
A huge thank you to Lindsey (Cope) Miller, who has done the work to bring this wonderful program to our area.
Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 in her home state of Tennessee in honor of her father, Robert Lee Parton. Although she described her father as very intelligent, he never learned to read or write. Dolly wanted children to have books in their homes regardless of their family’s income.
Today, children from birth to age 5 can receive a new book in the mail every month at no cost to their families.
While the books are free to families, the program is made possible through a partnership between the Dollywood Foundation and local community sponsors and donors.
Want to help keep books coming to West Jefferson kids?
In honor of Dolly Parton’s famous “9 to 5” song and movie, and her giving spirit, please consider donating:
$9.25 on 9/25!
Donations can be made through West Jefferson School District, and 100% of the donations collected will be sent to the Imagination Library to help fund books for children in our community.
Every donation helps put books into the hands—and homes—of children right here in our community.
Give like Dolly and help grow a love of reading!

Register before Monday, Sep. 28.
Practice and performance will be on Friday, Oct. 9.
Contact HS Cheer Coach, Kinzie Sauer, with questions.

See flyer for details!!
If you have any questions, please contact Pamela Smith!

The permission slip is available at the Terreton Elementary Office, or you can print it from our school website: https://aptg.co/0MYxz9


West Jefferson schools were honored to host Idaho's Replica of the Liberty Bell. Students in Terreton gathered to listen to a short speech by Mr. Shadrack Gore, our high school History and Government teacher. Then they listened as a few teachers rang the bell. At Hamer Elementary, in addition to students seeing and ringing the Liberty Bell, they also learned about Patriot Day for 9/11.
(Mr. Gore's full speech can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWlmvC8hWXI )
Interesting Information:
* Cast in France in 1950, Idaho's Replica Liberty Bell was one of many replica bells distributed to U.S. states and territories by the Department of the Treasury.
* The bell first toured Idaho on a pickup truck in 1950 before finding a permanent home in front of the Idaho State Capitol in November 1951.
* Ahead of America's 250th anniversary, the bell underwent comprehensive professional restoration (including a new wooden yoke housing and reinforced steel supports).
* The newly restored bell is currently touring all 44 Idaho counties to celebrate America250. The tour kicked off in early September 2026 through Eastern Idaho and will continue across other regions of the state.
* The bell is scheduled to return to Boise for the Veterans Day Parade on November 14, 2026, followed by reinstallation on the Capitol steps and a dedication ceremony on November 19, 2026.






These scammers are tricky and are preying on the generosity of our awesome community!
And the timing couldn't be worse because our WJ Booster Club is currently doing fundraising and our HS football team will soon be doing fundraising!
Reminder: If you don't recognize the person calling, or the information has not come through our official social media pages or our local athletes, DO NOT PAY THEM! Our school programs or WJ Booster Club will not ask for credit card information or online payments over the phone.
If you have a question for the WJ Booster Club, please contact Janice Wilcox directly.
In the comments, let us know if you or your business has received one of these calls and tell us what they said! More information will be helpful for others to read so they don't get tricked by the scammers!


Grades PK-8: https://www.bellphoto.com/order/TerretonES253Fall26
If you have a Tues./Thurs. Preschool student, you can bring them on Monday for pictures, or wait until Retake Picture Day (TBA).

If you've never been to a cross country race, you need to see it for yourselves! Everyone is very supportive of each other, and these kids are learning courage, perseverance, self-discipline, mental toughness, and resilience.
6th-8th Grade Students! There is still time to join the team! Contact Coach Spencer if you're interested in improving in your other sports or have always wanted to be part of a team!


Panther Cross Country Running Club - See flyer for details!
Terreton and Hamer Elementary kids are invited to participate!
*This youth sports club is not school-sponsored.

Remember! School Breakfast is FREE for all students at all schools in the West Jefferson School District!
NEW THIS YEAR: Lunch payments can be made on VENMO! Just use the same VENMO we have been using for other school payments: @WJHS_253. In the Venmo description, please list your children's names and how much of your Venmo payment is going to each child. Of course, we will still be accepting cash, check, or online "RevTrack" payments.
If you haven't filled out a Free & Reduced Price Lunch Application for THIS new school year, please click this link and fill out the online form! Filling out this application could save you over $3 per lunch if you qualify!
https://www.nlappscloud.com/Welcome.aspx?cf=District&apply=1&api=b8a3fa49dfe11b046af2d432c4ebb358&fbclid=IwY2xjawMMWvlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEwYVBmcnBIT2sxaW9XVG56AR6j5p7nOsoEn4WqUqNiYtkmqw5DXn1REFnYhOeCVO43FYnEE2alNXHnzjQVrQ_aem_nGJqUxmUNoVTO5GDaEwznQ
Check lunch prices at this link: https://www.wjsd.org/o/wjsd/page/child-nutrition-department



If you’ve driven past our Terreton School Campus lately, you’ve probably noticed construction happening—and we’re excited about the improvements being made in our schools!
Most of the work is nearing completion, although a few finishing touches will continue after school begins. Please see the image for the project timeline and expected completion dates.
Once everything is finished, we will have newly remodeled restrooms in:
• Terreton Elementary School
• West Jefferson Junior High School
• West Jefferson High School
We’re also remodeling the P.E. changing rooms/locker rooms at West Jefferson High School.
We appreciate everyone’s patience while these improvements are completed and look forward to our students and staff enjoying the updated spaces!



Applications are available in person at our district office or on our website:
https://www.wjsd.org/o/wjsd/page/employment
West Jefferson School District #253

We'll be posting more details soon!
Hamer's Annual Fourth of July Celebration is TODAY, July 3, 2026!
West Jefferson will begin serving the meal at 6:30PM. Parade starts at 7:00PM. Fireworks will be at dark.
All proceeds will go to our Panther Pride Activities & Enrichment Fund.

Applications are available in person at our district office or on our website:
https://www.wjsd.org/o/wjsd/page/employment
West Jefferson School District #253

