New classrooms, new leaders to greet some local students
Here is back-to-school information on remainingg Flathead Valley schools that begin classes next week:
Marion
Marion School opens its new addition this year. The addition includes three new classrooms, administrative offices, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and conversion of a modular building into a music room. A new After-School Enrichment Program also is offered this year beginning immediately after the first day of school Sept. 4, ending at 6:15 p.m.
Hot lunch will be served on the first day.
Daily class times are 8:05 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. School pick-up and drop-off will continue as it was last year during construction.
New staff includes David Payette, counselor; Lisa Jones, After-School Enrichment Director and Carrie Johnson, After-School Enrichment facilitator.
Swan River
Swan River School will be under new leadership this year with Marc Bunker as principal. The school also welcomes new staff members Steve Waddle, custodian, and Maggie Harris, part-time librarian.
The first day of school for Swan River students is Sept. 4. The school anticipates a kindergarten enrollment of 16 students. Daily class times are 8:15 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Students may arrive at school no earlier than 7:45 a.m. Students arriving at this time need a permission slip filled out by a parent or guardian.
Hot meals will be served on the first day. Breakfast is $1 and lunch is $2. Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. and will stop being served after 8:15 a.m.
Trinity Lutheran
Trinity Lutheran School in Kalispell starts Sept. 4 with hot lunch available. Lunch is $2.25.
Daily class times are 8:25 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. The school welcomes Rachel Schumacher as a new sixth-grade teacher.
Kindergarten enrollment is projected at 22 students. This year, students will be offered an outdoor education program. The school theme is “HANDS — Helping a Neighbor Daily,” with mini-themes each month.
For more information visit www.trinityed.org.
Stillwater Christian
An open house is planned from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 4 at Stillwater Christian School.
The first day of school is Sept. 6. Lunch is available on the first day. Lunch prices are: $3 each, $15 for a five-punch card; $30 for a 10-punch card and $59 for a 20-punch card.
Daily class times are from 8:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-school and half-day kindergarten students attend from 8:10 to 11:30 p.m.
Kate Anderson joins the Stillwater staff as a seventh-grade teacher.
Kindergarten enrollment is estimated at 18 students. School supply lists is available at www.stillwaterchristianschool.org.
During the summer, a new high school lab was added to the school.
St. Matthew’s
St. Matthew’s School will start classes Sept. 4. Daily class times are 8:20 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Kindergarten enrollment is projected at 19 students.
Hot lunch costs $2.50.
The school is under new leadership this year with Principal Lauren Smith. Smith joins the school from her previous position as counselor at Flathead High School. St. Matthew’s also welcomes new teachers Phil Jackson, P.E. and health, and Rhonda Hawkins, sixth- through eighth-grade English and literature.
Families are advised to enter on Seventh Street and exit on First Avenue West.
Basketball hoops have been moved from the main parking lot to the former staff parking lot for student safety.
School supply lists may be viewed at www.stmattsaints.org.
Whitefish Christian
Whitefish Christian Academy welcomes new teacher and Whitefish native Allison Schuch. Schuch will teach fifth- and sixth-grade history and third- through sixth-grade Latin. Schuch spent part of her elementary and middle school years attending Whitefish Christian Academy. Heidi Freeman returns as the three-day pre-kindergarten teacher.
Anticipated overall enrollment is up by 20 percent this year.
The first day of school is Sept. 4. Gently used school uniforms are available at no cost for families who do not have theirs purchased before the first day.
Class times are 8:20 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. for kindergarten through eighth grade. Pre-kindergarten starts at 8:30 a.m. Lunches are available for purchase Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Four rooms were remodeled over the summer including the second, fourth, middle school English and literature and middle school science classrooms. Upgrades include: new flooring, built-in maple bookcases, furniture, lockers and installment of three Smart Boards.