Strengthening Student Well-Being—Rooted in Our Strategic Vision
Last week, Boise School District was honored to welcome professional skier and ultra-runner Drew Petersen (pictured) to our secondary schools. Drew’s film and personal story offered students more than inspiration—they gave them a language for resilience, vulnerability, and hope.
In addition to sharing his latest film, Feel It All, in a community event at the Egyptian Thursday night (9/25/2025), Drew presented a school-appropriate version of his film, Ups and Downs, followed by a Keynote Speech to high schools.
He also then met with our Hope Squads—peer-nominated groups of students who are trained to watch out for classmates, provide support, and connect students in need with trusted adults. These student leaders are on the front lines of building caring school communities, working every day to prevent suicide, reduce stigma around mental health, and foster connection.
During his visits, Drew engaged Hope Squad members in open, honest dialogue about mental health. Students asked courageous questions and left empowered with practical strategies to support themselves and each other. These deep conversations directly reinforce our district’s commitment to student safety, connection, and well-being.
How this supports our Strategic Plan
This work is an on-the-ground example of our Strategic Plan in action—especially our focus on communication, connection, and student support. By elevating student voice, prioritizing prevention, and strengthening relationships, we translate our plan’s vision into daily practice so every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Hope Squad is a peer support and suicide prevention program. Students are nominated by classmates as trustworthy peers, then trained to:
Notice warning signs and reach out,
Listen without judgment,
Connect a struggling student to a trusted adult or professional help.
Hope Squad members do not replace counselors; they bridge students to help quickly and safely.
Acknowledging Community Collaboration
This important visit would not have been possible without the dedication of parents and community partners. We extend our gratitude to the Youth Mental Wellness Alliance (You.Me.We.All), a parent-led nonprofit that advances initiatives supporting youth mental health, and especially to Kim Washington and Stacy Sericati for their leadership and commitment. Their collaboration reflects the very spirit of our Strategic Plan—working together as families, schools, and community to ensure every student’s well-being.
Drew Peterson at Boise High with Boise High, Hillside and North Junior High Hope Squads.
Take Action: Help Us Support Student Well-Being
Please opt your student(s) in to the Student Well-Being Survey (Communities for Youth) by logging into Infinite Campus and updating permissions.
The survey is confidential and voluntary and helps us understand how middle/junior high and high school students are doing so we can target supports where they’re needed most.
Parents/guardians can review the questions in advance before deciding.
About the survey: Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield encourages districts to participate, noting the survey was created in Idaho with input from educators, counselors, legislators, and the Idaho Department of Education. Responses are anonymous; students may answer all, some, or none of the questions. Learn more and view the question set here:
This month, Boise School District students are taking meaningful steps to lift each other up and shine a light on suicide prevention and awareness.
At North Junior High, the Affirmation Tree is in full bloom. Students are writing words of encouragement, kindness, and support on paper leaves, adding them to the tree one by one. Each leaf represents a message of hope and connection — reminders that no one is alone. 🌳💬🍃
Meanwhile, at Capital High School, students transformed the windows of the school’s skywalk into a wall of encouragement. Covered in colorful sticky notes, each message carries positive words of strength and support, greeting every passerby with inspiration. 💛💙
These are just a couple of examples of the many creative and caring ways our schools are promoting student well-being. From peer-led projects to community partnerships, efforts like these reflect our shared commitment to building safe, supportive environments where every student feels seen, valued, and connected.
Together, our students are showing how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. When we lift each other up, we all grow stronger.
At North Junior High, positivity is in full bloom! Students are filling the Affirmation Tree with leaves of encouragement, kindness, and support — a daily reminder that every student matters and no one is alone.
North Jr. High’s Affirmation Tree is filled with leaves of positivity and encouragement — a powerful symbol of kindness and connection.
💙 Closing Out September: Suicide Prevention Month 💙
As September comes to a close, the Boise School District reaffirms our ongoing commitment to creating safe, supportive learning environments where every student feels seen, valued, and connected. Suicide Prevention Month may end September 30th, but the work of breaking stigma, opening conversations, and providing resources for student well-being continues every single day.
By working together—families, staff, and community—we can keep these vital conversations alive and ensure our students know they are never alone.
✨ Every voice matters. Every connection counts. Together, we can make a difference—this month and all year long. ✨
Liberty Elementary Teacher Honored as Idaho’s Outstanding Humanities Educator
🎉 Liberty Elementary School third grade teacher Angela DeLeon Guerrero has been recognized by the Idaho Humanities Council as the Outstanding Humanities Educator Award recipient for 2025 (K–5 category).
On September 25, 2025, Angela received the award in her classroom in front of her third grade students. The honor was presented by Johanna Bringhurst, Associate Director of the Idaho Humanities Council, making the moment even more meaningful for Angela and her students.
The Outstanding Humanities Educator Award recognizes teachers across Idaho who bring the humanities to life in their classrooms. Each year, three K–12 educators are honored—one from elementary, one from middle, and one from high school. Angela’s award includes a $1,000 prize and she will also be recognized at a private ceremony hosted by the Council.
Angela’s recognition highlights her outstanding contributions to humanities education, her passion for inspiring curiosity and critical thinking, and her commitment to the success of Boise School District’s students.
Her achievement also reflects the high-quality educators who serve across our District and our ongoing commitment to providing every student with the finest education program possible.
We are #BSDProud of Angela and grateful for the positive impact she makes every day at Liberty Elementary! 🌟📚
Watch the following highlight video to learn more:
Liberty Elementary School third grade teacher Angela DeLeon Guerrero has been recognized by the Idaho Humanities Council as the Outstanding Humanities Educator Award recipient for 2025 (K–5 category).
With the theme “United We Rise,” NACAC 2025 brought together more than 6,500 college admission counseling professionals from across the country to exchange best practices, explore new research, and strengthen networks of support for students and families.
Mr. Chehey collaborated with three fellow public school counselors from across the U.S. to co-lead a session ("Flying Solo: Navigating the Challenges/Opportunities at a Public High School") highlighting the vital role counselors play in guiding students through the complex college admissions process. Their presentation emphasized practical strategies, equity-driven approaches, and the importance of centering students’ needs during a time of rapid change in higher education.
“College admission counseling is more than guiding students through applications—it’s about opening doors to their future. By coming together as professionals to share our ideas and experiences, we strengthen our ability to adapt and advocate for every student’s success, said Mr. Chehey.”
Mr. Chehey’s leadership at NACAC (he also serves on the PNACAC - Pacific Northwest ACAC - Executive Board) reflects the Boise School District’s commitment to ensuring every student has access to high-quality college and career guidance—an important part of our strategic focus on preparing students for success beyond high school.
On Tuesday, October 8th, students across the Boise School District will join children nationwide in celebrating National Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day. This annual event encourages active lifestyles, promotes safe routes to school, and reminds all of us—drivers, families, and neighbors—to slow down and stay alert as students travel to and from school. Learn more.
This year, the Boise School District is proud to partner with St. Luke’s, Idaho Power, Safe Routes to School, and the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) to help spread this important message. Together, we’ve created a safety video reminding drivers to “put phones down, respect the stripes, and watch for backpacks.”
Why It Matters
Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is more than a single event—it’s part of a nationwide effort to create safer, healthier, and more connected communities. When students feel safe walking, biking, or rolling to school, it supports their well-being, builds confidence, and strengthens our neighborhoods.
How You Can Help
We encourage parents, staff, and community members to:
The Boise School District Board of Trustees is in the process of appointing a new trustee to fill a current vacancy on the Board. As part of our public process, applications were accepted from September 9 through September 26, 2025.
We are pleased to share that the following community members have applied to be considered for the open trustee position:
October 2, 2025: The Board will hold a Special Meeting at 3:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the District Services Center (8169 W. Victory Rd.) to consider applicants and potential immediate appointment.
October 8, 2025: A Special Board Meeting will be held to interview trustee finalists and select a new trustee.
October 13, 2025: The newly appointed trustee will be officially sworn in during the Regular Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m., District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise.
This appointment process follows Board Policy 1131 and ensures transparency and community involvement in selecting leadership that supports our students, staff, and families.
The Boise School District’s Community Education program is happening now, with hundreds of affordable, high-quality classes for learners of all ages. More than just courses, Community Education strengthens our neighborhoods—bringing people together to share skills, spark creativity, and build connections that enrich us all.
Whether you want to explore a new hobby, advance your career, stay active, or meet others in your community, you’ll find opportunities here that go far beyond the classroom. From arts and cooking to fitness, technology, career development, and language learning, these classes invest in both individual growth and the collective well-being of Boise.
🍂 Fall Session: September 8 – October 23, 2025 (going on now!)
📍 Locations: Riverglen, Timberline, West, offsite venues, and online
Boise School District is looking for fluent English speakers with excellent communication skills to serve as on-call interpreters. This flexible position allows you to make a difference in our schools and community.
Starting this school year, Boise School District is moving to a new internet filtering system, Linewize, and providing families free access to the Qustodio Parent App. This tool helps you monitor your child’s school device activity outside of school hours, set screen time limits, block sites, and more.
The current GoGuardian Parent App will no longer work after August 1, 2025, so be sure to activate your free Qustodio account.
Last summer, our district adopted ParentSquare as our main communication platform. We’ve already received lots of positive feedback from families and staff. Still, with messages from the District, your child’s school, and their teachers all in one place, it can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Select your preferred method (email, app, or text)
Set different rules for different types of messages (e.g., District news by daily email, school updates by immediate text)
Limit notifications to emergencies only (though we hope you won’t!)
We encourage you to take a few minutes to adjust your settings—it makes a big difference. ParentSquare offers helpful online resources, including a quick 2-minute video, to guide you. For the best mobile experience, download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Explore Your Future at the Boise National College Fair
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, students and families are invited to attend the Boise National College Fair at Expo Idaho (5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City, Idaho). The fair will be open 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
This free annual event provides a one-stop opportunity to connect with representatives from colleges, universities, military academies, and career training programs from across the nation. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options or finalizing your post-graduation plans, the College Fair offers valuable face-to-face conversations with admissions counselors who can answer questions about academic programs, scholarships, application processes, and campus life.
The Boise National College Fair supports the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan, particularly our focus on Student-Centered Learning and College & Career Readiness. By connecting students with future opportunities, we empower them to take ownership of their educational journey, explore multiple pathways, and make informed decisions about life beyond high school.
We encourage all high school students and families to take advantage of this opportunity and explore the possibilities ahead.
📅 Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
🕘 Times: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. & 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
📍 Location: Expo Idaho, 5610 N. Glenwood St., Garden City, ID
The City of Boise is seeking input from families and community members on how federal housing funds will be invested over the next five years. This work stems from the Community Health Needs Assessment, which identified housing as a top priority for community well-being.
Families are invited to participate in two ways:
Community Survey – Open now through November 2. Your feedback will help the City prioritize how housing dollars are spent on services, infrastructure (like sidewalks and playgrounds), and new housing construction. 👉 Take the Community Survey
Community Focus Groups – Two sessions will be held in mid-October to gather deeper feedback. For details on how to participate, please see the flyers: English Flyer; | Spanish Flyer
Since housing directly impacts the families we serve, we encourage you to take part in shaping Boise’s housing priorities.
2025–2026 High School Sports Start Dates
The Boise School District is excited to kick off another great year of high school athletics! Below you’ll find the official start dates for the 2025–2026 school year’s sports seasons, including tryouts and the first day of practices.
We encourage all interested student-athletes to contact their school’s athletic office for details on specific tryout dates, times, and locations. Requirements such as physicals, eligibility paperwork, and registration deadlines may vary by sport and school.
This is another example of how the Boise School District offers a comprehensive public school education — one where all students can thrive, grow, and succeed both in the classroom and on the field. Whether you’re competing at the varsity level, joining a junior varsity squad, or supporting your team from the stands, athletics help build teamwork, resilience, and school pride.
We look forward to a safe, spirited, and successful season for all our student-athletes!
Want to know more about how our schools work behind the scenes? Beyond the Bell is a new publication from the Boise School District that offers an inside look at the financial, operational, and policy decisions shaping public education in our community.
Each issue dives into key topics like budgeting, strategic planning, student safety, and our instructional approach—providing timely insights for parents, employees, business leaders, elected officials, and anyone invested in the future of our schools.'
Get ready for one of our most anticipated events of the year—our annual Holiday Bazaar and Raffle Fundraiser! This special event is open to the public and a great opportunity for holiday shopping, fundraising, and community connection.
Event Details
📅 Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Vendor setup begins at 8:00 AM)
📍 Location: Capital High School Auxiliary Gym
Invitation to BSD Staff:
Boise School District staff are invited to participate as vendors at no cost. Each vendor space includes one table and two chairs. We only ask that vendors donate one item to our always-popular raffle, which raises funds to support student activities.
Whether you’d like to showcase your own crafts or goods, raise funds for your team/club/organization, or simply come enjoy the day and shop for unique gifts, we hope to see you there!
October 10: End of First Quarter - Pre K-12 No School; Teacher Directed Day/Professional Development
October 13: Regular Monthly Boise School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise, ID. Agenda will be posted online, when available.
October 16: No School Pre K
October 16: No Pre K-6 Elementary Classes - Parent Conferences
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...
