Lena Whitmore Elementary School
Parent Bulletin, August 30, 2015
Back-to-School Night – Our annual back-to-school night will take place from 5 – 6 p.m. on
Monday, August 31st for all grade levels (morning kindergarten class is invited from 5-5:30 and
afternoon kindergarten class from 5:30-6). This is a great time to meet the teacher, drop off
school supplies, see where your child’s locker or cubby is, and where they’ll be sitting! We will
also have cookies in the gym served by our new counselor as well as our long-term sub in PE!
Class Lists – Before coming to back-to-school night, please check out the class lists so you know
which teacher your child has. The lists are posted on the front doors as well as on our website:
www.msd281.org/lena. From our website, click on the tab in the middle of the screen titled
“Student & Parent Info”, then the link titled “Class Lists”.
School Supplies – The “Stuff the Bus” campaign brought in a bunch of school supplies…many
thanks to all of those who donated! If your child needs any supplies, please stop by the office this
week to pick them up!
Staffing Changes – This year at Lena we have a number of new staff members in positions that
impact the entire student population (which is super exciting!). It is my pleasure to welcome the
following staff members to our amazing Lena family:
Kira Ulrich – Mrs. Ulrich will be teaching both morning and afternoon sessions of
kindergarten. Prior to teaching at Lena, Mrs. Ulrich taught 1st grade at West Park, was a
paraprofessional at Lena, and student taught with Mrs. Belknap and Mrs. Martson.
Meghan Raney – Mrs. Raney is our new school counselor. She will be working Mondays,
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays each week. Mrs. Raney and her family moved from
Meridian, Idaho (although she’s a proud Vandal graduate) and was a counselor, 2nd grade
teacher, and Title teacher prior to her position at Lena!
Shahna Paul – Ms. Paul is our school psychologist and she works half-time at Lena (W/Th
and every other F) and half-time at McDonald Elementary. Ms. Paul has been a school
psychologist in Lewiston as well as a special education teacher and counselor.
Colin Briggs – Mr. Briggs will be our long-term substitute teacher in PE. Mr. Briggs
student taught at McDonald Elementary last year with Mrs. Carscallen and is recent UI
graduate. He was a long-term sub at MHS this past spring.
Hanna Ridgeway – Ms. Ridgeway is our new gifted and talented facilitator. She will be
working part-time at Lena (T/Th and part of F) and the other days we share her with West
Park. Ms. Ridgeway recently worked at MOSS camp and graduated from UI with her
Masters in Natural Resources.
KaCee Taylor – Mrs. Taylor will be our new cook at Lena this fall. She is transferring
from the kitchen at MHS.
We also have a few changes in staffing (meaning same faces, different places):
Lisa Belknap moved from kindergarten to 2nd grade; Kate Roll moved from 2nd grade to 1st
grade; Sandi Williams worked as a classroom aide last year and is now a special education
paraprofessional.
We are still hiring for a part-time food service worker for our kitchen (morning hours) as
well as a part-time special education paraprofessional (afternoon hours). If you know of anyone
who would be a great candidate, please encourage them to call our district office!
Facility Update – First off, we’re starting on time with all our bathrooms completed! That’s a
great way to start the year!  Our building looks shiny and clean (at least for another week!). Our
custodial and maintenance crew work hard over the summer to keep our aging buildings looking
great. We have new tile flooring and new paint in the gym! We also have beautiful new (and easy
to put up and down) cafeteria tables. Our generous PAT purchased a new couch and coffee table
for our entry way and our bike racks will be installed this fall.
Up-coming events:
8/31 – Back to School Night! 5-6 p.m. for 1st – 5th grade, 5-5:30 for a.m. kinder; 5:30-6 for p.m. kinder
9/1 – First day of school! 
9/2 – 9/18 – IRI/fall reading and math universal screeners
9/7 – No school, Labor Day
9/10 – 5th grade field trip to Paradise Ridge Challenge Course, 8:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.; Kindergarten parent night, 5 – 6
p.m. in the library
9/15 – PAT, 6:30 p.m. in staff lounge
9/17 – 4th grade parent night, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in your child’s classroom
10/1 & 10/2 – No School, Professional Development Days
10/14 – individual picture day
Lena Whitmore Elementary School is a partnership dedicated to the academic and personal
success of every child.