Superintendent Update October 16, 2015

 Kuna School District Update
Inspiring each student to become a lifelong learner and a contributing, responsible citizen

October 16, 2015

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper” 

– W. B. Yeats

Team,
Yesterday morning around 3:00 am, my husband and I woke to the sound of dogs barking and running through the house. Many of you know that I am an animal lover and part of my menagerie includes two very large dogs. My husband rolled out of bed to see what was causing the raukus so early in the morning. From my groggy sleep state, I heard him say, “And who are you?” My adrenaline pulsed and threw me from my cozy position in bed. I thought we had an intruder in our home. I crept to the front room where my husband was standing.

To my relief and surprise, I found my husband standing in front of our two big dogs who were wildly wagging their tales and flanked by their new friend--a Shih Tzu. My dogs were grinning at us while their new friend was zipping around in circles between them. My dogs’ smiles seemed to be asking us, “Can we keep him?”

Apparently, their new friend (I temporarily named him Fritz) had wormed his way through our fence and into our home through the dog door--I’m certain that my dogs sneaked him in the door. Our slumbered reasoning suggested that we couldn’t do anything about the situation now so we might as well go back to bed. My husband reinforced that we would not be keeping “Fritz,” and I giggled to myself at the wonder and strangeness of the whole situation.

Fritz stayed the rest of the night with us; most of his visit he spent snuggled on our bed while our two big dogs slept on the floor beside all of us, guarding their new friend. Later that morning when we woke for a second time, my husband reasoned that Fritz might belong to our new neighbors who had recently moved in a few doors down. Much to my own dogs’ dismay, my husband delivered Fritz to his real home later that day.

While Fritz won’t become a permanent member of our household, (most likely a frequent visitor) he did provide me with a good experience for reflection. Often in October, the newness of a school year wears off, and we may find ourselves buried deep in our routines and our never-ending tasks. The student who is not making progress wakes us in worry at 3:00 am, and we find ourselves thinking the worst. However, with a change of focus, we may find a pleasant surprise waiting for us, waking us from our routines and urging us to giggle and wonder in the magic of this life.

In service,

 Updates

Welcome David Reinhart Our New Admin. of Human Resources and District Communications

Please welcome David Reinhart to the Kuna School District! David will serve as our new Administrator of Human Resources and District Communications. The following is a message from David:

Colleagues and friends,
It is a honor and privilege to serve and work with you. After 12 years of private school administration and 4 years as an Air Force Chaplain, I now have been given the opportunity to work with of each of you, as we strive to educate every child, every day.

I will be active and available in serving you. I believe two things about the work I do. First, I believe people are the most important resource we have. You carry out the mission and I want to make sure you are equipped and happy in doing so. Second, I believe in communicating often and in a variety of ways.

My door is open to you and you do not need an appointment to stop by with questions or thoughts. I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,
David

Some Other Personnel Changes in Human Resources and Finance Departments

In an effort to better serve you, Tammy Merithew will be joining the district Human Resources team in a part-time capacity beginning next week. She will support you as the Payroll and Benefits Clerk, working directly for Ruth Hammond who will continue to serve you as the Payroll Specialist. Tammy will also continue to serve Crimson Point staff and families in a part-time capacity in her current role as Student Support Manager for the remainder of the school year.

Career Enhancement to be Distributed in November Paychecks

As a part of the district negotiated agreement and as a means to reward people for their years of service to the Kuna School District, a one-time career enhancement stipend will be distributed to non-administrative certified and classified employees in the November paycheck. The district used the savings from the cost of health insurance to cover the stipends. The stipends will be awarded as follows:

The Kuna Way Awards
Please help us to celebrate our colleagues and community partners who are examples of practicing the Kuna Way. If you know of someone who should receive this award, please nominate this person via the website feedback link.

Collaborating to solve problems, to make decisions, to reach win-win decisions and to continuously improve to make our system better for kids:
Ruth Hammond, for working together with the Operational Team to find ways to job share and for working tirelessly to make sure everyone gets paid.

Dr. Cindy Orr, for working tirelessly to make Indian Creek and Ross a better place for everyone, students and staff alike. For her positive attitude as a leader.

Terri Woods, for all you do to support the Kuna High School Band and to promote a positive culture. Thank you for your leadership and support of the summer Drum Corps.

Putting kids first and doing whatever it takes to help students succeed:
Lori Olson, for stepping in to help drive bus even when she was juggling many other HR responsibilities. You put your own needs on hold, to make sure kids arrived home safely.

Peggy Owens, for your positive attitude rain or shine, you are out helping kids cross the street everyday at the corner of Linder and Ten Mile with a smile.

Mike Wiedenfeld, for being acknowledged by MIT as an Influential Educator nominated by 2015 KHS graduate and Freshman at MIT Jordan Wick!

Allen Dale, for your work on receiving a grant for the ornithology class. This grant allowed the purchase of 5 sets of binoculars, a spotting scope, bird feeders, bird seed, bird field guides and native plants.

Brian Deatherage, for receiving a Kuna Educational Foundation Grant that he will use to purchase new technology for his classroom.

Collaborating to solve problems, to make decisions, to reach win-win decisions and to continuously improve to make our system better for kids:
Brenda Saxton, for stepping up as the Transportation Supervisor on short notice and continually looking for ways to collaborate and improve our system.

Leading from where you are:
Kelly Walton, for your outstanding work in taking the lead on the Discovery Tech Book Pilot Grant.

Ludee Vermaas, for going above and beyond by putting together an awesome Special Education Newsletter.

Courtney Shearer, taking the lead on organizing curriculum and assessments for the Dual Language program.

For taking care of each other and ourselves:

Leslie Culbertson, for being amazing and humble about the amount of work you do for the staff and students at Hubbard-Teed. For going out of your way to make the staff room inviting, and working late into the night to help create a positive climate for all.

Jackie Young, for being amazing and humble about the amount of work you do for the staff and students at Hubbard-Teed. For going out of your way to make the staff room inviting, and working late into the night to help create a positive climate for all.

For working hard and having fun together:

Kuna High School Teachers, for demonstrating the power of collaboration with their “too sexy” dance at the Homecoming Pep Assembly!

 Rumor Mill

Have You Heard a Rumor and Want to Know the Answer? Post your question on our website!

It is easy for rumors to get started in light of all the questions and concerns employees and parents have regarding the Kuna School District. If you've heard a rumor that you'd like to get an "official" response on, we encourage you visit the "Rumors, Questions and Feedback" link on our website.