More districts resume classes this week

The remainder of Flathead Valley schools open their doors for the first day of school this month.

All but two of the following schools start Tuesday, Sept. 5. Trinity Lutheran School has its first day on Wednesday, Sept. 6 and Stillwater Christian School starts Thursday, Sept. 7.

Following is a compilation of back-to-school information provided by schools:

Bigfork

• The first day of school is Sept. 5.

- New paraprofessionals in Bigfork School District include: Valerie Jordan, Rachel Jeffords, Karen Johnston, Crystal Dahlman, Juanita Wiley, Maggie Sands and Kim Jones. Also joining district staff is Food Service Director Roger Vanlandingham and secretary Shannon Varner.

For more information visit http://www.bigforkschools.org.

Bigfork Elementary and Middle School

- Projected kindergarten enrollment is 62 students.

- Lunch prices for kindergarten through sixth grade is $2.25 and for seventh and eighth, $2.50.

- The elementary and middle school welcomes teachers Elise VanValkenburg, middle school science; Bronson Ericksen, middle school social studies; Lauren Young, kindergarten; Aubrie Kallenberger, second; and Kelly Leisinger, first and second combination.

- New curriculum this year includes a middle-school honors English program. A new elementary after-school activity offered to third- through fifth-grade girls will also be offered called Girls on the Run — a 10-week program that encompasses physical activity and youth development that culminates in a 5K. Cost is $150 and scholarships are available.

- Families are reminded that the pick up and drop off area has been modified and is now separated into two areas. Zone A will be designated for last names beginning with A-L and Zone B for M-Z. Maps are available in the office and online at http://bit.ly/2wqbcNR.

- Picture day for grades six through eight is Sept. 18. Grades kindergarten through five will get photos taken on Sept. 25.

Bigfork High School

- Lunch is $2.75.

- Math teacher Cole Jones joins the high school staff.

- Construction continues as the high school nears completion of a $14 million renovation and expansion of the high school, vocational education and transportation buildings. The project is slated for completion in December.

- The public is invited to attend a barbecue, football game and tour of the renovated high school on Sept. 15. The barbecue will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the high school patio. The football game against Eureka will follow at 7 p.m. and admission is free to the community.

Fair-Mont-Egan

- Students start school on Sept. 5.

- Breakfast and lunch will be available this year. Breakfast is $1 and lunch $3.

- Fair-Mont-Egan welcomes Joni Strong, special education teacher and principal David Allen. Allen joins Fair-Mont-Egan School from a former principal position at Poplar School District. Cathleen Kuchera has moved to teaching sixth grade full-time and working in the library.

- Over the summer new lights were installed in the gym and heat tape placed around a back door for protection from ice in the winter.

For more information visit www.fmemontana.net.

Somers-Lakeside

- The first day of school is Sept. 5.

- Breakfast is $2.25 and lunch $2.75 (a 25 cent increase). The reduced breakfast price is 30 cents and lunch 40 cents for qualifying students.

Lakeside Elementary

- New staff are: Alexandra Chambers, first-grade teacher; Donita Magnuson, math specialist; Gaelyn Brinton, counselor; and Kaylie Aldrich, office manager;

- Improvements made over the summer include replacing some sink replacements and three classrooms had tile and carpet replaced.

- This school year the elementary will continue an application process toward AdvancED accreditation.

- An open house will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 28.

Somers Middle School

- Upgrades include new lockers and a fresh coat of paint in some classrooms. Plumbing repairs were also done in the cafeteria.

- A new after-school drama program will be offered to students this year.

www.somersdist29.org

St. Matthew’s Catholic School

- The first day of school is Sept. 5.

For more information visit www.stmattsaints.org.

Stillwater Christian School

- Stillwater students start school Sept. 7.

- This summer marked the completion of an addition that encompasses three classrooms, bathrooms and a hallway. This addition is a continuation of the school’s master plan for growth.

- Joining Stillwater staff are: Sarah O’Rourke, high school Science; Becky Neumann, librarian; Tiffany Geer, second; Michelle Moore middle school language arts, science, and Bible; and Jeremy Ohs, information technology assistant, middle school computer and elementary coding teacher.

- Elementary students may look forward to a science, technology, engineering and math laboratory that features a whiteboard wall, EPIC Lego wall, in addition to non-traditional tables and seating.

- An open house is planned from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 5.

For more information visit www.stillwaterchristianschool.org.

Swan River

- The first day of school in Swan River is Sept. 5.

- Kindergarten enrollment is estimated at 17 students.

- Breakfast is $1.10 and lunch $2.10.

- Paraprofessional Kay Morton joins the staff.

- Over the summer an old Quonset hut was removed.

- For more information visit www.swanriverschool.org.

Trinity Lutheran

- School starts Sept. 6.

- Kindergarten enrollment is projected at 32 students.

- Trinity Lutheran School welcomes seventh- through 12th-grade teachers Blane Wagatsuma and Nate Herset, both specializing in social studies, humanities, literature and grammar and Rebekah Unger, language arts. Teachers Claire Hoy, fifth grade and P.E./health; Erika Rehbein, second grade; and Tim Rehbein, fourth grade. In addition athletic directors Ken Holste and Brent Ludwig also join the staff.

- Over the summer early childhood classrooms were renovated and a keyless entry system was installed through a Roundup for Safety grant.

- Trinity Lutheran has a host of new programming for students this year. Full-day kindergarten and a new pre-kindergarten class that uses the Reggio Emilia approach have been added. Latin will be taught to first- through eighth-graders.

A Chromebook will be available for each sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grader to use. A PiLab has been set up with 25 stations to teach computer coding in seventh and eighth grade as a core class and is funded through the Gianforte Family Foundation. Robotics will also be integrated into the science core curriculum. Students will be able to search through EBSCO Host, which helps students search quality content online. A Paideia Seminar — an approach similar to a Socratic seminar — will be offered to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. The seminar integrates literature, history, and Christian theology and facilitates open-ended questions and collaborative learning. Logic will also be available to seventh- and eighth-graders.

Curriculum additions are: Junior Great Books, Saxon Math and Spalding reading, spelling and writing.

New clubs include outdoor education, archery and spirit team/cheer.

- An open house will be held Sept. 5.

For more information visit www.trinityed.org.

West Glacier

- The first day of school is Sept. 5.

- West Glacier School welcomes third-grade teacher Ali Downey.

- “Go Math!” has been added to the math curriculum.

For more information visit www.westglacierelementary.org.

Whitefish Christian Academy

- School starts Sept. 5.

- New this year is a 3-year-old preschool program for either three or five days a week. The high school has expanded to 11th grade.

For more information visit www.whitefishacademy.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.