Progress and Next Steps
The results in one area, cellphone and social media usage, were so compelling that we were able to make adjustments to our practices and policies prior to the start of the new school year. For topics such as suicide prevention and increased outdoor learning opportunities, the results highlighted the need for more communication about the district’s current offerings, as well as identified areas for growth and improvement. Broader or more complex issues like later school start times for junior and senior high school students, coping skills support groups, and classroom lessons on mental health, while not the top priority for many, will continue to be a key component of the District’s ongoing strategic planning efforts.
Cell Phone & Social Media Access
As the top priority for both parents and staff, we have taken on two major initiatives to protect student well-being and improve student success.
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Cell phone restrictions are now in place at all junior and senior high schools during school and classroom hours. Results will be reviewed after the first semester to determine if a district-wide policy is needed.
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Social media access on district devices is limited, allowing only YouTube and LinkedIn.
Outdoor Learning Opportunities
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District-wide Green Teams: Last year, approximately 600 students participated in various sustainability activities, much of it outdoors, involving more than 16,000 hours of service learning.
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Outdoor Learning Guide: Now in draft form, all schools will have access to information that encourages and fosters outdoor learning.
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Tree Quest: All schools, led by their Green Team and supported by the City of Boise’s Forestry department, will have curriculum available to set tree planting and care goals.
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Americorps Member Host Site: Boise Schools will host an Americorp member focused on sustainability and outdoor learning.
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Environmental Field Experiences: These hands-on learning opportunities are now active for 6th graders in 18 elementary schools. Current topics include watershed study, ecosystem diversity and the impacts of humans on the environment. New strands are being developed this winter and spring to expand offering to 6th grade students at all schools.
Late Start for Junior and Senior High Schools
Led by the District’s Calendar Committee, we have been reviewing data on school start times for more than a year. With the results of our own survey now available, a committee will be formed to focus solely on school start times. The committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees by Spring of 2025.
Overall Student Wellness & Mental Health
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Boise Schools will continue to participate in the Communities for Youth Student Wellness Survey. The survey provides in-depth, school-by-school information on student wellness and will be administered October 28th - November 1st, 2024.
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BroncoBOLD: Led by Boise State University, student-athletes from all four traditional high schools will team up with school leaders to implement school-wide initiatives that encompass all students and the importance of student well-being.
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Expanded training to coaches through school counselors and school social workers on concussions and mental health warning signs.
Suicide Prevention
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Hope Squad: New this year, Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program offered as an elective at every junior high school and all four traditional high schools and Boise Online School. Students attend class during the day with time allocated to recognize their own strengths, manage themselves, and become a mental health student leader in the school.
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Signs of Suicide Curriculum: To ensure that all students know what to do if they or someone they know are experiencing thoughts of suicide, all junior and senior high school students will receive direct instruction during the week of September 9th.
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Chalk-the-Walk for Mental Health: A series of high-visibility events, including athletes from Boise State University, will seek to raise awareness around suicide, encourage hope, promote kindness and a sense of belonging.
For more details, please review the presentations from the following Board of Trustee meetings:
Thanks to the thousands of parents and Boise School District employees who participated, we have gained valuable insight into the priorities our community places in key areas of our students’ well-being and mental health. Thank you again for your continued support and engagement in your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Boise School District Administration
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