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#PCSD25

Join us in celebrating an outstanding educator!

We’re proud to announce that William Hawk, Science teacher at Irving Middle School, has been named a finalist for the Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year!

This year, the Simplot Education Council received an incredible 2,617 nominations recognizing 402 exceptional teachers across Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25. Finalists will be spotlighted daily through Thursday, May 15, 2025.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, three Simplot Inspirational Teacher Awards will be announced—honoring one exceptional teacher each from the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Each category features five finalists, all of whom will receive a $100 award, with the top recipient in each group earning a $500 prize from the Council.

Congratulations to Mr. Hawk on this well-deserved recognition! 

“I believe that Mr. Hawk deserves this award because of his ability to make learning fun. He can turn a bunch of sleepy kids into working machines.  The hands-on labs he would do each week made me feel like a real scientist.” Birch M. 

Mr. Hawk is always kind. He explains things so I can understand them without giving away the answers. He is very supporting in class and always makes us laugh, he is the best teacher. Houston K. 

“I am nominating Mr. Hawk because not only does he have a fun class, he also is one of those teachers that helps you through your rough day and always cares. He is fun, caring and most of all big hearted. Even when I didn’t have him as a teacher, I would stop by his classroom to hear a joke to cheer me up.” Ruby A. 
 

Please join us in celebrating an outstanding educator! 

We’re proud to announce that David Beckstead, Band teacher at Irving Middle School, has been named a finalist for the Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year!

This year, the Simplot Education Council received an incredible 2,617 nominations recognizing 402 exceptional teachers across Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25. Finalists will be spotlighted daily through Thursday, May 15, 2025.

On Friday, May 16, 2025, three Simplot Inspirational Teacher Awards will be announced—honoring one exceptional teacher each from the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Each category features five finalists, all of whom will receive a $100 award, with the top recipient in each group earning a $500 prize from the Council.

Congratulations to Mr. Beckstead on this well-deserved recognition!

Mr. Beckstead is no ordinary band teacher; he inspires us and also helps us learn valuable life skills while having the time of our lives. Mr. Beckstead has truly been the best teacher I’ve ever had and I think every band student would agree. Shaylee F.

“Mr. Beckstead is one of the best teachers I have ever had. He creates a comfortable and fun environment; he makes playing fun and exciting. He has always been one of the most insightful and helpful teachers. In band we are a team and Mr. Beckstead does not falter from that.”  Emmalee J.

“Not only did Mr. Beckstead teach me how to play an instrument, he made me feel important as a person.  When I felt like quitting band due to genuinely feeling like I was bad at it, he would sit in front of me and tell me how proud of me he was and how well I was doing. I will always remember his personality and the life lessons he taught me. I am so glad I had him as a teacher for the last 3 years.“ Sierra Y.

Please join us to celebrate 

100 YEARS OF IRVING

1925 - 2025

100 Years of Courage

Irving Bears Open House 

Wednesday, April 23 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM

911 N. Grant

Please join us in congratulating Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year finalist, David Beckstead. Mr. Beckstead teaches band at Irving 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. Beckstead is not just a teacher, he is so much more than that. He is a friend, an amazing band instructor and more.  He is by far my favorite teacher at Irving Middle School.  He has made me and our band really good and not just with hard practice. He has made me want to go to school every day. He doesn’t just stand in front of the class and teach, he will play right along with us.  He also jokes with us and befriends us.  He has been such an inspiration to me.“ Luke M.

“Not many teachers can both be funny and t4each real life lessons while making our band sound amazing.  He pushes us to reach for the stars.  He ensures we practice with periodic tests, but they are very achievable but really push us to work hard.  He allows us to try new pieces of music and values our opinions when selecting new pieces. The best thing about him is his goofy personality, he can get the whole class laughing intensely.  I deeply believe that Mr. Beckstead is the best candidate for this award. Gordon M.

Please join us in congratulating Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year finalist, Philip Gardner. Mr. Gardner teaches 8^th grade Science at Irving 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. Gardner is a funny teacher who is very kind and a good listener. He will tell jokes with us but always teaches us in a way that is eat to understand.” Madison O.

“Mr. Gardner was the most kind and relatable teacher I’ve ever met. He taught everything in a fun way and he had great taste in music. He knew how to make learning fun.” Ricky H.

“I think Mr. Garner deserves this award because he is a great teacher and makes all of his lessons interactive and fun.” Nathan H.

“I remember my first day in his class. He was so funny and cheerful. He made his class fun. I used to get so excited to show up to his class, he never had a mean bone in his body. I looked up to him, he was a safe place for me whenever I was down. I am glad he was my teacher.” Scotlynn C.

In an exciting effort to enhance student well-being and academic performance, Irving Middle School (IMS) recently introduced a novel program known as Ride for Focus (R4F), a program that uses cycling as a tool in the classroom to get kids moving, help increase learner motivation and focus, and improve their well-being. The innovative initiative promotes the physical and mental health of learners through the integration of cycling into their daily routines. 

The program launch included the delivery of a fleet of Specialized bikes and helmets thanks to a program grant submitted by myself and Natasha Lattin, a health teacher at IMS. Irving is only the second Idaho school to receive the grant, which is awarded nationwide. 

Lattin will incorporate the program into her flex health class during the fall and spring trimesters.

By combining exercise, outdoor activities, and mindfulness practices, R4F seeks to provide learners with a holistic approach to education. The program extends beyond intellectual development to enhance learners’ overall well-being while enabling them to achieve more.

Ride for Focus is designed to address the growing concern of sedentary lifestyles among learners, which can lead to various health issues and impact their ability to concentrate and learn effectively. The program centers around the idea that physical activity has a profound impact on cognitive functions and emotional well-being. By incorporating cycling and mindfulness into the school day, Irving Middle School aims to provide learners with an opportunity to rejuvenate their minds and bodies, leading to improved focus, reduced stress, and increased academic engagement.

The implementation of R4F at Irving Middle School involves several key components, such as cycling decisions and mindfulness practices. A growing body of research has shown the program can yield numerous benefits for both learners and the school community, like improved enhanced focus and concentration, stress reduction, physical health, a sense of community, and lifelong skills.

Riding For Focus was developed by Outride, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth through cycling. Outride’s Riding For Focus program, Research, and community grants harness the benefits of cycling for the cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical well-being of youth and their communities. A R4F grant provides schools with everything needed to get 7th-8th grade learners riding, including bikes, helmets, teacher training, and curriculum. Irving Middle School joins over 225 middle schools across the US and Canada that have implemented the program, impacting over 50,000 students annually.

The implementation of Ride for Focus at Irving Middle School signifies a groundbreaking step toward prioritizing learner well-being alongside academic achievement. By integrating cycling and mindfulness practices into the school day, Irving Middle School is not only addressing the challenges posed by sedentary lifestyles but also fostering a culture of holistic development. As the program continues to unfold, it has the potential to serve as a model for other schools seeking to create well-rounded educational experiences that empower learners to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Heart rate tracking indicates students can reach half of their daily activity levels in a 50–60 minute R4F class. Outride’s applied research has found that 87% of students report having fun in Riding for Focus, even those who typically don’t like school or PE class. The program also gets new kids on bikes. On average, 10-20% of students at a school don’t know how to ride a bike before the program. By the end of R4F, students who didn’t know how to ride feel confident riding bikes!

The program also aligns with the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District’s year-long focus on how Every Day Matters when it comes to being in school and teaching learners skills to be more successful in their day to day lives.

Irving’s staff would like to give Barrie’s Ski and Sports a HUGE shout-out for being incredibly generous with their time and bike expertise! Businesses or community members interested in supporting this program may contact Irving Middle School.

Congratulations to the robotics team at Irving Middle School. These students won the regional competition and are headed to state to compete against other teams across the state. These students have worked hard to accomplish their goals. This is a great example of the dedicated learners that we have at IMS and the wonderful opportunities that learners have here at IMS. Way to represent IMS! Congratulations to all those robotics team members and their coach Dustan Brown. Idaho State Journal highlighted this in the most recent edition.   

When learners feel prepared and supported, they show up to school confident and ready. 

Create reliable morning and evening routines. Prep lunchboxes, backpacks, and outfits the night before to avoid morning stres. Staying "On Time, In School, Every Day" helps learners keep up -- and stand out.

With top notch teachers (from national awards to local recognition!) and future-ready programs, PCSD 25 is where success begins.

Because in PCSD 25, you belong here -- and Every Day Matters. 

#YouBelongHere
#MoreTogether
#PCSD25

September is Attendance Awareness Month. Establish strong routines early: consistent bedtimes, packed bags, and backup plans for getting to school. Learners who are "On Time, In School, Every Day" build momentum that leads to lifelong success. Strong achievement begins with strong attendance. 

Every Day Matters, and your child belongs in a school district that delivers results. 

#YouBelongHere
#MoreTogether #PCSD25

From every school across our district, one message is clear: You Belong Here. Together, we’re ready for a year of learning, growth, and connection. Let's make this the best year! 

#MoreTogether
#YouBelongHere
#PCSD25

The school year is here - and so is the mindset for success! In PCSD 25, learners thrive when they arrive prepared, present, and ready to engage. Now's the time to set screen-time boundaries, organize supplies, and re-establish bed time routines. Talk with your child about goals, excitement, and what it means to be "On Time, In School, Every Day." Because showing up with focus says: I'm here. I'm ready. I belong. 

Let's make this year our best yet - because Every Day Matters. 

You Belong Here.

#YouBelongHere
#PCSD25
#EveryDayMatters