Carrying on the tradition of highlighting the innovative things local elementary schools do, Farmin Stidwell principal, Erik Olson, updated the Lake Pend Oreille School Board at their recent meeting. From their parent group, now called PIE (Partners in Education) to their collaboration with Rotary to obtain buddy benches, the school has achieved a lot this year, he said.

Olson told trustees about a national fundraising program called Boosterthon that the students at Farmin Stidwell adopted. The organizers told him that they could expect to raise an estimated $8,000 in revenue.

“I said, no way,” Olson said. “But on the first day the kids got pledges for $8,000 and on day two it was $10,000.”

The kids got into the spirit of this fun run by not only getting pledges from parents and friends of the family but also by knocking on doors on their way to school. Olson laughed when he said a few neighbors asked that the kids not knock on doors that early in the morning.

“When all was said and done, we raised $25,000, kudos to the families and students who went above and beyond.”

Along with Washington School, Farmin-Stidwell hosted an outdoor movie night; partnered with Panhandle Animal Shelter to provide blankets for the dogs and cats, and thanks to a Panhandle Alliance for Education grant was able to obtain three 3D printers, a T-shirt press, drones and “little things called breakout EDUs.”

Olson also talked about Passion Days which he described as “something else for kids to do.” In recognition of Farmin-Stidwell teachers’ strengths, half-day classes are held in subjects such as Spanish, yoga, robotics, coding and math games.

And, finally he introduced seven fifth and sixth graders, in attendance, who were nominated by their teachers for showing leadership skills in a program designed for building relationships. This program is called “TEAMs” which stands for “together everyone achieves more.”

“These students are immersed in a myriad of team building activities,” Olson said. “They are expected to problem solve, communicate and work together as a team. These lifelong skills will make an impact on their everyday life.

“What’s really cool about these seven kiddos, right here, they’re the kids that just fly under the radar, you know, doing their thing. I’m so glad our teachers recognized that, and that we’re recognizing our kids who don’t always get recognized.” Turning to look at the students, Olson said, “So, kudos to all of you!”