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

😴📱 Sleep and screen time play a powerful—and often underestimated—role in how children learn, behave, and feel each day. In this episode of The West Ada Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Eric Roy of St. Luke’s Children’s Treasure Valley Pediatrics and Tracey Garner, the district’s Health Services Supervisor, to unpack the real questions families and educators are asking about student sleep, screen use, and mental health.

🧠 The conversation explores the connection between sleep and learning, anxiety and depression in kids and teens, attention and behavior in the classroom, and the risks of excessive screen time, including early exposure to digital devices. Our guests share evidence-based guidance, practical strategies for families, and simple changes that can lead to better sleep and healthier habits.

🔗 Helpful resources mentioned in the episode:

• ABCD Study (child brain development): https://abcdstudy.org/
• American Academy of Pediatrics – Healthy Children: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx
• The Anxious Generation: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/
• West Ada Tech Help: https://westada.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/19

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 This is a must-listen for parents, educators, school staff, and caregivers looking for clarity, compassion, and actionable steps to support student wellness, mental health, and academic success—day and night.

🎓 Plus, Centennial High School’s co-student body presidents join us for The Student Pulse to share their perspective on student leadership, school culture, and what matters most to teens today. And if you don’t know the story of Pat Cash, stick around.
⏱️ The student conversation begins at 27:08.

#WeAreWestAda #StudentWellness #ScreenTime #HealthySleep #MentalHealthMatters #ParentingSupport #EducationPodcast

What does meaningful physical education look like in elementary school—and how can families support healthy habits at home? 🏃‍♂️🧠

In this episode of the West Ada Podcast 🎧, we’re joined by Tim Fulwood, Physical Education Teacher at Galileo STEM Academy, and John Feggo from Seven Oaks Elementary School for a conversation about movement, wellness, and lifelong health. Together, they share insights from their classrooms and experiences working with young learners across West Ada.

We’re also introducing something new in the new year. Beginning in 2026, we want listeners to hear directly from our students, which is why we’re launching our recurring Student Pulse segment 💬. In this first installment, we’re joined by Alixandria B. and Mike F., student leaders at Renaissance High School, who share what’s happening on their campus and offer perspective on what it’s like to be a high school student in 2026.

You’ll also hear about “Cosmic Bowling” with Tim Fulwood during the episode. To watch that story, click here:
👉 https://youtu.be/2Qao8St6E6Y

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, this episode offers valuable perspective and practical takeaways to help students stay active, confident, and healthy—at school and beyond.

#WeAreWestAda #StudentWellness #ElementaryPE #StudentVoice #HealthyHabits #EducationMatters

In this special holiday episode of the West Ada School District podcast, we head to Rocky Mountain High School🎓 to spotlight the choir program—and the people who make it truly special. We’re joined by choir director Brandi Cook and student Patrick D. 🎤 for a thoughtful conversation about music education, arts education, student leadership, and mentorship.

This is one episode you’ll definitely want to watch on YouTube▶️. After the conversation, the Rocky Mountain Jazz Choir performs a festive holiday choir performance 🎄✨ you won’t want to miss. If you’d like to jump straight to the performance, head to 21:16 ⏱️.

Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or arts advocate, this episode offers an inside look at high school choir, West Ada schools, and how the arts help students build confidence, collaboration, and community—on stage and beyond.

🎧 Listen (and watch) now to discover what makes Rocky’s choir program sing.

#WeAreWestAda #RockyMountainHighSchool #ChoirLife #MusicEducation #ArtsEducation #JazzChoir #StudentVoices

In this episode of the West Ada School District Podcast, we go behind the scenes of the West Ada Education Foundation (WAEF) — the nonprofit driving classroom innovation and student support across Idaho’s largest school district.

Our guests, Jamie Burton, Executive Director, and Lila Lake, Grant Coordinator, share how the Foundation connects community generosity with real classroom needs. Together, they explore how WAEF funds creativity, removes barriers to learning, and builds partnerships that empower teachers and help every student thrive.

💡 Hear inspiring stories of Classroom Innovation Grants, teacher creativity, and student success — plus how WAEF collaborates with district leaders, educators, and local businesses to ensure every learner in West Ada has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

🎥 Want to see the Foundation’s impact in action? Watch this moving testimonial video highlighting how community support transforms student's lives: https://youtu.be/QZuiMaiPbNY

📬 Contacts: For grants, partnerships, or other inquiries, reach Jamie Burton at Burton.Jamie@westada.org
and Lila Lake at grants@westada.org

🎧 Tune in to learn how you can get involved, support classroom excellence, and make a lasting impact for West Ada students.

If you’re a parent, student, or teacher, you might not know the people who make our schools such great places to learn. In this episode of the West Ada Podcast, we’re spotlighting the dedicated teams who keep our schools safe, clean, and running every day — the Facilities and Custodial Services departments of the West Ada School District.

Spencer Mclean, Director of Facilities, and Tawnya Hulbert, Custodial Supervisor, share how they manage building maintenance, custodial operations, and emergency response across 382 square miles of the district — serving more than 38,000 students.

They discuss major modernization projects, energy-efficiency upgrades, and sustainability efforts that make our schools healthier, safer, and better places to learn. From HVAC and lighting improvements to innovative cleaning tools and custodial training, Spencer and Tawnya explain how their work directly supports student success.

Finally, they reflect on West Ada’s continued growth and new construction, how they prepare teams for new campuses, and their shared vision for the future of facilities in education.

🎥 Take a look behind the scenes of the Lake Hazel Middle School renovation → Watch on YouTube

📚 Learn more about our Schools of Choice programs and how to enroll → westada.org/enrollment-schools-of-choice

#WeAreWestAda #FacilitiesManagement #CustodialServices #SafeSchools #SustainableSchools #InnovationInEducation #K12Education