Week of January 7

Bus/Parking lot duty: Smith and Cooley

Monday 1/7:  8:00 Staff meeting; 1:00 departments meeting/collaboration

Tuesday 1/8:  

Wednesday 1/9:  

Thursday 1/10:

Friday 1/11:  

Bus/Parking lot duty: Gaynor and Fehling

Monday 1/14:  Non-Work Day
Tuesday 1/15:  

Wednesday 1/16:  

Thursday 1/17:

Friday 1/18:  

Bus/Parking lot duty: Hamill and Higgs

Monday 1/21:  Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday 1/22:  

Wednesday 1/23:  

Thursday 1/24:Conferences from 2:30 - 6:30

Friday 1/25:  Teacher Workday, no school for students

Welcome Back!

I hope you're feeling rested, rejuvenated and ready to return to the mission of preparing young people to successfully manage the complex challenges and triumphs of adult living.

I want to share a speech that one of our students presented to the Rotary last month.  It's a reminder of why we do this work:

Presented to the Coeur d'Alene Rotary:

First, I have to say I am honored to be here this morning. 

I would like to thank all of you and especially thank my teacher, Sue Thompson-who nominated me, because without her I would not be here today. 

A little background on myself:  I was raised in Eastern Washington by my father and step-mother.  My mother passed away when I was ten. I had a somewhat chaotic and dysfunctional upbringing to say the least.  I cannot tell you how many times my parents and school staff told me I would never graduate and how badly I wanted to prove them wrong.  My life has been filled with challenges and there was a time when my education was not a priority as I was just trying to survive day by day. 

At this time last year, I was reeling from the loss of my father to suicide and preparing to become a teen mother.   

After the death of my father, me and my sister were taken in and brought to Idaho by our now parents, Cody and Jodi, with no questions asked.  They have shown us unconditional love and given us a life we never had.  They have pushed me to realize my potential and I have achieved things I once thought were impossible.  They tell me it is a privilege to have me as a daughter, but I feel I am the lucky one to have them for a mom and dad.

Over the past year I have overcome many obstacles and put my education and future in the forefront. 

I began my junior year at Venture High School with only six credits.  Each day I stayed after school and worked on Plato recovery classes, and I attended summer school. 

With careful planning from my academic team, one-on-one teaching, and constant encouragement and support from my parents and teachers, I am on track to graduate this June.  I have done all of this while being an active and dedicated mom. 

I can’t say it’s been easy, but it has been so worth it. 

This trimester I will complete my senior project which will include a job shadow experience with an EMT at the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department.  After graduation I plan to complete EMT/Paramedic training through North Idaho College and continue my education by getting my Associates of Science degree.

My drive and determination are fueled by my past and I am proud of my accomplishments and look forward to continued success in my future.

Again, thank you for recognizing my hard work and efforts.