BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Friday, April 21, 2023
Focus On Learning: AVID Sets Students Up For Success
We have been implementing the AVID strategy for more than a decade in the Boise School District. With passionate teachers, research-based learning methods, and student-led tutorials, AVID students are prepared for the classroom today and the world tomorrow. Learn more by watching the following video:
Honoring Our AVID Seniors
More than 130 graduating seniors were recognized during this year's AVID Senior Celebration. The seniors were joined by their families and friends in the auditorium at South Junior High School on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Student speakers shared inspirational stories about how AVID has helped prepare them to succeed in school and in life.

Organized by the Boise Schools Foundation, the AVID Senior Celebration program recognized a record number of students with college scholarships, including four $20,000 District-Wide AVID Scholarships made possible by Bev & George Harad. Over the years, the Harads have donated $680,000 in college scholarships to District AVID graduates. During the last 12 years, the Boise Schools Foundation has given out more than $1.1 million in post secondary scholarships.

Boise School District's Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a proven college readiness system, established over 35 years ago, that uses research-based strategies and curriculum to help close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.
2023 AVID seniors representing Boise High School, Borah High School, Capital High School, Frank Church High School and Timberline High School.
Music Students Take Top Honors
On Thursday and Friday, April 6-7, over 50 bands participated in the Gene Harris Jazz Festival at Boise State University's Jordan Ballrooms. Both Timberline High School's and East Junior High School's Jazz Ensembles received Superior Ratings and were both selected as the top band of the day - East on Thursday and Timberline on Friday. Both bands were invited to play on the evening Showcase Concert at the Morrison Center, opening for the headliner, the Gene Harris Superband. Timberline's band program is directed by Jose Rodriguez and East's band program is directed by Enrique Martinez. 
East Junior High School's Band under the direction of Band Director Enrique Martinez.
Timberline High School's Band under the direction of Band Director Jose Rodriguez.
ROTC Scholarship Recipients/Military Service Academy Appointments
The following high school graduating seniors (listed alphabetically by last name) have received ROTC Scholarship Recipients/Military Service Academy Appointments.

All of the Service academies listed below, except the Coast Guard Academy, require applicants to get a nomination from an official source, such as a U.S. representative, a U.S. senator or the vice president of the United States.

Earning a Service Academy appointment and/or a ROTC Scholarship is a huge undertaking, and represents our top students academically, athletically and service in the community. An Academy education is valued at more than $416,000. An ROTC Scholarship is worth up to $180,000 depending on the college attended.
Joseph Curtis
Navy ROTC Scholarship (Boise High School)  
Gavin Jackson
Navy ROTC Scholarship (Timberline High School)
Nicolette Jozwik
Accepted to U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Timberline High School)
Piper Lee
Accepted to U.S. Naval Academy
(Timberline High School)
Adam Peitz
Accepted to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Navy ROTC Scholarship (Timberline High School)
Nathan Roman
Army ROTC Scholarship (Borah High School)
Ben Schulte
Navy ROTC Scholarship/Marine option
(Timberline High School)
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Free Developmental Screening
Free Developmental Screening Flyer - Spanish Language
Elementary Educator Receives National Recognition
Hawthorne Elementary School 6th Grade Teacher Misha Smith (pictured) has been selected as the Region 10 recipient of the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators by the The White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. Up to two teachers from each of EPA's 10 regions, from different states, are selected to receive this award.

Ms. Smith will receive up to $2,500 to be used to further her professional development in environmental education and Hawthorne will receive $2,500 to fund environmental educational activities and programs. She, and other award recipients, will be honored in an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on August 3rd, 2023. 
Elementary Principal Receives State Award
Shadow Hills Elementary School Principal Gale Zickefoose (pictured) has been selected as Idaho's Distinguished Principal by the Executive Board of the Idaho Association of Elementary School Principals.
District Administrators Recognized
Boise School District’s Administrator of Teaching and Learning Jodie Mills (pictured) has received a Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) Award as presented by the Women’s and Children’s Alliance. TWIN award recipients are women who have made outstanding contributions to the Treasure Valley and the Treasure Valley business community. In the last 30 years, over 1,100 women have been named TWINs, and more than 125 businesses and organizations have participated, contributing to the WCA’s mission of providing safety, healing, and freedom from domestic abuse and sexual assault.
In celebration of CoSN’s (The Consortium for School Networking) 30th Anniversary, a special award program has been established, Impact 30, to identify EdTech Leaders who are currently making a difference for schools across the nation today, and who are also seen as the influencers for the next 30 years. Will Goodman (pictured), Boise School District's Administrator of Technology, was designated as one of Impact 30’s Awardees. 
Community Education - Learn Something New This Spring!
This Spring, Boise School District is excited to offer you in-person Community Education classes, as well as online courses.  

Select from two hundred personal enrichment classes! From Active Aging, Arts, Culinary Arts, Music, Leisure, to Dance, Fitness, Health & Wellness, Computers & Technology, Culture & History, Garden & The Great Outdoors, and much more! Review Community Education classes beginning the week of April 24, 2023.

Enroll today at www.boiselearns.org  

Annual Plant Sales to Benefit Horticulture Programs
Each year, students enrolled in the Boise School District's Horticulture programs hold annual plant sales to showcase their skills and talents in raising healthy plants, with the proceeds collected going to support their respective school's Horticulture program. Below is information about upcoming plant sales.
Borah High School Plant Sale
Capital High School Plant Sale
Frank Church High School Plant Sale
City Nature Challenge
The following information has been shared with Boise School District science teachers and is being shared here for your information and consideration.
Following are links to videos that provide a brief overview of the City Nature Challenge:
Annual Día de los Niños 2023
Attention Boise School District families: The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) is partnering with local libraries and organizations to bring its annual Día de los Niños event to the Treasure Valley. You are invited to attend this special event, which will celebrate children, families, and literacy. The event will take place at Cecil D. Andrus Park (across from the Statehouse, downtown Boise) on Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 12 to 4 p.m. This fun, free event offers entertainment, information, and resources helpful to parents of children of all ages.

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), often known as Día, is a celebration of children, families, and reading that culminates every year on April 30.

Celebrated since 1925 throughout Mexico, Día emphasizes the importance of literacy and reading fun for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds through bilingual storytimes, family literacy fairs, community events, and other programs that encourage family reading and increased understanding of other cultures.
Summer Driver Education Program
Registration for the Summer Sessions of Driver Education is now open.

  • All classes are held at Fairmont Junior High.
  • First Session dates: June 01 - June 29
  • Second Session dates: July 06 - August 03
  • Registration is online only.
  • Fee is $265
  • Limited spots available so register quickly.
Summer School Program
Boise School District offers a wide variety of summer school programs for students to enhance their educational experiences. Our summer programs range from elementary to high school. Registration for Summer 2023 programs is now open. For detailed information on each of the Summer School options that are available for Boise School District students in Summer 2023, please visit our Summer School 2023 website.
Youth Earth Day Extravaganza
The Idaho Sierra Club's youth-led Climate Justice League is hosting a family-friendly Earth Day Extravaganza at Camel's Back Park this Saturday, April 22nd, from 2-4pm! The event is co-hosted by Timberline Tree Club, Capital High Green Club, Brown Like Me, Idaho AAPI Youth Alliance, Youth Salmon Protectors, and the Boise Youth Climate Action Council, and is open to folks of all ages. Join us to celebrate the planet that we all love, and play yard games, get crafting, contribute to a collective climate mural, and more! Plus, participate in the event-long photo scavenger hunt for a chance to win an Earth Day-themed prize bundle, and join us after the event for a group nature walk at the park, if you'd like!
Results from Spring PowerDown Challenge
In an effort to be good stewards of our energy resources, Boise Schools participated in the Spring 2023 Powerdown Challenge. The results are now in as indicated below. A special thank you to Idaho Power for helping track the energy usage data, to our students and teachers who "unplugged" before spring break, and to our District's Facilities & Operations Team that works to maintain and schedule our energy usage in our buildings.
Boise Plogging Invitation
Members of the general public are invited to participate in plogging. What is plogging? It's running for exercise and picking up trash you find along the way. It's good for the body, mind, soul, and environment! Plogging started in Sweden but is making its way to the U.S.
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

Boise, Borah, Capital and Timberline High School graduation ceremonies will be live streamed and posted on the Boise School District's main home page: www.boiseschools.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.

Take a Virtual School 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.
Elementary School Virtual Tour
Junior High School Virtual Tour
High School Virtual Tour
Show Your Pride With Boise Schools Gear!
Caps, keychains, and even fashion for your four-legged friend — show your Boise School District spirit by shopping our new online store!
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.
Dates of Interest
  • April 21: No School Pre K-12
  • May 8: Boise School Board Meeting 6 p.m., District Services Center
  • May 18: Last Day of School for Seniors, Early Childhood Special Education Programs and Pre K
  • May 18: STEP Program Graduation (10 a.m.; South Junior High School Auditorium)
  • May 19: Early Release K-6
  • May 22: Boise Online School Graduation (3:00 p.m.; Morrison Center)
  • May 22: Frank Church High School Graduation (7:00 p.m.; Morrison Center)
  • May 23: Borah High School Graduation, ExtraMile Arena, 7:00 p.m.
  • May 24: Capital High School Graduation, ExtraMile Arena, 7:00 p.m.
  • May 25: Timberline High School Graduation, ExtraMile Arena, 7:00 p.m.
  • May 26: Boise High School Graduation, ExtraMile Arena, 7:00 p.m.
  • May 23, 24, 25: Secondary End of Semester Testing - Early Release 7-12
  • May 25: Last Day of School - Early Release K-6
  • June 5-19: Secondary Summer School - Semester 1
  • June 12: Boise School Board Meeting, 6 p.m., District Services Center
  • July 5-28: Secondary Summer School - Semester 2
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.