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Boiseko Ikastola’s summer program will begin on June 22. But it won't be at the St. Paul's Catholic Student Center, as it has been for the past 18 years. Instead, it will be in the building they acquired on March 2. It's located in the busy Broadway Street, in the capital city of Idaho, and it's in front of a public school. “It will give us more visibility,” told teacher Oihana Andion EuskalKultura.com. “It's a nice improvement”

Boise, ID. The Ikastola of Boise, created in 1998, will be located in 1955 Broadway Street, starting June the 22^nd. “It's a much more cheerful place than the current location,” says Oihana Andion. “It has more windows.” Andion also remarks the fact that they won’t have to share the building with the members of St. Paul’s, something that makes the teacher’s job harder, since it takes them longer to prepare for the day.

The new building is also better when it comes about safety. “It's smaller, so we can see where the kids are anywhere and anytime, even if they’re outside, since there are more windows.” Also, they tore down an inside wall so that the rooms are better connected and the teachers can keep an eye on the kids more easily. The parking has also been adequately separated from the playing area.

With these works, they will also create easily accessible restrooms and entrances for people with disabilities. The new furniture and renovated kitchen will also be more appropriate for the children.

Some work ahead

It has been several months since Ikastola teachers, managers, and several volunteers from the Basque community began working on the new place, but Oihana indicates that “the hardest part was getting the permits to rebuild the area.” Now the restrooms, the kitchen, and the recreation area need to be rebuilt, and they hope to be done on time for June 22.

A centers-based center

The new Ikastola will be organized in centers or specialized areas, so that students can use all their senses to learn. There will be an area of earth and sand, a green area, a small orchard, several wooden blocks for the kids to practice their building skills, a place with waterfalls, an area of science, and a music center. In addition, they will also have a space for puppets and costumes. “It will be more dynamic and fun and I think that it will attract more people,” finished Andion.

* The registration period for the summer program is open all through the year
* The new Ikastola can accommodate 30 children, four more than the current one
* The open-house day will be on June 23^rd