Public Notice

Notice: The IESDB Board of DirectorsRegular Board meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, March 12th, has been cancelled. A notice will be provided her when it is rescheduled.

Welcome to Our Site

Brian Darcy, Agency Administrator

Dear Students, Families, and Staff, Stakeholders and Community partners,

Welcome back to another exciting year at the Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind! As we embark on this new academic journey, I am filled with immense pride and optimism for the exceptional opportunities that lie ahead. Our commitment to providing an inclusive and empowering education remains unwavering. Our dedicated educators, support staff, and administrators have spent countless hours preparing for this moment – a moment that symbolizes not just a return to school, but a return to growth, learning, and community.

For our students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or low vision, this is a place where your unique talents are celebrated, and your dreams are nurtured. We understand that every individual's path is different, and we are here to guide and support you every step of the way to achieve your potential. Together, we will conquer challenges, discover new strengths, and achieve remarkable feats. Families, you are an integral part of our school community. Your partnership, insights, and involvement contribute significantly to the success of our students. We encourage open communication and collaboration to ensure that each student's needs are met comprehensively and effectively. As we navigate the current educational landscape, we remain adaptable and resourceful. We have integrated the latest technologies and teaching methodologies to enhance the learning experience, both in-person and through distance education. The partnerships we have developed only enhance the educational services we provide. Our goal is to provide a safe and conducive environment for all students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

In my 13 years in this position, I never tire of witnessing the growth of our students as they explore new subjects, engage in meaningful discussions, and form lasting friendships. Let us embrace the spirit of curiosity, empathy, and determination that defines our small community. I am also thrilled to highlight the important role of our Outreach Services. These services extend beyond the walls of our school and into local communities, into local school districts, and the sanctity of homes, ensuring that the valuable resources and support we offer are accessible to as many students and families as possible. Our commitment to outreach reflects our belief in the transformative power of education, empowerment, and inclusion.

On behalf of the entire Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind family, I extend a warm welcome to all – returning students, new students, families, and staff. Let us make this academic year one of resilience, learning, and joy. Here's to a successful and enriching school year! Cheers!

ASD 200 anniversary quilt

The American School for the Deaf (ASD) in Hartford, Connecticut is celebrating its 200th year anniversary (1817-2017). The ASD is the very first school for the deaf established in the United States of America, and also the first on the North American continent. This school has a long and rich history. As part of their 200 year anniversary celebration, the American School for the Deaf pursued a project to make a commemorative quilt, asking other schools for the deaf in the USA to contribute a quilt square to be included in the quilt.

The Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind is one of the contributors of a quilt square for this 200 year anniversary quilt. Dorothy Ogden, who has worked in the Library and Copy Center for many years, agreed to apply her artistic talents in designing and completing the quilt square to represent the Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind. The ISDB quilt square shows the school mascot, a Raptor, bouncing a basketball, and it shows the founding year for ISDB. If you look at the entire quilt, the ISDB square is in the second row from the top, near the left side. Administrator Brian Darcy, Director of Education Gretchen Spooner, and Director of Outreach Paula Mason attended the CEASD conference hosted by ASD in Hartford in April. They enjoyed participating in the anniversary celebration and learning about the history of the school, and took this picture of the quilt.

Thank you, Dorothy Ogden, for creating this beautiful quilt square to represent our school. And congratulations to the American School for the Deaf upon their 200th year anniversary. The legacy of establishing schools for the deaf in America started with this very first school in the year 1817!