WHAT'S HAPPENING IN BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOND PROJECTS UPDATE
Thanks to voters' passage of the 2017 bond election, work is well underway to provide facility improvements to all 48 schools in the Boise School District, plus major building projects for 22 schools. For a complete rundown of projects completed and in progress review our Bond Progress website.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
The names of this year's Yes, I Can Award recipients are now public. The Yes I Can! Awards Program was established in Idaho to celebrate the achievements of children and youth with disabilities, to encourage children and youth with disabilities to seek their highest potential, and to increase public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of people with disabilities. The 2018-19 Yes, I Can Award recipients are:

  • Miguel Cisneros-Gonzalez, Whitney Elementary
  • Issac Mauzey, Adams Elementary
  • Carlee Olson, Capital High
  • Emily Riggs, Boise High & STEP Program (Riggs has also been named Idaho's Yes, I Can Award recipient.

Watch the following video to learn more about these outstanding students.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Scott VanKleek, 4th grade teacher, Washington Elementary School, is the recipient of the Boise School District's Red Apple Award, the highest award for certified staff. Mr. VanKleek received the monthly award during the Boise School Board's regular Board meeting on November 12, 2018.
Elizabeth Nelson, English language learner tutor, Jefferson School is the recipient of the Boise School District's Golden Apple Award, the highest award for classified staff. Ms. Nelson received the monthly award during the Boise School Board's regular Board meeting on November 12, 2018. 
DID YOU KNOW?
Boise Schools are committed to providing a high-quality, comprehensive liberal arts education. Our efforts are receiving signficant recognition.

  • 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 District in the state and we produce 40% of the National Merit Semifinalists statewide with only 9% of Idaho’s public school students.
  • We feature 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 Boise teachers hold a Master’s Degree and the average teaching experience in the District is 14 years, with almost 50% of our teachers having served 16 years or more. 
NAMES & FACES
The Idaho High School Activities Association is pleased to announce the 2018 Fall Sports Academic State Champions. Among the award recipients is the Boise High School Swim Team (pictured), which earned the 5A Fall 2018 Sports Academic State Championship with a cumulative GPA of 3.738.
Timberline High School's Encore Choir (pictured) was selected as a performance group at the recently held State American Choral Directors Association conference on October 6th. The choir performed for about 80 choir directors (College, High School, Professional, etc.) from across the state at the Cathedral of the Rockies.   
Quotes from professionals in attendance:

"Rarely have I heard such consistently beautiful 
choral singing in a variety of styles, combined with a visual display of authentic musical dedication by an entire ensemble. I (and everyone else I spoke with after your performance) left the church feeling inspired about music, and 'moved' beyond
what words can express, " wrote Scott Anderson, Idaho State University Choir Director and ACDA President.
Capital High School Senior Ryan Hibbs (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, Hibbs is one of 967 students who have been named State Finalists in Wendy’s annual scholarship competition. 
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.
TEACH WITH US!
COMMUNITY ED NOW RECRUITING INSTRUCTORS
Do you have a skill, talent, hobby or interest you would like to share with the community? Community Education wants YOU! 

We are always searching for new instructors to join our wonderful team of volunteers. Diversity is the key to meeting the community's needs, so we are always open to fresh ideas for new and interesting personal enrichment courses.  Learn more...
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 12 - 16: American Education Week
  • November 13: STEM+C Making Sand Stand Tall Design Challenge, Grace Jordan Elementary, 3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
  • November 15: Lowell Elementary School STEAM Night (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Lowell families are invited to attend.
  • November 17: Boise Holiday Parade, 9:45 a.m., downtown Boise
  • November 19 - 23: Thanksgiving Holiday Break - No School - Pre K-12
  • November 27: READY! for Kindergarten program, Taft Elementary, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • 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 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...