BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Spotlight on Learning - Promoting Literacy & Student Success
Boise Schools are successful for many reasons, including the support of our community. Recently, Assistance League of Boise donated decodable books to Boise School District's elementary schools. The Assistance League provided a set of decodable books for each elementary school (32 schools).

Decodable books offer a type of text that is often used by students in beginning reading instruction. Research shows literacy plays a key role in enabling the kind of learning experiences that are linked to student academic achievement. Thank you Assistance League of Boise for supporting Boise Schools and our beginning readers!
Assistance League of Boise member Judy Beam (left) volunteers in Denise Orem's first grade class at Pierce Park Elementary School.
Book Vending Machine Feeds Students' Hunger For Reading
A new book vending machine at White Pine Elementary School is feeding students' hunger for reading. Made possible thanks to funding from the Boise Public Schools Foundation, the book vending machine dispenses reading material for students in grades K-6. The book vending machine is the first of its kind in the Boise School District. Students earn tokens as a reward for attendance, goal meeting, kindness and perseverance, which can then be used to buy books from the vending machine. White Pine Principal Wendi Forrey says the new book vending machine is a hit with students and provides an incentive for students to keep reading.
White Pine Elementary School students show off the books they earned from their school's new book vending machine, made possible thanks to the Boise Public Schools Foundation.
U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidates
Boise School District is pleased to announce that 35 Boise School District high school seniors (43% of Idaho's total U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidates) have qualified as candidates in the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, which honors some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
Honoring 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 December 2022, the Boise School Board recognized
Darin Anderson, Special Education Teacher, Student Transition Education Program, with the Red Apple Award; and Taylor Treloar, Warehouse Lead, Facilities and Operations, with the Golden Apple Award

For January, 2023, Candace Cooper, Special Education Teacher, Madison Early Childhood Center, was recognized with the Red Apple Award; and Phil Killion, In-House Detention Supervisor, Les Bois Jr. High School, was recognized with the Goldlen Apple Award. View the following videos to learn more.
Boise School District Music Teachers Learn & Lead in Conducting Symposium
Boise School District's award-winning music program is made possible due to our outstanding music educators who continually seek opportunities to learn and grow. Recently, Boise State University hosted a Conducting Symposium in the Morrison Center for Treasure Valley music educators. This unique opportunity provided three days of musical growth, where conductors at all levels came together to refine their knowledge of technique, repertoire, pedagogy, educational philosophy, score study, rehearsal concepts and more under guest clinician Colonel Jason K. Fettig, the 28th Director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band.  

Boise School District teachers who participated in this incredible opportunity included Matt Clay, Borah High Band Teacher; Mark Young, Hillside Junior High Band Teacher; Cathryn Gardner, Borah Quad Elementary Band Specialist; Vanessa Perala, West Junior High Orchestra Teacher; and Meghan Fay Olswanger, Boise High School Band Teacher. At the end of the week a handful of participants were honored with the privilege of conducting the Boise State Symphonic Winds in their concert with Col. Fettig. Congratulations to Cathryn Gardner, Vanessa Perala & Meghan Fay Olswanger for being selected for this honor!
Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?
The Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IDAEYC) offers free workshops to prepare children, birth to age five, for school success. READY! for Kindergarten is a program that provides free parent education workshops for families with children ages 0-5. Space is limited! Sign-up today!
Love Math & Science?
Treasure Valley Math and Science Center is an award winning, nationally recognized, free, public school magnet program of the Boise School District that prepares students for success in college, career and life. TVMSC students are focused on advanced studies in the areas of Math, Science, Research, and Computer Science. 

All interested students & families are invited to attend the TVMSC Information Night on Monday, February 6, 2023 at Riverglen Junior High School, 6801 N. Gary Lane, Boise, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Further information about the screening and the application process can be found on the link below. Have questions? Please call TVMSC Principal Helga Frankenstein at 208-854-6803 or email her at helga.frankenstein@boiseschools.org.
Owyhee Teacher Recognized
4th Grade Teacher Cory James, Owyhee Elementary School, has been selected by Capital Educators Credit Union as January's recipient of the CapEd's We Love Teachers Grant Award Program. Mr. James was awarded $500 that will be used to purchase high-interest books for his classroom library and to promote literacy. Mr. James also received $100 from the Boise Education Association to support the purchase of stamps that will be used by his students to write letters to colleges and universities as they plan their futures beyond high school.
Mr. Cory James, 4th grade teacher, Owyhee Elementary School, receives $500 from Tyler Harris, Capital Educators Credit Union.
Student Dress Code Policy Public Meetings
Boise School District will hold four public meetings to collect stakeholder input from parents, students, and District community members about proposed changes to the District’s current student dress code policy. The meetings will be held on February 15, 16, 28 and March 2. The public meetings will provide the public an opportunity to review the District’s current Dress Code Policy and compare it to the changes being proposed.  
Dual Language Immersion Open House & Information Night
On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, Boise School District's Dual Language Immersion Program will host an Information Meeting & Open House from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event will take place at Whitney Elementary School, 1609 S. Owyhee St., and Whittier Elementary School, 301 N. 29th St.

Boise School District offers K-12 Spanish-English dual language programs. Whittier and Whitney Elementary is your child’s starting off point for biliteracy. Programs continue at North and South Junior Highs, as well as at all high schools.

Parenting Education Program
Boise School District has developed a Parenting Education Program to offer support and skills to assist parents or guardians with raising happy and responsible kids. Classes are offered throughout the city's school buildings at different start dates throughout the semester and are taught by certified school counselors who have extensive training and experience.

On Thursday, February 16, 2023, Boise School District's Parenting Education program will offer Talking to Your Teen, a class presented by the Women's & Children's Alliance. To register, and learn more about Parenting Education, click on the following link:
Love to Learn? Community ED Has A Class For You!
This Winter, Boise School District is excited to offer you both in-person Community Education classes, as well as online courses.  

Select from more than two hundred personal enrichment classes! From Active Aging, Arts, Culinary Arts, Music, Leisure, to Dance, Fitness, Photography, Health & Wellness, Computers & Technology, Culture & History, Garden & The Great Outdoors, and much more! Review our Winter 2022 Community Education catalog.

Register for Community Education classes online at www.boiselearns.org  
Spring 2023 Graduation Information
Boise School District is pleased to announce the following spring 2023 graduation dates.

Spring 2023 Graduation Dates
ExtraMile Arena, 7:00 p.m.
(unless otherwise noted)

  • Thursday, May 18, 2023 - STEP Program (10 a.m.; South Junior High School Auditorium)
  • Monday, May 22, 2023 - Boise Online School (3:00 p.m.; Morrison Center)
  • Monday, May 22, 2023 - Frank Church High School (7:00 p.m.; Morrison Center)
  • Tuesday, May 23, 2023 – Borah High School
  • Wednesday, May 24, 2023 – Capital High School
  • Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Timberline High School
  • Friday, May 26, 2023 – Boise High School
Show Your Pride With Boise Schools Gear!
Boise School District is proud to announce the launch of our new online store where all District staff, students and families can purchase items with the District's new logo. Below are just a few of the items available for purchase. Visit Boise School District's Online Store to find more BSD swag and show your Boise Schools Pride!
We Are Dedicated To Creating Tomorrow's Leaders
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.

"You want to know about us and how we're doing. I feel like you can tell if one of us is having a rough day, and you always try to bring our mood up and help us out."

—Alyssa, a junior at Timberline, on her ceramics teacher, Mr. Henderson
“I’m excited to see how I progress when I go to high school. I’ve been involved in a lot of different activities and sports, and I enjoy school more than most kids, so I’m looking forward to see how I can do better.”

—Aubrey, a 9th grader at Les Bois Junior High
"I want students to learn to think for themselves, to think critically and be confident. Obviously, I want them to be readers and writers, but I also think it's equally important that they come away with a strong sense of self and self accomplishment."

—Amber Tetrick, AP Language and Composition teacher at Boise High School
Early Childhood Special Education - FREE Developmental Screener Available
Boise School District's Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program provides services to children 3-5 years old, who qualify for special education services. The program goals, curriculum and materials are developmentally appropriate and geared to the differing ability levels of each child. Children attending the ECSE classroom are provided a high quality program, and a safe and nurturing environment. This program promotes and integrates the cognitive, communication, physical, social, emotional, and self-help areas of development through classroom activities.

Boise School District offers a Free Developmental Screener for children ages 3-5 years old with developmental concerns.
Learn About Special Education
On March 8, 2022 the Boise School District will offer a course to parents/guardians to provide information about the District's Special Education Program. Parent/guardian learning targets include:

  • Describe what Special Education is and how a student qualifies for Special Education Services.
  • Articulate what the parent's/guardian's role is as a member of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team.
  • Locate resources and support available if there are questions to Special Education.

To register/sign-up, call Shelley Rhinehart at 208-854-4170 or email shelley.rhinehart@boiseschools.org
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, including Special Education Paraprofessionals, Just for Kids Childcare Providers, Food & Nutrition Services, School Support Assistants, School Custodians, Warehouse Delivery Driver, and more. Review our current job postings and apply online.

Substitutes Needed

Boise School District is seeking qualified individuals to fill our classified and certified substitute pool. We currently have openings and encourage you to apply online today!

Now Hiring Crossing Guards, Bus Drivers & Monitors

Our outside contractors have job openings for crossing guards, bus drivers and bus monitors. Learn more....
Interested in Athletics?
Boise School District has always been highly regarded for academic achievements. At the same time, we have always been considered a leader throughout Idaho and the Pacific Northwest in the area of athletics. Many of our programs have become models for other districts. Below are the try-out dates and first days of practice for the 2022-2023 athletics program. Please contact your school for more information.
Love Sports? Become A Certified Official!
Do you love sports and want to support our student-athletes? The Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA) certifies officials in the following sports: baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. All officials must be at least 16 years of age. To learn more, including how to register to become an IHSAA official, review How To Become an IHSAA Certified Official.

In addition, we are currently recruiting for basketball officials for the upcoming winter season. Review further details here.
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households with a discount on broadband service and connected devices. Learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program.
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: 

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.
2023-2024 Student School Year Calendar Approved
On Monday, November 14, 2022 the Boise School Board approved the 2023-2024 Student School Year Calendar. Review the approved calendar on our School Year Calendars webpage.
Dates of Interest
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. If you are a parent or guardian of a student in the Boise School District, this newsletter is intended to inform you about happenings in the Boise School District. As such, we ask that you please do not unsubscribe from these emails.