Last week, Pillar Falls was fortunate enough to receive a visit from the Idaho State Treasurer, Julie Ellsworth! She came from the state capitol in Boise and taught our students in every grade well-planned lessons on finance, saving money, and the duties of a state treasurer. Students received mini vaults to begin their own savings accounts along with pretend money to get them started, and were encouraged to "Pay Themselves First!" We were so lucky to have her. Julie's granddaughters, Claire and Lydia were very proud to share their grandmother with all of us! Thanks for coming Treasurer Ellsworth!
Do you love your child’s teacher? Has your child had a teacher who made an impact or who went above and beyond?
Here in the TFSD we are lucky to have an Education Foundation that helps recognize our outstanding educators. To do this, they organized a Teacher of the Month program that named one elementary teacher and one secondary teacher for this honor. If you know a great educator, please take a moment to nominate them for this honor. The nomination application is open now and can be accessed here: https://forms.gle/PE1ez3kuFwBN77rW6
Click the link for this month's Newsletter! https://secure.smore.com/n/bcvk6
We're thrilled to announce the new app for Twin Falls
School District! It's everything Twin Falls School District, in
your pocket.
Download for Android https://aptg.co/yvsj6c
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/9SsmBR
Join us on Thursday, January 23rd for “BINGO for BOOKS!” Come try your luck with fun BINGO games, fun with friends, and lots of books to be won! We’ll see you from 5:30-7 pm that night!
These Falcons are starting off the year setting an example of amazing citizenship, perseverance, and academic excellence! Congratulations to all of them!
Here is some info about the upcoming schedule for our Pillar Falls Music performances. Unfortunately, due to the high demand for time slots at the Roper Auditorium, we were only able to secure one evening for both performances. These will take place on March 3rd.
The 2nd-grade performance will begin at 6:00 PM.
The 4th-grade performance will start at 7:00 PM.
You are welcome to attend both performances or join us for the one that involves your student. We truly appreciate your understanding as we work to make the best of this situation.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you on March 3rd!
There’s still time to make a difference! Homelessness impacts a child’s ability to learn, but with your support, we can provide the stability they need. Just $25 can provide hygiene supplies for a family, $75 can fund equipment for extracurriculars, and $150 can feed a student for a month. Let’s help them focus on learning, not survival. Donate before Dec. 31 to help TFSD reach our goal of $5,000. Every dollar helps! https://www.avenuesforhope.org/organizations/twin-falls-school-district #AvenuesForHope #LastChanceToGive #SupportTFSD
Meet a TFSD student who’s balancing schoolwork with the challenge of homelessness. “I do my homework at a local McDonald’s or coffee shop where I can get free Wi-Fi,” they shared. No student should have to struggle with finding a safe, quiet place to learn. Help us support students facing homelessness by donating to the Avenues for Hope campaign. Your contribution can provide food, supplies, and stability so they can focus on their education. Donate today: https://www.avenuesforhope.org/organizations/twin-falls-school-district #AvenuesForHope #SupportTFSDStudents
Extracurricular activities help students feel connected to their schools and friends—but for students experiencing homelessness, participating in sports or music programs can be difficult without proper gear. Your donation of $75 to the Avenues for Hope campaign could help provide a student with athletic shoes or the supplies they need to join in. Let’s work together to give every student a fair chance to thrive! Donate here: https://www.avenuesforhope.org/organizations/twin-falls-school-district #EveryDollarCounts #TFSDGivesBack
🎉 Yesterday, TFSD proudly hosted our annual Legislative Tour, welcoming elected officials and community leaders to experience the incredible work happening in our schools every day. 🙌
A special thank-you goes to Representatives Miller and Clow for being the only state-level officials able to join us this year — we truly appreciate your time and support!
We’re also grateful to our local partners, including the City of Twin Falls, Twin Falls County, the CSI Board of Trustees, the Boys and Girls Club, and the TFSD School Board, for sending representatives to make this event so impactful. 💡📚
And, kudos to Pillar Falls Elementary School, Twin Falls High School, and Magic Valley High School that all hosted portions of this event. Attendees visited classes focused on literacy, welding, EMT, agriculture, construction, and personal development.
Collaboration like this helps us keep education at the heart of our community. 💙 #TFSDProud #EducationMatters
Congratulations Katie Schwabedissen, Certified Employee of the Month for December. Katie teaches language arts and Social Studies at O’Leary Middle School
Katie is a Twin Falls native who enjoys gardening and reading when she is not at work. Someday she would like to learn to speak Spanish fluently. She has always wanted to be a teacher. She loves working with kids and seeing them grow and change throughout the year. Her inspiration is when she sees her children being successful. Her best day on the job is when students from older grades (particularly graduating seniors) return to visit. She would like to be remembered as helpful to her students. A word that best describes her is caring.
Principal Note:
Ms. Schwabedissen is the manifestation of a master teacher. She cares deeply for her students and her curriculum. The last two years she has asked to have her 3 sections of Language Arts filled with the students that are struggling the most. She makes sure that there are accommodations that are appropriate for them but is still holding them to the same standards as the other teachers at the school. Her students showed great growth last year and I expect that this year’s students will be just as successful.
Looking for a fun holiday activity that the whole family can enjoy? Do you love Studio C and or Whose Line is it Anyway? Then TFHS Theater has the activity for you! Come see our Holiday Comedy Show on December 13 and 14 at 7 PM. We will be featuring holiday themed original comedy sketches written by the students and faculty of the theater department at TFHS, as well as performances from our in-house improvisation troupe, The Whoopsie Daisy Show! Admission is just $2 per person! Also, Santa will be in the house ready to visit with the kids after the show! Come let us have you "laughing all the way" to winter break and help support the theater arts program at TFHS while you're at it!
Imagine trying to finish your homework in a car or a crowded space with no privacy. That’s the reality for some of our students experiencing homelessness. TFSD is committed to ensuring all students have the resources they need to succeed in school, and we need your help. Every donation to the Avenues for Hope campaign will help provide essentials like food, hygiene supplies, and more. Let’s give these students a fighting chance! Donate here: https://www.avenuesforhope.org/organizations/twin-falls-school-district #AvenuesForHope #SupportTFSD
🥧🎉Last month Pillar Falls's annual fundraiser was a MAJOR SUCCESS! A huge thank you to everyone who participated and donated. 🙌
To celebrate our top winners in each grade level, we had a pie-throwing showdown with our beloved principal, Mrs. Murphy, and assistant principal, Mrs. Morgan. They took it like champs and never looked sweeter! 🍰✨
Your generosity has made a difference
#PillarFalls #FundraiserSuccess #SweetVictory #PieInTheFace #SchoolSpirit
Happy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for our incredible students, dedicated staff members, and the supportive community that makes public education thrive.
Wishing everyone a joyful and restful holiday! 🦃
🏀🎉 Gear Up and Give Back! 🎉🏈
Join us for a FREE Sports Gear Donation Drive! 🌟
📅 Date: November 15
🕕 Time: 6-8 PM
📍 Location: Canyon Ridge High School Cafeteria
Come collect the gear you or your kids need to play sports! We’re accepting new or gently used shoes, new athletic socks, and school sports gear—let’s help our community stay active and healthy!
Spread the word and bring your friends! Together, we can make a difference! 🙌💚 #GearUpGiveBack #CommunitySports #FreeGear
🏀🎉 Gear Up and Give Back! 🎉🏈
Join us for a FREE Sports Gear Donation Drive! 🌟
📅 Date: November 15
🕕 Time: 3:30-5 PM
📍 Location: Canyon Ridge High School Cafeteria
Come collect the gear you or your kids need to play sports! We’re accepting new or gently used shoes, new athletic socks, and school sports gear—let’s help our community stay active and healthy!
Spread the word and bring your friends! Together, we can make a difference! 🙌💚
#GearUpGiveBack #CommunitySports #FreeGear
Leading up to Election Day, you'll see posts from the TFSD regarding the Supplemental Levy. We hope these posts provide information so that all community members can make an informed decision on election day.
Where do I vote?
At your regular polling place. To determine your polling place or for more information about absentee voting, please visit voteidaho.gov or call the Twin Falls County Clerk at 208-736-4004.
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $91 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. The proposed levy replaces an existing levy that expires on June 30, 2025 and that currently costs $72 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. Therefore, if the proposed levy is approved, the tax per $100,000 of taxable assessed value is expected to increase by $19 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. To put it in perspective, the estimated tax impact of the proposed levy equates to $7.58 per month for every $100,000 of taxable property value (after homeowners exemption). This would be an increase of $1.58 per month per $100,000 of taxable value from the current levy rate.
To learn more about the supplemental levy, visit https://www.tfsd.org/supplemental-levy/
Leading up to Election Day, you'll see posts from the TFSD regarding the Supplemental Levy. We hope these posts provide information so that all community members can make an informed decision on election day.
When is the election?
November 5, 2024, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition, eligible voters have the opportunity to vote early with mail-in ballots and early in-person voting at Twin Falls County West, 630 Addison Ave. W. You can learn more about voting at voteidaho.gov
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed levy is a tax of $91 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions. The proposed levy replaces an existing levy that expires on June 30, 2025 and that currently costs $72 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. Therefore, if the proposed levy is approved, the tax per $100,000 of taxable assessed value is expected to increase by $19 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value. To put it in perspective, the estimated tax impact of the proposed levy equates to $7.58 per month for every $100,000 of taxable property value (after homeowners exemption). This would be an increase of $1.58 per month per $100,000 of taxable value from the current levy rate.
To learn more about the supplemental levy, visit https://www.tfsd.org/supplemental-levy/
