Red Rock Elementary modernization project continues, one hour late start Mondays beginning soon in district

ROYAL CITY — The Royal School District will see continued progress on the Red Rock Elementary modernization project, changes in the high school ASB, and one hour late start Mondays in the near future as discussed during the Royal School Board’s Jan. 22 meeting.

Superintendent Roger Trail kicked off Monday night’s session by recognizing each of the board members as January is School Board Recognition Month.

“It is often a thankless job,” said Trail. “So I would like to thank you now.”

He thanked them for all of their hard work and dedication, and presented each of them with a certificate of recognition. He expressed that while being on the school board often comes without many thanks, their efforts and dedication are appreciated and do not go unnoticed.

Trail also announced the school district was given the green light to purchase two used portable classrooms from Coeur d’Alene that had been in discussion for a while. The classrooms will be used to house classes at Red Rock Elementary as continued modernization project renovations are made.

The district hopes to purchase at least two more new portables and potentially a third used one in order to avoid having to use the school gym to house classes. Further discussion will take place at a later date.

The Royal School District will also have its first one-hour late start Monday beginning on Jan. 29, and will continue to hold every available Monday for 14 weeks. The premise of the late start Mondays is to give teachers an opportunity to look at data and collaborate and share ideas on how to give the best possible instruction.

Laurie Lafser, director of student services at Royal High School, also discussed how the Skyward system; a platform for teachers to keep track of each of their students and their grades, assignments and class attendance, has been greatly beneficial to the school district. The system also allows students to regularly review their grades and class schedules and to check on their assignments to see if any are missing.

Parents also have access to their student’s Skyward account, and are encouraged to check on their children’s progress regularly. There is also a Skyward app that students and parents can download giving them access to their accounts from their phones and devices.

Royal High School ASB Leadership students also gave a presentation on changes they have been making at the high school. Presenting students included ASB president Isaac Ellis, vice president Corbin Christensen, and treasurer Logan Gilbert.

Ellis explained that the ASB is currently working to stay up to speed with the fundraising process for clubs at the high school. This process includes making sure that all paperwork is filled out correctly and turned in at least two weeks prior to the fundraising event to get approval, as well as making sure that money raised at the events are used for what the clubs intended the funds for. In doing so, the ASB hopes to streamline the fundraising process as well as keep it compliant to the law.

Gilbert also discussed how he and the ASB are also working to oversee expenses that go through the high school and what they are being used for. Christensen then explained that the ASB is also in transition of taking over the management of concession stands during high school games as opposed to the Honors Society.

In doing so the ASB officers/leadership will be responsible for keeping inventory stocked, monitoring expenses and determining which products sell best. They will also help to determine if equipment needs to be replaced, as well as looking into ways to make the process easier, better and quicker for customers in order to avoid the often long lines. They encourage community feedback on changes they notice as the transition takes place.