School Community
West Ada Update - September 30, 2021
West Ada School District (WASD)
2021-22 School Year Theme: Reflect on the past, embrace the present and build on the future.
Email: communicate@westada.org
Website: https://www.westada.org/
Location: 1303 East Central Drive, Meridian, ID 83642, USA
Phone: 208-855-4500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JointSchoolDistrictNo2/
Twitter: @westadaschools
Important Dates:
- October is Computer Learning Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, National Bullying Prevention Month and National Principals Month
- October 2 - National School Custodian Day
- October 3-9 - National Fire Prevention Week and Farm-to-School Week
- October 4 - NO SCHOOL: Collaboration (all grades, K-12 with the exception of Renaissance High School - this is a remote learning day for RHS)
- October 5 - World Teacher's Day
- October 6 - National Coaches Day
- October 10-16 - National School Lunch Week
- October 11 - Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples Day
- October 11 - Regular School Board Meeting
- October 13 - PSAT/NMSQT for 10th grade students - NOTE: This will be a remote learning / asynchronous instructional day for students in grades 9-12, excluding Meridian, Central and Eagle Academies.
- October 17-23 - National Bus Safety Week
- October 20 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School Kindergarten, Tuition K in session)
- October 21 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (No School Grades K-8)
- October 22 - NO SCHOOL: End of Quarter 1
- October 23-31 - Red Ribbon Week: "Drug Free Looks Like Me"
- October 25 - Regular School Board Meeting
- November 22-26 - NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Holiday Break
PLEASE NOTE: To meet our goal of all students achieving at high levels, the West Ada School District Service Center is closed from 8:00-9:00 AM every Wednesday for collaborative team meetings and the work of Professional Learning Communities (PLC). In these meetings, teams review data, establish goals, and monitor school/district improvement strategies.
What's BUB-ling?
We are excited to introduce an employee of the month program here at West Ada School District. Each month district leadership will recognize two elementary, middle and high school staff members as well as two district service center staff members in appreciation and recognition of all that our staff does to support West Ada and one another.
Congratulations to our September Employees of the Month in West Ada School District:
Elementary School:
- Glenna Newby, Music teacher at Eagle Elementary School of the Arts
- Kevin Albertson, Head Custodian at Eagle Elementary School of the Arts
Middle School:
- Coming soon! Stay tuned!
High School:
- Julie Nimmo, Registrar at Centennial High School
- Hillary Redd, School Nurse at Centennial High School
- Abbie Sutherland, Special Education teacher at Centennial High School
District Service Center:
- Cesar Cortez, Service Desk Lead for Informational Technology (IT) at West Ada
- Loren Cornell, Systems Engineer for Informational Technology (IT) at West Ada
Thank you to our National Merit Semifinalists (see photo below) and their families who were able to attend this Monday's Board meeting. We are so honored to be a part of this accomplishment and wish you the best of luck as you explore college and career opportunities. Congratulations!
Our College and Career Counselors (Cris Kerns - CTE, Chelsi Bates - MHS, Tammy Schneider - RHS, Rae Peppley - OHS and Ashley Watson - IFAA) took the time Monday evening to present all that they do to assist and support our West Ada students. Thanks to the wonderful school counselors throughout the district, our students are able to explore and plan for post-secondary opportunities determining their career and education goals. Kylee Bendorf, Coordinator of Advanced Opportunities and AVID District Director, also presented and shared the collective success of our students who participate in advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB) and concurrent / dual credit classes. Mrs. Bendorf shared that during the 2020-2021 school year, West Ada students, earned over 46,000 post-secondary credits. In addition, high school students throughout West Ada collectively earned 137 AA degrees, 18 IB diplomas and 54 IBCP certificates. We are so fortunate to be able to offer these opportunities to our secondary students and so proud of our students for taking advantage of these programs.
October is National Principals Month. We honor, celebrate and appreciate our building leaders everyday, but especially during the month of October. We thank all of our building leaders for their dedication and all they do to support our school communities. Our school principals guide and support each of their schools in large and small ways everyday and we are beyond grateful for ALL they do!
As we take the time to honor and recognize our faculty and staff throughout the district, we celebrate National School Custodian Day on October 2. I encourage the entire community to stop and take a moment to thank the school custodians and maintenance workers throughout West Ada for their tireless efforts day in and day out to keep our schools looking beautiful. It is because of the hard work and time our school custodians put in that our schools and workplaces are kept spotless and sanitary. Thank you!
Employees of the Month, September 2021
Elementary School
Kevin Albertson
Glenna Newby
Hillary Redd
Julie Nimmo
Abbie Sutherland
District Service Center
Loren Cornell
Cesar Cortez
National Merit Semifinalists
Principal Pride: Kacey Schneidt, Siena Elementary
This week our PRINCIPAL PRIDE spotlight is on Kacey Schneidt, Siena Elementary!
- Number of Years in West Ada: 21
- Number of Years at Siena: 14
- What I like about West Ada: We always strive to do what is best for our students.
- The best thing about being a Principal is...I love my staff, my students and my community! Siena is the best! I truly enjoy my staff and students every day. They always bring a smile to my face and we have so much fun together.
- Family: I have been married to my husband Justin Schneidt for 19 years. He currently teaches at Mountain View High School. We have two children; Brooklyn is a junior at Owyhee High School and Cooper is in 6th grade at Victory Middle School.
- Favorite Food: PIZZA!!!!
- Favorite TV show: Grey's Anatomy
- Hobbies: Coaching and watching my kids play sports
- Fun Fact: I have known my husband since I was in the 7th grade!
We are so lucky to have such exceptional leaders in West Ada. Thank you for your continued leadership, dedication, service and compassion to those you serve!
Congratulations Mountain View High School senior Nathan Badger!
Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Grant Recipients
CTE Spotlight: Early Childhood Education
The West Ada Career Technical Education (CTE) Early Childhood Education program is designed to prepare students for a career in the field of early childhood care and related services. Through this program, students will acquire the skills needed to support elementary age children, helping them to develop emotionally, socially and mentally throughout their primary years. These classes are meaningful for future parents, educators, medical professionals or any human development related career. Prospective students must pass a background check to participate and provide self-transportation to off campus child centers and related program activities.
Pathway Course Sequence:
- Parenting and Child Development
10th grade, full year class - Early Childhood Education
11th grade, semester class - Advanced Early Childhood Education
12th grade, semester class
On-site Training!
To conclude the pathway, students will participate in an internship with a local early childhood center, as assigned by their CTE instructor. Students will get first hand experience on day-to-day operations of a child care center including tasks like record keeping, classroom management, learning techniques as well as earn a CPR credential.
A career in Early Childhood Education can be full of bright and rewarding experiences, as you help influence and shape a young child's life. In addition, statistics show that the population of children in pre-kindergarten (ages 3-5), is expected to increase, creating a demand for experienced professionals.
CTE Meridian High School Early Education teacher: Shannon Phillips, M.Ed., CFCS-HDFS
Shannon Phillips, Early Childhood Education, Meridian High School: Shannon has been teaching Family and Consumer Sciences at Meridian High for 15 years; she is currently in her 20th year in education. Shannon has a Bachelor's degree from University of Idaho in Family Life Education, a Master's degree from City University of Seattle in Integrated Technology, and is nationally certified in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Human Development and Family Services.
Shannon has a passion for early childhood education, advocating for quality early learning experiences for all children in the state of Idaho, and educating her students on developmentally appropriate practices in an early learning environment. The most exciting part of the early childhood education program for Shannon is watching students' own investment in the profession, positive guidance techniques, and best practices in the classroom evolve throughout the three-year program. Although students can earn college credit through this program, Shannon's goal is to eventually add a Child Development Associates credential to program outcomes for students.
Grizzly Marching Band and Color Guard
Congratulations to the Rocky Mountain Marching Band and Color Guard for taking first place in the Group II Open at the US BANDS competition in Caldwell. The RMHS Marching Band also received caption awards for Best Music, Best Visuals, Best Percussion, and Best Guard!
IMPORTANT CHILD NUTRITION UPDATE
Food shortages are nationwide, and our district is also experiencing unavailable items or last-minute replacements. Menus are subject to change. Online menus are available and we will do our best to update with any changes. We appreciate your patience and understanding. We look forward to serving students free breakfast and lunch in our school buildings during the 2021-22 school year.
PSAT / NMSQT (Preliminary SAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)
The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) measures a student’s ability to do college work. The PSAT is a short form of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and measures math reasoning and reading and writing skills and includes multiple choice and fill-in response questions.
All sophomore students in West Ada take the PSAT on October 13, 2021. It is recommended that students take the PSAT as a junior as well. For students who are enrolled in honors courses, it is recommended to take the PSAT as a junior because it is the qualifying test for scholarship competition such as the National Merit Scholarship (NMSQT).
- NOTE: This will be a remote learning / asynchronous instructional day for students in grades 9-12, excluding Meridian, Central and Eagle Academies.
The PSAT is NOT used for college admissions. ALL West Ada School District sophomores (10th grade) will take the PSAT, during school hours, for FREE, on OCTOBER 13. Juniors interested in taking the PSAT / NMSQT for National Merit scholarship purposes should contact their School Counselor to sign up and pay assessment fees with their school bookkeeper. More information can also be found about PSAT on the College Board website page at www.collegeboard.org.
To link your PSAT score to Khan academy for SAT prep follow these steps:
- Go to satpractice.org. Create an account on Khan Academy or sign in to your existing account.
- When prompted, agree to link your Khan Academy and College Board accounts.
- Send your scores.
FREE senior photos!
This event is open to ANY high school senior who may need assistance with a senior portrait!
Register for the event by sending the student name, parents name and phone numbers to GemStatePSA@gmail.com by October 23!
ACHD Art Contest
Calling all Ada County 6th to 12th grade student artists!
ACHD is having an art contest focusing on the "Seasons of Transportation" theme. The winning artwork will be added to our Street Sweepers and seen throughout Ada County. There are also lots of other great prizes!
Love and Logic Parenting Class
West Ada will host a six-week session of Love & Logic at Frontier Elementary for any West Ada School District parents/guardians who are interested.
Love & Logic is a parenting approach that provides parents with an opportunity to gain practical and proven tools for raising respectful and responsible kids. Classes will begin Monday October 11th from 6-8 pm in the Frontier gymnasium and will be held weekly. The last class will wrap up on Monday November 15th. The cost of the class is $15 per person/couple (to cover the cost of the workbook). The class will be limited to 20 people/couples in order to maintain proper social distancing. Given that this class is on school property, masks will be required.
Please email Buffington.sara@westada.org in order to reserve your spot!
- Location: Frontier Elementary – 11851 Musket Dr., Boise, ID 83713
- Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
- Class Dates: Mondays—October 11, 18, 25 and November 1, 8, & 15
- Facilitator: Sara Jo Buffington, School Counselor
- Class Fee: $15 per person/couple (Fee covers the cost of the class workbook)
- Register by contacting Sara Jo Buffington at Frontier Elementary School
- Registration Deadline: October 1, 2021 – or until full
West Ada Leadership Institute
West Ada School District hosted a Leadership Institute between building administrators and district administration.
Together these leaders were able to:
- categorize leadership actions through the lens of research-based leadership competencies and measure impact through district-wide Math and ELA benchmarking
- articulate our systemic PLC processes and the leader’s role in using formative data to drive short/long term goals
- practice and model effective instructional strategies that should be applied to leading learning in buildings / departments
Idaho Statesman Athletes of the Week
- CROSS COUNTRY: Rilyn Stevens, Mountain View: Finished eighth in a loaded girls field at the Nike Portland XC at 17:48.9.
Way to represent West Ada! For more information and to read the full article by Michael Lycklama, CLICK HERE.
Apply Idaho!
Apply Idaho is a free, common college application to 10 in-state colleges and universities. No SSN is required (though it is recommended).
NEW THIS YEAR, students will be able to see their GPA and SAT/ACT scores prior to submission. Only Idaho high school seniors can use Apply Idaho. Learn more at nextsteps.idaho.gov
Apply Idaho opens on October 1, 2021!!
Optional Device Protection Plan
West Ada School District offers optional device protection to families to cover the accidental breakage or damage that might occur to a child’s iPad or laptop. This voluntary protection plan is available for $25 per device and covers repairs or replacement due to accidental damage from drops, spills, vandalism, loss, theft, and incidental damage to another student’s device. Device protection does not cover intentional damage to a device, or damaged or lost accessories such as district provided cases, chargers, pens, or hotspots. Please see the Parent Student Device Handbook or Optional Device Protection Plan in the Student Handbooks for detailed information on the District’s Optional Device Protection Plan.
The optional device protection plan enrollment period is August 16-October 31. Families may sign up and pay for optional device protection through the Payment Portal located in PowerSchool. Please refer to the image below for instructions on accessing the optional device protection form in PowerSchool.
Families are responsible for the repair or replacement of devices which are damaged, lost, or stolen outside acceptable use guidelines published in student handbooks. Device protection is a voluntary, non-refundable, yearly cost for each device. Families may be able to add devices to their homeowner’s or renters’ insurance plan and may consider these alternatives prior to purchasing optional device protection.
Hunter Elementary Jog-a-thon
Congratulations 5th grade Hawks on your last jog-a-thon as you approach becoming middle schoolers. THANK YOU to the Hunter Elementary PTO for organizing this incredible fundraiser for the school!
Siena Elementary gives back!
Lowell Scott Chargers take on Math in a fun and creative way!
Mitigating Measures in the Classroom
- Teachers and students must sanitize their hands upon entering the classroom. Building custodians will check wall mounted hand sanitizer dispensers daily to check levels and replace cartridges. Teachers are responsible for requesting individual bottles of hand sanitizer from administration.
- Student desks should be distanced as much as possible, at least three (3) to six (6) feet apart is ideal.
- Remind students of the need to maintain distancing and that students should only get up to move around the classroom with teacher permission and supervision that ensures adequate physical distancing as much as possible, three (3) to six (6) feet is preferable.
- Remind students NOT TO SHARE laptops or computer keyboards, drinks, food, snacks, gum, writing utensils, tissues, face masks, make-up, chap stick, eating utensils, musical instruments, or personal items.
- Student desks, chairs, keyboards, or other items frequently touched at the student’s desk should be cleaned between use by different students.
- In those school buildings in which the building maintenance staff indicates that it is not possible to perform at least four air exchanges per hour, consider opening your classroom door and the classroom windows if weather allows and the open door and windows do not create excessive noise in the classroom. You can learn more on this page Modifying Facilities.