It's back-to-school time once again

 It’s time again to gather supplies and pack backpacks because another school year is here, starting this week for some schools.

The following is information families will need to know to get back into the routine.

Helena Flats

• The first day of school is Aug. 26; enrollment is projected at 216 students.

• The school day has changed for kindergarten through eighth-graders. Kindergarten through third grade will be in school from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. The school day for fourth through eighth grade will be from 8:30 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.

• A new drop-off zone goes into effect. There will no longer be separate drop-off locations for different grades. All students should be dropped off on the west end of the building by the middle school doors. A map will be sent to parents/guardians in a newsletter.

• The first day hot lunch will be served is Aug. 31. Student lunch prices are $2.85. Reduced lunch prices are 40 cents for eligible students.  

• Over the summer, the gym floor was refinished. A new gate was installed for students to access the playground due to the new drop-off zone.

• For more information or to register students call 257-2301. School supply lists are available at www.helenaflats.org.

Whitefish

The first day of school for Whitefish School District students is Aug. 27. The school district welcomes Heather Davis Schmidt as the new superintendent.

Breakfast and lunch prices are the same at Muldown Elementary and Whitefish Middle School. Breakfast is $1.35. The reduced price is 30 cents for eligible students. Lunch is $2.50 and 40 cents for the reduced price.

Whitefish High School and Whitefish Independent High School have the same meal prices. Breakfast is $1.50 and the reduced price is 30 cents for eligible students. Lunch is $3, eith the reduced price being 40 cents.

Drop-off and pick-up for the high school is on the north side of the building, either at the main entrance or at the student parking lot. The south side of the building is reserved for school buses, staff parking and Whitefish Independent High School parking.

Elementary parents are reminded that there is no parking in the drive-through and drop-off loop.

The road between the elementary and the high school is closed during bus loading and unloading.

Middle school parents are reminded to pull into parking spaces to drop off students.

Crossing guards are available at the following intersections: First Street and Spokane Avenue; Second Street and Kalispell Avenue; and First Street and Kalispell Avenue. The middle school is also looking to fill a crossing guard job. For information about the position call 862-8640.

For more information visit www.wsd44.org.

Muldown Elementary

• Kindergarten students will have  orientation Aug. 27 from 8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Students will then be split into two groups with half attending a full day Aug. 28 and the rest on Aug. 31. The first full day of attendance for all students is Sept. 1.

First graders may drop in between 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 27. The first full day of school is Aug. 28.

Regular class times for kindergarten is 8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Grades first and second attend from 8:35 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Third-graders are in school from 8:35 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Fourth grade starts at 8:35 a.m. and dismisses at 3:30 p.m.

• Enrollment is projected at 610 students in grades kindergarten through fourth.

• Kindergarten through fourth-graders will take Spanish and technology classes.

• Muldown welcomes new staff members Kortney Guier, kindergarten teacher; Bonnie Hannigan, second-grade teacher; and Lisa Wiley, educational support professional.

• New student registration may be made at the school between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Birth certificates and immunization records must be presented at time of registration.

Whitefish Middle School

• Enrollment is projected to be 500 students. Daily class times are from 8:35 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.

• Middle-school students can look forward to coding classes. A Student Assistance Program and intramurals will be available for fifth- through eighth-graders.

• New staffers joining the middle school include: Brett Bollweg, fifth- through eighth-grade P.E.; Megan Chaisson, seventh-grade science teacher; Shaston Challans, educational support professional; Curtis Green, dean of students; Bonnie Kuehne, educational support professional; Jordan Scotti, psychologist; Carissa Shupp, fifth- and sixth-grade special services; and Elise Van Valkenburg, educational support professional.

• A fifth-grade open house and orientation is 7 p.m. Aug. 25. Sixth- through eighth-grade open house is 7 p.m. Sept. 3. Visitors for both open houses should meet at the Performing Arts Center.

• New students may register at the middle school between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Whitefish High School

• Students will follow a modified schedule the first day of school. Freshman only will attend an orientation from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. Freshmen will be served free pizza from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; other grade levels should eat before school.

Senior identification photos are from 11 to 11:30 p.m. Juniors will have photos taken from 11:30 a.m. to noon and sophomores from noon to 12:30 p.m.

All students will attend classes from 12:40 to 3:30 p.m. on the first day.

School is in session from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. New this year is that the traditional seven-period day has been changed to Wednesdays.

• Enrollment projections for the high school are 500 students.

• Several facility projects have been completed or are near completion at Whitefish High School. Landscaping is nearly complete. A gym floor replacement is expected to be finished by mid-October. New theater-style retractable seating was installed over the summer in the multipurpose black-box theater. Acoustic panels in the music rooms were installed this summer by volunteers. The acoustical treatment of the rooms was funded by a private donor and designed by physics students. Improvements in traffic flow and safety are in place for the start of the school year. Planned resurfacing of the lots and roadways to improve traffic.

• Students can look forward to new Project Lead the Way courses such as Introduction to Engineering and Introduction to Computer Science and Software Engineering. The school currently offers Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body.

The high school also will introduce a college and career readiness program called Naviance to help students discover individual strengths, interests and learning styles to explore college and career options.

• The high school welcomes new teachers Chrissie Henning, social studies and English; Adrienne Johnson, special education; Amanda Matdies, family and consumer science; and Darcy Schulz, choir. Jordan Scotti, school psychologist and Ben Johnson, educational support professional and job coach also join the staff.

• The high school office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. New students can register by calling 862-8600 and schedule an appointment with a school counselor.

Whitefish Independent High School

• Enrollment is projected at 25 students. The school follows the same schedule as the high school. Classes start at 8:40 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. The school is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for students taking online classes.

• A new student-designed sign has been installed at the independent high school entrance.

• In addition to Compass Learning curriculum, the school will pilot online courses from Odesseyware.

• New staff members are Karen Cordi, support; Kyle Fedderly, English and Jobs for Montana Graduates; and Jill Weigand, math.

• New students must contact Tina Corwin to register at 862-8600.

— compiled by Daily Inter Lake reporter Hilary Matheson