Summer Newsletter
2022
From the Desk of Principal Cherry
Contact Information
West Junior High
8371 W. Salt Creek Ct.
Boise, Idaho 83709
208.854.6450 Main Office
208.854.6451 Fax
208.854.6454 Attendance
Administrators
Janet Cherry, Principal janet.cherry@boiseschools.org
Bryce England, Assistant Principal bryce.england@boiseschools.org
Counselors
Silvana Stoll 7th Grade silvana.stoll@boiseschools.org
John Ruprecht 8th Grade john.ruprecht@boiseschools.org
Claire Sullivan 9th Grade claire.sulivan@boiseschools.org
Social Worker
Barbie Campbell barbie.campbell@boiseschools.org
Athletic Director
Mark Miller mark.miller@boiseschools.org
Visit our website for information, calendars, daily announcements, the Infinite Campus portal link, our monthly newsletter, and much more.
Go to: west.boiseschools.org
Important Upcoming Dates
August 1
West Main Office Opens
August 2
Open House for Already Enrolled Students
9:00-11:00am (A-L)
1:00-3:00pm (M-Z)
Returning students do not need to attend unless they want to walk their schedule and practice using locker. Backpacks will NOT be allowed in classrooms this year.
August 8
Practice starts for West Football, Cross Country and 8th and 9th Grade Volleyball
August 17
First Day of School
Early Release 12:00pm (No Lunch)
August 18
7th Grade Tennis starts
August 19
Picture Day
August 23
6:00pm Back to School Night (More information to follow)
September 5
Labor Day
No School
October 14
End of First Quarter
October 19 & 20
Parent Teacher Conferences (More information to follow)
4:00—7pm
October 21
No School K-12
Open House Information
August 2: Open House
9:00-11:00am last names A-L
1:00-3:00pm last names M-Z
All 7th and new to West 8th and 9th graders. Returning students do not need to attend but are more than welcome to if they want.
Schedule changes can be requested through emailing your counselor. The counselors will do their best to accommodate your needs based upon availability. We look forward to a great school year!
Registration Items: Students participating in an after school sport will need to purchase an ASB card for $12.00. This is a one time cost for the year (no matter how many sports a student plays during the school year). This payment also applies to our 9th grade athletes participating in a sport at Borah. These students will make the $12.00 sports payment at West instead of paying the $30.00 payment at the high school. It is a minimal fee and the money is well spent on the cost associated with athletics. Any student is welcome to purchase an ASB card as it does offer a discount to students attending high school games. A free ID card will be given to those that are not in need of an ASB card. A $6.00 replacement fee is required if a student loses their ASB or ID card.
West yearbooks will be purchased online this year through our vendors. We will
notify parents via email when the vendor websites and purchasing information are available on our West website.
We will also offer a West PE shirt ($8.00) and PE shorts ($10.00) as optional attire for students taking PE. These items will be distributed by the PE teachers during the first week of school. Alternate clothing is allowed for PE, provided it meets the PE requirements.
Parents may avoid payment lines during registration by paying online at our
Mustang Store. To reach the Mustang Store go to the West Junior High School
Website. Select Parents & Patrons. Under Parent Resources select Mustang Store.
Parent To-Dos
Turn in physicals before the first day of practice or the first day of school. (See below for requirements)
Turn in immunization records before the first day of school. (See below for requirements)
School Supply List 2022-2023
The following is a general list of supplies that students typically need at West Junior High. They are not required the first day of school. If you prefer, you may wait until the first week of school to receive a list of supplies from individual teachers. Students will need to bring paper and a writing instrument on the first day of school. Supplies must be replenished throughout the school year.
General Supplies
West Agenda Book (will receive the first week of school)
West ID Card (will receive after picture day)
Large 3 ring binder (3 “or wider) with dividers, paper and a pencil pouch.
Composition Notebook*
College rule notebook paper
Colored Pencils
Scissors
Highlighter pen
Blue or black pens
#2 wooden pencils
Glue Sticks
Box of facial tissues
Spiral notebooks*
Earbuds available at dollar/discount stores
*Teachers will let students know the first week or two of school the specific type of notebook (s) that will be needed.
AVID Student Supplies
1 sturdy binder with 3 inch rings. “D” shaped rings seem to hold up better. We do require 3 inch rings!
7 sturdy dividers. Do not buy dividers with pockets or with flimsy tabs that tear off. You may need to purchase two “sets” in order to have enough.
1 set of highlighters (slim ones fit best in the pencil pouch)
Please consider donating tissues, hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. Just drop them off at the front office!
Food and Nutrition Services-Important Changes for the 2022-2023 School Year
FOOD & NUTRITION SERVICES UPDATE
MEAL COSTS TO RETURN FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
Boise, ID -- 5/23/2022 -- Thanks to federal pandemic waivers, Boise School District's school meal program was permitted to offer free meals to all Boise School District students without a meal application through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
However, going forward, Congress has not extended these waivers to the 2022-2023 school year. That means beginning in August 2022 Boise School District students will be charged for meals based upon their benefit status. How will this change impact your student? Read the following information to learn more.
Meal Programs and Benefit Status
Students who attend the following Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools will receive free breakfast and lunch: Garfield, Hawthorne, Hillcrest, Jefferson, Koelsch, Morley Nelson, Whitney, Whittier, Taft, Frank Church, ASCENT.
Students who attend Grace Jordan and Horizon will receive free breakfast in the classroom (Provision 2 Breakfast) but will be charged for lunch based upon their benefit status.
Students who are enrolled in after-school enrichment programs at Garfield, Grace Jordan, Hawthorne, Hillcrest, Horizon, Jefferson, Koelsch, Morley Nelson, Taft, Whitney, Whittier, Hillside, and South will receive free supper.
Students who are directly certified (are members of a household receiving assistance under food stamps-SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho-TAFI, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations-FDPIR, migrant, and foster programs) and students who are certified by the proper liaison as homeless or runaway will receive free breakfast and free lunch.
Students who are determined to qualify for meal benefits after completing a school year 2022-2023 household meal application will receive free or reduced priced breakfast and lunch.
Meal applications forms
Eligibility for free and reduced price meals is determined based on your household income and the number of household members (see Eligibility Guidelines). If you think your household qualifies for free or reduced priced meals you are encouraged to complete an online meal application, which will be available in early July 2022.
Need More Information?
Visit our Food & Nutrition Services website for information on menus, meal prices and learn how to apply for free or reduced priced meals.
Athletics 2022-2023
West Athletics:
Here is information for sports at West next year.
All incoming 7th and 9th graders will have to submit an updated physical (Completed May-August of 2022) on file prior to the first day of practice. Any 8th graders who do not have a physical on file will also need to submit that physical during registration, send it to the athletic director (mark. miller@boiseschools.org) or upload to Campus. All “West Yearly Athletic Forms” must also be submitted.
Freshman Sports at Borah:
All 9th grade athletes interested in playing sports at Borah will need to have an updated physical prior to the first day of practice and will need to complete all Borah Paperwork online. The first day of practice is August 8th at Borah.
Upcoming Sports
Fall Sports
7th Grade Tennis starts August 18
7th & 8th Softball starts August 18
7th-8th Football (Light-115 and under) and Heavy (116 and up) starts
August 8
8th/9th Volleyball starts August 8
Cross-country starts August 8
Freshman Football
Borah Football will start on August 8 at Borah. Physicals are required before the first practice of the student athlete’s 9th grade year. Each student must also fill out the Borah Online Registration. Click links above to start the process.
7th Grade Information
Sports Information for Incoming 7th Graders
What Sports are available to incoming 7th graders?
7th Grade Sports in Fall: Football, Cross Country, Softball (Girls), Tennis
7th Grade Sports in Winter: Basketball (Girls-Oct-Dec, Boys-Jan-Mar) & Wrestling
7th Grade Sports in Spring: Volleyball (Girls), Track, & Golf
What are the start dates for sports? These will be updated once we finalize the schedules: Athletic Start Dates
Who are the Coaches for West Sports? Subject to change for next year: West Coaches List and Contact Information
What forms do I need to compete in Sports at West?
Physical Form All Incoming 7th graders are required to have a completed physical (Sometime after May 1) with a doctor and the form must be submitted to the school for sports and PE. Physical will be good for 7th and 8th grade sports. 9th graders will require a new physical.
West Yearly Forms : These forms must be completed each year. These may also be filled out online and shared with (mark.miller@boiseschools.org)
FAQ:
What do I need to compete in sports at West? You need to have a physical, West Yearly Athletic Forms (above), and practice gear (Shorts, t-shirts, shoes). Equipment and Uniforms will be provided by West Athletics.
Do I need to have experience playing sports? No, At West, we have a strict no cut policy and all athletes will be placed on a team and get an opportunity to play. We encourage all 7th graders to give sports a try. You will meet new friends and classmates and get an opportunity to cheer on our teams.
What are the practice days for sports? At West, we only practice on school days (fall sports may need to start a week earlier to accommodate schedules). No weekend practices or games and no practices or games on days when school is not in session.
What times do games begin and end? Games will begin between 3:30 and 4:30 and end by about 6 pm each game night. Game schedules will be posted on the West Athletics and the District website once they are finalized (Usually Late May).
Do you offer transportation? We offer transportation to and from all away games. Games generally end by 6pm and players will need transportation home from West at that time. Practices almost always take place after school and end around 4:30 or 5:00pm and students will need transportation home from practice.
Is there a cost to participate in Sports at West? There is a nominal cost (currently $12) to participate. This one time cost covers the cost to participate in any and all sports for the year.
For Additional updates and information, click on the West Athletics Tab
We welcome you to West and hope you will participate in Sports. If you have additional questions, please contact Mark Miller, Athletic Director @ (mark.miller@boiseschools.org).
West Digital Citizenship
Students do not need cell phones at school. If an assignment requires the use of technology the student will use their device. Any use of technology at school should only be used for educational purposes. If you choose to allow your child to bring a cell phone to school, please know that the following rules apply. Students should use all forms of technology in a respectful and responsible manner at the teacher’s discretion.
Respectful and Responsible means:
¨ Never video or photograph without consent of all parties involved and content obtained at school should not be posted to social media without consent.
¨ Use of any device with photo/video capabilities is banned in areas of assumed privacy (locker room/restroom).
¨ Never use another student’s device without consent.
¨ Devices may only be used with teacher permission in class and for educational purposes.
¨ Individuals should immediately report any form of cyber bullying or inappropriate technology use.
¨ Headphones should not be in use during class without teacher permission.
¨ Technology use should reflect The West Way: Kindness, Integrity, Community and Respect.
¨ Personal electronic devices including cell phones/headphones will not be allowed in the In-House Detention rooms.
Technology and Phone privileges may be revoked at any time
A Note from the Nurse
Physical Exam Requirements
Who needs a physical?
· Every 7th grade student
· Any 8th grade student who did not have a physical exam in 7th grade
· Any 9th grade student participating in athletics
PHYSICALS MUST BE COMPLETED AFTER MAY 1, 2022
This is a requirement of all students participating in PE or athletic programs.
*Submit copies to the West School Nurse’s Office*
Immunizations
Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines are required for all incoming 7th graders prior to August registration. Your child will not be allowed to attend school unless current on immunization.
* Submit copies to the West School Nurse’s Office*
Going home ill
All students experiencing signs of illness during school should request to see the nurse. The nurse will assess the student's symptoms and determine if the student needs to go home. Students who call or text a parent about illness without seeing the nurse should be directed to the nurse to determine if their symptoms warrant being excused from school. To be granted a medical excuse by the school nurse, symptoms must meet the district's "Guidelines for Keeping Sick Children Home."
Medication
If your child is on a daily medication that needs to be given at school, an authorization form must be filled out and signed by a parent/guardian. All medication must be in the original prescription or over-the-counter bottle with clear, written directions and should be brought to school by the parent/guardian. If you have any questions, please call (208) 854-6468.
Guideline for Keeping Sick Children Home
Each day many parents are faced with a decision: should they keep their sick child at home or send them to school? Often the way a child looks and acts can make the decision an obvious one. Please consider these guidelines:
· Colds: Please keep your child at home if he/she has a fever over 100 degrees or is experiencing discomfort that would interfere with his/her ability to perform in school (i.e. uncontrollable coughing, severe lack of energy). If your child experiences green nasal discharge that continues throughout the day, a cough lasting longer than ten days, or is accompanied by fever or chills and is productive of discolored sputum, consult with your physician.
· Conjunctivitis (Pink-eye): Following a diagnosis of bacterial conjunctivitis, the child may return to school after the first dose of prescribed medication. Students with a viral infection may return when eyes are clear.
· Diarrhea/Vomiting: A child with diarrhea and/or vomiting should stay at home and return to school only after being symptom-free for 24 hours.
· Fever: A child should remain at home with a fever greater than 100 degrees. The child can return to school after he/she has been fever free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Motrin).
· Impetigo: A Child with impetigo may return to school 24 hours after treatment has begun.
· Rashes: Common infectious diseases with rashes are most contagious in the early stages. A child with a suspicious rash should return to school only after a health care provider has made a diagnosis and authorized the child’s return to school.
· Strep Throat: A child with strep throat may return to school 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.
A sick child cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in classes in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick child home prevents the spread of illness in the school community and allows the child an opportunity to rest and recover.
Parking at West
Parents, please park only in designated areas. Remember, the roads around the school are public roadways and Idaho State Laws apply. Please no stopping in the roadway to load/unload passengers, no U-turns in the middle of the street and no driving on the sidewalks.
If you have a student driving please have them park in the furthest N.E. corner of the parking lot. Students that drive will need to provide the main office with the following information: make, model, color and license plate number of car. Students are not allowed to go to their cars during the school day.
School Bus Locator
School bus schedules will be available online this fall for students living in their home school attendance zone busing boundary. Student bus information can be found in your Infinite Campus Account under the busing tab. (Information is not online for special program busing, such as special education, gifted, and overflow.)
Attendance (208) 854-6454
Please be sure to call the attendance line when you receive an automated call notifying you of your child’s absence. Parents or legal guardians may call the attendance line 24 hours a day. Absences or late arrivals must be excused daily and within 48 hours to avoid a truancy.
When a student goes to an appointment (doctor, dentist, orthodontist or court) please request a verification slip to bring to the office to excuse the absence.
To release your student during the day, a parent or legal guardian must call (208) 854-6450 to obtain a Permit to Leave. If possible, please call at least one hour before you need your child released.
Boise School District News
District Website
There is also a wealth of information concerning the Boise School District on their website.
go to: www.boiseschools.org
Did you know the BSD now has an app? Type ‘Boise School District’ in your app store to download it today! It has a sleek interface with quick links to calendars, Infinite Campus, etc.
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.
West Junior High
Bryce England - Assistant Principal
Email: janet.cherry@boiseschools.org
Website: https://west.boiseschools.org/
Location: 8371 W. Salt Creek Ct., Boise, ID 83709
Phone: 208-854-6450
Twitter: @WestMustangsBSD