SUPERINTENDENTS MESSAGE Dr.

Gaylen Smyer
CASSIA COUNTY
SCHOOL
DISTRICT
DECEMBER 2013
Cassia Communicator
And the Grinch, with his
Grinch-feet ice cold in the
snow, stood puzzling and
puzzling, how could it be so?
It came without ribbons. It
came without tags. It came
without packages, boxes or
bags. And he puzzled and
puzzled 'till his puzzler was
sore. Then the Grinch
thought of something he
hadn't before. What if
Christmas, he thought, does-
n't come from a store. What
if Christmas, perhaps, means
a l i t t l e bi t mor e.
Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch
Stole Christmas!
Inside this issue:
Board Meeting

2
No Stress Christmas
Safe School Training

3
Winter Safety Tips 4
Bloodborne Pathogens 5
PERSI
Project Rudolph
6
December Birthdays 7
Christmas Trivia 8
A Season of Reflection
As we change seasons, moving from autumn to winter, I am increasingly amazed at how fast time
seems to move. It does not seem all that long ago we were beginning a new school year but we are
now past the Thanksgiving holiday. Christmas will be here soon providing people with a break in rou-
tine that often times serves to invigorate. This time of year gives pause for reflection in both our per-
sonal and professional lives. In spite of all the challenges and difficulties we face, the school district con-
tinues to improve and our students are being well served by dedicated individuals committed to their
success. I would be remiss if I did not thank each of you for your contribution to the success of stu-
dents and for working to improve our schools and district.
Staff effort is evidenced by student achievement, for which there are many measures. Certainly we
applaud the student who performs at a high level on standardized tests. We also value each students
grade point average and encourage them to strive for excellence. Similarly, the Idaho High School Ac-
tivities Association recognizes the academic achievement of participants by providing Academic State
Champion awards in each sport in each classification.
Through the years numerous Cassia County teams have been recognized as the Academic State
Champions. Thus far this year the Raft River (1A Div 1) and Oakley (2A) football teams along with the
Declo (2A) volleyball team were named State Academic Champions in their respective classifications.
The academic performance of these student athletes is a tribute to their personal dedication and to the
encouragement and support received from teachers, parents, and others. The greater the number of
team members the more difficult it is to receive this honor. I am reminded that one year ago Declo
High School won its first state football championship. This was an incredible feat recently matched for
the second year in a row. The 2012-2013 Declo football team was also named the 2A Academic State
Champions. To win a state championship and be named the Academic Champions in the same year is a
rare occurrence. As previously mentioned, there have been numerous other sports and dance teams
that have received this honor and I want to congratulate students for making education a priority in
their life as they develop other athletic talents.
I want to take this opportunity to promote student achievement away from the sports arena. Each
year the Danny Morona Foundation provides scholarships to area performing arts students. These
students will perform before judges in the King Fine Arts Center on January 7, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. You
may have seen Americas Got Talent or something similar on television. I want you to know there is
considerable talent within the ranks of our high school juniors and seniors. I highly recommend this
evening as a rewarding opportunity to observe student performances.
Reflecting on accomplishments and shortcomings allows one the opportunity to reprioritize and
refocus going forward. While some people commit to a significant New Years resolution, others of us
tend to set smaller goals. Regardless of the methodology, committing to personal and professional
improvement serves to increase our effectiveness and personal satisfaction. It seems there is always
room for improvement and I admire those that continually work to perfect their craft for greater im-
pact on student achievement. One of the gifts we receive as educators is that of taking pride in the
accomplishments of our students. Thanks for all you do to prepare our students for success in a dy-
namic and challenging future. Each employee is an important part of a functional whole critical in assist-
ing young people to become productive adults. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
and may you have a safe and relaxing Christmas break.

Central School Office will be closed
in conjunction with the Christmas
Break. The office will close at 4:30
p.m. on Friday, December 20, 2013
and re-open on Monday, January 6th.

Pay checks will be available at your
location on Friday, December 20th.

The staff at Central School Office
wishes you and your family a very
Merry Christmas!
NOVEMBER BOARD MEETING
CHRISTMAS BREAK
Page 2 Cassia Communicator

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough,
and more. It turns denial into accep-
tance, chaos to order, confusion to
clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a
friend. Gratitude makes sense of our
past, bring peace for today and cre-
ates a vision for tomorrow.
Melody Beattie
The November Board Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on November 26, 2013.

Minutes from previous meetings were read and approved. The Board approved the bills since the last regular meeting.

The Board approved the revisions to Policy 474, Group Health Insurance Benefits for Non-certificated Employees, Policy 553,
Student Pre-Expulsion Discipline Hearing (DDRC), and Policy 611, Alternate Route to Graduation Plan. The Board approved
Policy 560.10, Use of Physical Restraint and/or Seclusion of a Student and tabled the proposed changes to Policy 551, Drug,
Alcohol, and Tobacco Use.

Pam Wade was presented with a certificate as the recipient of the 2014 Idaho School Boards Association Citizenship Award.

Bryan Reiter, City of Burley Engineer, attended the meeting to share with the Board the plans to create a bus loading zone
adjacent to the pre-school center. The Board approved the proposal.

Rita Ramsey made a presentation concerning a Patriot Academy which is held in Boise each August and the Board approved
her to contact the high schools to disseminate information.

It was approved for Idaho State University Credit Union to contact students for membership and to begin the use of debit
cards.

The Board approved calling for bus bids to be opened at 2:00 p.m. on December 16, 2013. The Board is pricing two trip buses
with individual seating, additional storage, and air conditioning along with a special needs bus and a regular 75 passenger bus.

The Board approved payment in lieu of transportation for a hearing impaired student attending the Idaho School for the Deaf
and Blind in Gooding two to three days per week.

The Board approved sending Suzie Macias to the National Association of Bilingual Education in San Diego in February. A com-
bination of state and federal funds will defray the travel. The Declo High School Bands were approved to travel at no cost to
the district to Seattle for a competition in April. The Board approved the Oakley High School Boys Basketball team to travel
to Salt Lake City to attend a basketball game. There will be no cost to the district. The Board approved sending 3-4 people to
the Title I Conference in San Diego in February at no cost to the district.

The Board approved the Alternate Route to Graduation requests submitted by students that have not banked the necessary
ISAT scores.

Five separations of employment from the school district were approved, 18 new hires were approved and a leave of absence
for a para-educator was approved.
Remember
being a kid
and the holi-
days meant
time off
from school,
hot choco-
late and the
countdown
to lots of
toys? As
adults, it feels a bit different.
While the holidays are com-
mercialized to be a warm
and fuzzy time of year, they
can also turn out to be a
mixed bag of feelings and
stress.
1. Acknowledge your
feelings. If someone
close to you has re-
cently died or you cant
be with loved ones,
realize that its normal
to feel sadness and
grief. Its OK to take
time to cry or express
your feelings.
2. Reach Out. If you feel
lonely or isolated, seek
out community, reli-
gious or other social
events. Volunteering
your time to help oth-
ers also is a good way
to lift your spirits and
broaden your friend-
ships.
3. Be realistic. The holi-
days dont have to be
perfect or just like last
year. As families change
and grow, traditions
and rituals often change
as well.
4. Set aside differences.
Try to accept family
members and friends as
they are. Set aside
grievances until a more
appropriate time for
discussion.
5. Stick to a budget.
Before you go gift and
food shopping, decide
how much money you
can afford to spend.
Then stick to your
budget. Dont try to
buy happiness with an
avalanche of gifts.
6. Learn to say no. Say-
ing yes when you
should say no can leave
you feeling resentful
and overwhelmed.
7. Dont abandon
healthy habits. Dont
let the holidays become
a free-for-all. Overin-
dulgence only adds to
your stress and guilt.
Have a healthy snack
before holiday parties
so that you dont go
overboard on sweets.
Continue to get plenty
of sleep and physical
activity.
8. Take a breather.
Make some time for
yourself. Spending just
15 minutes alone, with-
out distractions, may
refresh you enough to
handle everything you
need to do. Take a walk
at night and stargaze.
Listen to soothing mu-
sic. Find something that
reduces stress by clear-
ing your mind, slowing
your breathing and re-
storing inner calm.
All I Want for Christmas is...NO STRESS!!

Page 3
Have you completed your
Safe School Training yet?

Over half of our employees have not
completed the training. Please re-
member that the due date to have
your Safe School Training completed is
January 1, 2014 and it is rapidly ap-
proaching! If you are having problems accessing the site
or need some basic help, please contact Darla Wright at
the District Office.
SAFE
SCHOOL
TRAINING
NEEDS TO BE
COMPLETED
BY
JANUARY 1,
2014
EMPLOYEES
WHO HAVE
THEIR SAFE
SCHOOL
TRAINING
100%
COMPLETED
BY 1/1/14 WILL
HAVE THEIR
NAME
ENTERED
INTO A
DRAWING FOR
A $50.00 GIFT
CARD. YOU
COULD BE
THE LUCKY
WINNER!

The first meeting for the purpose of Assessing the Educational Needs in the Community was held on November
21st in Raft River. There are three more meetings scheduled. They are:

Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oakley High School. .
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Burley High School Little
Theater.
Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Declo High School auditorium

Staff input is integral to assuring the development of a comprehensive list of
needs. The community lists will become a compilation of needs for use in de-
veloping short and long-term goals.



you work more efficiently, you
also reduce the risk of injuring
yourself.
4. FORGET COFFEE AND
CIGARETTES
Before shoveling or doing any
strenuous work, avoid caffeine
and nicotine. They increase
your heart rate and may cause
your blood vessels to constrict.
5. ROCK SALT+KITTY
LITTER = SAFER WALK-
WAYS
Have some rock salt and kitty
litter on hand. Rock salt helps
melt the ice on slippery sur-
faces. Kitty litter gives tempo-
rary traction.
6. TIN CAN + MATCHES +
CANDLE + PAPER CUP +
SNOW =
DRINKING WATER
Yes, you read the equation
right. Before going on the road,
take a tin can, candle, paper
cup and some matches. Should
you get stuck in the middle of
the road and run short on wa-
ter, you can always melt some
snow with these supplies. Make
them a part of your emergency
kit.
7. WARM UP BEFORE
DRIVING OFF
While it pays to do some
stretching exercises before
shoveling, you should warm up
your vehicle too. This helps
reduce the moisture condensa-
tion on the inside of your car
windows. Remember, though,
not to warm up your vehicle in
a closed garage.
8. SIX INCHES EQUALS
DANGER
Be wary of floods. Be doubly
cautious of running water that
is 6 inches deep or more, or
you run the risk of getting
swept off your feet.
9. REPORT THOSE
DAMAGED LINES!
After a winter storm, immedi-
ately report any downed
power lines or broken gas
lines.
Here are
nine tips
that can
help
keep you safe during the winter
season.
1. BRING OUT THOSE
HANDS
Hold it! Dont remove those
gloves or mittens just yet.
Think twice before walking
outside with your hands in
your pockets. Why? Because
keeping your hand in your
pockets increases the risk of
you falling or completely losing
your balance in case you slip
while walking on ice or snow.
2. MITTENS VS GLOVES
Gloves are so fashionable, but
mittens can actually save your
life. With your fingers touching
each other inside mittens, they
generate more body heat than
when theyre inside gloves.
3. WARM UP BEFORE
SHOVELING
Before you get rid of all the
snow and ice, do some stretch-
ing exercises first. You can also
march in place or walk for a
couple of minutes. With your
muscles all warm, not only will
Page 4 Cassia Communicator

NINE
WINTER
SAFETY TIPS
YOU MAY
NOT
KNOW!
ASSESSING THE EDUCATION NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS

WHO IS AT
RISK?
Custodians
are the ones
who keep the
buildings clean.
If there is an accident, they are
the one to clean it up. It is
crucial they know the proper
procedures and guidelines for
handling a blood spill.
Bus drivers are often the first
school employee children see
in the morning. If a student gets
hurt or has a bloody nose, Bob
needs to know how to protect
himself.
Food service workers are
the friendly faces students see
when they get meals at school.
They need to know the risks of
transmitting viral and bacterial
infections. The school secre-
tary is often the first one who
students come to with a prob-
lem. They need to know how
to protect themselves from
bloodborne pathogens.
Teachers never know if a
student will have a bloody
nose, scrape, cut or get sick
and vomit.
Paras, while helping to make
the school day run smoothly
need to know proper precau-
tions to take.
Coaches always know there is
a chance that a student can
Many school employees can
expect to come in contact with
blood and other body fluids
while at work. It could be in
the classroom, on the play-
ground, on the playing field, or
on the school bus.
EVERYONE has the poten-
tial to come into contact with
bloodborne pathogens.
It is important that every em-
ployee understand what a
bloodborne pathogen is, under-
stand the danger of exposure
to infections and understand
the ways you can minimize
your risk.
Bloodborne pathogens may
be present in blood and other
materials, such as body fluids
containing visible blood, semen
and vaginal secretions, broken
skin, or saliva. Bloodborne
pathogens can cause infection
by entering your body through
open cuts and nicks, skin abra-
sion, dermatitis, acne or mu-
cous membranes of your
mouth, eyes, or nose.
An occupational-exposure
occurs in the workplace when
blood or other potentially in-
fectious body fluids come into
contact with your eyes, skin, or
mucous membranes, or when
you have parenteral contact
with blood (piercing of the skin
or mucous membranes by a
needle or sharp instrument,
human bits, cuts and abrasions).
What can YOU do to protect
yourself?
HANDWASHING
Washing your hands is one
of the most effective ways
of preventing disease trans-
mission.
Always wash your hands after
using the bathroom, handling
any body fluids, or removing
disposable gloves. Use hand
sanitizer when soap and water
are not available.
GLOVES
When taking
care of any injury
involving body
fluids, gloves
should be used.
Gloves should only be used
once and then disposed of
properly by placing them in a
plastic zipper bag or plastic
garbage bag, sealing it after
placing gloves,
gauze, etc.
inside.
CLEANING
After a blood
spill, the area
needs to be cleaned using an
EPA-approved hospital grade
disinfectant. Use a biohazard
wastebag to dispose of infected
materials. If biohazard waste-
bags are not available, double-
bag the waste and apply a label
indicating that the contents are
potentially harmful. Sharp
items, like broken glass or nee-
dles, should never be disposed
of in a trash bag. Those items
should be placed in a sharps
container.
It is critical that you report
any exposure incident im-
mediately. Following any
exposure to another persons
blood, you should immediately
follow these three basic steps:
FLUSH the exposed area
with water
WASH the area thor-
oughly with soap and wa-
ter
REPORT the incident
within 1 to 2 hours to
your supervisor and Gail
at Central Office.

WHAT WOULD
YOU DO?
Sam has cut his finger. There is
blood everywhere. As a school
employee, what do you do?

Your first instinct is to rush to
his aid. What should be your
second instinct? You should
grab a pair of gloves or, if they
werent readily accessible, use
something elselike a plastic
bag or piece of clothing to
create a barrier between your
skin and Sams as you clean his
cut and apply pressure to stop
the bleeding.



YOUR HEALTHBLOODBORNE PATHOGENS
Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 1


PERSI has an On-line Self Guided Training at the following web address
http://www.persi.idaho.gov/documents/Self-Guided_NewEmployee_PERSI_Orientation.pdf

The presentation describes and discusses how being a
member of PERSI can benefit you and also helps you to
understand the processes associated with PERSI and re-
tirement and options available to you. If you are just
starting your career, changing careers, entering the
workforce a little later in life, entering the public sector
from a primarily private sector employment, or just want
more information, this is a great presentation.
PERSI
DWORSHAK SUPPORTS
What began as a six-week family project
of the Ray and Cheri Archibald family
from Oakley has now grown into a world-
wide phenomenon. Project Rudolph is a
charity that was created in 2006 to give
deployed troops and service members
holiday cheer. Project Rudolph has
grown to distribute more than 14,000
bags of Christmas cheer. What started
as a small, local project now receives
donations from 46 states and 12 foreign
countries.
In support of Project Rudolph, Dworshak second graders donated $100 to Ray and Cheri Archibald to help
cover the cost of postage to send gift bags to servicemen and women who are serving our Country overseas
during the holiday season. In addition to the $100 Donation, Dworshak Elementary also presented the Archi-
balds with ornaments, letters, gift bags, and 157 pounds of candy.

Presenting a check to Ray and Cheri Archibald are:
Front: (L to R) Todd, Rachel
Back: (L to R) Ryker, Easton, Dylan, and Porter
Page 6
Cassia Communicator
BIRTHDAYS
Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 1

Rachel Jensen 1
Zulema Macias 1
Aaron Merrill 1
Ricky Robinson 2
Peggy Hess 3
Claudia Mesina-Rodriguez 3
Jay Darrington 4
Emmeline Maestas 4
Karen Thomas 6
Sheri Smith 7
Robin Bench 8
Tina Mensing 8
Carl Voigt 8
Alysann Alves 9
Deborah Bell 10
Brenda Dille 10
Kathryn Muir 10
Danielle Mikesell 11
Guadalupe Cardenas 12
Rita Moses 14
Diane Bell 15
Kyle Dunfee 15
Estrella Hanks 15
Lawanda Murri 15
Jeanne Allen 16
Shanna Deleon 16
Imelda Early 16
Delores Smyer 16
Jennifer Fassler 17
Linda Christensen 18
Dawn Higley 18
Linda Turner 19
Larry Anderson 20
Lex Godfrey 20
Ellen Salazar 20
Pamela Young 20
Ashly Karlson 21
Jan Kidd 21

Christine Allshouse 23
David Ringle 23
Wendy McClean 24
Jenny Holt 25
Becky Peterson 25
Jerod Cannon 28
Deann Campbell 29
Gyda Stimpson 29
Lydia Torrez 29
Cindy Manning 30
Vance Oakeson 30
Janet Cole 31
Crystal Granillo 31
Debbie Pierce 31

3650 Overland Avenue
Burley, ID 83318
208-878-6600
Phone:
555-555
1. We all know that Rudolph has a red nose, but does he have antlers?
2. In the song Jingle Bells who was seated by my side?
3. Yogi Bear spends his first Christmas in what park?
4. Round or oval candies filled with fruit preserves or cream and covered with
chocolate are called?
5. In which Christmas song are the lyrics, to see if reindeer really know how to
fly?
6. Peter, Paul and Mary had this No. 1 song during Christmas 1969?
7. Which country created eggnog?
8. Christmas Ridge is located in what underwater mountain range?
9. Alvin the Chipmunk wants what for Christmas?
10. Who first recorded Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer?
11. This state was the last to declare Christmas a legal holiday?
12. What river did General Washington cross on December 25, 1776?
13. In the poem, The Night Before Christmas Santa Claus is used how many
times?
14. What mens grooming appliance became a sled for Santa in commercials of the
1960s?
15. What historical Washington DC building was 2/3 destroyed by fire on
12/24/1851?
16. New Years 1973 was the final publication of what 36 year old magazine?
17. This most popular Christmas toy in 1983-1985 were unique and no two were
exactly alike.
18. Symbolically what do the red holly berries represent?
19. What happened to Pope Gregory VII while saying mass on Christmas Day?
20. In 1980 on the day after Christmas, 52 of these offered holiday greetings to
their families.


CASSIA COUNTY
SCHOOL DISTRICT
CHRISTMAS TRIVIA
THE FIRST THREE EMPLOYEES TO EMAIL
THE CORRECT ANSWERS (ANSWERS
ACCORDING TO GAIL) WILL RECEIVE A
PRIZE. EMAIL ANSWERS TO
galgail@cassiaschools.org
Do you have news
to share with us?
We know there are
wonderful things
happening in your
schools every day.
We want you to
share with us! If
you have something
to include in The
Communicator,
please contact Gail
Gallegos at Central
Office. The Com-
municator is pub-
lished once each
month.

But I heard him
exclaim, 'ere he
drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas
to all, and to all a
good-night!"