News & Events

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

Are you interested in trying out for or participating in any of our amazing athletic programs? All athletes who are interested in participating in sports must purchase an activity card ($15). Activity cards can be purchased in person during school hours or online through Infinite Campus. If you wish to try out, all learners must register online and pay the $45 participation fee. 

Check out these dates for the tryouts!

7th Grade Girl Volleyball: August 21st @ 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM (coach Ms. Rudder)

8th Grade Girl Volleyball: August 21st @ 3:40 PM - 5:00 PM (coach Mr. Jensen)

Cross Country (6th-8th learners are welcome to join): August 21st @ 3:40 PM - 5:00 PM (coach Mr. McFadden)

Wrestling (6th - 8th): October 7th @ 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM

 

7th Grade Girls Basketball: October 14th @ 3:45 - 5:00 PM

8th Grade Girls Basketball: October 14th @ 6:30 AM - 8:00 AM

 

8th Grade Boys Basketball: January 6th @ 6:30 AM - 8:00 AM

7th Grade Boys Basketball: January 6th @ 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM

 

Track (6th - 8th learners are welcome to join): March 31st @3:45 - 5:00 PM

 

 

As school starts up again it's not too early to be thinking about purchasing your yearbook for the 2024-2025 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 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-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. 

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.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District (PCSD 25) is proud to announce that it has achieved the highest graduation rate among the state’s 10 largest school districts. Last spring, an impressive 92.1% of PCSD 25 learners graduated on time, surpassing the statewide average of 82.3%.

This achievement is a testament to the district’s dedication to educational excellence and the success of its learners. PCSD 25 stands out among its large district peers for its continued commitment to providing learners with the tools, resources, and support they need to graduate.

PCSD 25’s continued success serves as a model for other districts in the state, proving that when schools, communities, and families work together, learners can achieve great things.

Cassie Atwood, PCSD 25’s curriculum coordinator, said, “The district's high graduation rate is a direct reflection of the unwavering dedication of our educators, staff, and support systems, who are committed to meeting each learner where they are.”

Atwood added, “The increase in our graduation rate highlights our holistic, hands-on approach to track and monitor each learner’s progress, while providing personalized support necessary for every child to not only thrive but also confidently take the next step toward a successful future.”

In addition to this achievement, PCSD 25 also leads Idaho's largest school districts in teacher retention, reaching a remarkable 91% retention rate for the past two years. This consistent retention rate reflects the district's ability to foster a supportive and collaborative environment for educators, ensuring that learners receive a high-quality education from a dedicated and experienced teaching staff.

"We are incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our learners, staff, and community," said Dr. Douglas Howell, Superintendent of PCSD 25. "These achievements are the result of a collective effort to create an environment where students can thrive, and we will continue to focus on both academic excellence and teacher retention as essential components of our district's success."

Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 is the leading choice for local education, consistently demonstrating excellence in both learner success and educator satisfaction. In addition to leading the state in graduation and teacher retention rates,  PCSD 25 also offers innovative learning opportunities, including 25 Career-Technical Education pathways to prepare students for thriving careers, and above-average ISAT scores in English, math, and science. With a focus on comprehensive support for all learners, the district provides a well-rounded education that fosters both academic and personal growth.

For nearly 140 years, PCSD 25 has been committed to providing the highest quality education in a safe, supportive, and caring environment. Guided by our motto—Think MORE, Learn MORE, Be MORE Together—PCSD 25 is more than a school district; it is a community of schools, including parents, teachers, staff, educational partners, and community members, all dedicated to the power of learning, fostering strong relationships, and achieving greatness together to best serve the educational needs of local children.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 has initiated a review of its enrollment and attendance areas to address recent shifts in district-wide enrollment. The district is committed to ensuring that school facilities are used efficiently and that student enrollment aligns with the capacity of each building to maintain a high-quality educational environment.

To tackle these evolving challenges, the district has formed two sub-committees. The purpose of the committees is to review the district’s elementary and middle school attendance and enrollment areas, provide input, analyze data, and advise the Board to inform any decision-making impacting PCSD 25’s enrollment and attendance areas.

Committee Goals:

• Address decline in district-wide enrollment.
• Maximize use of district resources.
• Develop recommendations/options to provide to PCSD 25 Board of Trustees.

Guiding Principles:

• Optimizing Capacity – Balance populations and make best use of available space.
• Equitable Access – Provide fair access to educational programs and facilities.
• Minimize Disruptions – Prioritize continuity of educational services for learners and families.
• Maintain Efficiency – Consider travel time and middle school feeders.
• Future Needs and Considerations – Planning for future changes and needs.

Elementary Sub-Committee: Comprised of 13 members, including the Director of Elementary Education, two teachers, one parent from each of five geographical areas within the district, two randomly selected parents, and three elementary school administrators.

Middle School Sub-Committee: Comprised of 15 members, including the Director of Secondary Education, two teachers, and two parents and one administrator representing each middle school.

The enrollment and attendance committees will meet on the following dates:

• Oct 14, 21 and 28; Nov 4 and 11
• Additional meetings scheduled as needed

Staff, parents and community members who are not serving on the committees may have an opportunity to contribute through focus groups later in the process.

The sub-committees will meet to review relevant data and information before combining efforts to share insights and develop recommendations for the Board of Trustees. Following this, the Board will review the suggestions and host focus groups for additional community input. The district will also schedule a public hearing to provide another opportunity for community members to voice their perspectives before any final action is taken.

High School Enrollment and Attendance Areas: Due to the complexity and sensitive timing needs of academic planning and master scheduling, the review of high school enrollment and attendance areas will begin in the spring of 2025 with committee work continuing into the fall. The timeline for decision-making will be communicated to the public prior to the formation of the high school enrollment and attendance area subcommittee.

PCSD 25 looks forward to working closely with the community to develop well-informed recommendations that will support the district’s long-term goals and ensure continued educational excellence. Updates will be provided throughout the process on Enrollment & Attendance Areas website.

Join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of Jenni Peterson, Andrew Banks, and Lindsay Collier as they are honored as the 2024 Simplot Inspirational Teachers of the Year!

Now in its 31st year, The Simplot Education Council meticulously reviewed 2,377 nominations for 398 exemplary educators. Out of these, 15 outstanding finalists were recognized with a commendation and a $100 prize, while our distinguished trio of winners were each awarded a $500 check.

Let's extend a resounding round of applause to all our dedicated teachers for their exceptional teaching methods and unwavering commitment to educating the students of PCSD 25.

The PCSD 25 Transportation Department is hiring bus drivers.

Apply on our Careers website.

When is the last day of school for the 2024/2025 school year?

• Thursday, May 29, 2025

When is the first day of school for the 2025/2026 school year?

• Wednesday, August 27, 2025
• Back to School FAQ will be updated for the 2025/2026 school year after June 1, 2025.

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 2024-2025 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, 2024. For more information refer to our Food Services website

When is graduation for the Class of 2025?

• New Horizon High School: Thursday, May 29, 2025 6:00 p.m.
• Highland High School: Friday, May 30, 2025 10:00 a.m.
• Century High School: Friday, May 30, 2025 1:00 p.m.
• Pocatello High School: Friday, May 30, 2025 4:00 p.m.

When do I find out about transfers?

• The elementary transfer meeting is Thursday, August 8, 2024.
• Secondary schools transfers are notified within 60 days of submission of the application.

How do I transfer my learner?

New Elementary Transfer Form

Returning Elementary Transfer Form

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 1 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 2024-2025 school year in-person on Monday, August 5 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?

• August 7 and 8, 2024
  • 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

When is Back to School Night?

• Middle School Back to School Night is August 19, 2024 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

School	Date	Time
Chubbuck Elementary	August 19th	5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Edahow Elementary	August 20th	4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Ellis Elementary	August 19th	4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Gate City Elementary	August 19th	5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Greenacres Elementary	August 19th	4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Indian Hills Elementary	August 19th	5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Jefferson Elementary	August 19th	5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Lewis & Clark Elementary	August 19th	9:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Syringa Elementary	August 19th	5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Tendoy Elementary	August 19th	4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Tyhee Elementary	August 19th	5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Washington Elementary	August 19th	4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Wilcox Elementary	August 19th	4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Lincoln Early Childhood Center	August 26th	4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

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 2024-2025 school calendar located?

2024-2025 School District 25

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

• ALL Grades: Monday, September 2, 2024 - Labor Day
• Grades K-5: Thursday & Friday, October 3 & 4, 2024 - Parent Teachers Conferences
• Grades 6-12: School will be in session Thursday, October 3. Closed Friday, October 4, 2024 - Parent Teacher Conferences
• ALL Grades: Tuesday, November 5, 2024 - Election Day
• ALL Grades: Thursday, November 14, 2024 - End of Trimester/Record Day
• ALL Grades: Friday, November 15, 2024 - Teacher Professional Development Day
• ALL Grades: Monday - Friday, November 25 - 29, 2024 - Thanksgiving Break
• ALL Grades: Monday - Monday, December 23 - January 3, 2025 - Winter Break. School resumes Monday, January 6, 2025.
• ALL Grades: Monday, January 20, 2025 - Idaho Human Rights Day
• ALL Grades: Friday, February 7, 2025 - Parent Teacher Conference Grades K-8
• ALL Grades: Monday, February 17, 2025 - President's Day
• ALL Grades: Friday, February 28, 2025 - End of Trimester/Record Day
• ALL Grades: Monday - Friday, March 24 - 28, 2025 - Spring Break
• ALL Grades: Monday, May 26, 2025 - Memorial Day
• ALL Grades: Thursday, May 29, 2025 - 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.