BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Thursday, November 17, 2022
High School Senior Recognized for Saving Child
On Wednesday, November 16, 2022 Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar & Borah High School Resource Officer Steven Moore presented Borah High Senior James Camp with an Exceptional Service Award for James' quick actions and life-saving efforts on October 1st, 2022 when he saved a child in a pond near S. Maple Grove Road. Watch the following video to learn more.
Pictured L to R: Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar; Borah High School Senior James Camp; and Borah High School Resource Officer Steven Moore.
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.

Congratulations to Anthony Donato, Head Custodian, Hawthorne Elementary School, for being selected to receive the Golden Apple Award for November 2022. Congratulations to Stacey Day, English/Reading Teacher, Riverglen Junior High School, for being selected to receive the Red Apple Award for November 2022. View the following videos to learn more.
Anthony Donato
Golden Apple Award Recipient
November 2022
Pictured L to R: Anthony Donato, Head Custodian, Hawthorne Elementary School; Andy Hawes, Trustee, Boise School Board; and Monica Nydegger, Principal, Hawthorne Elementary School
Stacey Day
Red Apple Award Recipient
November 2022
Pictured L to R: Elizabeth Langley, Trustee, Boise School Board and Stacey Day, English/Reading Teacher, Riverglen Junior High School.
Friend of Education Awards Presented To Our Healthcare Partners
The success of the Boise School District would not be possible without the support of our community. That is certainly true as we navigated the last two-and-a- half years of the pandemic. Our healthcare partners at Saint Luke’s and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Centers proved an invaluable resource as we monitored the spread of COVID-19. We consistently considered their expert advice in adjusting our school operations to keep our students, staff and community safe.


On Monday, November 14, 2022 during the monthly meeting of the Boise School Board, Trustees awarded Dr. Kenny Bramwell, Medical Director, St. Luke's Children's Hospital and Dr. Mark Nassir, President, Saint Alphonsus Health System, with Boise School District's Friends of Education Awards to recognized their instrumental role in providing us with honest, straightforward and timely advice as we responded to this unprecedented health crisis.
Pictured L to R: Dave Wagers, President, Boise School Board; Elizabeth Langley, Trustee, Boise School Board; Lisa Roberts, Deputy Superintendent, Boise School District; Dr. Kenny Bramwell, Emergency Room Physician & Medical Director, St. Luke's Children's Hospital; Dr. Mark Nassir, President, Saint Alphonsus Medical Group; Maria Greeley, Vice President, Boise School Board; Nancy Gregory, Trustee, Boise School Board; Andy Hawes, Trustee, Boise School Board; and Coby Dennis, Superintendent, Boise School District.
Boise Schools Launches Powerdown Challenge for Fall Break
In an effort to be good stewards of our energy resources, Boise Schools are asking staff and students to participate in the Fall Powerdown Challenge. On Friday 11/18, before the end of the school day, students are encouraged to help their teachers and staff members go through the following simple checklist and enter the data so the District can track these sustainability efforts. Results from the Powerdown challenge will be made available later in the school year. For more highlights of Boise School’s sustainability efforts, please follow us on Instagram @BoiseSchools_Sustainability.
Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Respiratory Illness
As we move into the holiday season, with travel and gatherings planned and with RSV and influenza on the rise in the community, please review the following information on how to keep you, your friends, and your loved ones healthy. 

RSV in Idaho
RSV season has been officially declared by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare with virus activity increasing over the past two weeks across the state.
There is no vaccine to protect against infection with RSV, but you can take actions that help prevent the spread of all respiratory illnesses:

  • Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth until you have washed your hands.
  • Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, eat nutritious foods, and take part in physical activity to stay healthy.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes.
  • Follow Boise School District’s Illness Procedure and stay home from work or school when sick.
  • Avoid people who appear sick.
  • Wear a mask and physically distance yourself whenever you are in public.
Influenza Season 
According to the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, influenza is on the rise. Everyone over six months of age should get an annual influenza vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about flu vaccine options. 
COVID-19 
The CDC has valuable information on COVID-19 prevention actions, including staying up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine which vaccines are best for you. If you are having any symptoms of COVID-19, testing is available at Boise State University, free of charge for all students and staff. To schedule an appointment for COVID-19 testing please visit Boise State's COVID 19 Testing Center page. You can find additional information in the District’s COVID-19 Guidance & FAQ.
Students Participate In Environmental Field Experience
Students in Borah High School Teacher Jeremy Thompson's Horticulture class recently partnered with the City of Boise Parks and Recreation Department to plant bitterbrush and sagebrush to help rehabilitate the area with native vegetation. The students worked at the City of Boise's Chief Eagle Eye Reserve. See photos below.
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.

"If I could teach my students one thing, it would be kindness. Being able to be kind to your friends is sometimes easier than being kind to people that you aren't friends with, and giving kindness to everyone is a really important skill to have. -Ms. Rebich, a teacher at Cynthia Mann Elementary
"One teacher who impacted me in a positive way was Miss. Loftis, my health teacher. She made learning fun, made sure she knew all her students closely, and I looked forward to being in her class every day" - Sneha, a Timberline High School graduate
Ms. Smith, a psychology and law teacher at Borah High School, has some great hopes for her students' futures: "After graduation, I hope the future just opens all doors for you. And if that's not possible, if a door closes, I hope that you have the tenacity to kick that door down or to blaze your own trail."
Important Bus Transportation Information
Boise School District's school bus provider, Durham Transportation Services, would like to remind parents/guardians to download the Durham Bus Tracker app to receive late bus notifications and to be able to track the location of your student's school bus.

Winter Weather Procedures
Education is important and every missed day of school represents lost learning opportunities. However, Boise School District’s primary concern is for the safety of all students, including students riding busses and walking or biking to school. If students cannot safely travel to school or if schools are not able to operate safely because of citywide dangerous weather conditions, school may be cancelled. Watch the following video to learn more about Boise School District's Inclement Weather Procedures.
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 December 15, 2022 and 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 [email protected]
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, Title I Tutors, School Nurse, 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
  • November 21-25: Thanksgiving Holiday Break - No School Pre K-12
  • December 20, 21, 22: Secondary End of Semester Testing - Early Release Grades 7-12
  • December 21: Early Release K-6, No School Pre K
  • December 22: End of First Semester - Early Release K-6, No School Pre K
  • December 23 - January 6: Winter Holiday Break - No School Pre K-12
  • January 8: Online Registration for Winter Community Education Session Opens
  • January 9: School Resumes
  • January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No School Pre K-12
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.