In the latest episode of the West Ada Podcast, we explore the powerful impact our special education teams and Unified Champion Schools programs are having across the district.

We’re joined by two outstanding leaders in West Ada special education. Jennifer Crowl has been instrumental in building the Unified Champion Schools program at Mountain View High School since its inception. The Mavericks have led the way in Unified programming for years and have been recognized by Special Olympics as one of the top Unified Champion Schools programs in the nation since 2018.

We also hear from Scott Deck, a special education teacher at Eagle High School. Eagle was recently honored by Special Olympics in Washington, D.C. as one of the nation’s recognized Unified Champion Schools—an incredible achievement for the program and our district.

This episode also features two Mountain View students involved in the Unified program. Calvin, a Special Olympics athlete, and Mitchel, his classmate and Unified partner, share their experiences and perspective on how the program brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together. What’s happening in these schools is building friendships, strengthening community, and creating a culture of belonging that is truly inspiring.

🎧 Learn more about Mountain View’s Unified Champion Schools program here:
https://youtu.be/_Am0N2YYo_E

🇺🇸 Watch the story of Eagle High School’s recent trip to Washington, D.C. here:
https://youtu.be/8xQcrvN-iIg

If you’re a middle school teacher interested in starting a Unified Champion Schools program, we’d love to connect with you. Please reach out to us at communicate@westada.org
.

#WeAreWestAda #UnifiedChampionSchools #SpecialEducation #UnifiedSports #SpecialOlympics #StudentLeadership #WestAdaPodcast

With the opening of Independence Elementary School in the 2026–2027 school year, West Ada School District is proactively adjusting attendance boundaries to balance enrollment and support continued student growth.

In this episode, we break down what the approved boundary changes mean for families and how the process unfolded.

We’re joined by Miranda Carson, Director of Transportation and Planning, and Dr. David Reinhart, Chief Operating Officer, who share insight into the data, guiding principles, and community feedback that shaped the final plan. Beginning in September, a parent-and-patron-led planning committee worked alongside district leaders to develop and refine a thoughtful proposal designed to minimize disruption while planning for the future. 🏫📊

🔎 View the new boundary maps and additional information here:
https://www.westada.org/article/2546186

🎨 Plus, don’t miss our Student Pulse segment! Idaho Fine Arts Academy (IFAA) student leaders Alexa B. and Rosalia M. share their perspective on one of West Ada’s dynamic schools of choice.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts
▶️ Subscribe and watch on YouTube

#WeAreWestAda #WestAdaPodcast #IndependenceElementary #AttendanceBoundaries #SchoolGrowth #CommunityEngagement #IdahoSchools #IFAA

In this episode of the West Ada Podcast, Kylee Bendorf, West Ada’s Administrator of Counseling and Student Services, and Sara Jo Buffington, school counselor at Frontier and McMillan Elementary Schools, share insight into how schools support students during moments of crisis—and, just as importantly, how they work to prevent those moments from happening.

This episode includes a frank discussion of suicide and self-harm. Parents and caregivers may wish to review the content before listening with younger children.

🧠 Listeners will learn how school counselors recognize early warning signs of self-harm, assess student mental health risk while treating every concern with care, and provide real-time crisis support when students are experiencing acute distress. The conversation also explores how counselors collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families, and how proactive supports and a positive school climate can help prevent students from reaching a crisis point.

🤝 The episode highlights the work of the Self-Harm Committee, the impact of early intervention, and the role of peer-to-peer support programs like Sources of Strength. Kylee and Sara Jo discuss why it’s critical to talk openly about self-harm and suicide prevention, why adults must be willing to have uncomfortable conversations with kids, and what gives them hope when they spend time with today’s students.

🎓 Student Pulse Segment: Two outstanding Eagle High School students join the podcast to share what’s happening around Eagle High School and offer insight into how students learn best. ⏱️ This segment begins at 32:35.

🔗 Helpful resources mentioned in the episode:

· 💙 West Ada Crisis Supports and Resources: https://www.westada.org/page/parent-student-crisis-information
· 🎥 Student Mental Health Matters: West Ada’s Approach to Support & Safety: https://youtu.be/JuxV53mhtsI
· 💻 West Ada Tech Help: https://westada.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/19

✨ Above all, this episode reinforces a simple but powerful message for students and families: you are not alone, and reaching out for support can change everything.

#WeAreWestAda #StudentMentalHealth #SchoolCounselors #SuicidePrevention #SelfHarmAwareness #StudentSupport #PublicEducation #SourcesOfStrength