Essays honoring school employees being accepted

Numerica Credit Union’s “Outstanding School Employee of the Month,” program has been renamed the “First Class School Champion Award,” and school officials are once again accepting nominations.

Once a month, a committee chooses the best essay written by a student about a school employee, not necessarily their teacher, who has made an impact in their life. The winning employee is recognized at a surprise assembly at the school. The student who writes the winning essay is recognized as well.

Students who attend public and private schools in the Coeur d’Alene, Lakeland and Post Falls school districts can participate. Nomination forms are available at the schools or online at www.numericacu.com. They must be completed and turned in on the last Friday of the month. New this year, every student who submits a nomination form will be entered into a drawing for an Apple iPod, to be held at the end of the school year.

The students who write winning essays will receive $25 and a gift, and the monthly school employee “champion” will receive a trophy recognizing their achievement and a gift basket, and $100 will be donated to their school or department.

NIC to lobby for shared facility

North Idaho College has added a joint professional-technical facility on its wish list to the state Legislature, says Kent Propst, NIC community relations director. The facility would be shared by the Lakeland, Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene School districts and NIC.

Propst said the shared facility is still years away, but that it would be “the perfect partnership” and a great idea for transitioning high school students to the college.

NIC classes open for enrollment

In other NIC news, two classes in the community education program are still open for enrollment at the Silver Valley Center in Kellogg.

Map, Compass and GPS teaches students how to read a map, use a compass and use a global positioning system for both recreational and commercial purposes. The one-day class is $41, and is offered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1

Appalachian Egg Basket with Four Point Lashing teaches students how to make a version of a traditional rib basket that has been documented in many cultures. This class is $45 and will be held in two sessions Oct. 7 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Register online at http://workforcetraining.nic.edu or call 769-3333.

EXCEL holding Hawaiian luau

The nonprofit EXCEL Foundation is getting ready for its big event this year, to be held Sept. 24 in the Jacklin Building at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Last year it was No Moose Left Behind. This year they are hosting an authentic Hawaiian luau, called A Hula Happening. Entertainment will be provided by Hawaiian dancers with dancing until midnight to the music of the Rhythm Dawgs.

Tickets are $35 per person and are available by calling EXCEL at 292-2638. MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Also available are raffle tickets for $1, for a $3,000 travel voucher and $1,000 cash to design the trip of your dreams. The raffle drawing will be held at the Hula Happening. You need not be present to win.

All proceeds benefit teachers and students of the Coeur d’Alene School District 271.

The EXCEL Foundation has awarded more than $570,000 in grants to teachers and students in our community since 1987.

Raffle benefits high schools

A raffle will benefit school activities at Lake City High School and Coeur d’Alene High School. Parker Toyota has donated a 2005 “Limited Edition” Scion XB, to be raffled off during half time of the LCHS vs. CHS football game Oct. 27. Tickets are $10 and are available at Parker Toyota or from your favorite LCHS or CHS student or athlete.