Back to school: Classes begin on Aug. 28 for Kalispell students

 In less than a week school bells will ring in the new school year for Kalispell Public Schools.

First- through ninth-graders start Aug. 28. Tenth through 12th graders start Aug. 29.

Kindergarten students will have different schedules for the first day of school. Check with individual schools for the schedule or with Beth Kornick, kindergarten- through fifth-grade enrollment clerk, at 751-3430.

Kornick also is the contact for new students who need to register in those grades.

Other new students who still need to enroll should contact one of the following staffers:

v Kalispell Middle School: Heidi Rogers, 751-3783.

v Flathead High School: Randi Flaa, 751-3525.

v Glacier High School: Margo Sorensen, 758-8625.

Enrollment information and school supply lists are available at www.sd5.k12.mt.us/domain/22. School supply lists for ninth through 12th grade will be handed out the first day of school.

Students riding buses have to register every year.

Call 751-3404 or visit the Transportation Office located at 244 First St. E. to register. Registration forms are also available at www.sd5.k12.mt.us/page/223.

Hot lunch is available on the first day of school. Prices are:

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

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

Free and reduced lunch applications are available at www.sd5.k12.mt.us/Page/125. Children may qualify for free or reduced prices if a families income falls at or below the federal eligibility income chart. For example, a household of four would qualify if income was at or below $43,568.

Regular school days start and end as follows:

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

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

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

New construction, building repairs and districtwide energy upgrades kept maintenance staff busy over the summer break. Both Edgerton and Peterson elementary schools had classroom additions built as part of a $3.35 million project which includes a new central kitchen on which construction will begin construction this year.

About $3.2 million in energy-savings projects, the bulk at Flathead High School, were underway this summer.

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

EDGERTON

v Edgerton Elementary has expanded by four classrooms to accommodate large class sizes at the first-through second-grade level. The classrooms will house kindergarten and fourth-grade classes. Although kindergarten enrollment is up, estimated at 120, Edgerton Principal Merisa Murray said all grades are in accreditation.

Minor construction will be ongoing in the front office through Sept. 5. Murray said there will be a temporary office set up in the school foyer.

“We appreciate all your patience ahead of time,” Murray said.

Staff coming on board at Edgerton includes: Jen Stein, assistant principal; Gabe Buzzell, fourth grade and kindergarten teachers Allison Hawes, Bridgette Downey and Markie Schriener.

Edgerton will hold an open house for kindergarten through second grade Sept. 16. Grades third through fifth will have an open house Sept. 17.

ELROD

v Elrod Elementary welcomes two new teachers: Tiffany Paull will teach a combined third- and fourth-grade  classroom and Maggie Sherrill will teach kindergarten.

Elrod currently has 60 kindergarteners enrolled. 

The main office received some upgrades this summer. A classroom carpet is scheduled to be replaced this month. Safety is also a focus with concrete repairs scheduled this month to the north entry of the playground. A north sidewalk also is to be replaced.

An open house is Sept. 18.

FLATHEAD HIGH

v Flathead High School has expanded its social media presence by joining Twitter. Get school updates by following “@Flathead_High” at www.twitter.com.

A back-to-school open house is set today and Friday. Today, seniors should visit from 7 to 9 a.m., juniors from 9 a.m. to noon and sophomores from 1 to 4 p.m. Freshmen are scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon Friday. Students unable to attend may visit the school any time Aug. 26 or 27.

Parents may pay fees online at www.MySchoolFees.com.

Flathead High School welcomes 16 new teachers: Josh Mohler, art; Kristin Danuta, art; Caitlin Heuscher, business; Ellen McKenzie, choir; Lauren Woodman, English; Liz Sykora, English and theater; Maureen Fanion, family and consumer science teacher; Dan Burfeind, math; Charlie Dotson, business and P.E.; Lisa Hendrickson, P.E.; Tasia Gates, P.E.; Erica Gerber, science; Dirk Johnsrud, science; Kyla Niva, social studies; Christina Roberts, social studies, and Hugh Naldrett, welding.

More than $2.5 million in energy upgrades are underway at Flathead. Students can look forward to behind-the-scenes repairs that will enhance their comfort such as a heating and ventilation system replacement. The boys locker room floor was resurfaced and lockers replaced.  

Flathead Family Night is planned from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 4. The night will kick off with a barbecue in Senior Square. Families can meet teachers and learn about school clubs, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and accessing student information.

GLACIER HIGH

v Glacier High School is kicking off its Engineering Academy as it dives into specialized science, technology, engineering and math curriculum. Courses will be implemented over three years. This year, students may take introductory courses in engineering.

Teachers joining the Glacier staff include: Adam Harbaugh, French and Spanish; Seaghan Herron, English; David Lillard, science; Austin Robbins, science and engineering; Troy Smith, technology education and industrial arts; and Jason Thomas, science and engineering.

During break, Glacier had several dead trees replaced. Existing trees and sod rock islands also were redistributed throughout the school site.

HEDGES

v Hedges Elementary is implementing a new math curriculum called Go Math! that will help students transition to Montana’s Common Core Standards.

Lisa Fant, special education; Cary Richardson, fifth grade and Principal Natalie Mille join the staff at Hedges this year. Miller previously taught first grade at Hedges and was an assistant principal at Edgerton.

Kindergarten enrollment is currently at 55 students.

An open house is scheduled Sept. 19.

Four sets of exterior doors, including the main entry door and window, were replaced. Entryway mats were replaced.

KALISPELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

v Kalispell Middle School has planned a self-guided tour and open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Students  also will be able to pay for P.E. uniforms ($15) and student planners ($3) in the main office. Student schedules have been mailed out.

Kalispell Middle School welcomes several familiar faces from other district schools to its staff: Kirsten Pevey, business and information technology; Jerome Sanders, reading instructor; Rachel Miller, resource instructor; and Lynne Ogden, math Instructor. New to the district is Peter Musick. Musick will teach math at the middle school.

Building upgrades include installation of a concrete wheelchair ramp at the south end of the building. Installation of new classroom blinds is underway.

An open house is planned from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 12.

PETERSON

v Peterson Elementary continues to grow with a four-classroom addition. The addition includes a multipurpose room, serving kitchen and three restrooms. The resource room was moved into the main building as a result of the expansion.

The school was expanded to bring classes in kindergarten through second grade in line with accreditation standards. Kindergarten enrollment this year is projected at 80 students.

“Although we are very full in the kindergarten, first, second and fifth grades we are within state accreditation standards for all classes.” Peterson principal Rick Anfenson said. “With the additional classrooms we have returned most of our neighborhood students to their home school.”

Landscaping was spruced up with a grant from Lowe’s. Grant money also allowed the purchase of six cement picnic tables. A new swing set was installed in Meridian Park, purchased by the school parent group.

Changes to parking have also been made to relieve traffic flow during student drop-off and pick up. A basketball court on the east side of the building has been moved to Meridian Park and staff parking was put in its place.

“This should free up additional space for parent parking along second street and across the street at the Samaritan House lot. The alley to the east and south is also open for use,” Anfenson said.

New staff members at Peterson include: Christy Bortz, kindergarten; Jody Bostock, kindergarten; Tereza Morigeau-Hanson, kindergarten; Rachael Munday, first grade; Makayla Darrow, second grade; and Kacie West, third grade.

Peterson’s open house is slated Sept. 26.

RUSSELL

v Russell Elementary students will get a lot of exercise on a new playground structure. A wooden border around the playground also was replaced. Uneven sidewalks are to be replaced this month.

In curriculum, Russell Principal Bill Sullivan said the school will continue literacy efforts through a Striving Readers grant. He added that the school continues the transition to Montana’s Common Core Standards.

Staff members joining Russell include Title I teacher Barb Stevens and paraprofessional Monika Piwowarczyk.

Bus pickup on the east side of the building and remains unchanged from last year. Student drop-off and pick-up should be done on Wyoming Street.

Russell’s open house is planned Sept. 24.

— compiled by reporter Hilary Matheson