New classes, new paths
School start-ups next week will draw the curtain on summer
It's been a great summer - plenty of June rain, few wildfires, lovely weather in July, and just enough heat in August to get most of us longing for fall.
Along with fall comes another rite of seasonal passage: The start of school.
As evidenced below, school officials and workers have not been idle during the summer and are eager for the return of students next week.
The first day for nearly every school in the Flathead is Wednesday, Aug. 31.
But there are a few exceptions: Glacier Christian School leads the pack again this year by starting Aug. 29; Stillwater Christian wraps it up Sept. 8. Read below for other exceptions to the Aug. 31 start-up.
Unless mentioned here, schools with bus service will begin transporting students and serve hot lunch on the first day of school.
To register new students, be sure they're up to date with immunizations and bring complete records to prove it. Kindergartners must be 5 years old by Sept. 10; bring birth certificates. Where necessary, bring exemption forms and proofs of address. Call the school if you have questions.
-Bigfork
Middle School
The middle school offers a new drama class and more sections of core classes.
New teachers are Jessica Austin, seventh- and eighth-grade math and high school geometry; Kathleen Cary, seventh- and eighth-grade English; Tanya Potts, sixth grade; Brianna Anderson, seventh- and eighth-grade health, eighth-grade social studies; Linda Volcek, seventh- and eighth-grade computers; and Yvonne Peck, seventh-grade math.
There's early release the first day, Wednesday, at 1 p.m.
Elementary
This is the first year of full-day, every day kindergarten, a new computerized assessment program and a new reading program.
New teachers are Melissa Humphrey, fifth grade; Jamie Gilchrist, fourth grade; Linda Volcek, computer; and Scarlett Sherman, librarian.
First-day dismissal on Wednesday is 1 p.m., but lunch will be served that day.
New student registration continues from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
High School
After-school reading and math programs have been moved to the regular school day to reach more students. The Alternative Learning Center is open from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. And the Peer Tutoring program will staff a learning lab.
New teachers are Shannon Smith in math and business education, Hans Bodenhamer in science, Charlie Appleby in English and Jessica Austin.
Freshman orientation, "BHS Beginnings," is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday for all freshmen and their parents.
Early release is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, the first day of school. Lunch service begins Thursday.
-Cayuse Prairie
There's a new playground for the primary grades, and college-provided distance learning in Spanish, higher-level math and other classes.
Chantell Norenberg is the new kindergarten teacher, and P.E. teacher for K-5.
First day of school Wednesday is an early-out, at 2:20 p.m. It's the same every Wednesday through the year.
There's no hot lunch program. For bus information, call the school at 756-4560.
- columbia falls
Canyon
Stacy Kelch is the school's new librarian this year, and first-year P.E. teacher Rachel Schaeffer replaces Sherry Petersen as she moves to a regular classroom teacher.
The first day, and every Wednesday in District 6, is early release; Canyon students leave at 2:15 p.m. Breakfast is available. Sign up for bus service at central administration if you're a new student.
Registration is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day until school starts.
Ruder
Ruder Reading Renaissance starts this year, to create great readers and writers and build skill in language use and appreciation. It means hallways are lined with creative shelving to hold Read It Forward books that families pass along for others to read.
The program needs financial contributions, too. Send them to Ruder Reading Renaissance, 1500 12th Ave. W., P.O. Box 1259, Columbia Falls, MT 59912.
The new librarian is Sara Childers, and Rich Thompson moves from Canyon to teach fifth grade.
Early dismissal on Wednesdays is at 2:25 p.m.
Glacier Gateway
Fifth-graders move upstairs in the former junior high to make room for a new section of third grade. An early-intervention program provides reading help for kindergarten, first- and second-graders.
New teachers: Ashley McDermott and Rubianna Masa, both third grade; Jacqueline Branstetter, first grade; Kristy Orem, reading intervention.
Daily dismissal is five minutes earlier this year, at 3:05 p.m.; on Wednesdays, it's 2:05 p.m. Breakfast starts at 7:45 a.m.
This year, students transition from their shuttle bus to their regular bus at the high school instead of Ruder. Call Brad Kenfield at 892-6550, ext. 431, with questions.
Register new students from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. through Tuesday; starting Wednesday, it's from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Junior High
Sixth-grade students and parents are invited to an open house at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Seventh- and eighth-grade open house is at 6 p.m. Sept. 15.
Paula Koch is the new half-time Spanish teacher, splitting her time with high school Spanish classes.
Wednesday early release time is at 2:20 p.m. New students can continue to register between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
High School
From 6 to 9 p.m. Monday is a freshman student-parent orientation and an open house for new sophomores, juniors and seniors. Pick up freshman class schedules in the gym foyer from 6 to 6:15 p.m. and meet in the gym for an introduction to the evening's activities. Then proceed through the daily class schedule. Teachers will discuss classes and expectations. New 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders are encouraged to attend.
New teachers are Jesse Vander Weerdt in science and Julia Hoerner in Special Services.
- creston
A couple of new faces join the Creston staff this year.
Eileen Brody teaches K-6 band and general music, sharing her time with Fair-Mont-Egan School. Jenae Schmautz is the new district clerk.
Bring your lunches - Creston does not have a hot lunch program.
-deer park
A much-improved playground, tucked safely away from the road and behind the school now, welcomes students this fall. Grants and community donations put it all together.
Denise Osborne is the new librarian.
Daily class times change this year: School begins at 8:25 a.m. for all students. Dismissal is at 11:30 a.m. for kindergarten, 3:20 p.m. for first through third grades, and 3:25 p.m. for fourth through eighth grades.
Every Wednesday is early release - kindergarten remains at 11:30 a.m., first through third grades at 2:20 p.m. and fourth through eighth grades are at 2:25 p.m.
- evergreen
Junior High
A new advisory program will have students creating academic and social goals along with action plans to achieve the goals. Also, the school will start using Measures of Academic Progress to assess individual progress quarterly, and help teachers direct instruction to meet Montana standards.
There's a new outside fitness center and basketball court.
New teachers are Ray Bumgarner, music; Pam Doty, seventh- and eighth-grade social studies; and Cheryl Lanfear, sixth grade.
Student experience day is Tuesday, when the school is open for visits and teacher introductions from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Those in athletics can complete a physical exam between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the gym; the cost is $12.
New student registration continues from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
East Elementary
A Reading First grant received last year means a new reading program this year. It provides a 90-minute block of uninterrupted reading instruction, interventions for students not meeting standards, and a reading coach to lead, support and lend expertise to the program.
New teachers are Lisa Lake, first grade; Melanie Baty, Ashley Pacheko-Drake and Rachel Brockway, second grade; Anne Marie Zorn, third grade; Clifford Thorsen, fourth grade; and Kari Murdock, reading coach. Also, Jessica Qunell returns to teach third grade after a year's layoff.
Student experience day is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.
New student registration continues from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.
-Fair-Mont-Egan
Eileen Brody will be the school's new music teacher, as she shares her time with Creston School.
Classes start on Wednesday, then an ice cream social for all students and parents at 3 p.m. Friday will help welcome newcomers. New students can register daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There's no hot lunch or bus service at Fair-Mont-Egan.
-Helena Flats
Three new teachers will greet students: Amy Marsh for P.E.-health, Lynn Jessat for middle school language arts and Stephanie White for music and band.
Lunch prices are changed this year - $1.90 for students, $2 for adults, and 45 cents for milk only.
- kalispell
Most Kalispell students start Wednesday, but eighth-, 11th- and 12th-graders start Sept. 1. At the junior high, ninth-graders have their Experience Day on Aug. 31, then take a day off before coming back Sept. 2. Eighth-graders' Experience Day is Sept. 1, then they join ninth-graders for the first day of full-bore classes Sept. 1.
Edgerton (K-6)
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program starts schoolwide this year, to prevent peer abuse and foster respect and consideration among all staff, students and parents.
Casey Bertram is the new dean of students. He replaces Rick Anfenson, who is Peterson School's new principal; he also will teach P.E. half-days.
New teachers: Karen Hutchison, sixth grade; Maureen Dachs and Brenda Clarke, job-sharing in third grade; Sean Kelly, first grade; and Shelly Baier, kindergarten.
Elrod (K-6)
As with Edgerton, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program starts here this year, and the schools continue with the Safe and Civil Schools program.
Readers Roost is a before-school program at 7:30 a.m., giving children of working parents a place to be safe and secure early in the day. Kalispell Parks and Rec continues its after-school program at Elrod, too. Call 758-7718 to register.
Hedges (K-6)
New traffic patterns, parking areas and drop-off points are in place this year, as well as new sidewalks and a walkway to the playground.
Full information will be published before school starts.
New teachers are Mary Lloyd in fourth grade (a former Title I tutor at Hedges), and Rick Gordon in sixth grade.
There are new Dell computers in the lab.
And there's a crop of great readers after Hedges students participated in the first Summer Reading Camp; they partnered with Flathead Valley Community College students who learned about teaching reading while the children got extra practice in reading.
Russell (K-6)
New teachers are Wendy Bumgarner in first grade, and Stephanie Mollohan, first-grade job sharing with Kitty Leu (and morning kindergarten at Peterson).
Kindergarten, first- and second-grade parents will see a new report card format this year.
Differentiated teaching, assessment and targeting specific grade-level skills will be all teachers' focus.
Peterson (K-6)
Rick Anfenson is the new principal this year, transferring from his teaching and dean of students post at Edgerton.
New teachers are Stephanie Mollohan, morning kindergarten (and afternoon first-grade at Russell), and Kyla Duff, sixth grade (replacing Barbara Anderson who is the district's new Gifted-Talented Program coordinator).
Linderman (grade 7)
Laurie Latimer is the new librarian, transferring from the high school; Marcie Hafferman is the new special services teacher; Kate Shaw is the new reading teacher.
An opening day assembly is at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. Students should enter the gym through the playground entrance. They'll proceed to advisory classes after the assembly, to learn about daily operations, pay fees and go over the handbook. Abbreviated classes follow for the rest of the day. No band, orchestra or P.E. instruments or gear will be needed the first day.
Student pictures will be taken Sept. 6. Photo order envelopes will be available in homerooms or the office.
Every student entering seventh grade must be current on immunizations, including a second MMR. If they are not, they will not be allowed to remain at school Wednesday.
Kalispell Junior High (grades 8, 9)
Groundbreaking was last week on the new gym addition, classroom wing and cafetorium/commons that will open in fall 2007.
A full eighth-grade English-reading program starts this year, expanding from one period last year. It gives students a boost in reading skills.
New teachers: Kyle Mitchell and Andrew Fors, in vocational education; Brigid Fujino, math; Karen Strong, family and consumer science; Scarlett
Sherman, business education; Cheryl Russell, special education; Toni Weaver, counselor; Andrew Costigan, German; and Kirtlye Lohof, social studies.
Flathead High School (grades 10-12)
Sophomores' first day of school is from 8:25 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Activities will help students get acquainted with the school, with regular bus service and lunch for purchase. Classes that typically meet off-campus or at the Vo-Ag Center will meet in the cafeteria.
First day of school for juniors and seniors is Thursday, with regular class schedules. Seniors need to schedule senior portraits and have the photos to the yearbook office by Oct. 21.
Call the guidance office at 751-3525 if there is an error in your class schedule; no new adds are permitted.
New students will receive free ID cards in the main office; replacements cost $5.
Students should go to the main office if they don't have locker assignments. They should provide their own locks, or buy one for $5 at the student store.
Activity tickets cost $20 and are available in the main office. Lunch tickets must be prepaid in the cafeteria. Yearbooks can be prepaid for $45 in the main office; the price rises during the year. Student and parent handbooks are in the main office.
Bridge Academy (alternative 10-12)
Still in the north end of Gateway West Mall, the computer-driven curriculum is guided by Teri Palmer, Frank Miller, Pat Nolley and Debi Berg.
Individual student appointments are this Monday through Friday. First day of class is Sept. 6. Appointments for new students begin again on Sept. 7; call 257-7337 to set an appointment time.
Entry to the program is by interview only.
Laser School (alternative 10-12)
Orientation for all students is 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, when Laser staff welcomes 40 returning students and 40 newly enrolled students.
Regular scheduled classes start Sept. 1.
There's a new computer lab, new carpet in the English, math and business rooms, and a fresh paint job throughout.
Two new teachers join the staff: Kelly Morrow will teach biology and chemistry part-time, and Sue Supola will teach reading. Both have been Flathead High teachers.
-Kila
Students will meet four new teachers: Lydia Major in kindergarten, Glenda Benke in second grade, Cynthia Houston in sixth grade and Cristina Granrud in seventh grade.
Fridays are early-release days. Unless notified, release times are 2 p.m. for students in kindergarten through third grades, 2:10 p.m. for fourth- and fifth-graders, and 2:20 p.m. for sixth through eighth grades.
There is hot lunch but no bus service at Kila School. All students must have their second MMR immunizations by the time they enroll.
The school is open for registration. Call Michelle Jedlicka at 257-2428.
-Marion
School starts Monday at new class times - students begin their day with an 8:20 a.m. warning bell, then class gets under way at 8:25 a.m.
Sandy Skinner is the new counselor.
New students still can register. For the first time this year, every student is required to have two MMR immunizations before entering school.
-Olney-Bissell
There's a new scoreboard in the gym, new roof, fresh paint and new playground additions on the way.
New teachers are Kevin Barr in special education, and Dewey Hartman in counseling.
First-day early release is at 2:25 p.m. Wednesday. Every Wednesday is early release. Full-day kindergarten is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
-Smith Valley
Big changes await students. The new 14-section, 192- by 64-foot modular building is ready at the lower campus to house seven classrooms for grades kindergarten through five, a library, computer lab, Title I, Special Education and administrative offices. The existing building has been freshened up for middle school; the upper campus is mothballed for now.
The main entrance now is at the west end of the new building, and all other doors will be locked. Drop off children in the upper lot, not the one immediately off the highway.
Melissa McMorris is the new fifth-grade teacher, replacing Cindy Keck who moved to sixth-grade homeroom.
A public open house for the new facility is planned for the evening of Sept. 13. Details will be announced later.
-Somers/lakeside
Both Lakeside Elementary (grades kindergarten through five) and Somers Middle School (grades six through eight) begin Wednesday, with hot lunch service then. Breakfast program starts Sept. 6. Prices have increased to $1.25 for breakfast and $1.75 for lunch.
With a federal Reading First grant, Lakeside will launch an intensive reading program.
A new student pick-up and drop-off system for parents is in place at Lakeside. Follow the directional arrows.
Lori Schieffer is Somers Middle School's new principal this year.
New teachers at Somers: Lauren Smith, counselor; Amy Holtz and Dawn Bowker, both sixth grade; David Gomez, Spanish; Dalia Jeude, Title I at both schools.
New at Lakeside: Casey Love, fourth grade; Amber Carpenter, second grade; Dawn Evans and Lorrie Gomez, both first grade; Stephanie Jackson, special education; Barbara Holzman, reading coach.
-Swan river
A new gym addition under construction will offer a stage, music room, art room, locker rooms and restrooms by next fall.
Breakfast will be offered for the first time this year.
New full-time special education teacher is Kristi Davis, replacing the half-time position. Ingrid Youngblood will teach Spanish part-time; the offering is new this year.
Sixth-grade orientation, new this year, is from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday in the school. Students and parents will learn about changes to expect in middle school: differences from elementary, the schedule, expectations, locker assignments, parent communications, organization, setting goals, teachers and an update on the new addition.
Early first-day dismissal Wednesday is at 1:45 p.m.
There's no bus service.
New student registration is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.
-west glacier
Tom Kelner is the new principal; he taught the past 10 years at Pathways Treatment Center in Kalispell.
New teacher is Addy Hines, in first through third grades. She fills a vacancy left by the retirement of veteran teacher Sharyn Paulson. The new district clerk is Brooklyn McGarry.
-west valley
First day of class is Thursday, Sept. 1. Hot lunch starts on Sept. 12. There's no bus service.
A couple new roofs were put up over the cafeteria and the south wing for grades six through eight.
New teachers: Nick Hanson, seventh- and eighth-grade history; Erin Grieco, fourth grade this year, following the students to fifth grade next year; Melanie Ruonavaara, first grade; Heather Gilchrist, P.E. and health, going half-time the final three quarters of the year; Debbie Hartle, Title I. Also Dan Anderson is the full-time assistant principal now; he was half-time administrator, half-time teacher before.
-whitefish
Muldown
The central administration offices are housed in Muldown during construction at Central School. Road construction in front of Muldown was due to wrap up Friday, and will be passable for parents Wednesday.
New teachers are Susanne Lindberg-Jones, third grade; Nikki Smith, fourth grade; and Robin Bissell, school psychologist.
Kindergarten class times are the same, but the rest change: Grades one through four start at 8:35 a.m., first and second grades dismiss at 3:10 p.m., third grade at 3:20 p.m. and fourth grade at 3:30 p.m.
First-grade orientation is from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday in the first-grade classrooms. Meet the teachers, fill out registration information and bring in your child's labeled school supplies.
New student meal prices are $1 for breakfast and $2 for lunch. Adults pay $1.25 and $2.25, respectively.
Central
Phase I of the major school redesign is done, and classes open in that section Wednesday. Phase 2, the demolition and complete rebuild of the east classroom wing, has started and should be finished in May.
Kelsey Jensen is the school's only new teacher, in seventh- and eighth-grade math.
If you have bus questions, call Principal Kim Anderson at 862-8650.
High School
Call the school at 862-8600 for information.
-private schools
Cross Currents Christian
(Whitefish)
School starts Sept. 6.
Mark Cox, who just completed his Ph.D. in theology at University of Glasgow, Scotland, is the school's new principal.
Four new teachers also join the staff: Lynda Morrison with five-day preschool; Judy Cooper, seventh and eighth grades; Jessie Pappenfus, music; Teri Holmquist, math and science in sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
Glacier Christian
(Columbia Falls)
First day of class is Monday, with registration already underway. For information, call the school at 892-4798.
Glacier Christian has been in the Valley for 20 years, emphasizing moral standards and biblical principles, with low student-to-teacher ratios in a nondenominational, family-oriented setting.
St. Matthew's
(Kalispell)
School starts Monday with the school's largest student population, with noon dismissals Tuesday and Wednesday. Hot lunch starts Wednesday.
They'll have a laptop computer classroom, a new third-grade classroom and more Spanish instruction time.
There are five new teachers: Shannon Anderson teaches kindergarten; Kelley Mattingly, fourth grade; John Muhlfeld, middle school science; Chelsea Gilfillan, third grade and Colin Reedy, P.E.
Stillwater Christian
(Kalispell)
School starts at 8:10 a.m. Sept. 8, with hot lunch beginning the first day. Limited busing is available; call the school at 752-4400 for details.
Five new teachers join the staff. Jeanne Brown teaches early modern history, later modern history, sophomore Bible and sophomore rhetoric; Linda Bjork teaches elementary music; Mark Pond is the new athletic director; Julie Sprenger teaches basic science, biology and physics and Micah Tinkham teaches senior seminar and junior Bible classes.