SANDPOINT — It's time to celebrate the community's public schools.

Panhandle Alliance for Education is hosting its first public education week March 1-4 to celebrate local educators and support the community.

"This is a week of entertaining events designed to bring teachers, families and Lake Pend Oreille School District supporters together to celebrate achievement, our teachers and the community which supports quality public education for all," said Marcia Wilson, executive director of PAFE.

The first event took place Wednesday at the Idaho Pour Authority, 203 Cedar St. The event gave teachers and parents a chance to mingle as they enjoyed a cold beer and caught up on fond memories. Sandpoint High School's science teacher John Hastings serenaded the group with his talent as a guitarist, while a silent auction was held in support of PAFE’s annual teacher grants program.

IPA owners Jon Hagadone and Vicki Reich said they were eager to host the event for PAFE's first public education week.

"It’s exciting to bring our dedicated teachers and concerned parents together for a cold beer and some fun," said Hagadone and Reich. 

Starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, there will be a family night and chili dinner at Sandpoint High School. For $5, a family can enjoy delicious home-cooked chili with French bread, dessert, and a beverage. Lake Pend Oreille School District’s director of technology Matt Brass, who is passionate about keeping technology relevant for teachers and students, will speak to parents about raising tech-savvy kids and how classroom computers are used to prepare students for life after high school in the working world.

“Parents must understand that all our students will increasingly utilize technology to earn their living," Brass said. "Every profession will use computers to save time, communicate, calculate math problems, preserve records, automate machines or do work that has yet to be imagined. I’m glad to have the opportunity to talk to parents about giving our students the capacity to use technology in beneficial ways. I’ll also be sharing some information and ideas about technology use at home.”

Free childcare is available during family night. Children from kindergarten to sixth-grade will be entertained or have the opportunity to do their homework. Parents are asked to RSVP at Longanecker@panhandlealliance.org for this event. Call the PAFE office at 208-263-7040 if you have any questions.

Finally, skiers will be especially pleased about MEGADemo Day, at Schweitzer Mountain Resort from 4-8 p.m. Saturday. Ticket holders can try out all the best gear from 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, with representatives from more than 13 manufacturers on site to answer questions. The cost is $35 and tickets can be purchased online at eventbrite.com. Tickets are $40 if purchased on site. MEGADemo Day, sponsored by the Alpine Shop and Schweitzer Mountain Resort, is a benefit for PAFE.

“We are thrilled to be part of PAFE’s public education week as we present the largest ski demo day in our region. Skiers won’t want to miss this great event," said Brent Eacret, PAFE board vice president and Alpine Shop owner.

“Public education week is a special opportunity to recognize our talented and dedicated educators and to thank our community for its continuing support of our schools. We hope to see many community members, including teachers, at these events,” said Julie Reister-Keaton, former LPOSD teacher, PAFE board member and chairwoman for public education week.

PAFE is a local not-for-profit corporation dedicated to promoting excellence in education and community support for the Lake Pend Oreille School District. PAFE invests in community youths' education through awarding competitive teacher grants and funding strategic programs like READY! for Kindergarten and LPOSD's district-wide programs such as Step-Up to Writing, Comprehensive Wellness and Instructional Coaches for Teachers.