one of the most desirable work traits for employers. Attending school and being on time are teaching your children that punctuality is important.

Welcome Back to School

2017-07-31T09:50:00.000-07:00

August is officially here and I don't know where the summer months have slipped away to. Hopefully you found time to make memories with your families and friends this summer.

This summer we have been busy preparing for the 2017/18 school year. Along with some new furnishings such as carpet in the elementary and new backboards in the gymnasium, we will have some new faces joining our teaching staff this fall. We would like to welcome the following staff to Genesee Joint School District:

Mrs. Beth Casey - Secondary Spanish
Mr. Greg Hardie - Secondary English
Mrs. Heather Kirk - Third Grade

We would also like to recognize a few of our current staff members who will be working in a different capacity for the 2017/18 school year.

Mrs. Amy Wareham - Kindergarten teacher
Ms. Jeanne Rodriguez - Office Asst./ Elementary Test Coordinator/ K-12 Art
Mrs. Becky Pickard - Jr. High Health/PE, K-6 PE and 3-6 Keyboarding.

We hope that you will get an opportunity to meet the new staff at the beginning of the year and welcome them to Genesee. First day for students is Tuesday, August 29th.

I hope you enjoy these last few weeks of summer!

Wendy Moore, PhD.

Superintendent

Genesee Joint Schools Asks Voters to Renew Supplemental Levy

2017-03-03T15:18:00.000-08:00

SUPPLEMENTAL LEVY ELECTION

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LEVY?

The Genesee Joint School District #282 will ask voters on March 14, 2017 to RENEW the proposed one-year levy of $935,000. This supplemental levy allows the district to maintain quality educational programs and opportunities for students of the Genesee Joint School District #282.

This levy is a RENEWAL of the 2016/2017levy.

The determination of the levy amount is based on the discrepancy between the revenue available to the district from state and federal funding and the educational needs determined by the Board of Trustees. Taking into account the property tax reduction provided by the agricultural equipment replacement exemption, which is approximately $51,726 and the personal business property tax exemption , which is approximately $5,500. The estimated cost of this levy will be approximately $877,774.

This supplemental levy allows the district to support educational and extra-curricular programs for students attending Genesee Joint Schools #282 for the 2017/2018 school year. The proposed levy provides necessary funds that state and federal dollars do not cover.

If you have any questions regarding the levy please contact Wendy Moore, Superintendent or Lezah Shinkle, Business Manager.

If you have questions regarding the voting process, we encourage you to contact Latah County Auditors Office, Room 101, 522 South Adams, Moscow, ID.

Polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For Electors in Latah Co:

Precinct 21: Genesee Senior Center, 140 E. Walnut, Genesee, ID

Precinct 23: Juliaetta City Hall Annex, 203 Main St, Juliaetta, ID

Absentee (In Person) voting will take place at: Latah County Auditors Office, Room 101, 522 South Adams, Moscow, ID.

Deadline for Absentee (in person) voting is March 10th at 5:00 p.m.

For Electors in Nez Perce Co.

Ballots will be mailed to registered electors beginning Feb. 18, 2017.

Absentee (In-Person) voting will take place at: Nez Perce Co. Courthouse, Room 100, 1230 Main St, Lewiston, ID Deadline for Absentee (in person) voting is March 10th at 5:00 p.m.

Genesee School District Refinances Bonds

2017-01-17T07:27:00.002-08:00

Genesee School District Refinances Bonds

The Genesee Joint School District has decided to refinance the bonds from its 2007 bond levy in order to take advantage of historically low interest rates. This bond refinancing will save the school district’s taxpayers over $560,000 in interest cost on the bonds while shortening the repayment term. The 2007 bonds were issued to finance the addition to the high school including the auxiliary gym and additional secondary classrooms. District officials chose to keep the bond payments the same and utilize the interest cost savings to shorten the repayment term which maximizes taxpayer savings in the long run.

The Genesee Joint School District finalized the bond sale on January 10^th, locking in an interest cost of 2.65%. The District was paying an average interest rate of 4.22% on the old bonds.

The District’s bond underwriter, Eric Heringer from the Boise office of Piper Jaffray & Co., said that a major reason for the District being able to secure such low interest rates was that it has done a great job managing its finances: “The District was awarded an “A+” bond rating from Standard & Poor’s due to conservative financial management that has resulted in healthy general fund reserves. Bond investors are paying close attention to the financial stability of entities that issue bonds as a result of high profile municipal bankruptcies such as the City of Detroit. Without a solid credit history and sound financial management, the bonds would not have achieved such a high bond rating. A lower bond rating would have resulted in higher interest rates and reduced savings for the taxpayers of the District.” Mr. Heringer went on to say “the District also has a very low debt burden and a history of strong community support for public education, which are additional positive credit factors.”

K-3 Literacy Intervention Plan

2016-10-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

In 2016, Idaho legislators passed H526 and 451 which now require districts to develop an extended hour literacy intervention program for students in grades K-3 who score below-basic or basic on the statewide reading assessment, the Idaho Reading Indicator, otherwise called the IRI.

By law, the program must be include the following components:
• A proven effective research based substantial intervention and shall include phonemic awareness, decoding intervention, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency applicable to the student based on a formative assessment designed to, at a minimum, identify such weakness.
• The program may include online or digital instructional materials or programs or library resources.
• The program must include parent input and be in alignment with the Idaho comprehensive literacy plan
• The program must include a minimum of 60 additional hours of reading instruction for students (K-3) below-basic (score of 1) and a minimum of 30 hours for students (K-3) scoring basic (score of 2) on the statewide reading assessment administered in the fall.

Genesee Joint School District #282 has developed a literacy plan for K-3 that utilizes the IRI as an initial screener for literacy intervention. Students who receive a "1" or a "2" on the assessment will receive further diagnostic testing to confirm and determine specific area of need. If a student shows no need on the additional diagnostic testing, students will be progress monitored to ensure that they are being successful within the general education setting. If a need is identified, parents and guardians will be invited to attend a planning/informational meeting and students will begin to receive intervention as deemed necessary.

We believe that literacy is crucial to a students future success. Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in a way that allows individuals to effectively with other individuals and is important in every facet of our life. We believe that by providing interventions at an early age that we can build a strong foundation for our students and enable them to be successful productive citizens in the future.

If you would like a copy of the district plan, please contact Wendy Moore at wmoore@sd282.org or 208-285-1161.

Genesee Joint Schools moves to Full Day Kindergarten

2016-05-16T12:37:00.001-07:00

Genesee Joint Schools will begin offering full day kindergarten in the fall of 2016.

Although the state of Idaho does not require students to attend kindergarten, we as a district believe that prekindergarten and kindergarten offer students a great opportunity to build a strong foundation for K-12 education. Full day kindergarten will increase the amount of instructional time for students significantly throughout the school year. This additional time will allow students to receive more academic instruction, therefore increasing opportunities for students to build the skills necessary for academic success.

Research from the National Educational Association (NEA) identifies that full day kindergarten not only increases students' academic abilities, but strengthens social and emotional skills as well. Longitudinal data shows children enrolled in full day kindergarten show greater reading and math ability than those in traditional half day programs. Research also shows full day kindergarten helps narrow achievement gaps, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. By providing additional time, students show greater short and long term academic, social and emotional gains.

While some parents may be concerned that full day kindergarten is too much for kids, research shows that 5 & 6 year olds are ready for longer instructional days and do better when allowed additional time for in depth exploration. Our purpose for implementing full day kindergarten is not only on the potential for increased academic development of our students, but we believe that attending school promotes many social emotional skills that are designed to help children in and out of the school environment.

If you have questions regarding the full day kindergarten program, please contact me at wmoore@sd282.org or 208-285-1161 ext 201.

Source

NEA . Full day kindergarten helps close achievement gaps. http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/HE/mf_PB12_FullDayK.pdf
NEA. Full day kindergarten: A missing link in the Pre-Kindergarten though third grade. http://www.nea.org/assets/docs/18781_Full-Day_Kindergarten_Backgrounder-Final.pdf

Supplemental Levy Election: March 8, 2016

2016-03-03T13:21:00.001-08:00

SUPPLEMENTAL LEVY ELECTION

March 8, 2016

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LEVY?

The Genesee Joint School District #282 will ask voters on March 08, 2016 to RENEW the proposed one-year levy of $935,000. This supplemental levy allows the District to maintain quality educational programs and opportunities for students of the Genesee Joint School District #282.

This levy is a RENEWAL of the 2015/2016 levy.

The determination of the levy amount is based on the discrepancy between the revenue available to the District from state and federal funding and the educational needs determined by the Board of Trustees. Taking into account the property tax reduction provided by the agricultural equipment replacement exemption, which is approximately $51,726 and the personal business property tax exemption , which is approximately $5,000. The estimated cost of this levy will be $878,274.

This supplemental levy allows the District to support educational and extra-curricular programs for students attending Genesee Schools for the 2016/2017 school year. The proposed levy provides necessary funds that State and Federal Dollars do not cover.

If you have any questions regarding the levy please contact Wendy Moore, Superintendent or Lezah Shinkle, Business Manager.

If you have questions regarding the voting process, we encourage you to contact Latah County Auditors Office, Room 101, 522 South Adams, Moscow, ID.

For Electors in Latah Co:

Precinct 21: Genesee Senior Center, 140 E. Walnut, Genesee, ID

Precinct 23: Juliaetta City Hall Annex, 203 Main St, Juliaetta, ID

Absentee (In Person) voting will take place at: Latah County Auditors Office, Room 101, 522 South Adams, Moscow, ID.

Deadline for Absentee (in person) voting is March 4th at 5:00 p.m.

For Electors in Nez Perce Co.

Ballots will be mailed to registered electors beginning Feb. 13, 2016.

Absentee (In-Person) voting will take place at: Nez Perce Co. Courthouse, Room 100, 1230 Main St, Lewiston, ID Deadline for Absentee (in person) voting is March 4th at 5:00 p.m.

Safety is our Priority

2016-02-22T12:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents & Community Members,

In followup to the events of last week where the school district was put into Closed Campus. I would like to explain the difference between a Closed Campus/ Lock Out and a Lock Down, which may help clarify a few questions and concerns.

Terms:

1. Closed Campus/ Lock Out: (This is what happened last Thursday)

District is notified by the Sheriff's Department that there is a concern somewhere in the nearby vicinity of the district, and they are recommending the district "Lock Out" or go into "Closed Campus". There is no known threat to students or staff during this period of time. The district then secures the building, by locking all exterior doors. Classes operate under normal schedules, with the exception of any outside activities. All students will remain indoors at all times. No visitors, guests or parents are allowed into the building during this period of time. The Sheriff's department notifies the district when we can open campus. This is a precautionary measure taken by the District as advised by the Sheriff's Department.

2. Lock Down:

District has been notified that there is a possible threat to the safety of the school district. Lock Down's may be initiated by Administration and/or the Sheriff's Department. The district will notify all staff that the district is in Lock Down and all exterior doors and classroom doors are locked and secured. Students will not be allowed to leave their classroom and/or building. Procedures are in place to address any classes that may be outside or off campus. No visitors, guests or parents will be allowed into the building during this period of time. We will notify parents and/or guardians as soon as we have secured the building and will give updates as they become available. We will remain in lock down regardless of time of day, until the all clear is given by the Sheriff's Department.

Your child's safety is our first and foremost concern. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at wmoore@sd282.org or 208-285-1161.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Wendy Moore
Superintendent

Board of Education Book Club: "The Smartest Kids in the World" by Amanda Ripley

2015-11-05T11:30:00.001-08:00

The Genesee Board of Education just finished reading "The Smartest Kids in the World" by Amanda Ripley. The book was published in 2013 and follows three American teenagers on their journey as exchange students in Finland, South Korea, and Poland. The stories told by the exchange students talk about how other countries have revolutionized their classrooms and how they moved their culture to a culture of learning and high expectations. The book led to some good conversation as to how Americans view Education and what schools in America prioritize as important for our students success.

If you are interested in reading this book, we would be happy to loan you a copy. Please contact me at 208-285-1161 or at email wmoore@sd282.org.

Welcome Back

2015-08-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to school! School is gearing up and we have been busy getting ready for another exciting school year. We will see a lot of new faces this fall here at Genesee. We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new staff :

Mrs. Cassie Heath - A.M. Preschool/ Title One teacher
Mrs. Amy Wareham - 3rd grade teacher
Mr. Aaron Waits - Secondary English/Spanish
Mrs. Sherie Wright - Library Paraprofessional
Mrs. Gia Paul - Secondary Paraprofessional
Mrs. Sharon Meeks - Cafeteria
Mr. Jake Youngblood - 2nd shift custodian
Mrs. Della DeRoche - Office Secretary

Along with new faces, we also have some people who will be working in new capacities.

Mrs. Courtney Scharnhorst - 2nd grade teacher
Mrs. Shelly Renton - Elementary Paraprofessional
Mrs. Missy Capps - Elementary Paraprofessional
Mrs. Charlotte Craig - Food Services Director
Ms. Rhonda Smith - Head Custodian

This coming year we will seek continued improvement on professional development for teachers and administrators with an emphasis being placed on integrating technology into the classroom, increasing student engagement and aligning curriculum with Idaho Core standards.

As we all know there are many challenges with each new school year, but I would like to assure you that our mission is to always do our best to meet the needs of each and every student who attend the Genesee School District.

We hope that you will join us in celebration of a new school year and we look forward to working with each of you in the future.

Wendy Moore
Superintendent

Mission Statement of Genesee Joint School District

The mission of the Genesee Joint School District, in partnership with family and community, is to provide all students with academic and life skills enabling them to become lifelong learners and responsible, productive citizens of our ever-changing community and world.

District receives 2014/2015 ISAT scores

2015-06-22T10:02:00.001-07:00

During Spring of 2015, Genesee students in grades 3-10 participated in the State of Idaho Standardized Assessment. Assessments were administered in the core areas of ELA, Mathematics and Science. Students in grades 3-10 were given the ISAT English/ELA & ISAT Mathematics assessment. Students in grades 5,7 & 10 were also given the Science ISAT The ISAT assessments provide ongoing monitoring of individual, school, district, and state progress on the Idaho Core Standards.

ENGLISH/LITERACY

Grade Level	Genesee % Proficient	State of Idaho % Proficient
3^rd Grade	60	48
4^th Grade	65	46
5^th Grade	69	52
6^th Grade	67	49
7^th Grade	63	51
8^th Grade	50	51
9^th Grade	67	52
10^TH Grade	75	60

MATHEMATICS

	Genesee % Proficient	State of Idaho % Proficient
3^rd Grade	50	50
4^th Grade	57	43
5^th Grade	61	38
6^th Grade	52	36
7^th Grade	58	38
8^th Grade	27	37
9^th Grade	44	28
10^th Grade	13	30

SCIENCE - Official scores have not been received at this point in time. Anticipate receiving scores in the fall of 2015.

Parents will be receiving ISAT scores through the mail regarding their individual student performance. Once the district receives official science scores, those will be distributed to parents/guardians.

This is the first year Idaho school districts received actual student data from ISAT 2.0 assessments. ISAT scores are another tool that we as educators can use to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses in our district as well as identify subgroups or individual students that may need additional assistance. Tests such as the ISAT 2.0 provide districts with objective information for EVERY student. As district superintendent, I realize that the ISAT is literally just one test that is administered over multiple days in the Spring. It does not define who are children are or necessarily even what they are capable of academically.

I believe that we will continue to see our scores rise across all areas in the future once students become more familiar with the format of testing. Although I believe standardized testing has its place in education, I also believe that it is just another tool that we can use to improve our performance as a district. As educators we can use this data to drive our professional development, as well as student instruction and ultimately provide the best possible education for our children.

Thank you for your support!

2015-03-11T06:55:00.004-07:00

On Behalf of the School Board, Administration, Students and Staff of Genesee School District, I would like to thank you for supporting our 2015 Supplemental Levy.

Your support enables the district to continue to provide the quality education that our students will need to be successful. Your "yes" vote continues to show students and others that education is valued among the community. By supporting public education you are enabling us to be able to provide our students with skills and tools to be successful in the future.

As District Superintendent, I appreciate your support and hope to continue to be able to provide our children with the quality education that our children deserve and need. It is a pleasure to be a member of such a strong, supportive community.

Our school district wouldn't be the great institution it is today without such great community support. Thank you for voting YES!

Sincerely,
Wendy Moore
Superintendent

Please vote on March 10, 2015 for Supplemental Levy Election

2015-03-06T11:31:00.002-08:00

The Genesee School district will ask voters on March 10, 2015 to renew the proposed one-year levy of $935,000. This levy is a renewal of the 2012, 2013 and 2014 levies.

The determination of the levy amount is based on the discrepancy between the revenue available to the District from other sources and the educational needs determined by the Board of Trustees. Taking into account the property tax reduction provided by the agricultural equipment replacement exemption, which is approximately $57,692, and the personal business property tax exemption, which is approximately $6,000, the estimated cost of this levy will be approximately $871,775.

This supplemental levy allows the District to maintain educational, sports and other extra-curricular programs for students attending Genesee Schools for the 2015/16 school year. The proposed levy provides the necessary funds that State and Federal Dollars do not cover.

If you would like additional information or are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Mrs. Wendy Moore at 208-285-1161 or wmoore@sd282.org.

For Electors in Latah Co.: Polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Precinct 21: Genesee Senior Center, 140 E. Walnut, Genesee, ID
Precinct 23: Juliaetta City Hall Annex, 203 Main Street, Juliaetta, ID

Absentee(In Person) voting will take place at: Latah County Auditors Office, Room 101, 522 South Adams, Moscow, ID. Deadline for Absentee (in person) voting is March 6th at 5:00 p.m.

For Electors in Nez Perce Co.: Ballots will be mailed to registered electors were mailed by the Co.

Absentee (In Person) voting will take place at: Nez Perce Co. Courthouse, Room 100, 1230 Main Street, Lewiston, ID. Deadline for Absentee (in person) voting is March 6th at 5:00 p.m.

PLEASE VOTE AND SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS! Polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Broadband Internet

2015-02-17T17:38:00.000-08:00

As many of you probably have been following the news regarding the Idaho broadband contracts and the judge's ruling, I wanted to followup with news directly from Boise.

Today, we finished Day on the Hill, meeting with various state legislators from both the House and Senate. Since the contracts with Idaho Education Network (IEN) have been ruled null and void, school districts are now being left to find internet services on their own. Today, the Joint Finance Appropriation Committee (JFAC) approved emergency funding to support districts in funding internet services for the remainder of the school year We were notified that there was a possibility of being shut down a weeks ago, and we have been proactively working on obtaining the necessary information from various internet providers for future services. It is our intent to obtain a provider and continue broadband services as quickly as possible for our staff and students.

If you have the opportunity to speak to our local state representatives, please thank them for the emergency funding and for doing what is best for our kids.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 208-285-1161 or wmoore@sd282.org

Wendy Moore