Boise School District News
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On September 4th, the Boise School District hosted the first meeting of its new Parent Advocacy Group, bringing together a diverse group of parent representatives and district leaders for an evening of connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.
Superintendent Lisa Roberts welcomed members by underscoring the district’s commitment to open dialogue, community engagement, and ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education. Parents introduced themselves, shared the schools their children attend, and spoke about why they wanted to serve in this new role. A common theme quickly emerged: families want to be active partners in shaping the future of Boise schools.
Group agreements—such as “listen to understand, not just to respond” and “keep students at the center”—set the tone for the work ahead. Members also explored how concerns should be addressed through proper channels, ensuring constructive and solution-focused collaboration between families and the district.
Looking ahead, the Parent Advocacy Group will dive deeper into our district’s strategic plan, as well as areas such as instruction, student well-being and family engagement. The work of the group is designed to be both forward-thinking and unafraid to tackle complex issues. The group is scheduled to meet once a month during the school year.
Stay tuned for future updates as this dedicated group of parents and district leaders work together to strengthen our schools and build an even stronger Boise community.
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The Boise School District’s inaugural Parent Advocacy Group met for the first time on September 4, 2025, at Jefferson Elementary School, joining Superintendent Lisa Roberts (second from left) and the District’s Superintendency — Deputy Superintendent of Teaching & Learning Wendy Johnson (far left) and Deputy Superintendent of Operations Nick Smith (far right) — to strengthen communication, collaboration, and family engagement across our schools. |
The Boise School District is proud to recognize four of our incredible educators who have been honored with the 2025 Extra Yard Award, presented by the College Football Playoff Foundation. This award celebrates outstanding teachers who go above and beyond to make a difference in their schools and communities. 🌟
This year, Boise State Athletics surprised 11 Treasure Valley teachers with $1,000 gift cards in recognition of their impact—including four from the Boise School District! 👏
Our 2025 Extra Yard Award Recipients
- Becky Free – Amity Elementary
- Cassie Horner – Les Bois Junior High
- Jon Parrot – Horizon Elementary
- Rachel Ryden – Boise High School
These dedicated educators exemplify the heart of teaching—bringing passion, innovation, and care into their classrooms each day.
Tonight, all award recipients will also be recognized during the Boise State University football game as part of the nationwide Extra Yard for Teachers Week celebration. 🏈💛
On behalf of the Boise School District, we extend our warmest congratulations and gratitude to Becky, Cassie, Jon, and Rachel. Thank you for your hard work, your commitment to students, and for truly going the extra yard!
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Congratulations to Grady Noble, a junior at Boise High School, who achieved an extraordinary accomplishment this summer — placing 2nd in the WORLD at the International History Olympiad in Paris, France! 🇫🇷
Competing against top history students from 34 U.S. states and 27 countries, Grady showcased his deep knowledge and passion for history by bringing home an incredible eight medals 🏅 — including four golds:
- 🎶 Classical Music History Bee
- 🎵 Pop Music History Bee
- ⚽ Sports History Bee
- 🌎 South American History Exam
He also medaled in Film, Art, North American History, and the Olympiad’s rigorous 400-question Battery Exam.
💬 “Idaho should be tremendously proud of his placement and the eight medals he won this year against the world’s best,” said David Madden, Olympiad Founder & Executive Director.
Grady’s hard work and dedication to history not only brought pride to his school and community, but also highlighted the strength of Boise students on an international stage.
👏 Way to go, Grady — you’ve made Boise, Idaho, and the United States proud! ❤️📚
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It was an inspiring Friday last week (August 29, 2025) across the Boise School District as students had the unique opportunity to meet and learn from a group of nationally recognized authors and illustrators. These creative professionals spent the day sharing their stories, talents, and wisdom, offering students an inside look at the world of storytelling and illustration.
Throughout the day, students discovered how beloved characters are brought to life on the page, learned what it takes to turn an idea into a finished book, and heard first-hand about the importance of persistence, creativity, and imagination.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following special guests who gave their time and energy to inspire the next generation of readers, writers, and artists:
- ✏️ Aaron McConnell
- ✏️ Adrian Ropp
- ✏️ Andy Runton
- ✏️ Jess Smart Smiley
- ✏️ José Pimienta
- ✏️ Matthew Forsythe
- ✏️ Melissa Capriglione
- ✏️ Ryan North
- ✏️ Rye Hickman
- ✏️ Sebastian Girner
- ✏️ Chan Chau
- ✏️ Bre Indigo
- ✏️ Steenz
- ✏️ Jeremy Whitely
From connecting creativity to real-world careers to reminding students that their voices and stories matter, this visit sparked excitement and imagination in classrooms throughout the district.
This event is yet another example of the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan in action—ensuring student-centered learning opportunities that empower students to explore their passions, connect with professionals, and prepare for success beyond the classroom.
Thank you to the following guest authors and illustrators for inspiring Boise School District students to dream big, think creatively, and see themselves as storytellers of the future!
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Melissa Capriglione
Comic Artist & Ilustrator
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Chan Chau
Cartoonist & Comic Artist
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Matthew Forsythe
Author & Illustrator
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Sebastian Garner
Editor, Writer & Publisher
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Bre Indigo
Author & Illustrator
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Rye Hickman
Visual Storyteller
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Aaron McConnell
Artist & Author
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Jose Pimienta
Author & Illustrator
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Adrian Ropp
Visual Artist
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Steenz
Cartoonist, Editor & Professor
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Jeremy Whitley
Comic Creator
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Students at South Junior High and the Dennis Technical Education Center (DTEC) recently welcomed a special visit from crew members of the USS Boise, a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered submarine proudly named after our city.
The sailors shared real-world insights about life aboard a submarine, giving students a firsthand look at the challenges and rewards of serving on one of the world’s most advanced vessels. From the importance of STEM learning and technology to the critical role of teamwork, the crew emphasized how skills developed in school translate directly to success—whether in the military, technical careers, or higher education.
These visits provided students with more than just a lesson in naval operations; they served as a powerful reminder of the many pathways available for their future. For some, the discussions sparked curiosity about careers in engineering, science, or national service. For others, it reinforced the value of collaboration and perseverance in any chosen field.
This initiative is another example of the Boise School District’s Strategic Plan in action—connecting students with opportunities beyond the classroom and preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. 🌟 The visit was made possible by the work of the USS Boise Committee.
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Whittier Elementary School is leading the way in sustainability with the installation of 340 brand new solar panels—now providing more than half of the school’s total energy needs!
This exciting project is not only a major step forward in reducing our environmental footprint and saving money on energy costs, but it’s also creating unique learning opportunities for students. With access to real-time solar energy data, students can see how clean energy is generated and used, connecting science and math concepts to real-world applications. 💡📊
Superintendent Lisa Roberts praised the project as “another example of our Strategic Plan in action—preparing students for the future while strengthening our commitment to sustainability and stewardship of resources.”
The Whittier solar installation reflects the Boise School District’s ongoing efforts to make schools more energy-efficient while also equipping students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a changing world. 🌍💚
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Boise School District’s Community Education program returns this fall with hundreds of affordable, high-quality classes for all ages. From arts & crafts, cooking, and fitness to career development, languages, and technology—there’s something for everyone!
Fall session runs September 8 – October 23, 2025, with classes offered at Riverglen, Timberline, West, offsite venues, and online.
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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.
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ParentSquare is Boise School District's new communication platform that makes it easier to stay connected with your child’s school. Families and select student grade levels have access to a single, convenient hub for all school and district messages.
With ParentSquare, you can:
- Receive updates from teachers, schools, and the District
- Complete forms, permission slips, RSVPs, and sign-ups
- Message teachers and staff directly (with real-time translation)
- Personalize how and when you get notifications
Invitations to activate ParentSquare accounts have already been sent to families—if you haven’t done so yet, check your email and activate your account today.
or watch this 3-minute ParentSquare video overview.
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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!
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The Boise School District is committed to supporting the safety and well-being of every student. As part of that commitment, optional K-12 Student Accident Insurance is available for families who wish to have additional coverage.
Refer to the following flier for more information.
This affordable plan can help cover expenses related to accidental injuries that occur during school or school-sponsored activities. It’s one more way we work together to ensure that students are protected so they can focus on learning, growing, and thriving.
Plans are available through your school. For enrollment details, please see the graphic below.
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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!
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- September 8: Boise School Board regular monthly Board meeting, 6 p.m., District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise. Agenda will be posted online, when available.
- September 8: Fall Community Education session begins. Learn more at www.boiselearns.org.
- October 10: End of First Quarter - Pre K-12 No School; Teacher Directed Day/Professional Development
- October 16: No School Pre K
- October 16: No Pre K-6 Elementary Classes - Parent Conferences
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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...
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