Wolf Watch

White Pine Elementary

From the Desk of Mr. Novotny

September 1, 2023


Dear White Pine Parents and Guardians,


We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey of learning, growth, and discovery with your children. As we begin this academic year, we want to take a moment to share some important updates and express our gratitude.


**A Successful Back-to-School Night:**

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents and guardians who joined us for our Back-to-School Night. Your presence and active participation are invaluable as we build a strong bridge between home and school. We hope the event provided you with a glimpse into your child's daily experiences at White Pine and a chance to meet our dedicated teachers.


**Monthly Newsletter Updates:**

We are excited to introduce our monthly newsletter that will keep you informed about the latest happenings at White Pine. This newsletter will serve as a valuable resource, offering insights into activities, upcoming events, important dates, and more. As we continue through the school year, this newsletter will be continually updated to keep you in the loop.


**Your Partnership in Education:**

At White Pine, we firmly believe that education is a partnership between school and home. Your active involvement plays a vital role in your child's success. We appreciate your trust and support in entrusting us with your child's education journey. Together, we can create an enriching and nurturing environment that fosters learning, creativity, and personal growth.


We encourage you to stay connected with us through various communication channels, including our monthly newsletter, school website, and teacher communication. If you have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Your feedback is always valued and helps us improve our programs and services.


As we move forward into the 2023 school year, let us embrace the opportunities it holds and work hand in hand to provide the best possible education for your child. Thank you for being an essential part of the White Pine family.




Warm regards,


Steve Novotny

Principal

WE ARE HIRING!

NOW HIRING!

Come Serve With Us


Do you want to make a positive difference in a student's life? We are currently looking for a crossing guard to serve 2 hours each day (one in the morning, one in the afternoon) to help keep our families safe before and after school. Please consider joining our team! Our district has additional open positions for Special Education Paraprofessionals, Just for Kids Childcare Providers,Title I Tutors, IT Systems Analyst, School Support Assistants, Sign Language Interpreter, School Custodians, Grounds Technician/ Equipment Operator, HVAC Technician, Warehouse Delivery Driver and more. Review our current job postings and apply online.

Absent?

Please email Makala or Katie at:

whitepineattendance@boiseschools.org

White Pine Parking

Dear Parents and Guardians,


We hope this message finds you well. We would like to bring to your attention to an important matter regarding parking around our school premises.


We have been notified by Timberline and Broadway Veterinarian Clinic that their parking areas are for their customers, students, and clients only. It has come to our attention that some parents have been inadvertently using these lots for school-related purposes, and we kindly ask for your cooperation in refraining from parking in these areas.


We understand that parking can be limited at times, especially during school events or pick-up/drop-off hours. However, it is crucial that we respect the parking restrictions set by our neighbors to ensure a positive relationship with our local businesses and maintain a safe and smooth flow of traffic around the school.


Your understanding and cooperation in this matter are greatly appreciated. We value our relationship with our community and neighbors, and by adhering to these parking restrictions, we can continue to foster a harmonious environment for everyone.


If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us. Thank you for your continued support.

Please keep personal Toys and Athletic Equipment at Home

Dear Parents,


We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to remind you of our school policy regarding the bringing of toys to school by students.


Toys are not allowed at school for the following reasons:


1. **Distraction:** Toys can be distracting in the classroom and disrupt the learning environment for both the student bringing the toy and their classmates.


2. **Safety:** Some toys may pose safety risks to students or others if not used appropriately. We want to ensure the safety of all students while they are on school premises.


3. **Fairness:** Allowing toys in the classroom can lead to jealousy and disputes among students. We want to maintain a fair and inclusive environment for all.


4. **Focus on Learning:** Our primary focus at school is on education and learning. We encourage students to engage in activities that promote their academic and social development during school hours.


We kindly ask for your cooperation in reinforcing this policy at home. If your child brings a toy to school, it will be collected and returned to them at the end of the day.


Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us maintain a productive and safe learning environment for all our students.


If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Free and Reduced Lunch Application

The income guidelines for free and reduced lunches have changed. If you believe your student would qualify based on the new income guidelines, for free or reduced lunches please fill out the online meal application as soon as possible. If you have any questions please call the office at 208-854-6530 or the Food and Nutrition department at 208-854-4090


https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1467319096128&page=lunchapps

White Pine Calendar

Check out the White Pine calendar for important dates and information.

WHITE PINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWS

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News from the Counselor

Dear Parent/Guardian,


My name is Alexia Jahn, and I am your child’s school counselor. Welcome to White Pine! I would like explain my role at White Pine, as well as make myself accessible to you and your child.


I offer several different services. I provide individual student planning for academic development, exploration of careers, support for personal/social needs, as well as crisis counseling. On Thursdays we are also very fortunate to have Sarah Dunn here as an additional school counselor. Katy Metzger is our school social worker and an excellent resource for families who are experiencing homelessness and/or need financial assistance. We truly have an amazing staff. Sarah and I will be going into your child’s classroom and teaching specific counselor curriculum addressing skills and knowledge needed for success in the work environment, continuing education beyond high school, and citizenship in our community. We will be teaching in your child’s classroom every other week on Thursdays. These lessons correspond with specific counseling and health standards set by the Boise School District.


We will be facilitating small counseling groups. Throughout the school year, a number of groups will be formed to benefit students through group interaction. As a parent, you can recommend that your child become a member of one of these groups. Students find small group counseling to be very helpful. Meeting and talking with other students about their concerns can be an important way for your child to realize other students have similar concerns, as well as receive support and encouragement. If your child is included in a group, you will be contacted, receive all necessary details, and asked to sign a formal permission slip. Referring your child for a group does not guarantee participation in a group. Overall school needs are surveyed and groups determined.


In addition to providing student advocacy, individual student planning, crisis counseling, counseling lessons in the classroom, parent education, and small group counseling, I can also provide information, resources, or referrals if ever needed. I am always happy to meet with you or speak with you via phone or email. Supporting your child at school so he/she can ultimately learn and achieve academic and life success is our goal. I am excited to work with you and your child. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.


Sincerely,


Alexia Jahn, M.A., LPC

208-854-6536

alexia.jahn@boiseschools.org

Note from the Nurse

Hello White Pine Families and Welcome Back!


Each year the Health Office needs an updated Health History on file. The health information you provide about your student is confidential and will be used to provide safe, informed care. This information will only be communicated to personnel who require it to better serve your child. It also allows Health Office staff to give students over-the-counter medications, if needed. If your child has a medical condition and/or medical changes during the school year, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to notify the school nurse and update this information.


Included below are the instructions to fill out this form via Infinite Campus (preferred method). We will also send home paper copies of the Health History form (pink paper) home with your student at the beginning of the year. If you did not do the Infinite Campus update then please fill this form out and return it with your child.


Thank you all for completing these forms promptly and I look forward to seeing your students soon!


Infinite Campus Parent Portal


Sincerely,

Melissa Thayer, RN, BSN, School Nurse

Lisa Robb, Health Tech

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BOISE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

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FERPA

Annual Notification Regarding Public Release of Student Directory Information

The Boise School District complies with federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) as it relates to the release of student directory information to the public. To learn more, log on to www.boiseschools.org and navigate to Parents & Patrons > Parent Information > FERPA Form. Or, please call the Clerk of the Board at 208-854-4123 to obtain a copy of the FERPA form.

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White Pine Elementary

Steve Novotny- Principal

Amy Collinge- Assistant Principal

Makala Goodale- Administrative Assistant