News & Events

Thank you, Syringa Elementary learners, for your patience and cooperation during Thursday’s extended Hall Check.
Today, members of the Pocatello Police Department and PCSD 25 administration visited Syringa to show their appreciation with a special treat for our hardworking learners.
Yesterday’s Hall Check was initiated by law enforcement as a safety precaution due to a police matter in the neighborhood. As always, the safety of our learners and staff comes first. While school dismissed at the regular time, extra measures were taken for children who walk home, ensuring they were released to parents or emergency contacts with proper identification. Staff escorted bus riders to the buses and transportation continued as scheduled.
During a Hall Check, all exterior doors are secured and staff and learners remain in their classrooms. Learning continues and the school day proceeds as scheduled to minimize disruption. Learn more by watching this brief video.
This response represents PCSD 25's "More Together" commitment in action, where our school community, local law enforcement, district leaders, and parents worked collaboratively to ensure the safety and well-being of every child. We are grateful for the support and teamwork shown by all during this situation.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 December C.A.K.E. Award, which stands for Character, Attitude, Kindness, and Encouragement, has been awarded to three outstanding learners.

Congratulations to Adyson and Taysom Jaramillo, the first twins to receive this honor! The twins are 5th grade learners attending Syringa Elementary. Congratulations also to Crue Lopez, a 7th grade learner at Irving Middle School, for being recognized with this exemplary award. 

Adyson and Taysom were nominated by their teachers, Ms. Andrea Gulden and Ms. Cindel Vasquez. In their nomination letters they wrote, “This year, Adyson and Taysom Jaramillo, who are twins and have always been in the same class until now, were placed in separate rooms for the first time. Adyson is with Mrs. Gulden, and Taysom is with Ms. Vasquez. While it was a new experience for them, both siblings have continued to shine brightly and make a significant impact in their respective classrooms.

In Ms. Vasquez's class, Taysom has emerged as a beacon of encouragement. He consistently supports classmates who are struggling, reminding them to persevere and never give up. His kindness extends to everyone, and he leads by example, fostering a spirit of teamwork and a positive attitude that inspires his peers to do their best. 

Meanwhile, in Mrs. Gulden's class, Adyson's presence is equally remarkable. She is always ready to lend a hand and help anyone in need, often stepping in without being asked. Her kindness knows no bounds, and she has made an effort to befriend new students, ensuring everyone feels welcome and accepted. Adyson's actions encourage others to follow her lead and strive for their best. 

Though both Adyson and Taysom were initially nervous about being separated, it is clear that they have each brought their unique strengths and positive qualities to their new environments. We are grateful to have such wonderful learners, each contributing to positive, supportive, and welcoming atmospheres in our classrooms.”

Crue was nominated by, Ms. Tammy Parker. In her nomination letter, Ms. Parker wrote, “I would like to nominate Crue Lopez for this award. I am a para that gets the opportunity to work with English Learners in our district. I had a student who was new to our country and was able to understand very little English. He traveled from Irving to Hawthorne to attend ELS class with other peers who are learning the English language. Crue had a few classes with this same student at Irving. I found out that Crue had started to talk using a translator to this student.

Crue also started to use Duolingo at home on his own free time to become better at communicating with the ESL student. Crue also made flash cards at home with the Spanish word and the English word on the back to practice his knowledge. This effort was not something that was asked or assigned to Crue. He chose to do this on his own to help the ESL student be able to communicate easier. He also was a friend to the ESL student, which is something that is not easy when you speak different languages. I feel like this effort by Crue is a real example of what this award is all about, which is going above and beyond what is expected to help someone. I hope that this nomination will be considered and that Crue Lopez will be honored by receiving this award.”

Adyson, Taysom and Crue were recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. Our Partner for this award, Johnson Family McDonald's, provides each learner and their nominators with a gift card, along with $50 to purchase books for the school’s media center in the recipients’ names. PCSD 25 believes a safe, supportive, caring and respectful environment is critical to student learning. The District Education Foundation, in partnership with McDonald’s, supports the Learner-of-the-Month C.A.K.E. Award to recognize students who show great character. The district recognizes one elementary learner and one secondary learner from October through May. Nominations for the C.A.K.E. Award are submitted by a teacher who has observed the nominee’s behavior, and are approved by the school’s principal.

The Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 has initiated a review of its enrollment and attendance areas to address recent shifts in district-wide enrollment. The district is committed to ensuring that school facilities are used efficiently and that student enrollment aligns with the capacity of each building to maintain a high-quality educational environment.

To tackle these evolving challenges, the district has formed two sub-committees. The purpose of the committees is to review the district’s elementary and middle school attendance and enrollment areas, provide input, analyze data, and advise the Board to inform any decision-making impacting PCSD 25’s enrollment and attendance areas.

Committee Goals:

• Address decline in district-wide enrollment.
• Maximize use of district resources.
• Develop recommendations/options to provide to PCSD 25 Board of Trustees.

Guiding Principles:

• Optimizing Capacity – Balance populations and make best use of available space.
• Equitable Access – Provide fair access to educational programs and facilities.
• Minimize Disruptions – Prioritize continuity of educational services for learners and families.
• Maintain Efficiency – Consider travel time and middle school feeders.
• Future Needs and Considerations – Planning for future changes and needs.

Elementary Sub-Committee: Comprised of 13 members, including the Director of Elementary Education, two teachers, one parent from each of five geographical areas within the district, two randomly selected parents, and three elementary school administrators.

Middle School Sub-Committee: Comprised of 15 members, including the Director of Secondary Education, two teachers, and two parents and one administrator representing each middle school.

The enrollment and attendance committees will meet on the following dates:

• Oct 14, 21 and 28; Nov 4 and 11
• Additional meetings scheduled as needed

Staff, parents and community members who are not serving on the committees may have an opportunity to contribute through focus groups later in the process.

The sub-committees will meet to review relevant data and information before combining efforts to share insights and develop recommendations for the Board of Trustees. Following this, the Board will review the suggestions and host focus groups for additional community input. The district will also schedule a public hearing to provide another opportunity for community members to voice their perspectives before any final action is taken.

High School Enrollment and Attendance Areas: Due to the complexity and sensitive timing needs of academic planning and master scheduling, the review of high school enrollment and attendance areas will begin in the spring of 2025 with committee work continuing into the fall. The timeline for decision-making will be communicated to the public prior to the formation of the high school enrollment and attendance area subcommittee.

PCSD 25 looks forward to working closely with the community to develop well-informed recommendations that will support the district’s long-term goals and ensure continued educational excellence. Updates will be provided throughout the process on Enrollment & Attendance Areas website.

We are pleased to announce the selection of Cynthia Lund as the Principal of Syringa Elementary School and Krystel Lockyer as the Principal of Tendoy Elementary School. Please join us in extending our congratulations and best wishes as they serve in these new roles.

Cynthia Lund, a Pocatello native, graduated from Highland High School in 2004, and continued her education at Idaho State University. She received her Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts in 2010, a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2012, and her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration in 2022. Soon after graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree, Lund accepted a position at Chubbuck Elementary School, teaching fourth grade.

“Teaching at Chubbuck was exciting for me as I had not only been a student at Chubbuck Elementary, but I was also given one of my former classrooms in which to teach,” Lund said.

After 10 years in fourth grade, Lund moved into Title I Intervention where she enjoyed working with kids of all ages. During her time in the district, Lund has worked on the English Language Arts Unit Development Team, she served as CAMP facilitator for several years, and taught courses at Idaho State University in the teacher education program.

Krystel Lockyer and her husband, Zach, moved to Pocatello in 2009 and shortly thereafter began working for School District 25. She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Idaho and pursued a Master of Educational Leadership at Idaho State University. Throughout her time in Pocatello, she has taught at Greenacres Elementary and middle school English Language Arts.

For the past eight years, Lockyer has served as an assistant principal and athletic director at Alameda Middle School. Her time at AMS is filled with fond memories of creating an environment where staff want to work and children want to learn and grow. She is excited for a new opportunity to serve the Tendoy community.

“I'm looking forward to leading with love, collaboration and commitment to a positive school culture and academic growth,” Lockyer said.

“As impactful and inspiring leaders, our school district has been greatly enriched by the contributions of Cynthia Lund and Krystel Lockyer,” said PCSD 25 Superintendent, Dr. Douglas Howell.  “Both of these individuals are highly effective in building relationships and aligning their educational practices with PCSD 25’s mission, vision, and beliefs to Think More, Learn More, and Be MORE Together.”

Lund will replace Rebecca Bullock, who is retiring after serving PCSD 25 for 28 years. Lockyer will replace Janice Nelson, who is retiring after serving PCSD 25 for 16 years. We appreciate your dedicated service and wish you both well in your retirement.

These administrative changes will go into effect on July 1, 2024.