In this special episode honoring West Ada School District’s 75th anniversary 🎉, we sit down with retired educator and former superintendent Christine Donnell — a visionary leader whose career shaped the district over 34 years. From her first day as a teacher 🍎 to navigating complex challenges as superintendent 🏫, Donnell shares the milestones, decisions, and people who influenced her leadership journey.

We dive into the district’s transformation over the decades 🔄, her passion for educating children and the unexpected tribute behind having the Christine Donnell School of the Arts named in her honor. Christine also offers insights into today’s educational challenges 🧠, the keys to leadership in education, and the legacy she believes West Ada continues to shape🌟.

Whether you're an educator, parent, student, or alumni, this episode is full of wisdom, history, and heart — and a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on an entire community. 💬

👉 Join the conversation and connect with others in the community on our Facebook group:
facebook.com/groups/9329778283790621

#WeAreWestAda #LearningGrowingLeading #WestAda75 #IdahoEducation #IdahoSchools
#EducationMatters #SchoolLeadership #TeacherLegacy #EducationalLeadership #WomenInEducation #SuperintendentLife
#EducationPodcast #PodcastEpisode #ListenAndLearn #VoicesInEducation #StorytellingMatters

📚🎧 Transportation tips • Campus walkthroughs • Parent prep guide • Student safety • First-day success

In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Hahle, West Ada’s Director of Elementary Instruction, and Miranda Carson, Director of Transportation and Planning, for an insider’s guide to getting ready for a new school year in Idaho’s largest district. Whether you're a parent, guardian, or student—this one's for you!

✅ We cover:
🗓️ Back-to-school events: Open Houses, Meet-the-Teacher nights, and orientations—what’s the difference?
🚌 Transportation prep: What families should do now—apps to download, forms to check, bus stop changes
🛠️ Behind the scenes: A school bus driver’s morning—from pre-trip checks to badge scans and GPS tracking
🔒 Campus readiness: Locker walkthroughs, schedule hand-offs, and easing first-day nerves
📲 Tech tools: How RFID badges and the My Ride K-12 app improve student safety and parent peace of mind
💬 Parent tips: One thing to do before leaving any event to help your student succeed
📈 Continuous improvement: How the district gathers feedback, adjusts routes, and supports anxious families

📌 Helpful Links for Families

• 📰 Back-to-School Events: https://www.westada.org/article/2258977
• 🚌 Transportation Department Info: https://www.westada.org/page/transportation
• 🧑‍💻 Rooms Help & Support: https://www.westada.org/page/rooms-support

#WeAreWestAda #BackToSchool #FirstDayReady #SchoolPrep #ParentTips #StudentSuccess #SchoolSafety #SchoolTransportation #MyRideK12 #RFIDSafety #BusStopInfo #StudentBadgeSystem #IdahoSchools #WestAdaBackToSchool #WestAdaTransportation #ParentLife #TeacherLife #SchoolCommunity #PublicEducation #SchoolYear2025

The Summer Meals Pulse Podcast is here—bringing you an inside look at how West Ada School District is keeping kids fed, healthy, and ready to thrive all summer long! ☀️🍽️

🎙️ Special guests:
👩‍💼 Anne Brock, West Ada’s Director of School Nutrition
👨‍🍳 Kristen Homer, Assistant Supervisor of School Nutrition

Together, they share:
✅ The purpose & impact of free meals for all kids 1–18
✅ How we’re serving at 9 open sites across the Treasure Valley 🗺️
✅ What it takes to coordinate this massive effort—from parks to libraries
✅ Community events like Westy’s Birthday 🎉
✅ How local partnerships power the program 💛
✅ What’s next for Summer Meals in West Ada 🚀

📍No registration. No ID. Just real access for real families.

🔗 Find meal sites & program details:
👉 https://www.westada.org/article/2193963

▶️ For a behind-the-scenes look at summer meals:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl9plSXEvE4
🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform!

#WeAreWestAda #WestAda #SummerMeals #FreeSummerMeals #ChildNutrition #FoodAccess #HealthyKids #PublicSchools #StudentSupport #CommunityDriven #TreasureValley #MeridianID #EagleID #StarID #PodcastDrop