Inside our schools: Schools schedule PTO meetings

Children whose parents get involved in their schools and take an active interest in their educations get better grades, miss fewer school days and behave better in the classroom, according to the National Education Association’s Web site.

So in addition to overseeing your student’s homework and talking with him or her about school, joining parent-teacher organizations are great avenues for getting involved.

Here’s the schedule of PTO meetings at Post Falls’ public schools:

“Ponderosa Elementary, 6:30 p.m., last Tuesday of the month, 773-1508

“Mullan Trail Elementary, 6 p.m., second Tuesday of month, 457-0772

“Seltice Elementary, 6 p.m., second Tuesday, 773-1681

“Prairie View Elementary, 6:30 p.m., third Tuesday, 773-8327

“Post Falls Middle School, 6:30 p.m., third Tuesday, 773-7554

“River City Middle School, 6:30 p.m., third Tuesday, 457-0933

“Post Falls High School, Boosters meet at 7 p.m., first Monday, 773-0581

Ponderosa teachers honored

This is a big week for two staff members at Ponderosa Elementary School in Post Falls.

First, Laura Kast was named 2007 School Counselor of the Year by the Idaho School Counselor Association. And today, fourth-grade teacher Sharon Wagner is scheduled to be named Idaho History Teacher of the Year at a teachers’ conference in Boise.

Kast has counseled students at Ponderosa for about seven years. She was singled out for her day-to-day work with pupils and her contributions to the field. Four student interns who’ve worked for Kast have gone on to become elementary school counselors themselves.

“Kast exemplifies every quality that makes a high caliber counselor; wisdom, patience, keen intelligence, gentleness, courage and a light sense of humor. Counselor Laura is the heart of our school,” said Kathy Baker, school principal.

Wagner is being honored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and Preserve America.

The organizations annually recognize an exceptional K-12 American History teacher from every state and U.S. territory.

Wagner will receive a $1,000 honorarium and the school will receive history books for its library.

Selection criteria include teaching experience, use of creative and imaginative teaching methods and close attention to historical documents, artifacts, historic sites and other primary history materials.