Montana's Public Schools in the News! - Montana School Boards Association

Great things are happening in Montana's public schools every day of the school year. The following are a few of the items profiling the great work of Montana's public schools that have appeared in Montana news media. By clicking on a link, the reader is taken away from the MTSBA website. Any payment required to access a particular website is the sole responsibility of the individual reader. Articles and opinions appearing on this page do not necessarily reflect the policies, positions, opinions or views of the MTSBA Directors or staff

March 2026 Great News

Advocates encourage early reading to improve literacy rates in Montana

National Reading Month may be wrapping up, but the importance of reading doesn't end with the calendar. In fact, for kids, this is where the work and opportunity begin. "We take early literacy and reading very seriously for young kids," said Lewis and Clark Library director John Finn. Educators and librarians emphasize the importance of starting kids off reading early to prepare them for their future learning. According to the Montana Office of Public Instruction, using the ACT scores for high school juniors, proficiency in English and language arts was at 54.7% for the 2024-25 school year, up 2% from the previous year. Looking at the younger ages, grades 3-8 sit at 43.1% proficiency. While that number was one percent lower than the previous year, OPI says that changing assessment testing methods makes the results not comparable to previous years, and that this year's numbers will be the new baseline for the Montana Aligned to Standards Through-year test score moving forward. Advocates for reading in the community strive to see proficiency rates continue to grow rather than fall.

Life Skills Prom builds inclusion and community for families in Billings

As students prepare for prom night at Skyview High School, another dance floor filled earlier in the day with just as much excitement, and even deeper meaning. Billings School District 2 hosted its second annual Life Skills Prom, providing students with special needs from across Billings the opportunity to experience a tradition that many families once thought might not be possible. "We are at the second annual life skills prom hosted for the entire school district," said McKenzee Wardell, a special education secretary at Skyview High School who helped organize the event. "Exciting, it's happening again."

Car Class: Ronan students gain automotive know-how

The automotive shop at the Boys and Girls Club in Ronan looks like the real deal. The three-bay shop boasts a lift in one bay, compliments of Don Aadsen Ford, and is equipped with automotive supplies and tools, vehicles and parts of vehicles. The young mechanics working there are Ronan Charter Academy students, who attend either a morning or an afternoon session three days a week. On a recent Tuesday, students Shay Wall, Denzel Baltz, Scott Cameron, Ryan Kendall and Troy Pierce were all busy at 9 a.m. Troy was diagnosing why the dome light in a van would not go off when the door shut; Shay, Denzel and Ryan were replacing piston rings; and Scott was cleaning the oil pan on a vintage U.S. Army Jeep. The students all said they like to work on cars. One bay contains the stripped-down frame and assorted doors, seats, and other pieces of that same Jeep, brought in by a former student who's buying the parts for the project. The kids are doing a frame-up reconstruction of the military vehicle. "The cool thing about the Jeep is, it's really simple," said Aric Cooksley, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County. He noted it lacks the complicated electronics of more contemporary vehicles. "It's very basic – it was designed to be put together in the dirt."

Canyon Creek School teacher receives Gold Star Award

A local middle school teacher was recognized for his dedication to students with NonStop Local's monthly Gold Star Award. Daron Asleson, an English teacher at Canyon Creek School in Billings, was named the March Gold Star recipient. The award is presented in partnership with sponsors AVA Law Group and Hanser's Automotive. Asleson received gifts and a $250 cash award. He says he plans to spend that money on much needed books. "Being the English teacher, we do have a lot of books and some of those books have seen better days," Asleson said. "Having a nice book selection and kind of revamping our curriculum books, I think is something that I would love to use the money to do."

High schoolers help RMDC 'Meals on Wheels' program

As people age, traveling, even small trips to the store, can become more difficult. For more than 50 years, the Rocky Mountain Development Council's 'Meals on Wheels' program has helped seniors stay independent, get proper nutrition, and not feel as isolated. It also helps to connect generations. "So many people have given back to us growing up in Helena," said Capital High senior Max Christensen, "So I think it's important to give back to people, and it makes you feel good about yourself." The Meals on Wheels program provides meals to homebound seniors who may have difficulty moving around in their golden years.

Havre High Theater presents 'CLUE'

Get ready for a night of mystery, mayhem, and side-splitting laughter as Havre High School Theatre brings the iconic board game CLUE to life! Under the creative direction of Marcee Murphy, our talented Havre High students are diving headfirst into this cult-classic "whodunit." This isn't your average stage play - it's a high-energy, fast-paced production packed with larger-than-life characters, suspicious motives, and more plot twists than a mountain road. You don't want to miss this! Performance times are March 26,27,28 at 7:00 PM and April 2 and 3 at 7:00 PM at the Havre High School Auditorium. Ticket prices are $10 for adults/senior citizens and $6 for students. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Just a reminder that season passes will not be honored.

GFPS BOARD APPROVES GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL AS CLUB ACTIVITY

The Great Falls Public Schools board voted unanimously during their March 23 meeting to establish girls flag football as a club activity for the next two school years. The activity will fall under the athletic director and be funded by a grant from the Arthur Blank Family Foundation. Both Great Falls High and C.M. Russell High schools are eligible for $15,000 each, for a total of $30,000 in grant funding per year. Lance Boyd, assistant superintendent, said that the proposed flag football budget for its short six to seven-week season is just shy of $15,000 per school per year. "GFPS is very confident that Arthur Blank Grant will cover the costs of each of the first two years of this club activity," according to the GFPS staff report.

Musical March, Laurel celebrates Music in Our Schools Month

March is "Music in Our Schools Month." Laurel has done a great job promoting music. Laurel has hosted several events in the past two weeks. Laurel started with the Eastern Montana Youth Sing on March 13, the Eastern A Choir Festival on March 17, the Laurel High School Choir Festival Concert on March 19, the Laurel High School Festival Band Concert on March 23, the Laurel Middle School Band Concert on March 24, and the Middle School Spring Choir Concert on March 26. Eastern Montana Youth Sing is for grades 4–8 from schools around Montana. This year it brought students from Ben Steele Middle School; Big Timber Middle School; Castle Rock Middle School; Independent Elementary School; Laurel Intermediate School; Laurel Middle School; Lewis and Clark Middle School; Medicine Crow Middle School; Riverside Middle School; and Will James Middle School. (Belgrade, Hardin, and St. Francis also planned to attend, but weather prevented them from coming.) The Youth Sing had just under 250 students performing on stage. There were two guest conductors. Amy Schendel, the Billings Fine Arts Education Coordinator, stepped in and conducted the youth choir when the original conductor was unable to attend due to poor roads. The middle school conductor was Katrina Davies, the music director at Highland Park and Garfield Elementary in Lewistown.

Class Act: Helena High student selected to the National Youth Orchestra

Behind the doors and through the hallways of Helena High, the sound of Elliot Cleary and his violin echoes with Bengal pride. Soon, Cleary will hit the road in July to take his talents to Carnegie Hall in New York City and travel around Europe performing concerts the rest of the summer with the National Youth Orchestra. "In the first place, this organization and auditioning for it was already kind of a long shot, and I did not expect to get in at all, but I got the email that said, like you're in and it was unreal," Cleary shared. You may be wondering how Cleary got to this point. Well, it all started when he was just five years old. I was just kind of immersed from a really young age, so it just set me up over the years to really love the art," Cleary said.

Dedicated Polson senior earns leadership award

Polson High School senior Raya Lucas was recently presented the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award for being "committed and community-minded." Lucas has strong community and school involvement while also being a high-achieving student. She's got writing, communication and management under her belt as editor of both the Montana District of Key Club Bulletin for the Polson High School Key Club and The Salishian, the high school newspaper. Lucas is responsible for the monthly Montana District Bulletin, which highlights international Key Club updates. She also manages the school newspaper's quarterly publications. Her school counselor and award nominator, Nicole Bonner, stated in the Logan Health press release that Lucas's leadership and dedication are evident in every activity she does, making her "an invaluable member of this organization." Lucas has volunteered through Key Club at the Elks Lodge in Polson and assembled backpacks for homeless people. "I really enjoy community service because I like talking to people and trying to make a difference," Lucas said.

"One Class at a Time" celebrates McKinley Elementary teacher

Q2, the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Caitlin Hraban, a school counselor who's doing an incredible job helping shape the lives of young students. "My role at McKinley is to help. I'm a helper," said Mrs. Hraban. "I teach classroom lessons that focus on friendship skills, kindness, kind of those social skills that we're expecting students to use to be successful in school. I work with academic traits. I support individual students if there's a need. I support groups of students. And then I like to say I do my other duties as assigned. So anything else that comes up, I kind of handle that."

Brainpower takes center stage at Principals' Cup in Simms

March Madness is in full swing on basketball courts across the country, but in Simms on Friday, the drama unfolded in a different kind of bracket. Students from schools throughout central Montana gathered at Simms High School for the MASSP Region II Principals' Cup - a quiz bowl-style academic competition that tests knowledge in subjects ranging from math and science to history, geography and English. Teams of five students competed in a double-elimination tournament format after completing an online written test weeks earlier. That exam determined both individual honors and team seedings heading into the live rounds. The bracket produced plenty of suspense. Cut Bank battled through the consolation side of the tournament to defeat CMR 1 in the consolation final, earning another shot at a title. In the championship round, however, CMR 2 delivered a series of clutch answers to secure the Principals' Cup crown.

Cottonwood Educator is Montana's Rural Teacher of the Year

In a press release, Hill County Superintendent of Schools Vicki Proctor announced that Monica Mattson a 20-year teacher for Cottonwood Schools was recently named Montana's Rural Teacher of the Year. She will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Montana Association of County Superintendents of Schools Conference in April. Matson is a Certified K-8 teacher and counselor who has served as lead teacher/curriculum director at cottonwood, she manages two campuses and works closely with new rural teachers while participating in mentee teacher programs. At Cottonwood School, Mattson creates an engaging and supportive learning environment where students of all ages feel valued and challenged. Her classroom reflects the heart of rural education: strong community connections, high expectations, and personalized instruction. Whether working with early learners building foundational skills or middle school students preparing for high school, she emphasizes academic growth, character development, and a love of learning.

West Valley's Sawyer Schneider Solves for Success at State MATHCOUNTS Competition

For West Valley School eighth grader Sawyer Schneider, math is a subject that has always added up - and this week, it added up to a top four finish and national-qualifying performance at the state's MATHCOUNTS competition. "I want it to be known that West Valley, even in such a rural area, can produce kids with such possibility," Schneider said. MATHCOUNTS, a national program, serves to motivate sixth- through eighth-graders in their math endeavors through competitions. The program includes topics like probability, statistics, linear algebra and polynomials. Students are tested on their knowledge through several rounds of contests, including timed written tests and an oral match. Schneider has always had an inclination for math. As an elementary school student, he recalls going to a self-paced school, where he worked nearly two grade levels ahead in math. He first started at West Valley School in the fourth grade, joining the MATHCOUNTS team in middle school.

Can homeschooled kids walk at graduation? A Darby teen and 600 petitioners think so.

Quintin Woirhaye's face has been displayed on a poster in the gymnasium labeling him a Darby Tiger. But Quintin hasn't attended Darby as a student in two years. His parents are advocating for their homeschooled son to walk in Darby school's commencement ceremony this May. They have collected more than 600 signatures on an online petition requesting the district allow it. But the district said the event is for Darby students only, and one Montana education expert said Montana law doesn't allow for homeschooled kids to participate in commencement. Darby Superintendent Tony Biesiot said families have the right to homeschool their children, and many choose that path for a variety of reasons. "Homeschool students can and do celebrate their own graduations in ways that reflect the program they completed," Biesiot said. "The Darby School District's graduation ceremony, however, is designed to recognize students who completed the district's academic program or partner programs where students remain enrolled with us."

CHS Science Olympiad team takes 1^st

Choteau High School's team took first for the sixth time in a row in the small schools division (200 students or fewer) at the state Science Olympiad tournament, hosted by the Montana State University Science Math Resource Center in the Department of Education on Feb. 19. More than 70 middle and high school teams participated in Montana's 42nd Science Olympiad, putting their vehicles, helicopters and levers to the test against other schools. They competed in astronomy, meteorology, chemistry and other events while visiting MSU labs and classrooms to learn about topics ranging from honey bee health to microfabrication. Ennis High took second and Roundup High, third, among small high school teams. In the middle school division for small schools, Choteau's junior high team took third. Headwaters Academy in Bozeman took first and the Helena Area Christian Home Educators (HACHE) team took second.

Montana Launches Digital Academy Hall of Fame

Eight local teachers are part of the inaugural class of 12 instructors from around the state inducted into the Montana Digital Academy Teacher Hall of Fame. The Teacher Hall of Fame Class of 2025 includes Columbia Falls High School teachers Becky Bates and Jenny Lovering; Glacier High School teachers Aaron Denney, Adam Harbaugh, Stephanie Hill and Anthony Lapke; Flathead High School teacher Chris Putzler and Kalispell Middle School teacher Lynne Rider. The hall of fame honors teachers, "who have served as the program's guiding light." The 2009 Montana Legislature established the distance education program in partnership with public schools. Public school teachers throughout the state teach Montana Digital Academy classes. The online academy is meant to supplement middle and high school curriculum offerings, particularly in rural schools that may not have the staff or funding to offer them otherwise, such as Advanced Placement or dual credit programs. Academy instructors must be employed by a Montana public school district. Most inductees are full-time classroom teachers or administrators in their local communities while simultaneously providing expert instruction through the academy's distance learning program.

'Music Medics' help Montana's school bands keep the show on the road

St. Ignatius band teacher Kendal Baldwin hefts a large black saxophone case from a locker in her classroom and starts undoing the clasps. One of her students has a saxophone struggling to hit a low C note. The gleaming golden instrument looks wildly complicated, with its maze of levers, valves and buttons. But "music medic" Jennifer Kirby is there to take a look, and she's seen her share of saxophones through the years. "This does seem loose, but it's supposed to slide like that," Kirby says, pressing a key. A few tweaks later, the student gives the sax a try. A few notes ring out strong, then the instrument squeals. Some improvement, but not enough - it needs a full diagnosis back at the Music Medics' repair shop. When your trumpet is crumpled or your flute sounds flat, rural western Montana can be a tough place to find a fix. That's where Music Medics comes in. It's an instrument repair shop that started hitting the road last fall to keep school bands across the region playing in tune.

Local teachers among first to be inducted into the Montana Digital Academy Teacher Hall of Fame

Bigfork fifth grader named 2026 spelling bee champion

Lake County's best spellers battled it out last week for the title of spelling bee champion and the opportunity to compete at the state level next month. Eighteen students from St. Ignatius, Arlee, Charlo, Salmon Prairie, Bigfork and Valley View schools participated in the annual spelling bee held at the Charlo gymnasium on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Words such as silhouette, chassis, mosque, squalor, colossus, cheddar and magnanimous tripped up most competitors in the first couple rounds. Heidi Huber, a fifth grader from Bigfork, was ultimately victorious when she spelled the word "husk" right in the 7th round. Seventh grader Aubree Blevins and eighth grader Addison Hogue, both from Charlo, took second and third places respectively during a spell off in the eighth round.

Ronan wins 2026 Academic Bowl

A team of middle schoolers from Ronan made their school proud, bringing home the traveling trophy for this winter's annual Lake County Academic Bowl. The Ronan team of sixth, seventh and eighth graders came out with the most points in the annual competition between Polson, Charlo, Ronan and Mission middle schools that tests the students' academic knowledge in math, science, English, logic and social studies. The competition started with a mixer on Dec. 10, with rounds in January and February rotating among the four schools. The final round was held March 4 at the Ronan Performing Arts Center. The Ronan team finished with 2,141 points while Charlo had 1,895 points, Mission 1,758 points and Polson 1,454 points. "It's fun to see the kids compete," said Bill Becker, Ronan middle school math teacher and coach for the Ronan team. "It's nice to have this kind of thing. Unlike sports, not much attention is given to academic achievement. Some of the same kids have both, but it's nice for other kids to get to compete academically against other schools."

Libby Middle High School Science Olympiad State Competition

The 42nd Montana Science Olympiad was held on February 19th at Montana State University in Bozeman. The Science Olympiad is an academic interscholastic competition which involved 30 high school and 28 middle school teams this year in a wide range of events involving all science disciplines. The goal of Science Olympiad is to improve the quality of science education, increase student interest in science and provide recognition for outstanding achievement in science by students. The students choose from fourteen possible events. Some events involve building and testing while other events involve researching specific topics. Libby was represented with seven high school and eleven middle school team members this year. Our middle school team participated in 10 events and placed very well. They competed against 28 other teams.

Prairie Bytes eats through the competition: Robotics team takes third at state, qualifies to move on to Chicago event

The Terry Robotics team Prairie Bytes went from nonexistent two years ago to placing third overall at the Montana Robotics Alliance FIRST Tech Challenge on Feb.6, earning them an invitation to compete in Chicago's Robotics Invitation Premier Event July 24-27. The team is a mix of Terry students Cole Lapp, Lloyd Lapp and Harley Kinsey home-schooled brothers Zander Raisl and Corban Raisl from Richey; and home-schooled student Alden Canen from Glendive. Led by mentors Darryl Pisk and Science Teacher Kristina Booksmith. As the team learned each other's quirks last year, navigated the competition's 168-page rulebook, and figured out how to build and code a robot, the Prairie Bytes finished fifth overall in their first season. They also learned that success in the competition is measured by more than just a robot's performance during the games. Teams are also evaluated through an interview process, where members explain how they worked together to build the robot and discuss their outreach efforts within the community and online.

Winners named at Rau School Science Fair

Rau School held their annual science fair on March 12. Emersyn Stuckers won Best in Show with their project "Let's Get Crystalized." Winning first through third place were Ezri Halvorson ("Go Big or Go Home"), Elliott Sult ("Best Maple Syrup Candy") and Zander Weiland ("Flying Fight").

How Seeley Lake got schools

Schools and going to school–who knew it could be so challenging? Most of us grew up knowing that when we got to a certain age, we would be going to school. THAT school. The one the neighbor kids went to, but that wasn't always the case. The first official minutes we have of School District 34 are from 1935, with four board members and one clerk. The meeting was held at the Placid Lake School and, besides determining the Chairman of the board and the clerk, the discussion revolved around the candidates to be teacher of the Seeley Lake school. At that time, there was a school on the Cahoon ranch for the Placid Lake kids and a school in Seeley Lake with one combined school board. The next meetings discussed cleaning the schools, buying firewood (five cords each), hauling Seeley water and dividing the board to represent each of the schools. Other discussion points over the years included: length of the school year, transportation of students outside of a three-mile limit, and a request by parents that the Seeley school be temporarily located at the Headquarters in an available building. The Headquarters was located behind the VFW Memorial.

Spring cleanup inspires student art

Students from Thompson Falls Elementary and Trout Creek Adventist School helped promote Thompson Falls Beautification Days with an annual poster contest. Students in grades kindergarten through sixth designed colorful posters around this year's theme of "Clean and Green for Spring".

February Buzz winners announced at Laurel Elementary

Laurel Elementary School recently honored their Buzz award winners for the month of February. Students are acknowledged each month for following the school's mission: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe.

Fifth annual Cloverfest is at junior high this Saturday

Wear your green and celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Columbia Falls, Saturday, March 14, at the Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce's fifth annual Cloverfest. This family-friendly event includes live music performances, 5k, 1-mile fun run, food trucks, live entertainment, themed competitions, kid's carnival and shenanigans. Events are at the Columbia Falls Junior High School and cost is $10 per person $30 family of four or more. Kids 5 and under are free.

Schaffer wins Carter County Spelling Bee

The Carter County Spelling Bee was held Tuesday, March 10, at Ekalaka Public Schools. Danner Schaffer took first place, correctly spelling "crooner" in the 10th round to clinch the title. Bristol Stieg finished second and Joby Owen third. Daisey Kratzer placed fourth, and Rayna Owen and Cooper Livingston tied for fifth and sixth.

St. Regis student repeats as Mineral County Spelling Bee champ

The Mineral County Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in the Alberton School gymnasium last Wednesday with lots of nervous competitors, parents and teachers. One grandparent was overheard in the bleachers saying, "There's no way I can help him with his homework. I don't understand anything with the math, but spelling hasn't changed and that's where I can show I still have it upstairs," and then laughed. Students from the three schools in the county up to eighth grade competed and the last three spellers went four rounds before crowning Shepard Miller, a seventh-grade student from St. Regis, as the champion for the second year in a row.

Gibson Gives: Guitars donated to Three Forks Schools

Three Forks Schools' music programs recently received a boost when Gibson Guitar of Bozeman donated 15 Epiphone Acoustic Guitars. The donations were made through the Gibson Gives foundation, which donated 2,445 guitars in 2025 and 16,000 since its inception. "It's wonderful to have the support of a local business and support for the music program here. It's really fantastic to have that support and get the new equipment. I think it's great for the students to have great equipment because it results in better playing," Music Teacher Joseph Barrett said. Candi McDonald, the Engineering Manager at the Gibson facility in Bozeman, said the Epiphones are high-quality guitars and perfect for students to learn on. "Gibson has been in the valley for a long time, and Three Forks is a small community, so I was excited to do this to help give back to the kids and help support the music program," McDonald said.

Statewide trust for Montana school district health insurance moving forward

A newly formed statewide trust is taking the next step forward to create a new model for how Montana school districts provide health insurance for their employees. This week, State Auditor James Brown's office certified Bridged Health Alliance's trust had met state requirements – opening the door for it to access $40 million set aside by lawmakers in 2023. More than 200 school districts, with more than 16,000 insurance recipients, could soon be getting their health coverage through Bridged. "We just couldn't be more proud of the effort on behalf of public education," said Bridged chief strategy officer John Doran. "When schools come together of all sizes, it's amazing what we can achieve together."

Kindergarten Round Up and Preschool Screening to be held at Valier High School

The Valier Public School is having a Preschool Screening and Kindergarten Round-up on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at the Valier High School MPR from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The screening is open to all children birth through kindergarten age whether they will be attending public or private schools. Areas screened (based on age) are vision, hearing, speech, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and concepts. Children are not labeled as a result of their performance during screening. If a child shows up having a difficulty in any of the areas screened, recommendations are made to the parents regarding the need for further evaluation and/or things they can do at home to help their child. Even though children have been screened in previous years, it is strongly recommended that they be screened again. As a child gets older, he/she goes through many physical and developmental changes and it is very important to monitor growth. If you have a child that is ready for kindergarten, please contact the school. The new kindergarten students spend the morning in class with this year's kindergarten students and the teacher. Parents are invited to lunch after the screening is complete.

Havre Middle School lists February Students of the Month

Harper is the daughter of Weston Mudge and Shalia Cline and has two siblings, Maicy and Mac. She participates in intramural basketball at middle school. Outside of school, she is involved in many different styles of dance, including jazz, contemporary, and tumbling. In her free time, Harper loves spending time with family and walking the dog. Harper demonstrates strong leadership skills and consistently puts forth her best effort. She always sparks conversations and is a pleasure to be around. After high school, she plans to attend college and pursue a career as a hairstylist.

State auditor approves new school health trust with at least 150 school districts on board

There's a new school health insurance option on the block, and so far, more than 150 districts across Montana have signed up to make the switch. State Auditor James Brown on Tuesday announced he approved the new Bridged Health Alliance Trust after ensuring it met the statutory requirements of having at least 150 school districts opt in representing at least 12,000 people in the Treasure State. With those requirements met, State Superintendent Susie Hedalen will now place $40 million in incentive funds into the trust, as outlined in House Bill 332, sponsored by Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton, during the 2023 Legislative Session. The idea behind the trust is excess savings wouldn't go to a corporation but instead would be returned to the districts. Both large and small districts are in the trust, though smaller districts typically have less to lose.

Writing Coaches of Montana seeks volunteers

Writing Coaches of Montana seeks community members in Flathead County to participate in its coaching program with the mission of helping local public school students in Columbia Falls, Evergreen, Kalispell, Somers, Whitefish, and other schools improve their writing skills. The program seeks to help students think critically about their writing assignments so they can become confident and competent writers across disciplines. Flexibility is built into the Writing Coaches of Montana volunteer experience. Once trained, there is no minimum hour requirement or particular coaching schedule. Instead, volunteers are informed by staff as teachers make requests, and then volunteers choose which assignments, schools, and grade levels, from 4-12, they coach. No experience is necessary because volunteers will be trained by qualified individuals.

Cooking up victory: Helena Future Chefs Competition

Over the weekend, 12 Helena students from grades 3 through 5 made their mark in the kitchen, competing to have their recipe debut at the regional and even national level. "I enjoy cooking because it is fun to try new recipes and just really fun to see what you can make," said fourth-grade competitor, Evelyn Dorrington. This year, students created dishes from all around the world, with the theme being 'Passport to Flavor'. Robert Worthy, the Helena Public School's food service director, said, "It is not things you are going to see like walking into McDonald's, these are things you are going to see going to different restaurants at a higher quality."

Meet Superior School's lunch crew, encouraging kids to eat well

From parents and extended family to friends and neighbors, there are many sources, many role models, who help nurture our children. At school, they receive a multitude of lessons, from academics, to sports, and social interaction. In this week's Montana Moment we visit some of our most important public servants. Meet the women who feed Superior School District's children. It's 7 a.m. and Food Service Director Chandra Plakke has been at work for more than an hour. She started preparing breakfast for the students at 6 a.m. There's a reason they call it the most important meal of the day. "It opens you up to the possibilities," she said. "You can sit and you can listen." At 6:30, Cassidy Goins is at school to get the breakfast service line, and meals ready to be eaten in classrooms.

Celebrated Big Sky Elementary teacher honored with "One Class at a Time" award

Q2, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Monnyca Kramer, a kindergarten teacher at Big Sky Elementary who does an excellent job keeping those young minds engaged. "Oh my gosh, just keep it fun. That's all we can do," said Mrs. Kramer. "It's amazing in kindergarten to see their growth because they come in as little babies, but by now they have just learned so many things, and they're just always so engaged and love it." She prides herself on keeping a well-decorated classroom, something that helps keep these young students at ease. "I think it's a lot about sensory in my classroom, and for me, I have low vision, and so keeping the lights low and just fun and inviting is really good. Keep that calm and helpful for the friends. Music, lighting, all the things help with that."

New charter school proposed to open in 2027

Trustees for Livingston Public Schools (LPS) will meet Wednesday to consider executing a five-year contract with the state for the creation of a charter school that would begin operating on July 1, 2027. The Montana Board of Public Education voted unanimously in January to approve the school district's charter school application, but the entities must enter into a formal agreement for the school to be officially created. A location for the school, Park Pathways, hasn't been determined, according to page 13 of the document released in advance of Wednesday's school board meeting. Section 2.4 of the contract states that the agreement could be renewed beyond the expiration date of June 30, 2023. School officials had expressed the hope that the charter school, Park Pathways, will be ready for classes this fall. But as of the last school board meeting, that was uncertain.

Columbia Falls student wins county spelling bee

There was no mystery as to who won the 2026 Flathead County Spelling Bee. Columbia Falls Jr. High seventh-grader Scarlett Lawson took home the trophy with the winning word "cryptic." She advances to the Treasure State Spelling Bee at Montana State University on March 21. Grace Cowles, a student at Cayuse Prairie School, came in second place at the county bee, which featured sharp spellers from public, private and home schools on Feb. 23 at Glacier High School. Hedges Elementary student Audrey Potter placed third. To make it to the county spelling bee, most competitors had to win at the school level.

Students of the Month

I am happily writing to nominate 5th grader Ella Hathaway for Student of the Month! Ella embodies so many qualities of being an exemplary student and human being. Ella is an exceptional student. She takes her academics seriously and always gives her best efforts. She shows enthusiasm across all subject areas and is always up for a challenge. She particularly loves math, and has demonstrated critical thinking and skill application that will take her far. Ella is in her second year of participating in the Montana National History Day elementary program. She was a state finalist her first year, and is already diving into this year's project with her typical gusto. In addition to her studies, Ella also devotes time to several extra-curricular activities, including playing volleyball and basketball for Potomac School.

Hot Springs student wins Sanders County Spelling Bee after 24 rounds

After 24 intense rounds of competition, Keawe Ilac, an eighth grader from Hot Springs, claimed first place at this year's Sanders County Spelling Bee. Ilac narrowly defeated fifth-grader Daphne Gunn of Noxon in a spirited head-to-head battle that lasted nearly 30 minutes. The final rounds began with Gunn correctly spelling "compassionate," while Ilac answered with "depots." From there, pronouncer Jeff Wheeler challenged the pair with increasingly difficult words as the audience watched the suspense build. The contest concluded when Ilac correctly spelled "bodega" and "alchemy" to secure the championship title. Ilac, who competed as an alternate for Hot Springs, said he did little preparation before the event. "I looked over the word packet on the way here. That's about it. It's kind of crazy. I didn't think I would make it this far," he said.

Busy March for Laurel music programs

Laurel music programs will be busy during the month of March, with concerts and festivals. Here are the highlights: March 13 Montana Youth SingThis is a festival hosted at LHS for 4th graders - 8th graders. There are two guest conductors, Katrina Davies for the Middle School Choir and Emerald Ullman-Hart for the Youth Choir. There will be anywhere from 250 - 300 students participating from the area. Concert is at 5 p.m. and costs $2.00 per person.

SPOTLIGHT: Paige Stewart loves fairy houses, smart boards and hide and seek

The wind is howling outside a ranch near Harlowton and the night has replaced the day; little consequence to 6-year-old Paige Stewart, a first grader at Judith Gap school. Secure in her bedroom, under cozy sheets and blankets, Paige drifts off to sleep surrounded by the glow of her "fairy house with lights filled half way up with stuffed animals." Tomorrow is a school day and a good night's sleep is critical for all young learners; especially one as inquisitive and precocious as Paige. On school days, Paige and her best friend Marley (also her younger sister) head to school for a day of education, socialization and getting creative. First grade is a critical grade for every student; where the foundations in fundamentals are established.

Valier team of educators receive recognition

Ms. Alyssa Clark and Ms. Morgyn Gabbard were both shocked when they got the news that they had been awarded the Para/SPED Educator Team of the Year for Montana Region 10. Superintendent Josh Reed nominated the team without their knowledge and then surprised them by announcing the award over the school's speaker system. "Both educators share a firm belief that all students can learn," wrote Mr. Reed in his nomination, "which fosters a positive, inclusive, and growth-oriented classroom environment. This shared philosophy encourages students to consistently strive for improvement and success. Their commitment to this belief is further demonstrated through exceptional communication with staff members." The duo received their award for excellence in the resource classroom. The pair will be publicly recognized at the Montana Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC) Conference in Bozeman April 8-9. Ms. Clark has attended the conference in the past where she receives training on federal and state laws, setting Individual Educational Plans for students, and other changes to instruction procedures. This year the team will be taking advantage of behavior training for crisis management. When asked what she likes most about working in the resource room Morgyn Gabbard replied, "My kids (her students) keep me on my toes every day. I do the job for my kids."

Ronan ag teacher, FFA advisor is sowing seeds for the future

Jason Frost is the ag teacher at Ronan High School and Mission Valley FFA Chapter advisor for Ronan, Charlo and Polson High Schools. "I teach many things," he said, and he does. His students are rebuilding an engine, welding, forging, using a plasma cutter, fabricating metal, building composters and raised garden beds, and will soon be planting seeds. If problems come up in a project, Frost and the youngsters check out videos and then discuss the issues. He has a Class 4 teaching license from the Office of Public Instruction, a credential that recognizes expertise in a technical field. "It means for 24 years I went around building buildings, went around the world and talked about farming and stuff, especially in Afghanistan, where we were trying to convince them to stop growing opium and grow wheat."

LIVE: More than 500 students participate at Academic WorldQuest at UM

President Emeritus of the Montana World Affairs Council Robert Seidenschwarz stopped by NBC Montana Today on Tuesday to chat about Academic WorldQuest which is wrapping up at the University of Montana. "There's councils all across the country, but the WorldQuest competition is rather unique because this is now the largest competition in the entire United States," Seidenschwarz said. "There are students that are doing this all over the country, but there are over 500 students right now at the University, participating in WorldQuest." High school students from all over Montana are competing. Seidenschwarz said the experience is valuable. The students compete in 10 categories that test knowledge on flags of nations, global issues, current events and more. "These students are having this unique opportunity to come here, meet with other students from across the state, participate, make friendships, build relations and most importantly participate in a competition," Seidenschwarz said. "The winning team gets to go to Washington, D.C. They in turn are competing with other schools across the entire country. Montana's done very well over the years."

'I saw their eyes ignite': Corvallis students participate in Rocky Mountain Lab program

About two dozen Corvallis middle-schoolers stood in a circle to form a "cell" on Thursday afternoon, with different students taking on roles like "Lieutenant Lysosome" and "Captain Membrane" in a play about a city called "Organellia" - meant to represent the different roles of different parts of an animal cell.

Students volunteered themselves for different roles and sported costumes befitting their character. Lieutenant Lysosome, seventh-grader Ella Ostby, wore a camo jacket and Captain Membrane, seventh-grader Tim Zhang, a purple cape and sunglasses.

The play was put together by the Biomedical Research After-School Scholars (BRASS) program developed by National Institutes of Health researchers at Rocky Mountain Labs in Hamilton.

Billings Schools celebrate balanced budget and teacher pay increase

BILLINGS, Mont. - Billings Public Schools announced a balanced budget and significant achievements in a recent report. Superintendent Erwin Garcia highlighted a 17.3% increase in starting teacher salaries, raising them from $42,720 to $50,100. Average pay increased by 7% to 9%. The district's strategic plan focuses on cultivating talent, safe schools and community engagement. Garcia emphasized the importance of the Graduate Profile, which ensures students leave with critical thinking skills and academic readiness.

February 2026 Great News

Stevensville students representing Montana at national civics contest, fundraising for D.C. trip

A team of four students from Stevensville High School is raising money ahead of representing Montana at the national "We the People" civics competition in Washington, D.C. They are one of, if not the smallest, team to ever make the trip, but they have Stevensville, the Bitterroot Valley and the whole state of Montana behind them. "It's just so odd to know that us four are going to be going to the Capitol to represent our entire state," Jacob Wallace said. Seniors Anton Miller, Emma McKoy, Cole Stuber and Wallace, who make up Stevensville's "We the People" team, attend mock constitutional competitions where a panel of judges, often real district judges or attorneys, ask them a series of rigorous questions. "At least with the initial questions, you know the question," Miller said. "But the follow-up questions, you have no idea what could be asked."

Jasper Alisch wins Hill County Spelling Bee

Hill County has a new spelling champion who will be off to Bozeman to represent the county in the state spelling bee. Havre Middle school seventh-grader Jasper Alisch won the bee, in a tight tight competition with the second-place winner Ava Goslin, Havre Middle School eighth grader, and very close behind was third-place finisher Orrian Azure, also a Havre Middle Schol seventh grader. In the 10th round, Jasper spelled the word "alchemy" to win first place. Jasper will represent Hill County at the Treasure State Spelling Bee in Bozeman in March while Ava will serve as his alternate. Sixty-one students from these area schools competed at the 59th Annual Hill County Spelling Bee. The schools included: Box Elder School, Cottonwood West School, CottonwoodNorth School, Gildford Colony School, Havre Middle School, Home School, North Star School, Rocky Boy School, St. Jude Thaddeus School and Sunnyside School.

Belgrade schools get big gift

Belgrade Public Schools received a large donation from an anonymous benefactor this month. "We are so incredibly grateful for a recent, anonymous $10,000 donation that helped offset outstanding balances on student lunch accounts," reads a statement from the school district. It's common for schools to carry such balances when families can't or won't pay for school lunches. With some districts facing significant revenue shortfalls due to enrollment declines, such balances can add to their budget woes, leading to some tough choices. For example, two months ago, Livingston Public Schools implemented a policy whereby families of students with a meal account that exceeds $100 in unpaid charges will be referred to a collection agency.

Winter Trades Day provides hands-on learning for high schoolers

Tuesday at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, Helena students had the chance to explore career opportunities in trades in a very hands-on way. "I love learning about this and a hands-on experience, it's fun," said Capital High sophomore McKenna Michalson. "I've never done anything like that before," said Capital High junior Jaston Scott, "so I mean it was good to just check it out and see what it's about." Helena Public Schools hosted Winter Trades Day, an optional field trip for high schoolers in the area to learn more about trades they can pursue after graduation. The showcase is designed to spark interest by providing a hands-on learning experience so students can imagine themselves in the same shoes in the future.

Jasper Alisch wins Hill County Spelling Bee

Governor proclaims February 21-28 as FFA week in Montana

It is Future Farmers of America Week, and Greg Gianforte met with Montana FFA state officers at the Capitol Tuesday. The meeting took place during National FFA Week as students from across the state gathered to highlight the impact of agricultural education. During their visit, the state officers shared updates on FFA membership growth and upcoming events planned for the year. They also outlined the ways local chapters are preparing students for careers in agriculture, business, science and the skilled trades.

Applications open for free Montana Tech engineering summer program for high schoolers

High school students are invited to apply for a free, week-long summer program focused on metallurgy and materials engineering at Montana Technological University. The Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Summer Program will take place June 21–26, 2026, on the university's campus in Butte. The residential program is open to students entering their junior or senior year of high school who are interested in science or engineering careers. Organizers say the camp will feature hands-on learning experiences, field trips, visits to local industrial operations, and presentations from industry experts. Lectures will also provide scientific background related to the activities students will complete during the week. Lodging, meals, and course materials will be provided at no cost to participants. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from campus.

Quest program teacher celebrated by "One Class at a Time"

Q2, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Amy Leffler, a teacher in Quest, the district's program for gifted and talented students. "We work on being big thinkers and having creative minds," said Mrs. Leffler. "To really put their minds together and come up with some real-world solutions. One of my desires for my Quest students is to foster their leadership skills so that they can share their gifts with their community." Right now, her students are identifying real-world challenges they're passionate about solving.

Community gets a look at floor plans for new Helena High campus

There have been numerous steps taken since the passage of the Helena Public Schools high school bonds last September, and the community has had the opportunity to see those steps come to life through the design and floor plans for the new Helena High, the Project for Alternative Learning, athletic facilities, and the district kitchen. "The community is the design team," Tim Meldrum, with A&E + SMA Design, said. Around fifty members of the community gathered at Helena High on Thursday evening to learn more about the reimagined campus that will break ground this summer and have kids in the building by fall of 2028.

Montana Land Board approves nearly $115,000 in new revenue for schools

Montana schools are set to benefit from nearly $115,000 in new revenue approved during the Montana Land Board's meeting on Tuesday. According to State Auditor James Brown, the land board approved nearly $75,000 in timber sales and nearly $40,000 in easements. The money will go toward Montana's trust funds and educational initiatives.

Havre Middle School Announces January Students of the Month

Havre Middle School has named its Students of the Month for January. The honorees are sixth-grader Lucy Houston, seventh-grader Josh Tomac, and eighth-grader Kali Overcast. Lucy is the daughter of Robert and Lacee Houston and has three siblings: Lincoln, Brigham, and Mary. She participates in choir and sings in the Spot lighters ensemble. Outside of school, Lucy loves reading, baking, rollerblading, and watching movies. She also enjoys spending time with friends playing games. Lucy is helpful and supportive of her classmates who need assistance. She is willing to lend a hand and has an eagerness to learn. Lucy is a joy to be around and makes the middle school a wonderful place for everyone. After high school, Lucy plans to attend college.

CEF Trivia Night set for March 13 in Choteau

The Choteau Education Foundation has donated more than $56,502 to Choteau Public Schools and students since it was founded in August of 2016 and is hoping for a great turnout at its major fundraiser, Trivia Night, set for Friday, March 13, at the Stage Stop Inn. Through the years, Choteau businesses, individuals and civic organizations have generously supported the annual fundraiser. This year, in a change of practice, the organizers are not contacting businesses for sponsorships but are happy to work with anyone who volunteers as a sponsor. So far, Fred and Rachel Christensen with Christensen Construction and Old West Lumber, First Bank of Montana-Choteau, Cody Shick with Coors and Cole and Paige Werdal with CVW have signed up as event sponsors and more are welcome. These sponsorships will allow the CEA to use most of the proceeds from the fundraiser for its mission to help Choteau Public Schools, teachers and students. Last year, Trivia Night drew about 28 four-person teams to vie for bragging rights, win prizes and enjoy fellowship and great food while supporting the Foundation's goal.

Ribbon cutting held for new charter school

On Friday, February 13, representatives from Bitterroot Health, Stevensville School District, the University of Montana-Bitterroot College and Montana Digital Academy, as well as some students that will be in the new Stevensville charter school program, gathered outside the school for a ribbon cutting and logo reveal ceremony. Stevensville Superintendent Jon Konen spoke about the future of the new Stevensville Health and Science Academy, saying with pride, "We have a brand new high school that's going to go right alongside our regular high school."

Helena's high school talents shine at 33rd annual Night to Shine

Hundreds of attendees packed into the Helena Civic Center Tuesday night for the 33rd annual Stockman Bank Night to Shine, where high school performers showcased their talents. The show hosted 22 performances including dances, songs and piano solos from dozens of students. After 33 years, Helena's Annual Night to Shine event never ceases to leave audiences amazed and inspired by all the courage, talent and drive scattered throughout the youth in the community. "It's an opportunity to shine," said Jessica Freeman, Capital High School Distributive Education Clubs of America, or DECA, adviser. "The Civic Center is the biggest stage that we have and so when you think about the opportunity for them, that's a place to really shine and be able to share their talents with the community."

'Take care of all the future Bitterrooters': Stevensville celebrates new charter school

About 60 second-graders counted down from 10 at the top of their lungs on Friday before student Siann Nelson used medical scissors to cut the ribbon marking the beginning of the Stevensville Health and Science Academy - the newest approved public charter school in the Bitterroot Valley. Stevensville's charter was one of two new public charter schools approved by the Board of Public Education this year. This is the smallest batch of new charters approved in Montana after the 2025 Legislature instated a cap on the funds towards starting new public charters.

Reach Higher Montana Scholarships

It's Scholarship Time for area High School Seniors through Reach Higher Montana. Steven Coop Student Success Director explains what Reach Higher Montana does. "The Reach Higher Montana is a nonprofit based out of Helena, Montana and our mission is to provide resources and programming for Montana high school students to help identify and reach their education and career goals, and most importantly, what we're trying to do is re-envision a future where high school students in Montana are prepared and intentional in their next steps. Whether their attending college, leaning a trade, entering the work force, even going into the military." Reach Higher Montana's scholarship application deadline is March 1st. You can find all the scholarships they offer on their website.

School districts acknowledge School Resource Officer Appreciation Day

Sunday is School Resource Officer Appreciation Day and with that, school districts, like Bozeman School District 7, are acknowledging the work school resource officers do. We wanted to look into a bill Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) introduced late in 2025 that his office said would strengthen the position of school resource officers, or SROs. The "Strengthening Resources for Our Schools" Act has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. Representative Ryan Zinke introduced a corresponding bill in the House of Representatives. The proposed bill offers a federal income tax exemption on retirement pay for veterans and retired law enforcement officers serving as SROs. Those who serve at least 10 years in this capacity would receive a lifetime exemption from federal income tax on their retirement pay.

Flathead High School debate duo champs look back on successful season

Flathead High School's Josie Morrison and Padmaja Vatti were paired together on the debate team last year as freshman. One year later, the two became Public Forum Class AA state champions. Before taking the stage to argue about international politics, Vatti and Morrison joined some of their other teammates for a pre-competition ritual. "Before each day, we would dance to Shakira. We would find a random corner in the school, just our little public forum team, and we would just dance to "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira," said Morrison, who lives in Bigfork. "It was our version of warmups to de-stress and kind of like, get ready for the day," Vatti said." No matter how silly it seems in retrospect, no one can say the tradition didn't work. On top of their own personal win, Flathead High School's speech and debate team placed second overall, with a score of 157.5. They fell right behind grand champion Bozeman High School. The state tournament was hosted in Kalispell on Jan. 30-31.

Bozeman schools launch scholarship program for aspiring teachers

The Bozeman School District and Bozeman Schools Foundation jointly announced the launch of a new initiative, the TEACH Bozeman Scholarship Program, for local students who wish to become teachers. The program's goal is to retain a strong, committed workforce of locally rooted educators. The program will award two or more renewable scholarships each year to graduates of Bozeman high schools who intend to pursue a degree in education and return to teach in Bozeman School District schools. Each award is worth $5,000 per year for four consecutive years, according to a press release from Bozeman Schools Foundation. "The TEACH Bozeman Pathway Program is opening doors for local students who dream of becoming educators," stated Karl Schwartz, career outreach coordinator for Bozeman Public Schools. "By partnering with the Bozeman Schools Foundation on multi-year scholarships, we're investing in students' futures and growing the next generation of teachers right here at home."

Billings schools open doors to 'Educator for a Day' community program

Billings Public Schools opened its doors to the community Thursday for "Educator for a Day," giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at how the role of school principal has evolved. According to the Billings Public Schools Education Foundation, today's principals juggle duties as CEO, social worker, and middle manager, all while facing unprecedented pressure from various challenges affecting students and families.

Butte's best spellers compete at the Butte-Silver Bow County Spelling Bee, in photos

Spellers competed at the Butte-Silver Bow County Spelling Bee at East Middle School on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. The 66 Participants were fourth through eighth-grade students who had won the competition at their respective schools. Mason Tischmak, a seventh-grader at East Middle School, won the bee and will go on to represent Butte at the state bee in Bozeman.

HPS Receives $125.000 in Innovative Tax Credit Donations

The Montana Legislature authorized the Montana Innovative Tax Credit for transformation education in 2021. Havre Public Schools applied for a share of these funds in January. HPS Superintendent Brian Gum tells us what the district received this year. "Havre Public Schools received over one hundred twenty-five thousand in donations for transformational learning opportunities for students. It's a neat program, anytime the state allows you to take advantage of that, it's a big thing. The seven million the state put out, was gone in a matter of ten minutes. It's one that our district works hard on to kind of prepare and make sure we can put those donations to work for our kids. So, we're real pleased with that." When passed by the 2021 legislature, the Innovative Tax Credit Bill included an escalator clause that more funding is authorized every year that the current years funding is maximized by school districts across the state. The tax credit has been fully utilized every year since first awarded in 2022.

Helena High Schools receive robotics donation from Boeing and Helena Education Foundation

Tuesday morning, the Helena Education Foundation, in partnership with the Boeing Company, unveiled a new robotics initiative for Helena high schools. The event highlighted Boeing's $100,000 investment in STEM, Career and Technical Education, and workforce readiness for Helena public schools. "Boeing is helping create momentum for interactive STEAM learning in the Helena Public Schools," said Becca Leaphart, Executive Director of the Helena Education Foundation. "We're grateful for our partnership with Boeing, which has enabled us to put engaging tools in the classroom and offer educators high-quality professional development to help them implement these new tools." Building on earlier LEGO steam kits for K–8 students, the new robotics equipment creates a hands-on learning pathway that grows with students and supports educators through professional development.

Meet River, a therapy dog helping in Billings schools

River is a 16-month-old English Cream Golden Retriever making a positive impact in Billings public schools. Adopted by Reserve Deputy Halligan and his family in November 2024, River has since worked hundreds of hours as a therapy dog. Since spring 2025, River has been based in the main office at the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office. He has responded to school emergencies and interacts with hundreds of students and staff each week, providing support. "River loves his job and we love him!" said the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office in a Facebook post. River began visiting hospice homes, retirement homes and long-term care centers at just four weeks old, which prepared him for his important role in the community.

'Incredible opportunity': Hellgate High teacher part of Fulbright Teacher Exchange

This April, Hellgate High School Science teacher Hannah Pepper will be on a plane to Taiwan and will spend two weeks shadowing a teacher there to learn how science is taught on the other side of the world. Pepper is one of 100 teachers from around the U.S. in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Pepper has been in the classroom for seven years, three at Hellgate, and said the exchange program has been an "incredible opportunity." Taiwan has an extensive STEM program, she said. "I'm super excited to kind of see what the forefront of science education looks like, and from a different country's perspective," Pepper said. She's interested to see what's different in their teaching style specifically, but also what's the same, she said. "I think a lot of us are all doing something similar in our own corners of the world," she said. "It's kind of cool to build that camaraderie with someone else in a different world, in a different language, but all doing the same thing - all educators trying to build smart, intelligent students."

Teaching skills and safety on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence

Everyone stands to learn new skills when it comes to artificial intelligence. But don't expect to find a textbook on it anytime soon. Educators argue any physical text would be out of date way too quickly. "As soon as I started working with it, I immediately knew [AI] was going to change education forever," says 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher Dan Jones. He incorporates a custom built AI into his classroom. "I can customize that chat bot so specifically so that it didn't write on behalf of my students." It's not a shortcut to every answer, but a conversation starter to probe and guide students' knowledge.

Helena teacher recognized nationally for excellence

Kellen Alger has been teaching for almost two decades, the last eight years at Jefferson Elementary. Now, he's being recognized on a national level for his teaching methods. As soon as you step into Mr. Alger's class, students can feel the magic in the air. While decorations help, it comes from his fun teaching approach and the care he has for his students. "He's just kinda upbeat about it," Van Dyk said. "Not super boring, not this plus this, he's kinda more like, makes it fun." "He checked on me and made sure I was ok," Sorensen said. "He's just good at what he does."

Great Falls' East Middle School appoints new principal

Reannon Medrano has been appointed as the new principal of East Middle School, ready to continue the school's positive trajectory. Medrano shared her excitement for the position, stating, "I am deeply honored to serve the East Middle School community in this new capacity and to build on the strong foundation already in place." An interview panel, consisting of faculty, staff, parents and district leaders, selected Medrano after interviewing candidates on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. She will be taking over from Mr. Brad Barringer.

Fundraiser aims to modernize aging music instruments in Whitefish schools

A fundraising campaign is underway in Whitefish to address a growing problem inside local school band rooms. Some aging instruments are no longer keeping up with students' needs, and in some cases, can't be repaired. Across the Whitefish School District, decades-old instruments are showing clear signs of wear. "This is an excellent example of a brass instrument that has what's called red rot, which is corrosion," said Mark McCrady, a music instructor at Whitefish Middle School. "It actually eats through the metal tubing, and once that happens, the instrument is not repairable. Many of these instruments also have interior parts, such as valves that are worn out. When you are dealing with instruments from the 1950s or 1960s, those replacement parts are no longer available, and that is the predicament we are facing with quite a few of these instruments."

Philipsburg family donates pig to local school in late son's memory

Nearly one year ago, Gus Fitz, a Granite High School senior, passed away after a lengthy battle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Friends and family describe him as a determined, humorous and adventurous teenager. "Where do I start? He was a good kid. He was very smart. He was really funny. And he loved coming to school. This was his place," said Lucinda Fitz-Christensen, kitchen director and head cook for Philipsburg Schools. "He knew what he wanted to do and when he wanted to do it," said Madalynn Fitz, Gus' sister. Despite his tragic diagnosis, he was able to live life on his terms, in large part thanks to Philipsburg Schools, which organized fundraisers for his family and showed students how to express compassion, empathy, and acceptance.

'It's been an honor': Longtime Montana education leader steps down after decades of service

After working for nearly 30 years at the Office of Public Instruction and serving for nearly a decade on the Board of Public Education, Madalyn Quinlan said she's closing the book on her time in education in an official capacity. "It's been an honor," Quinlan said at the end of her last board meeting last month. "It's been a great way to sort of finish my career in K-12 education." Quinlan, of Helena, served as Chief of Staff for three state superintendents: Nancy Keenan (1989-2001) Linda McCulloch (2001- 2009) and Denise Juneau (2009-2017). In that time, she drafted state legislation, advocated for OPI's budget and advised legislators. Before OPI, Quinlan worked as a Legislative Fiscal Analyst, who worked during each legislature to determine how much implementing a piece of legislation would cost state taxpayers with what's called a "fiscal note." It was through her work as an analyst where Quinlan became acquainted with the mechanics of school funding and tax revenue sources, according to her board member biography.

'Revolution, Reaction, Reform': Lolo students participate in History Day Project

Dozens of students at Lolo School sat cross-legged on the gymnasium floor last week waiting for the winners of this year's History Day Project to be announced. This year's theme? "Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History." The annual contest asks middle-school students to research and present on a history topic based on the theme. The winners of the school's competition will travel to the regional competition in Helena, and could eventually compete at the state and national level. "We've been lucky enough the last two years we had teams go to nationals," said sixth-grade social studies teacher Jacqueline Marshall. For the presentation, students can choose to write a paper, build a website, film a documentary or create an exhibit. With this year's theme in mind, Lolo student Ella Leishman decided to center her project around Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement, winning in the "exhibit" category.

Missoula teacher recognized as statewide, regional 'Art Educator of the Year'

Nearly two years after advocating for the importance of arts in education in the face of funding cuts at a Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees meeting, elementary art teacher Monica Thompson received both regional and statewide recognition for her work in the classroom. The Montana Art Education Association recently selected Thompson as the Montana Art Educator of the Year, and the National Art Education Association also named her the Pacific Region Elementary Art Educator of the Year. Thompson told the Missoulian the recognitions felt "surprising." "Some days feel great, some days feel tricky, and then to be called out on a state and then national level is very humbling," Thompson said. "It's cool to know that people are seeing value in what you do." Montana Art Education Association members vote to select the statewide winner during the annual teachers union conference hosted by the Montana Federation of Public Employees.

Two Eagle River School students join new wildfire training program

Students at Two Eagle River School in Pablo, Montana are among those participating in a new Department of the Interior initiative designed to prepare native youth for careers in wildland firefighting. The Interior Department announced a partnership between the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education that creates a school-to-career pathway through the Native Youth Firefighter Training Program. The program provides high school and post-secondary students with hands-on instruction, mentorship and technical training for seasonal and permanent firefighting jobs with tribal, federal and state agencies. Students from Two Eagle River School are taking part alongside participants from tribal schools in South Dakota, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Officials say the program connects classroom learning to real-world public safety careers, while supporting workforce development in tribal communities.

Havre speakers bring back state medals

Havre High School speech and debate took a small team to state with great success. Two of the five entries brought back state medals, with freshman Alena Bradshaw receiving high marks in preliminary rounds in dramatic interpretation of literature and again from the three judges in semifinals to break into finals. Bradshaw earned a seventh-place medal in dramatic interp. Senior Lyvia Little, in her fourth year on the team and third in Lincoln-Douglas debate, won her first round against a debater from Laurel, then lost the next two rounds, against debaters from Sidney and Corvallis, but came back to win the fourth and fifth rounds, against debaters from Whitefish and Hamilton, to break into quarterfinals. Little lost a close round on a split decision in a rematch with her second-round Sidney opponent, and ended in seventh. Senior Paige Anderson received good marks in preliminaries to break into semifinals but just missed the cut to break into finals.

Stevensville students win state 'We the People' competition, headed to nationals

Education puts a heavy precedent on reading skills, math skills and the sciences, but according to one educator, social studies is where it's at. Wes Wells, the department chair of social studies at Stevensville High School, has been holding an elective class for the last several years that goes far beyond a passing understanding of the Constitution and government. Wells' class participated in the "We the People" competition, a nationwide civics contest that has been going on for over 40 years. His students competed at the state level, and won. Now, they are looking at nationals and spoke about what it took to get to where they are now, and what they expect on the national stage. The program is run by the Center for Civic Education, and "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" is their flagship program. It includes a comprehensive curriculum that spans elementary, middle and high school levels and covers the history and implementation of constitutional democracy in the United States.

Montana City school welcomes big gift via state program

The Montana City School has received a $100,000 donation from Ash Grove Cement through a state program meant to finance cutting-edge educational initiatives. "This contribution supports our innovative education programs, which includes individualized special education student support, adaptive equipment, as well as technology enhancements that benefit all students throughout our school," said Montana City School Superintendent Tony Kloker. In years past, Jefferson County's largest employer has contributed equipment, personnel, and expertise to the school, including the construction of its middle school wing and improvements to track and field facilities. This is the first time Ash Grove has provided a donation enabled through Montana's Innovative Educational Program tax credit, created in 2021. Businesses and individuals are able to make donations to qualifying schools in return for a dollar-for-dollar credit on state taxes.

Montana High Schools, Colleges Prepare Students to Work With AI

Librarians Earn Certification

The Montana State Library is pleased to announce that 109 librarians and trustees from across Montana earned certification through the Montana State Library (MSL) certification program. The goal of MSL's certification program is to ensure that Montana's library patrons receive the best possible library service from well-trained library staff who are committed to offering 21st century library services. MSL issued 19 trustee, 46 library administration, and 43 library staff certificates. Certification recipients include public library staff as well as state agency, university, and tribal college library directors. Their individual efforts total more than 5,500 hours of learning over the past 4 years. "Montana's libraries provide excellent educational programming and services to Montanans due, in large part, to the ongoing commitment of library directors, trustees, and staff to continuing education. These professionals understand that their investment in professional development means that their communities benefit from continually improving library services," said Jennie Stapp, Montana State Librarian. "The State Library's certification program ensures that Montana librarians have up-to-date credentials, much like our colleagues in K-12 education. There's always something to learn at your library and your librarians bring something new from every training and workshop they attend. We congratulate all of the 2025 MSL certification awardees for their hard work and dedication to Montana libraries."

2 local schools take action to prevent youth suicide

Victor Public Schools and Hellgate Elementary/Intermediate Schools are working together with local and state groups to prevent youth suicide through community education. The safe storage campaign teaches gunowners safe ways to store firearms, while providing free safety resources. Parents or guardians can pick up free firearm triggers and cable locks at Victor School and Hellgate School. Montana continues to face disproportionately high youth suicide rates. Between 2013 and 2017 the Montana youth suicide rate in ages 11-17 were three times more than the national average. In 2023, 69% of youth suicides were completed using firearms.

Ag educator wins national award for mentoring and leadership work

Justin Heupel is one of six ag educators nationwide to receive the National Association of Agricultural Educators' Teacher Mentor Award. Heupel is a longtime teacher at the H.E. Robinson Vocational Agriculture Center in Kalispell. He's taught agriculture for nearly 40 years, 30 of them with the Kalispell Public Schools program. The award, which was presented to Heupel at the Dec. 8-12, 2025, NAAE Convention in Nashville, recognizes members who have excelled in preparing ag educators starting out in the profession by offering advice and guiding them to their own professional strengths. With a career defined by service and leadership, Heupel has mentored agricultural educators at every stage of their professional journey. He has hosted three student teachers and has provided guidance and support to countless new and veteran teachers across Montana. His mentoring approach is intentional and personal, beginning with face-to-face conversations and consistent follow-up phone calls and messages grounded in empathy and active listening, according to a press release from NAAE.

Word for word: Flathead wins second, Glacier third at state speech championship

A matter of points separated the top three speech and debate heavyweights who punched in their best efforts at the Class AA state tournament Jan. 30-31.

Defending state champions, Bozeman High School, narrowly won the championship title by a difference of 2.5 points, scoring 160 points overall to runner-up, Flathead High School's 157.5.

"One Class at a Time" celebrates an exceptional teacher at Skyview High

Q2, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Ashley Koss, a teacher whose expertise spans an impressive range of disciplines, all in service of her students. "Family and Consumer Sciences is a large umbrella," said Mrs. Koss. "It changed from home economics in 1992. So I would like to really put out there that home economics is alive and well." Just how many fields does she cover? "I teach three levels of culinary classes, an introductory level called Foods and Nutrition, a second level called Culinary 1, and then we have a third, really advanced level called Culinary 2 and 3. I take competition teams to Bozeman every year. I also teach a class called Housing and Design, and then I teach an intro to teaching class, where we teach kids to be teachers. I also teach a family life class, which is kind of a team-living class-basically ways to not screw up your life. And then I also teach child development."

Great Falls students learn Indigenous cooking traditions with hands-on experience

The Great Falls Public Schools Indigenous Department recently hosted Mariah Gladstone, founder of IndigiKitchen, for a hands-on experience centered around Indigenous foods. "Doing a whole bunch of cooking classes, demonstrations, and workshops all about Indigenous food. So foods that are native to the Americas but in ways that make sense today in the 21st century, that we can cook in our modern kitchens," Gladstone said. On Thursday, culinary students at Great Falls High School rolled up their sleeves to make sunflower oil and caramel popcorn – recipes with Indigenous North American influence. Gladstone spent several days across the Great Falls food district, teaching students how food connects culture, health, and identity. "I think it's really important because this is a way of not just recognizing Indigenous knowledge but also relating it to something that we have to use every day. This isn't new information. We can take this thousands of year old knowledge and use it in our kitchens and use it to feed our bellies. Today," Gladstone said.

Artificial Intelligence in the real world: How students are being prepped to use AI

Whether it's middle schoolers at Code Girls United or students at Flathead Valley Community College, young people of all ages are being introduced to ways to utilize artificial intelligence - as well as how to think critically when using it. At the Code Girls United office in Kalispell, founder and Executive Director Marianne Smith savored her last moments of quiet before students showed up for an after-school lesson. It's the last day teams could submit projects for the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge, in which students create use AI in an app or website to address challenges they see in their community. "I'm very calm right now, but if you talked to me this morning, I would have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off," she laughed. Code Girls United is a nonprofit that provides free after-school programming for girls in grades four through 12 in Montana. In the first half of the school year, students learn the basics of computer science and then in the second half put that knowledge toward a service project.

January 2026 Great News

Montana Reads literacy grant pays for resources

Dutton/Brady Public Schools is entering the second semester of year two of a five-year $1 million Montana Reads literacy grant with big goals set for the remaining three years. The third year will start in October. The $1 million is split over the five years, and the district had to budget in February 2025 for professional development, salaries, projects, classroom materials and the library during the application process. The district received $100,000 in the first year and has $400,000 to spend this year. When the opportunity came to apply for the grant last February, Superintendent Jeremy Locke told Hofer the district needed to apply for it. She had no experience in writing major grants and thought she had no idea what she was doing. Locke convinced her to just answer the questions in each chapter and divided the chapters between them. "Everything you do in life involves some sort of reading," she said. "We need to be fluent readers. We need to have confident readers graduate so when they do whatever they choose to do, they can do it to the best of their abilities. There are so many resources out there to help rural struggling schools in literacy, but they all come with such a giant a price tag."

Missoula Schools' in-house bus program saves thousands in 1st year

Missoula County Public Schools' newly launched in-house transportation program is already paying off, saving more than $781,000 in its first year of operation, district officials told the school board Tuesday night. During the Jan. 27 board meeting, Director of Operations and Maintenance Burley McWilliams and Transportation Routing Supervisor Annie Doolan presented the results of a yearlong efficiency review aimed at cutting costs while not compromising on service for students. For 84 years, MCPS has contracted with Beach Transportation to provide busing, but in recent years, transportation costs have surged nationwide. To curb expenses, Superintendent Micah Hill encouraged the district to explore managing some routes directly. That shift began this fall, when MCPS launched an in-house program using Type E school buses. Those are Toyota Sienna minivans equipped to meet all state safety and inspection standards.

Montana's modernized Teacher Learning Hub now live for educators

Superintendent Hedalen announced the launch of the updated Teacher Learning Hub by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. The new system offers Montana educators easier access to professional development units required for teacher licensure. "This new system reflects our commitment to supporting Montana teachers with high-quality, accessible professional learning," said Superintendent Hedalen. The hub provides centralized and searchable access, helping educators efficiently find approved learning opportunities aligned with state requirements. The Office of Public Instruction plans to enhance the hub further to serve as a resource for families and educators.

Flathead High School literary magazine wins award

The Quiver from Flathead High School has been recognized as an excellent literary arts magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English. This year, schools in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and six countries nominated 456 student magazines. Magazines from middle school, high school, and higher education were welcomed for the 2025 contest. "This is our third edition since we revived The Quiver in 2023," said advisor Alison Kreiss. "We were able to showcase the writing and artwork of over 40 of our students." Lead editors on the 2025 edition were Sophie Hebert and Wynn Olson. Senior Gavin Adcox was awarded the magazine's literary prize for his poem "Leaving." An honorable mention was given to Sophie Hebert for her poem "Opportunity." In the visual art category, Syler Huerta won the $50 first place with his entry "Space Junk Galaxy," and Tessa Wilson received the honorable mention of $25 for "Reflections."

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD: 'These kids are awesome': Hamilton Middle Science Olympiad preps for state competition

Hamilton Middle School Science Olympiad coach Stephanie DeBiasio beams with pride as she bounces between different stations of students, all preparing for various events they will compete in for a statewide competition in February. DeBiasio's excitement about science is infectious, and her Science Olympiad participants are not immune. The national Science Olympiad competition brings together about 2,000 students and 120 teams from across the U.S. to compete in 23 science events ranging from written tests to experiments.

GFPS CLAIMS JUST OVER $1 MILLION IN INNOVATIVE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM

Great Falls Public Schools received $1,008,000 from 30 community members in this year's innovative educational tax credit program. The state created a tax credit program for education during the 2021 Legislature and the window to claim those credits is coming up. Registration for the dollar-for-dollar tax credit opened Jan. 21, 2026. This year's statewide cap is $7.2 million and GFPS is eligible for up to $2.88 million, according to Luke Diekhans, GFPS' business operations manager. Diekhans told The Electric that the district had 54 donors ready to contribute, but the funds were claimed within seven minutes. Since the program was created, GFPS has raised $3,11,288, ranking first among all AA school districts each year. The program allows residents to make a cash donation to their local public schools and individuals or companies can contribute up to $200,000 per year for educational programs. Married taxpayers filing jointly may take a tax credit of up to $400,000 for each tax credit, according to the Montana Department of Revenue.

Students get jaw-dropping tour of new Heritage Center thanks to travel grant

A chorus of crickets and cicadas melts into the whistle of a locomotive and the hammering of pickaxes. It's the ambiance of the Montana Historical Society's massive new museum. Woven in is the chatter of about 50 middle schoolers. Half of them pack into a simulated Butte mineshaft elevator, complete with motion and video effects. Superior is the ninth school to visit the brand-new Montana Heritage Center. The museum hosts artifacts from Montana's history and a gallery of Montana artist Charlie Russell's work. History teacher Chris Clairmont says the trip was made possible by the Montana Historical Society's history and civics travel grant. As for how the students felt. "Amazing. Amazing," he says. "We've seen jaws drop." Private donors fund the travel grant, which is awarded to schools more than 50 miles from Helena. Museum Education Officer Darby Bramble says they've got more than $80,000 set aside this year. Nearly 50 schools are set to visit before summer - and Bramble says she's already hearing about the impact on students.

Love for historic schoolhouse shines through in state review for National Register

The Mountain Brook School is just one step away from receiving a coveted spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The Montana State Historic Preservation Review Board approved the schoolhouse's nomination at its Jan. 23 meeting. The application will now be sent to the Department of the Interior for a final review by the Keeper of the National Register of Historic Places. Final decision notices are typically posted within 45 days. Residents living on the mountain slopes east of Creston built the Mountain Brook schoolhouse in 1922, with later additions including a front porch, teacherage and running water and electricity. A second multi-purpose building was added to the one-acre campus in 1968. Dwindling class sizes forced the school to consolidate with Cayuse Prairie in 1992, but the campus is still used as a community hub and gathering space for residents on the eastern side of the Flathead Valley.

More than a meal: Rocky Boy schools serve culture, health, and tradition

At Rocky Boy School District, lunch is no longer just about meeting nutrition requirements. It has become a way to reconnect students with their culture, improve long-term health outcomes, and strengthen food sovereignty across the Chippewa Cree community. Inside the school kitchen, food service staff are intentionally moving away from heavily processed foods and toward ingredients native to the land. Many of those foods are grown, harvested, and processed within the reservation itself. “We do want to include more culturally relevant foods to our reservation as well as Indigenous foods as a whole,” says Lori Osgood, food services director at Rocky Boy Schools. “It’s healthier when we serve bison. We know that the bison that we’re serving today is from our own buffalo ranch here. We know what’s grass fed. We know where it comes from. There’s no fillers in it. It’s just healthier.” On the day MTN News visited the school, students were served bison chili made with tribally sourced ground bison, baked bannock prepared with locally grown grain, and a traditional berry soup.

Enrollment growth puts Terry in the Class C middle

Terry High School's enrollment has grown by nearly 46 percent in just three years, placing the Prairie County school squarely in the middle of the pack among eastern Montana Class C schools and highlighting the wide enrollment disparities that define the state's smallest classification. According to the official fall counts released by Montana Office of Public Instruction, enrollment at THS increased from 33 students in 2022 to 48 in the fall of 2025, an increase of approximately 45.5 percent. That broad range is one of the primary reasons many Class C schools choose to form cooperative athletic teams. According to the Montana High School Association, Class C includes schools with enrollments from as few as one student up to 100, a percentage span far wider than any other classification. By comparison, Class AA includes schools with 801 or more students, Class A ranges from 301–800, and Class B from 101–300.

Innovative Education Program Tax Credit runs out in minutes

The Innovative Education Program tax credit portal opened at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, and the entire $7.2 million cap was snapped up in about seven and a half minutes. That's a sharp contrast from last year, when it took most of the day for credits to be claimed, though still slower than the program's first year, when a $1 million cap was gone in roughly five minutes. The rapid pace this year highlights just how strong demand has become for the credit, which supports innovative programs in Montana public schools. "Those programs kind of help them decide that this could be future advancement for their careers, gives them interests, but also a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experiences that our regular curriculum may not be able to fund," said Helena Public Schools communications officer Taylor Lassiter.

Billings students get chance to share their stories at first TEDxYouth event

For the first time, Billings Public Schools is teaming up with TEDx to elevate student voices and unleash creativity through a special speaking event. Students across Billings high schools have joined the student committee to help evaluate and select applicants for the event scheduled for April. "If you have ever had a problem that- everyone goes through them- but you found like a different, better way to look at it, like you found it from a different perspective, that's what we're looking for in this," Skykiew freshman Serenity Cobb said Thursday.

"One Class at a Time" recognizes outstanding teacher at the Career Center

Meet Katie Meier, a teacher who does an exceptional job preparing her students for careers in the medical field-an area where the need has never been greater. "I come to work every day, and to know that you're making connections and helping students achieve their dreams is just a really cool opportunity," said Ms. Meier. "I feel really lucky to get to do what I do. We're hoping that we're helping fill that gap where we're really working closely with a lot of our community partners to kind of find their need. EMS has a huge need, you know, here in our state, and so our EMT program-our students are going right out into the field, working on a lot of volunteer ambulances around the community and giving back to the people who've helped support them."

Rocky Boy school honors principal who earned degree during cancer treatment

Rocky Boy Schools held a ceremony this week to recognize Junior and High School Principal Krystal Four Souls after she completed her master's degree while undergoing cancer treatment. Four Souls earned her degree in educational leadership while working full time and receiving treatment for breast cancer. "When I first started, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, HER2 positive breast cancer and had a mastectomy on one side," Four Souls says. She continued working and attending classes while receiving chemotherapy. "I decided to continue the best I could, and showed up here so that nobody got too worried," she says.

Montana approves two new 'innovative' charter schools

Montana education officials approved two new public charter schools Friday. That's the fewest since lawmakers paved the way for the schools in 2023. The Board of Public Education only approves charter schools it deems highly innovative, with a good chance of meeting their goals. Members were excited on both counts for the forthcoming Stevensville Health Sciences Academy. Stevensville Superintendent Jon Konen said the new funding for the academy will help the district expand its educational offerings. "That's probably the most enticing piece of all of it, is to look at what other opportunities we can give to our students. And having the resources and staffing to do it is exceptional," Konen said. The academy aims to enroll 60 students next year and focuses on providing a running start toward careers or continuing education in health care after high school graduation. The district will partner with local colleges and Bitterroot Health to provide college courses and job shadowing.

'A David vs. Goliath story': Stevensville wins statewide 'We the People' competition

A group of four Stevensville seniors won the statewide prize in the "We the People" competition in Helena last week - beating out teams five times their size in a competition about the U.S. Constitution and founding documents. The team now advances to the national competition in Washington, D.C. hosted by the nonprofit The Center for Civic Education in April. Team coach and Stevensville Social Studies Department Chairman Wes Wells said he didn't think the team had "a shot in hell" at winning going into competition against bigger schools, but gave credit to his students for putting the work in. "My kids were just workhorses," Wells told the Ravalli Republic. "They had great attendance this year, they were focused, they took it seriously."

Montana Land Board approves $545K for schools and trust funds

The Montana Land Board has approved multiple projects expected to generate $545,000 in revenue for the state's trust beneficiaries and public education institutions, according to a press release. The approved actions include timber sales estimated at $383,043, commercial leases bringing in $145,600, and easements generating $16,149. These initiatives are set to benefit Montana's state trust funds and educational programs. The Montana Land Board is composed of the top five statewide elected officials and oversees millions of acres of state trust lands. Auditor James Brown stated in the release that the board foresees another profitable year.

Bozeman schools tackle student hunger with Pack the Sack campaign launch

The Bozeman Schools Foundation has launched its 7th annual Pack the Sack campaign, partnering with HRDC to tackle student hunger in the Gallatin Valley. This two-week initiative involves all eight BSD7 elementary schools. The campaign focuses on educating students about food insecurity through classroom discussions and family engagement. Funds raised support HRDC's KidsPack program, which provides weekend meals to students when school meals are unavailable.

Glacier High takes second, Flathead, third, at last speech and debate tourney before state

Glacier and Flathead high schools' speech and debate teams placed second and third in Butte over the weekend as both teams head into the state championship in Kalispell on Jan. 30 and 31. Glacier scored 121.5 points overall to win second place at the Jan. 16 and 17 tournament. Flathead earned 111.5 points to secure third place. Bozeman High School placed first, amassing 204.5 points. "I'm really pleased with our results," Glacier head coach Greg Adkins said. "At tournaments in Great Falls in November and Bozeman in December, Bozeman beat us by at least 135 points. This time, we closed that gap by more than 50 points." Individually, the Glacier team placed first in five events, the most of any tournament this season, Adkins said.

Why Superintendent Laurie Barron is building sidewalks

Dr. Laurie Barron, leader of Montana's Evergreen School District, is building sidewalks. That's because her district, which sits on the main highway to Glacier National Park, is only three miles wide and doesn't qualify for state transportation funding. Making the trip to school safer for students is just one way the small K8 district, one of the most densely populated in the state, supports families in its unincorporated but tight-knit community, says Barron, who was recently named Montana's Superintendent of the Year. "We're very well known in our area for strong, wraparound, inclusive family support and learning environments," Barron notes. About 15% of Evergreen's 645 students choose to attend from outside the district. About 25% of the district's students have an IEP, and most of them learn in co-taught classrooms with their peers. Evergreen uses grant funding to employ a community engagement liaison who helps families with literacy support and other services, such as assistance with food, clothing, gas, healthcare and other essentials. Over the last two school years, the liaison has connected about 550 families to over 1,200 services.

Local nonprofit helps Laurel Public Schools meet growing need for backpack meals

A local food bank that began as a pay-what-you-can thrift store is now playing a crucial role in helping Laurel Public Schools provide meals to students facing food insecurity. According to the Montana Food Bank Network, one in six children in Montana experiences food insecurity. In Laurel, that need has become increasingly visible. Laurel Public Schools currently serves about a dozen homeless students, a number that fluctuates throughout the year, and nearly 100 students across the district rely on weekend backpack meals.

RESTART Program in Great Falls gives struggling students a second chance

A small education program is helping students who struggle in traditional classrooms stay in school by focusing on individualized support, life skills and early intervention. The RESTART Program, now in its second year, serves middle and high school students who have difficulty in large school settings; whether it's attendance issues, anxiety, discipline problems or academic setbacks. The program accepts just eight students at a time, allowing for close mentorship and personalized instruction. "We really focus on wraparound services. So like life skills, mindfulness, savvy living, managing their emotions," said Program Liaison, Cory Reeves. Funding for RESTART began as a two-year pilot through OPI and has since been extended for another two years following early success. The goal is to re-engage students before they fall too far behind or drop out entirely. "If we didn't have Restart, many of these kids simply wouldn't be getting an education," Reeves said. "This program gives them a chance to re-engage."

Flathead Valley high schools top speech and debate tournament in Columbia Falls

Flathead Valley's Class A high school speech and debate teams dominated a weekend tournament in Columbia Falls, claiming the top three spots. Columbia Falls High School won first-place by a slim margin, scoring 265 points overall, to runner-up Whitefish High School's 252 points. Bigfork High School finished in third place with 102 points overall. "All season long, the margin between Columbia Falls and Whitefish has been razor-thin, with each tournament decided by only a handful of points. This ongoing back-and-forth has created a highly competitive yet respectful rivalry between the two schools," Columbia Falls head coach Dawn Wheeler said.

Glacier High speech and debate team opens new year with statement win

The Glacier High School speech and debate team rolled into 2026 with a hard-fought win Friday and Saturday in Helena. The competition was neck and neck between Glacier and Flathead high schools, but Glacier ultimately edged out Flathead by five points, 166 to 161. The Glacier team was led by several decisive performances, head coach Greg Adkins said in a statement. Trevor Hammer and Megan Mikelson earned first place in Duo Interpretation; Josh Lee captured first in Extemporaneous Speaking; and Glacier secured the top two spots in Memorized Public Address, with Daniel Cole finishing first and Alex Carmalt placing second. Flathead also had strong showing across events, including winning the top three spots in Program Oral Interpretation with Bronson Willcut in first place, Layna Astley in second and Jacob Braach in third. Other first-place finishers were B. Poitra in Legislative Debate and Keegan West and Sarah Loran in Public Forum Debate.

Montana FFA students excited for KMON competitions at MAGIE

The MAGIE would not be the largest ag show in Montana without FFA students back in town for the annual KMON competitions. The KMON FFA competitions will be held at Cascade High School on Tuesday, Jan. 20, the day before the MAGIE starts, and at the fairgrounds on Wednesday, Jan. 21, in a separate area from the MAGIE show. "The KMON competitions are usually a lot of fun for the FFA kids because they'll compete for a little bit and then they get to walk through the MAGIE and see what is up and coming in the agricultural sector, and the competitions are a great way to showcase the skills of the up and coming FFA students that will eventually be the workers and future farmers and scientists in the ag industry," said John Park, ag education teacher and Fairfield FFA chapter advisor.

Hellgate High School teacher selected for Fulbright global teacher exchange

A Missoula high school teacher will soon step out of the lab and head across the world on a Fulbright global teacher exchange. Hannah Pepper teaches Chemistry as well as Earth and Space Science at Hellgate High School. She was selected as part of a group of 100 teachers from around the world to participate in an exchange program. They begin with an online course, then a summit in D.C. in February. "I worked with a teacher out of California, Oakland, and some of my students got to work with her students. They wrote emails to each other and talked about chemistry together and it's just been a really awesome layer to add to the classroom," Pepper told MTN. Pepper will travel to Taiwan to complete her exchange in April.

Middle schoolers invited to apply for civics bee

The application period is open for the 2026 Montana Civics Bee, a competition organized by the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana. Middle school students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade from public, private, charter, and home m schools across Montana are eligible to apply. The Montana Civics Bee is one of fifty state-level competitions encompassed by the National Civics Bee, created by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Students begin by submitting a four-paragraph essay proposing ideas to improve their communities, and the top scoring essay finalists will be invited to a live quiz competition in their state.

"One Class at a Time" honors Central Heights Elementary teacher

Q2, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Kennedy Stanton, a fourth-grade teacher who has made an amazing impact on the lives of her young students-especially one young man-as is evident in the touching words of this nomination: "Mrs. Stanton has made a huge difference in the confidence of my son, Austin. Austin lives with half a heart (HLHS) and struggles with self-confidence, often worried that his heart condition makes it more difficult for him to succeed in school. Mrs. Stanton has successfully helped give Austin confidence in math and reading. He's been coming home telling us, his family, math facts that he has learned and is always proud of himself. He used to be shy and would get upset after school, but he seems to have found his niche in her class. I know she adores my son, and I can't wait to see what he can accomplish the rest of the year. Keep teaching and touching these precious hearts, Mrs. Stanton. Thank you for all you do-and have done-for them.

From Alaska to Montana: Indigenous paddle carving brings culture and craft to Great Falls students

At Great Falls College MSU, the sound of wood being cut filled the room as high school students participated in a session that was far from a conventional classroom experience-traditional Indigenous paddle carving. The children are working with carving apprentice Brandon Gomez, whose roots are in the Tlingit Tribe of Southeast Alaska, to make five-foot Tlingit-style paddles. "So they're carving five-foot, traditional Tlingit-style paddles," Gomez told me. "This is my mentor Wayne Price's style of paddles that he's formed over the years." While the paddles came from coastal Alaska, their presence in Great Falls is the result of a collaboration that began hundreds of miles away. Dugan Coburn, the Director of Indigenous Education for Great Falls Public Schools, encountered Gomez during an Indigenous education conference in Juneau, Alaska. That meeting sparked the development of a concept.

Innovative educational tax credit helps Billings schools enhance programs

Residents in Montana have an opportunity to directly influence educational opportunities through a unique tax credit initiative. The Innovative Education Tax Credit, passed by state legislation in 2023, allows individuals to donate up to $200,000 to their local public school system in exchange for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on the following year's taxes. Krista Hertz, a grant writer for the Billings Public School System, emphasized the transparency of the program.

Juniors improve in ELA, math

Math and English Language Arts proficiency improved among Belgrade High School juniors, according to data from the Montana Office of Public Instruction. The data, based on ACT scores, indicates 18.69% of test takers in the 2024-25 school year were considered proficient in math and 14.49% were at a more advanced level of math. The rest were not proficient; 32.24% were nearing proficiency and 34.58% were at the novice level.

Stevensville schools invest in used travel bus with safety features

The Stevensville Schools District has purchased a used 2015 Prevost travel bus after one of the district's activity buses experienced a major mechanical failure, marking the fourth breakdown in the past year. The bus, purchased for a little over $244,000, comes equipped with new decals and seat covers. A new Prevost bus typically costs more than $1 million, making this acquisition a cost-effective solution, said the district. The purchase was made using the district's bus depreciation or replacement fund, which is specifically allocated for replacing aging or unsafe buses.

Reach Higher Montana announces new scholarship

Reach Higher Montana announced the It's Scholarship Time application for high school and college students across the state. The nonprofit organization works to support education and empowering Montana students. Officials say the scholarship initiative simplifies the application process by offering a single, comprehensive application form that allows students to apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously. It aims to give students more accessible and efficient wat to access financial support for their education. "When we simplify scholarship applications, we remove barriers-and barriers are often the only thing holding students back. For students facing the high cost of college, access to scholarships can mean the difference between dreaming and enrolling," said Kelly Cresswell, executive director at Reach Higher Montana.

Youth Serve Montana Scholarships now open

Every year the Governor's Office of Community Service partners with Reach Higher Montana, and Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement to award scholarships to high school seniors who have completed 100 or more hours of volunteer service within the last year. This year, the scholarship is $1,500. The scholarship will be given to 90 Montana seniors who will be attending a Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement member institution in the fall. "Young people in Montana lead and support all manner of important community work, from meeting hunger and food needs to local events and support for elders. We are always enormously inspired by their selfless acts of service, their commitments to positive community change, and lifting up each other so that Montana remains a place where neighbors take care of neighbors" said Josh Vanek, Executive Director, Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement.

Corvallis school district hosting ski gear swap event Wednesday

The Corvallis School District is hosting a ski gear swap event on Wednesday where residents can bring winter activity gear in good condition to sell and also get gear for growing young ones.

MT Shakespeare in the Schools Wraps Up 2025 Season

This year's production and workshops of Shakespeare's Richard III traveled a little under 8000 miles across Montana and Wyoming, bringing the bard to almost 13,000 middle and high school students. If you had any doubt that a 400 year-old text might enthrall today's young audiences, Associate Artistic Director Riley O'Toole shares how new audiences find their comfort level. "There's this line toward the end of the play where one of Richard's soldiers (Tyrol) is in conversation with him, and he asks 'How many soldiers do the opposing forces of Richmond have? And Tyrol responds 'Oh, six or seven thousand is their power' and we discovered immediately at the first stop on the tour - Billings High School - that the line led to an eruption of 30 seconds or so where we had to pause the show while all the students were chanting 'Six s even, six seven" and doing the gesture that goes with it." O'Toole goes on to explain that the troupe incorporated the routine into the production, even encouraging future audiences to "get it out of their system." O'Toole said the content rang true in some unique situations. Two performances at the Pine Hills Youth Correctional Facility in Miles City, the audience tapped into Richard III's resentment, relating in post-performance workshops that the retribution theme was revealingly relevant. O'Toole also learned from some technology upgrades. There had been an elaborate projection system planned for the tour, but dollars and logistics wound the gear haul down to a couple of screens.

Community rallies to support injured Belt student and family

Communities across north-central Montana are coming together to support a Belt student and his family following a serious off-road accident that has left the child hospitalized. Huck Turville, a fifth-grader at Belt Public Schools, was seriously injured the evening of December 26th in a side-by-side accident involving a family member. He was transported by ambulance to the Havre emergency room before being flown with his mother to Great Falls. After further evaluation, doctors determined Huck needed a higher level of care and he was flown again to Salt Lake City. As Huck remains hospitalized, his school and surrounding communities are working together to help support the Turville family with medical, travel, and lodging expenses. Belt Public Schools is hosting a school-wide fundraiser on January 9th , encouraging students and staff to bring one dollar or more to wear a hat at school, with donations collected by the boys and girls basketball teams.

New-to-Missoula program aims to keep teens out of the criminal justice system

When teenagers make mistakes and break rules or the law, they often get suspended from school or end up in the juvenile justice system. But both scenarios can perpetuate the problem as students miss class, fall behind and lose connection with friends, said Amy Shattuck, assistant superintendent for Missoula high schools. The Montana Free Press reports that for a different approach, Missoula County Public Schools this year partnered with the Kalispell-based nonprofit Center for Restorative Youth Justice, or CRYJ, to help hold students accountable while giving them a chance to learn from and repair the situation, rather than involving them in the juvenile justice system.

Will James Middle School teacher receives "One Class at a Time" recognition

Q2, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Carla Ljunggren, a history teacher who has a real gift for making our country's past come alive for young minds. "History is often so overlooked in terms of how it affects us every day," said Ms. Ljunggren. "I really work hard to help the kids draw that connection so they know, like, it's not just old dead white guys from the past. The decisions they made really do impact them." For her, there is no off-season. "I spend most of my summers and my free time traveling all over the country and going to historical sites to bring back stuff specifically for the kids."

Built from scratch, Great Falls school brings a college degree program to an elementary setting

Winter break at Morningside Elementary in Great Falls is a reprieve from what has been a whirlwind two years for the school. It's in the middle of its second year as a public charter school that embeds college students earning teaching degrees over three years within a functioning elementary school. The college students take classes taught by Morningside's K-6 teachers, as well as specialists like the librarian and music teacher. Those college students also work as paid teaching assistants, a role that incorporates the coursework toward their degrees. Their tuition, at least so far, has been covered by grants. It's known as the CORE School at Morningside. Great Falls Public Schools hopes the program will become a pipeline for young, credentialed teachers to join the district, already equipped with years of experience working in a school. Recruitment will begin in the spring for the third year of the program, which was built nearly from scratch after Montana legislators approved new charter school legislation in 2023. The program is a partnership between GFPS and the University of Montana-Western in Dillon.

FHS student expands horizons through leadership, seeks to build school culture of unity and community

Flathead High School senior Elijah Williams is a dedicated, compassionate and faith-driven student who leads with purpose. The senior student body president and recipient of the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award, didn't start high school actively seeking leadership roles. It wasn't until he joined the Brave Mentoring program, encouraged by a teacher to do so, that his interest in participating in school outside of academics grew. "My freshman, sophomore year, I wasn't really involved in anything, and then sophomore year I signed up for the Brave Mentoring program because I heard you could, like, get out of class once every other week," the 4.0 student said with candor. "And then I started to love being in that leadership role, and just the community that it built, and then it started to become ... less of getting out of class and more of getting to be together with a bunch of leaders and just kind of build that community," he added.

December 2025 Great News

Box Elder students turn classroom idea into market-ready snack

What started as a classroom idea on the Rocky Boy's Reservation is now turning into a market-ready snack. "Brain Grain," a Kamut-based snack produced by Big Sandy Organics in Big Sandy, is a student-created project developed through Box Elder School's business class. The idea was sparked by students looking to create a healthy, locally rooted product, and was brought to life through a partnership with Big Sandy Organics owners Thomas Dilworth and Heather Dilworth, who worked closely with the students to turn their concepts into a real product. The snack is made using Kamut, an ancient grain known for its nutritional value, and reflects both agricultural roots and modern entrepreneurship. From the name to the branding, much of the concept and artwork came directly from the Box Elder School business class. Kiiw Windyboy came up with the name.

Capital High student organizes blood drive with Montana Heritage Center as backdrop

An American Red Cross blood drive coordinated by a Capital High School student was held Wednesday at the Montana Heritage Center, making it one of the first public events held at the new facility.

Glacier High speech and debate team secures second in Bozeman

The Glacier High School speech and debate team secured second place, and Flathead High School third, in Bozeman over the weekend.

Glacier scored 156 points overall to Bozeman's 294 at the Friday and Saturday tournament. Flathead earned 146 points for the third-place finish.

Gianforte and DNRC announce investment of $80.8 million to Montana public schools

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Director Amanda Kaster announced the investment of $80.8 million to Montana's public schools generated from state trust land revenue.

$80.8 Million Generated from State Trust Land Revenue

(HELENA,)– Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Director Amanda Kaster announced on Monday the investment of $80.8 million to Montana's public schools generated from state trust land revenue.

"Since taking office, we've ensured DNRC has responsibly managed state trust lands to invest in Montana's public education system," Gov. Gianforte said. "Thanks to their work, we're able to make an $80 million investment to make sure our students have the resources they need to succeed and reach their full potential."

Governor Gianforte Announces $80 Million Public School Investment From State Trust Land Revenue

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Director Amanda Kaster today announced the investment of $80.8 million to Montana's public schools generated from state trust land revenue.

Constitution Contest Winners

HELENA, Mont. - Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen is excited to announce the winners of the 2025 Secretary of State Constitution Contest. Students in grades K-12 across Montana participated in this year's contest titled "What Does the Declaration of Independence Mean to Me."

In advance of next summer's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Secretary Jacobsen encouraged students statewide to use their creativity to explore the Declaration's impact on our country. Montana students presented outstanding submissions in various forms, including artwork, essays, poetry, music, and video. Many schools continue to incorporate Secretary Jacobsen's contest into their lesson plans each fall.

"One Class at a Time" honors Ben Steele Middle School teacher

BILLINGS - Q2, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students.

Meet Clint Mainwaring, a 6th grade social studies teacher who excels at keeping his students engaged, often using humor to bring the subject alive. Why?

Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools teacher Ann King wins Montana Meth Project contest

Earlier this week, the Montana Meth Project announced Ann King, a K-12 art educator at Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools in Busby as the winner of its 2025 Red Ribbon teacher contest. King was recognized for engaging her students in fentanyl drug prevention.

Anne King, a teacher at Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools, won a Montana Meth Project contest. "Thanks so very much for the opportunity to allow this critical educational lesson and chance to get my students' messages out into the greater world," said King. "We are in a very remote and distant area, so things like this are phenomenal!"

This fall, King presented the Meth Project's online fentanyl prevention lesson video in her sixth through ninth grade classes to teach students critical facts about fentanyl. Following the lesson, King encouraged students to create drug prevention posters using the Meth Project's "One Pill Can Kill" message. For her efforts, the Meth Project awarded King a $500 gift card that she plans to use for classroom art supplies.

Twin Bridges received $400,000 for an affordable housing project from the Montana Department of Commerce

On Dec. 4 the Montana Department of Commerce announced that The Town of Twin Bridges will receive an award of $400,000 through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in support of the Twin Bridges Community and School Foundation's project to construct the Four Rivers fourplex. The project is designed to provide housing for teachers working at the Twin Bridges School District according to Jim Jarvis, the housing coordinator for Madison County.

"The Four Rivers Fourplex Project in Twin Bridges will consist of four 2-bedroom rental units, approximately 1150 SF each," explained Jarvis. "The proposed location is a one third acre vacant parcel owned by the Twin Bridges School District at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Madison Street, one block off of Main Street. Upon completion, hopefully in late-2026, the facility will be owned and managed by the school district as housing for school staff and local low to moderate income residents of the community."

Code Girls United gets $80K grant to expand AI education for Montana students

Women are still one of the most underrepresented demographics in technology and computer science, but Code Girls United is aiming to change that-one student, one project, and now, one significant funding at a time. "Earlier this year, we incorporated AI into our standard afterschool program… And the kids use like an image bot or chat bot in it," said CEO Marianne Smith. For these students, AI is more than a buzzword; it is a tool that they are learning to comprehend and utilize properly. The girls collaborate with instructors to create educational movies that provide advice on practical, ethical, and creative ways to employ AI in technology projects and everyday life.

Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools teacher Ann King wins Montana Meth Project contest

Students collaborate to address world issues at 60th Model UN onference

Nearly 300 high school student-delegates converged at the University of Montana in November for the 60th annual Model United Nations Conference, seeking resolutions to global issues. Reaching a consensus at the two-day United Nations simulation, students, who represent member states belonging to the 80-year-old international organization, must negotiate differing viewpoints with diplomacy through effective debates, speeches, caucuses and drafted resolutions. The conference encourages critical thinking and respectful dialogue, according to the university. Among the 14 Montana and Idaho high schools represented were Flathead, Glacier and Columbia Falls high schools. Private schools Heritage Academy and Heritage Learning in Kalispell also participated.

Flathead County high schools secure top spots at Western Regional Speech and Debate Tournament

Glacier and Flathead high schools secured the top two placements in Class AA at the Western Regional Speech and Debate tournament in Kalispell. The Dec. 5 and 6 competition held at Flathead and Glacier high schools featured 23 teams from across the region. Scoring 214.5 points overall, Glacier won first place, with runner-up Flathead not far behind with 188 points. Hellgate High School in Missoula took third place with 165.5 points.

In Their Chef's Journey Class, Kalispell Middle School Students Learn About Career, Life

The middle schoolers have the chance to cater events through the course as they understand what it takes to have a culinary career. But the lessons they take away go far beyond cooking. On a Tuesday afternoon, Elizabeth Schule's classroom at Kalispell Middle School was a scene of controlled chaos.

Whitefish Education Foundation Launches First Capital Campaign to Replace Music Equipment

The campaign has a goal to raise $400,000 to replace instruments for both the orchestra and band programs. Part of the funds will also go in an endowment to ensure that funds are available to replace outdated equipment in the future.

At the Whitefish School District, more than 500 students in grades 6-12 play an instrument in the district's band or orchestra programs. But for students who have to use the school's equipment, the situation is dire, according to long-time music instructor Mark McCrady, who teaches middle school band courses in the district.

HHS FFA gives strong performance at Ag Expo

Working hard was worth the reward for Havre High School's FFA at Ag Expo in Bozeman!

After weeks of dedicated practice, 33 members showcased their skills and talents over three exciting days on Montana State University's campus. The event was filled with memorable moments from competing in new events and making new friends, to bonding with chapter teammates at dinners, on the bus, and even at the Friday night dance.

Sacajawea students raised $6K+ with ice-cold fundraiser

GREAT FALLS - Most people attempt to stay warm and dry in harsh winter weather, but at Sacajawea Elementary School, getting drenched with frigid water was the lesson plan for today.

On Thursday, the school hosted its annual "school plunge," in which kids who contributed at least $100 were doused with ice-cold water to benefit Special Olympics Montana.

Bitterroot Elementary teacher recognized by "One Class at a Time"

Meet Haylea McNeil, a dynamic physical education teacher who's passionate about getting her young students on the path to a healthy lifestyle - and she's having a blast doing it.

Montana Launches Statewide Industry Recognized Credential Registry Under STARS Act, Setting a New National Standard for Career-Ready Education

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) today announced the adoption of the state's first comprehensive list of industry recognized credentials under House Bill 252, the STARS Act, creating a clear, statewide pathway for students to earn credentials that lead directly to in-demand careers. The new registry represents a major milestone in Montana's effort to align education with workforce needs and reward school districts that expand career-connected learning. "With today's announcement, Montana is taking the lead in ensuring students gain in-demand skills and are able to pursue the American dream," Governor Greg Gianforte said. "This registry builds on our success and opens a new chapter in preparing our workforce."

Havre High FFA competes at nationals for first time

For the first time in history, the Havre FFA Chapter competed at the 98th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, held at the end of October. Representing Montana in the Agricultural Technology and Mechanical Systems (ATMS) competition were Royce Reum (senior), Linkin Cloninger (senior), Ethan Stortz (college freshman), and Trent Naber (junior). After winning at the state level which marked the conclusion of the chapter's third year, these members advanced to nationals, beginning their fourth year as a chapter. This achievement reflects months of dedication, determination, and countless hours of practice.

Mid-Rivers to award $126,000 in scholarship funds

Mid-Rivers Communications is offering $126,000 in scholarship funds for Eastern and Central Montana students for the 2026-2027 School Year. Funded by unclaimed capital credits from patrons, the Mid-Rivers Fund for Education has awarded over $1 million to area students in the past. In 2026, Mid-Rivers will award 36 competitive and 15 drawing scholarships.

Montana Schools to Participate in Poetry Out Loud "America 250"

The annual Poetry Out Loud program is underway in junior and senior high schools across the nation. This year's national theme is America 250. Created by the National Endowment for the Arts, in partnership with the Poetry Foundation and the Montana Arts Council, Poetry Out Loud is a contest that encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation.This year's national theme is America 250. Beginning at the classroom level, winners can advance to a schoolwide competition, then to a regional competition, then the state finals, and ultimately to the National Finals. The months-long classroom exploration builds student confidence beyond the focus on literature.

Photos: Clay Club show at Broadwater Elementary

Art teacher Jennifer Fogerty and her Clay Club students at Broadwater Elementary School hold a showing of their clay creations on Tuesday. The club's work was funded by the Roger F. Eble Foundation to support the PAX program to teach social-emotional and behavioral skills to students in the classroom

High school startups create selection of gifts for downtown Kalispell Holiday Stroll

Glacier High School students have built their own businesses on a foundation of the basics, producing products that will be available for sale during the downtown Holiday Stroll in Kalispell. The products they created as the capstone project for Cheré Anderson's Business Essentials class will be available for sale Dec. 5 at First Interstate Bank, 2 Main St. in Kalispell.

Montana school creates personalized literacy backpacks for every student

A rural Montana school is taking a creative approach to boosting literacy by shopping for personalized books that students can take home and keep forever. The Dutton-Brady School received a $1 million grant from the Office of Public Instruction's "Montana Reads" program, with $400,000 arriving this year alone. The funding will be distributed over five years to support literacy initiatives throughout the small school district. But it's how educators are using part of that money that makes their approach special. The school created a unique program called "literacy backpacks" that puts carefully selected books directly into students' homes.

Alkali Creek Elementary educator recognized by "One Class at a Time"

Representation and Identity: Bryant students paint native mural

Bryant Elementary hung a mural on Wednesday morning, painted by students in partnership with the Holter Museum of Art and the Helena Indian Alliance. "You know, I think we all want to make the world a better place, and this is just a small way of trying to do that," Paul Blumethal, the artist in residence with Helena Public School, said. Around 15 students, along with the Holter and guidance from the HIA, have been working on the mural over the past week.

November 2025 Great News

'Identity and pride': Bryant students, local artists collaborate on mural highlighting Native teachings

Anew 21-foot-wide and 4-foot-tall mural highlighting the seven grandfathers teachings passed down by many of Montana's Native American peoples will soon hang in the Bryant Elementary School cafeteria, a product of collaboration between Helena Public Schools, the Holter Museum of Art and Helena Indian Alliance.

Local teacher named Community Hero through Montana State University

Fergus High School Teacher Jared Long and his family headed to Bozeman on Nov 8 with only a vague message from Bobcat Athletics telling him he would be getting some type of award. To Long's surprise, he was brought down to the Bobcats football field and presented a Community Hero Award. The Community Hero award is presented to those who have made great contributions to their respective communities, whether through volunteering or by acts of kindness. Long has taught at Fergus High School for 18 years, teaching in the agricultural department of the school. He is also one of the FFA coaches.

Montana school debuts new 'Buffalo Unity Project' documentary

The Fort Peck 7th grade class at Poplar Middle School has released its 2024-2025 Buffalo Unity Project, a 12-minute student-directed documentary that celebrates a year of growth, learning, culture, and community. Students spent the school year planning, interviewing, filming, and editing. Their teacher, Joseph Hammar, said the project serves as a powerful spotlight on the importance of Indian Education for All.

Ronan School Board selects new superintendent

Ronan School District School Board selected the current director of curriculum, Sandra Beal, as the new superintendent during a special meeting on Nov. 10. She'll step into her new role on July 1, replacing current superintendent Mark Johnston. Beal is starting her sixth year as the director of curriculum with the Ronan district after previously serving as the middle school principal at Ronan for four years. She completed a bachelor's degree in health and physical education at Montana State University Billings and later completed her master's degree in School Administration at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.

Students can apply for trip to DC

Triangle Communications and the Foundation for Rural Service are sending up to two high school juniors on a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. This unforgettable experience includes airfare, hotel, luggage fees, and meals. Eligible students must be 16–17-year-old high school juniors who are dependents of a Triangle Communications landline or broadband subscriber.

Adapting, thriving, and contributing at East Evergreen Elementary School

Two years ago, the Evergreen School District, working in partnership with our District Leadership Team and Community Council and representing all areas of our schools and broader community, developed the Evergreen School District Learner Profile. This profile identifies the key skills and competencies our students need in order to be well-prepared for high school and post-secondary success. We know that this preparation cannot wait until students get to the Junior High School. At East Evergreen Elementary School, we begin building these skills the moment students walk through our doors. From our 3-year-olds in preschool to our fourth graders, students learn and practice the 10 competencies in the Learner Profile every day. Each month, we intentionally teach and emphasize one competency, ensuring all students understand what it means, why it matters, and, most importantly, have meaningful opportunities to apply it in their interactions with others on a daily basis.

Opinion: Dan Rispens - School growth: Investing now, planning for the future

Greetings from East Helena Public Schools! I want to start off with a giant congratulations to our neighbors in the Helena Public Schools and the Helena community for the recent passage of the Elementary and High School Bonds. This historic investment in school facilities in Helena will benefit generations of students in so many ways. Having witnessed first-hand here in East Helena the positive impact school facilities have on a community, I have to say, I am excited for what is coming in Helena. Congrats! Now, here's what's happening in East Helena!

SD2 looks to expand health science offerings, consider buying building in downtown Billings

Billings Public Schools is looking to expand its in-demand health science class offerings, potentially purchasing a downtown building along the way.

Glacier High takes second at Great Falls speech and debate tourney

Glacier and Flathead high schools placed second and third, respectively, at a weekend speech and debate tournament in Great Falls. With 129 points, Glacier finished well behind the first-place team, Bozeman, which scored 264 points, while managing to hold off Flathead's 112 points. The tournament, which featured 18 schools, included all 16 teams from Class AA, making for an especially competitive field, Glacier head coach Greg Adkins said. "Bozeman clearly set the tone as the team to beat this year," Adkins said. "We need to figure out how to stay consistent across the two-day format. We were up and down and didn't have the depth or balance needed to challenge them fully."

Columbia Falls speech and debate takes first at Stevensville

The Columbia Falls High School speech and debate team continued its winning streak Saturday in Stevensville. The Class A team amassed 239.5 points overall for the first-place finish, followed by Whitefish High School in second place with 91 points, followed by Hamilton in third with 46 points. "The event brought together teams from across all competitive classes, providing valuable early-season matchups against some east-side teams that ... we typically do not face until the state tournament," Columbia Falls head coach Dawn Wheeler said.

Superintendent Hedalen and Level All Partner to Expand College, Career, and Life Readiness with Statewide Digital Toolkit

The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI), in partnership with Level All, today announced a statewide initiative to expand postsecondary and career readiness opportunities for Montana students. Through this collaboration, all Montana schools, educators, and families will have free access to Level All's digital learning platform, equipping students with tools and guidance for college, career, and life success.

'Dream Big': Corvallis holds surprise send off for teacher competing in world powerlifting competition

Holly Snyder wore a red, white and blue boxer's robe and smiled from ear to ear as she jogged through a tunnel of students, running into a paper banner reading "USA."

Sheriff proposes Reserve SRO program for Great Falls schools

Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter has proposed a new arrangement that might bring more school resource officers (SROs) to Great Falls Public Schools via a paid reserve program. "Basically, what it is, is we want to enhance public safety through our schools. So we have the paid reserve program, and basically, last week I did a proposal to the Great Falls Public Schools," Slaughter explained.

"One Class at a Time" recognizes teacher at Riverside Middle School

Q2, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Nicole McIntosh, an 8th-grade physical science teacher who believes strongly in building positive relationships with her students.

Castle Rock teacher overjoyed with Gold Star award recognition

A local teacher in Billings has been recognized for her dedication and passion in the classroom. Ms. Jay Jaye Synan, a teacher at Castle Rock Middle School, has been named the Gold Star Teacher of the Month. Ms. Synan, who has taught students from kindergarten through eighth grade, shared her excitement upon receiving the award. She said she finds immense joy in witnessing her students succeed.

Community invited to define next generation of Bulldogs

Ekalaka Public Schools is launching a major community initiative to create a Graduate Profile, a comprehensive, visionary blueprint that will define the essential skills and attributes every graduating "Carter County Bulldog" needs to thrive in college, career, and life. This profile is not just a list of courses but a core strategic tool designed to guide student development and align district goals.

Jefferson High debaters find their voice

This past Saturday morning in a Helena High math classroom, Jefferson High junior Kale Strozewski faced off against a Butte High junior in the second round of their Lincoln-Douglas debate on plea bargaining. This seemed like high school debate at its most intense: competitors exchanging carefully constructed insights and rapid-fire rebuttals in seeking to outmaneuver their foe. Strozewski argued in the affirmative for plea bargaining, a process where defendants agree to plead guilty in exchange for reduced charges or lighter sentences, before his opponent countered. "Isn't it possible that they are just taking the easy way out?" argued the Butte junior. "Not actually getting justice for the victim?" Here, Strozewski made the kind of pivot that makes coaches beam, acknowledging the legitimacy of an opponent's question before reframing and owning it.

New inclusive classroom for preschoolers in Missoula

An innovative partnership between the University of Montana and Missoula County Public Schools is creating a unique inclusive classroom aimed at enhancing early learning for preschoolers with and without disabilities. The classroom, set up at the University of Montana's lab school, will merge public and private education resources.

Valley View Elementary School honors military veterans

Valley View Elementary School opened its doors Tuesday morning to celebrate Veteran's Day with an assembly honoring those who have and continue to serve in the United States military. The program, led by the school's fifth- and sixth-grade grade leadership team, featured heartfelt speeches, songs, and special tributes, including a presentation of colors and a POW/MIA table ceremony conducted by Great Falls Public Schools' JROTC cadets.

'A dying art': With butchers disappearing, high schools look to step in

Slaughterhouses and butchers used to be scattered throughout the United States, numbering about 10,000 in 1967. Only about 3,000 remain and about 85% of the American meatpacking industry is controlled by four companies: JBS, Tyson Foods, Cargill and Smithfield. The other 15% of that market share is held in part by small and very small meat producers scattered across the country, including some in Montana. About half of small and medium meat processors have disappeared in the last 20 years, and a decades long University of Illinois study found the average length of a meat processing business surviving was 9.7 years. Between inspections, startup costs and other factors, it's not an easy business to get into or keep afloat. This is true for much of the agricultural industry, and many small businesses have disappeared as corporate America has exerted its will on farmers and ranchers. About 70% of the consumer's dollar went to cattle producers in 1970, with the other 30% going to processors and retailers. Cattle producers now get about 30% of the consumer's dollar, according to Farm Action.

Land to Hand growing in new space at former Columbia Falls school

Gretchen Boyer's eyes light up. "We have a floor jack!" she exclaims. A floor jack might not seem like a big deal, but for the staff at Land to Hand, having a floor jack means they don't have to manually unload and then reload pallets. They can just slip the floor jack under the pallet and move a couple hundred pounds of potatoes with ease, Boyer, the executive director, noted in a tour last week.

Evergreen's Barron Honored as Montana's Superintendent of the Year

Even after 30 years in education, Evergreen Superintendent Laurie Barron doesn't ever dread coming to work. "Our board of trustees is just fantastic - long term, stable," Barron said. "You know, they really support the staff and students in this district, this community is incredible - the staff, students, parents. I just, I'm really fortunate to be in Evergreen, and I love this job." This year, the veteran educator has added another feather to her cap. She was named Montana's Superintendent of the Year by the Montana Association of School Superintendents (MASS) during the annual Montana Conference of Educational Leadership in October. It's the second time Barron has won that honor, which MASS bestows annually upon a school district leader.

Montana Shakespeare in the Schools performed at Kalispell Middle School

Kalispell middle schoolers traded their regular lessons for live theater on Monday. More than 300 Kalispell Middle School students got to watch as Montana Shakespeare in the Schools turned their auditorium into a stage for "Richard III." "This is the 11th year that we've brought Montana Shakespeare in the Schools to Kalispell Middle School," said Autumn Gottschlich, English language arts eighth grade teacher. "Which is really incredible that we've made this investment in time and energy and funds to bring high culture to eighth grade kids!" This marks the 33rd season of Montana Shakespeare in the Schools. The program tours more than 50 schools across Montana and Wyoming every fall, and organizers say it's a hit with students.

Kalispell Public Schools introduces new teaching program

Kalispell schools are transforming student learning by introducing a new program called Personalized Competency-Based Education. PCBE gives students more control over their education and empowers them to meet standards. The goal is to allow students to go at their own pace. Peterson Elementary School Principal Shay LaCasse explains, "Students have ownership and agency in what they're learning and the students really know their strengths, and their areas to grow and what they need to improve on." Last week, Peterson Elementary School invited educators and community members to witness a day in the life of students in the PCBE program. "Students are tracking their attendance, their goals in writing, how many words they can read a minute, and different writing samples that they keep throughout the year," LaCasse said.

Belgrade culinary arts teacher named Montana Teacher of the Year

State education leaders have picked the next Montana Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes excellence in the classroom. This year's recipient is culinary arts teacher Kortney Douma of Belgrade High School. And I've got Ms. Douma here with me now to talk more about the award and what it's like to merge the kitchen and the classroom. Ms. Douma, welcome.

Bozeman high schools to go cell phone-free starting fall 2026

Starting next school year, high school students in Bozeman will not be allowed to go on their phones for the entire school day. Currently, students are allowed to use their phones between classes and at lunch, but beginning in fall 2026, Bozeman School District 7 (BSD7) will implement a full cell phone ban in high schools. "I think it's pretty unsafe knowing we won't be able to talk to our parents if something bad happens at the school," said Lucy, a sophomore at Bozeman High School. Lucy's classmate Bridger agrees, adding that phones are useful for more than just social media.

Polson grad and aspiring astrophysicist earns scholarship

Aspen McKee, a graduate of Polson High School class of 2023, recently earned the Montana Learning Center Awards Founders' Scholarship. McKee is a longtime camper, counselor and staff member at the Montana Learning Center. She is in her third year at Montana State University, where she is pursuing a degree in astrophysics and has her sights set on earning a doctorate in physics. Montana Learning Center offers STEM summer camps, teacher professional development and is the region's premier astronomy program, according to the organization. In partnership with Montana State University, the center facilitates NASA's Northwest Earth & Space Science Pathways Program.

Grant to provide peer-to-peer mental health support at Butte schools

Community partners are joining up to bring suicide prevention to Butte-Silver Bow schools. Intermountain Health St. James Hospital announced a $25,000 donation to the Butte Education Foundation to launch HOPE Squad programs across schools in Butte-Silver Bow. This program allows students who are nominated by their peers to meet regularly with trained advisors to talk and learn about mental health and then pass the knowledge on to other students.

Crow Agency teacher receives surprise for innovative education program

A fifth-grade teacher at Crow Agency Public Schools received an unexpected financial boost to help her classroom educational needs. Connie Michael, who has taught at the school for over 11 years, was awarded a $27,000 first-place prize from Voya Financial's annual Unsung Hero Awards for her 'Indigi-STEAM' program. This program, which she began six years ago, focuses on engaging students in science and math through hands-on projects.

2025 'Montana History Teacher of the Year' honored at Capitol

Darla Stone, a fourth-grade teacher at Beartooth Elementary School in her hometown of Billings, was recognized Friday at the State Capitol as the 2025 Centennial Bell Montana History Teacher of the Year. "Students are naturally curious. They ask the big questions, notice details that adults sometimes overlook. It's the perfect age to discover Montana's past together," said Stone. Stone was recognized for her commitment to incorporating Indian Education for All (IEFA) into her daily instruction, and her contributions to her community, profession, peers, and students led to the committee's decision. "Mrs. Stone's approach to teaching makes history not only accessible, but inspiring for her students," said Beartooth Elementary Principal Travis Niemeyer in a nominating letter. "She ensures her students see the connections between the past and the present, and between their own lives and the stories of Montana's indigenous peoples."

State Superintendent visits Corvallis school, charter to see career based learning

State Superintendent Susie Hedalen sat in the back row of teacher Melanie Watson's first-grade classroom in Corvallis on Thursday, where students were digging for chocolate chip "coal" out of cookies using toothpicks as tools. Students were learning about different types of energy, last week studying solar energy and this week studying fossil fuels, using projects like this one to bring it to life for kids and connect what they're learning in the classroom to potential jobs.

'Symbol' of Hawthorne Elementary, 1911 school bell gets second life

Earlier this week, Sharon Hanson stood outside Hawthorne Elementary holding a photo of her family standing in front of the school's historic bell in 1990.

'We should do something': East Middle School honors Butte's fallen Vietnam War veterans

The "Hometown Heroes" Vietnam War Memorial at East Middle School to be dedicated Tuesday exists solely because school officials cared, ordinary citizens cared, as did the school's students.

Grace in Action - Glacier High School honor student, dancer and volunteer represents Montana at Miss America's Teen

When it comes to demonstrating poise, talent, style and service to others, Marygrace Knuffke of Kalispell takes the crown. Crowned Miss Montana's Teen in June, the 17-year-old won a full-ride scholarship to the University of Alabama and represented the state at the Miss America's Teen pageant in September. The Glacier High School senior maintains a 4.0 GPA, serves as student body president and works part-time for the Glacier Range Riders. She didn't get into the pageant scene until her sophomore year of high school when she competed in the Miss Montana Teen USA pageant.

Hellgate Elks donates warm clothing to Missoula County Public Schools students

With a cold winter expected, having a good coat can be a lifesaver, especially when walking to school or at recess, or just any day you need it. The Hellgate Elks have donated $14,000 worth of winter items to Missoula County Public Schools to make sure no kid goes coatless this winter. "Coats, boots, mittens, socks, everything that we think they might need," Elks board member John Velk detailed.

Havre High lists honor roll students

Havre High School has released its honor roll for the first quarter of the school year. Following are the students who earned that ranking. An "*" indicates a 4.0 grade point average.

Havre Middle School announces October Students of the Month

Havre Middle School has named its Students of the Month for October. The honorees are sixth-grader Jace Ladenburg, seventh-grader Cayden Walton, and eighth-grader Liam Haunihan-Smith.

Governor selects Hamilton High Senior for statewide fisheries panel

Gov. Greg Gianforte has selected Hamilton High School Senior Avery Stevens to be the student representative on the statewide Future Fisheries Citizen Review Panel.

The panel is made up of 14 members appointed by the governor who consider applications for funding projects to restore rivers, streams and lakes to "improve and restore Montana's wild fish habitats," according to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.

Stevens said she was "shocked" when she got the news, saying she didn't think she was going to get it.

"I thought, 'Why would I get chosen out of everyone?'" she said. "So when I got the email, I was so shocked, but I was really honored that he would choose me."

Glacier High School wins first speech and debate tournament of the season

The Glacier High School speech and debate team cruised to a commanding victory at the Missoula Kickoff Tournament through a well-rounded showing across events.

"Despite not winning a single individual event, Glacier's depth and consistency carried them to the team title with 230.5 points ..." Glacier head coach Greg Adkins said.

Governor selects Hamilton High Senior for statewide fisheries panel

Gov. Greg Gianforte has selected Hamilton High School Senior Avery Stevens to be the student representative on the statewide Future Fisheries Citizen Review Panel.

Aimed at improving student reading skills, free preschool in Billings shows promise

In Billings, the closest thing the city has to public preschool is showing early signs of progress. KinderREADy, a free preschool offered by Billings Public Schools to qualifying students, is in its second year. This year, the district added a teacher, enrolled two dozen more students and started a waiting list. Veronica Hernandez's daughter completed KinderREADy in the spring, after first trying an online program for preschool-age children. Hernandez said the switch to in-person schooling was "huge." "Her personality opened up. She was talking more. She was more curious about books. She wanted to read," Hernandez said. "She wanted to tell me about all of the letters she was learning, and every day, it was just something new." Hernandez is a paraprofessional in the school district. She works one-on-one with elementary students who need extra help outside of regular classes. She said many kids aren't fully prepared when they enter kindergarten.

Letter: Recognizing excellence in educational leadership
As a community, we are fortunate to have exceptional leaders guiding Livingston Public Schools. Each of our principals demonstrates steadfast dedication to their students, staff, and school communities. At Winans School, Patti Durgan and Ben Hahn provide consistent and compassionate leadership, ensuring our youngest learners begin their educational journeys with confidence and care. At East Side School, Leah Shannon brings a creative and student-centered approach that fosters both academic success and character growth.

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October 2025 Great News

Montana farmers use hundreds of pumpkins to educate students on where food comes from

Torgerson's Equipment delivered a pumpkin to every first-grader in Helena Public Schools, giving them the opportunity to learn about agriculture. "I love pumpkins," Donna Bolware, a first-grade student, said. What started as a donation of 7 pumpkins to first graders in Great Falls by Torgerson's over twenty years ago has grown into 43,000 pumpkins for first graders, and for the first time, pumpkins are finding their homes with Helena first graders.

Belgrade Educator is Teacher of the Year

The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and Superintendent Susie Hedalen are proud to announce Kortney Douma,( Doo-Muh) a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Belgrade High School, as the 2026 Montana Teacher of the Year! Selected from an outstanding group of educators from across the state, Ms. Douma earned this prestigious honor for her unwavering dedication to student success, innovation in the classroom, and commitment to advancing the teaching profession. The Montana Teacher of the Year Program recognizes excellence in teaching and celebrates educators who inspire students to learn, grow, and thrive.

Gourd times roll: Helena elementary students receive pumpkins ahead of Halloween

Pumpkins, a Halloween staple, were delivered to Helena Public Schools first grade students Tuesday, with more to come Wednesday.

Evergreen administrator named Montana Superintendent of the Year for her leadership, dedication and advocacy – Polson school board also honored

Laurie Barron has been named Montana's Superintendent of the Year for a second time since joining Evergreen School District in 2013. Barron was selected for the distinction by the Montana Association of School Superintendents based on four areas: leadership for learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement. "Dr. Barron exemplifies the Superintendent of the Year Award, demonstrating visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to students," said Rob Watson, executive director of School Administrators of Montana. "Her advocacy for inclusion, early learning, and community engagement reflects the best of what Montana's public education offers.

'That's magic to me': Montana Shakespeare in the Schools hits the road this fall

Watching William Shakespeare's plays come to life is a bit like walking into a dark room. The longer someone is immersed, the more everything comes into focus.

Montana Shakespeare in the Schools, a branch of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks and an outreach program of Montana State University's College of Arts and Architecture, shares this analogy with middle and high school students before each performance of "Richard III."

From October to December, the 33-year-old program will bring the production and workshops to 50 schools across Montana and Wyoming, including many that are rural and without theater programs. It is one of the oldest Shakespeare companies in the U.S.

"It feels like a gift as opposed to seeing this fancy Shakespeare production at a fancy theater and sitting quietly, not understanding it," said Dustin Valenta, a Chicago-based actor who plays Richard. "You see it feet away from you and can interact with it, ask questions afterward, have those actors in your classroom speaking to you and apply it directly to your life. If I had that as a kid, I think the way I thought about Shakespeare would be much different.

On Oct. 29-30, Shakespeare in the Schools will visit Belgrade and Gallatin high schools.

Whittier Elementary School In Bozeman Earns National Recognition

BOZEMAN, Mont. – Whittier Elementary School is receiving national attention for its innovative educational strategies.

The school has been recognized as a Promising Practices Learning Environment, a national designation for schools implementing effective learning strategies to boost student success.

Kalispell Middle Schoolers sweat it out together through fitness program

Whether hiking to the summit of Mount Aeneas, biking the Going-to-the-Sun Road, skiing Blacktail Mountain, ice skating in Woodland Park, going to a rock-climbing gym or lifting weights at Kalispell Middle School - Students Who Exercise Together aren't afraid to sweat it out with their classmates.

Huge turnout at Havre Has Class! all-school reunion

Several weeks have passed, and the HAVRE HAS CLASS all-school reunion committee held its final meeting to autopsy the event, and deal with final concerns. It was reported that there were over 1,000 registered attendees at the event, from classes going back to 1946, and from as far away as New Zealand, Alaska, and Maine. Because of the large attendance and the greatly appreciated sponsors, the reunion showed a very large profit. It was decided that some seed monies would be put aside for start-up of the next reunion, five years from now. the rest of the money was divided among various community organizations, including the Havre High School Boosters, and the new rodeo arena project at the fairgrounds.

One Class at a Time highlights outstanding McKinley Elementary teacher

Q2, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Tiah Davenport, a special education teacher who loves to see the growth in her students. "In the 12 years that I've been teaching, I've been in life skills," said Miss Davenport. "I don't just have these students for one year most of the time. Since I teach functional life skills, it's a self-contained setting - so I have them for three years, and sometimes even longer. Just seeing the growth from when they come in to when they leave me, and watching their journey along the way, is rewarding in itself."

Browning School Board receives 2025 Honor Award

The Browning Public School Board has been awarded the 2025 School Board Honor Award. This recognition is a significant achievement for the community. A spokesperson for the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council expressed pride in this accomplishment. "This is a proud moment for all of Blackfeet Nation," the spokesperson said. The award highlights the dedication and efforts of the school board in serving the educational needs of the community. This acknowledgment is expected to inspire further educational initiatives and strengthen community ties.

Reflective tape helps keep Great Falls students safe on the way to school

More than 5,200 Great Falls elementary students will soon have a new tool to help them stay safe on their way to and from school, a six-inch strip of reflective tape. Great Falls Public Schools is handing out the tape to every Pre-K through sixth grade student in the district in recognition of National School Safety Month. Teachers are distributing the tape between now and Monday afternoon so students can wear it starting Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Billings schools plan integrate AI to enhance learning experience

School District 2 in Billings is taking a significant step by implementing AI technology in classrooms through their school-AI pilot program. By January 1, AI will be fully integrated into the district's educational framework, marking a major shift in teaching methods. O'Shean Moran, Director of Professional Learning at SD2, highlighted the importance of AI accessibility for students. "It's only going to get bigger, better, better depending on what your experience with it is," said Moran. "Our goal is to build that capacity in our workforce with our teachers, but also ensuring that our kids are employable because they have a literacy and know how to use it ethically and responsibly." Moran emphasized the need for students to become competent in AI literacy, citing a survey by the World Economic Forum that identifies AI literacy as a rapidly growing skill sought by employers. "What are we doing to prepare our kids with regards to A.I. literacy and building their capacity to be future employees in this world that is dependent on AI and transforming into A.I.?" said Moran.

GFPS LAUNCHING SUMMER EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAM WITH STATE EDUCATION TAX CREDIT FUNDS

Summer experiential learning is coming to Great Falls Public Schools students in 2026 through the state's innovative tax credit program. "I'm really excited about the possibility of this program," GFPS Superintendent Heather Hoyer told the school board during their Oct. 13 meeting. The state created a tax credit program for education during the 2021 Legislature and the window to claim those dollar-for-dollar tax credits was Jan. 15. GFPS board approves $1.2 million contract to turn former GFH shop into learning center. The program allows residents to make a cash donation to their local public schools and individuals or companies can contribute up to $200,000 per year for educational programs. Married taxpayers filing jointly may take a tax credit of up to $400,000 for each tax credit, according to the Montana Department of Revenue.

Over 70% of Student Population Involved in Activities at HPS

K-12 students in Havre Public Schools stay busy. Superintendent of Schools Brian Gum tells us more. "A point I wanted to note out to our community is we have over seventy percent of our student population participating in activities here at Havre. I think it's a driving effect for how students, it directly relates to the impact they have in the classroom. So, students that are more involved are more likely to succeed in school in term of academics." You can find a list of activities in schools in the Havre district, on the calendar page of their website at blue pony k12 dot com.

The Round Up

From calculators to computers to smart phones, the education field often lies on the front lines of technological innovations, charged with teaching students how to use these new tools responsibly. The age of artificial intelligence - think Chat GPT, Claude and Microsoft CoPilot, for instance - has posed a new set of questions for teachers, school boards and administrators to consider. Enter: a new set of guidelines, developed by the state's Office of Public Instruction, the Montana Digital Academy and "education stakeholders statewide" that aims to "support Montana's schools and districts as they explore and implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) in K-12 education." OPI shared the guidelines yesterday in a press release, and the document stated the Montana School Boards Association shared model policies with school districts across the state in concert with the guidelines' release.

Tailored Learning School: Progress continues on creating Livingston charter school

Livingston school officials continued calling for a local public charter school during the district's monthly school board meeting at the Park High School last week. The progress report and second informational presentation to the Livingston Public Schools board of trustees at the Oct. 8 meeting was informed by discussions and information gathered in August and September. The tentative application represents the collective testimony of Livingston school officials and stakeholders and their united financial, curriculum, and public relations goals. The board of trustees members are slated to vote whether to bring a finalized application for the concept, dubbed the Park Pathways Charter School, before the Montana Board of Public Education by Oct. 31. If approved by the state, the charter could become active as soon as the 2026/2027 school year, according to district Superintendent Chad Johnson.

Montana schools to receive free student safety resources

The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has partnered with the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center Foundation to distribute educational materials to schools statewide. These resources aim to support children's mental health, teach safe touch and raise awareness about human trafficking and personal safety, the Office of Public Instruction said in a release.

Havre Middle School lists September students of the Month

Havre Middle School's Sixth-Grade Student of the Month for September is Samantha Bradbury. Sammi is the daughter of Clint and Tabitha Bradbury and has two siblings, Stetson and Sawyer Bradbury. At school, Sammi sings in the middle school choir. Outside of school, she participates in basketball, softball, and 4-H. In her free time, she enjoys helping her father with their cattle. In the classroom, Sammi is helpful and supportive of her classmates whenever they need assistance. Her bright personality lights up the middle school, making it a better place for everyone. In the future, Sammi dreams of becoming a rancher like her father. HMS's Seventh-Grade Student of the Month for September is Victoria Carter. Tori is the daughter of Evan and Jamie Carter and has one sibling, Kylie Carter.

Two Kids Fund grants awarded to support programs for Kalispell and Evergreen students

Whitefish Community Foundation recently awarded two Kids Fund grants totaling $40,000 to support the health and safety of students in the Evergreen and Kalispell school districts. A $30,000 grant to Kalispell School District's HEART Program will help provide families in crisis with safe, stable housing, and a $10,000 grant to Kalispell Education Foundation will support mental health resources for students at Glacier and Flathead high schools. The HEART Program (Homelessness, Enrollment, Access, Residency, and Transportation) serves students experiencing housing instability in the Kalispell and Evergreen school districts. In line with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the HEART Program ensures access to education and vital support services for children and unaccompanied youth facing homelessness, using school as a stabilizing force

Applications open for chance at a D.C. trip for local students

Flathead Electric Cooperative partners with the Montana Electric Cooperatives' Association and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association each year to send two to three local students to Washington, D.C. for "Youth Tour." Applications for 2026 Youth Tour are open through Oct. 31. Using unclaimed capital credits, the co-op funds these "all-expenses-paid" trips for high school sophomores or juniors from schools in it's service territory. This past summer, Stimson Dolesh from Columbia Falls High School, Cameron Seals from Flathead High School and Lance Peterson from Bigfork High School represented Flathead Electric Co-op at Youth Tour. Electric cooperatives nationwide send about 1,500 high school students to Youth Tour. Typically, about 25 of those students are Montanans. They learn about American history and the role of electric cooperatives in that history. The students visit national treasures in D.C. and have the chance to meet with Montana's congressional delegation.

MSU Billings partner with Billings Public Schools on new admissions program

Montana State University Billings and Billings Public Schools have partnered to create a new direct admission program. The Direct Admit program is available to all high school seniors, first-time college freshmen, students with diplomas and students with at least a 2.0 GPA. The program eliminates the traditional application stress by providing immediate acceptance to MSU Billings for qualifying students. While the university maintains open enrollment with a 99% acceptance rate for students, this new program streamlines the process even further. "We're open enrollment. So, it's 99%. Typically, it's everyone with a 2.0 diploma, high-set, GED, home school, or a traditional high school diploma," Director of Admissions Julie Pettitt said Tuesday.

Sentinel High School students to plant trees on campus

Starting today, Sentinel High School students will plant more than 30 trees on the school's campus. It's an MCPS initiative where students learn beyond the classroom and engage in hands-on projects. The planting project will start this morning at 8:40 a.m. and continue on Thursday. More than 380 students are expected to participate in this community project. Students and staff have already unloaded the tree saplings, which were delivered from Glacier Nursery in Kalispell last week. The holes have already been dug and prepared. MCPS has contributed $12,000 toward the initial purchase of 35 trees, and students have donated over $4,000 from previous fundraisers. Outside donations have also been received. During last year's storm, the Sentinel campus lost around 25 percent of its mature trees.

Elementary students learn fire safety for Fire Prevention Week

This week marks Fire Prevention Week, and local elementary students are getting hands-on learning with our firefighters to keep themselves and their families safe. "The hands-on is the greatest thing they can probably do," Wayne Noem with East Valley Fire says. Students at Warren Elementary were visited by the East Valley Volunteer Fire Department and got to tour the truck. This visit is something that hit close to home for teacher Alinon Arpin. "Volunteer fire departments are, I think, the greatest American heroes," Arpin says. "They saved my house from burning down when I was five years old, and they have been there for me my whole life and continue to be here when we need them, and are here today." Here, giving students a memorable experience, like putting on full fire gear. Fifth grader Norah Allen says, "I liked putting on the clothing because it is kind of nice to see if you would want to be a firefighter."

Central Elementary working to support military families

Imagine being nine and having your parent be deployed; that's the reality for Brooklyn Walsh. "It's kinda really hard because you miss them for a while, especially my dad has been deployed a lot of times for a year, and it's kinda hard being away from him for a while," Walsh said. Central Elementary is working to support students just like Brooklyn by pursuing a Purple Star designation. A Purple Star school offers mentorship and resources for students of military families. "I'm a veteran myself, and when my son started school, we just did not have the resources that we needed for him," said teacher Libby Kenney. "My husband at the time was deployed; he didn't meet our son until he was 18 months old, and I really wanted to do something more for these kids."

HHS Marching Band at Showcase of Bands

Montana State University's Spirit of the West marching band is hosting nine high schools from across Montana, including the Havre High School and Fergus High School Marching Bands today for the annual Showcase of Bands. The event, now in its eighth year, is a celebration of marching bands and their fans. Following the showcase, bands will receive awards and non-scored evaluations from a panel comprised of Spirit of the West members. The showcase is the first opportunity for many bands to receive professional feedback as they begin their performance season.

Central Elementary School moves toward Purple Star Designation

Central Elementary School aims to recognize military-connected students and their families through support efforts and a pursuit for a Purple Star School Designation from the Montana Office of Public Instruction. The not-yet designated Helena elementary school could become the sixth Purple Star Designated campus in Montana. "The Purple Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and keep them on track to be college, workforce, and life-ready," said MCEC, the national advocate for Purple Star Schools. Before an application could be submitted, Helena Public Schools officials said, a prospective school needed to host an event connecting and celebrating military students and their families.

Montana Tech athletes join elementary students for annual walk to school event

Montana Tech athletes and coaches walked hundreds of local area students to their respective schools early Wednesday morning while partaking in the annual Walk to School with the Orediggers event. Butte Central, Emerson, Hillcrest, Kennedy, Margaret Leary, Ramsay, West Elementary and Whittier Elementary all were a part of the occasion. After the walk to school was completed, Oredigger student-athletes and coaches then went classroom-to-classroom distributing free T-shirts to students which was made possible by support for the event from Intermountain Health, the Montana Tech Foundation and the Montana Tech Mining Engineering Department, according to Montana Tech's website.

NonStop Local and Black Hills Credit Union support Billings schools with books

NonStop Local has partnered with Black Hills Federal Credit Union to bring books to schools in Billings, aiming to enhance education across the community. This morning, the team visited Castle Rock School, where John Martin presented a $2,000 check. These events are taking place at schools throughout the Magic City, supporting educational growth. Educators believe that providing free books will not only improve literacy but also benefit other areas of learning. Gordon Klasna, Executive Director of Secondary Education, emphasized the broader impact. "It helps students understand complex math problems ... or scientific equations, also helps them comprehend different texts that they're reading throughout the day, in their classes, so it's not just about reading but it helps them develop their brain," said Klasna.

High school students 'dig' into future trade careers

Helena area high school students are digging into their future careers in the trades at Digger Days. "Just to learn some trades you have never done before and maybe have an idea of what you want to do after high school," Levi Coon, a junior, said. Students got their hands dirty with everything from heavy machinery operation and concrete work to framing and plumbing. The event is led by Tactics Montana and a handful of sponsors. "Being able to pull on the community to come together and bring these pieces of equipment out here, we probably have over 3 million dollars in equipment sitting here being run by the kids," Lucas Canney, a shop instructor from Capital High, says. "They would never have access to something like that inside of the school building." Over one hundred students got to learn through hands-on experience. Calvin Schriver is one of those students and says, "What inspired me is to just like have the hard work and dedication that I want to use big machinery."

HPS & MSUN working Together

(Havre) – Montana State University – Northern and Havre Public Schools have always had a working relationship. Over the last three years, HPS Superintendent Brian Gum, and MSU-Northern Provost Jennifer Brown have been regularly meeting to discuss increased education opportunities for students. Brown tells us some of the things she and Superintendent Gum have discussed.

"We've had a lot of opportunities to talk about how we might work together to increase educational opportunities for students in Havre and the surrounding area, and we've talked about collaborations with things like dual enrollment, collaborations with things like the news STARS Act that has been passed. Even collaborations with things like a potential agriculture program."

September 2025 Great News

High school students in Helena experience trades up close at Digger Days

Around 150 Helena high school students had an opportunity Monday to get hands-on experience including concrete work, crane operations and more.

Students from the Project for Alternative Learning, Helena, Capital, East Helena and Jefferson high schools, as well as home-schooled students, gathered for Digger Days, sponsored by multiple companies. They included Freedom Fabrication, Opportunity Bank, 2M Company, Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Dick Anderson Construction, MaCon Supply Inc., NorthSide Welding and Fabrication Inc. and EquipmentShare.

HPS Partnering with Producer Partnership

At it's last board meeting, Havre Public Schools decided to join Livingston based Producer Partnership, a program that will bring local beef to the district's lunchrooms. President and founder of Producer Partnership Matt Pierson explains. "The Producer Partnership is the only federally inspected, nonprofit processing facility in the United States and what that means is, we take in donated animals from all across Montana. We are able to process them here at our facility under inspection and put them back into schools and food banks all over Montana." Local producers are able to donate animals and in turn can help feed the kids of the community an all Montana product. A relationship that Pierson says is huge. "We encourage the schools to help locate animals for their communities, from their communities and we bring them here and get them processed and obviously, put it back into their school. The ability for these schools to reach out to their own community members and make that connection is huge."

Saturday Live returns to MetraPark to raise critical funds for Billings Public Schools

Hundreds of families will gather on Saturday for the largest fundraiser of the year for Billings Public Schools at the Montana Pavilion at MetraPark from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Now in its 33rd year, Saturday Live has helped fill the funding gaps faced by teachers and students across the district. Hosted by the Billings Education Foundation, the fundraiser brings together more than 70 booths offering games, food, and hands-on activities. Tickets cost 50 cents each, but the impact stretches far beyond a fun day for families.

Poly Drive Elementary teacher recognized by One Class at a Time

Q2, Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools, Western Security Bank, and City Brew Coffee have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." It's a program that recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Kalli Murphy, whose music class is not only where she teaches the love of music but also where she helps her students' learning skills grow. "I think, anytime you put instruments in the hands of children, it's a great way to engage them," said Mrs. Murphy. "Making music together is a wonderful way to practice reading rhythms. All sorts of skills can be incorporated into their learning while they're playing instruments."

Students experience native culture at Last Chance Community Pow Wow

Drums are echoing through the Queen City this weekend for the 26th annual Last Chance Community Pow Wow. "It is so much more than just an experience; it is a complete immersion," said PAL teacher Ryan Cooney. Hundreds of Helena-area students gathered for the powwow demonstration day to engage with indigenous culture. Amanda Walking Child, with Indian Education for All, says, "It helps the students recognize and have respect for the traditions that have always been for many years." Tribes from across the state, and surrounding areas as far as Canada, performed grass, fancy, and jingle dress dancing that filled the fairgrounds and students' excitement.

Free program helps Montana students apply for colleges

With the school year now underway, many seniors are looking ahead and beginning the process of applying to college. "It's very overwhelming, I think," said Jaycee Coy, a senior at Capital High School. Like many others in her grade, she is considering her next steps after graduation. "It's hard to know where you want to go and if you're sure about it, and finances and stuff like that," said Coy. "It is very stressful."

Students explore career options at 'Worlds Of Work' in Great Falls

More than 2,300 middle school and high school students from across Montana spent Tuesday exploring possible career paths at the fourth annual Worlds of Work event in Great Falls. The hands-on career fair took place on the campuses of the University of Providence and Great Falls College-MSU. Students from 35 schools across Central Montana rotated through four career "zones" featuring demonstrations from 66 regional employers. Organizers describe the event as "a career fair on steroids," designed to help students connect what they're learning in school with real-world job skills. The goal isn't for students to pick a career on the spot, but to start thinking about what possibilities exist in Montana's workforce.

Fairfield CTE program explained to Gianforte

The Fairfield High School Career and Technical Education program that is working two building projects this school year was on display when Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and House District 18 Rep. Llew Jones visited the school district on Sept. 17. Fairfield Superintendent Dustin Gordon explained to the governor the Fairfield School District is moving forward with an innovative project that combines affordable housing development with hands-on student learning. The initiative was made possible through a generous donation from the United Church of Christ, which gifted its unused parsonage to the district. Initially, the district envisioned renovating the existing home as part of a work-based learning program. Fairfield industrial arts teacher Robert Rogers, Jr., a licensed contractor, began designing a for-credit course that would allow students to gain valuable career skills while completing the renovation. After evaluating the property and conducting a cost analysis, the district determined that a greater long-term benefit could be achieved by removing the existing structure and building a new duplex. Demolition, led by a local contractor, will begin this fall. While working through ownership, insurance and demolition challenges, the district partnered with the town of Fairfield to provide students with a hands-on project at the Town Park. This collaboration has created an excellent training opportunity in preparation for the larger housing project, which is expected to launch in the second semester.

Kalispell Public Schools highlighted by Gianforte, U.S. Education Secretary

A local school district received recognition following a roundtable discussion with Governor Greg Gianforte and United States Education Secretary Linda McMahon at Montana State University. During Friday's roundtable, Governor Gianforte talked about his 56-county tour, where business owners told him their biggest challenge is the workforce. Gianforte says career and technical education are prioritized in schools. The governor also highlighted Kalispell Public Schools and the community partnerships involved for helping out students. "One local educator in Kalispell told me, and I quote "Students don't know what field to pursue if they don't know it exists."," said Gianforte. "Kalispell has been particularly proactive in getting the Chamber of Commerce to establish internships for high school students and I think that's a great innovation."

Montana Ag Network: Joliet students learn meat processing skills with weekly class

Five students from Joliet are learning more about meat processing this fall with the help of a Montana nonprofit called The Producer Partnership. Every Wednesday, the students are bused from Joliet to the meat processing plant, which is located about 16 miles east of Livingston, and given an opportunity to test their hand at the trade. Joliet Senior Gavin Thompson said it's been interesting to learn more about meat processing.

Gianforte Highlights Kalispell Public Schools' Internship Program During Roundtable with Trump's Education Secretary

Gov. Greg Gianforte lauded Kalispell Public Schools' approach to implementing work-based learning opportunities into its curriculum during his opening remarks at a roundtable discussion with Linda McMahon, the U.S. Education Secretary, on Friday morning. "One local educator in Kalispell told me, and I quote, 'students don't know what field to pursue if they don't know it exists,'" Gianforte said. "And Kalispell has been particularly proactive in getting the Chamber of Commerce to establish internships for high school students, and I think that's a really great innovation." Gianforte has celebrated Kalispell Public Schools' approach to educating students before. He visited Flathead High School in 2023 and praised the district's work-based learning programs and experiential education opportunities. Kalispell Public Schools first spearheaded its internship program during the 2022-2023 school year. The program includes several businesses and organizations across the Flathead Valley, which give students part-time internships. The district's experiential learning opportunities served as a key part of its successful levy campaign this spring too.

'Your words have power': Speaker talks mental health, youth resilience at Target Range

Target Range middle schoolers swarmed around speaker Luc Swensson following his talk on Thursday, with dozens taking off one of their shoes to have the 20-year-old nonprofit founder sign them. Luc was at the school to spread awareness around mental health as part of his "I Love This Life" foundation, which he started when he was in fifth grade living in Great Falls. Luc's talk was part of a 19-day tour at schools across Montana, from rural towns like Hobson to Missoula. His next talk is in Bozeman where he'll meet with a Montana State University football player who believes in Luc's message of reducing stigma around mental health. Both Luc and his father, Thor Swensson, were sporting bright pink sneakers walking around the gym at Target Range School. Luc told the students the shoes were similar to pink sneakers he was bullied for wearing in the fifth grade when he first started the foundation to raise money for cancer patients.

Browning School District incorporates mental health pods into schools

Montana's healthcare shortages make it hard for many to access mental health services and preventative care. Browning School District is taking steps to change that, bringing care closer to students. "Kind of what I hope for our community is to look at our younger generation and ask them, 'Are you okay?" stated Cinnamon Salway, Browning Public Schools prevention and wellness director. Students across the district now have access to six "mental health hush pods". These private, slim pods are being used by students of all ages to connect with Telehealth services without having to miss class or leave campus. "The idea actually came from a councilor named Jason Andres," said Salway. "We were actually having conflict with scheduling with students that needed Telehealth services".

New Billings school helping English-learning students remove barriers

When Leissmar Bracho talks about her first year as a refugee in the United States, she sounds happy. She made friends, graduated from high school and earned a scholarship to Montana State University Billings. After fleeing Venezuela and living for years in limbo in Peru, she finally has a clear path. Bracho, 19, said her senior year at the Billings Multilingual Academy helped her bridge the gap between her education back home and her future in the U.S. "You can do anything you want, or you can study anything you want," was the message Bracho took from her year at the new school. "The English wasn't a barrier for you to … fulfill those dreams or goals that you had in mind," she said. Billings Public Schools opened the charter school in the fall of 2024 for English learners.

Seeing STARS: Nearly every district in state boosted by program to increase starting teacher pay

Leading up to the COVID pandemic, Montana public schools were falling farther behind when it came to starting teacher pay. After the pandemic, inflation and cost of housing made starting to teach in Montana very difficult. But a new program, passed by the 2025 Legislature, has already boosted starting teacher pay and kept districts from struggling with open positions, according to school leaders. In fact, the program has become so successful that nearly every district has been able to leverage it to help retain early-career teachers. But it was House Bill 252, Student and Teacher Advancement for Results and Success Act, or "STARS," passed by the 2025 Legislature, that helped boost the starting pay. For districts, it meant a stretch of the budget: The new law says that for districts to qualify for the funding, the starting teacher salary must be 62% of the district-wide average. This helps teachers get to the average level more quickly. During the Legislature, teachers told of not being able to teach school without a second job, or struggling to find housing even somewhat affordable. A look at most national metrics showed Montana hovered somewhere near the bottom of the nation when it came to starting-teacher salaries - below most nearby states.

Helena school district receives $30,000 grant to promote news literacy

he News Literacy Project announced Sept. 10 that 14 school districts that were accepted to its fellowship program and awarded a $30,000 grant, including Helena Public Schools. The three-year fellowship provided a $30,000 grant and customized support to implement news literacy education within Helena district campuses. "Even though Gen Z and Gen Alpha are digital natives, they're often overwhelmed by the nonstop flood of information online," Charles Salter, president and CEO of the News Literacy Project, said in a news release. "This year's record participation in the fellowship program shows that district leaders get it: Students are hungry for news literacy and educators are stepping up to meet that demand." The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan education nonprofit that works with schools and districts across the country to ensure they received aid to fund news literacy education.

Carnival Classic returns to Helena to celebrate public education

The Helena Education Foundation will be holding its 22nd annual Carnival Classic highlighting public education on Sunday. The event will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial Park and is free to the public. There will be food, snow cones, a bounce house and over 50 booths offering games and activities hosted by student clubs, school groups, parent-teacher organizations and community members. Some of the activities include a dunk tank, robot races, 3D printing, tattoos and brush art, traditional Indigenous games and stuffed animal adoptions. The day will begin with a Zumba dance lesson, followed by entertainment from local youth dance and music groups.

HRDC to Host Free Back-To-School Event

As the school year kicks off, HRDC is teaming up with the Vituity Cares Foundation to host a free Back-to-School Shopping and Wellness Event on Friday, August 29th at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds.

Fourth annual 'Dreamin' for Darby' school fundraiser this Friday

he fourth annual 'Dreamin' for Darby' school fundraiser is this Friday and will feature line dancing, music and a full bar with proceeds going to support the school district. The event starts at 5 p.m. at the Richard Cromwell Memorial Rodeo Grounds, with a suggested donation of $25. Over the last three years the event has raised $100,000 for facility enhancements, teacher support, classroom updates and student scholarships, Superintendent Tony Biesiot said in a press release. "The most remarkable part of Dreamin' for Darby is that it brings people together for a shared purpose.... investing in the future of Darby students," said Biesiot. The silent auction and line dancing to country music starts at 5 p.m. The featured keynote speaker is a former Darby Schools alumnus Doug House, who is now the Senior Manager of Technical Support for Porsche Cars North America, Inc., according to the release.

Browning school now offers 'hush pods'

Browning Public Schools recently introduced Mental Health "Hush Pods." Students are able to have telehealth sessions with a mental health provider; the pods are sound-proof with lights and a cooling fan, and frosted tint on the windows for privacy.

Helena High School launches podcast to keep student voices heard, community informed

Welcome back to another episode of the 'Bengal Briefs.' Today, I am joined by Mrs. Missy Sampson, a science teacher, Ms. Jessica Vallincourt, an English teacher, and two of our amazing students, Finn Hollow and Madi Higginbotham," Helena High School Principal Brian Kessler said. Four guests and the host, Kessler, sat at a table inside the high school's library with a singular chrome-coated microphone in front of them, where they spoke about "bigger topics" and "goals of the school" on Wednesday. "What does family engagement look like in terms of trying to build that connection with the home?" "What are your thoughts on how we do this well?" "What are you looking forward to this year?" and "What, to you, does it mean to be a Bengal" were all questions asked by Kessler during the roughly 30-minute episode. In a principal-, educator- and student-led podcast, HHS embarked on a new informational journey with the goal of keeping the community up to date on the latest ongoings within the high school.

Online learning program gains popularity with rural Montana school districts

A Utah-based online learning program could help boost enrollment numbers for rural Montana public school districts by bridging the gap between homeschool families and public education. Founded in 2008 by former Republican Utah state Sen. Rob Muhlestein, Harmony Educational Services offers a path for homeschool students to enroll in their local school district while maintaining control of their own learning experience. The online learning program has entered contracts with 12 Montana school districts since 2023. Seven of those school districts, including Plains, Noxon and Ronan, entered contracts this year. Families who sign up for the program can opt for online asynchronous or off-line courses, and a mentor from Harmony Educational Services oversees each student's learning progress, said program representative Colby Sharpe. Three tracks offer different experiences with the program.

Teacher Leaders in History includes Harlem Educator

The Montana Historical Society announced recently the addition of seven new educators to its Teacher Leaders in History Program. The new teacher leaders include Kasidy Robbins of Harlem. These seven new "history missionaries" will join the ranks of 13 other leaders who are dedicated to promoting best practices in history education and connecting their colleagues across the state with resources for teaching Montana history and Indian Education for All. In addition to mentoring their peers, the leaders will also help write lesson plans and present at regional and statewide conferences.

Shelby Public Schools welcomes two new teachers to staff

Shelby Schools is excited to welcome two new teachers this year, Ms. Hayley Fretheim and Ms. Carla Francos. Ms. Fretheim is happy to return to her hometown to teach, she is a 2013 SHS graduate. Ms. Francos is excited about meeting new people and comes to Shelby from Asturias, which is north of Spain.

Back to school 2025

Valley schools are gearing up for another year, and several school superintendents spoke to the Bitterroot Star about the upcoming year. They talked about their excitement and some things the public and students should be aware of and look forward to in the coming year.

Superior High School seniors mark their spot

Remember senior year? Maybe it was marked by spirited pranks, painted hillsides or the anticipation of senior photos. For the Class of 2026 at Superior High School, the year begins with a new and colorful tradition: custom painted parking spots. The idea was sparked earlier this summer by a group of parents reflecting on how quickly time had passed and how their children were now entering their final year of high school. Wanting to make it memorable, the group tossed around several ideas, from personalized banners and signs to Fathead cutouts to cheer on students at events. Kate DiGiando, the administrative secretary for junior high/high school and mom of senior, Lane, created a group in the REMIND app for all senior parents to join. That way, they could all throw ideas out there and move forward together. One idea stood out: senior parking spots. Inspired by similar traditions seen online, the group brought the concept to the school administration, who enthusiastically gave it the green light.

Inclusivity Community Playground nears completion in Great Falls

Lewis & Clark Elementary School and the Montana School for the Deaf & Blind are collaborating to build a new inclusive community playground that will provide a safe and welcome space for all children to play. The project is sponsored by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development. "It just seemed like a really great place to service as many kids as we can," said Sylvia Tarman, CDBG Administrator for Great Falls. "And it was just a good application that would serve this community."

Sunnyside Elementary kicks off first week of school with excitement and energy

The first week back to school can feel like a whirlwind, but at Sunnyside Elementary, the atmosphere has been filled with excitement as students and staff settle into new routines. Principal Durbin Thomsen said the energy in the building is transformed once students return.

STARS Act will Help HPS

The 2025 School year is in full gear at Havre Public Schools. Superintendent Brian Gum told New Media Broadcasters how the Stars and Inflation Acts passed by the 2025 Legislature have helped Havre Public Schools. "You know, I think that definitely will help in terms of our general budget. So, from the elementary and high school side, both of those budgets, the STARS act as well as the Inflation Act really helps us in terms of being able to provide a wage that's competitive." The Montana STARS Act-short for Student and Teacher Advancement for Results and Success-is a comprehensive education funding reform initiative passed as House Bill 252 during the 2025 legislative session. Its primary goal is to improve educational outcomes by incentivizing better teacher pay, student achievement, and resource sharing among school districts.

Preserving the written word: Flathead High School relaunches 'The Quiver' literary magazine

Like its namesake, "Quiver" Flathead High School's literary magazine, is a repository for the written word. After 34 years, Flathead High School's Poetry Club relaunched "The Quiver," retaining its physical form. "I was on the literary magazine when I was in high school, and it was just a really rewarding experience and I thought that we should bring it back," Poetry Club advisor and English teacher Alison Kreiss said. "For students to see their work published is a very meaningful experience for them. It's a good outlet we didn't really have elsewhere in the school.

August 2025 Great News

LPHS earns top Montana ranking by U.S. News and World Report

Lone Peak High School was ranked Montana's No. 2 overall high school for the 2025-26 school year in a new list published by U.S. News and World Report, based on methodology with six factors: proficiency in math and science, and reading; performance in math and science, and reading; college readiness; performance of underserved students; college curriculum breadth; and graduation rates. Bozeman High School earned the top overall Montana rank among 171 schools, followed by LPHS, Whitefish High School, and Gallatin High School in Bozeman. LPHS also earned Montana's No. 1 rank for college curriculum breadth, and No. 2 rank for college readiness. Nationally, LPHS is No. 943 overall among nearly 18,000 U.S. high schools ranked, placing it just outside the top 5% based on factors considered by U.S. News and World Report.

Writing Coaches of Montana seeks volunteers to support students

Writing Coaches of Montana seeks community members in Flathead County to participate in its coaching program with the mission of helping local public school students improve their writing skills. Specifically, the program seeks to help students think critically about their writing assignments so they can become confident and competent writers across disciplines. "My students love having the coaches come help them, and the benefits go beyond improving their writing skills," said Kalispell Middle School teacher Kristi Sanders. "The one-on-one attention is something the students need, and this is the best program with the most direct positive impact on students that I've ever seen in my 27 years of teaching."

Billings family reflects back on school aging-out policy, two years later

Two years ago, Emily Pennington crossed the stage at her Billings West High School graduation, a moment her mother Jana Pennington described as incredibly exciting despite the challenges her daughter faced. "She's accomplished something with difficulties that other kids have not had to deal with, you know, physical and academic," Pennington said in an interview this week. Emily, now 22, continues to stay active in the Billings community, volunteering at a preschool.

Missoula public schools launches in-house bus program

When students head back to class this fall, some Missoula County Public Schools families will notice a new kind of ride pulling up to the curb. Instead of the traditional yellow bus, certain routes will now be served by white school vans as the district begins running some of its own transportation for the first time. According to Burley McWilliams, the district's director of facilities and operations, the shift is part of a broader effort to manage a sizable transportation budget while maintaining dependable service for families. The district currently transports around 4,000 students daily, nearly half its enrollment, creating one of the district's largest ongoing expenses.

For Eric Peterson, Helena AD job came along at right time: 'There's been a void since I stopped coaching'

When Eric Peterson decided to step down as the head coach of the Helena High girls basketball team in 2020, he said the timing was just right. And approximately five years later, the timing was right for Peterson to throw his hat in the ring to be the athletic director of the Helena Public Schools, a job he was eventually hired for to replace the retired Tim McMahon. The three-time state championship-winning head coach for the Helena girls basketball program, bringing home titles in 20216-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19, officially took over the position on July 1.

Helena-area school districts kick off the new school year

Both East Helena and Helena Public Schools districts started their new academic year with smiles, hugs and pictures Wednesday, with some set to start Thursday. Thousands of students across the Helena area entered their buildings, some for the first time. Hawthorne students were among a new group of peers after their school was closed by the HPS board at the end of last year. All East Helena Public Schools students started their new year, except for kindergartners, who start Thursday. Helena Public Schools grades one through six, high school freshmen and Project for Alternative Learning students began Wednesday, while grades seven, eight and the rest of its high school students start Thursday. Kindergartners will start Sept. 2 in Helena. For a full view of district calendars visit the school districts' websites.

After their daughter died by suicide, an East Helena family is working to erase the stigma

"It's chickensh--." Quin Agee didn't flinch, but staring at the bartender, something in him ached all the same. He doesn't remember how they got to the topic of suicide. His fists clenched. A blue-collar bar isn't the usual place for this kind of talk, he thought, yet here they were. While Quin hunched over his drink, his friend puffed up beside him. "No, shut it," Quin said before his friend could yell. "I was stupid like that, too." Cowardice. Weakness. "Chickensh--." Quin heard it before. He was raised in Helena's cowboy culture, spending years working manual labor in the valley. If you had problems, you did chores. Hard work and sweat was the remedy to any ailment. When someone killed themselves, you had a drink in their honor. For a long time, Quin was no better. If he could go back, he'd beat the teeth out of his old self. "He doesn't get it," Quin told his friend. He almost hoped the bartender never would. Alivia Paige Agee died by suicide May 7 in her bedroom. She was 15 years old, an East Helena High School freshman, Quin's only daughter. She was a goofball, her parents said. In between nail art and elaborate selfies, she was planning for a choir trip and getting her driver's license. Alongside her parents, she's remembered by two brothers.

May, Keeley receive P.E.O. Chapter AZ scholarships

Havre High School 2025 graduates, Macee May and Camille Keeley, each received a $500 scholarship given by Havre P.E.O. Chapter AZ. Havre P.E.O. Chapter AZ member Paulette Cronk presented the award to the winners at the Havre High School awards ceremony this past spring. P.E.O. Chapter AZ is active in helping young women pursue higher education. The chapter provides local scholarships to a student from Havre High School and a student attending Montana State University - Northern. The scholarships are supported by local fundraisers put on by P.E.O. Chapter AZ to support their philanthropic efforts.

Six New States Selected for Youth Apprenticeship Policy Academy

The Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA), an initiative of New America, congratulates Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington on joining the National Governors Association Center (NGA Center) for Best Practices Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship. These states will be awarded a $50,000 grant to expand opportunities that combine paid, on-the-job learning, related instruction, and industry credentials that count toward college. As a part of the Center on Education & Labor at New America, PAYA is pleased to announce this second academy cohort that will build on PAYA’s vision of making youth apprenticeship a mainstream pathway to economic mobility and stronger regional economies. Young people are looking for new opportunities to learn skills that will open doors to the workforce while avoiding significant debt. Youth apprenticeship offers these opportunities and provides them pathways to the middle class, helping to mitigate long-standing inequities in our education system. State leadership, particularly at the governor level, will be critical to unlocking policy that builds on the growing momentum around this postsecondary strategy and to connecting high-need sectors with next-generation talent.

United Way donates thousands of school supplies to Billings students for upcoming school year

On Tuesday and Wednesday, United Way of Yellowstone County held its second annual backpack distribution, donating school supplies to hundreds of students in the greater Billings area. In all, the nonprofit collected 30,000 school supplies, including 1,000 backpacks. Family Service in Billings donated $7,000 for the school supply drive, and Walmart donated $500. Over 500 students took home school supplies over the course of the two days, including three of Shawna Youngbear's children.

DBPS launches new pre-kindergarten

Dutton/Brady Public Schools has expanded its district into a realm no other school in Teton County has before through a $1 million state Montana Reads grant provided by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. Using grant funding, DBPS is implementing the first full-time pre-kindergarten program in Teton County this coming school year. Superintendent Jeremy Locke and Lisette Hofer, district grant manager, applied for the grant in February, requested $1 million and had to perform a cost breakdown telling what the district will use the money for all four years. The grant can be used for reading, literacy inside or outside the classroom, at home or with families. Over the course of four years, Hofer said the district had to plan how it was going to break down the cost. Locke uses the eGrants website to purchase something and take it from the $1 million grant. The website requests the funds and Rachel Gott, the instructional coordinator for the Montana Literacy Project at the Office of Public Instruction, either accepts to declines the purchase. Gott then redrafts the request and makes suggestions on where else to use the funds. The district will receive $400,000 on Oct. 1, and the funds will be used to pay an instructional coach, purchase the curriculum, books and library updates and professional development.

New Somers Lakeside Superintendent to Prioritize Building Community Trust

Alexander Ator thinks of education as a "human capital industry," helping students develop and grow over the course of their school careers. But that industry has struggled in recent years, especially following the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic worsened several challenges school districts already faced. Ator, the new superintendent at Somers Lakeside School District, said one challenge the pandemic shed light on was the lack of trust between public education and communities. In his new role, Ator hopes to rebuild and restore that trust. "You can see that there are a lot of people here that love the school, but (I want to) engage with stakeholders, get to know the community, get to know the staff, get to know the kids and build those trust bridges - whether they need to be rebuilt or just firmed up a little bit - and make this the school that it has been and will continue to be," Ator said.

How and why GFPS is changing math curriculum

Great Falls Public Schools is implementing a new math curriculum called Amplify Desmos Math at the beginning of the school year, with teachers at Longfellow Elementary already training on the new program. The curriculum update was necessary as the previous materials no longer aligned with required standards, according to district officials. "Our old curriculum was no longer matching the standards that we needed to be teaching. And so with the new curriculum, we adopted, it was based on the curriculum committee coming together, which was made up of teachers and community members and administration," said Miranda Murray, Curriculum and Assessment TSA for Great Falls Public Schools. The district aligned their selection with state requirements to ensure comprehensive coverage of educational needs.

Kila School Starts New Year with Familiar Face Returning to Lead District

Liz English isn't a new face at the rural Kila School - though she is new to her role as the district's top administrator. She previously served as the school's principal before taking a job with Kalispell Public Schools' human resources department. When the top job at Kila School opened in February, English knew she wanted to return, for reasons both personal and professional. The personal: She has two children. One enters kindergarten this year, while the other will go into middle school. In the smaller district, both her children will have a chance to be in the same building. And the professional: While she enjoyed working at Kalispell Public Schools, she missed being around the students. In her human resources role, she felt two steps away from them. She wanted a chance to be more plugged into what was happening with students.

Montana to provide education for students with disabilities up to age 22 under settlement

Montana students with disabilities will be able to continue their education up to age 22 under individualized education programs after the state of Montana settled a federal lawsuit from two students and a Montana disability rights organization last week. The settlement agreement, ordered by a judge on Aug. 13, means that Montana is no longer the only state in the country that cuts off education services for most students with disabilities at age 18, according to the organization that sued the state, Disability Rights Montana. Under the agreement, Montana will no longer use the exception that allowed the state to stop providing those services and will let students with disabilities continue going to school either until they earn a "regular" high school diploma or turn 22 years old. Disability Rights Montana and two Montana students with disabilities who were forced out of school when they turned 18 and 19 last year sued Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen and Gov. Greg Gianforte in February contending the state was violating federal law by not providing the students education for longer. David Carlson, executive director of Disability Rights Montana, called the settlement agreement a "huge win for Montana students." "Students with disabilities were being exited from school before earning a high school diploma and before they were ready to transition to post-secondary employment, education, and independent living," Carlson said in a statement. "Now students who need it will have the additional time that federal law allows to prepare for successes as adults."

Billings Public Schools welcomes artificial intelligence into the classroom

Billings Public Schools is instructing teachers on how to use artificial intelligence to plan lessons and receive feedback on students' progress. Teachers are learning how to use tools such as School AI, Magic School AI, Brisk Teaching and Diffit. Sarah Rainey, an instructional technology coach at the schools, is teaching educators how to incorporate these programs into their lessons. She hopes the services decrease teacher burnout and assist student learning. "The load that's on teachers to meet the needs of every student in their classroom is a lot," said Rainey. According to a 2025 survey from RAND, 53% of teachers nationwide reported burnout.

Billings nonprofit helps homeless students go back to school

A Billings nonprofit is helping homeless students go back to school. Tumbleweed, which helps at-risk youth, is distributing school supplies, including over 300 backpacks, to students across Montana. "Back to school is really hard. You're 400 times more likely to be an adult homeless person if you don't graduate high school," said Executive Director Georgia Cady. Tumbleweed supplies youth and young adults in need with free haircuts, shoes, clothes and meals.

Montana launches feedback portal for American Indian studies in public schools

A new feedback portal has been launched by the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to collect and address feedback on American Indian studies in public schools. "The OPI Indian Education for All (IEFA) Unit works with districts, tribes, and other entities to ensure all schools have the knowledge, tools and resources necessary to honor the IEFA requirement and integrate it into their teaching materials and methods," according to the OPI website.

Montana governor announced EO for AI, trades workforce development

Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Monday a new statewide initiative to bolster workforce development in skilled trades and AI usage. Gianforte signed Executive Order 5-2025 creating the 406 JOBS Initiative, which directs the Department of Labor and Industry's State Workforce Innovation Board to put Montana in line with national education and workforce development goals set by President Donald Trump. "406 JOBS stands for four pathways to employment, zero barriers to work, and six high-demand sectors," Gianforte said during a press conference held at Helena's Boeing manufacturing center on Monday. "Those sectors include health care, construction, hospitality and recreation, advanced manufacturing and computing education and child care and financial and professional services.

Florence seeking volunteers to help build new playground

The Florence-Carlton School District is looking for volunteers to help build a new playground this Saturday and Sunday. Former Florence-Carlton Parent Organization leader Sarah Brucker is still leading the charge on the playground effort and said volunteers would be needed from 10 a.m. until dinnertime on Saturday and Sunday, with the workload on Sunday contingent on what gets done Saturday. Volunteers don't need to be available all day, but no kids are permitted in the work area, she said. "Sorry for any inconveniences this may cause but there will be large holes and we need to keep everyone safe," she said. Brucker requests people interested in volunteering to email their availability to her at [email protected]. "We have some other volunteers who would like to provide food for those working so having a head count really helps," she said.

From the dugout to the superintendent's desk: Dave Thennis starts leadership in Hamilton

Dave Thennis got into education by accident. He took a baseball coaching job in Helena one summer and now years later he's set to welcome Hamilton students back to school as their new superintendent this fall. "It's about relationships and the people you meet along the way," he said. "That's what keeps you going." Thennis was most recently the superintendent in Stevensville, but he's driving a bit further south this year to take over the superintendent's office in Hamilton. He's replacing previous Superintendent Tom Korst, who served in the position for more than 12 years and left at the end of October to pursue a career in mental health. Legal and Human Resources Director Christine Lewanski served as interim superintendent until Thennis started July 1. Thennis originally wanted to be a scientist - earning a bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology from Whitman College. But during his tenure as a coach, a player's father who was also the Helena High School principal at the time, encouraged him to take a substitute teaching position, and he hasn't looked back since. "I just realized that working with kids and that whole interaction with players and with students in a classroom was really something that was very fun," he said.

GFPS Summer Food Truck serves thousands of meals to kids

For many kids in Great Falls, the school year isn't the only time they can count on a healthy meal. This summer, the Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS) Summer Food Service Truck rolled into neighborhoods across the city, bringing free, nutritious meals directly to children and families. The program, which ran for several weeks during the summer break, served more than 300 meals a day at a total of 9 sites across the Electric City. By parking in easily accessible locations in front of schools and parks, the bright lime green food truck allowed kids to grab a meal without having to travel far – a boost for families who may not have transportation or access to a traditional meal site. "Every morning, we serve kids breakfast and we load all of our milk and all of our sandwiches and whatever we're going to have for lunch, hot and cold lunches and head out to serve them," explained GFPS Summer Truck supervisor Jerry Smith. "I like to see the smiles on their faces because they, you know, are going to have a nice lunch."

City Club Missoula highlights challenges, bright spots for education in Montana

Education is an ever-shifting landscape. This month's City Club Missoula brought together state and local leaders to see where Montana and, specifically, Missoula County is going forward. "School finance is complicated and not very transparent," Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) superintendent Micah Hill said. With the future of the Department of Education in limbo and continued questions around federal funding, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen wants Montana to be in charge of getting funding into classrooms. "One thing that I have been advocating for is that they return the federal funding and the Office of Education at the federal level to the states," Hedalen said.

Legos and a trash-eating shark bring Missoula robotics students top honors

A little contraption made of yellow and blue Lego beams whirs across a demonstration table at the Missoula fairgrounds. One of the robot's programmers, middle schooler Oliver Nowles, explains the design. "So, basically, we have a back crane, which lifts up. And we also have the front arm, which can move things left to right," Nowles says. Washington Middle School's "Robosapiens" robotics team is one of Montana's best performers in the FIRST LEGO League challenge. It's an annual competition where teams from across the country build and program a robot to complete a series of tasks on a table. The team also came up with an invention to aid future explorers of the ocean, which is the competition's theme this year. Their idea? "It was about an electric shark that swam around in the ocean collecting trash," seventh grader Maizie Ward says. "Elektra," as they named their robot shark, would use sensors and filters to suck garbage and plastics out of the ocean, while leaving critters unharmed. They modeled their invention using paper-mâché and presented it to judges at a world competition in Massachusetts this June. They earned a finalist award - one of only four honors handed out among the more than 100 teams.

Mental health coalition to deliver 600 backpacks with supplies to Bitterroot students

A Bitterroot youth behavioral health organization collected and filled 600 backpacks with school supplies and mental health resources to be sent out to students throughout Ravalli County.

Bitterroot Cares has provided welcome bags to incoming students for the last three years. Last year the organization sent backpacks to kindergarten students from Darby to Florence, according to Tracy Golder with the organization.

Ben Steele Middle School hosting safe school summit

Ben Steele Middle School is hosting the Jeremy Bullock Safe Schools Summit through Wednesday. The summit provides different workshops for educators and school staff to learn more about school safety. Topics included mental health, suicide prevention and security architecture. "The climate has changed across the board nationwide," Billings Public Schools Safety and Emergency Management Coordinator Joe Halligan said Tuesday. The summit provided critical conversations about how to create safer learning environment. Atticus Pate-Terry, an incoming freshman at Helena High School, offered insights based on his experiences.

'The Empathetic Classroom': A Bozeman educator's mission to support teachers' mental health

Maria Munro-Schuster has long believed the way physical and mental health are addressed in school classrooms needs to change. Maria Munro-Schuster of Bozeman poses with her book "The Empathetic Classroom: How a Mental Health Mindset Supports Your Students - and You". But she's never been one to wait around for that change to happen. From dressing up as Moe the Moose in middle school in rural Wolf Point, teaching her classmates about the dangers of tobacco or presenting a two-year research project at age 16 at the International Science and Engineering Fair on how motivational psychology could improve outcomes for students with Type II diabetes, if something needs doing, Munro-Schuster finds a way. Her latest effort is no exception.

Jeremy Bullock Safe Schools Summit returns to Billings

School safety leaders from across Montana and the nation are gathering in Billings today for the 6th annual Jeremy Bullock Safe Schools Summit. The two-day event runs August 5–6 at Ben Steele Middle School and continues to draw educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and community members committed to building safer school environments. The summit features expert-led workshops, keynote speakers, and collaborative learning opportunities-all designed to support more secure, trusting, and prepared school communities. For more information visit jeremybullocksafeschools.com. Hosted in partnership with Billings Public Schools, the summit brings together a wide range of participants, including superintendents, principals, counselors, teachers, school safety teams, and youth. Organizers say the goal is to spark meaningful change through practical, systemic solutions.

Rising Glacier High School sophomore appointed to Roundup for Safety board

Flathead Electric Cooperative's Roundup for Safety board of directors named Axel Rauscher, rising sophomore at Glacier High School and the son of Conrad and Dawn Rauscher of Kila, as this year's youth director. The board reviewed multiple applications for youth director, which is a non-voting position held by a student who joins the directors in evaluating nonprofit grant applications and presentations. Board President Paul Austin noted, "We look for a high school student who is involved in the Flathead Valley's communities and is interested in safety. They should also want to learn more about the nonprofit organizations, like volunteer fire departments, search and rescue units, and school districts, that work so hard to make our area an incredible place to live."

July 2025 Great News

Chinook and Cut Bank Graduates Earn Scholarships

Montana Livestock Auction Company gives out two one thousand dollar scholarships each year to graduating seniors that are part of the agriculture community and are planning on continuing their education at a university or trade school. This year's recipients are both from Northern Montana. They are: Madilyn Gruszie whose family ranches North of Chinook. Madilyn plans on pursuing a degree in Business and Ranch Management. The other recipient is Mylee Berry of Cut Bank who plans to pursue a degree as an ag teacher. Both recipients submitted a resume along with others seeking the scholarships.

Boulder after-school program receives funding

After anxiously holding their breath for weeks, Kassie Nordlinder and Boulder Elementary's afterschool program can now exhale after Montana received more than $6 million in federal funds to finance the initiative enjoyed by nearly four out of every five local students. "I believe we will receive our full grant award for this year," said Nordlinder, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program Director. "We should be able to host both the after-school program and the 2026 Summer Program." The Boulder Elementary Consortium had anticipated getting just under $250,000 to cover the program's next five years. In early July, the Trump administration announced the withholding of $6.8 billion in national education funds, including $1.4 billion for the Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC program. The U.S. Department of Education memo said the programs were under review, with no mention of objective or expected completion date.

New business manager for Great Falls Public Schools

School officials say Luke Diekhans will now take on the role of the Business Manager for Great Falls Public Schools. He takes over for Brian Patrick, who recently retired. "He knows the ropes. He knows the layout of a very difficult and challenging position. So he'll be a great fit for this job," said school board chair Gordon Johnson. "I want to be able to move through this first year, gain that understanding, build relationships with not just other individuals across our district, but individuals across the state with organizations like Masco and the School Boards Association and so forth, so I develop a deeper understanding of the role of the business manager," said Diekhans. "Now we're also looking at possible cuts coming from the federal government, so we're going to be doing a real balancing act over the next year of what that funding will look like and how we can best use it to suit our students and our staff," said Diekhans.

Montana State to help rural Montanans access school counseling program

Montana State University will soon offer a version of its graduate-level school counseling program online, while a grant from the U.S. Department of Education will help individuals in rural parts of Montana access that program. The efforts are part of the MSU Department of Counseling's ongoing work to train professionals to serve people in communities across Montana, said Rebecca Koltz, professor and head of the counseling department. "There is a real need for what we call 'place-committed' individuals who would like to do good work in those rural areas but can't leave for a two-year training," Koltz said. "We heard from people who said they would love to go back to school, but they can't leave their jobs. That led us to start thinking about this online component a few years ago, and we ended up creating this online training to meet the needs of those individuals."

Nonprofit aims to bring art instruction to Helena schools

Helena Public Schools board chair Jennifer McKee says the district has had a tough few years. She says they've gutted more than $6 million from the budget to climb out of a deficit. That pain fueled an idea. "We got to thinking, 'What can we do that's not just cutting? This is kids' real lives, and what do we have around us that's not money that could grow what happens inside our schools?'" McKee told MTPR. District officials say they don't even know the last time they offered art classes to all elementary students. But from that idea, Helena Art Forms was born. It's a collaboration between the district and a local nonprofit, the Omerta Arts Syndicate. Organizers say the nonprofit will pay Helena artists to teach art classes to fifth graders in schools this fall. That's provided the organization meets their fundraising goal of just more than $100,000. Omerta Arts youth director Patrick Lindecker says a test run of the program in a handful of classrooms was a big hit.

State Gets Grants to Start Teacher Apprentice Program

Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of labor and Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson recently announced the State has received four million dollars in Federal grants to start the first Teacher apprentice program. Governor Gianforte explains. "This four-million-dollar grant creates a teacher apprentice program to get more qualified people into the classroom. They'll be paid for a full four-year duration of their classroom experience and upon completion, the apprentices, these teaching apprentices will become licensed k-12 educators." Apprentices will also complete higher education coursework during their time in the classroom. The State is working to complete the programs design. There are currently more that 800 open positions in school districts across the state.

Corvallis School District receives grant to enhance farm-to-table learning

Corvallis School District will soon have a new hydroponic garden in its cafeteria area thanks to a $2,000 grant from the Montana Farmers Union Foundation. The foundation distributed more than $43,000 this month as part of its Community Grant program across 22 projects aimed at advancing agriculture learning opportunities in rural communities. Corvallis School District Food Service Director and project coordinator Kathy Martin said they'll use the grant to purchase two small pre-made hydroponic garden units that will each hold 30 plants. Martin plans to grow herbs to be used in school lunches. "Our food system needs to get back to the roots, literally, the roots," Martin said. "Things are so processed, and they lose so much flavor and vitamins in the way that our food delivery system is. And so the more local, the more fresh the food is, the better it's going to taste." Students will be able to help grow oregano, thyme and basil and monitor the plant growth and health, Martin said, adding the experience can be implemented into science, math, food safety and critical-thinking curriculum.

Walking the plank into writing: Whitefish student pens swashbuckling adventure in first book

Last July, 11-year-old Linnea Cameron set sail in her imagination and began writing about the swashbuckling adventures of a ship crewed by a family of pirates. A year and a few drafts later, "The Pirates of the Mediterranean" has hit bookshelves. Set in Greece, the book follows the treasure-hunting adventures of Diana, a spirited 11-year-old. In the search for Zeus's treasure, the family sets course on the Mediterranean Sea, "only to discover danger, deception, and a destiny far greater than gold," as ancient secrets are revealed along the way, a book description states. "From talking monkeys to cursed islands and storm-battered shipwrecks, Diana must rely on her wit, courage, and the love of her family to stay one step ahead of the gods themselves." Cameron said she loosely based Diana on herself - both have big dreams - but magnified the character's adventuresomeness.

Montana to launch first teacher apprenticeship program with $4 million federal grant

Forty school districts across Montana will have teacher apprentices in their classrooms starting in 2026 thanks to $4 million in federal grants, Gov. Greg Gianforte's office announced Monday. Montana is launching the state's first registered teacher apprenticeship program. The first cohort will include 160 registered teacher apprentices and 40 youth pre-apprentices, who will start in the summer of 2026. The aspiring K-12 educators will be paid during their time in the classroom, complete higher education coursework through partner schools, and become licensed K-12 teachers in Montana after completing the program. The state is working to complete the program's design and launch the framework for the apprenticeships through a partnership between Montana's Department of Labor & Industry, the Coalition of Advocates for Montana's Public Schools (CAMPS), the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI), and the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE).

Billings students learn to 'hack for good' at cybersecurity camp

When most people think of hackers, they picture glowing screens and lines of code. But for one group of Montana students, hacking looks more like teamwork and problem-solving for a good cause. Code Girls United, a nonprofit after-school program for girls based in Kalispell, hosted its first cybersecurity camp, called the "Cybercat Hacking Academy," at MSU Billings this week. The camp introduced over a dozen students in grades 7 through 12 to coding, cybersecurity, and the concept of ethical hacking. "I've always kind of had an interest in computers. I've always really liked them," said Olivia Bishop, a seventh grader from Will James Middle School, at the camp. Bishop has been with Code Girls United since fourth grade and got to help develop an app this past school year, called Perfect Product that scans food labels for allergens.

Frenchtown grad commends financial savings, academics in Missoula College dual enrollment

Seeing cadavers up close and personal in the University of Montana lab was the "coolest thing in the world" for Frenchtown High School graduate Katie Lewis. "Seeing all the muscles and everything up close, that's just crazy to see," Lewis told the Missoulian. She got to explore the lab as part of her anatomy class through the Bronc Fast Track Program, which offers dual enrollment for Frenchtown students through a collaboration with Missoula College. The junior college just off UM's campus awards the graduating seniors who complete the curriculum a UM general studies certificate, which is accepted at all of the schools in the Montana University System. This equates to about 30 college credits and allows high school graduates to earn a bachelor's degree in three years. The program helps students advance their studies, but also offers students financial savings for required general education courses toward an undergraduate degree. And with tuition rising at Montana schools and access to federal financial help through Pell grants diminishing, penny pinching can be essential.

Making magic - Nine-year-old publishes first book about a girl with dyslexia, donates proceeds to Edgerton Elementary

Zoe Frank, 9, is the co-author of an inspiring children's book about a young girl with dyslexia titled "Zoe's Magical Mind." The book captures her personal experience discovering she has dyslexia and, "Through imagination, creativity, and a little bit of magic, Zoe learns to embrace her strengths and find new ways to learn," the book description reads. When writing the book with her mother, Jennifer Frank, Zoe Frank, during an interview at Edgerton Elementary School in Kalispell, said she wanted to help people better understand dyslexia. In the book, the character Zoe notices she's different from her classmates and learns from her mother that she has dyslexia, which is why reading and writing are more challenging. Whenever she feels down, family, friends and teachers remind her of the abilities she excels in and encourage her to share her talents of drawing and storytelling with the class. "That is Zoe's story all the way down to Miss Baker, who works at Edgerton [Elementary]. She works in special education, and she's been with Zoe since second grade and she has made a world of difference in our school life for Zoe, along with a community of other people," Jennifer Frank said.

Montana expands training for educational interpreters

In Montana's public schools, students who are deaf or hard of hearing depend on sign language interpreters to fully engage in their education. But across the state, there are not enough trained interpreters, and no in-state program to prepare them. Paul Furthmyre, Superintendent of the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind (MSDB) says, "In Montana, there isn't a university or training program for educational interpreters to receive proper training." Now, with funding from the Montana Legislature, MSDB is partnering with the Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf to launch a free professional development series. The focus is to prepare educational interpreters to better serve students in STEM - science, technology, engineering, and math - where the vocabulary and visual setup require specialized skills. Furthmyre explains, "This has been a three-year process. We've worked with lawmakers to look at how we can increase the capacity of educational interpreters across Montana."

Darby wins event at SkillsUSA National Competition

Six Montana schools took home prizes at the SkillsUSA National Competition last month in Atlanta where students compete in skilled trades events, including robotics, engineering and firefighting. Darby Schools SkillsUSA Advisor Courtney Bennett said this year was the best Montana has performed in the competition. Darby Middle School took home the gold in the Promotional Bulletin Board category where students Paityn Pelkey, Stella Smith, Macey Strayer created a display promoting the career technical education program in Darby. Bennett said the students worked since January on designing their board and had to present it at the competition explaining the skills they learned and what their message was with the board. "We're really proud of them," Bennett said. Charles Maus from Sentinel High School won the silver medal for technical computer applications. This event is where students had to demonstrate they could install, configure and use an operating system like Windows and applications like email, word processing, and web page developments.

Familiar Face: Superintendent Megan Murrell returns to Terry Schools

As the new school year approaches, a familiar face has returned to lead Terry Public Schools. Megan Murrell, who briefly served as superintendent in the spring of 2022, resumed the role on July 1 following the departure of Paige Denny. Murrell brings with her not only previous experience in Terry but also a deep background in education already proving valuable as preparations for the 2025–2026 school year ramp up. With less than six weeks until students return on August 20, Murrell has her plate full. "It's been busy, busy," she said. "We need to be ready."

'You have to love everybody': Over 39 years in education, Gallatin High's Randy VanDyk modeled compassion

Standing alongside his fellow administrators, Gallatin High School assistant principal Randy VanDyk greeted students flowing into the building for their last day of final exams in June. In a speech to graduates at the annual senior sendoff assembly, VanDyk observed that for almost 60 years, "Once August rolls around, I get up and go to school and then I do that every day until sometime in June." But this send-off was different because it wasn't just the final day for the high schoolers. It was also the end of school for VanDyk, who has retired after a 39-year career in education. In a later interview with the Chronicle, VanDyk reflected on those years and, as a former student and teacher at private Christian schools, considered his evolution as an educator. "I never imagined myself being in a public school, especially as an administrator," VanDyk told the Chronicle in a later interview. "God opened doors and in some ways almost forced me into the public school." The abrupt change in settings began when he was hired at Bozeman's Chief Joseph Middle School, first as a math teacher and then as an assistant principal. He mused that in his first year he "heard the F-word more than the rest of my life combined." Nevertheless, the move taught the educator important life lessons.

Kalispell Public Schools partners with Jed Foundation to improve mental health

In another step toward strengthening youth mental health in the Flathead Valley, Kalispell Public Schools entered a three-year contract with the Jed Foundation to implement a comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and suicide prevention initiative at Glacier and Flathead high schools. The New York-based foundation offers multiple academic, consulting and training programs to help assess and strengthen mental health, substance misuse and suicide prevention systems while giving schools the tools needed to create a culture of mental health and well-being and prevent suicide. A mental health specialist from the foundation will be assigned to each high school. The specialists will work with administrators, counselors, staff and students. The initiative will launch in the fall.

Missoula Rotary Club donates $8,500 toward local public music education

Bill Schwanke wanted to play in the band at Paxson Elementary when he attended in the 1950s, and luckily the school leant him a "beat up mellophone." "My family couldn't afford an instrument, and the school system had instruments to loan out back then," he said. As a member of the Missoula Rotary Club, Schwanke is now part of an effort to provide funding to make sure middle school students in the next generation have the same chance to experience music education he had. Schwanke presented a check for $8,520 to the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees during their June 24 meeting to be used toward scholarships for middle school students to attend summer camps for band, choir and orchestra. "I'm so excited about the Rotary Club taking this project on, because we think it's so important that kids have the opportunity," Schwanke said during the meeting.

Multi-school debate team cuts to the chase, capturing fifth at nationals

A World Schools Debate team composed of Flathead, Glacier, Columbia Falls and Whitefish high school students talked their way to the top five on the national stage.

June 2025 Great News

Billings middle schoolers learn leadership and service at Camp BLUE

BILLINGS - While school is out for summer, one group of middle school students in Billings was back in the classroom. This time, they traded their books for badges in the Billings Police Department SRO Unit's inaugural summer camp for incoming seventh graders, Camp BLUE.

Kalispell Public Schools hosts annual education summit

KALISPELL, Mont. – The annual Doris Mountain Personalized Competency Based Education Summit at Flathead High School brought together students, teachers, and administrators to discuss Montana's education system and explore new learning strategies. Hundreds gathered in Kalispell to share experiences and ideas on preparing students for real-world challenges. Dr. Theresa Ewald, a speaker at the summit, emphasized the importance of teaching skills such as resilience, collaboration, analytical thinking, and adaptability from a young age. "The top four skills that show up on LinkedIn in job searches are resilience, collaboration, analytical thinking, and adaptability," Ewald said. "We need to be teaching these in kindergarten."

Rural leaders meet in Great Falls to discuss economic development

GREAT FALLS - Rural economic development professionals from across the country and the world have gathered in Great Falls for the International Economic Development Council's (IEDC) Rural Retreat. The three-day event spotlights rural innovation, infrastructure, and agriculture in Montana.

Education summit underway in Kalispell, focuses on student success

KALISPELL, Mont. - Education organizations and 27 school districts gathered in Kalispell this week for a two-day event focused on strengthening student success. Day one of the Doris Mountain Summit, hosted by Kalispell Public Schools, took place Wednesday at Flathead High School.

Montana students place at National Speech and Debate tournament

This year's National Speech and Debate Association tournament saw recognition for multiple Montana schools, as 193 schools from eight different countries gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, to compete last week. Flathead High School ranked No. 1 in Montana for its speech and debate program, tying with Bozeman High School. Glacier High placed third statewide. Montana also took home awards during the World Schools Debate competition, with one team placing fifth and another placing 34th. Glacier High junior Josh Lee fought his way to ninth place nationally as an overall speaker. Meanwhile, Flathead High School junior Jake Milone also earned ninth place in impromptu speaking. The 2026 National Tournament will be held next June in Richmond, Virginia.

Montana Reads Literacy Grant awarded to Valier school

The Valier School is receiving part of a $1.25 million grant in order to improve reading and test scores among its students. The state considered several factors when determining which schools are eligible for the Montana Reads Literacy Grant. Superintendent and Principal of the Valier School Joshua Reed said, "What are your free reduced lunch numbers, what are your scores like, and that just gets you on that list to go ahead and be eligible." Reed says that the Valier School has been on the list for a few grant cycles due to their reading and writing scores, but this is the first time they formally applied. Reed said, "It is a lot of work, right? And not everybody thinks, not everybody's comfortable with grant writing."

Nineteenth annual 'Stuff the Bus' campaign supports local students in need

The Angel Fund, a Helena non-profit that supports local students in need, has begun its 19th annual Stuff the Bus fundraiser. This year, instead of asking the community for physical school supplies, they are asking for monetary donations. The funds will go towards monetary grant assistance for Helena schools to purchase their school supplies based on individual needs. The average annual cost of school supplies for elementary school children is $80-90, and between $100-150 for middle and high school students. To alleviate the financial burden on local families, the Angel Fund aims to support 1,400 students throughout the city by raising over $60,000.

'Happiness Initiative by Peers' comes to Dodson school

The community of Dodson along the Montana Hi-Line is a town of just over 100 people, and an unexpected partnership is bringing new perspectives to students. Two teenagers from New York City are leading a summer camp in Dodson, teaching mindfulness and emotional awareness to rural students. The small school has become the only location outside the tri-state area to host the "Happiness Initiative by Peers" program. "It was a coincidence in New York City," said Wendy Hopkins, lead summer school teacher at Dodson Public Schools. A chance encounter in a hotel lobby in New York brought two families together. Soon after, the boys' parents flew to Montana to see the community for themselves. "They realized it was a big family coming together to help these kids succeed, and they jumped right on board, 'would you be interested in this happiness curriculum, it's what our sons do,'" Hopkins said.

Helena students surpass state averages in recent report card

Helena students performed higher than the state's average in core subjects, according to the Montana Office of Public Instruction's 2023-2024 report cards. OPI recently released its report cards for Montana public schools that show student achievement scores for mathematics, reading and science. The report cards separate districts by high schools and K-8 schools. The results of Helena and Capital high schools showed that, combined, the schools scored above the state average in proficient and advanced levels in all three subjects. For math, 39% of the district's high school students tested at proficient or advanced, while the state's high school average is 37%. Sixty-one percent of Helena high school students are proficient and above in reading, compared to the state's average of 46%. In science, 38% of students are proficient and above, versus the state's 37%. " So reading, we're doing remarkably well, and we're really pleased to see those kinds of results," school district data and assessment administrator Kaitlyn Hess told Montana Free Press. " Now math, yeah, we're still above the state average, … but we've got some work that we can be doing in math to raise those scores."

Billings Skyview graduate planning to attend Harvard University in the fall

In the fall, Billings Skyview High School graduate Jennifer Walks will begin her undergraduate career at Harvard University. Walks's decision comes amid national headlines and threats over foreign student status from the Trump Administration. MTN caught up with Walks in early June prior to her graduation ceremony to hear her reactions to getting into a university with a 3.5% acceptance rate, and her reactions to the conflict between the Trump administration and the school.

Gregarious Glacier High grad earns leadership award

Recent Glacier High School graduate Sam Engellant, a Winslow Nichols Leadership Award recipient, was recognized for his "warm personality, exceptional skill set and unparalleled work ethic," by nominator Mark Dennehy. Dennehy, who recently retired as Glacier's activities director and student council advisor, called Engellant a natural leader. "In my tenure as an administrator, Sam stands out as one of the most exceptional student leaders I have had the privilege of working with. No project is too big or too small for Sam -his dedication, initiative, and leadership truly embody the best of our schools. He is mild-mannered, selfless, and bright, consistently demonstrating a commitment to excellence in all that he does," Dennehy said in his nomination letter.

Over 42 years, Gerard Byrd drove 1.2 million miles on one of the worst stretches of highway in Montana

Gerard Byrd has had quite the ride over the past 42 years. The Columbia Falls Public Schools and West Glacier contract bus driver has driven some 1.2 million miles on one of the worst roads in Montana, delivering students from their homes to school and back from Pinnacle, Nyack, West Glacier and the Canyon through sleet, rain, hail, snow and rockfall. Sometimes all of those in the same day. Byrd retired last week and students, staff and the greater West Glacier community came out to bid him farewell on June 17, his last day picking up students at the school. "Words aren't enough," Byrd said as he got off the bus to greet the throng of supporters. "I couldn't have done it without my beautiful wife (Loretta)." Loretta Byrd said there were plenty of days early on when the weather was simply awful but he still did the route. "There were times he'd pick them up and find out school was closed and have to take them back home," she recalled.

How educators on the Blackfeet Reservation are using (very) heavy metal to prevent suicide and process grief

Inside a Browning High School classroom on an afternoon in May, about two dozen students watched a music video by Carcass, a deathgrind band formed in 1985. Deathgrind, as instructor Charlie Speicher had explained to the class, blends elements of two heavy metal subgenres: death metal, known for its sonic and lyrical brutality, and grindcore, characterized by speed and aggression.

'Science isn't just a set of facts': Bozeman High teacher honored for fresh approach to biology

Jean Placko - known as Ms. Placko to her high school students - has been a scientist her entire life. Before working in a traditional school setting, Placko held educational positions in nonprofit organizations state and government agencies. "My interest has kind of always been in bridging the gap between informal and formal education," Placko said. "I just really enjoyed being in the classroom after that. "So I wanted to find a way to make biology - and science teaching in general - relevant, dynamic, accessible and really involve students with projects in the community." Before moving to Bozeman High School this past school year, she taught at Helena Capital High School, where she was nominated for 2025 Montana recipient of the Outstanding Biology Teacher award by her colleagues.

Billings students explore robotic surgery at St. Vincent's clinic event

St. Vincent's West-End Clinic recently hosted an educational event showcasing robotic surgery technology. Students from the Billings Career Center attended to learn about this advanced technology with guidance from St. Vincent surgeons. General Surgeon Dr. Barry McKenzie explained the role of robotics in surgery. He emphasized that robotic surgeries are not performed by robots alone but are tools that surgeons use.

"One Class at a Time" honors staff at Rimrock Learning Center

Q2, Western Security Bank, City Brew Coffee, and the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." The program recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Say hello to the amazing team of Rimrock Learning Center, each of them with a caring heart and a love for every student. "I'm so proud of these girls," said Jeana McClusky, a program specialist. "I've stepped into a new position this year, and it makes me so proud of all of them because it takes all of us to make Rimrock special." And it is a very special place. So much so that teachers keep coming back, like Mrs. McClusky.

Free summer meals available for teens and children

Free meals are available to youths 18 and under in Flathead County over the summer months when school is not in session. Meals will be served at sites in Columbia Falls, Evergreen, Hungry Horse, Kalispell, Martin City, Somers-Lakeside and Whitefish. No registration, proof of income or identification is required to participate and all children and teens are welcome at any site. The Summer Food Service Program works to ensure that youth from low-income families and neighborhoods get nutritious meals when school is out for summer break. School districts receive federal and state reimbursement based on the number of meals served.

Two Whitefish High School students accepted to Montana Youth Symphony

Whitefish High School sophomores Cassidy Krack, a viola player, and Marlis Nargi, who plays bass, were selected to participate in the Montana Youth Symphony from July 28 to Aug. 3. The Montana Youth Symphony was formed three years ago by Dr. Ilse-Mari Lee Hastings and Sir Donald Runnicles to give talented musicians from across the state an opportunity to perform at a high-caliber level. Board member and longtime local teacher Jenanne Solberg said Montana students and graduates up to 25 years of age are invited to submit a rigorous audition and short biography, which are screened by a panel of nationally recognized professionals.

Sidney High School students receive scholarships

The Montana Masons awarded scholarships to five Sidney High School students recently. Lower Yellowstone Lodge #90 of Masons has awarded four- $500 scholarships in memory of Earl & Clona Hawley. The 2025 scholars recognized are Mercedes Lamb, Avery Averett, Blake Johnson and Audree Deming, all from Sidney High School.

Mentorship and minerals turn Bigfork students into underground explorers

Scrambling up the side of a mountain, over waist-high deadfall and slippery rock isn't exactly where you find most teenagers on a Saturday morning at 7 a.m. But it's a pretty average day for the Bigfork High School Cave Club. The group calls "Hoot-y hoo!" back and forth to make sure everyone's generally going in the same direction. A steep bushwhacking trek is just the start of their day. The final destination is an old mining shaft that leads into a cave. The teenagers are led by Hans Bodenhamer, or 'Mr. B' to his students. He's explored and mapped caves for most of his life, and started bringing students along more than 25 years ago. He's run the Cave Club for decades, and has taken more than 400 students into caves across Montana. This trip has 10 students. Most of them joined the club as freshmen, like Maddie Pomeroy.

Glacier High grads receive Montana Seal of Biliteracy for third year

Eighteen Glacier High School graduates received the Montana Seals of Biliteracy on their diplomas. This is the third year Glacier has recognized students through the state seal program, which was adopted by the Montana Board of Education in 2021 to recognize students who demonstrate proficiency in two or more languages during their high school years. This year's recipients received seals in Spanish, French and Vietnamese. One grad, Daniel Onyshchuk, received two seals, the gold seal in Ukrainian and a platinum seal in Russian. The platinum seal is awarded to those students who have achieved the highest possible level of proficiency that the state recognizes.

'Grown so much': Bitterroot High Schools celebrate the Class of 2025

Renee Ratkin and Audrey Meyer both had tears in their eyes as Victor High School graduate Christopher Betts handed them each a rose as part of the commencement ceremony Sunday afternoon. Graduates give roses to people who have made an impact on them as part of the "Recognition of Roses" tradition. Ratkin and Meyer were two of Betts' first bosses at The Hopps taphouse, Betts told the Ravalli Republic. "I've grown so much and they've watched it all," Betts said.

Victor, Darby receive federal grant funds for literacy instruction

Victor and Darby both received a massive infusion of federal dollars - about $800,000 and $1 million respectively - after qualifying for a grant to improve literacy for Montana learners. The federal grant, disseminated in the Treasure State as the Montana Literacy Grant, is sent to districts with students living in poverty, who are English learners, or have children with disabilities. Both Bitterroot schools will be using the funds toward expanding literacy curriculum as two of more than 80 school districts in Montana to qualify for the funding, as determined by the Office of Public Instruction. Victor will be building off what it's achieved with its previous infusion of funding from a similar program called the Montana Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program. Victor has an outsized number of children needing special education resources, with 21% of their student population having special needs as compared to the 15% national average.

Missoula County Public Schools sends this year’s graduates into the future

Over a series of sunny days, Missoula County Public Schools’ senior class of 2025, over 820 strong with 72 graduating Summa Cum Laude, walked across their respective stages to step into the next stage of life. For some, that will mean university; for some, military or law enforcement; for some, work — and for some, they’re still figuring it out. Willard kicked off the graduations last Thursday at the Wilma. Then Sentinel, Big Sky and Hellgate all held their ceremonies back to back in the Adams Center at the University of Montana, complete with color-coded robes for each school to avoid confusion. Then the 20 Seely-Swan seniors graduated Sunday at a ceremony held at their school.

'Go be great': Helena High celebrates its 146th senior class urging graduates to be brave, bold

Helena High School officials recognized the 146th graduating class Saturday at Nelson Stadium at Carroll College with a keynote speech from a familiar face. The class of 2025 comprised of 223 graduates heard from former principal Steve Thennis, who retired in 2024. Thennis touched on gratitude, time, community and excellence. "There's a lot of pollen in the air today, so bear with me," he said laughing. "... It may be a bit of an overused cliche, but it is so important today to be present physically, mentally and above all else, emotionally.” He told graduates time sometimes felt like it was moving slow, until it didn't. Every single ending for the seniors was a new beginning for the seniors, he added.

Capital High sends off 290 graduates with pride, reflection, advice for future

Cheers filled Nelson Stadium Saturday as Capital High School celebrated the class of 2025, honoring 290 graduates who crossed the stage with tassels turned and futures wide open. Brett Zanto, principal said, there were 30 valedictorians, nine salutatorians, two national merit scholars and four presidential scholar candidates. The principal posed a question to the graduates, "What are you going to do with the rest of your life?" The question was met with silence from the crowd before he acknowledged the academic and extracurricular achievements of the graduating class.

PAL graduates step into the unknown with smiles, strength, hope

With cheers echoing and tassels turned, 30 Project for Alternative Learning graduates crossed the stage Friday, celebrating, resilience, growth and the promise of new beginnings beyond the edge of the map. PAL's graduating class endured, triumphed and overcame challenges throughout their young lives and looked forward to brighter futures within the great unknown. John Cech, retiring President of Carroll College, was the keynote speaker. He addressed the graduating class and explained how they were their own maps and their futures were the uncharted and hopeful waters.

Hamilton High Science Olympiad team wins event at national competition

Hamilton High School Science Olympiad students Sierra Berry and Haven Oshell earned first place in the bungee drop event at the National Science Olympiad competition in Nebraska in May. The team is led by science teacher Vanessa Haflich, who has led the Hamilton High School Science Olympiad team to four of their last seven statewide victories in a row. This recent top placement is the first time in recent memory a Montana school has taken first place at a national competition event - a feat noted by the statewide Science Olympiad Director Suzi Taylor.

Senior spotlight: Columbia Falls senior builds motivation and retools grades to pursue college and a career in the trades

After years of academic struggles, Columbia Falls High School senior Taven Fleming found the motivation and confidence to shift gears in pursuit of a better future. On Saturday, he will walk across the stage at graduation - his future mapped out. While he won't be the first in his family to graduate from high school, he is one of few, and hopes to see the educators, family and friends who helped him get here, in the audience. Fleming's transformation began his junior year, when he entered the high school's intervention program. With additional support, like tutoring and mentoring, he gained confidence and motivation in his ability to change course. "I've always struggled with my grades and paying attention in class. It's pretty difficult for me just sitting down and shutting up. It was frustrating. I kind of gave up on trying," Fleming said. "Until pretty much this year, I didn't see college as an option. I wasn't convinced I would graduate."

Billings school resource officers to receive national recognition

For the first time, Billings police student resource officers (SROs) will be recognized on a national stage for their unique and impactful work in Billings Public Schools. Mornings at Lewis and Clark Middle School usually begin with a friendly face and a furry friend. Officer Tim Doll has been a fixture in the district for eight years, now with his comfort dog, Targhee. The dog is one of three others that became an official part of the program this year, and the impact was immediate.

Retiring Corvallis principal honored

With the school year coming to an end, so too, is the time of Corvallis Primary School Principal Lisa Nagel. After 38 years in education, Nagel will be retiring at the end of this school year. However, to celebrate her career in Corvallis, the teachers, staff and students of the school decided to go above and beyond, in a very retro way. Given that Nagel's career started in the 1980s, "we wanted to celebrate the start of her career while we were celebrating the end of it," said Krista Poppema, a first grade teacher who helped plan the day. Poppema has been with Corvallis schools for 22 years, and for much of that time has worked with Nagel. She, and others, say they have thoroughly enjoyed working with Nagel, and they hoped such a celebration, one that highlighted a time that was so important in Nagel's life, would "bring back some nostalgic memories for her," said Poppema.

Capital High grad uses music to lead (and heal) by example

Capital High School student Charlie Snellman remembers the first time he heard the Helena Symphony. He can't fully describe what he felt, just that it was profound. Euphoria flooded his elementary-aged mind. Strings carried a sense of wonder. He left the performance knowing he needed to experience it again. Years of cello and schooling later, he's ready to graduate high school, committed to using music as a means to heal. In the fall, he'll learn pre-med molecular biology at Johns Hopkins University and practice cello with the Peabody Conservatory, aiming to become a music therapist. He's founded a nonprofit and teaches at his own music studio. He performs for the Helena Symphony, the same ensemble that gave him that first musical moment of epiphany.

'Made for so much more': Grad's love for people takes her through Helena High

What's your deepest, darkest secret? It's one of Helena High School senior Adella Harris' favorite questions, a habit she developed sometime between 10th and 11th grade. Often, she's met with funny answers, the kind of mistakes or flaws that ripple in everyone. It's a good conversation starter, and she's gotten plenty of startled laughs. Sometimes, the answers are somber. Divorce. Abuse. A personal failure. Those talks don't have to last long, but some of her fondest memories are sitting on the floor late at night, listening to a friend. There are a lot of lessons she's learned at Helena High School, but as Harris prepares to walk across her graduation stage, she keeps coming back to the same mantra: people are everything.

From dropout risk to diploma: Helena senior finds his way through PAL

After nearly dropping out following the COVID-19 pandemic, Mason Robbins found support, purpose and a love for learning at Helena's Project for Alternative Learning -- now he's set to become his family's first graduate. Robbins, an 18-year-old senior, is set to graduate June 6 through Helena's Project for Alternative Learning after he lost his willingness to stay focused, complete assignments and continue school. Without PAL, "there was no doubt in my mind, I would have been a high school dropout," he said. His trek through school started in Carson City, Nevada, but moved to Helena at the end of fifth grade.

Senior spotlight: Whitefish senior finds ways to serve others

Thriving by helping others, Whitefish High School senior Maggie Mercer looks to make a difference in both small and big ways. From coaching youngsters in volleyball and tennis, to mentoring a fellow student, to forming a club that raises funds for those battling cancer -- it's all part of how Mercer looks to assist others in her school and community. "It makes me feel really good," she said. "It makes me feel like I have a purpose. Seeing others happy is what really drives me." The Whitefish High School Class of 2025 graduates on June 7 at the high school gym. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Since she was young, Mercer, who is the daughter of Jon and Paula Mercer, has played volleyball and throughout high school played tennis. She's used her skills to instruct young athletes learning those sports. She's taken opportunities to work with students at Muldown Elementary and as a mentor to freshman students. She has also served as a one-to-one mentor with another senior student with special needs.

Healthy Classroom grants awarded to 14 teachers

Logan Health recently announced the recipients of its spring 2025 Healthy Classrooms Grants, awarding 14 grants to educators across northwestern and central Montana. The grant program supports classroom initiatives that promote health and wellness, safety, and community health needs in schools located within Logan Health's service areas. The Healthy Classrooms Grant program was created to empower educators in creating healthier learning environments for students. Grants are awarded twice annually - in the spring and fall - to support innovative projects that enhance physical, mental, and social well-being. These grants have supported a wide range of initiatives, from flexible seating arrangements that improve posture and concentration, to mindfulness corners that help students manage stress, to hands-on gardening projects that teach nutrition and encourage healthy eating habits.

Triangle Communications awards Turner student scholarship.

Triangle Communications awarded Turner Public Schools Senior Jack Maloughney (ma-low-knee) their $2,000 dollar Trade School Scholarship recently. To be eligible, an applicant must be a subscriber or a dependent of a subscriber who receives landline telephone or broadband service from Triangle Communications and who plans to pursue a first degree or certificate in one of the trades. Awarders said Maloney caught the scholarship committee's notice because of his skills, abilities, and achievements in both the classroom and on the playing field.

Billings elementary students name new city street sweepers

Billings Public Works has been engaging elementary students in the community through a unique initiative involving street sweepers. For several months, the city's Public Works department has partnered with local elementary schools to spark interest in community cleanliness. Derick Miller, Street Traffic Division Manager, emphasized the importance of involving young community members. "One of the best ways to get it out is to just get people involved somehow have them have ownership of it. And one of the ways we did this was just by naming the sweepers. These kids are going to go home and tell their friends, tell their parents. and the best way to change a community is through information," said Miller.

Photos: East Helena High School graduates its class of 2025

Scenes from the class of 2025 graduation ceremony at East Helena High School on Friday night. The school graduated 135 seniors.

Helena AD Tim McMahon to retire after 36-year career: 'Activities opened doors for me'

Few people understand the importance of activities quite like Tim McMahon. The outgoing activities director for the Helena Public Schools, who is retiring on June 30, has spent the past 37 years in education, 36 in the Helena district, and nobody is more surprised than he is. "There were a lot of people who were surprised I think given the fact that I was an interesting kid in school," he said of choosing to pursue a degree in elementary education. "I'm so old, they didn't have kindergarten in public school. So I went to first grade at six years old and for 53 straight years, I was in a school, in the Helena valley, and nobody is more shocked about that than me."

Helena High's Layla Riggs becomes 1st Montana pupil named national finalist for student of the year award

Helena High School senior Layla Riggs was named one of six national finalists for the 2025 National Student of the Year award by the National Speech & Debate Association. The award recognizes one graduating senior nationwide who exemplifies the NSDA's core values: excellence in speech and debate, academic achievement, leadership and service, Helena Public Schools officials said. Riggs advanced to the final round after being named the Montana West District Student of the Year and progressing through a highly competitive national selection process judged by veteran speech and debate coaches. Riggs was the first Montana student to be a finalist for the award, according to officials.

PHOTOS: Flathead and Glacier high schools hold graduation ceremonies

Scenes from Flathead and Glacier high schools' graduation ceremonies held on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31.

Exploring history: Fourth graders learn about Montana through hands-on experiences

Sam Cox walked into Karissa Prewitt's fourth-grade class at Peterson Elementary one morning with numerous historical articles from the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Cox, who has attended the reenactment of the battle in Southern Montana twice, talked through what life was like in 1876, like what shoes soldiers would wear and what bullets they would use. The day prior, in the middle of their Montana history unit, Prewitt taught the students about the battle. The students later told Cox they remembered that the battle was between the United States and the Native Americans, that it was General Custer's last stand and that it took place on a river. "If you ever get the chance to, you should go down there," Cox said. "It's history, it's important to know."

May 2025 Great News

Jubilation and quiet celebration: Butte 2025 Commencement

Butte High released 278 graduating seniors into the world on Thursday, May 29, 2025 with their annual commencement ceremony at the Butte Civic Center.

"Don't be afraid to be different," graduating senior Peyton Trabert said. "If you figure out how to be yourself and not conform to what everyone else is doing, it makes life a lot less stressful and more fun."

Senior Spotlight: Flathead High School senior finds purpose through adversity

Joangerli Katherine Gonzalez trekked thousands of miles immigrating from South America to the United States when she was 16. Just three years later, she is set to graduate from Flathead High School.

Graduating students in Helena visit the schools that got them to where they are today

HELENA - Wednesday is an important day for students from kindergarten to their senior year as soon-to-be graduates visit their old stomping grounds.

"It's extremely inspiring because it's what I can grow up to do and what I can grow up to be," said Annie Snellman, a fifth grader at Rossiter.

Butte High School graduates heading in opposite directions

Butte High School seniors Dylan Bache and Laurina Barbosa are headed in opposite directions. This coming fall, Bache will study environmental engineering at Montana Technological University, while Barbosa will major in fashion at Washington State University. Yet, the students share some common ground. Both are feeling excited and admittedly, a bit nervous about the next chapter in their lives. "I am absolutely excited," said Barbosa. For Bache, the stress of going to college has somewhat dissipated since he has already registered for fall classes.

High school graduations upcoming for Helena, East Helena

Cue "Pomp and Circumstance," high school graduation season is upon us. To celebrate the occasion, graduates from Helena High School and Capital High School did grad walks through their elementary schools on Wednesday morning. East Helena High School will hold its graduation ceremony at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at the high school. A live stream of the ceremony can be viewed on YouTube. Project for Alternative Learning will hold its graduation ceremony on Friday, June 6, at 1 p.m. in the Helena Middle School auditorium. Capital High School and Helena High School will hold their ceremonies on Saturday, June 7, at Nelson Stadium at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.

Frenchtown High School program gives students a head start on college

As Frenchtown's Class of 2025 proceeded into a packed gymnasium Sunday, among the graduates were 23 members of the Bronc Fast Track. It's a special partnership between the school and the University of Montana that lets high schoolers knock down college classes while they work toward a diploma. Seniors Laurel Krause and Khloe Rausch joined the program as sophomores during its first year. "We're the guinea pigs," Krause told MTPR before the ceremony.

Carter County High School celebrates Class of 2025 at commencement ceremony

Twelve graduates from Carter County High School were honored at the 2025 commencement ceremony held May 17 in the CCHS gymnasium. Family, friends and community members gathered to celebrate the achievements of the graduating seniors in a heartfelt ceremony that featured both local and state leaders. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte delivered a special address to the graduates, offering words of encouragement and pride for the next generation of Montana's leaders. Following the ceremony, the Governor shared on social media, "Had the honor of speaking to the graduating class of 2025 in Ekalaka today. The future of Montana is bright!"

'Our club, our Earth': Helena Middle School students complete quest for campus compost bin

High school students host dinner to benefit families battling cancer

It was a beautiful April evening when 30 attendees gathered at Whitefish High School for a dinner fundraiser that collected about $7,000 for two local families affected by cancer. The event was organized by the Whitefish High School Cancer Support Network, a student-run club. The two families benefiting were staff members.

Senior spotlight: Glacier senior recasts cancer journey into career caring for others

For Glacier High School senior Abby Dose, the upcoming weekend of graduation celebrations doesn't just signify the end of her high school career. It also marks the one-year anniversary of the day her life changed.

'Our club, our Earth': Helena Middle School students complete quest for campus compost bin

Editor's note: The Helena Independent Record received this story last week from members of the Environmental Awareness Club at Helena Middle School. We want to share it with readers. It was a beautiful day at Willard Creek. The students of HMS were on a field trip and were stopping by a stream to eat lunch. Alder Chanania, Elsie Burkholder and Vireo Zackheim were eating at a picnic bench. "You know what?" Alder said, "the kids here are being REALLY destructive." They watched in horror as a stampede of sixth grade kids ripped apart innocent sticks that were lying on the ground. "They are destroying nature!!! We must do something!" Vireo announced. "I know!" Elsie said, she always had a good plan, "we should start a club! And we can do cool stuff like get a compost bin for HMS!"

Campaign for new instruments aims to make music resonate

The Whitefish Education Foundation has a momentous goal to equip over 13,500 music students with adequate instruments over the next few decades. The nonprofit's first ever capital campaign, titled "Make Music Resonate," hopes to raise $400,000 to replace antiquated instruments at Whitefish middle and high schools, many of which are 30 to 70 years old, and to establish an instrument replacement endowment. "We believe every student should have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument," said Mark McCrady, Whitefish Middle School band director. "Quality instruments are vital to a quality educational experience" McCrady said many of the instruments come from an era of wooden skis and leather football helmets, and several alumni recall playing the same instruments being used today.

Three Great Falls students aced the ACT

Three juniors in the Great Falls Public Schools system have achieved what very few students nationwide accomplish - perfect scores on the ACT. The ACT is a standardized test used for admissions to some colleges in the United States.

Science teacher hangs up his lab coat after 42 years of teaching at the same school

A beloved science teacher is hanging up his lab coat after more than 40 years of teaching. For the last 42 years, Jim Bauer has walked the halls of St. Patrick's High School in the North Platte Catholic School District. He taught students a variety of subjects in the field of science. Bauer's teaching career began at St. Patrick's High School in the early 1980s. This spring marks his last semester teaching at the school. "I always enjoyed science, I enjoyed studying science," he said. "I did not necessarily want to make a living doing science, and I also enjoyed people, so I started looking at opportunities in education."

Lone Rock School board, staff and state leadership honor late superintendent

Sniffles could be heard around the room Tuesday evening in the Lone Rock Middle School as board members and staff shared stories in remembrance of Superintendent Robert DoBell, who died that morning. Principal Shelby Murphy said DoBell, whom she considered a mentor and a friend, left some big shoes to fill. "But how lucky we are to have had him for the time that he was here," she said. DoBell died a little more than a year after being diagnosed with leukemia. He took a leave of absence for about six months while going through chemotherapy last year and returned to his role as superintendent for a few months only to have the cancer return last month. He made the decision not to move forward with chemotherapy again and went into hospice care in April. Last week the school board voted unanimously to select Charlo Superintendent Teresa Weems as DoBell's successor. At a school board meeting Tuesday night, Lone Rock School Board members and staff shared memories of DoBell. Statewide education leadership also shared condolences in statements shared with the Ravalli Republic.

Filipino teachers fill void in Jordan, Hardin and Crow Agency

School districts in eastern Montana have been hiring teachers from the Philippines to deal with shortages. Salary is one reason they come to the United States. The teachers say another reason is that they can get bogged down with clerical work in the Phillipines. About 20 percent of the teachers in Hardin are Filipino. But that's just one district where they're being hired. Alexander Vivar teaches science in the Jordan Public Schools. "Everyone is very cooperative and everyone is very helpful, and the environment is really very welcoming," Vivar said. Vivar enjoys the rural life in Jordan and has taught in the Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar. "Every single day after classes, since I usually just walk from here going back home and the church is right in between," Vivar said. "I always go there so I think that's also one of the reasons why I don't feel the home sickness."

Park High honors $2.5M in student scholarships, bestows awards

More than 100 students and parents attended a ceremony celebrating student awards and collegiate scholarships at Park High School on Tuesday, May 13. "The 2025 Ranger graduating class garnered $2,481,681 in scholarships, up from nearly $1.7 million in 2024, according to district officials. Park High School, the American Association of University Women, and 45 other local business partners cosponsored the awards ceremony celebrating graduating seniors.

Several Bitterroot schools offering kids under 18 free summer lunch

Several schools in the Bitterroot will be offering free lunch programs to children during the summer months when students are out of school. Corvallis, Hamilton, Darby and Stevensville schools will all be offering free lunch programs, while Florence and Lone Rock will not. Victor Schools is still waiting to hear if they qualify this year for the program. Funding for the summer food programs comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Service Program and is administered in Montana by the Office of Public Instruction. The program is available to all kids under 18 years old.

Shodair Children's Hospital announces scholarships for 2 Butte High students

Shodair Children's Hospital recently announced two scholarships, named in honor of Brooke Glennon and Tommy Mellott, for two Butte High School students.

Karsen McEwen and Ella Collins were awarded the Bright Futures and Guiding Light scholarships, providing each student with $5,000.

Montana students showcase heavy machinery skills

The Kalispell School District partners with the Montana Contractors Association to participate in the Build Montana Initiative. KALISPELL - A group of Flathead High School students had a chance to showcase their heavy equipment construction skills on Wednesday. "Actually driving the heavy equipment, learning how to operate it, and be productive with it," said Kalispell Schools Work-Based Learning Director Mike Kelly.

Applications open for $4,000 Bitterroot Health high school grad scholarship

Applications are open for Bitterroot Health's annual $4,000 scholarship for a Ravalli County high school graduate pursuing medicine. To be eligible for the one-time award, students must have completed at least one year of specialized health or medical education, according to a press release. The award is intended to support the next generation of healthcare professionals. The deadline to apply is June 30. Previous recipients include John Edwards, a Stevensville High School graduate and current student at the University of Montana's Skaggs School of Pharmacy. "For me, getting the Bitterroot Health Med Staff scholarship meant that I could worry a little less about my loans and focus more on learning everything I can to become a great pharmacist," Edwards said in the release. Dr. Weinberger, former Chief Medical Officer and current physician at Bitterroot Health, said building a healthier community is more than just healthcare.

Lone Rock Superintendent in hospice named western Montana Superintendent of the Year

The Western Montana Association of School Superintendents has named Lone Rock Superintendent Robert DoBell, who is in at-home hospice with leukemia, their 2024-25 Superintendent of the Year. DoBell started as superintendent in Lone Rock in 2020 and took a leave of absence last year for chemotherapy treatment when he was first diagnosed with leukemia. Earlier this year, he returned to work after being told the disease had run its course, but it came back in April. He decided not to pursue chemotherapy moving forward. DoBell said being recognized as Superintendent of the Year lifted his spirit, telling the Ravalli Republic in an interview on Friday it was "humbling" to receive. "It does validate hard work by our team," he said. Good leaders know when to lead and know when to follow as well, he said. "The leader is the one that gets the award, but it's all the followers that make it possible," he said. In 2016, Dobell was named the 4 Rivers Regional Superintendent of the Year, and said being recognized in this capacity twice doesn't happen very often to one person in their career. DoBell also received a 20-year service pin from the School Administrators of Montana for working from 2004-2025 and a 10-year service pin for his work as a superintendent from 2013-2025.

Billings Skyview High rolls out the red carpet for first-ever special needs prom

Lights, camera, and a lot of heart took center stage Saturday afternoon as Skyview High School hosted the first-ever district-wide prom for students with special needs in Billings. With a theme of "Roll Out the Red Carpet," the event welcomed high school students from across the Billings School District for an unforgettable afternoon of music, dancing, and joy.

Gov. Gianforte signs off on more than $100 million to boost starting pay for MT teachers

Gov. Greg Gianforte signed into law on Thursday a bipartisan plan to boost starting teacher pay in Montana, where new educators earn some of the lowest salaries in the country. A cornerstone of the Republican governor's budget, the STARS Act sets aside more than $100 million over the next two years to incentivize school districts to increase wages for early career teachers above a certain threshold. Districts that do so will get extra cash in their coffers as a reward. "I am proud to continue our historic progress to raise starting teacher pay," Gianforte said in a press release. "Our top priority must remain recruiting the highest quality teachers for our students, this $100 million investment is the next step in the right direction to support our educators."

Photo: Bike, Walk and Roll to School Day

Burlington Elementary students gather to sign a poster for the annual United Way Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day on Wednesday. Nine Billings schools were participating in the event and the school with the highest student engagement wins a traveling trophy.

Kalispell Education Foundation honors elementary school educator of the year

The Kalispell Education Foundation and school district honored their 2025 Elementary School Educator of the Year. Beth Lincoln teaches pre-kindergarten at Russell Elementary School in Kalispell and was surprised with the award on Monday, along with a special appearance from her son. The presentation included comments from parents about why she deserves the honor. "Parents say things like, 'She makes every child feel like they are her favorite.' 'She helped our child love school and being themselves,' and one parent said, 'Even when we're doing something fun at home, our daughter wants to share it with Ms. Beth,'" said Naomi Miller, a junior at Flathead High School.

Laurel superintendent Matt Torix is named South Central Superintendent of the Year

Matt Torix, superintendent of Laurel Public Schools, has been honored as the South Central Superintendent of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year. This is a prestigious recognition of excellence in educational leadership and student achievement, according to Shepherd superintendent Dre O'Donnell, who was on the selection committee. The South Central MASS Superintendent of the Year award celebrates district leaders who demonstrate commitment and success in their own districts. Each year, the group chooses a superintendent that has gone above and beyond for the community in which they work. Under Torix's leadership, there have been many educational successes for Laurel Public Schools. His job has been both rewarding and challenging at times.

Great Falls woman is Montana's 'Special Education Teacher of the Year'

While all educators are shaping the future one student at a time, Randi Rains at North Middle School is being recognized for going above and beyond in her classroom. Rains received the 'Special Education Teacher of the Year' award on Wednesday after being nominated by her peers and the principal of North Middle School (NMS). "To find out I have won this is incredible and it's so amazing because I truly care about the work that I do with my kids, and I care about each and every one of them as my own," said Rains. Brian Miller, principal of NMS, said he nominated Rains after seeing how she works to make sure every student feels included and important, regardless of any learning disabilities they may have.

How Kalispell Public School's work-based learning program benefits local economy

In the upcoming special elections, Kalispell residents will vote on a high school levy crucial for funding work-based learning opportunities. These programs offer students internships with local businesses, preparing them for various career paths. Flathead High School senior Jackson Heino is one of the students benefiting from such programs. "I've always liked to work outdoors and be a very hands-on worker, and the electrical trade kind of sparked my interest," Jackson said. Jackson has been interning with Heaton Electric since the beginning of 2025. He shared his enthusiasm for learning the trade, saying, "I feel like every single day I come out here I can learn something new about what it takes to put power into a house."

HHS Friends of Music have successful Taste of Jazz fundraiser

Havre High School band and choir students again shared some jazz - and refreshments - with the community during the Taste of Jazz fundraiser put on by the Havre High Friends of Music. Friends of Music President Samantha Nimmick said the fundraiser brought in $9,372, $500 more than last year's event. She said they decided to hold it in Havre Assembly of God Church to give the musicians - Havre High's Jazz band, Hi-Liters and Belles Voix, better accoustics than what they usually have in the high school gymnasium, and she added that the move gave a much better sound. The group also announced the students awarded its $500 music scholarships, Jackson Siemens, Aymie Clark, Tylie Hemmer and Katie Messinger, and presented a plaque to band teacher Cullen Hinkle for his work at the high school and with the students.

Automotive students medal at state SkillsUSA conference

Two Flathead High School automotive students brought home gold and bronze at the Montana SkillsUSA Leadership and Skills Conference in Great Falls. Cameron Seals placed first, winning a gold medal, and Cameron Moffit placed third, earning a bronze medal, in the Automotive Service Technology event. Seals' first-place win makes him eligible to compete at the national level. Many winners also received prizes, including tools and scholarships. The pair were among 367 career and technical education students competing in 56 different trade, technical and leadership events. During the state SkillsUSA competition, students worked against the clock and each other to demonstrate their abilities in the various hands-on events such as architectural and technical drafting, criminal justice, graphic design, diesel equipment technology, gastronomic engineering, medical math, photography, welding and woods, for example. Students also had the opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills through prepared speeches.

Career and Technical Education Expands to Montana Middle Schools

Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen is celebrating the signing of House Bill 357 today as a significant step toward strengthening career and technical education (CTE) opportunities for middle school students across the state. HB 357, sponsored by Representative Eric Tilleman, ensures dedicated funding for CTE programs in middle schools, empowering students with early exposure to career pathways in agriculture, business, health occupations, industrial technology, and family and consumer sciences. This investment helps Montana students build technical knowledge and hands on experience, laying the foundation for future success in high demand fields. "I want to thank Representative Tilleman for his leadership in bringing this bill forward and the Montana Legislature for recognizing the importance of career and technical education at the middle school level," said Superintendent Hedalen."Montana faces a growing demand for skilled workers, and employers across the state are looking for professionals with both technical expertise and practical experience. HB 357 responds to this challenge by providing the resources necessary for schools to foster career exploration, reduce dropout rates, and connect classroom learning to real-world applications."

DECA to honor youngest Montana state director

The state director of Montana Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) will receive an outstanding service award on Tuesday night. This award is presented each year at DECA's annual International Career Development Conference recognizes exceptional leadership and dedication to DECA's of preparing others to become leaders and entrepreneurs in hospitality, finance, marketing, and management. John Stiles, a 2015 graduate of the Jake Jabs College of business and entrepreneurship, became the state director later that same year. He has served DECA for the last seven years, and is the youngest director and the first representative from Montana to do so.

April 2025 Great News

Lewistown schools starting local meat partnership

Lewistown Schools food service is starting a partnership with a non-profit with the goal of serving local beef for students. In cooperation with The Producer Partnership, the district is hoping donations of local cattle can help provide more affordable and healthier beef options for school lunches. LPS Food Service Director Amie Friesen said the district is excited about the new initiative, through which ranchers can donate cull cattle that will make its way to students' lunch trays.

Central Montana students earn Youth Serve Montana Scholarships

The Governor's Office of Community Service (ServeMontana), Reach Higher Montana, and Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE) are delighted to announce 84 Montana high school seniors have been awarded the Youth Serve Montana Scholarship. This $1,250 scholarship is awarded to seniors who completed 100 hours or more of volunteer service over the past year and who plan to attend a Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement institution this fall. "Every year, we honor high school seniors who significantly contribute to their communities, providing a great opportunity to acknowledge their hard work. The Youth Serve Montana Scholarships offer more than just financial assistance; they aim to inspire service and recognize those students who will continue to positively impact their communities" said Kelly Cresswell, Executive Director of Reach Higher Montana.

Students send support as Lone Rock superintendent enters hospice

"A truly amazing school superintendent is hard to find and impossible to forget." That's what one of the signs made by Lone Rock Middle School students said as students held them outside Superintendent Robert DoBell's house last week. DoBell entered end-of-life care this month after doctors said his leukemia had returned. Doctors gave him weeks to months to live, he told the Ravalli Republic in an interview on Wednesday. "My spirit and my mind are OK, my body is not doing real well," he said. "We're at the end here, and we're making preparations to go see my family and in heaven and transition to the next life." Seeing the middle school students in his yard was an "unbelievable show of community support," he said. "My heart was just so full," he said.

Helena Education Foundation executive director to retire; successor prepares to carry the torch

Lisa Cordingley, the Helena Education Foundation's executive director, is set to retire at the end of June after 24 years, while her successor plans to carry the vision forward. The foundation has served the Helena Public Schools district since 2001 when Cordingley served as a board member. She became executive director in 2008. After serving the foundation for 17 years she decided it was time to call it quits. Becca Leaphart, who now serves the foundation as deputy director, will succeed Cordingley in her new role July 1. "It was fair to Becca. My husband has been retired for 12 years, it's fair to him. And it's time," Cordingley said when asked why now. "Everything that grows and changes can use fresh approaches and fresh ideas, so Becca's got that."

Photo: Students gather for Keep Senior Beautiful event

Over 300 Senior High School students gather for the annual Keep Senior Beautiful cleanup event on Wednesday. The students are given assigned areas around the school to clean.

Valleydictorian Senior Profile: Tayvin Boeckel

Tayvin Boeckel, High School: Skyview High School, What are your plans after high school? After graduation I plan to attend Laramie Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming. There I will fulfill my dream of playing college soccer while studying Criminal Justice. What is your favorite classes in school and why? Human Anatomy without a question. I now have a better understanding of how intricate and complex our own human body is. I have learned over the years that I am a hands on learner and really have enjoyed the dissection element with Human Anatomy. It also helps that Mrs. Newell is an amazing teacher.

Students strike a chord at the 2025 District Music Festival

Northwest Montana's students showcased their musical talent at the two-day District Music Festival hosted by Flathead and Glacier high schools. Bands, orchestras and choirs from high schools in Flathead, Lincoln and Lake counties participated in the festival held April 11 and 12th. Entries were judged as either superior, excellent, good, fair, or poor on a 1 to 5 scale.

FFA Chapter wins first state championship

Attending the 95th Montana FFA State Convention is a remarkable milestone, and one that reflects the unwavering dedication, hard work, and passion of our Havre FFA members. Earning the opportunity to compete at this level is no small feat-it means that you and your teams have excelled in competitive events that test a wide range of skills, from public speaking and agricultural mechanics to marketing strategies, veterinary science, and leadership development. Participation at State Convention is about more than just competition - it represents a commitment to growth, excellence, and service within the agriculture industry. It showcases each member's ability to apply knowledge, collaborate with teammates, and lead with confidence. Whether on stage accepting awards, competing in high-pressure events, or cheering on fellow members, every student plays a vital role in our chapter's success. The Havre FFA Chapter made history this year as the Agricultural Mechanics team claimed the State Championship - a first for Havre FFA! Team members Royce Reum (6th place individual), Ethan Stortz (14th place), Trent Naber, and Linikin Cloninger earned top honors in one of the most competitive Career Development Events, known as one of the "Big 5" contests. In a fiercely close finish, the second-place team was only five points behind. These four outstanding members will go on to represent Montana FFA at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this November.

High school esports athletes clash at University of Montana spring tournament

In the University of Montana's University Center Commons, Griz Esports assistant director Cale Patenaude surveys a buzzing array of student athletes on a Saturday morning. Some wore team uniforms. Others "warmed up" for the day's events on tabletop game consoles. "I'm looking across the room, and when we started this two years ago, I remember it was, like, literally just this half," Patenaude said as he welcomed the students. "And now we're literally spanning the entirety of the commons." The high-school gamers were there to clash in rocket-powered soccer matches and cartoon beat-em-ups at the University's third annual high school spring esports championship. Interest in organized, competitive video gaming in Treasure State high schools has boomed in recent years after the University of Montana began coordinating a season. After several weeks playing against each other over the internet, teams trekked to Missoula to face off in a spring tournament. Patenaude told MTPR the first in 2023 featured eight schools. This year, that number climbed to 18.

Innovation is the name of Garcia's game: Billings Public Schools brings in community

Billings Public Schools Superintendent Erwin Garcia is bringing students, staff, parents and community members to the table to help craft innovative goals for the school district's next five years. The district has hired Kaleidoscope Group, a local brand management and experiential marketing firm, to host a series of workshops to get creative discussions going. "I had participated in other facilitative sessions and thought this would be a good way to capture the opinions and beliefs of our community," Garcia said. "We have to innovate at all levels to be able to perform better in every strand," he continued. "We're trying to get Billings schools ready for the future." With feedback from these inclusive and collaborative discussions, the district will create a strategic, actionable roadmap for educational innovation and improvement moving forward, Garcia said. Data collected from the discussions will help to draft priority areas for the district, which will be presented to the school board.

Valleydictorian Senior Profile: Aidon Songstad

Aidon Songstad, High School: Joliet High School, What are your plans after high school? My future plans after high school are to attend Montana tech/highlands, for there pre-apprentice lineman program and then join the work force as a lineman. What is your favorite classes in school and why? My favorite class in school is welding. I really enjoy welding class because I get to use skills that I have learned and put them to use and make something that I can take pride in because I'm the one doing it and I find a lot of peace in welding.

Havre students win VFW Youth Scholarships

Havre's Sunnyside Intemediate School students Aurora Terry and Katherine Terry and teacher Jenna McNew all received awards this year from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generations. We offer two scholarships, one for middle and high school students. These programs provide the opportunity for students to compete with other entries across the nation for a chance to win scholarship money for Post secondary education. The Patriot's Pen scholarship is for students in sixth through eighth grade. The student is required to write an essay on a topic selected by the VFW. The essay encourages young minds to express their views on an annual patriotic theme. The essays are submitted to the Post here in Havre where only one essay is selected to be forwarded to the district level, then on to State level. The winner of the State level will then go on to the National level of judging. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at each level. Those winners at National level will receive at least $500. First place national award is $5000.

Havre students win VFW Youth Scholarships

Havre's Sunnyside Intermediate School students Aurora Terry and Katherine Terry and teacher Jenna McNew all received awards this year from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generations. We offer two scholarships, one for middle and high school students. These programs provide the opportunity for students to compete with other entries across the nation for a chance to win scholarship money for Post secondary education. The Patriot's Pen scholarship is for students in sixth through eighth grade. The student is required to write an essay on a topic selected by the VFW. The essay encourages young minds to express their views on an annual patriotic theme. The essays are submitted to the Post here in Havre where only one essay is selected to be forwarded to the district level, then on to State level. The winner of the State level will then go on to the National level of judging. Prizes and scholarships can be awarded at each level. Those winners at National level will receive at least $500. First place national award is $5000.

West High senior seeks purpose over paycheck at Billings Public Schools job fair

More than 1,300 students from Billings Public Schools passed through the Montana Pavilion at MetraPark on Tuesday morning, exploring potential career paths during a district-wide job fair. Colby Sukl-Clark, a West High senior who aspires to become a journalist, used the event to learn what other fields are open to him in communicating with a purpose.

Troy Andersen promotes seat belt safety at Gallatin Co. high schools

Professional linebacker and former Bobcat Troy Andersen visited Gallatin County high schools to promote seat belt use and safe driving among Montana teens. Andersen's message is simple -- buckle up. He encouraged teens to make the right choice before hitting the road -- things like turning their phone on "do not disturb" mode and looking out for themselves and others. "Big things happen from doing the small things right," said Andersen. "Wearing your seat belt, going the speed limit, using your turn signals -- all the stuff that we know but sometimes take for granted or forget or just become mindless to."

Billings Quest program students learn bones, brains, & bike safety; secure 700 helmets for peers

Second and third graders in the Quest program spent the year diving into the theme of bones and brains. They donned lab coats and handmade caps to present their findings through poster boards detailing their discoveries. The students eagerly shared their newfound knowledge. "When you are born you have 300 bones in your body, and when you are an adult you have 206. That's a lot of bones," said Bergen, a Quest student. Harvey, another student, found the inside of the bone fascinating. "The coolest thing I've learned is probably like the inside of the bone and like all about the bones because before all I knew was they were just bones and now I know so much about the bones," Harvey said.

From Montana to the Ivys: 13 Gallatin and Bozeman seniors accepted to top schools

Some of Bozeman's best and brightest high school students could soon be heading east, as several have received acceptance letters from some of the country's top universities. With support from teachers and staff, 13 students at Gallatin High School and Bozeman High School have been accepted to Ivy League schools. "They're getting some amazing kids this year between here and Gallatin," Marion Wheeler, the coordinator for Bozeman High School's college and career center, said.

Music teacher at Will James Middle School receives "One Class at a Time" award

Q2, Western Security Bank, City Brew Coffee, and the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools have teamed up for "One Class at a Time." The program recognizes teachers who go above and beyond to help their students. Meet Erin Grummett, a band director who loves introducing kids to the wonderful world of music. "Oh, it's the best thing ever,' said Mrs. Grummett. "They come in as 6th graders and many of them have never played anything or never really read music before. They're very unsure of themselves. The confidence and the independence and freedom that comes along with music is the best thing ever."

Youth win in Keep Montana Green art contest

Eighteen K-12 students have earned top prizes in the Keep Montana Green art contest and will advance to the statewide competition. This year's regional contest received entries from six schools in northwestern Montana, showcasing students' creativity in promoting wildfire prevention, according to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Northwestern Land Office.

Middle school students working on solutions to food insecurity in Billings Public Schools

Billings Public Schools is gearing up for its annual fundraiser on Friday, 406 Jersey Day, aimed at bringing in money for food insecurity programs, such as backpack meals and the food pantry. In 2022, 406 Jersey Day raised $33,000, and now, one Billings classroom is hoping for another successful year.

Havre High School Class of 1970 - Cousins by the Dozens Part 3

Never in a thousand guesses! At least, never in 268 guesses (the number of graduates in the Class of 1970). Never would I have guessed that Sharon Molitor and Kris Fuglevand were first cousins. But as I sat and listened to them the other night, it became very clear that they not only share a rich heritage but a bond that continues to last for a life time. They laughed and teased like they were living the fifth grade all over again. Truly, I walked away knowing how blessed I am to know them both.

Billings educators celebrated with Golden Apple awards

The Golden Apple Educator Awards, an annual recognition of exceptional teaching, celebrated its 40th anniversary this year by honoring seven exemplary educators in Billings. Chosen by the local community, the recipients of the Golden Apple Awards stand as examples of inspiration and dedication, shaping the future of students across the community. This year's Golden Apple honorees were selected through a community-driven process, where readers and residents of Billings read the nomination letters about educators who have gone above and beyond in fostering academic excellence, nurturing students' growth and making a lasting impact on the classroom. The Golden Apple Awards were established with the goal of celebrating the immense influence teachers have on shaping young minds and acknowledging the tireless efforts of educators who inspire, challenge, and support their students.

Governor signs public school funding boost into law

Gov. Greg Gianforte Tuesday signed a bill intended to help the state's public schools recover money lost to inflation. Gianforte framed the $52 million funding boost to public schools as "historic." He signed the policy in a classroom at Prickly Pear Elementary in East Helena. "This is the money that pays for your teacher, and the principal, and the lights and everything else. So, we're really pleased that this bill got through," Gianforte said. The Legislature every two years adjusts the amount of money the state sends to schools based on inflation. This year's boost is more than usual, but still falls short of what schools lost to inflation in recent years. Democratic Rep. Willis Curdy of Missoula says the Legislature should have put far more money in the bill. He voted for it but said he was frustrated with the result.

Gianforte signs $52M public school funding inflationary increase at East Helena school

"Mr. G" and Montana's superintendent of public instruction were grilled by second graders in East Helena on Tuesday on matters including whether they could solve every single math problem and how difficult their jobs are as they signed an education funding bill. Mr. G, better known as Gov. Greg Gianforte, signed Republican Hamilton Rep. David Bedey's House Bill 15, which allocates $52 million to the state's base budget for K-12 public schools to account for inflation over the past two years. He was joined by first-term Superintendent Susie Hedalen at Prickly Pear Elementary School. The inflationary adjustment is signed into law in most sessions, but Gianforte touted the 3% increase - the maximum allowed under current law - as "historic funding" for public schools.

Student-run microgreen business sprouts at Whitefish High School

For years, agriculture classes at Whitefish High School have been lauded by students who are on the verge of dropping out as well as students who are college-bound. The hands-on nature of the classes appeals to students and provides them with opportunities they don't get in other, more traditional course work. A visitor to the Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship is quickly handed scissors and a flat of radish microgreens, along with harvesting instructions. "We try to get as little dirt in the bin as possible. Cut them off there," senior Charlotte Wallace said as she pointed to the bottom of the stems. "And then check them."

Inclusive sports day: Missoula special education students run drills with Griz athletes

Student athletes at the University of Montana donated their time and expertise on Friday to give a group of about 30 local special education kids a morning they won't forget for a long time. The Special Olympics team at the Hellgate Elementary School District in Missoula got to run drills with Griz football players and track and field athletes inside the giant new Grizzly Indoor Practice Facility, or "The Bubble" as it has come to be known, as part of a first-ever partnership. It was a frenzied hour-and-a-half of long-jumping, soccer penalty kicks, high-fives, laughing, running, smiling and picture-taking.

Valleydictorian Senior Profile: Marissa Coulter

Marissa Coulter, High School: Billings West High School, What are your plans after high school? I plan on doing cosmetology school and getting my esthetics license. What is your favorite class in school and why? My favorite class in school is ceramics. I love making art and being able to use it, or just making art with a function. It's a great way to make gifts for others and help supply my future home with décor and dishes.