THE SUMMIT

ELEVATING EDUCATION AT BLAINE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

BCSD Trustees (clockwise): Amber Perkes, Blanca Romero, Chair Lara Stone, Vice Chair Dan Turner, and Leah Scarnegi

Full-day Preschool: Early Learning Makes a Lasting Impact

The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees plans to consolidate and expand BCSD preschool programs at Hailey Elementary in the fall of 2026. Working with community partners, the district expects to offer a full-day program for four-year-olds during the school year, with hopes to include three-year-olds in the future.

Quality preschool strengthens cognitive and social skills, ensuring students enter kindergarten ready to learn. A full-day model provides structured learning, play, and social interaction, and makes early education more accessible for families.

This investment aims to close achievement gaps and boost long-term success. Preschool enhances literacy, math, focus, and problem-solving while increasing graduation rates. By expanding early education, the district is laying a strong foundation for all children to thrive. Read more...

Alturas Celebrates Eagle Award Winners with a Sweet Send-Off

Alturas Elementary kicked off Spring Break with a high-energy assembly honoring students who received Eagle Awards for outstanding leadership.

The celebration continued with a school-wide dance party—and a crowd favorite—students got the chance to toss whipped cream pies at their principal! See more fun photos here...

A special thank you to Superintendent Foudy for joining in the fun and helping celebrate the achievements of Alturas students.

“When the student archers are teaching parents how to work the bow, it gives them amazing pride and a sense of strength.” 

- Gary Grose, Bellevue Elementary teacher

Bullseye! Drawing Bows and Building Minds

Where in Blaine County can 4th and 5th graders learn a lifetime sport that also teaches spatial awareness, math skills and the importance of rules, discipline, and safety? The answer is…the lunchtime archery classes at Bellevue Elementary.

Several years ago, physical education teacher Gary Grose gained approval for the program and attained certification to teach archery at the school from the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). Since that time, he has worked with a range of organizations to secure more than $25,000 in grants and equipment, at no cost to the district.

In 2021, the program started with 34 students. Today, there are 80 students who each take 12 classes that cover a range of archery skills and safety protocols. Grose mixes up the sessions—recently the students aimed at apples, and they have also shot at tic tac toe targets. Read more...

“It will be fascinating to hear from professionals at the forefront of space exploration. I can’t wait to share everything I learn with other BCSD teachers and my students.”

- Scott Slonim, Hemingway STEAM School teacher

Scott Slonim is Ready for Liftoff!

Blaine County School District’s Engineering and Design Teacher at Hemingway STEAM School, Scott Slonim, has been selected to attend the 2025 Liftoff Summer Institute: Path to Innovation.

This prestigious professional development program for educators focuses on space exploration. It will take place this year in Houston, Texas from June 23 to June 27. Mr. Slonim will learn from leading scientists and engineers alongside teachers from across the country.

To apply for the institute, Mr. Slonim filled out an application and produced a video about his class. He also received a grant from the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium. Read more...

"You just need a paper and a pencil and you can create so much.”

- Nathan Hale, current Writer-in-Residence at the Hemingway House in Ketchum

Image: nathanhaleauthor.com

Author Brings Comic to Life in Real Time for Middle Schoolers



Nathan Hale to release new book in October

By Alaylia Wilson, Idaho Mountain Express

Students at Wood River Middle School recently gathered to see author Nathan Hale create a historical comic in real time.

Hale is a children’s graphic novel author who has created two main series focusing on historical fiction, “Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales” and “The Mighty Bite,” along with a handful of other stories.

“Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales” is a graphic novel series including 12 books that follow American history with the goal of providing a digestible format to help children understand and retain information about historical events. Stories include “Donner Dinner Party,” “Blades of Freedom,” “Alamo All-Stars” and “Raid of No Return.”

Read the full story at the Idaho Mountain Express...