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This Week in Boise Schools: Student Connections, School Spirit & a Teacher Spotlight!

Posted Date: 10/28/26 (12:00 PM)

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Boise School District News

October 28, 2026

Teacher Spotlight: Meet Capital High School Math Teacher Sierra Bohamera

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Sierra Bohamera, a math teacher at Capital High School who is making a difference in the lives of her students.

Math is about more than numbers and equations. It helps students develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills while building the confidence to take on new challenges. Teachers like Sierra play an important role in helping students discover what they’re capable of achieving.

Watch our Teacher Spotlight video to meet Sierra and learn more about the passion she brings to her classroom.

Follow Boise School District on Facebook and Instagram for more Teacher Spotlights and inspiring stories from across our schools!
 

Boise School District Bands Earn Honors at District III Marching Festival

Boise School District student musicians brought home several honors from the 2026 Idaho District III Mel Shelton Marching Festival on Saturday, October 24. The event featured more than 1,850 students representing 27 bands in a celebration of musical talent, teamwork and dedication.

Timberline High School earned second place in the festival’s Sweepstakes awards, along with second place overall in the Medium Open division. Timberline also received Best Visual Performance and third place in Auxiliary in its division.

Boise High School (pictured) earned third place overall in the Medium Open division and second place in Auxiliary. Borah High School earned third place in Auxiliary in the Large Open division.

These accomplishments highlight the commitment and collaboration that music education encourages. Bringing a marching performance to life requires students to combine musical skill, movement, concentration and teamwork – all while supporting one another.

The festival also carries a special connection to Boise School District. Its namesake, Mel Shelton, served as director of bands and orchestra at Boise High School before continuing his influential career at Boise State University.

Congratulations to our student musicians, auxiliary performers, directors and staff, and thank you to the families and supporters who help our music programs thrive!
Timberline High School Marching Band.
Timberline High School Marching Band earned awards at this year's Idaho District III Mel Shelton Marching Festival. 
A color guard member in a green dress raises a large pink and orange flag on a blue field.
Boise High School and Borah High School performed at this year's Idaho District III Mel Shelton Marching Festival. Both schools won awards at the event, which was held at Albertsons Stadium. 
Performing Arts
 

Timberline and White Pine Students Build Connections Through Wolf Connection

Timberline High School and White Pine Elementary students are building friendships across grade levels through the Wolf Connection program.

Through Lunch Buddies, Timberline students spend time with younger students at White Pine. Timberline senior English students also visit kindergarten classrooms to read with their younger peers.

These shared moments provide opportunities for mentorship, kindness and friendship. They also give Timberline students a chance to lead by example and make a positive difference in the lives of younger learners.

Thank you to the students and staff at Timberline and White Pine for helping build a stronger school community, one connection at a time!
 

Koelsch Students Run, Cheer and Connect at Annual Capital Race

Koelsch Elementary students laced up their running shoes and hit the course for the annual Capital Race for Elementary Students, hosted by the Capital High School Cross Country Team.

The event brought students together for a fun day of running, cheering and school spirit. Along the way, Koelsch students showed teamwork and perseverance while supporting one another.

A big thank-you to the Capital Eagles for organizing the event and serving as positive role models for our younger students. Experiences like this encourage healthy habits and strengthen connections across our Boise School District community.

Way to go, Koelsch students and Capital Eagles!

Follow Boise School District on Facebook and Instagram for more great moments happening across our schools.

A collage of four photos shows children participating in the Koelsch @ Capital Race, with the text 'KOELSCH @ CAPITAL RACE' on the right.
 

🚸 Slow Down. Stay Alert. Keep Our Students Safe.

The recent traffic incident near Timberline High School is a reminder of how important it is for all of us to pay attention when traveling near schools. Our thoughts remain with the students and their families.


Each day, thousands of students travel to and from Boise schools on foot, by bicycle, by bus and in vehicles. Their safety is a shared responsibility.

Please keep these reminders in mind:
  • 🚗 Slow down in school zones and obey posted speed limits.
  • 🚸 Watch for students at crosswalks and intersections, and be prepared to stop.
  • 📵 Put distractions away and give your full attention to the road.
  • 🚌 Be alert around school buses and follow all signals and instructions.
  • 🚶 Use extra caution in drop-off and pick-up areas, where children may be walking between vehicles.

A few extra seconds of caution can make a lifetime of difference. Thank you for doing your part to keep our students safe every day. 💙
 

Safe Routes to School: Local Improvements and November Ballot Information

Safer crossings and better walking and biking connections help students get to school safely. Boise School District partners with the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) to improve sidewalks, pathways, crossings and bike routes near our schools.

Completed improvements benefiting school communities include:

  • Maple Grove Elementary: A pedestrian hybrid beacon on Maple Grove Road helps students and families cross safely.
  • Cynthia Mann Elementary: A signalized pedestrian crossing on Castle Drive improves access to school.
  • Cassia Street: Enhanced crossings, a raised intersection and a pedestrian bridge at Cassia Park improve walking and biking connections to nearby schools.

A portion of Ada County vehicle registration fees supports transportation projects, including Safe Routes to School improvements. A measure to renew ACHD’s vehicle registration fees will appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

Learn more at ACHD’s vehicle registration fees webpage. To check your voter registration, find your polling place or explore voting options, visit VoteIdaho.gov.
An infographic from the Ada County Highway District explains how vehicle registration fees fund transportation projects, safety, and infrastructure.
 

Help Young Riders Stay Safe on E-Bikes and E-Scooters

As e-bikes and e-scooters give young people new ways to get around, families can help make every ride safer. City of Boise brochures offer tips for parents and students, along with information about different types of electric bikes and where to ride.

Key reminders include wearing a helmet every ride, choosing closed-toed shoes and bright or reflective clothing, putting away phones and headphones, and slowing down around people and pets. Families are encouraged to review riding routes together and discuss driveways, intersections and other potential hazards.

The brochures also explain the difference between e-bikes and more powerful electric motorcycles, known as e-motos.

 

Big Discoveries Start Small: Explore Early Learning Opportunities

Making friends, sharing ideas and discovering new skills—every day brings opportunities to grow! Boise School District’s early education programs help children ages 3–5 build confidence and a foundation for learning.

At Owyhee and Lincoln Early Learning Centers, welcoming, inclusive classrooms encourage children to learn through play while developing early reading, math, social and emotional skills. Both centers offer general education preschool and Early Childhood Special Education services for qualifying children.

If you have questions about your child’s development, the District offers free developmental screenings to help identify strengths and potential delays in speech, language, motor skills, social and emotional development, hearing and vision.

Scan the QR code on the accompanying flyer or visit our Early Childhood Education webpage to learn more about programs and screenings.
A colorful informational flyer for Boise Schools Early Education Programs, highlighting free developmental screenings for ages 3-5.
Early Childhood Education
 
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Get Informed: Subscribe to Beyond the Bell

Want to know more about how our schools work behind the scenes? Beyond the Bell is a new publication from the Boise School District that offers an inside look at the financial, operational, and policy decisions shaping public education in our community.

Each issue dives into key topics like budgeting, strategic planning, student safety, and our instructional approach—providing timely insights for parents, employees, business leaders, elected officials, and anyone invested in the future of our schools.


🛎️ Don’t miss out—
 
Upcoming Events in Boise School District

Dates of Interest

  • November 3: Pre K-12 No School
  • November 3: 2026 General Election
  • November 9: Boise School Board regular monthly Board meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Services Center, 8169 W. Victory Rd., Boise. Public is invited to attend. Agenda will be posted online. 
  • November 16-20: American Education Week
  • November 23-27: Autumn Break - No School Pre K-12
  • December 18: End of First Semester - Early Release K-12 to work on Report Cards, No School Pre K
  • December 21-January 1: Winter Break - No School Pre K-12
  • January 4: Pre K-12 No School; Teacher Directed Day/Professional Development
  • January 4: Winter Community Education online registration opens
  • January 5: School Resumes
School Year Calendars
 
Boise School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to all individuals. Learn more...