School Community
West Ada Update - January 6, 2022
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:
- January 9 - Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
- January 10 - Regular Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
- January 12 - Centennial High School Advanced Opportunities Night, 6:30 p.m.
- January 13, 2022 – FULL SCHOOL DAY All Grades
- January 13 - Owyhee High School Advanced Opportunities Night at 6:00 p.m. in the OHS Auditorium
- January 14 - Second Semester Ends
- January 14, 2022 – EARLY RELEASE Grades K-5 / NO SCHOOL Grades 6-12
- January 17 - NO SCHOOL: Martin Luther King Jr. Day / Idaho Human Rights Day
- January 19 - Mountain View High School Advanced Opportunities Night at 6pm
- January 25 - Eagle High School Advanced Opportunities Night, 6 p.m.
- January 27 - Rocky Mountain High School Advanced Opportunities Night, 6:30 p.m.
- February 2 - Meridian High School Advanced Opportunities Night, 6 p.m.
- April 13, 2022 - NO SCHOOL Grades 9, 10 and 12: Junior 11th grade SAT Testing (Does not apply to Renaissance & IFAA)
- June 2, 2022 - FULL SCHOOL DAY All Grades: 6-12 Last Day of School
- June 3, 2022 - EARLY RELEASE Grades K-5: K-5 Last Day of School
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 a.m. 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?
A message from West Ada's Superintendent, Dr. Derek Bub:
Happy New Year and welcome back to school! I am so proud of West Ada and the many accomplishments we achieved in 2021. As we continue to embrace this school year's theme: Reflect, Embrace, Build, entering 2022 I look forward to the continued successes and achievements of the District, our schools, staff, students and families. I am forever grateful for our West Ada School Community and am excited for the opportunities that 2022 brings.
- “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”—Albert Einstein
Remote Learning Capacity At-home Task: K-5 Elementary Schools, Galileo STEM and Christine Donnell
- WHO: All elementary school buildings (K-5) including Galileo STEM Academy and Christine Donnell School of the Arts. We strongly encourage all assigned students to participate, but understand that some may not be able to complete the at-home task on January 14th.
- WHAT: Students will be expected to access an activity via their class Team (Microsoft Teams) or Seesaw to the best of their ability. This activity/at-home task should take no more than 3-5 minutes. Students will be given directions from their teacher on the details of the activity/assignment and how to access the materials for the assignment.
- WHERE: Students should complete the activity/at-home task remotely, outside of the classroom environment, when at home
- WHEN: The afternoon of Friday, January 14 (after-school hours)
- WHY: This West Ada practice is conducted twice annually (once per semester) to help ensure quality technology systems are in place in West Ada, determine if students can access instruction and materials remotely, measure the District's capacity for remote learning and help the District identify the number of hot spots needed by students.
We thank you in advance for your support and participation in this at-home task. Teachers will be reviewing proper care for devices with students when transporting to and from school and will be reminding students to keep their devices fully charged.
- Laptop Care Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLXbwmvaUIE
- iPad Care Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmUDPJ2VA1Q
If you need assistance connecting a student device to your home wi-fi, please click here for a short video. The WASD technology department is here to support all WASD families.
If you need technical assistance, please click https://www.westada.org/TechSupport or contact our service desk at 208-350-5300 Monday through Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm.
Nurse Office Reminders:
The Mission of the School Nurse is to enhance the educational potential of all students by promoting wellness and facilitating management of health conditions which create barriers to learning.The health of our students and staff is of upmost importance.
Here are some reminders when it comes the school health office.
- We ask that students and staff stay home if they are sick.
- The health services staff is available to treat minor illnesses and injuries that occur during the school day. Please remember we are not a health care provider, if your student(s) develops an illness or injury outside of school please see your healthcare provider.
- We ask that students use their break and lunchtime for minor aches and pains (unless it is an emergency/7B’s).
- An emergency (7B’s) is one of the following. These are anytime visits.
- Severe Bleeding*
- Barfing
- Breathing difficulty
- Big bump (head bump)
- Broken bone
- Burning up (appears feverish)
- Bee sting
*Typical nose bleeds can often be self-managed. If possible wash any minor scratches instead of visiting the Health Office.
- Please no office visits during the first hour of school if possible. The exception is one of the 7B’s.
- Try to avoid office visits during the hour immediately following lunch. The exception is one of the 7B’s.
- The above items do not apply to students that have health plans requiring visits to the health office.
PRINCIPAL PRIDE
John Ursillo, River Valley Elementary School
This week our PRINCIPAL PRIDE spotlight is on John Ursillo, River Valley Elementary School
Number of Years in West Ada: 21
Number of Years at River Valley Elementary School: 8
- What I like about West Ada: West Ada staff has a clear focus on doing what is right for children. We work hard to ensure students learn and possess the ability to be successful in the future.
- The best thing about being a Principal is...I get to work with amazing students, staff, and parents. They inspire me to be my best.
- Family: I have been married to my wife Eileen for 23 years, and we have two children, Giovanni who is 17 and Kathleen who is 15.
- Favorite Food: Italian
- Favorite TV Show: Ice Hockey
- Hobbies: Reading, fly Fishing, backpacking, running, mountain biking, and playing hockey.
- Fun Fact: I am a distant relative of Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, where I grew up.
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!
CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) SPOTLIGHT: CONSTRUCTION TRADES
Construction Trades
Students will finish out the pathway with Construction II & III during their 11th and 12th grade years. This is where the fun begins! Students will put their skills to use on an active construction job site where they will take part in a community construction project. A CTE shuttle will transport students to and from the job site, which will serve as their new classroom.
While on location at the construction job site, students will be expected to wear proper safety equipment and dress appropriately for the day. Students will participate in all aspects of the building process including framing of floor and walls, installation of roofing materials, siding, windows, doors, drywall, cabinets and painting. In addition, safety instruction and construction terminology will also be mastered by students, as well as completion of OSHA training.
Pathway Course Sequence:
- Construction Trades I
10th grade; full year class - Construction Trades II
11th grade, full year class - Construction Trades III
12th grade; full year class
For more information, click here: https://www.westada.org/page/84725
Trevor Nelson, West Ada CTE at RHS - Residential Construction I
William "BJ" Albertson, West Ada CTE at RHS - Residential Construction II, III
William (BJ) Albertson has been teaching for the past 12 years and the last four has been spent working in West Ada. BJ completed undergraduate degree with Oregon State University and holds a Masters in Education from Walden University. BJ is the proud father of two adventurous girls and is married to an amazing Math teacher who also works in West Ada at Eagle High School. BJ loves teaching construction to CTE students because the pathway provides insight into the numerous opportunities construction can provide. Spending every day on an active construction site with students learning and gaining new experiences make his position, his classes and the construction pathway unique. Construction is capable of taking you to places you would never imagine.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY
West Ada College & Career Fair
The College & Career Fair aims to provide West Ada high school students the opportunity to connect with employers, colleges and organizations, research companies and post-secondary options and find employment.
- Date: Monday, April 25
- Time: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
- Location: Rocky Mountain High School - 5450 N. Linder Rd. Meridian, ID 83646
Meet face-to-face with student candidates Quickly hire and fill vacant positions Promote College and Organization programs Save time and money with direct access to student candidates Target West Ada students in specific college and career pathways
EMPLOYERS register here: https://qrco.de/WASDemp
COLLEGES register here: https://qrco.de/WASDco
Career & Technical Education (CTE) Information Nights
You're Invited!!!! Career and Technical Education (CTE) Education Night / Open House!
- Explore: 25+ CTE programs
- Experience: Tour state of the art CTE centers and facilities
- Engage: Meet the instructors and ask your questions!
West Ada students will have the opportunity to explore career aligned pathway opportunities offered through West Ada School District.
Students in grades 5-11 are welcome to attend!!!
Career Technical Center- Renaissance Campus
1307 E Central Drive, Meridian, ID 83642
February 1st, 2022
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
White Cloud Auditorium
Career Technical Center- Meridian Campus
1900 W Pine Ave, Meridian, ID 83624
February 2nd, 2022
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
MHS CTE Center is west of the main high
school, located off the Pine Ave entrance.
For more information, please visit the West Ada CTE website or use the PDF flyer inserted below.
Love & Logic
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 Wednesday, January 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Mary McPherson Library and will be held weekly in-person. The cost of the class is $20 per person/couple (to cover the cost of the workbook).
Please email shepard.becca@westada.org with questions or click here for more information!
Register here: https://www.westada.org/Page/84997 in order to reserve your spot! Money will need to be collected so that workbooks can be purchased before the class begins.
ADVANCED OPPORTUNITIES
What is the Advanced Opportunities program?
Advanced Opportunities allow for students to individualize their high school learning plan to get a jump start on their future. The Advanced Opportunities program provides every student attending an Idaho public school an allocation of $4,125 to use towards Advanced Opportunities in grades 7-12. These funds provide students the opportunity for advancement and growth as they explore post-secondary options. The funds can be used for a variety of offerings:
- Overload Courses - a high school course taken in excess of a student's regular school day
- Dual Credits - courses taken by high school students in which students receive high school and college credit
- Exams - Advanced Placement (AP) exams, International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Career & Technical Education (CTE) exams
- Workforce Training - Regionally approved workforce training courses at an Idaho public college
- Early Graduation Scholarship - available to public high school students who graduate at least one full year early
Each West Ada High School is hosting an Advanced Opportunities Night in January 2022 welcoming families and students, currently enrolled in grades 8-10, who are interested in exploring their prospective or current high school options. Parents and students interested in learning more about high school honors, Advanced Placement, concurrent credit, IB courses, or Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are strongly encourage to attend a session.
- Centennial High School - Wednesday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m.
- Eagle High School - Tuesday, January 25 at 6 p.m. in the EHS Auditorium
- Meridian High School - Wednesday, February 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium
- Mountain View High School - Wednesday, January 19 at 6pm in the MVHS Auditorium
- Owyhee High School - Thursday, January 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the OHS Auditorium
- Rocky Mountain High School - Thursday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m. at RMHS
INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS:
2021-22 Calendar Revision
At the Regular Board of Trustees Meeting held on December 13, 2021, the board approved changes to the student calendar for the 2021-22 school year.
The changes to the calendar, are as follows:
- January 13, 2022 – FULL SCHOOL DAY All Grades
- January 14, 2022 – EARLY RELEASE Grades K-5 / NO SCHOOL Grades 6-12
- April 13, 2022 - NO SCHOOL Grades 9, 10 and 12: Junior 11th grade SAT Testing (Does not apply to Renaissance & IFAA)
- June 2, 2022 - FULL SCHOOL DAY All Grades: 6-12 Last Day of School
- June 3, 2022 - EARLY RELEASE Grades K-5: K-5 Last Day of School
Aside from the SAT date change, the reasons for the proposed changes are the challenges associated with lack of bussing resources and availability of routes due to an early release bell schedule. The early release scheduled times for dismissal and pick up between elementary and secondary does not follow the typical ‘staggered’ release of a full school day. Currently, the early release bell schedule releases and picks up multiple grade levels/programs of students at the same time. This is not a viable schedule given transportation resources and number of available routes.
Here is a link to the document that was approved by the Board: Recommendation to approve 2021-22 School Year Calendar Revisions
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 NOT TO SHARE laptops or computer keyboards, drinks, food, snacks, writing utensils, tissues, face masks, make-up, chap stick, eating utensils, musical instruments, or personal items.
- Frequently touched items should be cleaned often.
- You can learn more on this page Modifying Facilities.