Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools Closed

Boise School District 

Will Schools Reopen After Spring Break (March 30th)?

The District will continue to monitor the situation and make a decision as to whether to reopen school prior to the end of spring break (March 27). The District will keep our community informed as decisions are made. 

Will the school year have to be extended to make up days?

This will depend on how long we are closed. We build days into our calendar to provide more educational hours than the state of Idaho requires, as well as to account for emergency closures. If we exceed those hours, we would either need to apply to the State Board of Education for a waiver or extend the school year. 

How Can I Help My Child Continue Learning?

Our expectation during this unprecedented school closure is that families don’t feel pressured to take on the additional responsibility of homeschooling their child. Please redirect your energy for the week to the most important tasks at hand -- proper hygiene, social distancing, and supporting one another.

If we extend the school closure beyond spring break (March 23-27, 2020) we will have a plan to provide learning resources via the District’s website (boiseschools.org). Once live, the website will include family resources, as well as ideas for home activities. 

How Can I Help My Child Cope During This Challenging Time?

Remain calm and reassuring. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious. It’s important to remember that children look to adults for guidance on how to react to stressful events. If parents seem overly worried, children’s anxiety may rise. Parents should reassure children that health and school officials are working hard to ensure that people throughout our country stay healthy.

Parent Resources:

Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
How to Manage Anxiety and Stress during coronavirus outbreak 

 

What About Online Learning Options?
Our first priority is to ensure every student has equal access to the educational opportunities available in Boise Schools. Given the fact that many of our students do not have reliable access to the internet, a suitable device, or, in some cases a safe place to learn, we cannot offer online learning as the only solution. 

If we do not return to school after spring break, we will provide staff-selected online and paper resources for our families.

What About Meals for My Child?

If the school closure extends beyond the end of spring break (March 27) a decision will be made about plans to distribute meals to students in need. In the meantime, please visit Idaho Food Bank’s Food Assistant Locator.

What About Academic/Award Assemblies, Prom, Etc.?
All academic/awards assemblies are currently canceled. 

What About High School Graduation?

Given that graduations are not until the end of May, we are closely monitoring the situation, as well as remaining in regular contact with Boise State University about their procedures regarding ExtraMile Arena and The Morrison Center (venues for our graduations).

What About Athletics? IHSAA Sanctioned Sports & Activities - The IHSAA announced that all sanctioned sports and activities are suspended from March 17th thru April 5th. Member schools are not to compete in contests, events, or practices during this time. Junior High & Elementary Sports -  Currently suspended through the end of Spring Break. Future athletic plans will be communicated when schools reopen.

What Impact Will School Closures Have on My Student’s Attendance Record and Grades?

Students will not be charged an absence while schools are closed during the week of March 16th.

Where Can I Go for Non-School Related Information? Always seek information from reliable sources, such as Central District Health.

Follow Us:

Twitter: @BSDEducation

Instagram: @boiseschools

Facebook: facebook.com/boiseschools