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Ellis News

Ellis Wax Museum 2026

🎩✨ History came to life at Ellis Elementary!

Our students stepped into the shoes of remarkable figures—from Alexander Graham Bell and Grace Hopper to Charles M. Schulz, Henry Ford, and more—bringing their stories to life through creative displays, costumes, and presentations.

📚 Each student researched their chosen historical figure, created a colorful collage, and spoke as their person, sharing fascinating facts and achievements that shaped our world.

👏 We’re so proud of their hard work, creativity, and confidence!

 

Our district audiologist came in and did a presentation about sound and how it works. The kids were amazed, impressed, and so giggly seeing the toy baby dance to the beat of the music.

Our district audiologist came in and did a presentation about sound and how it works to our first-grade learners. The learners were amazed, impressed, and so giggly seeing the toy baby dance to the beat of the music.

The learners in Mrs. Whithead's classroom are doing a Mystery Science Lesson on electricity

During the Mystery Science activity, students act as engineers by building or testing simple circuits. They use materials such as batteries, wires, and bulbs (or a simulation) to try to light a bulb or power an object.

As they experiment, students:

  • Test different ways to connect the circuit
  • Observe what works and what doesn’t
  • Fix mistakes when the circuit doesn’t work (problem-solving)
  • Learn how to complete a circuit to make electricity flow
Learners in a second-grade classroom are using Indi Robots.

Each month, Ellis Falcons have the opportunity to go to an activity of their choice for good behavior. This month, those who went to Mrs. Burrell's class were able to use the Indi robots. Students make paths for the robots to read. Each color makes the robots move differently. It's a great STEM activity.

2nd-grade teachers are purchasing items from The Giving Machine that the 2nd graders raised money for during the month of November. 

In November, second graders were encouraged to do a chore to earn $1 and then donate that dollar to one of the local charities through The Giving Machines. The Giving Machines were a 2 week experience for residents of Pocatello and Chubbuck to donate to local charities. Together 2nd graders earned and donated $130.00. They then voted on the items they wanted to donate.

Here is what was donated and the charities we supported:

  • New shoes for kids- The United Way
  • A month of breakfast- Aid for Friends
  • Weighted blanket- Bright Tomorrows
  • Duffel Bag- Bannock Youth Foundation
  • Blanket for seniors- SEICCA
  • Hygiene kit- SEICCA Shower kit- Aid for Friends

One of the valuable conversations we had with our learners was the importance of supporting and serving others in our communities. Sometimes it is hard to give away money that has been earned, but every single one of them did it with enthusiasm and excitement. Way to soar Falcons!

2nd Grade learners presenting their Veterans Day Performance at Ellis. The Second graders are on the risers singing one of their songs. 

The second grade prepared and performed a fantastic program to honor Veterans this Veterans Day. They performed for the school on Monday, then for parents and guests on Tuesday morning. They then took the show on the road and sang the patriotic songs for Veterans Day celebrations at two different units of care at Grace Assisted Living Center.

Mrs. Ebown holding flowers with the teacher of the month award

Kidz Dental in Chubbuck is sponsoring a teacher of the month event, and for the Month of September, Mrs. Eborn's students nominated her. She was given flowers, a gift, and all the kind notes that her students wrote for her. We LOVE you, Mrs. Eborn!

2025 5th Grade Wax Museum

Our 5th-grade learners truly shined as they researched important historical figures who have made a significant impact on American culture. Each student dedicated time to completing their portfolio projects and writing speeches to present as their chosen figure.

The event was a wonderful opportunity for the community to witness the hard work and creativity of our students!

Diana Son

Please join us in celebrating an outstanding educator! 
We’re proud to announce that Diana Son, 5th grade teacher at Ellis Elementary 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. Son on this well-deserved recognition!

“My 5th grade teacher, Ms. Son, prepared me in so many different ways like organization skills, teaching me lessons I will never forget and preparing me for middle school. Every morning she would greet me with a beautiful smile and a friendly ‘hello’. She always reminded me that I could do anything I put my mind to. Her wonderful laugh and smile always cheered me up if I was having a bad day. Ms. Son will always be my favorite teacher and I will never forget her.” Brilee H.

“5th grade was my favorite year in school. Ms. Son was my teacher and she planned so many fun activities for us that year. A few of my favorites were the State and Capitol contest and the wax museum." She always made class fun and I looked forward to going to school every day. I am not the best student but she brought out the best in me, I am grateful for everything Ms. Son taught me. Bensen S. 

Second Grade 2025 Spelling Bee

Second grade had their annual spelling bee finals on May 5, 2025. The top three were Dean Lowder, Kalli Rice, and Carter Marble. 

Second Grade Animal Wax Museum

Second grade had their animal wax museum on May 2, 2025. Students worked hard to research an animal, write a report, create a poster, and memorize facts about their animal. They came to life at the Wax Museum dressed up in costume. 

Learners and families learn about circuts from a community memeber. 

Thanks to all who participated in our Career Fair! The Ellis Career Fair provided new and interesting experiences as students explored different career possibilities. Additional thanks to Bannock County Search and Rescue, Chubbuck Fire Department, Chubbuck Police Department, ISU Museum of Natural History, ISU Physics Department, ISU Physical Therapy Assistant Program, ISU Automotive Technology Program, ISU ESTEC Programs (Instrumentation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Cybersecurity Engineering, Nuclear Operations), Idaho Fish and Game, Portneuf Air Rescue, Shay's Pie Place, Lookout Credit Union, INL (Idaho National Lab), and Adventure Orthodontics, who provided the magic! The Easter Bunny and the PTO sponsored Book Fair provided even more fun that evening. What a great time!!

4th graders coding with the Dash robot in a 4th grade classroom

In this hands-on geometry lesson, students in Ms. Whitehead's 4th grade class used Dash robots to explore and create different types of angles. Through programming, students manipulated variables such as turn degree and direction to construct angles of various sizes. As they observed the robots in motion, students identified and named the angles they created, deepening their understanding that angles can be broken into non-overlapping parts that form a whole. This interactive activity not only reinforced key math concepts but also integrated coding and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.

Postcard 3rd great learners received from Iditarod racer Bryce Mumford 

The Iditarod started on Monday, March 3, 2025 in Fairbanks, Alaska. We will be writing local racer Bryce Mumford, from Preston, Idaho. He participated in the race last year but dropped out at about mile 700 on the Northern Route. His dogs got sick. He is racing again this year and hoping to finish. The third grade at Ellis is tracking the race and will write Mr. Mumford at his conclusion! Good Luck Mr. Mumford!!

Ellis Elementary Idaho Lottery Classroom Wishlist

Emily Jayme, Ellis Elementary 2nd Grade Teacher, had her classroom wishlist fulfilled by the Idaho Lottery on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. She applied to have a classroom set of Bal-A-Vis-X supplies provided. The Idaho Lottery surprised her class with Bal-A-Vis-X bean bags, balls and balance boards. The sensory supplies are valued at $775.55. 

#MoreTogether

Ellis staff and parent volunteers help sell cany grams to learners. 

We want to thank Leavitt Orthodontics for sponsoring our candy grams!! The money collected from the sales will go to back to the school to help buy paper supplies, Clorox wipes, tissues, sanitizer and many other items the school may need. Thank you for all of your support!

 

Eight Idaho Foodbank box full of food donations

Learners at Ellis Elementary generously collected 1,934 pounds of food, which they proudly donated to the Idaho Food Bank. A heartfelt thank you to Kimberly Wacaster, Ellis' counselor, for her outstanding efforts in organizing this incredible food drive. Fantastic work, Ellis Elementary!

That's absolutely incredible, and I just wanted to let you know how much we truly appreciate you guys thinking of us!

Kyle Peck, Idaho Foodbank

Ellis December Teacher of the Month Award

Shari Casper is the December "Teacher of the Month" for Ellis Elementary. Shari is being presented the award by Pennie Hugues, of Pinehurst. Each month Pinehurst is pleased to honor outstanding teachers in our area elementary school with a floral bouquet and certificate. Congratulations Shari and thank you for all that you do!
 

Ellis December Teacher of the Month Award

Mary Lynn Graham is the November "Teacher of the Month" for Ellis Elementary. Mary Lynn  is being presented the award by Pennie Hugues, of Pinehurst. Each month Pinehurst is pleased to honor outstanding teachers in our area elementary school with a floral bouquet and certificate. Congratulations Mary Lynn and thank you for all that you do!

Scott Eldredge

Please join us in congratulating Scott Eldredge on his selection as the Principal of Ellis Elementary School. Eldredge is replacing current Principal, Denise Lane.

Scott Eldredge, born in Pocatello, graduated from Century High School in 2005. He pursued higher education at Idaho State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education in 2011, followed by a Master's in Athletic Administration in 2014 and principal’s endorsement in 2023.

Scott started teaching science at Century High School in 2011. Apart from teaching, he is also a football coach, a member of the Building Leadership Team (BLT), chairs the Response to Intervention committee, and contributes to the biology unit development team.

Beyond his professional commitments, Eldredge coaches youth basketball, football, and soccer teams, instilling valuable life lessons of teamwork and discipline in young athletes.

Family time is a top priority for Scott. He spends much of his time skiing, camping, and playing basketball in the driveway with his wife and two young boys.

“With deep roots in our community and school district, we welcome Scott’s dedication to educational excellence and look forward to a future of growth and innovation under his guidance to Think More, Learn More, and Be MORE Together,” said PCSD 25 Superintendent, Dr. Douglas Howell. “We express our heartfelt gratitude to Denise Lane for her outstanding service.”

The administrative change will go into effect on July 1, 2024.

Denise Lane

December is here already and we have many exciting things happening here at Ellis this month. We will be having our Title I Family Night on December 7th from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. During this time, we will have ornament making in the cafeteria, pictures with Santa, story time with the Portneuf Library, and time for learners to share their data folders with parents/guardians. Then on December 14th & 15th, we will have our school holiday program. We have tried to divide the program into three different time slots in order for there to be enough room in the cafeteria for parents and guests.

The cold weather is upon us, so please make sure your child is dressed appropriately. Ellis has a cold weather policy for learners to be outside unless temperatures drop to below 10 degrees.

If you ever have any comments, questions or concerns, please feel free to call or email me at any time. I hope you all have a restful winter break and a wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,
Denise Lane

Irena Naumu, center, receives books for the Ellis Elementary library from Idaho State’s Graduate School book drive.

POCATELLO – As a child, Tracy Collum saw herself in the protagonists she read about – like Ramona in Beverly Cleary’s classic children’s books. 

As an adult, she realized she was lucky to have that experience. A lack of diverse books means some young readers don’t see book characters who look like them or have similar backgrounds. 

So Collum, the associate dean for Idaho State University’s Graduate School, decided to do something about it. 

In 2020, she got the idea to host a book drive. People from the community and even around the country could participate by purchasing diverse, inclusive books to be donated to Pocatello’s K-4 students. The initiative was a hit and is now in its third year. To date, donors have gifted more than 1,800 books to Pocatello area students at 18 schools, including traditional, charter, and private schools. 

“We want to expose students to other cultures and worlds they might not be exposed to on a daily basis,” Collum said. “It’s just really important for students to be able to find a love of reading.”

This week, Collum and other Idaho State staff members delivered this year’s bounty – 764 new books headed to the library shelves.

The media clerks were thrilled – perhaps especially Irena Naumu. 

“I never saw me in books growing up,” she said. 

Naumu said she is white and Polynesian, but never saw Polynesian characters. So now, as the media clerk for Ellis Elementary, she’s made sure to change that. The library now has a copy of a book called “Punky Aloha” by Shar Tuiasoa, about a “shy little Polynesian girl on a quest for butter for her Grandmother’s famous banana bread.”

It’s one of a number of diverse books she features on a wall in the library so all students see themselves somewhere. 

And Wednesday, Naumu received a stack of about 40 more inclusive books to add to library shelves. She was thrilled to see one of the books was in Spanish, and already had in mind some Spanish-speaking students who would be interested in it. 

At Tyhee Elementary, some fourth and fifth graders were in the library checking out books when ISU made its delivery. The students’ eyes opened wide and their jaws dropped when they saw the stacks of books wrapped in ribbons. 

“Having opportunities to read and being able to choose books that are fun, and that interest and excite them is important,” AJ Watson, the director of elementary education for the Pocatello-Chubbuck School District, said. “We want everyone to feel welcome, empowered, and successful in school. We want them to see themselves in books and have that overall feeling of being included.”

Watson said the district’s media center specialists always review and approve titles before they’re added to libraries, and these books will go through that same process. 

The books were donated by more than 60 individuals and organizations, including Idaho State’s English Department, College of Business, Idaho Central Credit Union, United Way of Southeast Idaho, and the Pocatello chapter of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People.

Penny Hugues, Pinehurst Nursery presents Angela Shreve the September Teacher of the Month Award includes certificate &flowers

Angela Shreve is September "Teacher of the Month" for Ellis Elementary. Angela is being presented with the award by Pennie Hugues, of Pinehurst. Each month Pinehurst is pleased to honor outstanding teachers in our area elementary schools with a floral bouquet and certificate. Congratulations Angela, and thank you for all you do!

Teacher of the Month being presented the award from Pinehurst Floral & Greenhouse owner

Tyler Cooper is March “Teacher of the Month" for Ellis Elementary. Tyler is being presented the award by Pennie Hugues, of Pinehurst. Each month Pinehurst is pleased to honor outstanding teachers in our area elementary school with a floral bouquet and certificate. Congratulation Tyler, and thank you for all that you do.

District News

New Elementary STudent Registration Visit your neighborhood school for in-person New Elementary Student Registration Thursday

If your child is brand new to PCSD 25 or has moved school boundaries, please plan to enroll in person, today, August 6th, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. at your neighborhood elementary school. 

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.

Questions may be directed to individual schools or the PCSD25 district office at (208) 232-3563

School begins on Wednesday, August 26.

We can’t wait to welcome your learner!

Back to School

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?

Elementary

New Elementary Transfer Form coming soon.

Secondary

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?

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.
Americas250forFB_PCSD25 (PDF)

First Friday Art Walk | MAY 1, 2026 | 5-8:00 p.m. | Gate City Coffee

Artwork | Poetry | Photography & Photo Stories
Pottery & Sculpture | Musical Composition and More

Artwork awards sponsored by the SD25 Education Foundation

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 invites the community to experience America Through the Eyes of Our Learners, a special Fine Arts Exhibition celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

The exhibition will take place during the Historic Downtown Pocatello First Friday Art Walk on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Gate City Coffee (320 W. Center Street). The event will feature more than 200 pieces of original artwork and creative expression from learners across School District 25.

Live student musical performances will also be featured during the event at 6:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

The exhibition features submissions from learners in grades K–12, with works developed through classroom and individual creative efforts across a variety of mediums, including visual art, photography, multi-media creations, and poetry.

The event is part of a broader effort by the PCSD 25 Board of Trustees to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by creating opportunities for learners to explore, reflect on, and share what the nation’s history and ideals mean to them today.

Awards will be presented across multiple categories and grade levels, including Best in Show and People’s Choice Awards, with more than $2,000 in prizes recognizing learner achievement and creativity.

Awards for the competition are proudly sponsored by the School District 25 Education Foundation, whose support helps make opportunities like this possible for learners across the district.

This event is about more than art—it’s about giving our learners a voice, said Courtney Fisher, Director of Communications, Community Relations and the Education Foundation. “Through their work, our learners are sharing their perspectives, their creativity, and what America means to them during this once-in-a-generation milestone. We’re proud to showcase that with our community.”

Visitors are encouraged to participate in the People’s Choice voting during the event and help select winning entries. Community members can also support future opportunities for learners by connecting with the Education Foundation during the event.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Courtney Fisher with Jill Baird

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.
 

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