Read newsletters from Superintendent Johnson to patrons and employees.  

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November 2019

October 2019

September 2019

Legacy Pass

Legacy Pass holders may attend all home events for free. The pass is good for one year. 

Eligibility - Kuna School District residents who are: 

• age 65 or older   
• and/or grandparents of Kuna High School students

Sign up - Eligible patrons will need to sign up at the district office, 711 E. Porter St. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and provide email, address, name and valid proof. The district will send a monthly schedule of events.

Benefits - Legacy Card will grant its holder free access to athletic*, choir, theater, band and orchestra events within the Kuna School District.  The district's communications team will email Legacy Pass holders a monthly listing of events. 

• October 2019 Legacy Newsletter
• November/December 2019 Legacy Newsletter

*League rules may require full price for playoff events.

Veterans & Military Recognition Program 

Veterans, National Guard, Reserve and Active Duty Military personnel who show valid military identification at Kuna School District events pay $1 for admission to events.

Questions?

Call Cheri Carr at 208.922.1000 ext. 1221 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Parents ~

Playing sports is about much more than a single game. It’s more than a tournament and it’s more than a season. For kids, playing high school sports is about having fun, building lifelong friendships, preparing to take on future challenges, learning how to be a good teammate, and simply enjoying the sport.

So how can we as parents and coaches show up and support the student-athletes in our lives, regardless of performance or the outcome of the game? We sat down with high school students and asked them—why they play, how they feel about parental pressure, and what kind of support they need before, during and after the game.

Watch the video to learn how we can collectively help create a fun and enriching sports experience for our student-athletes. Once you’re done watching, feel free to share this video with students and parents at your pre-season meetings.

The Parents' Playbook Video

"The Parent Seat" explains the role of a parent during game day and provides suggestions on how they can cope with the roller coaster of emotions that they will feel.

The Parents' Seat Video

Please help us to celebrate our colleagues and community partners who are examples of practicing the Kuna Way. 

We are currently taking nominations this month's Kuna Way Award - please use this link (nominations due by Feb. 29th)

2019-2020 Kuna Way Award Recipients

Recognized by the Kuna Board of Trustees

• September - Ross AVID Team & KSD Summer Technology Team
• October  
• November  
• December
• January

2018-19 Kuna Way Award Recipients

September 2018

October 2018

November 2018

December 2018

January 2019

March 2019

April 2019

End of the Year 2019 Winners

Welcome to Kuna School District!

We are excited to serve your children at our 10 schools!

Find more information on how to get started and answers to frequently asked questions here.

Looking for the latest information on what is happening in the district. 

Read the latest news here

Text messaging is just another important tool Kuna School District is implementing as a way to communicate to parents

Learn more information and how to set up here

School and school district approved eflyers will keep you informed about upcoming school activities, programs, and events

PeachJar

JANUARY 2020

• No school - Idaho Human Rights - Martin Luther King Day - Jan. 20

FEBRUARY 2020

• Kindergarten registration opens - Feb. 3
• No school students/teacher inservice - Feb. 14
• No school - Presidents' Day - Feb. 17
• K-5 End of Trimester 2 - Feb. 28

MARCH 2020

• Middle School Student Led Conferences March 12
• KHS Parent Teacher Conferences March 19
• 6-12 End of Third Quarter March 20
• No school - Spring Break March 23 to 27

APRIL 2020

• Kindergarten Open house April 22

MAY 2020

• Initial Point High School Graduation May 20 6 to 8 p.m.
• Kuna High School Graduation May 21 3:30 p.m. Idaho Center
• No school Memorial Day May 25
• Last day of school - 2 hour early release May 29

MORE

• Professional Development / District Events

2019-2020 School Calendars:

• 2019-2020 Teacher Calendar
• 2019-2020 Family Calendar
• 2019-2020 Secondary Calendar
• 2019-2020 Early Childhood Special Education Calendar

If you heard a rumor and want clarification or want to give feedback, please use this link

The Kuna School District will allow foreign exchange students and foreign exchange visitors to enroll at the district high school from recognized agencies. These agencies must provide all paperwork allowing the student to be in the country in accordance with district policy. Applications will NOT be accepted BEFORE January 24, 2020.

The window for applications to be turned in will be from January 24th - March 1st of 2020. All submissions should be addressed to:

Kuna Joint School District No. 3
Attn: Kim Bekkedahl, Assistant Superintendent
711 E. Porter St.  Kuna, Idaho 83634

PLEASE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR PACKET SUBMISSION:

Kuna School District Foreign Exchange Students Procedure:

1. Each recognized organization will submit a letter of interest, based on the following list to place students in the Kuna Joint School District. Recognized organizations are based on the degree to which the organization. Please include the following in your application:
   1. has full listing in the most current U.S. Information Agency or CSIET Advisory List;
   2. is identified as a not-for-profit organization;
   3. has an active local organization with non-paid volunteers;
   4. provides local orientation for host families and students;
   5. has a record of support for the students and assistance to the schools with their program;
   6. All recognized agencies will be placed in a lottery system and three (3) agencies will be selected. The Kuna School District designee will notify the agencies that are selected of their approval status by March 15 of each school year.
2. Each organization that has been approved shall notify the appropriate school of the following, no later than June 15 of each school year:

• the name, country, grade level and date of birth of the exchange student;
• the name, address and phone number of the host family who must live in the attendance area of the school in which placement is requested; and
• the high school authorization form from the exchange organization.
• name and address of the local representative for the organization;
• an English-translated transcript for each candidate, indicating grade placement;
• previous Level English Proficiency Test (SLEP); or (3) other verification of English competency approved by school officials. coursework;
• a record of medical history, including a recent physical exam with proof of required immunizations and any medical/physical limitations; and
• a record of English proficiency. Record of English proficiency is defined as:

(1) a transcript verifying attendance at a school where all classes are taught in English;

(2)Written evidence that the student attained a score of 450 or better on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a score of 39 - 44 on the Secondary Level English Proficiency Test (SLEP); or

(3) other verification of English

DEFINITIONS

“Foreign exchange visitor” or “J-1 visa holder” means an alien having a residence in a foreign country which he or she has no intention of abandoning who is a bona fide student, scholar, trainee, teacher, professor, research assistant, specialist, or leader in a field of specialized knowledge or skill, or other person of similar description, who is coming temporarily to the

United States as a participant in a program designated by the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, or receiving training. The terms “Foreign exchange visitor” or “J-1 visa holder” also include the spouse and minor children of any such alien if accompanying him or her or following to join him or her.

“Foreign student” or “F-1 visa holder” means an alien having a residence in a foreign country which he or she has no intention of abandoning, who is a bona fide student qualified to pursue a full course of study and who seeks to enter the United States temporarily and solely for the purpose of pursuing such a course of study at an established academic high school particularly designated by him or her and approved by the Attorney General after consultation with the Secretary of Education.

AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE

Foreign students, pursuant to their “F-1 visa” status, will not be counted for the purpose of determining average daily attendance and will be required to reimburse the district for the costs of tuition.

Pursuant to their “J-1 visa” status, foreign exchange visitors will be counted for the purpose of

determining average daily attendance and are not required to reimburse the district for the costs of tuition.

CONDITIONS OF ENROLLMENT FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

The maximum foreign exchange visitor population each year will be based on an approximate ratio of 1/400 . The Kuna Joint School District reserves the right to raise or lower this ratio based on student enrollment numbers at Kuna High School.

A foreign student, “F-1 visa holder,” seeking to enroll in a high school in this district must meet the following conditions:

1. The foreign student must reimburse the district for the full unsubsidized cost of his or her enrollment at a district high school. Enrollment may not exceed one (1) year. Reimbursement must be made prior to the student’s enrollment. If requested, the business manager for the district will calculate the full unsubsidized cost of attending a district high school for a given period.

2. Any foreign student will be required to follow all of the rules, regulations, and policies, of thedistrict and pay the same fees as required of resident students.

3. This district reserves the right to deny admittance to any foreign student or foreign student program.

4. Foreign students who complete their senior year at the district’s high school will be eligible for an “honorary high school diploma” and may participate in the end of the year graduation and ceremonies.

On July 10, 2019, a letter to all parents went out via email. Here is a copy of that letter.

FAQs

Q: How does the elementary start times compare with start times in other districts?

A: Our 2019-20 start times are similar to those in adjacent school districts:

• West Ada School District begins at 8:45 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 9:15 a.m. Wednesdays
• Boise School District begins at 8:45 a.m. at four schools and 9:15 a.m. for nine schools
• Nampa School District begins at six schools at 8:20 a.m., one school at 8:45 a.m. and seven schools at 8:50 a.m.

Q: Why doesn’t the district use levy for learning funds to buy more buses?

A: Last year, we asked parents and the community to prioritize uses of our levy for learning. Of the 15 priorities, bus schedule ranked 14th. Levy funds were dedicated to the top priorities identified by the parent and community, they are:

• Hire 20 teachers to address areas of classroom overcrowding and add auto body repair, diesel mechanics, and agricultural classes
• Continue free full-time kindergarten
• Provide new English and science instructional materials, replace Chromebooks and musical instruments
• Continue focus on safety and prevention by:
  • maintaining school resource officers
  • increasing prevention staffing and training
  • making critical building improvements

Q: Why doesn’t the district switch the start times and allow secondary students to start later and get more sleep?

A: This option could work if students did not also participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and music. About 60% of our students participate in extracurricular activities. These activities require students to travel in after school to compete. A later start time would result in a later end time. Students in extracurricular activities would lose too many hours of classroom instruction with their teachers and could be at greater risk of failing.

Q: Why can’t elementary and secondary students ride the same buses?

A: This scenario was explored as an option, but dismissed because of concerns about safety and supervision on buses with younger and older students.

Q: How many buses does the district have?

A: The district owns 47 buses, 39 are used every day to transport children to and from school. The eight remaining buses are older and used if a bus breaks down or if a bus is needed for a field trip or extracurricular activity. These buses log about 52,219 miles per month or about 419,359 miles a year.

Q: Why was the release time for Wednesday changed to only one hour early this year?

A: This change was made last school year to accommodate our busing schedule. Prior to last school year, Wednesday collaboration has always been a one-hour early release.

Q: Wouldn’t contracting for bus services help solve this problem?

A: No. Other area school districts that contract for bus services have similar schedules for elementary schools. Those contractors also are experiencing challenges hiring drivers in a tight job market.