IMESD's Chief Information Officer, Nick Lapp, recently provided a statement about the importance of the Universal Service Fund, which provides funding to school districts for internet access and network connectivity through E-rate. This is an issue the Supreme Court of the United States heard arguments about last month.
“Bringing fiber internet to ten small rural districts in Eastern Oregon to replace slow and unreliable wireless connections simply wouldn't have been possible without E-rate funding. This investment has opened previously unimaginable educational opportunities for children in these communities, profoundly impacting their future," Lapp said.
Read the entire article: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/article/2139114
Umatilla School District middle school students compete in robotics: https://tinyurl.com/u5ru6wpb
Michele Madril and Xenia Velasco from our Communications team attended the Oregon School Public Relations Conference in March. It is an annual gathering for public relations professionals serving Oregon schools and school districts. They were joined by staff from the La Grande and Umatilla school districts.
This year, Velasco was awarded “Oregon’s Best” in the Publications and Digital Media Category for communications teams consisting of one or two individuals. Congratulations!
Read the full story: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/article/2126785
K-12 regional counselors attended the final training for the 2024-2025 Counselor Connection Series on March 19, 2025. Read the article here: https://lagrandeobserver.com/2025/04/01/development-program-for-eastern-oregon-school-counselors-wraps-up-for-2025-26/
The Oregon School Boards Association has named IMESD Superintendent Dr. Mark Mulvihill as the state’s first part-time regional contractor for school board training activities. In this role, Mulvihill’s primary goal will be to support the development of community members who are currently serving on local school boards.
“Mark is well known for his expertise in governance and what the board does,” said Kristen Miles, OSBA’s Director of Board Development. “He’s well respected all over the state and has been working with boards for a long time. He knows the issues and really knows the communities.”
Read the full story: https://www.osba.org/osba-engages-intermountain-superintendent-as-first-part-time-regional-school-board-trainer/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJX9ZVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVUPSwyGNwTQ-OF3DMicOGZgSrO6J0_FrDGcEvTchfyHqRsHds8I_YblZg_aem_68oQGglLGmEQxf9FeymxBw
Multiple departments & programs of IMESD participated in an In-Service Day on Friday, March 7th. The intention was to provide time for employees to gain professional development/training in their specific area of work.
Read the article & view photos: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/article/2099870
All IMESD Offices will be CLOSED Monday, March 24th through Friday, March 28th for Spring Break. We will re-open on Monday, March 31st.
Have a safe and fun Spring Break!
IMESD is celebrating CareerTechnical Education (CTE) by spotlighting educators in our region who are making a difference for students in CTE classes and pathways.
Meet Teresa Veach, Math & Business Teacher at Ukiah School: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/article/2092379
Do you know an employee of IMESD or in one of our component school districts who is going the extra mile for students? Nominate them for a 2025 Crystal Apple Award!
All employees of IMESD or any of our districts are eligible – teachers, paraeducators, office staff, cafeteria staff, etc.
Anyone can nominate at this link: https://forms.imesd.k12.or.us/crystal_apple_nomination_form
DEADLINE to nominate is April 1, 2025.
For more information about Crystal Apple Awards visit: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/page/crystal-apple-awards
February is National Career Technical Education (CTE) Month and IMESD is spotlighting educators making a difference for students in CTE classes and pathways.
Meet Lenn Greer, Former Agriculture Teacher at Irrigon Jr/Sr High School: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/article/2048638
February is National Career Technical Education (CTE) Month and IMESD is spotlighting educators in our region making a difference for students in CTE classes and pathways.
Meet Karen Demianew, Counselor at Pendleton High School: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/article/2041920
Crystal Apple Award Nominations opened on February 1 and will be accepted until April 1st. If you know of teachers or staff in your District who go the extra mile, nominate them for a Crystal Apple Award: https://www.imesd.k12.or.us/page/crystal-apple-awards
The EOU Nightingale Gallery will showcase pieces made by high school students across the region from February 21 to March 14: https://www.eou.edu/news-press/eou-nightingale-gallery-showcases-regional-high-school-artists-in-annual-exhibition/
All IMESD Offices are CLOSED on Monday, February 17th in observance of Presidents Day.
Due to inclement weather, the following districts/classrooms/offices are affected on FRIDAY 2/14:
IMESD Offices:
Migrant Education Program Office at BMCC Columbia Hall in Hermiston — CLOSED
Due to inclement weather on Friday 2/14, these ECSE classrooms are affected:
Hermiston @ Punkin Center — No AM & PM Class
Milton-Freewater @ Freewater -- No AM & PM Class
Pendleton @ PELC & Nixyaawii -- No AM & PM Class
Umatilla @McNary -- No AM & PM Class
Due to inclement weather, the following school districts and classrooms are affected on FRIDAY 2/14:
Helilx SD -- CLOSED
Milton-Freewater Unified SD -- CLOSED
Pendleton SD -- CLOSED
Umatilla SD -- CLOSED
ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) Classrooms:
Hermiston @ Punkin Center — No AM & PM Classes
Milton-Freewater @ Freewater -- No AM & PM Classes
Pendleton @ PELC & Nixyaawii -- No AM & PM Classes
Umatilla @McNary -- No AM & PM Classes
Due to inclement weather, Umatilla School District is CLOSED on Friday 2/14.
UPDATE: Columbia Hall (Migrant Education Program Office) at Blue Mountain Community College in Hermiston CLOSED at 2:00 PM due to inclement weather.
Due to inclement weather on THURSDAY 2/13, the following school districts and classrooms are affected:
Union School District — EARLY DISMISSAL at 1:00 PM
