News & Events

Please join us in celebrating an outstanding educator! 

We’re proud to announce that Amy Mann, a English teacher at Alameda Middle School, has been named as a finalist for the Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year!

I would like to nominate Mrs. Mann because she is caring, loves her job, and is very important to me. She cares for her students, she is always looking out for others and is always willing to help. She watches out for every student, whether she teaches them or not. She always has a smile on her face.

Aeva P.

The Simplot Education Council received 2,204 nominations honoring 407 standout teachers across District 25. We’ll be showcasing our finalists daily through Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

On Thursday, May 14, 2026, three educators—one from each level: elementary, middle, and high school—will be named this year’s Simplot Inspirational Teacher Award winners. All finalists receive a $100 award, and the top teacher in each category will take home a $500 prize from the Council. 

We are so grateful for our partners at Lookout Credit Union for supporting Alameda Middle School’s Sub for Santa project. Their generosity helps ensure our learners feel the joy of the season, and we appreciate their continued commitment to our schools and community.

Original Story: 

Lookout Credit Union

 

Fearless Act of Kindness Spotlight

This week, we partnered with the incredible Alameda Middle School Leadership Class for their Sub for Santa project — and it was truly inspiring.

We were honored to donate $1,000 to help ensure local students experience a joyful Christmas this year. Their dedication reminds us what it means to Tread Fearlessly and lift up those in our community who need it most.

We love our ongoing partnership with Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support the students and leaders who make our community stronger.

Thank you, Alameda Middle School PTA, for letting us be part of something so meaningful. Together, we’re making the holidays brighter — one fearless act at a time.

Source: Lookout Credit Union Facebook Page 

 Sting ‘n Sip – Making Every Order Buzz at Alameda Middle! 

 The Alameda Middle School weekly Sting ’n Sip is creating quite the buzz! Each week, learners--guided by caring staff--gather drink orders from Starbucks or McDonald’s, buzz down the street to grab the drinks, hustle back to the hive for delivery, and develop valuable skills along the way!   With staff supervision every step of the way, learners are safely developing real-world skills while making our hive a little sweeter! 

The class activity encourages learners to develop the following skills:
 Practicing real-world communication and interpersonal skills
 Building community connections
 Learning money management with tips & earnings
 Getting active while growing independent
 Spreading positive buzz in the AMS school community

This sweet activity blends responsibility with a whole lot of fun—and our school community is loving it! 

#MoreTogether #YouBelongHere #AMSBuzzingInAction

Please join us in celebrating an outstanding educator! 

We’re proud to announce that Bailey Iguchi, 8th grade teacher at Alameda Middle School, has been named a finalist for the Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year!

This year, the Simplot Education Council received an incredible 2,617 nominations recognizing 402 exceptional teachers across Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25. Finalists will be spotlighted daily through Thursday, May 15, 2025.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, three Simplot Inspirational Teacher Awards will be announced—honoring one exceptional teacher each from the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Each category features five finalists, all of whom will receive a $100 award, with the top recipient in each group earning a $500 prize from the Council.

Congratulations to Ms. Iguchi on this well-deserved recognition!

“I would like to nominate my science teacher, Ms. Iguchi for the Simplot Inspirational Teacher award! Ms. Iguchi has helped inspire and educate me and many of my peers. Her teaching style has changed throughout this last year but she has still made sure she is able to connect with every student in her classes. She helped me realize what works best for me when it comes to learning and completing assignments.” Abigail P.

Ms. Iguchi, my 8th grade science teacher, is one of the most amazing educators I've ever had. "She deserves the inspiration Teacher Award because she has inspired her students to believe in themselves, used creative and innovative teaching methods, and helped us build lifelong skills we'll use forever. One way she inspires us is through her constant encouragement and belief that we can do anything if we try. She's also introduced exciting projects like crafty notes, which made learning fun and modern. Most importantly, she's taught us how to think critically, manage our time, and communicate using vocabulary- skills that matter way beyond school.” Macie J.

School Resource Officer/Bike Officer Kevin Nielsen and The Outride Mission, supported by Specialized Foundation, have a common goal to support the cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being of youth in the city of Pocatello. Alameda Middle School received a grant that paid for 25 middle school kids to receive a Specialized bike worth approximately $1000.00 each. Officer Nielsen, Officer Hawkins, and Sergeant Jackson escorted the children for an off-campus ride today and taught them how to be safe on the roads and about bike safety in an urban environment. It was a great opportunity for the kids to get outside and ride in the nice weather and for Officer Nielsen to show his community commitment.

Source: Pocatello Police Department Facebook page

 

A big thank you to Mrs. Diaz and Mrs. Kirk's teacher advisory classes for their amazing generosity and dedication! Their contributions provided the most food for the schools holiday baskets, helping to support 10 families at Alameda Middle School during the holidays. In addition, the school donated over 400 pounds of food to our local food bank!

A special shoutout to Idaho Coffee Company for sponsoring the class reward with a tasty hot chocolate bar!

A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful community partner, Lookout Credit Union, for their generous sponsorship and support of the Student-of-the-Month shirts for Alameda Middle School.

We're proud to showcase some of our outstanding students. Pictures are some of the 8th grade recipients (left to right): Lily Gifford, Carter Mitton, and Allie Arreola.

Please join us in congratulating Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year finalist, Amy Mann. Ms. Mann teaches 8th grade ELA at Alameda Middle School.

This year, the Simplot Education Council received 2,377 nominations for 398 teachers in Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25. Finalists will be featured daily through Thursday, May 9, 2024. Three Simplot Inspirational Teacher Awards will be announced on Friday, May 10, 2024 – one for a teacher at the elementary, middle and high school levels. In addition, 5 finalists have been selected for each category and each will be awarded a $100 check. The Simplot Inspirational Teacher Award Recipients of 2024 will each be presented a $500 check on behalf of the Council.

“Ms. Mann inspired me because she made my honors ELA experience more enjoyable. She does certain activities every day in her class. For example, Move –it Monday, Teamwork Tuesday, and Thoughtful Thursday. These activities made me happy and gave me something to look forward too. Thoughtful Thursday was something that has really made a difference for me. We would write kind notes to kids around the school, it makes me happy to know that I made someone else feel good.” Whitney T.

“I want to nominate Ms. Mann because she inspired me to continue going through honors English. She was very understanding and always kind to all of her students. She wrote me to very kind notes about how she was thankful I was in her class and I still have them to this day. Her class was the one class I looked forward to every day. She taught in a fun and interesting way that made me take what I learned in her class and apply it to my life.” Aradia R.

“Amy Mann should get this award because she is an outstanding teacher. I've had her all three years of middle school. Ms. Mann understands students a lot and she's nice to everyone. She has a different way of teaching. She doesn't just assign assignments, she makes them a lot easier to understand and a lot more fun. I had a lot of good teachers but she is the best one to have.” Quiana H. 

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 has selected Chance Loynd as the new Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Alameda Middle School, effective July 1, 2026.

Loynd is replacing Molly Johnson, who was recently selected as Principal of Greenacres Elementary School.

Raised in Southeast Idaho, Loynd is a graduate of Snake River High School and brings six years of experience in education. He most recently taught sixth grade at Blackfoot Heritage Sixth Grade in the Blackfoot School District, where he spent five years helping learners achieve academic success. During his time there, he also served as a Sources of Strength advisor, supporting students in building resilience, strengthening relationships, and fostering a positive school culture.

Loynd earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Educational Administration from Campbellsville University. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to creating positive learning environments where every learner has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Loynd brings extensive coaching experience to Alameda. He has coached wrestling at Mountain View Middle School, baseball at Blackfoot High School, and youth baseball, basketball, and football. His experiences in athletics have reinforced the values of teamwork, perseverance, and leadership that he strives to model for students both in and out of the classroom.

Chance’s experience as both an educator and coach, coupled with his commitment to student success, make him an outstanding addition to the Alameda leadership team, said PCSD 25 Superintendent Dr. Douglas Howell. “We are excited to welcome him to PCSD 25 and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our learners, staff, and families.”

Loynd and his wife have been married for 12 years and are the parents of two children. As a family, they enjoy staying active, supporting their local community, and spending time together.

The administrative change went into effect on July 1, 2026.

When is the first day of school for the 2026/2027 school year?

• Wednesday, August 26, 2026 for Grades 1-12
• Thursday, August 27, 2026 Kindergarten First Day (Group A)
• Friday, August 28, 2026 Kindergarten First Day (Group B)
• Back to School FAQ will be updated for the 2027/2028 school year after July 1, 2027.

How do I apply for my child to receive free and reduced meals?

Online Application Instructions

• Free and reduced meals will continue to be provided for those learners who qualify during the 2025-2026 school year. To qualify for free and reduced meals, parents and guardians are encouraged to fill out the free and reduced meal application after July 1, 2025. For more information refer to our Food Services website

When is the last day of school for the 2026/2027 school year?

• Thursday, June 3, 2027

When is graduation for the Class of 2027?

• New Horizon High School: Thursday, June 3, 2027 6:00 p.m.
• Century High School: Friday, June 4, 2027 
• Pocatello High School: Friday, June 4, 2027 
• Highland High School: Friday, June 4, 2027 

When do I find out about transfers?

• The elementary transfer meeting is Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
• Secondary schools transfers are notified within 60 days of submission of the application.

How do I transfer my learner?

New Elementary Transfer Form coming soon.

High School/Middle School Transfer Application

When is registration?

• Learners who are new to PCSD 25: Register online by completing the Online Registration. After completing the registration online, call your neighborhood school after August 3 to confirm.

• In-Person new elementary school registration:

  Learners entering grades K-5 who are brand new to the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 may enroll for the 2026-2027 school year in-person on Thursday, August 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  Families are required to provide their learner’s birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residence. Please note: moving into or living within a school boundary does not ensure placement at a specific school. All school placements are based on available space in that grade level at that school. Visit Find My Enrollment to find your home school. 

When is schedule pick-up for middle school and high school learners?

• High School Schedule Pick-up
  • August 12 and 13, 2026
    • 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Middle School Schedule Pick-up
  • August 12, 2026
    • 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • August 13, 2026
    • 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

When is Back to School Night?

• Middle School Back to School Night is August 24, 2026 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• High School Back to School Night is the week of August 25, 2026 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

School	Date	Time
Chubbuck Elementary	August 24	5-6:30 p.m.
Edahow Elementary	August 25	4-5:30 p.m.
Ellis Elementary	August 24	4-6 p.m.
Gate City Elementary	August 24	5:30-7 p.m.
Greenacres Elementary	August 24	5-6:30 p.m.
Indian Hills Elementary	August 24	5:30-7 p.m.
Jefferson Elementary	August 24	5:30-6:30 p.m.
Lewis & Clark Elementary	August 24	11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Syringa Elementary	August 24	4:30-6 p.m.
Tendoy Elementary	August 24	4:30-6 p.m.
Tyhee Elementary	August 24	5-7 p.m.
Wilcox Elementary	August 24	5-6 p.m.
Lincoln Early Childhood Center	September 1-4	Individual Family Visits

Where is my bus stop?

• Elementary Boundaries
• Middle School Boundaries
• High School Boundaries

What time does my child’s school start? What time does my child’s school dismiss?

Start and Dismissal Times for Schools

What school supplies will my child need this year?

Elementary School Supplies

Middle School Supplies

High School Supplies are listed on the course syllabus

Where is the 2026-2027 school calendar located?

2025-2026 School District 25 Calendar

What are the upcoming school closure dates? (No School)

• ALL Grades: Monday, September 7, 2026 - Labor Day
• Grades K-5: Thursday & Friday, October 1 & 2, 2026 - Parent Teachers Conferences
• Grades 6-12: School will be in session Thursday, October 1. Closed Friday, October 2, 2026 - Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences and High School Professional Development 
• ALL Grades: Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - Election Day
• ALL Grades: Thursday, November 19, 2026 - End of Trimester/Record Day
• ALL Grades: Friday, November 20, 2026 - Teacher Professional Development Day
• ALL Grades: Monday - Friday, November 23 - 27, 2026 - Thanksgiving Break
• ALL Grades: Monday - Friday, December 21 - January 1, 2027 - Winter Break. School resumes Monday, January 4, 2027.
• ALL Grades: Monday, January 18, 2027 - Idaho Human Rights Day / Martin Luther King Jr., Day
• ALL Grades: Friday, February 5, 2027 - Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences and High School Professional Development/Registration
• ALL Grades: Monday, February 15, 2027 - President's Day
• ALL Grades: Friday, March 5, 2027 - End of Trimester/Record Day
• ALL Grades: Monday - Friday, March 22 - 26, 2027 - Spring Break
• ALL Grades: Monday, May 31, 2027 - Memorial Day
• ALL Grades: Thursday, June 3, 2027 - Last Day of School

What is the best way to monitor my child’s progress during the school year?

• Parent engagement has a direct correlation to student success. PCSD 25 parents can log into the Campus Parent Portal and stay engaged with information at-your-fingertips throughout the school year. Parent favorites include:
  • Access to student grades 
  • Review attendance and absences 
  • Monitor assignments due or upcoming exams 
  • Notifications for School/District Announcements 
  • Lunchroom information 
• To download the Campus Parent Portal app on your mobile phone. Visit the App or Play Store on your mobile device and search for “campus parent portal”. If you need login information, please contact the Help Desk: (208) 235-3219.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is pleased to announce that Molly Johnson has been selected as the new Principal of Greenacres Elementary School.

Johnson brings 10 years of experience serving learners, staff, and families in Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25. Most recently, she served as Assistant Principal at Alameda Middle School and previously as the Department Chair of Special Education at Pocatello High School.

Molly earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a Master of Educational Administration from Idaho State University. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to learner success through a variety of leadership roles, including new teacher mentor, department chair, member of the Building Leadership Team (BLT), and active participant on the district's special education committee.

Johnson looks forward to joining the Greenacres Elementary community and building upon the school's tradition of learner success, innovation, and strong family engagement.

Molly has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, a commitment to educational excellence, and a passion for supporting learners and staff, said PCSD 25 Superintendent Dr. Douglas Howell. “Her experience as both an educator and administrator has prepared her well for this role, and we are excited to see her build strong partnerships with learners, staff, and families as she leads the Greenacres Elementary community and continues the school's tradition of success.”

Johnson is replacing Dr. Joel Wilson, who has served as Principal of Greenacres Elementary School since July 2022. Wilson is relocating to accept a position as superintendent of another Idaho school district.

The administrative change will go into effect on July 1, 2026.

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.

Mary Anne McGrory is described by her colleagues as an educator who consistently goes above and beyond to support both learners and staff throughout Alameda Middle School and across the district. Through her compassion, leadership, and dedication to education, she has made a lasting impact on countless students, coworkers, and families.

Colleagues shared that Mary Anne is always willing to offer support, guidance, and encouragement to those around her. Whether helping a new teacher settle into the building, sharing instructional resources, or offering advice during difficult situations, she makes others feel heard, valued, and supported. One colleague described her as “the Fairy of Learning Materials,” noting how often she shares books, lessons, and classroom resources with teachers throughout the building.

As both an educator and past PEA president, Mary Anne is recognized as a strong advocate for learners and staff alike. Her coworkers praised her ability to balance leadership, service, and classroom instruction while continuing to build meaningful relationships with students. Colleagues noted that she creates a welcoming classroom environment where learners feel seen, cared for, and encouraged to succeed.

Many also highlighted Mary Anne’s positivity, generosity, and commitment to helping others. From mentoring coworkers to creating engaging learning experiences for students, her influence extends far beyond her classroom walls. Her colleagues emphasized that Alameda Middle School—and the district as a whole—are stronger because of her dedication and service.

Colleagues reflected on the lasting impact she has made throughout her career as an educator, mentor, advocate, and friend. Her influence will continue through the many learners and educators whose lives she has touched.

Through her leadership, compassion, and unwavering support of learners and educators, Mary Anne McGrory truly exemplifies what it means to Positively Influence Educational Success.

Ms. McGrory was recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 and received a $50 gift card from the educational partner for this award, Lookout Credit Union. 

We are thrilled to announce our 2026 Simplot Inspirational Teachers of the Year— Matt Anderson (Century High School), Amy Mann (Alameda Middle School), and Sheena Phelps (Jefferson Elementary)!

These incredible educators were nominated by learners who see firsthand the passion, creativity, and care they bring to the classroom every day. Their ability to inspire, innovate, and build lifelong skills truly sets them apart.

This year, 2,204 nominations were submitted honoring 407 amazing teachers across District 25—proof of the extraordinary talent in our schools. Over the past two weeks, 15 more exceptional finalists were each recognized and presented with a $100 award in appreciation of their dedication and impact.

Matt, Amy, and Sheena were celebrated today at their schools and awarded $500 from the Simplot Education Council in recognition of their outstanding contributions.

Thank you to J.R. Simplot Co. and the Simplot Education Council for championing our teachers and uplifting the work they do for our learners and community.