WHAT'S HAPPENING IN BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT
ADAMS STUDENT'S ARTWORK CHOSEN FOR DISTRICT HOLIDAY CARD
Adams Elementary School 1st Grade Student Henry Questad (pictured) is this year's winner of the Boise School District Holiday Card Contest. Questad is a student in Mrs. Sarah Poste’s first grade class. His depiction of a reindeer and Christmas tree (pictured) was selected from among 2,000 entries submitted by students in grades K-6. As the grand prize winner, Questad will receive a certificate of participation, 50 cards featuring his artwork, and a $25 gift card to Quality Art. Questad will be recognized during the December 10, 2018 Boise School Board meeting.
MORLEY NELSON STUDENT WINS FESTIVAL OF TREES ART CONTEST
The Saint Alphonsus Festival of Trees Choice Art Contest recipient is Raha Yazdani (pictured), a 6th grade student in Ms. Tara Lyons’ class at Morley Nelson Elementary School. Yazdani’s artwork (pictured) was chosen from among 2,000 entries submitted by students representing every elementary school in the Boise School District. Yazdani will be recognized during the December 10, 2018 Boise School Board Meeting.
Career & Technical Education Educator
 Wins National Prize
A diesel technology teacher from Boise School District's Dennis Career & Technical Education Center has won second-place in the 2018 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence, earning his skilled trades program $50,000 as part of $1 million awarded nationally.

On Thursday, November 15, 2018 Ron Martinez, who teaches heavy equipment diesel technology, was surprised in his classroom by a representative from Harbor Freight Tools for Schools with the news that his school’s skilled trades program will receive $50,000.

“The creativity and hands-on projects that Mr. Martinez and the other winning teachers bring to their classrooms is an inspiration,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “This is education at its best, and we are humbled to honor these teachers and shine a light on excellence in skilled trades education.”

In the following video, Mr. Martinez reacts to recieving the news that he won the national award. 
NEW IDAHO READING INDICATOR MAKES CASE FOR PRE-K IN IDAHO
In the latest Data Points blog post, Boise School District Superintendent Dr. Don Coberly reviews Fall kindergarten results from the new (IStation) Idaho Reading Indicator and discusses how the results make clear (again) that pre-kindergarten classes are needed in Idaho. 

Data Points is dedicated to providing student achievement and education trend analysis and is intended for parents and patrons interested in an objective, data-driven look at student performance in Boise and across Idaho. 
DID YOU KNOW?
  • All 4 of our traditional high schools (Boise, Borah, Capital & Timberline) have been on the Washington Post's list of Most Challenging High Schools for 10+ years.

  • We have more National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalists than any other school district in Idaho and we produce 40% of the National Merit Semifinalists statewide with only 9% of Idaho’s public school students.

  • We offer our students a nationally recognized music program.

  • Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) curriculum is offered in each of our schools.

  • Our students outperform Idaho and the nation on standardized tests, college entrance exams and Advanced Placement testing.

  • We have one of the highest "College Going" or "Go-on Rates" in the State - 69%.

  • Our 90% graduation rate exceeds the state and nation.

  • 68% of our teachers hold a Master’s Degree and the average teaching experience in the Boise School District is 14 years, with almost 50% of our teachers having served 16 years or more. 
NAMES & FACES
The 5th/6th Grade Girls Basketball City Championship game was held on November 12, 2018 at West Junior High School. The two teams were Highlands vs. Adams elementary schools. Highlands won the City Championship by a score of 32 to 24. The Highlands team is coached by Siz Franz (pictured).
Capital High School Senior Lucy Jacobsen (pictured) has been selected as a State Finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman National Awards program. From a total applicant pool of nearly 42,000 high school scholar-athletes graduating with the class of 2019, Jacobsen (rugby) is one of 967 students who have been named State Finalists in Wendy’s annual scholarship competition. 
Capital High School Senior Catherine Ji (pictured) has won a Merit Award for Writing/Poetry from the National YoungArts Foundation. YoungArts' winners consist of the nation’s most promising young artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts. Selected from a competitive pool of applications and representing artists from across the country, YoungArts winners gain access to one of the most comprehensive programs for emerging artists in the United States, offering financial, professional and artistic development opportunities over the course of their careers.
OPERATION WISHBOOK
This holiday season, share the joy of reading with a child by donating a new book to Operation Wish Book. Now through November 30th, you can donate new books at any of the Boise School District's elementary, junior high and high schools, and Sizzler Family Restaurants in Boise, Meridian and Nampa. Monetary donations can also be sent to the Boise Public Schools Education Foundation at 8169 W. Victory Rd. Boise, 83709.The collected and purchased books will be distributed through the Salvation Army.
WINTER WEATHER PROCEDURES
When winter weather comes our way, Boise School District has a plan to keep our students safe. Learn more about the District's Winter Weather Procedures on the District's Emergency website or watch the following video. Sign-up to receive emergency text messages in case of winter weather cancellations.
SCHOOL SAFETY
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
Are you concerned about someone’s behavior and the danger they may present to your child’s school? The following video explains how you can report suspicious activity anonymously. 
SIGN-UP FOR EMERGENCY TEXT MESSAGING
Parents & Guardians: Sign-Up for Emergency Text Messaging: Boise School District offers emergency text messaging for parents/guardians. To receive emergency text messages

Non-Parents: Mobile App Available: Boise School District also has a mobile app to improve communication to parents and non-parents (e.g.District staff members, community members, etc.). The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Download the app today to receive alerts from the Boise School District, including emergency alerts.
DATES OF INTEREST
  • November & December: Holiday music performances in Boise schools. Review music calendar.
  • November 29: READY! for Kindergarten program, Garfield Elementary, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  • November 30, December 1: Here Ye, Here Ye: The Ye Old Boise High Madrigal Dinner will be held Friday November 30 and Saturday December 1 at the Cathedral of the Rockies, 6 p.m. Purchase tickets online.
  • December 10: Boise School Board regular monthly Board meeting, 6 p.m., District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd. Public is invited to attend. When available, meeting agenda will be posted on Board meeting website.
  • December 14: Deadline to submit comments regarding adoption of two U.S. History books that the District will be piloting this spring. The two U.S. History books can be reviewed and comments can be made at the District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise.
  • December 19, 20, 21: Secondary End of Semester Testing - Early Release 7-12
  • December 21: End of First Semester - Early Release Pre K-6
  • December 24 - January 4: Winter Holiday Break - No School - Pre K-12
  • January 6: Community Education Winter session online registration begins
  • January 7: School Resumes
  • January 23: Boise School District Health Professions Expo 2019, Dennis Technical Education Center Annex, 3324 S. Pro Tech Dr. Boise, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Thanks to St. Luke's for being a major sponsor.
News Media Contact: 
Dan Hollar 
Public Affairs Administrator 
Boise School District 
(208) 854-4064 
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.
Boise School District | 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, Idaho | 208-854-4000 | Fax 208-854-4003 | www.boiseschools.org

Boise School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to all individuals. Learn more...