News & Events

Idaho's September winners of the Spirit of 'US' Classroom Contest are Landon (grade 8) and Emerie (grade 4) from the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 and Middleton Schools, respectively.

The Albion Center for Professional Development will gift each class with a $100 cash prize to celebrate.

"One of the many rights we use every day is the right for public education. Whether you love it or hate it, you probably go to school. It's different for everyone, it can be a public or private school or even homeschooling. However, some people don't have the right to go to school.

Some ways that we can be responsible and take advantage of our public education is by trying our best to keep our grades up, and keeping school a kind and positive environment. Since many kids do not have the right to a public education around the world, we shouldn't abuse the right, but we should try our best in school."

- Landon, 8th grade
Hawthorne Middle School
Pocatello/Chubbuck School District

September 7–12 Winner for the Spirit of US Classroom Contest, 2025-2026.

— with Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 and Hawthorne Middle School.

Source: Idaho Department of Education Facebook page

As school starts up again, it's not too early to be thinking about purchasing your yearbook for the 2025-2026 academic year! Yearbooks are a great way to capture the memories of the year and celebrate the uniqueness of our students here at Hawthorne! The yearbooks can be purchased online through our Entourage Partners, via the QR code below, or in person at the school. 

The cost of the yearbooks will be changing over the course of the year, so get yours early! 

Until Sept. 30th, yearbooks will cost $25

From Oct. 1st to Dec. 31st, yearbooks will cost $30

 From Jan. 1st until the end of the school year, yearbooks will cost $35. 

If you need more information on purchasing a yearbook, please contact the school or contact our Yearbook director, Kelly Heil. 

Have you ever wanted to travel to see some of our nation’s important landmarks? Maybe go see New York City? What about Philadelphia where some of the most important events in our nation’s beginnings happened? How does New York City or Gettysburg sound? Well, now you can! All 8th – Grade Learners can have that chance by going on the American Heritage Tour! 

When is it? Where would we go?

The tour kicks off on March 20th and goes until March 28th. During this tour, you’ll go to places such as the National Zoo, Arlington Cemetery, the Smithsonian Museum, Mount Vernon, the White House, Gettysburg battlefield, Valley Forge, and more! 

What does it include?

The tour includes a Deluxe Motorcoach to and from the SLC airport, round-trip airfare, 7 nights of accommodations, breakfast, and dinners, tickets to a Broadway production, guided tours, travel accessories, and luggage tags! 

If I want to go, what do I need to do?

To get signed up for the trip, you will need to turn in the "application" (found on the brochure) and your first payment of $500 to Mrs. Martin in room 205.  The payment has to be a check or money order.  It is on a first-come-first-served basis, so you will want to get your payment and "application" turned in as soon as possible. The total tour price is $2,989.00 per person for attendance. The payment can be broken down into the following deposit schedule:

Payment Order	Amount	Deposit Due Date
1st Payment	$500	October 4th, 2025
2nd Payment	$500	November 4th, 2025
3rd Payment	$600	December 3rd, 2025
4th Payment	$600	January 3rd, 2026

The final payment balance needs to be paid no later than February 3rd, 2026. If you are paying by check, please make the checks payable to Educational Tours. Travel insurance is available to interested families. 

For information on travel policy, insurance, detailed itinerary, and terms and conditions of the tour, please see the information provided on your brochure.

If you have questions or would like more information about the tour, please contact Jean Martin in room 205, or the tour Director, Natalie Call by email or by phone at 208-244-1098.

Please join us in celebrating an outstanding educator! 

We’re proud to announce that Heather Petrella, Band teacher at Hawthorne 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. Petrella on this well-deserved recognition!

“Ms. Petrella should be nominated for this award because she has made a big impact on how I learn and think. She often engages us in fun activities to help support our learning, she even makes her own board games for us to play and she has published two books." Ms. Petrella made me love the art of music and makes me want to continue to play and learn as much as I can about music. Savannah J.

Mrs. Petrella is a great teacher. Teachers show you where to look but don't tell you what to see. And the influence of a good teacher can never be erased from the person who looks up to that teacher. Mrs. Petrella is my band teacher right now. She teaches me how to play the clarinet. She is great at teaching us and getting our attention. Sometimes as a student you may think that teachers have favorites and that they may not like you. I know that Mrs. Petrella loves us all because she has a big heart and she believes in us! ‘My teacher gave me the best gift of all ... Believing in me!’ -Unknown. “ Jenna H. 

Join us in celebrating an outstanding educator!

We’re proud to announce that Kelly Heil, Social Studies teacher at Hawthorne 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. Heil on this well-deserved recognition! 

Ms. Heil has taught me things I would have never thought I could accomplish. She has inspired me in so many different ways and taught me countless life-long skills. "Ms. Heil is an inspiration to me because she pushes our limits, but in a good way. If she hadn’t pushed me I would not be where I am today. She always teaches with kindness, she is very understanding and she teaches us how to be our best selves.” Brielle W.

“Ms. Heil deserves this award because she works so hard and is so kind to everyone. My reason for nominating Ms. Heil is that when I first came to Hawthorne, I was really nervous because it was my first year in middle school. She is my T.A. I had a great first impression of my new school because of her. Another reason is that she is so hard working, she teaches the yearbook class too, and she just can't say no to doing a favor for ANYBODY. The final reason is that she is kind to all of her students, even if they are rude to her, she still keeps a good attitude. I think Mrs. Heil deserves this honor because she helped me personally, she works so hard, and she is kind.” Brekka R.
 

At the end of each semester, the College of Education acknowledges an outstanding cooperating teacher. For Fall 2024, Heather Petrella from Hawthorne Middle School in Pocatello was chosen as the recipient of the ISU Cooperating Teacher Award.

Petrella was nominated by music student teaching candidate, Natalie West, who graduated from the College of Education in December of 2024. Described as an exceptional individual, Petrella has been praised for her empathy and care regarding students, and her dedication to giving them the best education possible.

Congratulations, Heather Petrella!

Article Courtesy of Idaho State University College of Education

Please join us in congratulating Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year finalist, Natalie VanLeuven. Ms. VanLeuven teaches 8th grade Computer Science at Hawthorne 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.

“I have chosen to nominate Ms. VanLeuven because she inspires me and others around me to be a better people. She taught us how to fix our mistakes and also taught us it’s ok to make them. Some lifelong skills I will take with me from her are to always be kind to people, even when it’s not easy, and to always work hard in life.” Erika R.

“Ms. V. has inspired me with her determination.  She is kind and clever at making assignments fun.  She makes me want to work hard and achieve my goals. She has shown me that when there is a problem, I can fit it.” Sean R.

“I am nominating Ms. V. for this award because of the impact she had on me while I was in her class and even now that I am not. I always felt like Mrs. V. was there for me. She created a safe space for all students, was kind and fair. Every year since 7th grade I have chosen Ms. V. to nominate because I truly believe she deserves it.” Madison E.  

Please join us in congratulating Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year finalist, Andrew Banks. Mr. Banks teaches Geography at Hawthorne 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.

“Mr. Banks is the best teacher ever. He is one of those very special teachers who just know how to connect with their students. Mr. Banks has inspired me (and many other students) in so many ways. He is one of the most positive people I have known. He is always so dedicated to his class that he always felt confident in himself to do all the fun things he could with us. Mr. Banks is also one of the most hardworking teachers at my school. He always makes sure to help his students when he can.” Marley F.

“I think Mr. Banks should win this award because he inspires me to work hard even if I am not having a good day. He works hard every day even if he’s not having a good day and he still tries to make everyone else’s day good as well. So he has inspired me to work hard and try to make other people happy even if I am not having a good day.” Laken A.

“As a student, Mr. Banks has helped me love geography and learn many different things. Some days when I was feeling confused, stressed, or just down, his class always lifted me up and taught me to be happy even if I wasn’t feeling great.” Gretyl C.

The Hawthorne Middle School Garden club went on a trip to Bowman Farms to see how the process that organic produce is grown, harvested and cared for. Students had an amazing time learning what goes into the process of making food for the local populace. This is what the students had to say about their experience.

“We went to Bowman farms, a farm that grows food for our community. They had a wide variety of plants, and we got to taste them. We learned a lot about the process of growing plants and why they are important. The farm owners, Matthew and Charelle say that they enjoy farming because they like to know where their food that they eat comes from.” -Emilee Carr

“I learned that it takes time to get work done, and you can’t just accomplish everything in one day.” - Soliscity Daves

“We learned how to tell between a male and a female plant on a squash vine.” - Jackson Lyon

“It was fun. We learned a lot about farm life.”-Kylie Knudsen

“Raw onions from the ground are not very tasty. I tried one myself, and it was not very pleasant.” Dezara Stoddart

 

PCSD 25 Families: With recent bus route closures and the upcoming snow season, now is a great time to make sure that you are signed up for Infinite Campus notifications. In addition to emergency notifications, Infinite Campus is the best way to monitor your child’s progress throughout the school year.

PCSD 25 parents/guardians can log into the Campus Parent Portal and stay engaged with information at your fingertips throughout the school year. Other family favorites include:

Access to student grades

Review attendance and absences

Monitor assignments due or upcoming exams

Notifications for school/district announcements/emergency closures

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.

If you already have an Infinite Campus account and are not receiving notifications, please contact your school(s) to verify your contact information and notification settings. Notification options include Infinite Campus Inbox, text, voicemail, and email.

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

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

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Establish strong routines early: consistent bedtimes, packed bags, and backup plans for getting to school. Learners who are "On Time, In School, Every Day" build momentum that leads to lifelong success. Strong achievement begins with strong attendance. 

Every Day Matters, and your child belongs in a school district that delivers results. 

#YouBelongHere
#MoreTogether #PCSD25

From every school across our district, one message is clear: You Belong Here. Together, we’re ready for a year of learning, growth, and connection. Let's make this the best year! 

#MoreTogether
#YouBelongHere
#PCSD25

The school year is here - and so is the mindset for success! In PCSD 25, learners thrive when they arrive prepared, present, and ready to engage. Now's the time to set screen-time boundaries, organize supplies, and re-establish bed time routines. Talk with your child about goals, excitement, and what it means to be "On Time, In School, Every Day." Because showing up with focus says: I'm here. I'm ready. I belong. 

Let's make this year our best yet - because Every Day Matters. 

You Belong Here.

#YouBelongHere
#PCSD25
#EveryDayMatters