What can families do while we operate in pandemic?

Stay positive!

• We are so excited to serve students on our campuses
• Our goal is to do everything we can to make sure our schools don’t have to close because lots of people are sick 
• To help keep school open and keep people safe, we’re taking a lot of prevention measures and that means parts of school will be different than the past -- just like going to Costco or the grocery store is different now than it was before March 2020
• What’s staying the same is the commitment of all the teachers, administrators, bus drivers, nutrition staff, and others who care about your child’s learning, their success, and their well being
• Please remember, school won’t be like this forever

Make a Plan A, B, & C for child care 

Parents should plan for possible short-term and long-term times when your child cannot be at school. This includes:

• Your child becomes sick and needs to go home 
• Health officials direct your child to stay home for two to three weeks because of COVID exposure or diagnosis
  • Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick. 
  • Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.  
• Schools need to switch to alternative schedules to reduce the number of people in our buildings
• Schools are closed temporarily for all students  
• Schools are closed for an extended time for all students 

Model & practice prevention at home

Our schools are using multiple prevention strategies with a goal to avoid school closures. We recommend you buy a thermometer for home use and you model these prevention behaviors when away from school:

• Frequent hand washing; using sanitizers if soap and water aren’t available
• Practicing physical distancing
• Recommending flu shots for everyone: 6 months or older  
• Covering coughs and sneezes 
• Cleaning and disinfecting
• Monitoring your health & your family’s health and don’t work or go school when sick  
• Requiring the use of face coverings or masks

Model & wear face coverings at home & in the community

• Central District Health is requiring the use of face masks/coverings as an important effective, prevention strategy. To help us with this requirement: 
  • Get some washable, reusable face coverings for your child(ren) to use while in school and on the bus. 
  • Talk with your child(ren) about how to use the coverings. 
  • Resource from the American Academy of Pediatrics gives some great ideas
• Consider not having your child ride the bus

• Buses are cleaned, sanitized between routes, and every night.
• Given the number of buses in our fleet and the need to get students to and from school on a set schedule, physical distancing isn’t feasible
• If you can, help reduce the number of children on a bus by: 
  • have him/her walk or ride a bike if it is safe to do so or
  • transport your child to school and from school
  • follow the drop off and pick up procedures set by the school to keep kids safe
  • plan for congestion and wait times

Prepare for potential virtual/online learning at home

All students will have a device to use should learning need to shift to home or to an altered schedule. We hope schools won’t have to close, but to prepare we ask parents to:

• Make sure your child’s school has current contact information for your family including email; 
• Learn about the online tools your student will use: Schoology, Google Classroom, & other software--videos will be created to help you
• Plan for how your student would access the internet as needed to complete schoolwork. This would include identifying wifi hotspots near your home or your child’s school. We will have limited mobile hotspots available and hope that the State will be providing more.
• Plan to schedule online access if you have more than one student and/or a parent(s) will be working at home virtually

2020-21 Bell Schedules?

 Below is the 2020-21 Bell schedule

• Kuna High School: 7:45 a.m. / 2:35 p.m.
• Swan Falls High School: 7:45 a.m. / 2:29 p.m.
• Initial Point High School: 8:15 a.m. - 2:25 p.m.
• Kuna Middle School: 7:45 a.m. - 2:21 p.m.
• Fremont Middle School: 7:45 a.m. / 2:30 p.m.
• Elementary schools: 8:50 a.m. / 3:35 p.m.

2020-21 School Calendars?

Our 2020-21 School Year Calendar changed through out the fall as we returned elementary schools to full time every day in person instruction and secondaries expanded instructional time. The most current calendars are available here: http://www.kunaschools.org/index.php/parents-students/school-calendars

New to Kuna School District?

Welcome!  Find out what your family needs to know here:  http://www.kunaschools.org/index.php/new-to-kuna-schools

After registering online, you will need to provide an original copy of the following to your child's school:

• An original or certified copy of your child's birth certificate
• Up-to-date immunization record(s)
• Proof of address (such as a phone or utility bill, or rental contract)
• Previous school transcript or most recent report card (if any)
• Custody paperwork (if applicable)

Starting Kindergarten in August 2021?

Please register at this site. 

After registering online, you will need to provide an original copy of the following to your child's school:

• An original or certified copy of your child's birth certificate
• Up-to-date immunization record(s)
• Proof of address (such as a phone or utility bill, or rental contract)
• Previous school transcript or most recent report card (if any)
• Custody paperwork (if applicable)

Immunizations Required for School?

Here is a link to the immunizations that are required for school in 2020-21 & 2021-22

Bus Routes?

These are published on our website. To reduce the number of students on our buses and support social distancing requirements, where safely possible we encourage students to walk or ride their bikes to school or for parents to drop children off at school.

Masks/Face Coverings Required?

To combat the spread of the virus, health officials ordered the use of face coverings or masks along with physical distancing, hand washing, etc. in our county. On July 17, we shared that face coverings were required in our schools and on the school bus. On July 28, the Central District Board of Health confirmed that mask requirements apply to our schools and on the school bus.

Most individuals can wear cloth face coverings without a problem. If your child has a special or medical need, please contact the school to identify the next steps. Because of the county wide order and the requirement of many businesses, your children likely have been wearing masks already. Here are some helpful hints to help children with wearing masks. 

For school please plan to send your child with a cloth face covering that can be washed and reused. Images on coverings should follow the district dress code. According to the Center for Disease Control: cloth face covering should: fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face; completely cover the nose and mouth; secured with ties or ear loops; includes multiple layers of fabric; allows for breathing without restriction; can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. Face shields and paper disposable masks are acceptable.

Supply lists?

All students K-12

• Crimson Point Elementary Supply List
• Hubbard Elementary Supply List
• Indian Creek Elementary Supply Lists: Kindergarten; First Grade; Second Grade; Third Grade
• Reed Elementary Supply Lists:
  • English - Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade
  • Espanol - Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade
• Silver Trail Elementary Supply Lists: Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Fremont Middle School Supply List

Kuna Middle School Supply Lists: Sixth Grade; Seventh & Eighth Grades

I don't have Wifi

WiFi Access

We have a limited number of WiFi hotspots available for check out. Contact our technology department to see if any are available: 208-472-9710 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

We have some outside WiFi Hotspots at these locations:

• KHS student parking lot
• FMS curbside and outside of the cafeteria
• Hub / IC / Reed / CP / ST: front curbside
• Ross: Front parking lot and Bus drop off area
• IPHS / KMS: Front parking lot

At each site social distancing rules are required.  No groups of 10 or more. Individuals who are living in the same household, must stay a minimum of 6 feet away from others.  KSD staff will monitor.

We are grateful to Sparklight for installing a free hotspot at W. 4th St between N. Maple Ave & N. School Ave. The name is “Sparklight Free Hotspot.” There is no  password. 

Other Wifi hotspots in the valley offered by SparkLight can be found using this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1eAjVGaETCBOmPyTeAuRSkpn9WPYO-6QE&usp=sharing

How does my student access all their programs?

Students need to www.clever.com/in/kuna click login with google and use their school username followed by @kunaschools.org and password. Once in Clever they have access to all the programs they need. 

Where do I find my student's username and password?

Your student's teacher can provide this information.

Istation won't run on my PC?

If you are trying to run Istation on a Windows PC or Mac you will need to download the app. That can be found here https://www.istation.com/Support

Istation/Clever/IReady on IPad?

To access these on an IPad you will need to download all three apps. After they are all downloaded, login through the Clever app and launch Istation/Iready through Clever. Older Ipads might not be supported. 

How does my student access Zoom?

Zoom will prompt an install of an app on the device. 

If you are unable to do that, you can use the in-browser client by following these steps:

1. Click the link provided by the teacher
2. When prompted to install an app/program/client cancel it, go back to the tab where it says "Launching"
3. Click "Click Here" ("If nothing prompts from browser, click here")
4. It will try again, but will also now show you "If you cannot download or run the application, start from your browser." 

Click this link and you will now be using the in-browser client.

Access denied on Chromebook

If you are encountering an error saying your account does not have access, please back out to the original login screen. It will look like the picture below. Instead of clicking "Next" click "Sign in with a different account" and you will be able to login with your Kuna School District account successfully. 

Slow software programs

Some parents are reporting that our internet-based applications are slow: Schoology, IReady, etc. Our tech team confirmed with our vendors this is not a Kuna issue, it is a national issue as students across the U.S. are accessing these tools from home during this pandemic. If you experience these issues, be patient, they are generally worked out in a few hours. 

DEVICE CHECK-OUT & CHECK-IN

A Chromebook and charger will be made available to students for use in the 2020-2021 School Year.

Devices will be distributed before Friday, Sept. 7, the first E-day on the hybrid schedule. 

Schools will contact families about when and where to pick up the device. More information about devices will be in the school handbook.

Students who transfer to another school, withdraw, are suspended or expelled, or terminate enrollment in the Kuna School District for any other reason during the school year will return their school device and accessories on or before the date of withdrawal.

DISTRICT DEVICE RECOMMENDED

Students will use their district Chromebook every learning day in school or at home and their device is designed to support this including:

• Applications needed for learning will be on the device;
• Filtering inappropriate content;
• District Technology support; 
• Software updates can be pushed out to devices;
• Student safety as content and activity can be monitored.

We cannot provide filtering or technical support for personal devices. 

LOST OR BROKEN DEVICES NON-REFUNDABLE DEVICE DEPOSIT (VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATIONS)

Accidents happen. We know families are concerned about the cost of replacing or repairing a device issued to a student. 

We asked other districts about their options for families with this concern - and they've had success with a low-cost non-refundable device deposit (voluntary participation) program for families.

We will be offering this to families, too!

For a one-time $35 fee (or less for low-income students and multi-child families), the non-refundable device deposit (voluntary participation) will cover the cost of one device repair and one lost device. If additional repairs are needed, a deductible would be charged. Details on the coverage are below.

If the non-refundable device deposit (voluntary participation) is declined, parents are responsible for the cost of repairs or replacement of the device. A device costs about $250. 

If possible before your child receives their device, please log into your parent account in Tyler SIS, there will be a form for you to review the non-refundable device deposit (voluntary participation) options and indicate your choice to:

• accept non-refundable device deposit (voluntary participation) and then pay online or drop off payment at school or
• apply for a waiver based because your child(ren) qualify for free or reduced-priced meals or
• decline non-refundable device deposit (voluntary participation).

The site to apply for free or reduced-price meals is on our website. 

We will have a limited number of Wifi hotspots to check out. Applications will be available next week.

INTERNET ACCESS

We will continue our WiFi hotspots at school sites. In addition, we've ordered some portable WiFi hotspots for families to check out. More information on the process to check these out will be available soon.

HOTSPOT INFORMATION

Overview

The Kuna School District provides free access to the internet with WiFi hotspots outside of each school. 

The district has a limited number of WiFi Hotspots for check out for students who do not have access to the internet or have inadequate access to the internet. 

Devices are available at no cost and are intended to allow students to use district-issued Chromebooks to access online instruction, communicate with teachers, and complete work required for school while at home.  

The Kuna School District reserves the right to determine, limit, and/or cancel participation in this program at any time.

Families and staff must submit an application to check out a WiFi hotspot. Hotspots will be distributed based on need.  

Only one WiFi hotspot will be issued to each household for use during the school year and returned when requested. Families should return the hotspot if they acquire or expand internet access and no longer need the hotspot.

General Use

Devices are the property of the Kuna School District and are configured/managed exclusively by the district. 

Devices are intended for the exclusive use of the individual student or their family to whom it has been issued for educational purpose. Devices checked out should remain at home and not brought to school, where the internet is provided.  

Only district-issued Chromebooks - no personal devices - should be connected to the hotspot device. 

Students should not share access and/or login information. 

If the Wifi device is lost, stolen, damaged, or becomes inoperable, students or parent/guardian should notify the Kuna School District Technology Department at 208-472-9700. 

If lost or damaged, the family will be charged a replacement cost of $99 if not returned.

Inappropriate Use

Access to the Internet at school is an integral part of the Kuna School District instructional program.  Access to the Internet away from the District, through this means, is an added educational benefit.  Failure to use the WiFi hotspot device in an appropriate manner, violating Kuna School District policies or tampering with the device may result in disciplinary action and possible loss of the opportunity to use the WiFi hotspot.

Student & Parent Responsibilities

• Use the device in a responsible manner and follow all policies, acceptable use agreements, and guidelines.
• Regularly monitor usage and student browsing activity. The Kuna School District provides Internet content filtering away from the District through the Chromebook, but parents should monitor Internet usage at home.
• Take proper care of the device – keep away from food, liquids, dirt, etc.

Initial Point High School

Principal: Jason Reddy

Contact: Email Jason Reddy

Kuna Middle School

Principal: Paul Souza

Contact: Email Paul Souza

Fremont Middle School

Principal: Tim Jensen

Contact: Email Tim Jensen

Crimson Point Elementary

Principal Alex Jensen

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hubbard Elementary

Principal: Donene Standley

Contact: Email Donene Standley

Indian Creek Elementary

Principal: Kimberly Barker

Contact: Email Kimberly Barker

Reed Elementary

Principal: Kevin Gifford

Contact: Email Kevin Gifford

Ross Elementary

Principal: Mysti Schmidt

Contact: Email Mysti Schmidt

Silver Trail Elementary

Principal: Ken Lilienkamp

Contact: Email Ken Lilienkamp