News & Events

Students at Franklin Middle School are bringing designs to life with laser engraving—future makers in action!

Franklin Middle School students are learning creativity, patience, and practical skills—one project at a time!

Hello Franklin Patrons. 

GATE students from FMS are working on a civics project currently in which they are learning about forestry, local services offered by the USGS, tree planting and fundraising. In the above pictures we are on a field trip to Cherry Springs and the Nordic Center. We are also involved in planting 36 trees in the front of FMS, that we will grow and then harvest in five years to sell as Christmas trees or live trees for planting. These kids are having fun learning, the work involved in planning and creating and the effort needed to see a project through to completion. Come and check out our forest. It will be planted in the spring. 

 

Please join us in celebrating an outstanding educator! 

We’re proud to announce that Phillip Whitworth, English teacher at Franklin 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. Whitworth on this well-deserved recognition!

“I strongly believe that if there has been a teacher in this district that has not only taught me but has inspired me and made me think a lot more about other people and how to be kind, it would absolutely be Mr. Whitworth. I have learned a lot and even gained more confidence in myself and my writing just from following his lessons and really listening. His class inspires students daily in ways they probably don’t realize. Each lesson and assignment is creative and I truly enjoy all of them.” MacKenzie L.

“There are so many things to say about Mr. Whitworth, he is an amazing teacher. He is really fun to have conversations and playful banter with. His personality always makes his classroom a warm and welcoming environment. His lessons are engaging and students are able to converse and feel involved in what they are learning. Even though Mr. Whitworth has a playful personality, you always knew he was someone you could trust and would be there to support you.” Alenya P

Big win for wellness in School District 25!

Thanks to advocate Natasha Lattin, what started as a powerful initiative at Irving Middle School has grown into a district-wide movement! Through her leadership and dedication, Natasha not only brought the Riding for Focus program to Irving but also helped write the grant that expanded it to all middle schools in PCSD 25.

With support from the nonprofit Outride, students are gaining confidence, learning bike safety, and improving both their mental and physical health — all while having a blast on two wheels.

Natasha has championed this program for several years, and her passion speaks to the life-changing impact it can have on students. We’re so grateful for her vision and commitment to our learners’ well-being.

#RidingForFocus #Outride #PocatelloPride #PCSD25 #WellnessOnWheels #ThankYouNatasha #MiddleSchoolStrong

Please join us in congratulating Simplot Inspirational Teacher of the Year finalist, Michael Helman. Mr. Helman teaches Band at Franklin 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.

“I have three reasons why I think Mr. Helman deserves this award. He teaches us life-long skills, has amazing teaching skills and methods, and inspires us to work hard and persevere. Music is a life-long skill and very enjoyable, it can even get you a job as a teacher or performer or both. Mr. Helman is one of the greatest teachers because of the skills and inspiration he gives everyday through his great teaching methods. He is kind, funny, amazing and well deserving of this award.” Austin M.

“It is not often that we come across teachers who leave a profound impact on our lives.  However, every once in a while we are lucky enough to meet an exceptional educator who inspires us to be our best selves. Mr. Helman is not just a teacher, he is a mentor, a guide, and a friend.” Cole A.

“Mr. Helman is my favorite teacher.  When I was choosing my classes for middle school, my mom told me I had to take band with Mr. Helman. Both of my brothers took band with Mr. Helman and they loved having him as a teacher. Mr. Helman has helped make middle school so much better and learning to play an instrument so much easier and more fun.” Megan S.

By Courtney Fisher

Neighborhood schools shape more than education — they shape childhood, community, and the friendships that last a lifetime.

When I was a student at Indian Hills Elementary in the 1980s, the upper stretch of Country Club Drive wasn’t paved and lined with homes the way it is today. It was a craggy dirt road — the kind best suited for off-roading — bordered by open fields. I lived in the upper Johnny Creek neighborhood, and most mornings my friends and I climbed onto the bus together, sharing stories from the day before, laughing about playground adventures, planning whose house we’d hang out at after school, and hoping it would be a good lunch day with chocolate peanut butter bars. 

Getting to school took a little longer in those days. Without today’s straight shot down the hill, our bus hugged the tight curves of Johnny Creek Road before heading south on Bannock Highway—a route that added miles and minutes to the trip compared to the bus routes children ride today.

On warm spring days, my brother and I rode our bikes instead, gripping our handlebars as we bounced along the rutted road until it gave way to smoother pavement, where we’d coast the rest of the hill toward a building that felt as familiar as home.

Indian Hills looked different then. The school was organized in a mix of open pods and closed classrooms — a different approach to learning spaces than we see today. But what hasn’t changed in nearly 40 years is how that school made me feel.

I felt welcomed. I felt known. I belonged.

Those neighborhood friendships extended beyond the classroom. We played on the same teams, attended the same birthday parties, and sang and danced — and yes, even clogged — in the same community groups. We grew up together.

Many of those friendships still exist today. In fact, one of those neighborhood friends, Mrs. Baird, now teaches kindergarten at Indian Hills — welcoming a new generation of learners into the same community that shaped us.

Years later, my own children walked through the doors of Indian Hills.

They formed tight-knit friendships with classmates who lived just down the street. They played on the same teams. They found teachers who knew their strengths and encouraged their growth. They experienced the same sense of belonging that shaped my childhood.

Neighborhood schools are more than buildings. They are anchors of community — where children form their first friendships, build confidence, and begin to understand that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Today, the dirt road is gone. The fields are neighborhoods. Classrooms have evolved. Technology is integrated. Instruction is more research-based than ever before. But when I walk into Indian Hills — through the same hallways I once walked — I still see what matters most: relationships.

At Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, we believe strong foundations start with belonging.
Kindergarten is often a child’s first experience in structured learning outside the home — a milestone for children and parents alike. That first day brings excitement, but also uncertainty.

Neighborhood schools ease that transition.

When children attend school close to home, they see familiar faces at the park, at community events, and on their own street. Classmates become teammates, neighbors, and often lifelong friends. Parents build relationships with families who share the same sidewalks and routines.

Inside those classrooms, our educators focus on the whole child.

PCSD 25’s kindergarten classrooms are built on safe, welcoming environments where every learner is known and supported. Teachers use proven instructional practices to help students understand not only what they are learning, but how they learn best. Structured routines, play-based exploration, and strong early foundations in literacy and math nurture curiosity and confidence.

The results speak for themselves.

PCSD 25 ranks among the districts with the highest graduation rates among large school districts in Idaho while maintaining one of the highest teacher retention rates. Those outcomes do not begin in high school. They begin in kindergarten classrooms — where children first discover they are safe, valued, and capable.

Public neighborhood schools also reflect something essential: accountability and access. There is no tuition. No barriers. Our schools are rooted in the communities they serve and committed to supporting every learner.

As someone who once rode the bus down a dirt road to Indian Hills — and later watched my own children grow in those same hallways — I see the continuity clearly. School has changed. Our community has grown. Our tools have advanced. But the heart of our neighborhood schools remains the same.
They are places where children belong.

Online kindergarten registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open, with in-person visits to complete the process scheduled on April 2. If you are considering where your child will begin their educational journey, I encourage you to look close to home.

Strong communities build strong schools. Strong schools build confident learners.

And in PCSD 25, your neighborhood school is ready to welcome your family — just as Indian Hills once welcomed me.

You belong here.
                                      
Courtney Fisher is the Director of Communications & Community Relations for the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25, where she also serves as the Director of the SD25 Education Foundation. A native of Pocatello and graduate of PCSD 25, she is passionate about strengthening local public education. Courtney and her husband, Ethan, are the proud parents of two daughters, both now in college.
 

On Time, In School, Every Day! 

Keep the Joy Hold the Routine

Every Day Matters

December brings joy and holiday excitement - but don't let routines slide! Keeping consistent school attendance help learners stay connected and focused. Mark holiday events on the calendar and build in reminders for school days.

Let's finish the calendar year strong with the message that learning, laughter, and belonging happen across PCSD 25 every single day.

#YouBelongHere
#PCSD25
#EveryDayMatters

Across PCSD 25, our schools took time to recognize and thank the brave men and women who have served our nation. Here’s a look at some of the special Veterans Day assemblies and activities that took place.

#MoreTogether

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