BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Welcome Class of 2035!
On March 3, 2022, all neighborhood elementary schools in the Boise School District held Kindergarten Registration/Open House to welcome the class of 2035. It was an exciting time for families, staff and incoming kindergartners, especially with the news that Boise School District will offer free, full-day Kindergarten beginning this fall! Watch the following video to learn more. Enroll today at www.boiseschools.org
Students Named National Merit Finalists
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently selected Finalists from among the Semi-finalist pool of approximately 16,000 students that was announced last fall. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered this spring.

The following Boise School District students qualified as National Merit Finalists:
  • Boise High - Tucker Briggs, James Byrne III, Nicola Myers, Anoushka Naidu, Logan Smith, Davin Werntz, Jack Zuckerman.
  • Capital High - Caysen Anderson, Kaylee Frank, Grace Reeder, Alekya Tanikella.
  • Timberline High - Nathan Bude, Jinho Kim, Taylor Knipe, James Liu, William Robison, Micah Warner, Jackson Zerwas. 

In September 2021, it was announced that Boise School District was once again Idaho's top school district for National Merit Semifinalists.
Boise School District's National Demonstration School Again Receives Recognition for High Performance
Boise School District's Fairmont Junior High School has once again earned recognition as a National Demonstration School by AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a nonprofit organization that provides educators with proven, real-world strategies to accelerate the performance of underrepresented students.
Riverside Student Wins SW Idaho Regional Spelling Bee
A student from Riverside Elementary School has won the SW Idaho Regional Spelling Bee, which was held Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Boise State University. Her name is Jia Xin Lu and she's a sixth grader in Lora Bushee's class.

Students from the greater SW Idaho area attended, including students from public schools, charter schools, and home schools. The final rounds continued with 3 students each spelling one word correctly, but then missing their second words until Jia Xin Lu spelled two consecutive words correctly. The winning word was paracusia. Jia Xin earned an all expenses paid trip for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Maryland in May, which will be broadcast on ESPN. 

Jia Xin has won the Riverside Spelling Bee three years in a row. Her fourth grade teacher, Holly Slyter, and her fifth grade teacher, Sheila Brown, were proud to be part of her journey. As the winner, Jia Xin receives an all expenses paid trip to Maryland for herself and one parent to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May.
Jia Xin Lu, winner of the SW Idaho Regional Spelling Bee, with Buster Bronco, official mascot of Boise State University, site of this year's SW Idaho Regional Spelling Bee.
Students Qualify for Presidential Scholars Program
Twenty-five Boise School District students are candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. Students are chosen for outstanding scores on the ACT or SAT; and/or nomination by the Chief State School Officer or a partner recognition organization. Up to 161 Presidential Scholars are chosen annually and are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program each June.

The 25 Boise School District student candidates are:
  • Boise High: Brandon Lechten, Nicola Myers, Anoushka Naidu, Logan Smith, Katharine Turcke, Davin Werntz.
  • Borah High: Brian Daley, Owen Reynolds.
  • Capital High: Caysen Anderson, Samuel Cutler, Kaylee Frank, Melina Mohammadi, Grace Reeder, Alekya Tanikella, Carolyn Turpen.
  • Timberline High: Nathan Bude, Maxwell Jewell, Jinho Kim, Taylor Knipe, Luke Mason, Nicolas Medapalli, Sofia Mocuta, William Robison, Micah Warner, Joshua Watson
DECA Students Compete at State Level
Boise School District students recently participated in the state-level DECA (formerly Distributive Education Clubs of America) competition. DECA is a student organization for students enrolled in the District’s marketing program. A total of 32 students qualified to move on to the national level competition which will be held April 23-26, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Timberline Choir Selected As 'One of the Best Choirs in the Northwest'
Encore, Timberline High School's Choir, has been selected to perform at the American Choral Directors Association's 2022 Northwest Conference. The event showcases the best choirs from high schools, colleges, professional/church and community choirs from Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. 

"There are only 15 choirs, and only 4 high school choirs selected from all of these states," said Timberline High School Choir Director Sean Kane. "We don't have state championship competitions in the choir world, but this is the closest thing we have for our activity. In athletic terms this would be a state championship level event!" Encore will perform on March 10th, 2022 in Spokane, WA at 8:00 p.m. at the Fox Theatre. 
Encore, Timberline High School's Choir, under the direction of Choir Director Sean Kane.
Borah Child Development Students at Whitney
On March 1st, Borah High School's Child Development students read to various classes at Whitney Elementary School for Read Across America. Representatives from Borah's Student Council, the Cat in the Hat, and The Borah Lion encouraged the Whitney students that good readers make better leaders.

Child Development students used the dialogic reading method to encourage recall. They distributed a certificate, bookmark and pencil to each child they read with. Borah students have the opportunity to take the Child Development course for concurrent credit through Boise State University.
Borah High Child Development Students read to Whitney Elementary students.
Representatives from Borah's Student Council, the Cat in the Hat, and The Borah Lion encouraged the Whitney Students that good readers make better leaders.
Boise & Timberline High School Students Take Top Honors at Western Idaho Science and Engineering Fair
The Idaho STEM Action Center announced students from Timberline and Boise High School took home top honors at the Western Idaho Science and Engineering Fair on Friday, February 25, 2022. 

2022 marked the sixth annual Western Idaho Science and Engineering Fair. The event brought in 40 high school students from around the region and students created 34 projects. 
Boise High School junior Wency Suo, who earned one of two Best in Fair awards at the sixth annual Western Idaho Science and Engineering Fair at Boise State University Feb. 25, discusses her research project. Photo credit: Otto Kitsinger for the Idaho STEM Action Center.
Timberline High School junior Luke Bousfield and senior James Liu, who earned one of two Best in Fair awards at the sixth annual Western Idaho Science and Engineering Fair at Boise State University Feb. 25, discuss their research project. Photo credit: Otto Kitsinger for the Idaho STEM Action Center.
Timberline High School Students Take Top Honors at Western Idaho Science Bowl Competition
On Thursday, February 24th, Timberline High School defeated Boise High in the Western Idaho Regional Science Bowl Competition earning them a chance to compete in the National Finals in Washington, D.C.

The Timberline team was represented by the following students:
  • Luke Bousfield
  • James Liu
  • Nic Medapalli 
  • Jessica Rice
  • Justin Siek
Timberline High School Team that won the Western Idaho Regional High School Science Bowl
Boise High School Team that took second place in the Western Idaho Regional High School Science Bowl
Boise School Board Honors Those Who Serve Our Students
Each month during the school year, the Boise School Board honors deserving teachers and support staff through the District's highest awards program - the Red Apple Award for teachers and the Golden Apple Award for classified employees. For the month of February 2022, the Golden Apple Award was presented to Shelley Douglas, Extended Resource Room Paraprofessional, West Junior High School; and the Red Apple Award was presented to Perry Johnson, Extended Resource Room Teacher, West Junior High School. Watch the following award presentation video to learn more.
Pictured L to R: Boise School Board Trustee Steve Schmidt, West Jr. High Principal Janet Cherry; West Jr. High Extended Resource Room Teacher Perry Johnson; West Jr. High Extended Resource Room Paraprofessional Shelley Douglas; West Jr. High Assistant Principal Bryce England; and Boise School Board Trustee Elizabeth Langley.
Schools Uniting Neighborhoods - Take a Virtual Tour
As a parent, your process of selecting the best school for your child(ren) is important, and we know that. Virtually walking the halls, witnessing those valuable teaching/learning moments, and feeling that sense of safety and home should be an easy and rewarding part of the process.

Let us help with that!

Select a video below to see firsthand how Boise School District challenges and engages our community’s young minds through excellent curriculum and highly-qualified, passionate teachers, regardless of grade or specific school location. Want to tour a specific school in-person? Schedule that here.
Elementary School Virtual Tour
Junior High School Virtual Tour
High School Virtual Tour
Lowell & South Pools Planning, Public Outreach & Engagement
The Boise Parks and Recreation Department owns and operates six outdoor pools located across the City of Boise. A public outreach and engagement process is underway to gather community input on the future of Lowell and South Pools, which are the oldest facilities within the city’s public pool system. Information and feedback gathered throughout the outreach process will be compiled and presented to city leaders as decisions are made about the future of both pools.

Current Outreach and Engagement Opportunity
Surveys to gather input on each pool and understand public preferences are open until Monday, March 28 at 5 p.m. Community members are welcome to take one or both surveys.
Lowell Pool
South Pool
Adams Elementary Art Auction
Boise School District 2017 Bond Progress
On March 14, 2017, voters in the Boise School District overwhelmingly approved a $172.5 million dollar bond election. Slated to run through 2027, the bond will fund major construction projects across the entire district. Five years in, nearly 80% of the projected work has been completed by more than 300 architects, construction firms and sub-contractors. Thanks to Boise voters, our teachers, students and families will reap the rewards of this investment for years to come. Watch the following video to learn more.
Boise School District 2017 Bond Progress Video
Now Enrolling: Winter Community Education
Never stop learning! Boise School District's personal enrichment program, Community Education, is excited to once again offer in-person Community Education classes, as well as online courses. Choose from more than 200 Community Education personal enrichment classes. Online registration is going on now! Save the date: Spring Community Education registration begins online on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at www.boiselearns.org
Gifts. Passions. Dreams. Possibilities.
WE SEE IT, TOO.

Boise School District's Everything's Possible movement shares the dreams, aspirations and experiences of our students and teachers. As a parent, you see your child’s potential. And we see it, too. Everything’s possible.

NOW HIRING!
Come Serve With Us

Do you want to make a positive difference in a student's life? Currently, Boise School District has a number of open positions. Review our current job postings and apply online.
Emergency Broadband Benefit
Emergency Broadband Benefit: The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households can access the Emergency Broadband Benefit that provides a discount up to $50 per month toward broadband service. Learn more about the Emergency Broadband Benefit. 
Student Device Monitoring 

A reminder to parents that Boise School District provides parents/guardians with the ability to monitor your student’s activity on their District-assigned digital device via the GoGuardian Parent App: 
Boise School District Board of Trustees Votes to Remove Mask Mandate
During a special Board meeting held on Monday, March 7, 2022, the Boise School Board of Trustees voted unanimously to remove the District’s mask mandate effective beginning Tuesday, March 8, 2022. 

With the Board’s decision, face coverings in the Boise School District will be recommended for those who are unvaccinated and optional for those who are vaccinated.
COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing Information
Boise School District is committed to our COVID-19 Response Plan to ensure we are able to continue to provide five-day-a-week in-person learning. Our COVID-19 Resources and Information website is regularly updated with important information, including a list of vaccine providers for adults and children, COVID-19 testing resources, required mitigation strategies, new quarantine and isolation guidance from CDC and CDH, and positive and presumed positive case data.
Keep In Contact
Parents - Sign-Up for Emergency Text Messaging: The Boise School District offers emergency text messaging for parents/guardians. Learn more and sign-up.

Non-Parents - Mobile App Available: Boise School District has a mobile app to improve communication to you. The app offers emergency alerts and is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Spring High School Graduation Dates
ExtraMile Arena, 7:00 p.m.
(unless otherwise noted)

  • May 19: Frank Church High School (graduation ceremony to held at the school; time to be announced)
  • May 23: Capital High School
  • May 24: Timberline High School
  • May 20: STEP Program Graduation, South Junior High auditorium,10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • May 20: Boise Online Secondary School Graduation, Frank Church Athletic Field, 4:30 p.m.
  • May 25: Boise High School
  • May 26: Borah High School

Live video streaming services will be provided for Boise, Borah, Capital and Timberline high school graduation ceremonies. Further information will be provided on Boise School District's website www.boiseschools.org, when available.
Dates of Interest
  • March 18: End of Third Quarter - Early Release K-6, No School Pre K
  • March 21-25: Spring Break - No School Pre K-12
  • May 18: Last Day of School for Seniors and Early Childhood Special Education Programs
  • May 20: Early Release K-6, No School Pre-K
  • May 23, 24, 25: Secondary End of Semester Testing - Early Release 7-12
  • May 25: Last Day of School - Early Release K-6, No School Pre K
  • June 6 - June 30: Secondary Summer School - Semester 1
  • July 5 - July 29: Secondary Summer School - Semester 2
  • July 4: No Summer School
Notice: If you are a Boise School District staff member, you are provided a District email address. This email address is provided to you in part for the distribution of District communications; as such, you are required to check your email and remain active on District mailing lists. If you are an employee of the Boise School District, please do not unsubscribe from this mailing list.