At Whitney, Every School Day Matters
Before bedtime the night before, incorporate these things into your child's bedtime routine:
- Pack their backpack.
- Set out their clothes for the next day.
- Set an alarm.
These habits can make mornings less hectic and make it easier to get to school on-time. Reminder that school starts at 8:40 AM (first bell) and dismissal is at 3:15 (1:15 on early release days).
Important Dates You Don't Want to Miss!
Monday, August 12th, 2 to 3 PM Whitney Sneak Peek
Families and students are invited to meet their teachers and see their classrooms. We'll let you know your students' teachers as you enter the building. Students are welcome to bring their school supplies.
Wednesday, August 14th, 8:40 AM to 1:15 PM: First Day of School for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade (Early release day)
First bell rings at 8:40 AM. Early release dismissal at 1:15 PM (lunch served).
Boo Hoo Woo Hoo Breakfast Social for parents/guardians from 8:40 to 9:15 AM in the cafeteria. See flyer below for more information.
Thursday, August 29th, 4 to 6 PM: Whitney Block Party
Families are invited to join the Whitney community for fun activities, dinner, and the opportunity to connect with teachers and staff. More details to come.
Monday, September 2nd: No School, Labor Day
Friday, September 6th: Friday Family Fun during Lunch Recess
See below for more information on how family members can spend time with their students at school and to check our new recess schedule.
The Boise School District calendar can be found here.
Before and After School Protocols- Please Read
Please read these important protocols before the first day of school.
- Students can line up in their assigned classroom spots outside starting at 8:20 AM. There is no adult supervision before this time, so students should not be on school grounds. The playground toys are closed for playing before school because of the number of students on the playground each morning.
- Assigned spots (watch for grade-level signs the first week):
Kindergarteners: Line-up in the gym, using the entrance near the parking lot off Nez Perce Street.
First & Second Graders: Line-up inside the playground area near Owyhee Street.
Third through Sixth Graders: Line-up near the basketball courts on the playground.
- Teachers will pick their students up at their assigned spots at 8:40 AM (first bell).
- Students with food or drinks in the mornings will be asked to finish those in the front of the school before going on the playground to line up.
- Parents can park on the street or in the Whitney United Methodist Church parking lot and walk students to the playground to line up, or you may drive through the parent drop-off in the parking lot off Nez Perce Street. Staff will be in the parking lot off Nez Perce to help direct traffic and to help students safely get out of cars (parents are not allowed to walk with students if going through the drop-off). Please be patient and aware. There is no parent parking in our school parking lots during drop-off time, and parents are not allowed to drive through the parking lot off Owyhee Street during this time. Please see the attached map.
- For students riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards, feet must be on the ground walking while on all school property. Please see the map for the bike route here.
- The Whitney bicycle cage is locked between 9 AM and 3:10 PM (or 1:20 on early release days). Please do not leave bikes or scooters after school hours.
Important Dismissal Protocols:
- Dismissal is at 3:15 PM on regular school days (1:15 on early release days). Students can meet parents on the playground.
- Parents picking up in cars, please drive through the parking lot off Nez Perce Street. Make sure your students and their teachers know that you will meet them there. Drivers, please pay attention to school staff directing traffic. See the attached map.
- Students being picked up by daycare vans or buses will meet in the grassy area near the bus pick-up lane in the parking lot off Owyhee Street. Parents are not allowed to park or pick up students in this lot after school.
Birthday Celebrations at Whitney
At Whitney, we celebrate student birthdays schoolwide rather than parents providing treats to classes.
Students will:
Have their birthdays announced each week on our Monday morning announcements.
Choose a book from our Birthday Book Cart in the principal’s office.
Receive a special treat on the first Friday of their birthday month in the cafeteria. We’ll be sure to include summer months too. :)
*We will no longer accept birthday treats or goodie bags for class birthday celebrations. This will help us celebrate every student and ensure we’re following BSD Board policy.
Whitney Cell Phone Policy
Students are not allowed to use cell phones on school grounds. Students who bring cell phones to school need to keep them silent and in their backpacks throughout the day. Students who walk to school and need to let parents know when they have arrived at school can do so as they enter the school grounds before they go to the playground, and then the phones should not be seen or heard again.
Students who are observed using smart watches to text, make calls, or for anything except checking the time, will be asked to also keep their watches in their backpacks where they should not be seen or heard while at school.
We appreciate your help as we strive to provide a space where students are focused on learning during their school day, without the distractions and mental health challenges that can be associated with devices in schools.
Whitney's New Video Game Policy
This year, we are implementing a new policy regarding video games. We are working hard to focus on learning and providing enrichment opportunities with less screen time. The only times students will be allowed to play video games at school are:
- When a specific game ties directly into our district curriculum and is assigned by a classroom teacher for a specific educational purpose.
- During weather-caused indoor recesses.
We will no longer offer video games as an option during lunch club nor as a reward option for students. Our updated lunch club will provide fun opportunities for students to develop new skills and hobbies, so please stay tuned for more.
Building Connections and Learning How School Works
Whitney staff members are committed to developing strong relationships and routines so that Whitney is a safe place where students, staff, and families feel a sense of welcome, belonging, and connectedness. When talking with your students about their school days the first couple of weeks, you may notice that our classroom teachers are devoting time to getting to know their students, helping students get to know one another, and practicing classroom and school-wide expectations. We believe this is time well-spent and will lay the foundation for a strong year ahead where students feel cared for and want to be at school.
Hello! My name is Beka Cramer and I am so excited to be the new school nurse at Whitney. I grew up in Indonesia where I fell in love with the way healthcare creates opportunities to serve and connect with people across varied cultures and languages. I went on to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at UNC Chapel Hill (Go Tar Heels!) and I have now been a nurse for nearly 14 years. My husband and I have 5 daughters, and we spend as much time playing outside together as we can.
Hello, my name is Maria Martinez. I was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain. I enjoy reading, hiking, visiting new places and spending time with my family. Last school year I worked at Whitney as a School Support Assistant, and I'm so excited to start this year as the new Librarian. I graduated from the University of Barcelona with a Master's Degree in Spanish Language and Literature. My goal is to make the library a welcoming, fun, and safe environment while trying to share my love for books with students.
My name is Lindsay Niezgoda, and I am thrilled to be teaching both music and choir at Whitney this year! I love singing, dancing, exploring new instruments, and having fun in my classroom. I believe music is a fundamental part of a child’s education, as it allows them to create, explore, and express themselves in a variety of different ways. I recently graduated from Boise State University with my Bachelor's Degree in Music Education (K-12) with an emphasis in vocal performance. In my free time I love line dancing, playing pickleball, and going on walks along the Green Belt with my husband and dog. Please reach out if you have any questions for me! I look forward to working with the wonderful Whitney families.
My name is Kayce Anderson, and I am so grateful to be your Community Schools Coordinator at Whitney. My husband and I raised our two sons on the Boise Bench and, although they are now in college, I consider myself to be a proud Borah quad parent. In my free time you can find me watching college baseball, working in my flower beds, walking in my neighborhood, or hanging out at home with my husband and bulldog, Marge. I am looking forward to working with you and your family to help ease any barriers that stand in the way of your student’s education.
I am Emma Kennedy and I am the new School Social Worker at Whitney Elementary. This is my 5th year working in education, and my 10th year as a social worker. I have a passion for helping others and really enjoy working with students and families to help them be their most successful at school and in life. In my spare time, I love spending time outdoors and experiencing all Idaho has to offer, especially the beautiful mountains. I enjoy paddle boarding, hiking, reading, live music, and spending time with my family and friends. I am beyond excited to be joining Whitney and I look forward to getting to know you, your students, and the community. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.
Looking Forward To...
- Whitney Gear- An order form for Whitney t-shirts and hoodies will be sent home with all students during the first couple weeks of school.
- Running Club- The Whitney Running Club will be starting soon for students in grades 2 through 6. Information and sign-up forms will be sent home soon, and practices will be after school on Mondays and Thursdays starting in September.
- Girls Basketball- Girls Basketball, for fifth and sixth graders, will start in mid-September. Information and sign-up forms will be sent home in the coming weeks.
What's on the Menu?
School breakfast and lunch are free for all of our students. Please note that students who bring their lunches from home can buy a milk for 80 cents (or they can take a fruit, vegetable, and milk for no charge). More information can be found at the BSD Food & Nutrition Services website.
