BOBCATS TRACKS

South is a positive, protective school focused on students first.We provide learning experiences that support our diverse population in achieving individual potential within a dynamic society.

TO TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER:

To translate: click on" translate newsletter "in the black box on the right side of the newsletter. In the" select language menu" choose the language you need.

"Para traducir al espanol: haga clic en "translate newsletter" que esta en la caja negra al lado derecho del boletin. En el menu de "select language" escoga "Spanish".

للترجمة إلى اللغة العربية: انقر فوق "ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية" في المربع الأسود على الجانب الأيمن من الرسالة الإخبارية. من قائمة "تحديد اللغة" ، اختر "العربية".

Kutafsiri kwa Kiswahili: bonyeza "Tafsiri jarida" kwenye sanduku nyeusi upande wa kulia wa jarida. Kutoka kwa menyu ya "Chagua lugha", chagua "Kiswahili".

Si aad ugu turjunto Af-Soomaaliga: dhagsii "Tarjumida warsidaha" sanduuqa madow ee ku yaal dhinaca midig ee warsidaha. Laga soo bilaabo "Dooro luqadda" menu, dooro "Af-Soomaali".

Welcome to South JH! We are a proud community of learners that focus on educating our Bobcats to be lifelong learners and productive citizens.

For the 2023-24 school year, we are planning to continue the emphasis on reading improvement and AVID implementation to continue building strong foundational skills for our Bobcats. You will also see a focus on the Spirit of the Bobcat and character traits.

We will use the Advisory/Reading Lab period to both intervene and enrich our learners.

If you are new to South JH or a returning student we look forward to working with you again this year.

Communication is very important to us at South Junior High. Please never hesitate to email or call if you have a need, a compliment or a question. Office hours are 7:15-3:00 during the school year.

Beginning of the year pictures will be taken on 8/23 during English classes or upon a new registration. Students will have a yearbook photo taken and will be issued an ID Card. Activity Cards can be purchased for $12 and are needed for athletics participation.

Yearbooks can be purchased through the webstore on the school's webpage at https://south.boiseschools.org/ for $30 before January and $35 after January. Some are sold during Yearbook Day in May, but those are first come, first served. We routinely run out so please order early!

Go to- Nutrition Department Website and click “Apply Online” near the upper left of the page.

Need help or have an application question?

Call 208-854-4098 or email candace.smith@boiseschools.org.

School year 2022-2023 changes

Beginning August 2022, Boise School District students will be charged for meals based upon their benefit status. The following information will help you determine if your household qualifies for meal benefits and if you should complete a free and reduced meal application.

Who qualifies for free meals without submitting a meal application

Eligibility for free and reduced price meals is determined based on your household income and the number of household members (see Eligibility Guidelines below).

Your student automatically qualifies for free meals (without the need for a meal application) in the following situations:

• 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 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.

Who should complete an application for free and reduced priced meals

Households with incomes at or below these income limits (click the link below) may be eligible for free or reduced priced meals. These prices are effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023

Income Eligibility Guidelines for SY22-23

How to complete an application for free or reduced priced meals

If you think your household qualifies for free or reduced priced meals, you are encouraged to complete an online meal application after July 1, 2022. Paper application will be available after July 1, 2022 by calling 208-854-4098.

• A new meal application is needed each school year. Only 2022-2023 applications can be accepted. All applications approved last school year will expire on September 28, 2022.

• Spanish applications are also available upon request by calling the Food & Nutrition Services office at 208-854-4098.

• Meal applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

• Only one application is needed per household.

• Households must list the name of all household members, each household member’s income and the source of income (foster children can be included on the household meal application). If a household member doe not have income, the no income box must be checked.

• An adult signature is required along with the last 4 digits of the adult’s social security number. If a social security number is not available, that information must be indicated on the meal application.

• Boise School District Food & Nutrition Services officials will review the meal applications and determine eligibility. Information submitted on the application may be subject to verification at any time during the school year.

• If you do not agree with the District's decision regarding our application or the result of verification, you may discuss it with the Food & Nutrition Services office. You also have the right to a fair hearing. This can be done by calling (208-854-4098) or writing our office.

• Once approved, benefits are good for the entire school year.

• The program MAY share your eligibility information with other District education programs to help them evaluate, fund , or determine benefits for their programs, auditors for program reviews, and law enforcement officials to help them look into violations of program rules.

The Boise School District recognizes that the primary responsibility for a student's attire resides with the student and their parent(s) or guardian(s).

The school district is responsible for seeing that student attire does not interfere with the health or safety of any student, that student attire does not contribute to a hostile or intimidating atmosphere for any student, and that dress code enforcement does not reinforce or increase marginalization or oppression of any group based on race, sex, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, household income, or body type/size.

The Boise School District Dress Code Policy prioritizes in-class learning time, student dignity, and positive relationships within the school community. We believe the policy and procedures should be clear and specific so that they are easy to understand and can be applied uniformly and consistently. (Board Policy 3223)

Students Must Wear:*

• Shirt or Top: with non see-through fabric in the front, back, and on the sides under the arms

• Bottoms: pants, lounge pants, sweatpants, shorts, boardshorts, skirt, dress, leggings,

• Shoes are required

• Some courses may require assignment and/or safety-specific dress (closed-toed shoes, for example).

Students Cannot Wear:

• Swimsuits

• Visible underwear. However, visible waistbands or straps on undergarments worn
  under other clothing are not a violation of the policy.

• Violent language or images

• Images or overt language depicting drugs, alcohol or any illegal item or activity

• Hate speech, profanity, pornography

• See policy 3234 for dress restrictions related to gang activity

Enforcement:

Students may be asked to make an adjustment to their clothing. Failure to do so will result in detention either during lunch or after school.

We have several spirit wear items for sale in the office and on the webstore:

T-shirts (multiple styles): $12.00

Crewneck Sweatshirts in maroon and grey- $23.00

Black hoodie- $25.00

Polo in grey or maroon: $5.00

Students are encouraged to wear spirit wear on Fridays.

**While we try to keep spirit wear items in stock at the school it is not always possible for instant access. We routinely place orders through the year.

Please use the drop-off loop or long curb on Cassia to drop off students and pick them up in the morning. The big parking lot is for parents that want to park. The buses must have full access to the curb during drop-off and pick-up times. Buses have approximately 8 minutes to load and unload so efficiency is very important. We appreciate you not using the curb in the big parking lot. We want the parking lot to be a safe place for all so using the crosswalk is important. The buses leave by 2:40 and the parking lots/drop-off loop clears out by 2:40 as well if you prefer to delay your pick up time.

Students are able to sit in the cafeteria from 7:00-7:30 in the morning. After 7:30 they can go to lockers and access the halls. We do not have full supervision on campus until 7:30 so we need to have students in a supervised space.

The building closes at 2:45 and all students should be off -campus or in an organized after school program such as Teen City (opening in Sept) or LEAP. Athletes waiting for practice should be in a program or off-campus waiting after 2:45.

Students waiting to attend games should not be in the building until 3:15 when the doors open for games.

We are fortunate to work with Boise Parks and Rec for our afterhours program. The program runs several days a week and is available to students who are pre-registered. You can learn more by contacting Marie Hattaway at 208-608-4688 or by email at mhattaway@cityofboise.org to register.

LEAP after school enrichment is available on a limited bases for students. Please contact Mary Karol Taylor at 208-854-6110 or marykarol.taylor@boiseschools.org for more information.

Athletics is a great way to stay busy after school. Please see below for additional information about dates and opportunities.

School bus schedules will be available online this August for students living in their home school attendance zone busing boundary.

REQUIRED: Contact your school office to request busing and verify eligibility.

(This process is also used to develop a bus roster for emergencies.)

Please Login to Infinite Campus Parent Portal where you can view:

Bus stop location

Pick-up/Drop-off times

Bus number

When your child is absent please be sure to call the office before 9:00. The attendance line will pick up 24/7. Anytime a student goes to an appointment (doctor, dental, orthodontist, counseling, court, etc.) please request a note from the provider and bring it to the office.

Permit to leaves are required for students to leave the building early. Please call 208-854-6110 to make arrangements. 30 minutes advanced notice is appreciated. Students will be waiting in the lobby or outside at for your arrival.

If you receive an automated message regarding your child’s absence please return the message by calling our attendance line at 208-854- 6114. Absences must be excused daily and within 48 hours to avoid a truancy.

If you prefer to email please use amber.dow@boiseschools.org for your convenience. Email is not recommended for permits to leave with less than 24 hours notice.

Attendance Secretary- Amber Dow

7th and 8th Football practice begins 8/7 at 3:00PM .

8th and 9th grade Volleyball tryouts 8/7 at South, 3:00PM

7th, 8th, 9th Cross Country begins 8/10, 3:00PM

7th grade Tennis practice begins 8/17 at South, 2:45PM .

7th and 8th Softball begins 8/23

****7th and 9th graders must have an updated physical to participate. See the Athletic Page on the South Website and Borah for more up to date information about Fall sports and physicals. See below for details on uploading the information. Kyle Ellefson, School Nurse, or Bennett Croy, Athletic Director, can assist you if you need additional help.

7th and 9th graders must have an updated physical to participate. See the Athletic Page on the South Website and Borah for more up to date information about Fall sports and physicals.

Athlete Registration for Parents-- Must be completed prior to participation in athletics.

❏ Go to www.aktivate.com

❏ Click Login

❏ Click Create an Account (You only need ONE account, even if you have children in more

than one high school and/or junior high; Do Not create another account if you have used

Register My Athlete in the past)

❏ Fill in personal account information (this should be the Parent’s personal information)

❏ You will be using the site as a Parent

❏ Click Submit

After you have an account:

❏ Login

❏ Under the Parents header (Blue), Click the button labeled “Click here to start/complete

athlete registrations“. (the first time you log in you will be asked to agree to terms and

conditions)

❏ Click Start/Complete a Registration (upper left hand corner of the page)

❏ Click Start a New Registration - this is where you will enter all of your Athlete’s information

❏ Click on the red bars to complete all requirements

❏ Click the orange button on the lower left side of the screen for live chat

or email support@aktivate.com for assistance

Athletes should purchase an ASB Activity card for $12 prior to their first sport. The funds pay for game supervision, equipment, school activities, and athletic activities. You can purchase your card on the webstore or call to purchase at 208-854-6110.

• Large 3 ring binder- 3” or wider with dividers, paper, and a pencil pouch-Students will be required to have a binder
• Composition or spiral Notebook*
• Colored Pencils
• Scissors
• Highlighter pen
• Blue or black pens pen
• #2 wooden pencils
• Glue sticks
• Ear buds or headphone
• Planner/Agenda optional but highly encouraged

All students will be expected to maintain a binder for organization. See the above items needed for the binder. Students will have the option to purchase a planner or use one of their choice as well.

South JH staff believes it is in a students best interest to store their personal devices in their locker to avoid distractions, disruptions, misuse or theft of their personal devices, however, students may possess an electronic device on school campus. Responsible use of the cellphone is the student’s responsibility. The following parameters should be observed:

• Cell phones and personal listening devices (including earbuds/headphones) may only be used for educational purposes within a classroom, with the permission of the teacher.

• Students will be asked to trade their personal electronic devices for bathroom passes and hall passes before leaving the classroom. (District policy reference 3241 and 3239)

• Cell phones and personal electronic devices may be used inside the building before school, during morning break, and lunch.

• Earbuds/headphones should not be visible in classrooms except when a student is following the classroom use policy.

• Phones may be used outside during breaks in the day.

• Taking videos and photos of people without their permission is considered a violation of this policy.

The possession of electronic devices by students on school property, or while attending school-sponsored activities is a privilege, not a right. A school administrator, in response to student misbehavior, abuse of the privilege, or other reasonable cause, may deny or cancel the privilege of possessing an electronic device and require a parent to pick up the device. A student who violates the electronic policy rule and refuses to give their phone to a staff member may receive a major disciplinary violation for insubordination.

Consequences

• Warning: Student surrenders phone to the teacher and it is returned at the end of the class period

• 1st Offense: electronic device is surrendered to the teacher and is returned at the end of the day, 30 minute after school detention, recorded as minor infraction

• 2nd Offense: electronic device is surrendered to the teacher and parents required to pick up device, 60 minute after school detention, recorded as minor infraction

3rd and Subsequent Offenses: electronic device contract, 90 minute after school detention, recorded as major infraction

Students will be issued a locker at registration. They will be able to see their assignment after 8/1/2023. Backpacks will be stored in lockers and will not be allowed in class.

It is the expectation of the Boise School District that students be assigned and use a district provided device. Students in the district will be assigned a Chromebook in grades 1-12, and an iPad in grades K. Specialty devices may be assigned based on need. Students should be using their district assigned device for all classroom-related activities that require the use of a device. Students should only be using a personal device at the expressed permission of the classroom teacher, and only when needed for activities in which the district provided device is insufficient.

It is recommended that families purchase the Device Damage Deposit to protect the issued device. It can be purchased for $25. Information about the Damage Deposit and User Agreement can be found here.

Link to our daily announcements here. These are read each day to the students and provides the most up to date information. Check back often!

We update the school Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages frequently so like or follow us.

Join South's PTO the Bobcat Boosters to stay updated on information and opportunities that help support your student and the school. Register by sending an email to: bobcatboosterspto@gmail.com for up to date information. The PTO meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 for those that want to attend.

South Junior High is a PBIS school which means we have clear, common expectations across the school. There are posters and lessons defining what it means to BE RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE AND SAFE at school. Students receive BOBCAT CARDS for their positive behavior and are entered into weekly drawings. Teachers routinely teach lessons on our Spirit of the Bobcat.

We focus on 7 Character Traits: Zest, Curiosity, Gratitude, Grit, Mindfulness, Self-control and Social Intelligence. You will see these traits throughout the year in many classes and Advisory.

Advisory is the last 30 minutes of the school day. The purpose of Advisory is to provide a "home base" for students as well as study time and silent reading. During this time your child is assigned to a teacher they have had a class with already. Students not meeting proficiency in reading according to the STAR test may be assigned a reading coach to increase their reading skills. Students may also be assigned additional interventions to support their success at South JH.

7th Grade: Immunizations and PE Physical

1. The following immunizations are required for incoming 7th grade students (in addition to current requirements):

• 1 Tdap

• 1 Meningococcal

Please review your student’s immunization status with your physician to ensure that your student meets these requirements. Mail, fax or bring a copy of your student's immunizations to the Nurse.

Central District Health provides immunizations. To make an appointment call 208-327-7450.

2. Incoming 7th graders are required to have a PE physical on file for PE/Sports participation. The physical examination must be completed after May 1st of the student’s 6th grade year.

8th Grade: Immunizations and PE Physical

Immunizations need to be up to date if not done in the 7th grade and a PE physical completed if not done in the 7th grade.

9th Grade: Sports Physical Required

To participate in sports in 9th and 10th grade, the Idaho High Schools Activities Association requires a physical be completed in 9th grade. The physical must be completed after May 1st of the student’s 8th grade year.

All students will need a yearly updated HEALTH ENROLLMENT FORM. The links to the different PE/Sports physicals and health enrollment form can be found on the South JHS Nurse page.

Nurse: kyle.effefson@boiseschools.org

Google Site for Paperwork and Information

Notice of Federal Funding

We receive extra funding to help improve student achievement in math and reading.
Funding is based on the number of students in your school that qualify for the Free or Reduced Lunch program.
The funding is used to benefit all of the children in the school and provides extra staff and materials or professional development for our school.
Eligibility is determined annually based on Free/Reduced lunch applications.
You have the right to ask and verify if all employees at South Junior High are
considered Highly Qualified for their assignment.

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.

Drug Dog Sweeps

Please be advised that we will do sweeps multiple times throughout the school year. The School Board is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, and visitors. In order to maximize learning opportunities the Board authorizes the Superintendent or designees to use detection dogs affiliated with law enforcement when warranted and within the limits of this policy (District Policy 3233 and 3261):

• Detection dogs will not be used to search an individual and will not be used in the immediate presence of students. Students, staff, and visitors will be excluded from the room or area being swept or searched.

• Detection dogs may be deployed to search or sweep lockers, personal items, or vehicles on District property.

• If contraband is discovered by school officials it may be retained or turned over to law enforcement as evidence.

Website: https://south.boiseschools.org/
Location: 3101 West Cassia Street, Boise, ID, USA
Phone: 208-854-6110
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/south.juniorhigh.33
Twitter: @SouthBSD