Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year at Collister Elementary!

Dear Collister Families,

Welcome to a new school year! We are so excited to have you as part of the Collister community and cannot wait to welcome our students on the first day of school. We are looking forward to a fantastic year of learning, growth, and connection.

Below are a few reminders to help make the first days of school safe and successful for everyone.

Sneak Peek (K–6th)

• Sneak Peek will take place on Tuesday, August 11th, from 2:00–3:00 p.m.

• Kindergarten students and families will join the rest of our Collister community for this school-wide event. Families are welcome to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and get ready for the first day of school.

• Please bring school supplies with you and leave them in your child’s classroom.

First Day of School

• Wednesday, August 12, 2026

• Early Release 1:15 pm

Morning Drop-Off

• Please do not use the staff parking lot for student drop-off or pick-up.

• Students may be dropped off in the bus lane without parking. This is a quick drop-off zone only. Please do not park, get out of your vehicle, or stop between or behind buses.

• The park is also available as a drop-off location.

• Adult supervision begins at 8:15 a.m. Please do not drop students off before that time.

• Teachers will meet students on the playground when the 8:40 a.m. bell rings and will be escorted to their classrooms. 

  • Tardies will not be recorded during the first two days of school and will begin on Friday, August 14.

• Students riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards should walk them once they arrive on campus. Bike racks are available; students should bring their own locks.

Afternoon Pick-Up

• The staff parking lot is not a student pick-up location.

• The bus lane may not be used for afternoon pick-up.

• Families should park in designated parking areas and walk to meet their children.

• The park may also be used as a pick-up location, although it becomes congested. If possible, please use it as a quick pick-up area rather than for parking.

Please help us keep everyone safe by following all traffic laws, parking only in designated areas, and watching carefully for students walking, biking, and riding buses.

Morning Arrival & Breakfast

Students may arrive beginning at 8:15 a.m.

• Before school, students should report to the playground behind the school.

• Students should remain on campus once they arrive and should not leave to visit the park or neighboring homes.

• Teachers' class lineup locations will be clearly marked during the first week and a half of school.

• During the first week of school, parents are welcome to remain on the playground until the morning bell rings.

• After the first week, families wishing to remain on campus before school begins should check in at the front office and receive a visitor badge.

Breakfast

Breakfast is free for all students and is served beginning at 8:15 a.m.

Parents who would like to accompany their child in the cafeteria should first check in at the front office and receive a visitor badge.

End-of-Day Dismissal

Students will exit through the following doors:

Main Entrance (Cafeteria Side)

• 2nd Grade

• 3rd Grade

• 4th Grade

Historic Entrance (Park Side)

• Kindergarten

• 1st Grade

• 5th Grade

• 6th Grade

If you need to speak with a teacher or retrieve an item from the building after school, please check in through the front office.

Lost & Found

Our Lost & Found is located outside near the class lineup area (weather permitting). We encourage families to label coats, lunch boxes, and other belongings, as this makes it much easier for staff to return misplaced items.

Personal Electronic Devices

To help students stay focused on learning, Collister follows the district's expectations for personal electronic devices.

• Cell phones must be turned off and stored in backpacks during the school day.

• Personal gaming devices and e-readers should remain at home.

• Smartwatches may be worn but must remain on silent or Do Not Disturb mode.

If a student does not follow these expectations, the following progressive consequences will apply:

1. Reminder/Warning

2. Device held until the end of the school day

3. Device held until a parent or guardian picks it up

If you need to communicate with your child during the school day, please contact the front office at 208-854-4650. Likewise, if your child's afternoon transportation changes, please notify the office no later than 2:45 p.m. so we can ensure the message is delivered.

Transportation

Students returning to bus transportation must complete the annual update before the bussing portal will be opened for families. Please complete this update as soon as possible to ensure transportation access is available.

Please reach out if you have any questions.

Upcoming Events

Friday, August 14 | 9:00–9:30 a.m.                                                                                                                                       Annual Back-to-School Parade

• Bring your noisemakers and cameras!

• Wear your Collister colors: Green, Black, Gray, and White

• Help us welcome the new school year and let our neighborhood know the Eagles are back!

Thursday, August 20 | 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Back-to-School Night (All Grades)

Thank you for partnering with us as we begin another exciting school year. Our goal is to provide a safe, welcoming, and engaging learning environment where every student is known, challenged, and supported. We look forward to working together to make this a wonderful year for every Collister Eagle.

See you on the first day of school!

Together, we SOAR!

Jenny Gibbons
Principal, Collister Elementary