News & Events

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 January C.A.K.E. Award, which stands for Character, Attitude, Kindness, and Encouragement, has been awarded to two outstanding learners. Congratulations to Devin Blakeslee and Madden Kunz. Devin is a 5th-grade learner attending Indian Hills Elementary, and Madden is a 6th-grade learner attending Alameda Middle School.  

Devin was nominated by his teachers, Ms. Whitney Curzon. In her nomination letter Ms. Curzon wrote, “I am pleased to nominate Devin Blakeslee from my 5th Grade class for the C.A.K.E Award and would like to recognize him for being an outstanding student and role model in our school. Devin exemplifies qualities that make him a respected, compassionate, and influential presence both in the classroom and on the playground. He is a great example of a KIND Cougar!

Devin is a kind and thoughtful young man who consistently demonstrates a willingness to lend a helping hand. He possesses a unique ability to lead quietly and humbly, making him a figure that others naturally gravitate towards. Devin is patient, understanding, and inclusive, always making sure that every student feels welcome and valued, particularly during recess and group activities. His flexibility and versatility allow him to adapt to different situations, and he seamlessly works with students of all personalities and backgrounds.

One of Devin's standout qualities is his leadership on the playground. We recently got a GaGa Ball pit, and although Devin is competitive, he encourages others to do their best. He not only includes everyone in games and activities but also helps solve conflicts that arise, always ensuring a fair and respectful resolution. His peers look to him for guidance, and he sets a positive example by leading with empathy and integrity. He has a unique gift for fostering an environment where every child feels they belong.

Devin Blakeslee is a student who consistently embodies the values we strive to instill in our Indian Hills Cougar Community. His quiet yet impactful leadership and inclusive spirit make him an ideal candidate for this recognition. Devin has positively impacted his peers and teachers alike, and I am honored to nominate him for this award.”

Madden was nominated by his teacher, Ms. Jodi Diaz. In her nomination letter, Ms. Diaz wrote, “I knew I wanted to nominate Madden for this award the very first time I met him. I first noticed him during the assembly on the first day of school.  Every boy seemed to want to sit by him.  There was a boy with special needs that Madden knew from elementary school.  Madden sat right beside him and all the other boys followed. Madden includes everyone, and because he is a natural leader, when Madden does it, so does everyone else.  I have watched Madden, and his friends, include this boy every day since the first day of school in everything they do.  Madden is caring, inclusive, empathetic, and compassionate.  As an adult I strive to be these things, but it takes effort.  For Madden it comes naturally, it is a part of his character.  Madden has no idea the lasting positive impact he has on the people around him, specifically his friend from elementary school, but it warms my heart and I look forward to seeing the amazing things he will do throughout middle school and after.”

Devin and Madden were recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Our Partner for this award, Johnson Family McDonald's, provides each learner and their nominators with a gift card, along with $50 to purchase books for the school’s media center in the recipients’ names. 

PCSD 25 believes a safe, supportive, caring and respectful environment is critical to student learning. The District Education Foundation, in partnership with McDonald’s, supports the Learner-of-the-Month C.A.K.E. Award to recognize students who show great character.  The district recognizes one elementary learner and one secondary learner from October through May. Nominations for the C.A.K.E. Award are submitted by a teacher who has observed the nominee’s behavior, and are approved by the school’s principal.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District (PCSD 25) is proud to announce that it has achieved the highest graduation rate among the state’s 10 largest school districts. Last spring, an impressive 92.1% of PCSD 25 learners graduated on time, surpassing the statewide average of 82.3%.

This achievement is a testament to the district’s dedication to educational excellence and the success of its learners. PCSD 25 stands out among its large district peers for its continued commitment to providing learners with the tools, resources, and support they need to graduate.

PCSD 25’s continued success serves as a model for other districts in the state, proving that when schools, communities, and families work together, learners can achieve great things.

Cassie Atwood, PCSD 25’s curriculum coordinator, said, “The district's high graduation rate is a direct reflection of the unwavering dedication of our educators, staff, and support systems, who are committed to meeting each learner where they are.”

Atwood added, “The increase in our graduation rate highlights our holistic, hands-on approach to track and monitor each learner’s progress, while providing personalized support necessary for every child to not only thrive but also confidently take the next step toward a successful future.”

In addition to this achievement, PCSD 25 also leads Idaho's largest school districts in teacher retention, reaching a remarkable 91% retention rate for the past two years. This consistent retention rate reflects the district's ability to foster a supportive and collaborative environment for educators, ensuring that learners receive a high-quality education from a dedicated and experienced teaching staff.

"We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our learners, staff, and community," said Dr. Douglas Howell, Superintendent of PCSD 25. "These achievements are the result of a collective effort to create an environment where students can thrive, and we will continue to focus on both academic excellence and teacher retention as essential components of our district's success."

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is the leading choice for local education, consistently demonstrating excellence in both learner success and educator satisfaction. In addition to leading the state in graduation and teacher retention rates,  PCSD 25 also offers innovative learning opportunities, including 25 Career-Technical Education pathways to prepare students for thriving careers, and above-average ISAT scores in English, math, and science. With a focus on comprehensive support for all learners, the district provides a well-rounded education that fosters both academic and personal growth.

For nearly 140 years, PCSD 25 has been committed to providing the highest quality education in a safe, supportive, and caring environment. Guided by our motto—Think MORE, Learn MORE, Be MORE Together—PCSD 25 is more than a school district; it is a community of schools, including parents, teachers, staff, educational partners, and community members, all dedicated to the power of learning, fostering strong relationships, and achieving greatness together to best serve the educational needs of local children.

Congratulations to Brooklyn Nalley, a 1st grade learner attending Greenacres Elementary, and Aiden Moss, a 7th grade learner attending Alameda Middle School, who were chosen as the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 November C.A.K.E. award recipients. C.A.K.E. stands for Character, Attitude, Kindness and Encouragement.

Brooklyn was nominated by, Ms. Meghan Rios.  In her nomination letter, Ms. Rios wrote, “I am the Behavior Tech at Greenacres, and I visit Brooklyn's classroom frequently; I always see her participating during whole group instruction, cleaning up after herself and others, and saying kind things to her peers. Brooklyn has demonstrated great qualities of character on many occasions. In class when another student was very upset and crying, I witnessed Brooklyn say, ‘It's okay, there's always next time. Take a deep breath; I'll do it with you!’ Additionally, she was caught on camera boldly assisting another student on the playground who needed help standing up for themself and seeking an adult; this took a lot of bravery. When one of her classmates won a sub ticket, something students in her classroom can earn by having excellent behavior for a substitute teacher and can redeem for a prize, instead of being disappointed that it was not her - she celebrated that classmate and congratulated them genuinely. I am continuously impressed by her kindness, thoughtfulness, and desire to help others.”

Aiden was nominated by, Ms. Lyndsey Matthews. In her nomination letter, Ms. Matthews wrote, “Aiden is a great student, first and foremost. He takes his education very seriously. When Aiden comes to school, he is here to learn and then to chat and have fun with friends. I can always count on Aiden to be one of the most engaged learners in the room. He will answer my questions, give me a pity laugh for my bad jokes, and get his work done. Aiden will also help anyone around him who needs help. Because he is so capable, he finishes his work rather quickly, but he never wastes class time. If he is not working on other assignments or reading quietly, Aiden will be helping another student in the class who needs it. He will also push those students to genuinely try it themselves before he helps them. 

A couple of weeks ago, when students had the time to read or silently work on assignments, one of his peers from Honors Math needed some help. Aiden and I coined the term "struggle silently" that day. Aiden wouldn't help until that student tried, without disrupting others and with true intent, for at least 5 minutes until he agreed to help. And his helping was not giving this student the answers, but actually helping this student work on the formula and equation. When one of his friends tried to sneak AirPods in during class, Aiden politely called them out and told me. This really impressed me because most kids are very loyal to their friends and think I'm strict for not allowing AirPods. 

To Aiden, doing the right thing is what matters most. He truly demonstrates great Character, Attitude, Kindness, and Engagement. He is a great learner and all-around kid!”

Brooklyn and Aiden were recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Our Partner for this award, Johnson Family McDonald's provides each learner and their nominators with a gift card, along with $50 to purchase books for the school’s media center in the recipients’ names. 

PCSD 25 believes a safe, supportive, caring and respectful environment is critical to student learning. The District Education Foundation, in partnership with McDonald’s, supports the Learner-of-the-Month C.A.K.E. Award to recognize students who show great character.  The district recognizes one elementary learner and one secondary learner from October through May. Nominations for the C.A.K.E. Award are submitted by a teacher who has observed the nominee’s behavior, and are approved by the school’s principal.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 has initiated a review of its enrollment and attendance areas to address recent shifts in district-wide enrollment. The district is committed to ensuring that school facilities are used efficiently and that student enrollment aligns with the capacity of each building to maintain a high-quality educational environment.

To tackle these evolving challenges, the district has formed two sub-committees. The purpose of the committees is to review the district’s elementary and middle school attendance and enrollment areas, provide input, analyze data, and advise the Board to inform any decision-making impacting PCSD 25’s enrollment and attendance areas.

Committee Goals:

• Address decline in district-wide enrollment.
• Maximize use of district resources.
• Develop recommendations/options to provide to PCSD 25 Board of Trustees.

Guiding Principles:

• Optimizing Capacity – Balance populations and make best use of available space.
• Equitable Access – Provide fair access to educational programs and facilities.
• Minimize Disruptions – Prioritize continuity of educational services for learners and families.
• Maintain Efficiency – Consider travel time and middle school feeders.
• Future Needs and Considerations – Planning for future changes and needs.

Elementary Sub-Committee: Comprised of 13 members, including the Director of Elementary Education, two teachers, one parent from each of five geographical areas within the district, two randomly selected parents, and three elementary school administrators.

Middle School Sub-Committee: Comprised of 15 members, including the Director of Secondary Education, two teachers, and two parents and one administrator representing each middle school.

The enrollment and attendance committees will meet on the following dates:

• Oct 14, 21 and 28; Nov 4 and 11
• Additional meetings scheduled as needed

Staff, parents and community members who are not serving on the committees may have an opportunity to contribute through focus groups later in the process.

The sub-committees will meet to review relevant data and information before combining efforts to share insights and develop recommendations for the Board of Trustees. Following this, the Board will review the suggestions and host focus groups for additional community input. The district will also schedule a public hearing to provide another opportunity for community members to voice their perspectives before any final action is taken.

High School Enrollment and Attendance Areas: Due to the complexity and sensitive timing needs of academic planning and master scheduling, the review of high school enrollment and attendance areas will begin in the spring of 2025 with committee work continuing into the fall. The timeline for decision-making will be communicated to the public prior to the formation of the high school enrollment and attendance area subcommittee.

PCSD 25 looks forward to working closely with the community to develop well-informed recommendations that will support the district’s long-term goals and ensure continued educational excellence. Updates will be provided throughout the process on Enrollment & Attendance Areas website.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25’s Employee-of-the-Month P.I.E.S. award recognizes employees who Positively Influence Educational Success. The award is for employees who go above and beyond in that effort.

This month we recognized Mrs. Tamara Palmer as May’s PIES Award recipient. Mrs. Palmer teaches 6th grade math at Alameda Middle School and received three nominations for this award.  

In her nomination letter, Amy Hillyer wrote, “Mrs. Palmer is new to Alameda Middle School this year but is not new to teaching. As someone who doesn’t have a background in education, I often seek her for advice on how to build relationships with learners she had in the past. When I go to her for advice she always makes you feel important. I know that she is also willing to help learners when she can see that they are struggling or if they also ask her for help. She never makes you feel like your questions aren’t valid or silly. She also has an abundance of advice and knowledge from her years of teaching that she is always willing to share. I have seen her work tirelessly to help a child be successful.”

Kelly Mulalley wrote, “Mrs. Palmer was a coworker of mine at Lewis and Clark. She is amazing with learners, and staff alike.”

Beverly Hillyer wrote, “Mrs. Palmer goes above and beyond to help her learners be successful in every area of their life. Academically she looks at each learner as an individual and adapts her lessons to meet the learner where they are. She looks at the whole child and knows that if they are lacking in other areas, such as social or emotional, those needs must also be met to be successful. I have seen her work tirelessly to help a child be successful and to reach their full potential. She always places the learner first and foremost in everything she does. Mrs. Palmer’s positive attitude and genuine care for her students have a profound impact on their overall learning experience. Her ability to foster a positive classroom atmosphere not only enhances student engagement but also promotes a sense of belonging and encourages academic growth. On a personal note, I have worked with Tamara for many years and I have become a much better teacher and person because of her. She has helped me when I have struggled with a learner and to look at them from a different perspective and an open mind. I, as well as many learners, know that if we need help, advice, or just someone to sit and listen to us, she is always available and willing to be there".

Thank you for your contributions to our learners and to our school district.

Mrs. Palmer was recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, and received a $50 gift card from the educational partner for this award, Lookout Credit Union.