Mullan kids mentor younger classmates
Close to 100 Mullan Trail Elementary School third- and fourth-graders this week started giving up three recess periods a week to tutor first- and second-graders to become better readers.
The initiative is part of the Post Falls schools’ Kids Care Club, funded by the state Learn and Serve Idaho Program.
The peer tutors will also organize a performance for kids at the public library and make books for children in Mexico and a local homeless shelter.
Kids Care Club strives to introduce youngsters to reading’s value through community service.
Post Falls School District
In the wake of a type of skin infection known as MRSA, among a handful of Kootenai County pupils, Post Falls schools are intensifying their efforts to prevent the spread of such ailments, according to a statement issued last week by the Post Falls School District.
“Each August, all custodial and food service staff are trained in disinfection, universal precautions and minimizing the spread of communicable disease,” the statement said.
“Physical Education and Sports/Activity departments routinely clean and disinfect all shared equipment such as eight lifting benches, mats for wrestling and locker rooms,” the press release said.
Parents are asked to remind their children to wash their hands, which is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infections. Students with skin infections should keep them covered to ensure others don’t come into contact with their wounds, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/Features/ MRSAinSchools.
Rathdrum
After a 37-year career with the Lakeland School District, Assistant Superintendent Ron Schmidt hopes Nov. 30 to slip quietly into retirement.
But he won’t seek refuge in his La-Z-Boy.
“We’ve got a travel trailer that hooks up to the truck, and we plan to take some short trips,” he said, adding he’ll get to spend more time than ever fly fishing, bicycling and running.
Fresh out of college in 1970, Schmidt’s first job was supposed to be a temporary stint teaching math and science at what then was Lakeland’s only high school.
He went on to earn a master’s degree in night school and rose to assistant principal and then principal of the district’s sole junior high school. Eventually, he earned his superintendent’s credentials and joined the district’s administrative staff.
While lots of things are different now then early in his career, Schmidt said the region’s rural, personal atmosphere remains strong.
“We’ve been able to keep our class loads down, our schools’ sizes down and stay in touch with our students,” he said.
And despite the increase in largely unfunded federal and state mandates, Schmidt said the district has “been able to rise above that and do some great things for kids.”
Though he has mixed feelings as his last workday nears, he said he’s certain Lakeland schools are in good hands and will continue to put youngsters first.
He’s proudest of the community’s involvement in its schools. “A majority of the people … feel education is very important and they’re willing to support the school District whenever they can.”
Don’t be surprised if Schmidt later shows up in the elementary schools. He plans to pop in from time to time to read to some of the youngest pupils, which include some of his five granddaughters.