News & Events

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. 

By Courtney Fisher

Neighborhood schools shape more than education — they shape childhood, community, and the friendships that last a lifetime.

When I was a student at Indian Hills Elementary in the 1980s, the upper stretch of Country Club Drive wasn’t paved and lined with homes the way it is today. It was a craggy dirt road — the kind best suited for off-roading — bordered by open fields. I lived in the upper Johnny Creek neighborhood, and most mornings my friends and I climbed onto the bus together, sharing stories from the day before, laughing about playground adventures, planning whose house we’d hang out at after school, and hoping it would be a good lunch day with chocolate peanut butter bars. 

Getting to school took a little longer in those days. Without today’s straight shot down the hill, our bus hugged the tight curves of Johnny Creek Road before heading south on Bannock Highway—a route that added miles and minutes to the trip compared to the bus routes children ride today.

On warm spring days, my brother and I rode our bikes instead, gripping our handlebars as we bounced along the rutted road until it gave way to smoother pavement, where we’d coast the rest of the hill toward a building that felt as familiar as home.

Indian Hills looked different then. The school was organized in a mix of open pods and closed classrooms — a different approach to learning spaces than we see today. But what hasn’t changed in nearly 40 years is how that school made me feel.

I felt welcomed. I felt known. I belonged.

Those neighborhood friendships extended beyond the classroom. We played on the same teams, attended the same birthday parties, and sang and danced — and yes, even clogged — in the same community groups. We grew up together.

Many of those friendships still exist today. In fact, one of those neighborhood friends, Mrs. Baird, now teaches kindergarten at Indian Hills — welcoming a new generation of learners into the same community that shaped us.

Years later, my own children walked through the doors of Indian Hills.

They formed tight-knit friendships with classmates who lived just down the street. They played on the same teams. They found teachers who knew their strengths and encouraged their growth. They experienced the same sense of belonging that shaped my childhood.

Neighborhood schools are more than buildings. They are anchors of community — where children form their first friendships, build confidence, and begin to understand that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Today, the dirt road is gone. The fields are neighborhoods. Classrooms have evolved. Technology is integrated. Instruction is more research-based than ever before. But when I walk into Indian Hills — through the same hallways I once walked — I still see what matters most: relationships.

At Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, we believe strong foundations start with belonging.
Kindergarten is often a child’s first experience in structured learning outside the home — a milestone for children and parents alike. That first day brings excitement, but also uncertainty.

Neighborhood schools ease that transition.

When children attend school close to home, they see familiar faces at the park, at community events, and on their own street. Classmates become teammates, neighbors, and often lifelong friends. Parents build relationships with families who share the same sidewalks and routines.

Inside those classrooms, our educators focus on the whole child.

PCSD 25’s kindergarten classrooms are built on safe, welcoming environments where every learner is known and supported. Teachers use proven instructional practices to help students understand not only what they are learning, but how they learn best. Structured routines, play-based exploration, and strong early foundations in literacy and math nurture curiosity and confidence.

The results speak for themselves.

PCSD 25 ranks among the districts with the highest graduation rates among large school districts in Idaho while maintaining one of the highest teacher retention rates. Those outcomes do not begin in high school. They begin in kindergarten classrooms — where children first discover they are safe, valued, and capable.

Public neighborhood schools also reflect something essential: accountability and access. There is no tuition. No barriers. Our schools are rooted in the communities they serve and committed to supporting every learner.

As someone who once rode the bus down a dirt road to Indian Hills — and later watched my own children grow in those same hallways — I see the continuity clearly. School has changed. Our community has grown. Our tools have advanced. But the heart of our neighborhood schools remains the same.
They are places where children belong.

Online kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open, with in-person visits to complete the process scheduled on April 2. If you are considering where your child will begin their educational journey, I encourage you to look close to home.

Strong communities build strong schools. Strong schools build confident learners.

And in PCSD 25, your neighborhood school is ready to welcome your family — just as Indian Hills once welcomed me.

You belong here.
                                      
Courtney Fisher is the Director of Communications & Community Relations for the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, where she also serves as the Director of the SD25 Education Foundation. A native of Pocatello and graduate of PCSD 25, she is passionate about strengthening local public education. Courtney and her husband, Ethan, are the proud parents of two daughters, both now in college.
 

On Time, In School, Every Day! 

Keep the Joy Hold the Routine

Every Day Matters

December brings joy and holiday excitement - but don't let routines slide! Keeping consistent school attendance help learners stay connected and focused. Mark holiday events on the calendar and build in reminders for school days.

Let's finish the calendar year strong with the message that learning, laughter, and belonging happen across PCSD 25 every single day.

#YouBelongHere
#PCSD25
#EveryDayMatters

Across PCSD 25, our schools took time to recognize and thank the brave men and women who have served our nation. Here’s a look at some of the special Veterans Day assemblies and activities that took place.

#MoreTogether

Congratulations to Keegan Karn, a 3rd grade learner attending Jefferson Elementary, and Forest Andersen, a 7th grade learner attending Alameda Middle School, who were chosen as the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 October C.A.K.E. award recipients. C.A.K.E. stands for Character, Attitude, Kindness and Encouragement.

Keegan was nominated by his teacher, Ms. Priestly.  Ms. Priestly wrote in her nomination letter, “It is an absolute joy to recommend Keegan Karn for the C.A.K.E. award. Each day, he brings something truly special to our classroom through his character, attitude, and love of learning.

Keegan has a wonderful sense of creativity that shines through in classwork and discussions. He approaches every new idea with curiosity and excitement, showing a genuine passion for learning. Challenges never discourage Keegan; instead, he meets them with energy and determination, which inspires those around him to do the same.

What stands out most is the way Keegan treats others. He is consistently friendly and kind to everyone, always looking for ways to include others so no one feels left out. His positive outlook makes our classroom a happier, more welcoming place, and he sets an example of encouragement and respect that classmates naturally want to follow.

For all these reasons, I believe Keegan truly embodies what it means to be a C.A.K.E. award nominee. He show us every day how creativity, kindness, and a love of learning can make a difference in our classroom community.”

Forest was nominated by his teachers, Ms. McGrory and Ms. Matthews. Forest is a learner who brightens the day of everyone around him. His teacher, Ms. Matthews shared that Forest is someone she looks forward to seeing each and every day. She has never seen him without a smile. Like a bubbling fountain, his joy and kindness refresh everyone he meets. Forest consistently extends friendship and positivity to his peers, and his genuine character shines through in his honesty and integrity – qualities that are truly remarkable for his age.

Forests Warmth and friendliness are contagious. Ms. Matthews noted that even the most reserved learners can’t help but return his smile. He engages in meaningful conversations with both teachers and classmates, though he often doesn’t realize just how much his optimism and kindness uplift those around him.

Ms. McGrory described forest as “every teacher’s dream student.” He is always ready to lend a hand, offer encouragement, or help a classmate feel included. If there’s a quiet student who needs a friend. Forest is the one who will sit beside them, gently drawing them into learning and conversation. His enthusiasm for school is equally impressive – he approaches every lesson with curiosity, excitement and a love for reading and sharing what he’s learned.

Forest’s kindness, positive attitude, and genuine care for others make him a shining example of what the CAKE Award represents. He reminds us all that being your best self – and helping others do the same – is the sweetest recipe for success.

Keegan and Forest were recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, October 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.

If you would like to nominate a learner for the C.A.K.E. Award, you can do so here. 

When learners feel prepared and supported, they show up to school confident and ready. 

Create reliable morning and evening routines. Prep lunchboxes, backpacks, and outfits the night before to avoid morning stres. Staying "On Time, In School, Every Day" helps learners keep up -- and stand out.

With top notch teachers (from national awards to local recognition!) and future-ready programs, PCSD 25 is where success begins.

Because in PCSD 25, you belong here -- and Every Day Matters. 

#YouBelongHere
#MoreTogether
#PCSD25