Kalispell FFA does well at nationals
Kalispell FFA attended the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis this year with 36 students making up five teams, the most in the chapter’s history, adviser Brian Bay said.
Students address global issues with diplomacy at Model UN
Success in Model United Nations hinges on negotiating with adversaries and allies alike through effective debates, speeches, caucuses and drafted resolutions.
Judges needed for Kalispell speech and debate tournament
Volunteers are needed to judge the Western Regional Speech and Debate Tournament scheduled Dec. 13 and 14 at Flathead and Glacier high schools in Kalispell.
Returning to the forge — New Agrarian School in Bigfork revives the ancient trade of the blacksmith
The New Agrarian School in Bigfork, a nonprofit, teaches the ancient craft of blacksmithing to a new generation of hobbyists, professionals, and instructors.
Columbia Falls student-athlete recognized for leadership
Columbia Falls High School senior Julia Byrd was recognized as a Winslow Nichols Leadership Award winner for her exceptional work ethic, strong character, leadership skills and collaborative spirit.
Bus transporting Whitefish speech and debate team catches fire
Whitefish High School speech and debate students and coaches made it home safely after the bus transporting the team caught fire at a Saturday tournament in Ronan.
Whitefish High School speech and debate takes first in Class A
Whitefish High School speech and debate captured first place in Class A with 150 points last weekend, followed by Columbia Falls High School in second place with 102 points.
Evergreen School District sees improvements after adding community liaison position
Since introducing a school and health community liaison in January 2023, Evergreen School District has reported improvements in attendance (64%), behavior (55%), and academics (41%), according to Superintendent Laurie Barron.
Kalispell teachers get pay increase with approval of union contact
The Kalispell Education Association has a new contract in place that seeks to move the dial on starting pay for new teachers after nearly 280 days of negotiations that began in February.
Glacier High School speech and debate triumphs at Missoula invitational
Glacier High School’s speech and debate team brought home the hardware in a decisive win over the weekend in Missoula.
Kalispell teachers union considers contract proposal
Following months of negotiations, the Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees unanimously approved a collective bargaining agreement Tuesday that will go before the Kalispell Education Association for a vote Friday.
Northwest Montana History Museum features authors during book festival
Readers and writers are invited to attend the first Northwest Montana Book Festival featuring regional authors and books Nov. 17 in Kalispell.
Civil rights investigation into Kalispell Public Schools involves softball schedules, district officials say
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has sought information about girls' softball schedules from Kalispell Public Schools as part of a Title IX athletics discrimination complaint, according to district officials.
Columbia Falls takes top spot at speech and debate tournament
Columbia Falls High School speech and debate swept up the competition on home turf this weekend.
The cellphone: A helpful or harmful school tool?
In today’s connected world, smartphones can be as familiar a sight as laptops and textbooks in schools, yet the devices pose a unique set of challenges within the classroom.
Glacier speech and debate wins first tournament of the season
The Glacier High School speech and debate team earned its first win of the 2024-25 season over the weekend at the Kalispell Kickoff.
Kalispell speech and debate teams ready to talk the talk
Flathead High School is looking to defend its state championship title in speech and debate against top rival and 2024 state runner-up, Bozeman, and fellow Kalispell team, Glacier High School as a new season begins.
Driven by learning: Flathead High School automotive program navigates into 75th year
The automotive program is cruising through its 75th year at Flathead High School. Going along for the ride have been generations of graduates who have gone on to work and own shops and businesses, many of which were and are local.
Montana Saddle Clubs Association royalty — Teens excel in horsemanship competition
On a bluebird day, Flathead Valley teens Emily Tuck and Lilly Erickson saddled up their horses Leo and Whiskey for a playday of O-Mok-See before a saddle club awards banquet in Columbia Falls.
Flathead High School chosen to premiere ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' high school edition
Flathead High School Theatre brings the magical wizarding world of Hogwarts to Montana as it premieres high school edition of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” Oct. 24-27.
U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights opens investigations in Kalispell, Whitefish and Polson
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights is investigating discrimination complaints in Kalispell Public Schools, Whitefish School District and Polson School District.
Kalispell Public Schools hires communications coordinator
Kalispell Public Schools has created a new communications coordinator position to work with the superintendent to create and carry out a district communications plan.
Flathead High School auto teacher surprised with $50,000 prize
More than 20 people showed up to Flathead High School Tuesday morning to surprise automotive teacher Rob Hunter with $50,000 from the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program.
Repairs to water-damaged wing at Columbia Falls High School on track
Construction to repair a water-damaged wing of Columbia Falls High School is on track to be completed with displaced staff and students moving in Oct. 25.
Kalispell teachers vent frustrations with ongoing contract negotiations
Undervalued and underappreciated were two words repeated by dozens of teachers in Kalispell Public Schools who addressed the school board and district administrators during an emotional public commenting period Tuesday.
Glacier High School plans increased police presence following threat
Glacier High School Principal Brad Holloway sent out a notification to families after 4 p.m. Wednesday, regarding a school shooting threat reportedly found written on a bathroom stall.
Kalispell Public Schools approves final budget under looming shortfall
Kalispell Public Schools elementary district has $41.2 million and the high school district, $42.6 million, to operate on for the 2024-25 school year.
Generative AI in the classroom
Artificial intelligence is here to stay and is in the early stages of reshaping education as the internet did in the late ’90s.
Checkmates — Kalispell youths take on national chess competition
Three state chess champions hailing from Kalispell represented Montana at the national level competing in U.S. Chess Federation-sponsored tournaments in Norfolk, Virginia in July.
Stillwater Christian School plans expansion with $5 million donation
Private school also receives Hemp-Corely Foundation donation to provide families with tuition assistance
On a sunny Tuesday evening, Stillwater Christian School celebrated a back-to-school open house with the announcement of a $5 million donation, from community philanthropist Paul Wachholz, to expand the school.
Sing a new song — New Flathead Valley Youth Choir is the first initiative of Bear Grass Performing Arts
A reprise of a Kalispell-based youth choir will bring children around the valley together again to sing.
Helena Flats superintendent back in building for new school year after court case concludes
Helena Flats School Superintendent Andy Maheras returns to the building full-time after a court case where he was accused of assaulting a student concluded in July. Students returned to the building for the first day of the 2024-25 school year Wednesday.
It's back-to-school for the 2024-25 year
The first day of the 2024-25 school year is here. Get information on the first day, enrollment, open houses and new staff at Flathead County public and private schools.
Lightning strike near Glacier High School leaves three injured, one seriously
Two students and a coach were injured from a lightning strike during soccer practice on the Glacier High School athletic field Monday evening.
Free breakfast and lunch for some students this school year
The entire student body of several schools in Flathead, Lake and Lincoln County school districts will be able to access free breakfast and lunch for the 2024-25 school year under the federally funded Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Youths go whole hog in showing pigs at the Northwest Montana Fair
It’s been a hard year for hogs and illness, but with precautions in place, it was on with the show at the Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo on Monday morning.
A grand entrance — Glacier High School art students build truss for parking lot
People may have noticed a new feature to the Glacier High School campus, a truss over one of the main parking lot entrances designed and created by students.
Kalispell teen crowned Miss Amazing
Andrea Chandler of Kalispell was crowned queen in the teen division at the National Miss Amazing pageant. “The experience was just incredible. It was a dream come true,” Chandler said. “Even if I hadn’t won, I loved the experience. Every step of the way.”
Trinity Lutheran’s Susan Junk named Best Teacher in the Flathead
The kindergarten teacher, who is in her 27th year at Trinity Lutheran, was named Best Teacher in the Daily Inter Lake's 2024 Best of Flathead. “I just want to give every child the best first school experience that they can have and I want to nurture their love for learning and to do that I want to make it exciting. I want to make it fun. I want them to see the joy in it and like I said I just want them to know that Jesus is always with them,” Junk said.
Devoted to dance — Academy of Performing Arts offers dance and music classes to all ages
The Academy of Performing Arts Founder and instructor Shoni Jaeger is a dancer to her core.
West Valley campers explore the lunar landscape
Some West Valley students explored what it takes to advance exploration of the moon as a future site for astronauts to live through a mini-mission camp modeled after NASA’s Artemis program.
Student project provides key component for new history museum exhibit
A train is on its way to the Northwest Montana History Museum in Kalispell.
FVCC's Festival of Flavors tickets available Aug. 1
Flavor is the focus at Flathead Valley Community College Sept. 13-28.
Artist infuses characters into downtown Kalispell with life-sized sculptures
Step aside, there’s a new sheriff in town — and a goddess.
Montana native pens novel on life of American librarian who helped modernize French libraries
“New York Times” bestselling author of “The Paris Library” Janet Skeslien Charles turns the page to a lesser-known part of history in her new novel, “Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade.”
Sew inspired — Flathead High student goes to nationals with repurposed sewing project
Flathead High School student Cassidy Hanson has a creative flair in her approach on sewing, baking and art projects.
Auditions open for Montana’s Got Talent
Montana’s Got Talent presented by Starlight Academy is seeking people to audition to be contestants in its inaugural show scheduled Oct. 26 at the Wachholz College Center.
Kalispell Public Schools gets grant to help homeless students
Kalispell Public Schools is the recipient of a $98,000 grant to identify and help homeless students stay on track in their education.
Free summer meals available for children and teens
Free meals are available to youths 18 and under in Flathead County over the summer months when school is not in session.
Kalispell Public Schools, teachers union pause contract negotiations
Teachers will be paid according to a contract that was set to expire this week after the Kalispell Education Association and Kalispell Public Schools failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement after roughly five months of negotiations.