College 101: Getting Ready for the high school to college transition

The transition from high school to college can be one of the most anxiety-inducing times for a young adult. Whether they openly admit it or not, there is a feeling of overwhelm and uncertainty. Big decisions with seemingly big consequences are being made!   College 101 is designed to support students through this process. Jeralyn Mire, […]

The Space Planetarium Dome

The students file into the planetarium dome wondering what awaits. The room is dark although the ceiling is lit up from the projector which has not yet begun “the show.” We all circle around Mrs. Parnell-Stucks and are asked to sit down. She gives us some instructions and then introduces what we are going to […]

Life in the Skilled Trades

Alicia Prins, Sandpoint High School class of 2017, is a fourth-year electrician apprentice for North County Electric (NCE). She is one of a few women in the industry, and we want to share her story for a few reasons. Alicia found her way into the skilled trades in a roundabout way – and loves the […]

Welcome to Our New Board President: Kendon Perry

We are happy to introduce you to our new board president, Kendon Perry, agent/financial advisor with Farm Bureau Insurance and Financial Services. Kendon has been on our board for seven years and has stepped into the president position as of May of this year. Background Kendon grew up in Coeur d’Alene and graduated from CDA […]

Cardio-Drumming

Combining music and fitness with many benefits Cardio-drumming teacher grant is a collaboration between Jessica Hanna (music teacher) & Rayna Longstreet (PE teacher) at Farmin Stidwell Elementary School. It brings music and movement together and meets different needs than sports, especially for more creative kids, Rayna told us. More than that – it’s something kids […]

Bringing Stringed Instruments to Washington Elementary and Why It Matters

Did you play a musical instrument in your childhood? You may or may not realize the impact it had on your life. Many don’t.  Schools with music programs have an estimated 90% graduation rate and 94% attendance rate compared to schools without music education, which average 73% graduation and 85% attendance. (Source) Music education is […]

The Power of Voice Through Podcasting

We love that Southside Elementary teacher Lynette Leonard came to us through the teacher grant program to fund a podcasting lab because it stokes kids’ inherent curiosity and gives them a platform to tell stories and share ideas. Given the popularity of podcasts, audio narratives have made their way into elementary classrooms, and with good […]

R.E.A.D. to Pepper

Reading to therapy animals encourages kids to read Childhood literacy statistics are astounding, and for that reason, it’s one of the main areas of focus for us at PAFE.  Most students who fail to reach grade-level proficiency in reading by third grade will continue to struggle throughout their education and be at higher risk of […]

Spotlight on Founding Board Member Georgia Simmons

Over the last year, we have been looking back at our 20 years in existence, sharing stories of our educators, our students impacted, and our founders. Today, we’d like to wrap up our retrospective with a spotlight on Georgia Simmons and her dedication and passion in getting PAFE off the ground to a soaring trajectory. […]

Get To Know Dr. Becky Meyer

“There is something about this community. We have many diverse perspectives on the world, yet everyone comes together for a cause. I have never heard so many people ask, “What can we do to help?” Dr. Becky Meyer In July this year, Dr. Becky Meyer returned “home” as superintendent of Lake Pend Oreille School District. […]

Industry Insights: The 2022 Strategic Initiative

“Just because you start somewhere doesn’t mean that’s where it’s going to end.” Brian Ward, operations shift supervisor, Litehouse, Inc. Every year, we work closely with Lake Pend Oreille School District to invest in a strategic initiative that is larger in scale than our teacher grants and addresses a key challenge the district might not […]

The Next Big Idea

Bill Berg and Mindy Cameron had a big idea in 2002 which led to the founding of Panhandle Alliance for Education. Twenty years later, we have a lot to celebrate but even more interesting, we have our next big idea and we invite you to be a part of it. First, a brief review When […]

Masks Of Identity: An Exploration of Character

2022 marks PAFE’s 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, we will share a story each month to honor the teachers and students who, thanks to your generosity, can extend their capabilities in the classroom and experiment with projects that have a lasting impact. We think you’ll enjoy Danielle Packard’s story, and we are excited to see […]

Teaching Students the Basics in Construction

2022 marks PAFE’s 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, we will share a story each month to honor the teachers and students who are making a difference thanks to your donations. If you’ve been trying to get any work done on a remodel or new build, you might have noticed there is a need for more […]

Building Alternative Energy

2022 marks PAFE’s 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, we will share a story each month to honor the teachers and students who are making a difference thanks to your donations. Today’s story highlights our extraordinary educators.  Alex Woodmansee has 12 years of experience in Design Engineering at Parker Racor (advanced engineering and technology developer of […]

Where are They Now? Maggie Kirscher, Private Pilot

2022 marks PAFE’s 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, we will share a story each month to honor the teachers and students who are making a difference thanks to your donations.  In a conversation with Maggie Kirscher, SHS Class of 2012, we continued our exploration of the long-term impacts of PAFE programs and grants. Maggie, a […]

The Show Must Go On, Finally

2022 marks PAFE’s 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, we will share a story each month to honor the teachers and students who are making a difference thanks to your donations.  Willy Wonka Production at Sandpoint High School “We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dreams.” – Willy Wonka Finally, after […]

Academic Decathlon: Competition and Life Skills

2022 marks PAFE’s 20th anniversary, and to celebrate, we will share a story each month to honor the teachers and students who are making a difference thanks to your donations.  The United States Academic Decathlon is an educational competition that brings teams of students together and teaches skills that prepare students for life after high […]

The Long-Term Impact of PAFE Grants: Nicolette Jessen ‘13

We spoke to Nicolette Jessen, SHS Class of 2013 as part of our quest to understand the long-term impact our grants have on students. Nicolette is a fourth-year med student going into OB-GYN at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She has been touched by several grants during her high school years and she […]

Learning in the Making

This summer, at a conference, Amy O’Hara listened to executives at regional engineering firms and scientific labs discuss the critical skills they seek in new hires. Without exception, they look for the ability to think creatively, generate ideas, and think outside the box. “This only served to validate my belief that art is imperative,” said […]

Meet our New Executive Director

In 2009, Amy Longanecker and her husband, Jameson, moved to Sandpoint with their three young sons. She, like many new parents, wanted what was best for her kids. She learned about READY! For Kindergarten, a free workshop funded by Panhandle Alliance for Education that teaches parents what they need to know before their kids enter […]

PAFE Hiring: Administrative Assistant Position

POSITION SUMMARY: PAFE endeavors are conducted in a collaborative environment; the Administrative Assistant / Event Coordinator will work closely with PAFE Executive Director, Programs Director, Board Members and community volunteers to sustain the high-quality reputation and donor response that has become the hallmark of the Panhandle Alliance for Education. Reporting to the Executive Director, this […]

Being Better Teachers, Parents, and Citizens

“We all want the best for our kids. I was a stay-at-home mom of four and did what I could to prepare them for kindergarten, and now I direct these programs. I just wish I had known about this stuff when they were born!” Heather Lowman, READY! for Kindergarten Director Parents want to be the […]

Panhandle Alliance For Education Searches for a New Executive Director

Panhandle Alliance For Education (PAFE) has announced that Marcia Wilson will retire this summer after 16 years as executive director of the organization and the search is underway for her replacement.  “I can’t imagine PAFE without Marcia,” said Georgia Simmons, a founding PAFE board member, “but we choose to look at this as an opportunity […]

Building Resilience and Collaboration

What can a school teacher do with some carabiners, pulleys, lengths of ropes, and Z-drag kits (not to mention a digital scale, some helmets, and harnesses)? You might have begun to guess where this is headed, and it’s a grant we were proud to fund for Sandpoint Middle School math teacher and climber/whitewater rafter Patrick […]

Giving Students the Gift of Speech

When you step into a classroom and meet only four kids, you see how vastly different their needs are. There are some that will excel with no assistance, and there are those who will struggle with skills many take for granted. We don’t easily recognize our own privileges until we experience their loss- or someone […]

Gamification of Education

Using Measurable Outcomes to Reach Every Student Late last year, we introduced to you a significant initiative PAFE has funded thanks to our donors. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) is a direct investment in the professional development of our teachers. Most of our programs focus on the student. However, we learned from school leadership that these […]

How PAFE’S Investment Helps to Elevate LPOSD Collaboration and Student Engagement

Last month, we introduced to you a significant initiative PAFE has funded thanks to our donors. Most of our programs focus on the student. However, we learned from school leadership their desire to invest in professional learning communities for our teachers, allowing them to better serve their students. COVID only underscored that need. To that […]

Renewed Passion for Teaching and Learning at LPOSD

If teachers feel fulfilled in their work and have the tools they need to do their job, they can be better teachers, and the students will engage in their learning.  Think about that for a moment. It holds for any of us, and for the work we do, be it a parent or a professional. […]

The For-Sure Plan in an Un-Sure Time

We sat down with Jeralyn Mire, Sandpoint High School’s dynamic and passionate post-secondary counselor. Her role is pivotal in helping graduating students choose their path forward. We feel especially proud because it was thanks to a grant made possible by our donors that her position was created. We thank our donors for helping to make […]

Back to School (sort of)

“There definitely was no training in how to teach during a pandemic in my teaching certification program, so we were building the plane as we flew it.” Lori Bopp – Kootenai Elementary First Grade teacher. As students return (sort of) to school this week, we wanted to paint a picture of what it looks from […]

Back on Track – Education In a Pandemic

Imagine, if you will, a world where classroom learning unexpectedly stopped for 55 million children in March of the school year. Hard to imagine. Wait. it’s reality. And our district leadership and teachers are challenged right now to minimize the setbacks to affected students and their families. Studies show students will be behind. No surprise […]

How LPOSD is Adapting to Remote Learning (at a moment’s notice)

Lake Pend Oreille School District closed in mid-March due to COVID-19 and quickly made plans for remote learning. The staff took two days right after the school board soft closure to create plans, packets, and video lessons. After those two days, they were rolling with distance learning and delivering lessons and support materials in one […]

Shawn Keough on How State Board of Education is Adapting

Shawn Keogh, former Idaho state senator (and longest-serving female senator in Idaho), was recently appointed to the State Board of Education by Governor Little. The Board provides oversight of Idaho’s education system at a high policy level. Shawn is also a PAFE board member. She joined us from her home to talk about what our […]

The Biggest Impact You Can Have on Your Baby’s Success

Parenting is one of the most significant responsibilities a human can take on and the impacts are felt far and wide. Most of us know this and take the role very seriously. The thing is, even the most well-intentioned don’t always get it right. If you are expecting or have a child aged zero to […]

Improving Kids’ Reading Proficiency with English Language Arts Curriculum

  Research is clear: If children cannot read proficiently by the end of third grade, they face daunting hurdles to success in school and beyond. We knew the impact of supporting the new proposed English Language Arts (ELA ) program would be significant, as LPOSD has 1,900 students and 80 staff members in grades K-6. […]

Kiah Harris Discovers Her Career Goals Thanks to a PAFE Grant

Kiah Harris Sandpoint High School Class of 2018 Second-year student, North Idaho College Culinary Program Has a teacher or an event in your childhood made a certain impact that has influenced who you are and what you do today? In our ongoing series, we highlight a few student stories that showcase those pivotal moments for […]

From Struggling Reader to Aspiring Environmental Biologist

Has a teacher or an event in your childhood made a certain impact that has influenced who you are and what you do today? In our ongoing series, we highlight a few student stories that showcase those pivotal moments for them. You’ll notice each one of these moments was made possible by a PAFE grant […]

Where are they now? Grant Stories Ten Years Later

Has a teacher or an event in your childhood made a certain impact that has influenced who you are and what you do today? Over the next few weeks, we will highlight a few student stories that showcase those pivotal moments for them. You’ll notice each one of these moments was made possible by a […]

Bridging the Funding Gap For Students in Rural Schools

Updating Science Curricula to Meet State Standards We know a solid foundation in science is a key element for many careers and is essential to student’s success beyond school. This is especially true for students in rural areas, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs bring everything together to give them more well-rounded […]

The Facts on the Upcoming Indefinite Term Supplemental School Levy

On November 5th (and earlier by way of early in-person voting), residents within Lake Pend Oreille School district will be asked to vote on an Indefinite Term Supplemental Levy. We wanted to address many of the questions surrounding this important issue.  The levy asks for voters to continue funding an already approved levy of $12.7 […]

Q and A with LPOSD Superintendent Tom Albertson

Now that Lake Pend Oreille School District Superintendent has settled into his new position, we asked about his plans. No stranger to our district or our community, we are excited about the possibility his leadership brings.  PAFE: You were born and raised in Sandpoint and have more than 30 years’ experience with the school system […]

Now Hiring: Work with Us

We are looking for a READY! for Kindergarten Director. We are seeking an individual to direct the READY! for Kindergarten program, a national early childhood literacy program for parents, grandparents and other primary caregivers of children from birth to age five (before kindergarten).  The program consists of three sessions of Saturday morning workshops held in Sandpoint […]

Setting Students up for Success in a Fast-Paced Global Economy

Students in Idaho are currently assessed on the Science ISAT in grades 5 and 7, and on their End of Course Exam after high school biology or chemistry. When it comes to the on the state science assessment, LPOSD testing results are relatively flat. On the Idaho Standards Achievement Test in Science (Science ISAT), these […]

The Importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

“In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.” […]

Avoid the Summer Slide: Keeping Kids Engaged in the Summer

LPOSD teachers and PAFE grants keep students engaged and avoid the summer slide When Betsy Dalessio, assistant principal at Farmin Stidwell, asked her students what they plan to do this summer, most told her “I don’t know… watch TV, play video games, go to the beach, play outside.” There is certainly nothing wrong with kids […]

The Diverse Learning Pathways at Lake Pend Oreille School District

  “In order to do our best for kids and families, we must have clearly articulated paths both for college and for career opportunities. It’s a little-known fact that we have a really strong program on both sides of the house, and we work hard to encourage students to take classes from both sides.”- Shawn […]

Sandpoint High School Film Festival: Call for Submissions

The Panhandle Alliance for Education (PAFE), is creating a video tribute to Lake Pend Oreille School District teachers. We are excited to announce the first Sandpoint High School Film Festival and seek your creative video submissions. THEME: Tell us what inspires you …. …. (about school) PAFE is asking students to share their stories about […]

What’s in the School Levy – March 2019

What’s in the March 2019 School Levy? On March 12, 2019, Bonner County residents will vote on a school levy that comprises 30 percent of Lake Pend Oreille School District’s (LPOSD) annual budget for the next two years. This is a replacement levy (not supplemental) replacing the expiring levy from two years ago. The requested […]

Erin Roos

Erin Roos was raised in Sandpoint and has greatly benefited from her public education and the strong community support. After attending LPOSD schools K-12 and graduating from SHS in 1993, she accepted a full ride athletic scholarship to the University of Michigan. Erin graduated from UM in 1998 with a BS in Exercise Science. She […]

Changing Children’s Lives Through Education

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy Sandpoint, ID –  “Your gift can change a child’s life… right here in our community.”  A good education offers a path to a better life for our children, and the nonprofit Panhandle Alliance for Education works side by side with the Lake Pend Oreille School District to improve students’ lives.  PAFE has […]

PAFE Names New Executive Committee – August 26, 2015

Sandpoint, ID – The recently elected Panhandle Alliance for Education Executive Committee is ready and eager to contribute to the nonprofit’s support of the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Board President and Executive Committee Chairperson Geraldine Lewis was elected to the LPOSD Board as well as to the post of president of PAFE in May […]

Lake Pend Oreille School District Adopts “Step Up to Writing”

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy Sandpoint, ID – At its recent annual Summer Sunset Fundraising Gala, the Panhandle Alliance for Education announced the funding of an exciting comprehensive writing instruction program, to be taught in all grade levels throughout the Lake Pend Oreille School District.  Called Step Up to Writing, the program was chosen by Superintendent Shawn […]

Inland Northwest Community Foundation Awards Major Grant to PAFE’s READY! Program

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy   The Inland Northwest Community Foundation has awarded a Community Strategies Grant of $11,000 to the Panhandle Alliance for Education’s early childhood literacy program, READY! for Kindergarten. This grant will help to pay for the “tool kits” given to parents and grandparents who attend the free READY! workshops during the 2015-2016 school […]

New Panhandle Alliance for Education Board Members Announced – May 2015

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy Sandpoint, ID – Several new members of the Panhandle Alliance for Education’s Board of Directors were welcomed during the nonprofit’s annual meeting in May. They bring to the nonprofit organization a variety of backgrounds and talents, and all are deeply committed to helping to continue to improve education in the Lake Pend […]

Instructional Coaching Supports LPOSD Teachers

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy   Superintendent Shawn Woodward has been greatly impressed by the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s new instructional coaching program: “Instructional coaching is having a powerful impact on teaching and learning in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Our coaches are able to work one-on-one with teachers, as well as work with small […]

Washington Students Win First Lego League 1st place Award for Core Values

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy   Washington Elementary School’s First Lego League (FLL) team won a first place award for Core Values at the University of Idaho’s FLL Official Qualifier in December of 2014. But as happy as teacher and mentor Dinah Gaddie was for the students, she says their experience working as a team in preparation […]

All-day Kindergarten at Hope Elementary Expands Students’ Learning

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy   “The event I wrote about was ‘Halloween Night!’” five-year-old Jacob says proudly. This Hope Elementary School kindergarten student not only understands what an “event” is, he also knows how to sequence when writing a sentence. “First I went to a parade. Then I went trick or treating. Last I went to […]

Panhandle Alliance for Education Grant Helps Fund Sandpoint Middle School Science Program

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy Water quality is a subject that many north Idahoans feel passionate about. So when 250 Sandpoint Middle School seventh graders recently participated in the Outdoor and More science field trip to the University of Idaho’s Sandpoint center on Boyer Avenue, they were excited to don rubber waders and get involved in experiments […]

Parkwood Business Properties Sponsors Sandpoint READY! for Kindergarten Program

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy   The Panhandle Alliance for Education is pleased to announce that Parkwood Business Properties of Coeur d’Alene has made a generous donation to READY! for Kindergarten, Sandpoint’s early childhood literacy program. The Panhandle Alliance’s Board President, David Slaughter, says, “READY! for Kindergarten encourages parents’ involvement with their child’s learning, beginning at birth. […]

Panhandle Alliance for Education, Bonner General Health, and the Idaho Community Foundation partner to support “Books for Babies”

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy Marcia Wilson, Executive Director, Panhandle Alliance for Education; Kathleen Mulroy, READY! for Kindergarten Director, Panhandle Alliance for Education; Sheryl Rickard, Administrator/CEO, Bonner General Health; Terri Fortner, Community Development Director, Bonner General Hospital & Foundation “What better way to say welcome to our new families than the gift of community support and encouragement […]

Panhandle Alliance for Education Announces 2014-2015 Teacher Grant Awards

Authors:  Kathleen Mulroy and Marcia Wilson   Survival in the wild? Bristlebots? A collaborative penny pinching math effort to benefit the food bank? Flying machines? These are just four of the exciting educational projects that students in the Lake Pend Oreille School District will experience next year thanks to Classroom Grants from the Panhandle Alliance […]

PAFE, LPOSD Partner to Help Students, Staff

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy Since 2003, the Panhandle Alliance for Education, a non-profit organization made up of local businesspeople, educators and other citizens concerned about local education, has enabled our community to demonstrate its enthusiastic support of Lake Pend Oreille School District’s (LPOSD) teachers and schools. Through community members’ donations, the Panhandle Alliance – in partnership […]

The “Word Gap”

Author:  Kathleen Mulroy What is the “Word Gap” and why is it important to children’s education? The word gap was first studied in the U.S. in the early 1990s, when a team of researchers followed about 40 volunteer families – poor, middle class and wealthy – during the first three years of their children’s lives. […]

Grant Awarded to the Alliance’s READY! for Kindergarten Program

The Panhandle Alliance for Education’s READY! for Kindergarten program, which supports early childhood literacy in our region through free parent workshops, is pleased to announce the receipt of a grant from the S.L. Gimbel Foundation Fund – The Community Foundation Serving the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino. Celia Cudiamat, the Community Foundation’s Executive Vice […]

The Alliance Announces a Corporate Sponsor for READY! for Kindergarten

Panhandle Alliance for Education is pleased to announce a charter corporate sponsor for the READY! for Kindergarten early childhood literacy program: BVG Incorporated, the developer of Seasons at Sandpoint. Brent Johnson, Vice President of BVG Incorporated, says, “As a third-time benefactor of the Panhandle Alliance, BVG is again honored to be able to participate in […]

Georgia Simmons Returns to the Alliance’s Board of Directors

“The Panhandle Alliance for Education is one of the few charities in our community that impacts nearly everyone,” says Georgia Simmons. “Beneficiaries of the Alliance’s programs include children, parents, grandparents, daycare providers, teachers, and school administrators – so many people in this community! That’s why I’m very proud to have re-joined the Alliance’s Board of […]

PAFE Announces New Board Members

The Panhandle Alliance for Education was very pleased to welcome two new Board members at the non-profit organization’s annual meeting on May 9: Geraldine Lewis and Megan Johnson. The Alliance’s Executive Director, Marcia Wilson, was also named a member of the Board. Geraldine Lewis, husband Jim, and their four children are long-time Sagle residents. After […]

PAFE Honors 2013 Grant Recipients

Forty-one teachers and staff members of the Lake Pend Oreille School District were honored Thursday evening for their above-and-beyond contributions to our public schools. The celebration was the first of its kind for the Panhandle Alliance for Education annual grant program. “It was time we publicly honored those who do so much for our students” […]

Kari Daarstad Saccomanno joins PAFE as Resource Development Director

Panhandle Alliance for Education is very excited to introduce Kari Daarstad Saccomanno as the new Resource Development Director. She brings more than 20 years of passionate leadership, development, and community experiences to PAFE. In her role as Resource Development Director, Kari will coordinate the planning and administration of donor development and fundraising activities. PAFE’s commitment […]

Kari Saccomanno joins the Panhandle Alliance for Education as Resource Development Director

Panhandle Alliance for Education is very excited to introduce Kari Saccomanno as the new Resource Development Director. She brings more than 20 years of passionate leadership, development, and community experiences to PAFE. In her role as Resource Development Director, Kari will coordinate the planning and administration of donor development and fundraising activities. PAFE’s commitment to […]

READY! program helps kindergartners start ahead, stay ahead

What could be better than tots learning in the lap of those who love them most? That is the essential idea behind READY! for Kindergarten. After four years of creating success for pre-schoolers, READY! launches its fifth year of free classes for parents of young children this Saturday (Oct. 13) at Farmin-Stidwell Elementary. Kathleen Mulroy, […]

READY! for Kindergarten Director named at The Panhandle Alliance for Education

The Panhandle Alliance for Education (PAFE) has named Kathleen Mulroy as the new program director for READY! for Kindergarten. READY! for Kindergarten is a highly successful, research-based program which provides free classes and educational toys for parents of children from birth to five years old. Held in the fall, winter and spring at Farmin-Stidwell Elementary […]

Wind Energy

The next time you feel the breeze blowing off Lake Pend Oreille, you might think of John Hastings’ students at Sandpoint High School. They spent a month this spring considering how best to harness that energy, using tools provided by a grant from the Panhandle Alliance for Education. The grant purchased geared stands and hubs […]

Entrepreneurship Class at Clark Fork is good for Local Business

For new companies in Bonner County as elsewhere, finding start-up funding is always a challenge. But the young businessmen and women in Brian Powell’s entrepreneurship class at Clark Fork High School had a resource that their elder colleagues didn’t have: Their seed money came from the Panhandle Alliance for Education (PAFE). Powell started thinking more […]