Handbook

What are Borah’s school regular hours?
Grades 1-5… 8:55 am, tardy bell 9:00am to 3:15pm
Morning Kindergarten… 8:55am, tardy bell 9:00am to11:45am
All Day Kindergarten… 8:55am to 3:15pm

What are the office hours?
Office hours are from 8:00am to 4pm.

What is Borah’s phone number?
Phone number is 664-5844

What's a good way to find out Borah's news?
Read our newsletter! The Borah Lion Tales is published every other week.
All newsletters are sent home with students on Wednesdays, or when the classroom teacher set for their class.
If you wish to submit information for the newsletter the deadline is 2 weeks preceding each issue.

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What are arrival and departure procedures for students?
Students arriving by bus and will be dropped off on the Mc Farland Street side of the school. Upon arrival, students are to play on the playground until the first bell rings at 8:55 am, at which time they are to go to their locker and then to the classroom. Instruction begins at 9:00 am. Parents dropping students off should do so on the Mc Farland (playground) side of the school. If you are dropping your student off after 9:00 am and before 9:30 am, your student may go straight to their classroom. If you are dropping your student off after 9:30, we ask that you check them in at the office.

Please do not send or drop off your child before 8:40 am or allow them to stay after school past 3:15 pm unless you are supervising them.

At dismissal time students are to go to the designated grade level gates on the Mc Farland side of the school and wait with the duty teacher until picked up. Parents are to park near the grade level gate or in the church parking lot and walk their children to their car. We do not want children crossing the street without supervision for fear of them being hit by a car.

Kindergarten children are to wait on the steps with the teacher until picked up.

Bus children are to line up on the wall east of the playground equipment and will be escorted to the bus by the duty teacher.

At 3:30 pm any children not picked up will be taken to the office. If unable to reach a parent the children will be taken to the “School Plus” facility and the parent will be charged for this service. (Emergency situations will be taken into consideration.)

May my child ride a bike, skateboard or roller blades to school?
Students in all grades may ride their bikes to school at their parents' discretion. Bicycles are to be placed in the racks provided by the school. All bikes must be locked. The school cannot be responsible for lost or stolen bicycles. Bikes, skateboards and scooters are to be walked on the school grounds before and after school for the protection of the children. We strongly urge that all children wear helmets when riding bikes or scooters!

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What should I do if my child is going to be late today?
Students who are tardy or are returning to school from an appointment must check in at the office. Please try to schedule appointments for your child after 3:15 pm

What should I do if my child needs to leave early?
If the child needs to leave early during the school day, the parent must stop by the office to sign him/her out. For your child’s safety we will not release any student to anyone other than parents or legal guardians or anyone designated on the registration card without permission from the parent.

When does my child go to lunch?
11:30 – 12:10   5^th grade
11:45 – 12:40   2^nd grade
11:55 - 12:50   Kindergarten extended day
12:00 – 12:40   1^st grade
12:15 – 1:00     3^rd grade

What are the fees when purchasing a lunch?
Our school operates both a breakfast and a lunch program for students. Both meals are served daily. Prices for the current school year are:

Breakfast $1.25                             Lunch Menu
Lunch       $2.00
Milk         $ .25                             Coeur d'Alene School District Food Services

Parents are welcome to come and have lunch with their child any school day. Price for an adult visitor's lunch is $2.75. We do ask that you contact the school (by phone or a note to the teacher) on the morning you plan to visit so that an adequate number of lunches can be prepared.

Eligible students may participate in the free or reduced price meal program (lunch and/or breakfast). Application forms are sent home with all students at the beginning of the school year and available in the school office at any time.

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What do I do if I want to visit the school or my child’s classroom?
All parents, visitors and volunteers must first check in at the office before going into the classroom and receive a visitors pass.

When may students use telephones?
Students will only be able to use the telephone with a phone pass issued by their teacher. Please make sure your students know how they are to get home after school each day. Discussing after school plans with your children before leaving home each day allows us to keep phone lines available for emergency use.

What happens if my child becomes sick or injured at school?
If your child becomes ill or injured we will contact you immediately. It is important to list two people who could be contacted when you might be unavailable. If necessary, the school would release your child to their care. It is important that you keep the office supplied with accurate and up-to-date phone numbers and emergency information.

What if my child needs to take medication?
Medication should ordinarily be administered in the home. However, at certain times, medication must be given during the school day so a child can attend school on a regular basis. We are not allowed to dispense any medication to students other than through procedures that are outlined below. (SD271 School Board Policy 561)
School personnel are not to administer ANY medication to students without written instructions from a physician. Medication must be in the original container with matching instructions on file in the office. Notes from parents are not sufficient. Parents or legal guardians are welcome to come to the office and the child will be called from the classroom to take medication from the parent. Over the counter medication may be administered only if the parent comes to the office prior to giving medication and signs a permission release form.

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What happens in cold weather?
Please do not send a note requesting that a student stay in at recess unless absolutely necessary. If a child is well enough to come to school, he/she is usually well enough to go outside. When the weather becomes extremely cold, we keep all students indoors. Please prepare you child for the temperatures of Idaho winter by dressing him/her properly with a heavy coat, hat, boots and gloves or mittens.

What to do on heavy snow days?
There may be days during the winter when it is not safe for our buses to transport children. If you suspect that school might be canceled due to the weather conditions, you are requested to listen to radio KVNI – 1080 AM or local television stations, KREM – Channel 2, KXLY – Channel 4, or KHQ – Channel 6. They begin broadcasting school closure information at 5:30 am Be patient and DO NOT CALL THE RADIO STATION. It is district policy that all events that are scheduled when we have a “snow day” are to be cancelled.

Where should my child look if they have lost something at school?
Please check the Lost and Found area located across from the Gym. Valuables will be kept in the office.

What are Borah’s recess guidelines?
The following recess guidelines are posted in the building and are appropriate for before school, lunch and classroom recess periods: We encourage the children to use the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

Share playground equipment with everybody.
Never throw rocks, snowballs or items not meant for throwing.
Be courteous and polite.
Use playground equipment appropriately.
Respect all supervisors all the time.

When the bell rings, stop and walk safely to classrooms.

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What are Borah’s standards for behavior?
To insure that students can learn in a safe and positive environment, high standards of behavior are expected. To best achieve this, expected behaviors are taught for the classroom and all common school areas. This involves teaching all rules and routines, modeling and monitoring conduct and reinforcing appropriate behaviors. Students are held accountable for their own actions through a district philosophy of Disciplining with Dignity. In addition we teach students four steps to take before making a decision referred to as S.T.A.R – Stop, Think, Act, Review. This provides our students with a system for developing personal responsibility.

I. Be Aware of Your Place in Space
A. Keep your hands and feet to yourself
B. Walk inside the school building
C. Stay to the right in the halls
D. Keep hands and feet away from lockers
E. Take off your hat in the building

II. Speak Respectfully
A. Use polite words
B. Wherever you are, use appropriate volume
C. Take turns in conversations
D. Use quiet voices in the hall
E. Say "Excuse me" when approaching people to ask a question
F. Try not to walk between two people who are in the middle of a conversation

III. Leave it Better Than You Found It
A. Ask permission before using the property of others
B. Put things back where they belong
C. Return borrowed items as soon as possible
D. Clean up after yourself
E. Push in chairs
F. Do good deeds for others
G. Eat all food in designated areas

Severe offenses are referred to the Principal. These include:

A. Fighting B. Disrespect C. Harassment
D. Possession of Weapons
E. Possession of any Controlled Substances
F. Extreme disruption of the educational process

Any of the following procedures may be followed:

A. Loss of recess privileges
B. “in-school” suspension
C. Out of school suspension
D. Parent conference/communication
E. Expulsion

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What are the school bus rules and procedures?
(SD 271 Board Policy 540-P)

Students should be at the bus stop 5 minutes before bus time.
Wait for bus in an orderly line, at least 6 feet back from the road/street.
If students have to cross the road, wait for driver’s signal and cross 15 feet in front of bus.
Go directly to an available seat. (Driver may assign seats at any time).
Remain seated while bus is moving, facing forward, feet out of aisles.
Refrain from throwing objects.
Only items that can be held on the lap are allowed on the bus without prior arrangement with Transportation Dept.
Eating, drinking or chewing gum are not permitted on a school bus. (Danger of choking is present.)
Students shall refrain from the use of profane or vulgar language, tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs on bus.
Animals, hazardous materials, water devices, skateboards, skis, ski poles or any potentially dangerous items are not allowed on school buses.
Respect the rights and property of others on the bus.
Keep all body parts and objects inside the bus at all times.
Students will not be allowed to randomly change bus stops. Students must stay at their assigned bus stop unless they have prior permission from the Transportation office to change to a different stop.
Students will not be allowed to depart the bus at a location different than the pick up location unless the Transportation Dept. has a written note signed by the parent/guardian or authorization from the school.
Student shall follow bus driver’s directions and instructions promptly.

For additional information contact School District 271 Transportation Dept. (208) 667-3451 or visit their online information site.

What extracurricular activities are offered for Borah students?
There are a variety of extracurricular activities for students. To learn more click here Beyond The Classroom.

What is the Borah PTA?
The Parent Teacher Association is open to all families and is an excellent way for parents to become involved in their child’s school. Meetings are held monthly and child care is provided. There are many committees which work on various projects designed to the benefit our students. Borah is proud of the Dad's Club and the work they do to help the students and staff. The continued success of the PTA relies on active participation of ALL parents. To learn more, click here PTA.

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