Boise Schools Win Four of Idaho’s 10 Fall 6A State Titles
Timberline High School’s boys swim team captured the 2026 Idaho 6A state championship on Nov. 7 at the West Y/Boise City Aquatic Center. The victory brought Boise School District’s fall total to four of Idaho’s 10 6A team state titles. The Wolves also won state titles in girls soccer and boys golf, and Boise High won the girls cross country championship.
At the state swim meet, Boise High’s boys placed fourth and its girls tied for fifth. Boise High boys cross country and Timberline boys soccer finished as state runners-up. District athletes also recorded top finishes and made state tournament appearances in cross country, golf, volleyball and football.
Timberline girls soccer paired its state title with an academic state championship. Both Boise High soccer teams placed third and earned sportsmanship awards for how they represented their school in competition.
These honors reflect the district’s commitment to Teaching & Learning and Safe & Supportive Environments, where students can grow, compete and reach their goals in the classroom and in athletics.
Congratulations to the Timberline boys swim team and its coaches on their state championship, and to all our fall student-athletes and coaches on an outstanding season!
Timberline Graduate Bryan B. Li Named a 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholar
Bryan B. Li, a 2026 graduate of Timberline High School, has been named a U.S. Presidential Scholar, one of the nation’s highest honors for graduating high school seniors. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars notified Timberline of Bryan’s selection in October.
Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program honors up to 161 students each year. It recognizes academic achievement, leadership and contributions to school and community, as well as exceptional talent in the visual and performing arts and accomplishments in career and technical education.
Congratulations to Bryan on this national recognition! Boise School District joins the Timberline community in celebrating his achievement.
In this edition of Board Corner, meet Trail Wind Elementary second grader Cassie Wang, this year’s Bob Wand Memorial Art Award winner, and celebrate November’s Red and Golden Apple Award recipients, Donna Raine and Yelena (Olga) Tsupa. Then catch up on the Idaho School Boards Association’s annual convention, which Board members and District leaders attended, and join us in congratulating Trustee Andy Hawes on his selection as Region III Vice Chair.
Trail Wind Elementary Student Wins Bob Wand Memorial Art Award
The Boise School District Board of Trustees recognized Trail Wind Elementary second grader Cassie Wang as the winner of the 2025–26 Bob Wand Memorial Art Award. Cassie submitted her winning artwork as a first grader, and it was selected from about 400 entries by elementary students across the District.
The annual award honors former Boise School District Art Supervisor Bob Wand, who believed art education was an essential part of a well-rounded education for every child. Cassie earned a $30 cash award, a framed copy of her artwork and a gift from the District’s Art Cottage.
Cassie’s original artwork will hang outside the Board Room at the District Services Center for the next year. It will then join artwork by past winners in the upstairs hallway.
Celebrating Outstanding Service: November Apple Award Recipients
Red Apple Award: Donna Raine, Timberline High School
Donna Raine, a special education teacher at Timberline High School, received the November 2026 Red Apple Award, the District’s highest monthly honor for certified staff.
For 14 years, Donna has helped Timberline students build on their strengths and find meaningful opportunities to learn. She brings particular care to her work with students who have complex medical needs and leads a team that treats each student with dignity and respect.
When Timberline combined its STEP and RISE programs and moved them to a new classroom last year, Donna worked with school leaders to identify the resources and supports students would need in the new space. Through the transition, she drew on her team members’ strengths and kept the focus on what would help students succeed.
Donna is pictured receiving the award from Trustee Dr. Alejandro Necochea.
Golden Apple Award: Yelena (Olga) Tsupa, Hawthorne Elementary School
Yelena (Olga) Tsupa, a custodian at Hawthorne Elementary School, received the November 2026 Golden Apple Award, the District’s highest monthly honor for classified staff.
Olga has served at several Boise schools throughout her career. At Hawthorne, colleagues appreciate the care she puts into maintaining the school and the warmth she brings to everyday interactions. Her kindness puts people at ease and helps students, staff, and families feel welcome.
Through her daily work and the relationships she has built at Hawthorne, Olga helps create a school where students feel cared for and ready to learn.
Olga is pictured receiving the award from Trustee Andy Hawes.
Watch November’s Apple Award recipients accept their honors and share a few words. Congratulations to Donna Raine, a Timberline High School special education teacher who received the Red Apple Award, and Yelena (Olga) Tsupa, a Hawthorne Elementary School custodian who received the Golden Apple Award.
Boise School District Leaders Attend ISBA Convention, Trustee Andy Hawes Chosen as Region III Vice Chair
Members of the Boise School District Board of Trustees and District Leadership Team joined school board members and education leaders from across Idaho last week in Boise for the Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) Annual Convention.
The convention gave district leaders a chance to share ideas, build relationships and learn how other Idaho school districts are addressing shared challenges. Those conversations bring perspectives from across the state to the decisions Boise School District leaders make to support students and strengthen public education.
Congratulations to Boise School District Trustee Andy Hawes (pictured far right), who was chosen as Region III Vice Chair. He will serve on the ISBA Executive Board as the region’s large district representative.
Boise School District trustees and leaders gather in front of an “I Believe in Public Education” banner at the 2026 Idaho School Boards Association Annual Convention in Boise. From left to right are Trustee Dr. Alejandro Necochea, Superintendent Wendy Johnson, Deputy Superintendent of Operations Nick Smith, Trustee Krista Hasler, Board Vice President Debbie Donovan, Board President Dave Wagers, Trustee Elizabeth Reiman, Trustee Dr. Paul Bennion and Trustee Andy Hawes.
Boise Schools Student Orchestras Take the Stage Nov. 10
Boise School District junior high and high school musicians will perform at Boise Music Week’s Orchestra Night on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free, and families and community members are invited to come hear our student orchestras and cheer them on.
Orchestra Night is part of Boise Music Week’s three-concert School Nights series, which showcases the District’s choir, orchestra and band programs. The series wraps up with Band Night on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m., also at the Morrison Center.
On Wednesday, November 11, Boise School District joins our community in honoring all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. We extend a special thank-you to the veterans who are part of our school community, including staff members, family members, and alumni.
Veterans Day is an opportunity for students and families to listen to a veteran’s story and learn what military service has meant to them. To all veterans in Boise and beyond, thank you for your service.
What We Love About Borah High School
Borah High School’s Student Council turned the camera on its own school to share what students love about being Lions. Their celebratory video offers a look at Borah through the eyes of the students who call it home.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean Reads with Longfellow Students
Students in Longfellow Elementary’s special education classroom welcomed Boise Mayor Lauren McLean for story time. The mayor read a book aloud and spent time getting to know the students, who enjoyed sharing part of their school day with her.
The visit gave students a chance to enjoy a story together and get to know one of their community leaders right in their own classroom.
Thank you, Mayor McLean, for making story time at Longfellow a memorable part of the school day.
Share Your Voice: School Start Time Survey Now Open
Boise School District invites families, students, staff and community members to share feedback on proposed school schedule changes beginning in the 2027–2028 school year.
Under the proposal, secondary students would start and end school later, while elementary students would start and end earlier. We recognize that these changes could affect families in different ways, and your perspective matters.
The School Start Time Survey includes current and proposed schedules, background information, and potential benefits and challenges. Please review these details before sharing whether you support the proposal.
The online survey closes at 5 p.m. Mountain Time on December 4, 2026.
Results will be shared with the Board of Trustees during its December or January meeting and will help inform its final decision. No final decision has been made.
Thank you for helping the Board consider the needs of our students, families and community.
What Do Students Eat at Lunch? Boise Schools Takes a Closer Look
A school lunch study at Roosevelt and Taft elementary schools looked at what students ate and what they left on their trays. The findings will help Boise School District’s Food & Nutrition Services team explore ways to improve school meals and reduce food waste.
Students ate an average of 72% of their entrées, 70% of their side dishes and 55% of their fruit. Spicy chicken bites had the highest consumption rate among the entrées measured, at 80%. Nearly 60% of the vegetables measured went uneaten, making vegetables the biggest opportunity to reduce waste in the study.
The study supports the District’s 2026–2027 Strategic Plan priorities of student well-being and responsible use of resources by helping the team understand which nutritious foods students are most likely to eat.
Free READY! for Kindergarten Workshops Begin Dec. 3 at Lincoln Early Learning Center
How can everyday play help your child get ready for kindergarten? Boise School District’s Early Childhood teams invite parents and caregivers to find out at READY! for Kindergarten, a free, three-part workshop series at Lincoln Early Learning Center.
Families will practice simple ways to build early language, math and social-emotional skills through play. Each 90-minute workshop includes hands-on activities and discussion, and families receive free learning tools to use at home.
Workshop schedule
Dec. 3, 2026 — Language and Literacy
Feb. 4, 2027 — Math and Reasoning
March 11, 2027 — Social and Emotional Learning
Each event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lincoln Early Learning Center, 300 W. Fort St., Boise. A meal and child care are provided.
Small Moments, Lasting Impact: Supporting Youth Mental Health
Supporting the mental health and well-being of our youth starts with understanding, connection and meaningful conversations. Parents, caregivers, educators and community members can all help young people feel heard, valued and supported.
St. Luke’s has created a series of short videos exploring challenges young people face and ways adults can help. Topics include:
A Trusted Adult: The importance of having someone to turn to for support.
Achievement Pressure: Helping youth navigate expectations and stress.
Connections: Building relationships that create a sense of belonging.
At Boise School District, we believe every student deserves to feel safe, supported and connected. We encourage families and staff to take a few minutes to watch these videos and use them as a starting point for conversations with the young people in their lives.
Sometimes, simply making time to listen can make a lasting difference.
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. 💙
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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.
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