Kalispell schools gear up for Aug. 29 opening day

It’s that time again to set the alarm clocks, prepare lunches and pack those new school supplies.

Aug. 29 is the first day of the new school year for first through ninth grade at Kalispell Public Schools. Tenth through 12th grades will begin Aug. 30.

As of Tuesday, Kalispell Public Schools estimates roughly 321 kindergartners have enrolled with more coming through the door each day.

Parents of kindergartners should check with their child’s school for the first day of school schedule, or with enrollment clerk Mary Gustafson at 751-3430. Kalispell Middle School parents should have received student schedules in the mail.

Regular class times are as follows:

 Kindergarten through fifth grade, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 Sixth through eighth grade, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 Ninth through 12th grade, 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

For specific school site information visit www.sd5.k12.mt.us. Supply lists are also available at the site. Grades nine through 12 will receive supply lists the first day of school.

Hot lunch is served on the first day of school. If students are eating hot meals, prices are:

 Kindergarten through fifth grade: breakfast $1.25; lunch $2.25

 Sixth grade through 12th grade: breakfast $1.50; lunch $2.75

Students riding the bus have to register every year.

To register, call 751-3404, visit the Transportation Office at 244 1st St. E. Registration forms also are available at http://www.sd5.k12.mt.us/Page/223.

The following is school-specific information provided by the district:

 During break, Edgerton Elementary bleachers were maintained and replaced where necessary. The boiler was also repaired.

Former vice principal and district language arts facilitator Merisa Murray moves up this year to principal. Natalie Miller — former Elrod and Hedges reading coach — will be vice principal. The school welcomes four new teachers: Kim Burnham, fourth grade; Ashlie Fleming, third grade; Rachel Miller, preschool, and Mindy Weber, third grade. An open house is planned for grades K-2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 24. Third through fifth graders may attend an open house between 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 25.  

 Elrod Elementary was busy this summer installing a fenced community garden. Entryway walk-off mats were replaced along with a lock that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The school welcomes new principal Glenda Armstrong and teachers James Deering, fifth grade; Ashley Ferda, second grade, and Molly Zier, special education. Students are invited to meet their teachers during two open houses. First and second grades may attend an open house between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday. A third- through fifth-grade open house 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 20.

 Various upgrades compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act were also made to Hedges Elementary along with installing new blinds.

Hedges welcomes Annie Lilliard to the first-grade teaching staff. An open house is planned Sept. 20. Specific times will be sent home with students after the first day of school.

 Russell Elementary starts the school year with new staff member, Language Arts and Literacy Coach Betty Darr. An open house is planned at 6 p.m. Sept. 13. For repairs and maintenance, the school received several lock upgrades compliant with the American with Disabilities Act.

 Carpet replacements were made in two rooms at Peterson Elementary.

New faces to the Peterson teaching staff include Sara Holmgren, second grade and Jillian Lehr and Kelsey Kottraba, both third grade.

Open houses are planned at the following times on Sept. 27: 6 to 6:30 p.m. for fourth and fifth grades; 6:45 to 7 p.m. for kindergarten and first grade; 7:30 to 8 p.m. for second and third grades; and 6 to 8 p.m. for Peterson programs and specialists.

 This year at Kalispell Middle School, Tryg Johnson moves up from vice principal to principal with Jeff Hornby — former Elrod Elementary principal — named vice principal. The middle school welcomes new teachers Cecilia Byrd-Rinck, English;  Nikki Hawe, English; Adrienne Johnson, math and language arts; Nancy Millette, special education; and Dan Ogden, health enhancement, math and English.

An open house is slated from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Sept. 11.

Over the summer, Kalispell Middle School ductwork was cleaned and repaired.

 Flathead High School had multiple upgrades and repairs made during the summer. A failed library skylight dome was replaced. Electrical upgrades were made and landscaping repaired. Maintenance and upgrades were also made to the wood shop.

Flathead welcomes 10 new staff members this year, including Lauren Cromwell, social studies; Ross Gustafson, math; Jenna Holmes, Dow Stephens and Clayton Mauritzen, English; Jennifer Littlefield, Spanish; Randi O’Brien, art; Pat Reilly, social studies; Lisa Sears, guidance counselor; and Bethany Shehan, math and student support. An open house is planned Sept. 6. Specific times will be sent home with students after the first day of school.

 Glacier High School has two special events planned for students, parents and community members before the start of the year.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, students are invited to attend a jamboree in the commons area at the high school. Important information will be handed out such as I.D. cards, student handbooks and class schedules. Students may also set up food court accounts, obtain vehicle parking decals and purchase activity tickets and yearbooks.

The inaugural Wolfpack Rally open house is slated from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30. From 4 to 4:30 p.m. people can “run with the pack” in a three-mile run or one-mile run/walk. From 4 to 5 p.m. an open house and silent auction will take place followed by a pep rally at 5:40 p.m. The booster club will share its vision at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., is a live auction of desserts followed by a rally for the volleyball team over Hellgate at 7 p.m.

There are seven new staff members at Glacier this year: Jaime Bell, English; Peter Byl, health enhancement and student support; C.J. Cummings, art; Stephanie Hill, international language; Kristen Erickson, family consumer science; Beau Wright, social studies; and Jareth Wilson, business and student support.

While students were away this summer, the building exterior received a routine power wash and seal. The biomass boiler also received routine maintenance and repair.

 Linderman Education Center’s academic transition center welcomes guidance counselor Mary Fusaro and Skyberg Thoreson.

Ginger Jackson joins the Bridge Academy teaching staff. Tucker Hankinson joins the teaching staff at the H. E. Robinson Agricultural Education Center.

Britta Seipp joins Kalispell Public Schools as a district speech pathologist.