West Ada Update
School Community - August 19, 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
First Day of School - August 26
Superintendent's Message
Dear West Ada School Community,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the start of the 2021-22 school year. The start of each school year brings much excitement, energy, and perhaps even some trepidation. We all feel this excitement in different ways. Students look forward to seeing friends and are excited about all that the new school year may bring. Families are happy to see their children off for the start of another successful school year, yet are amazed at how fast their children are growing. Faculty and staff, re-energized from vacation and summer professional learning, are ready to unwrap each child’s personality and determine how to help them learn and grow.
As your new Superintendent of Schools, I REFLECT on the past and what it will take for us to continue the progress we have made. I continue to EMBRACE the present as well as the diverse backgrounds, values and points of view we bring to build a strong, inclusive community and to prepare our students. I have listened carefully to the feedback from educators, parents and guardians from across all of our schools and hope to BUILD on the future of West Ada and the gains we have made as a school district.
This year’s school theme: Reflect, Embrace, Build has the potential to profoundly shape how our schools operate. We aim to strengthen academic achievement for all learners, build strong social emotional supports and develop long-term fiscal plans that support our schools. Most importantly, we continue to do what is in the best interest of all students; providing the foundation that each student needs in order to realize their full potential and achieve the dreams they have for themselves and for their future.
Throughout our West Ada schools walk the scientists, dreamers, researchers, athletes, doctors, artists and leaders of the future. What makes West Ada School District special, is that we do not need to look to the future to see leadership. We see advocacy, leadership, innovation, and student-led change every day - in our classrooms, in our schools, and across our community.
I am honored, humbled, and excited to work with you all and our incredible team of educators, staff, administrators, and school leaders as we work together to reflect on the past, embrace the present and build on the future to continuously improve West Ada School District. Welcome back!
Sincerely,
Dr. Derek Bub
Superintendent of Schools
Important Dates:
- August 24 - School Board Meeting
- August 26 - First Day of School!
- August 27 - Education Foundation's 33rd Annual Golf Tournament (more information posted below)
- September 6 - NO SCHOOL: Labor Day
- September 8 - International Literacy Day
- September 12-18 - National Arts in Education Week
- September 13 - School Board Meeting
- September 27 - School Board Meeting
- September 29 - World School Milk Day
School Supplies
High school supply lists are not available. High school students will be given specific class requirements on their first two days (A Day and B Day) of school.
Bell Schedule links are provided using the buttons below:
Dress Code
Grade level specific handbooks:
- Elementary School Handbook: CLICK HERE
- Middle School Handbook: CLICK HERE
- High School Handbook: CLICK HERE
Eagle High School Alumnus heads to paralympics
Kory, we will be rooting for you and TEAM U.S.A. from Idaho! We are beyond proud of Kory and his perseverance, resilience, strength and determination.
Free Meals for Students for the 2021-22 School Year
All children enrolled in West Ada School buildings will be served a free breakfast and lunch each school day! West Ada schools will be serving free meals to students enrolled in district school buildings for the 2021-2022 School Year.
What does this mean for you and your kids?
All students enrolled into West Ada School buildings will eligible to receive a free breakfast and free lunch each learning day.
What if I have a child enrolled in the Virtual School House?
Per federal regulation 7 CFR 210.2, and USDA guidance, virtual schools do not meet the definition of schools under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Meals are not provided for students enrolled in Virtual School House.
When does this start?
We will begin with our first day of school, August 26, 2021. This includes both breakfast and lunch.
Should you still fill out a Free and Reduced application?
Applications are not required but, we are still accepting them. Please visit Titan Family Portal to apply.
If you have any questions please contact School Nutrition at nutrition@westada.org or CLICK HERE for more information.
Education Foundation 33rd Annual Golf Tournament
The Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit of West Ada School District. Their mission is to provide supplemental funding and support to classrooms in the West Ada School District which encompasses Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and Star and a small area of Nampa. The Education Foundation is hosting their 33rd annual golf tournament, "Linking Up for Kids" on August 27 at Eagle Hills Golf Course benefiting teachers and students of West Ada. For more information on this event and the Education Foundation: CLICK HERE.
Idaho Standards Achievement Test (ISAT)
ISAT SCORES for students in grades 3-8 and 10, from spring 2021, are now available through PowerSchool!
1. Log in to your PowerSchool account
2. Click on Historical Documents in the left navigation menu
3. From the folder drop-down select "Test Results"
4. Click on the document you want and then select the Download button.
For more information on the ISAT Comprehensive Assessment System: CLICK HERE
Bus Stops
Please be advised that while bus routes are published, they will NOT be final until board approval on August 24. Changes may occur.
CTE Shuttles
Students may choose to self-transport, but must commit to driving themselves for the duration of the CTE class. Once bussing has been established, special accommodations will not be made. For students who choose to self transport, a 'Self Transportation' form must be submitted to the home high school. In addition, student drivers must visibly display a CTE sticker while on campus at a CTE Center. CTE parking stickers are distributed once all transportation paperwork is submitted.
Please note, the CTE shuttle schedules have not yet been updated. Continue to check the website linked in the button below for up-to-date information, prior to the first day of school. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Support West Ada and shop at the same time!
Help the Education Foundation for Joint School District 2 when you shop at Amazon!
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to The Education Foundation for Joint School District 2 whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
The simple and no-cost way to donate to a favorite charity!
Step 1: Join AmazonSmile
- If you aren’t yet an AmazonSmile member, sign up at smile.amazon.com using a web browser (mobile or desktop). You’ll sign in with your Amazon credentials, and the site will walk you through the process.
- Amazon will ask you to choose your favorite charity. This is where you search for and choose “The Education Foundation for Joint School District 2.”
Step 2: Open the Amazon Shopping app on your phone
- If you don’t have the app already, download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Step 3: Open Settings within the app
- Open Settings by tapping the three horizontal lines (aka the “hamburger”) at the top left and tapping “Settings.
Step 4: Tap AmazonSmile
Step 5: Tap the button for “Turn on AmazonSmile”
- You’ll need to follow the three-step setup process. Note that Amazon requires you to turn on notifications to be able to use AmazonSmile on your phone.
Step 6: Make note of your renewal date
- Amazon asks that you renew your AmazonSmile donation every six months. This is easy but required. When six months are up, you’ll have to choose your favorite charity again. If you don’t, purchases made until you do will not count.
Step 7: Confirm that AmazonSmile is active before your next purchase
- Look for AmazonSmile at the top of the app as you browse. You’ll also see your chosen charity on the confirmation screen.
Student Schedules (Grades 6-12)
If you have not taken a moment to update your student's PowerSchool forms, you will be unable to see your student's schedule. For information on how to update your contact information and school forms in PowerSchool: CLICK HERE.
For questions regarding your child's schedule, classes or schedule changes, please speak directly to your child's School Counselor.
Fall Sports
For high school students wishing to attend their school's home games or other athletic events, activity cards are available for purchase through school site bookkeepers at the cost of $44.50/student. Students who have an activity card are permitted entry to ALL home athletic events at no charge and receive a discount at away events.
Rocky Mountain High School Marching Band
For more information on Rocky Mountain High School Marching Band and to see who the other wonderful spirit stick winners were follow @grizzlymarchingband on Instagram and @RMHSgrizband on Facebook.
Title IX Training
West Ada administrators had the opportunity to attend Title IX training with W. Scott Lewis, J.D. co-founder and advisory board member of Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA).
This two day training was attended by both building leaders and district officials informing and educating on Title IX: Protection from sex-based discrimination.
What an excellent learning opportunity for our leaders!!! Thank you ATIXA for providing this meaningful insight and professional development and thank you WASD personnel for dedicating your time to this event.
Image Right: Dave Roberts, WASD Chief Human Resources Officer, W. Scott Lewis, J.D. co-founder and advisory board member of ATIXA & Dr. Derek Bub, WASD Superintendent of Schools
WASD Enrollment Fair
The 2021 WASD Enrollment Fair was a HUGE success! In just two days school secretaries, nurses, registrars, transportation staff, school counselors, student volunteers, special services staff and so many others helped to enroll almost 1,000 NEW students in WASD!!!!
Thanks to the hard work and efforts of so many of our staff under the direction of Marci Horner and Staci Low, WASD enrolled 464 new elementary students, 237 new middle school students and 225 new high school students. Wow! We appreciate you, your hard work and efforts!
To our new families, Welcome to West Ada! We are beyond thrilled to have you as part of our family! (image gallery below)
Join a sport, club or activity!
As the school year begins, your student might consider joining a sport, activity or a club. Parents and students are encouraged to check their home school's website for more information on the various sports, activities and clubs offered at each school site and get involved!
Centennial High School (CHS) Mountain Bike Team (image right) is one of many clubs and activities offered at CHS for students in grades six through twelve. The CHS Mountain Bike team is open for beginning to “pro” riders in Grades 6-12 and their official season is July-October. For more information on the Centennial Mountain Bike Team follow them on Instagram @centennial_patriots_mtb_team or Facebook @centennialpatriotsmtbteam.
Virtual School House Continues Providing Quality Education to Learners
West Ada School District’s Virtual School House (VSH) continues teaching quality instruction to students in the 2021-2022 school year. This online-only school has been around for about a decade, expanding its programming last school year to suit the needs of an ever-growing online learning community.
The perks of VSH include:
- Flexible schedule – All class lessons are recorded. Students may attend live class lessons or watch the recording. Classes meet daily, as well as small group and individual meetings multiple times per week. Teachers have office hours.
- Moving students – Students moving into the school district mid-semester can attend VSH and pick up credits instead of potentially losing credits.
- Health – Students can receive treatment without missing classes.
- Travel – Students with traveling activities can still participate in school by attending live classes when possible and watching recorded lessons. Students can complete required assignments anywhere that has an internet connection.
- Early graduates – VSH requires 46 credits to graduate. Many students can graduate quarters or even a full year early.
- Special services – VSH is a collaborative school partnering with other campuses to design an education experience which fits the needs of students requiring additional supports.