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The Purple Zone
Welcome to The Purple Zone (formerly Our Kids Our Schools).
Bridging the Gap between Public Policy and Everyday Practice
The Purple Zone explores what it really means to align how we govern, how we educate, and how we show up for our communities.
Hosted by Alexis — a PhD student in public policy and administration, and longtime educator and advocate for kids, communities, and the systems that shape our lives. This podcast connects the dots between policy and practice, without the politics or platitudes.
It’s about naming what often goes unsaid — and making space for a more honest, human approach to systems that impact all of us.
How systems shape our communities, from policy on paper to action in practice. + Thinking Out Loud as a PhD Student
The Purple Zone
When Tragedy Sparks Change: A Conversation with YouMeWeAll Parents
In this eye-opening conversation, Alexis is joined by Tara Coffland and Kim Washington, founding members of the YouMeWeAll Boise (Youth Mental Wellness Alliance). This inspiring group was established after the heart-wrenching loss of four students to suicide within just one month (in 2023) in the Boise School District. Driven by their deep concern for the wellbeing of their children and community, these parents asked themselves what could be done to improve the lives of Boise's students. Out of these discussions, YouMeWeAll was born—an alliance dedicated to four key initiatives aimed at sparking positive changes in district policies.
As their initial gathering morphed into a dynamic movement, YouMeWeAll is collaborating closely with the school district to form working groups focused on transformative areas: technology use, school start times, mental health policies that pave new ground in the state, and the enrichment that comes from outdoor learning. With technology info nights attracting upwards of 250 parents, the impact is monumental, and they're just getting started. Continuing to join forces with other organizations, these parents are committed to spreading their message and inspiring other communities across the state. Join us to learn about their journey and discover how you can initiate similar efforts in your own school area. Don't forget to visit their website for more information.
Connect with the Youth Mental Wellness Alliance:
https://www.youmeweall.org/
YouMeWeALL Boise on Instagram
YouMeWeAll Boise on Facebook
Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/
JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page
Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
alexis@ourkidsourschools.com
Find great resources and info on school communities:
https://ourkidsourschools.com/