Hands on Learning in Third Grade

Third graders had a busy day on Friday. During math they practiced writing division word problems using yummy animal cookies. Later in the day they became scientists and dissected owl pellets. They were able to identify the bones of animals the owls actually ate.

Veteran's Day Assembly

4th Grade students made cards for the veterans

In honor of the amazing men and women who are serving or have served in the military, Sacajawea held a special Veteran's Day Assembly. The guests of honor were veterans who were friends and family of our staff and students. The assembly was organized by our music teacher, Becca Chavarria and was a beautiful tribute to the veterans.
The program included the members of Student Council teaching a little bit of history about the different wars American fought in. There were also patriotic songs like "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Grand Ol' Flag" sung by the students. The assembly concluded with Mr. Webster introducing each of the veterans who came to the assembly and thanking them for their service.

Share Your Opinion on the Superintendent Search

This survey is also posted on the CSD home page. Please provide input to the search committee about the kind of leader you think we need as our next superintendent. This can be completed by parents, students, community, or employees.

SHARE YOUR OPINION on the Superintendent Search

The Board of Trustees in the Caldwell School District is searching for a superintendent. A community search committee has been appointed. The board and the committee are interested in opinions from you regarding the desired professional and personal qualifications for a Caldwell School District superintendent. Your suggestions will be used by the search committee and the board in reaching a final decision.

Please click here to go to the online survey and share your opinion. Or click here to download the PDF to print and mail.

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COMPARTA SU OPINION EN LA BÚSQUEDA DE SUPERINTENDENTE

La junta directiva de Caldwell School District está en búsqueda de un superintendente. Un comité de la comunidad ha sido nombrado. La junta directiva y el comité de la comunidad están interesados en sus opiniones respecto a las calificaciones profesionales y personales para un superintendente del Distrito Escolar de Caldwell. Sus sugerencias serán consideradas por la junta directiva y el comité en la decisión final.

Oprime aqui para tomar la enquesta. Oprime aqui para oprimir la enquesta.

School Lunch Coloring Contest Winners

The following super Sacajawea artists won their grade-level and school categories in the national school lunch coloring contest:

Audrey T - 1st Grade
Melinda M - 2nd Grade - Grand Prize Winner
Dalia G - 3rd Grade
Taylor B - 4th Grade

Karla R- 5th Grade

October's Skyhawks of the Month

1st Grade

Congratulations to all the Skyhawks of the Month Award Recipients. Thank you for being leaders in our school.

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Great Opportunity to Serve Kids and Families at Sacajawea - Attendance Clerk

Please pass this to someone you know who might be interested and qualified.

Sacajawea is looking for an amazing new attendance clerk, as Tina Basaldua will be transferring to the district office.  Tina has been our attendance clerk for many years and has been at Sacajawea since it opened in the early 90's. The following traits we are looking for are quite a tribute to Mrs. Basaldua.  She is such a hero.

Our attendance clerk is the first person most people meet at our school, so she is extremely important. She is the face of Sacajawea Elementary School.

We need someone:

• Who is bilingual in Spanish and English (both written and spoken preferred), so that she can serve all of or families well.  
• Whose positive attitude is contagious, is fantastic at customer service and is reliable under pressure.
• Who can maintain their cool and attention to detail, even in a high energy elementary school office. 
• Who is comfortable with direct interaction with adults and with kids and should also be proficient at using technology for communication and record-keeping. 
• Whose phone etiquette is superb.

Most importantly, we need someone who loves kids and families.

If you know someone who would be great at this please encourage them to apply online at THIS LINK.  They can feel free to direct questions to me, Paul Webster (pwebster@caldwellschools.org / 208-455-3333 x1437). In-district applicants may send a letter of interest to Gloria Betancourt and Paul Webster.

Questions about salary and benefits can be posed to Gloria Betancourt (gloriab@caldwellschools.org / 208-455-3300) or you can view the classified salary scale directly at THIS LINK.

Thanks for your help spreading the word.  We are looking forward to meeting the next great member of our Sacajawea team.
Paul Webster

Opera Idaho Comes to Sacajawea

Third and fourth-grade students at Sacajawea got a rare and special experience when Opera Idaho performed for them. They performed the famous opera "The Magic Flute" by Mozart. The students sat transfixed as they watched the story of Tamino, a prince who must undergo a series of tests in order to marry the princess Pamina, unfold before them. They got a special surprise when they discovered that a few of their classmates had parts in the Opera too.

Show Your School Spirit and Order a Shirt Today

This is the design on the shirt. It will be refined by the designer.

We are now taking orders for Sacajawea school shirts.

The students are not required to buy them, but they do follow our dress code.

Order forms for the shirts went home earlier this week. More forms are available in the office.

Shirts are $11 (extended sizes are more) and they come in different sizes and colors.

All money is due by October 23 and can be paid to the office.

Youth Colors

Adult Colors

Parent-Teacher Conferences October 21-October 23

Can you believe that it is already October and time for Parent-Teacher Conferences?! This quarter has flown by and the students have been working so hard on their school work. We are looking forward to meeting with you to discuss your child's learning. If you need to reschedule your conference please call the office so we can find a time that is more convenient for you. See you next week!

Why Is Math Taught So Differently Today?

We often get questions from parents about why we teach math differently than they used to ("Back when we were kids").  If it was good enough for me, why isn't it good enough for them? That is a great question.

This guy does a great job explaining this, comparing the standard multiplication algorithm to a couple of modern methods.  The standard algorithm is often a little more efficient and it does work consistently.  However, it really just is a matter of following directions (the steps) and doesn't help students build an understanding of the math.

What I saw when I worked with middle school students was that those students who had been great at the standard algorithm in elementary school but didn't really understand what was going on with the math began to fall apart when it came to more complex thinking and problem solving in middle school math.  We want our kids to really understand the math to build a foundation for success later on.  Once they understand it then they can choose to use a more efficient method for calculating a correct answer.


Why is Math Different Now from raj shah on Vimeo.

We expect that many more of our current students will go beyond the levels of math that were required for us when we were kids.  Many of the best-paying jobs in their future look like they will  require a higher level of math skill than we had when we were kids.

Thanks to Mrs. Knowlton for the tip on this video.