SL Elementary students’ Mars cars win awards
Spirit Lake is a long way from the Red Planet.
The space vehicles students from Spirit Lake Elementary designed for the University of Idaho’s Mars Rover Competition will never set wheel on Mars, but their creations won awards for accomplishing tasks a real Mars Rover would need to handle.
Crafted from Legos and other materials, the rovers students designed were able to climb hills and collect rocks and were judged for speed.
The three teams from the elementary brought home awards for Best Climbing Rover, Fastest Blind-Driving Rover and Most Creative Rover.
The student teams were sponsored by Spirit Lake teachers Scott and Colleen Thomson.
Students participating included Steven Trantham, Levi Shaffer, Emily Turley, Kristen Hill, Kari Harmon, Ben Austin, Tim Frates, Austin Landers, John Galloway, Adam Malloy, Preston Rhodes, Ryan Richardson, Bob Cronnelly, Austin Ament, Cameron Clary, Lindsay Richardson and Carolyn Westrick.
District revising long-range plan
The Post Falls School District is forming a committee of patrons, parents and district employees to update the district’s long range facility plan. Committee members will review and revise goals for district facilities that were set as part of the district’s 2003 strategic plan.
The 25 to 30 members of the committee will discuss timelines for constructing a second high school, adding a second story on to River City Middle School and an additional elementary.
Construction of a performing arts theater at Post Falls High and a county-wide professional technical center are other topics to be addressed.
District employees honored
The Post Falls Education Association has selected Seltice Elementary School Principal Mike Uphus as the district’s Administrator of the Year.
Post Falls High’s Jerry Lee is High School Teacher of the Year, Post Falls Middle School’s Stephanie Zoldak is Middle Level Teacher of the Year and Seltice Elementary’s Kandi Kuck is Elementary Teacher of the Year.
River City Middle School’s Ayrah Ellis was named Rookie of the Year and River City’s Renee Sousa was named Educational Support Person of the Year.
Parent volunteer Lisa Laudahl was recognized and Eve Knudtsen of Knudtsen Chevrolet was honored as the Business/Friend of Education.
The Spring Break Reading Program was named the Innovative Program of the Year.
Retirees honored included Kathy Bihler of Post Falls Middle School, Nancy Jones of River City Middle School, Louise Rossi of Mullan Trail Elementary, and Jeri Ann Lee , Tim Shepperd and Jerry Lee, all of Post Falls High.