Students prepare to head back to school

Picture by Sami Edge, Idaho Education News

Last week, Idaho Education News reporter Sami Edge spent some time with REACH program students and organizers during a field trip to the Boise Library's Collister branch and a back-to-school Q&A. Find Sami's great photos and story here. 
The REACH program (Refugees Empowered to Achieve) is supported by a collaborative of local partners to provide youth mentorship and tutoring. 

During the field trip, library assistant Katie Fuller walked the kids through the library's helpful resources, such as:

• Children's books in multiple languages
• Computer and printer access
• How to check out a book or tech kit
• Graphic novels
• Research books for school projects

Katie also gave us a sneak peek into the backroom of the library, filled with colorful arts and crafts supplies that library staff use to put together art kits. The library is such an amazing, free resource for our community. We're grateful for the employees and all they do.

Boise library assistant Katie Fuller shows students the foreign language section of children's books at the Collister branch on Aug. 3, 2021.

​After the tour, Dr. Lisa Sterling with the Boise School District and Herve Mashindora with Central District Health did a Q&A with the kids and provided valuable insight for students to keep in mind as they head back to school. 

“Try your best, and maybe your progress looks different than someone else in your class, but don’t give up. ... And find one adult at your school that you trust.”
​-Dr. Lisa Sterling, as quoted by Idaho Education News

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:

• Boise School District: Monday, Aug. 16 
• Twin Falls School District: Monday, Aug. 16
• West Ada School District: Thursday, Aug. 26

In Twin Falls, which is also a refugee resettlement community in Idaho, all students and families will now have access to free counseling sessions with a mental health professional and an emergency crisis hotline, Idaho EdNews reported last month. ​