SCHOOL DISTRICT #373
Payette County
P.O. Box A  Fruitland, Idaho 83619  Phone: (208) 452-3595  Fax: (208) 452-6430
Board of Trustees
Kelly Henggeler, Chairman
Diane O’Dell, Vice-Chairman
Matt Frye
Debbie Hurrle
Shane Lloyd
Teresa Fabricius
Superintendent
Tamra L. Taucer
Business Manager/Clerk
October 2013
Dear Fruitland Parents, Guardians, Community Members, Businesses, Supporters, and Friends,
As we mark the end of the first quarter of the school year, I want to take this opportunity to thank you
for all you do for our school district. The level of support—and I mean all types of support, including your
contributions of taxes, time, effort, encouragement, fundraising, attendance at academic and extracurricular
events, input, and many others—that we receive makes this a very special and very unique community. I hope
you know that your efforts are appreciated and have a very direct impact on the students and staff of our district.
I also want to share some of the great things going on in our schools. While you may hear about some
of our events and activities through the news media, we are excited about some of our efforts and successes that
may not be so visible.
Technology Tools
This year our district is continuing to move forward in the use of technology as a teaching tool. We
believe that part of preparing our students for future success in their education or careers is making sure that
they are skilled and comfortable with the technology they will be expected to use and understand. We also
know that some students learn better, and are more motivated to achieve, through the use of technology.
At this time, thanks to the generosity of some businesses in our community, two classrooms in our
district are piloting the use of iPads as learning tools. These classrooms are utilizing iPads in a variety of ways
to support the teachers’ instruction. The teachers are learning a great deal about how best to integrate
technology into their lessons and instruction, and are sharing their new knowledge with other teachers. We will
monitor and collect data on these pilots throughout the school year, and will use this information to make future
decisions about technology in our district.
In addition to the iPad pilot, a number of teachers in our district have received technology mini-grants
for a variety of devices to support learning. They are reporting regularly on the successes and challenges of
integrating these tools, and will present their findings to their colleagues at the end of the school year. We also
have mobile labs in several classrooms in the district, allowing students to use individual laptop computers, or
netbooks, in the classroom without losing precious learning time by traveling to computer labs for their work.
The high school biology teachers share a classroom set of Chromebooks purchased through a combination of an
in-district grant and support from the Capital Educators Credit Union teacher grant program. Another
classroom utilized grant funds to purchase a classroom set of netbooks. Thanks to the increased availability of
computers, some of our classrooms and programs are utilizing the Khan Academy, which is a collection of online instructional videos developed by educator Salman Khan, a graduate of MIT and Harvard Business School.
Middle School PBIS: Positive Behavior Intervention Supports
Our middle school is implementing a new program called PBIS. The goal of this program is to teach students
how to behave appropriately and positively, and to recognize good behavior—as well as to identify and correct
behavior that is not appropriate. Students and staff have worked hard to create videos that depict proper
behavior in different areas of the school. Videos were shown at the Middle School Open House and are being
viewed by students during school. The overarching expectations of the program are Be Safe, Be Respectful,
and Be Responsible.
Elementary Character Assemblies
Each month the elementary chooses a positive character trait in which students will strive to improve. So far
this year students have focused on being a good friend and being honest. At the end of the month two students
are chosen from each class to be the recipients of the character award. These awards are presented at a monthly
assembly; parents can come and celebrate with their child a job well done and a lesson learned. Positive
recognition for excellent behavior helps our students grow together and gives them tools for life.
PSAT and SAT Assessments at High School
This year the state of Idaho provided every high school sophomore with the opportunity to take the PSAT at
school, paid for by the state. The PSAT (a test preliminary to the college-entrance SAT) helps students identify
areas of strength, as well as areas in which they may want to improve as they prepare for life after high school.
Fruitland High School participated in this assessment on October 16th, with all sophomores taking the test. This
spring all juniors will take the SAT, again provided by the state, and may use the results to support their college
application process. Administering these exams requires a tremendous amount of time, flexibility, and
organization on the part of our school staff; I appreciate their work to provide these opportunities to our
students.
All-Star Walking Program
Elementary students are participating in a walking program during recess. All students were given a lap card
and a lanyard to start the year. As they walk around the designated track in the grass, they get a punch on the
card. With 40 punches they have completed 10 miles. After each 10-mile card is completed, students receive a
prize and their name on the wall. It is a great program to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Activities
I have seen many of you at musical, athletic and extracurricular events this year; thank you very much for
showing our students that they are supported in their activities. I truly believe that being involved in activities
outside the classroom enhances a student’s education, and further prepares students for many of the challenges
they will face in life. Students who participate in activities develop skills in time management, organization,
communication, teamwork, discipline, preparation, persistence, service, and work ethic that will serve them
well in education and career success. I believe the entire community benefits when students have a positive,
supervised place to be in non-school hours—and activities provide that advantage. Additionally, activities are
an important component of the college admissions and scholarship competition processes; participation in
extracurriculars can help students reach their academic goals.
For information on school calendars, events, sports schedules, etc., please consult our district/schools website at
fruitlandschools.org. If you do not have internet access, you may request information at the appropriate
building:
Fruitland Elementary School 208-452-3360
Fruitland Middle School 208-452-3350
Fruitland High School 208-452-4411
Fruitland School District Office 208-452-3595
Fruitland Preparatory Academy 208-452-7427
Walking Safety
Students who walk between the middle school/elementary and high school after school are asked to please use
the fenced, paved walkway that is provided. Many students are using Seventh Street, which runs along the
baseball field. Because there are not sidewalks on this street, and because of heavy school bus and other vehicle
traffic at this time of day, this is not safe. Please, parents and guardians, talk to your students about using the
walkway.
Again, I cannot stress enough how much we appreciate all that this community does for our schools,
students, and staff. We feel a deep responsibility to provide our students with an education that will
prepare them for success in whatever they choose to pursue. Thank you for helping us meet that
responsibility.
Teresa Fabricius
Superintendent