New school year starts on Tuesday

After the Labor Day holiday, the remainder of Flathead Valley schools begin classes.

Here is back-to-school information for individual districts:

Bigfork

—  The first day of school is Sept. 6.

For more information call 837-7400 or visit bigforkschools.org

Bigfork Elementary

and Middle School

— Enrollment is estimated at 440 elementary and 140 middle school students.

— New staff includes first-grade teacher Erik Gustavson, kindergarten teacher Jessica McGinnis and third/fourth-grades teacher Shauna Pitts.

— An open house is set from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 2.

For more information call 837-7412.

Bigfork High School

— Enrollment is around 300 high school students.

— Construction has begun on a $14 million renovation and addition. Eight new classrooms for students to move into are anticipated to be completed over winter break. The entire project is expected to be completed in fall 2017.

— Bigfork welcomes teachers Mercee Cislo, special education; and Sue McGregor, family consumer science.

For more information call 837-7420.

Columbia Falls

— The first day of school is Sept. 6.

— Students will have early releases on Wednesdays.

— Schools will be using Infinite Campus software to compile student information. Infinite Campus will provide parents or guardians with online access to his or her student’s grades, attendance and other information.

For district information call 892-6550 or visit www.cfmtschools.net.

Columbia Falls High School

— Enrollment is projected at 640 students.

— Class times are 7:25 a.m. (period zero) to 3:15 a.m. On Wednesdays, school starts at 7:35 a.m. (period zero) and dismisses at 2:17 p.m.

— Breakfast is $1.45 and lunch is $3.

— Over the summer, the gym floor was resurfaced and painted. A new venting fan was installed in a hallway to improve temperature control in classrooms. Lights were also installed at the soccer fields. Upgrades to and installation of wireless technology infrastructure also were completed.

n Students have several new courses to choose from such as: “Advanced Placement Physics,” “Applied Geometry,” “Contemporary Native American Literature,” “Creative Writing,” “Field Ecology,” “Housing and Interior Design,” “Number, Theory, Logic and Computer Programming (Python and Java),” and “Textiles and Clothing Construction.” Dual-credit classes including “Essentials for Health Care Professionals,” “Health Care Delivery,” and “Math Applications for Allied Health Professionals,” offering students the opportunity to earn certification in health care through Flathead Valley Community College.

— The high school welcomes new teachers: Sue Battee, special education;, Chris Finberg, health enhancement, Rob Tedlund, social studies; Nia Vestal, English; special education paraeducator Scott Jenkins; and office secretary Jessica Klintworth.

For more information call 892-6500.

Columbia Falls Junior High

— About 475 students will be attending this school year.

— Class times are 8:21 a.m. through 3:21 p.m. On Wednesdays, school runs from 8:21 a.m. through 2:20 p.m.

— Breakfast is $1.45 and lunch is $2.75.

— New staff members are: health enhancement sixth-grade teacher Chris Finberg and paraeducators Lindsey Andrachick, Alan Asa-Dorian and Jeffrey Watts. Mary Garate’ is transferring from Glacier Gateway as the new junior high secretary. Kristy Gange has also been transferred from Glacier Gateway to teach sixth-grade science. FoodCorps service member Mary Rochelle will work with students and staff on nutritional health as well as working on the school/community Wildcat garden.

For more information call 892-6530.

Ruder Elementary

— Class times are from 8:25 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. On Wednesdays, students are dismissed at 2:45 p.m.

— Over the summer, carpeting in the halls has been replaced with tile.

— Ruder welcomes new teachers Lacey Igitol, special education; and Haley Lobbestael, second grade.

Fair-Mont-Egan

— The first day of school is Sept. 6 for 173 students.

— Students will be on a trimester schedule this year.

— Class starts at 8:25 a.m. Dismissal is at 3:15 p.m. for grades kindergarten and first; 3:20 p.m. for grades second and third; and 3:25 p.m. for grades fourth through eighth. The Bruin’s Den before- and after-school program starts at 7:30 a.m. After school, it ends at 5:30 p.m.

— Fair-Mont-Egan welcomes interim administrator Lona Everett.

— An open house is set from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15.

For more information call 755-7072 or visit www.fmemontana.net.

Stillwater Christian School

— The first day of school is Sept. 8. An estimated 365 pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students are enrolled.

— The high school math program has been redesigned to include teacher instruction in addition to work completed in a math computer lab. An “Extra Instruction” program will offer students extra individualized instruction throughout the school day and after school between 3:10 and 3:45 p.m. to help every student succeed. Students may choose to attend or may be assigned by a teacher. Participating students can go to their teacher’s room after school to receive additional help or complete work. Cougs Kids, an after-school child-care program now in its second year, will be available.

— Stillwater welcomes teachers Moni Brown, kindergarten; Debbie Buchanan, first grade; Sherri Dutton, first grade; Darcey Harmon, second grade; Andy Harrel, third grade; Michelle Henderson, high school math; and Assistant Head of School Jeremy Marsh.

— A luncheon for new families is planned for noon Sept. 6 with an open house to follow at 1 p.m. Students may bring in their school supplies and meet teachers.

For more information call 752-4400 or visit www.stillwaterchristianschool.org.

St. Matthew’s School

— The first day of school is Sept. 6.

For more information call 752-6303 or visit stmattsaints.org.

Swan River School

— The first day of school for 164 kindergarten through eighth-graders is Sept. 6.

— Class times are 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

— The playground field now has irrigation and new grass. New lights were installed in the gym and a new school security system put in.

— New staff members are: special education teacher Megan Fitzpatrick; paraeducator Rachel Jeffords and counselor Bob Lockridge.

For more information call 837-4528 or visit www.swanriverschool.org.

Trinity Lutheran School

— The first day of school is Sept. 7 for 190 students.

— Lunch is $2.50.

— Students have a lot to look forward to academically since the curriculum has been overhauled. All grade levels will take “Art Masterpiece,” and will study art history. A Logic class will be offered to eighth-graders. Latin has been added to the coursework for fifth- through eighth-graders, who will also take Strategic Seminars where structured discussions on current events or other youth development topics will take place.

— New enrichment and elective options will be offered to fifth- through eighth-graders through the Leaders in Christ Academy. Academy students will study leadership (teamwork, relationships, service, stewardship and truth), religion, English and literature. New electives include: “Christian Service Announcements/Broadcasting,” “Strength Inventories for Leaders,” “Entrepreneurship Investigations,” “Step up to Leadership as Agents of Change,” and “Community Service and Stewardship/Campus Beautification.”

— Students will also be involved in a science, technology engineering, art, math, and design integrations program, where every student will have access to a laptop. Academy students will participate in a “Beginning Engineering, Science, and Technology Lab,” where robotics, digital citizenship, videography, beginning coding and engineering, rocketry will be learned. This program will also have classes in piano, keyboarding and songwriting using computer software and tablets.

— New clubs include Drama Club for grades fourth through eighth, NASA Kids/Aerospace Club for all grades, Veterinarian Club for grades third through fifth, Rocketry Club for grades fifth through eighth and the Spirit Team for grades fifth through eighth.

— New staff includes: Rachel Wied, fifth-grade teacher and fifth through eighth math specialist, and Principal Christina Roberts.

— An open house is slated for Sept. 6. A community carnival is planned from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9.

For more information call 257-6716 or visit www.trinityed.org.

West Glacier

— Sept 6 is the first day of school for 70 students.

— West Glacier welcomes new teacher Kristen Hebert.

For more information call 888-5312 or visit westglacierelementary.org.

Whitefish Christian Academy

— The first day of school is Sept. 6. Enrollment is projected at 153 students.

— Class times are from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

— Tenth grade has been added this year, expanding the high school rhetoric program.

— George Bristol is the new headmaster.

— A back-to-school night is set Sept. 1.

For more information call 862-5875 or visit whitefishacademy.org.