State Superintendent Visits Meadows Valley School
Idaho’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield visited Meadows Valley School on Wednesday, September 24. She was greeted with a poster of hand-prints and signatures from students.
While Critchfield visited with elementary students and teachers, School Superintendent and Principal Dee Fredrickson led the students in their traditional hallway drumroll to introduce Superintendent Critchfield to students as well as Meadows Valley School culture.
Students had the opportunity to share their opinions and learnings. New second grader June said, “There’s a lot of nice people here and it’s easy to learn.” Kindergarten class teacher Katie Wright shared about their project with the Idaho Sled Dog race and the Wye trailhead check station. Fourth grader Wilson shared a past project with trout in the classroom. Fifth grader Emma shared she really likes learning here and likes how nice the teachers are.
Every week the students gather in the hall for “shout-outs” and Fredrickson led them in one for Critchfield saying, “we talked about what a big job Mrs. Critchfield has and so she’s kind of like our Superhero, would you agree?” Students shouted a big yes! Fredrickson said, “we don’t have a cape for her, but we have a t-shirt so she can remember Meadows Valley.”
After the cheers, Critchfield gave thanks for the local teachers and staff saying, “They make my job easier because they do such an amazing job and they spend all their time thinking about you…and how they can help you learn.” She continued saying, “I love our state so much and when I come out and see our students and the great adults that are supporting you, it just makes me love our state even more. And that’s the best shoutout I’ve ever had.”
As students returned to class, they gave high fives to the superintendent. Critchfield spent a few minutes hearing from two elementary teachers about their experience, what they thought about cursive in the classroom, and what challenges their students are facing. One teacher said their students love being able to sign their name in cursive and all talked about the studied benefits of cursive and the potential help for those with dyslexia.
Critchfield said she would be thinking about the challenges brought up by teachers and promoting overall good practices for students and families. She said she appreciated their broad perspective as not just teachers, but also parents and grandparents to bring to the table ideas to help students be successful.
Senior Hoyt Rhodes presented an overview of his senior project, an archery program that could be after school or an elective class. Rhodes is fundraising for the materials including targets and bows and plans to host some after school events. He said this project will help him in the future working with people and planning projects and said he would like to have his own business as an electrician or framer. Critchfield said she thinks there are a lot of opportunities for him.
On the secondary school side, the Superintendent visited with Tashia Kerby’s geography class, Jared McIlvain’s ELA class, and Kelly Koch’s math/ELA classroom. Seventh grader Hunter shared about his school experience saying, “I like that we have great teachers who really want to teach us like Ms. Kerby does. She is very passionate about geography and our learning and how far we succeed. It’s nice to have that comfort to have a teacher that we can trust.”
Seventh graders Desi and Aubrey shared about their egg incubator project and Maely shared about getting fresh local eggs for the food bank.
Ninth grade students Bodie, Buck, and Johnny shared about their projects and what they like about the school. School Food Service Manager Carolyn Swanson’s name came up multiple times and Critchfield was impressed the school lunch still includes scratch made items. Upon meeting with Swanson she said, “You’re the person the kids are saying is one of the best parts of the whole school. So you must be cooking up some magic back there!” Swanson said she tries to make about 80% of the food scratch cooked.
The visiting group included the State Superintendent’s Executive Assistant Taylor Baggerly and Management Assistant Natalie Hui. They stayed on campus for about an hour taking a thorough tour of the school building and new preschool classroom at the New Meadows Youth Center. School Board Trustee Barbara Dixon joined the group and conversed with Critchfield throughout the tour.
At the Youth Center, Fredrickson said, “Angie Mettie, preschool teacher has been a big part of the success of this new classroom. She’s taken on a monumental task getting things moved in and ready.” Critchfield asked about one on one paraprofessional help and funding. She said when it comes time in the legislature to advocate for funding it always helps to share stories and be able to say here’s why we need the money and where we need it.
Critchfield said during her visit, “From all the things I’ve seen, this is an incredible place.”
