Kalispell schools enter new era

It's a fresh start this week all across School District 5, as Kalispell schools open with changes from one end of the district to the other.

The obvious newest new thing, of course, is Glacier High School, which held its first classes on Tuesday.

But new and improved doesn't stop there. Kalispell Middle School welcomed sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders to a renovated facility that was a new experience for all the students (the school used to be a junior high with eighth and ninth grades).

Local elementary schools have a slightly different arrangement as well, with sixth-graders having moved up to the middle school.

And even Laser School and Bridge Academy are part of the districtwide change, with the alternative high school operations moving to Linderman School.

Let's not forget venerable Flathead High School, which received its own makeover including a new commons area and wellness center. Flathead, although it's not the only high school in town any more, remains the standard-bearer for Kalispell schools with its rich history of excellence in many areas.

By most accounts, the transitions hav been mostly seamless, despite these changes from top to bottom in School District 5.

But the beginning of any school year is always an event surrounded by hope and expectations. With all that has changed this year, these are even more exciting times for students, staffers and parents as Kalispell schools enter a new era.

At PUBLIC schools across the valley this year, there's another new development: all-day kindergarten.

Boosted by funding from the Montana Legislature, a variety of schools are offering full-day sessions for the youngest students.

Now the lessons that used to be crammed into sessions of just over two hours can be extended over a full school day.

Although there are certainly adjustments that youngsters and parents need to make for a longer school day, it's highly likely that the additional time in school will pay off for kindergarteners.

It's not just more time for academics, but more time to explore, socialize, learn and "find out all there is to play with," as one teacher put it.