Dear Amity Families,
It is hard to believe we are already into November and just a couple of weeks away from our Autumn Break! The school year seems to be flying by, and there continues to be so much to celebrate here at Amity!
First, I want to thank all of our families who took the time to attend Family/Teacher Conferences last month. This year's conferences were especially important as we introduced the Boise School District's new standards-based report cards. We appreciate your partnership as we make this transition and continue working together to support the growth and success of every student.
I am also excited to share that our PTA has some exciting news about upcoming improvements to our playground! Please be sure to read the PTA update below to learn more about these developments and what’s in store for our students!
Another big congratulations goes out to our 5th/6th Grade Girls' Basketball Team! The girls had a fantastic season, making an impressive run to the semifinals of their tournament. We are incredibly proud of their hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship. A huge thank you to our coaches, Jessica and Brent Norris, for the time and energy they dedicate to our student-athletes!
As we look ahead, Autumn Break is just around the corner, giving students and staff a full week away from school to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. When we return, we will have just a few short weeks before Winter Break and the end of our first semester. It is amazing how quickly the year is moving!
As always, thank you for the tremendous support you continue to show our students, staff, and school. Amity is a special place because of the people who make up our community, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside all of you as we continue making Amity a place where every student can belong, grow, and thrive.
Go Groundhogs!!
Tyler Targee
Principal, Amity Elementary
|
We have several important dates coming up:
- November 9-13 - School Psychologist Week - We have two of the best in Mrs. Labonne and Mrs. Jeffrey!
- November 9 - Amity Elementary Spirit Day at Chick-fil-A on Franklin Road (11:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
- November 10 - Picture Retake Day
- November 11 - Veteran's Day - A huge THANK YOU for all that have served our country!
- November 12 - PTA Meeting - Come join us! (4:00-5:00)
- November 18 - 4th Grade Field Trip - Boise Watershed (9:20-12:00)
- November 18 - 3rd/4th Grade Dress Rehearsal for. Music Performance (For Staff and Students)
- November 19 - 3rd/4th Grade Music Performances - Two Times for Family and Friends (10:30-11:00 & 2:30-3:00)
- November 20 - Substitute Teacher Day
- November 23-27 - Autumn Break (NO SCHOOL FOR STAFF or STUDENTS)
|
|
Amity Families and Friends,
Please join us for our 3rd and 4th grade music program, "Idaho and the West," on Thursday, November 19th! Our students are excited to share what they have been working on!
We will have two performances:
- 10:30 AM – 3rd Grade Families
- 2:30 PM – 4th Grade Families
To help us manage seating and avoid overcrowding in the gym, we ask that 3rd grade families attend the morning performance and 4th grade families attend the afternoon performance whenever possible.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you!
Mr. Niblett
|
Each month, our school psychologist, Tammy Labonne, will share a quick Brain Boost focused on simple, practical ways families can support children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. Each topic will briefly explain why it matters, what is happening in the developing brain, and a few things families can try at home. Small, everyday interactions and routines can make a meaningful difference in helping children build the skills they need to learn, connect, and manage life’s ups and downs. |
Hello from the Health Office Team!
With the start of the cold and flu season, here are some ways to keep our classrooms healthy and students learning:
- Hand hygiene: Washing hands often with soap and water, especially before eating, for at least 20 seconds.
- Respiratory etiquette: coughing and sneezing into the crook of your elbow reduces the spread of droplets.
- Reduce touching your face: avoid touching our eyes, nose and mouth because these are the primary entry points for viruses.
- Prioritize sleep: school aged children generally need 9-12 hours per night. While adults need 7-9 hours per night to maintain a resilient immune system.
- Nutrition & Hydration: eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps maintain a strong immune system and staying well hydrated helps the mucus membranes trap and filter out viruses.
- If your child isn’t feeling well, please take a moment each morning to check for symptoms.
- If they have a fever, vomiting or diarrhea, a new cough, unusual fatigue, a sore throat with fever, a new rash, pink eye with discharge, or any other symptoms that aren’t typical for them, it’s best to keep them home. Staying home gives them time to recover and helps prevent illness from spreading to classmates and staff.
Students may return to school when:
- Symptoms have significantly improved and they’ve been fever-free, vomit-free, and diarrhea-free for 24 hours without medication or,
- A healthcare provider has cleared them to return, or
- They’ve been on prescribed medication for 24 hours for illnesses like strep throat, impetigo, or pink eye.
If a doctor diagnoses or suspects illnesses such as influenza, mono, viral pneumonia, or COVID-19, students should remain home until symptoms have clearly improved or a provider gives the okay.
Of course, if you ever have questions, your school’s health services staff are here to help. Thank you for helping us keep our classrooms healthy.
|
Happy November, Groundhog Families!
We are so grateful for our Amity community! Your enthusiasm, participation, and continued support make it possible for the PTA to do great things for our students, teachers, and school. We have lots to celebrate and even more fun coming up!
Thank You for Making Amity Night at Chipotle a Success!
A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support Amity Night at Chipotle! Thanks to your support, we raised over $300 for our school!
We are planning to host a restaurant night each month that we don't already have another community event scheduled. These nights are about more than fundraising—they're a chance to have fun, connect with friends and classmates, and build our Amity community while raising money for our school.
Mark your calendars for our next restaurant night!
Chick-fil-A Night – November 9
Skip cooking and let Chick-fil-A help support Amity!
Monday, November 9 | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Here's how to participate:
- Place your order through the Chick-fil-A One App.
- Enter the code Amity26 on your app order.
- You can order on the app in the restaurant or use pickup or delivery
- 50% of app sales using our unique code will go directly to Amity Elementary!
Enjoy a favorite meal while helping our school. It's a win-win!
Amity Night at the Steelheads – December 4
Get ready for a night of hockey, friends, and Groundhog fun! Join us as we cheer on the Idaho Steelheads and support Amity Elementary.
Friday, December 4 | 7:00 PM
$26 gets you a game ticket AND dinner!
Your dinner includes:
- Double R Ranch Hot Dog, Bag of Lay's Chips, Small Pepsi product
Plus, $5 from every ticket purchased through our special school link goes directly back to Amity!
Purchase your tickets here:
Invite your friends, bring the family, and come enjoy a fun night cheering on the Steelheads while supporting our Groundhogs!
Playground Update – We're Getting Closer!
We have some exciting news! We are on track to getting a brand-new playground installed at Amity!
The bids are in, and we are currently waiting for final contract approval before installation can begin. We are so excited to see this project moving forward!
Your participation in restaurant nights, community events, and PTA fundraisers helps make projects like this possible. Every meal purchased, ticket bought, and event attended makes a difference. Thank you for helping us get closer to this exciting addition for our students!
|
Making a Difference in Our Classrooms
October was a BIG month for supporting our students and teachers!
The PTA proudly provided nearly $10,000 in direct support to Amity classrooms and student programs. This included:
- Financial assistance for student field trips
- Support for school assemblies
- Grit incentives to celebrate students' hard work and positive choices
- Grants to every teacher to help purchase needed classroom supplies
These are some of the ways your PTA membership, fundraising participation, and community support directly benefit our students every day.
We are incredibly grateful for our families, teachers, staff, and community members who make these opportunities possible. Your support truly makes a difference!
Thank You, Groundhog Families!
As we head into November, we want you to know how much we appreciate each of you. Whether you attend an event, participate in a fundraiser, volunteer your time, or simply spread the word, you are helping make Amity a wonderful place for our students to learn and grow.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting is Thursday, November 12th at 4:00 pm in the library. We would love to see you there.
Thank you for being part of our Amity family! It's a great day to be a Groundhog!
Your Amity Elementary PTA
|
With many new families joining the Amity community this year, we want to make sure everyone is familiar with our end-of-day pickup procedures. Following these routines helps us keep traffic moving smoothly and, most importantly, keeps our students and families safe.
- Parents picking up students by car should use the main parking lot on the east side of the school, in front of the building. Please pull forward along the fence line, remain in your vehicle, and continue moving as far forward as space allows. We will help get your child to you. We also ask that drivers refrain from using cell phones while moving through the pickup line so everyone can remain attentive to students, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
- If you would like to meet your child at a classroom door or in front of the school, you are welcome to do so; however, please park your vehicle in a designated parking space first. Unattended vehicles in the pickup lane block traffic and make it difficult for the line to move safely and efficiently.
- The bus pickup area on the west side of the school is designated for staff parking and buses. Keeping parent vehicles out of this area helps us minimize pedestrian traffic while buses are arriving, loading students, and departing.
Everyone's safety is our first priority, and we greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation during this busy part of the day. If you are ever unsure about where to go or how the process works, please ask one of our staff members outside at dismissal. We are always happy to help!
|
If your child is not going to be at school, please call 208-854-4226 and leave a message. A child's absence is marked as "unexcused" until we hear from the parents.
If you need to check your student out for part or the rest of the day, please come to the front entrance, ring the doorbell, and present your ID. Ms. Worthington will call your child down to the office.
As school gets underway this year, we understand many of your children's extra-curricular activities may have to be rescheduled. We ask that you be mindful of your child's learning experience and try to hold off any sports or music lessons until school is out. Too many checkouts at the end of the day can interrupt teachers and can cause your student to miss important information.
|
8:45 AM - Students can arrive on campus
9:10 AM - First Bell
9:15 AM - Tardy Bell
3:45 AM - End of Day Bell
***Note: Parents may be on campus at 3:30
***Note: On Early Release Days, school is over at 1:45 PM
|
This time of year is when we start to see a lot of sweatshirts/jackets left out on the playground. With the weather colder in the morning and then warming up throughout the day, many students get hot and leave their jackets outside after recess. Please make sure to put your students name in their jackets/sweatshirts so we can get them returned to them.
|
Donating time and/or money to the school or your child(ren)'s classroom(s) is certainly not required or expected. For those that would like to donate money to either the school or a specific classroom(s), the best way to do so is through the Boise Public Schools Foundation. Upon receipt of any funds, the foundation will immediately direct those funds to the account of your choice, as well as notify the school and/or teacher. All purchases made using funds within a teacher's account are first approved by the principal and are required to remain at the school in which the purchase was intended.
|
Please use the following link to access the student calendar for the 2025/26 school year:
|
In the event of a school emergency, please understand that each school in the Boise School District has an Emergency Response Plan that has been carefully developed and addresses a multitude of emergency situations. All of these plans have been developed through a coordinated effort with Ada County Emergency Management. If there is an emergency at your child’s school, your cooperation is necessary to help us respond effectively to such situations.
District Parents/Guardians: Sign Up Today for Emergency Text Messaging Service from Boise School District
Boise School District utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information about school closings, safety alerts, etc.
You can participate in this free service* just by sending a text message of "Y" OR "Yes" to our school district's short code number, 67587.
You can also opt-out of these messages at any time by simply replying to one of our messages with "Stop".
SchoolMessenger is compliant with the Student Privacy Pledge (TM), so you can rest assured that your information is safe and will never be given or sold to anyone.
You'll want to repeat the opt-in process for any wireless numbers that you wish to include.
In addition to performing the opt-in process above, you'll want to ensure that the District has your wireless number(s) in our student information database. If you haven't already provided that information to your school please contact them as soon as possible.
* Terms and Conditions: Message frequency varies. Standard message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel. Mobile carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. See www.schoolmessenger.com/txt for more information. Non-Parents (District Staff Members, Etc.): Emergency Text Messaging Available Via Mobile App
Emergency text alerts are also available for non-parents (for example, District staff members) via the Boise School District's mobile app. The app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
|
Education is important and every missed day of school represents lost learning opportunities. However, the Boise School District’s primary concern is for the safety of all students, including students riding busses and walking or biking to school. If students cannot safely travel to school or if schools are not able to operate safely because of citywide dangerous weather conditions, school may be cancelled.
We will not cancel school on days with normal wintery conditions. Light snowfall, cold mornings or areas of ice are not sufficiently dangerous to force the closure of schools. With proper precautions including appropriate clothing, road deicing, and careful driving, students can travel to and from school safely.
The Boise School District covers over 450 square miles of Ada County. We recognize that conditions vary throughout the District, even from street to street, in some cases. Conditions may be extremely dangerous in one area, while perfectly safe everywhere else. If parents believe it is too dangerous for their children to travel to school they have the option to keep their children home. If school is cancelled, it will be cancelled for the entire District, including Boise Online School.
The most frequent dangerous weather conditions facing Boise schools are:
SNOW: Snow levels within the City of Boise are typically light or moderate. However, there is always the potential for a heavy snowfall to make traveling by vehicle or on foot dangerous. Historically, most snowfall only results in slow traffic and minor accidents throughout the City. Normal snowfalls would not result in school closures.
COLD: Frigid temperatures are more serious than snow when making school closure decisions. On bitterly cold days our concern is for students walking to school. Extremely cold weather also impairs our ability to get busses running, which causes delays in pickup routes, delays which are much more dangerous to riders because of the low temperatures.
ICE: Ice is our most dangerous winter weather condition. Freezing rain and/or refreezing of melted snow make our roads, streets and sidewalks extremely treacherous for pedestrians, and vehicles. Icy conditions may force us to close, even if it appears that no other dangerous conditions exist.
How is the decision made to close or not to close school? Representatives from transportation agencies, the weather bureau, the highway district, city and county law enforcement agencies, and school administrators, including the Superintendent, check the roads and monitor information throughout the night and early morning hours. We confer by telephone early in the morning to reach a decision.
|
|
|
