HILARY MATHESON

Wings helps relieve financial burden for family of girl with cancer

Kalispell school superintendent seeing final months on the job

 For Darlene Schottle, January has ushered in a new and final year as Kalispell Public Schools superintendent.

Junior journalists produce school paper

More than 20 middle-school cub reporters at Stillwater Christian School had a hand in the first edition of Cougz News. 

School finalists to be interviewed next week

Five finalists for Kalispell Public Schools superintendent will be interviewed next week.

Flathead boosters sponsor Vegas night

The Flathead Booster Club is bringing Las Vegas to the valley on Jan. 11.

School builders busy during break

While students are enjoying winter break, construction crews are busy working on Whitefish High School’s new addition that is set to open in August 2014.

Programs merge into Linderman Center

Kalispell Public Schools’ vision for alternative education was redefined in the fall when Bridge Academy and Laser Alternative High School merged.

Student's art skills help kids in India

In the cards

Somers Middle School seventh-grader Finney Manchala has undertaken an enormous task — help break the cycle of poverty in his native country of India.

Candidate list narrowed to five

Kalispell School Superintendent

Hailing from as far away as Alaska and West Virginia, five candidates are moving forward in the Kalispell Public Schools superintendent search.

Superintendent search narrows to five

Trustees to narrow field for interviews

 The Kalispell Public Schools Board of Trustees on Tuesday will select finalists to interview for the district superintendent job.

West Glacier School to reopen on Monday

School will resume Monday at West Glacier Elementary following cleanup from a pipe break that produced more than an inch of water in the kitchen, gym and main office areas.

Code talkers: St. Matthew's School students learn the basics of computer programming

The Hour of Code was at hand for St. Matthew’s students Thursday.

Enrollment rises for home, private schools

Home schooling in the Flathead Valley has gained momentum, registering its highest enrollment in 10 years, while private schools are returning to levels seen prior to the economic recession.

Architect selected for West Valley School project

West Valley School District has selected CTA Architects Engineers for its construction project.

Weather woes close some schools

West Glacier Elementary closed Tuesday and will remain closed the rest of the week due to a burst water pipe.

Donations bring Christmas spirit to Columbia Falls

 When Columbia Falls School District liaisons realized they had miscalculated the number of families in the district needing assistance over the holiday season, their hearts sank. 

Local students emulate U.N. diplomats

By HILARY MATHESON

Church-state battle envelops school choirs

As Christmas nears, two local school districts find themselves being drawn unwillingly into the battle against religion in the public square — but both districts maintain that allowing students to participate in traditional Christmas concerts does not violate anyone’s rights.

New test will gauge high school equivalency

A new test will replace the GED program as a statewide high school equivalency test in December.

Grants fund unique school projects

The Kalispell Education Foundation has announced eight recipients who will receive more than $10,000 in grant funding.

Kitchen project two-thirds completed

Construction is moving along on Kalispell Public Schools’ new central kitchen near Kalispell Middle School.

Small Business Saturday: Holiday shoppers think small

‘Open’ signs lit up an otherwise cloudy day and welcome mats were laid out for shoppers on Small Business Saturday.

Stillwater students read up for club

The number of pages Stillwater Christian School students are reading is on the rise from elementary through high school.

Who killed JFK? - Flathead forensics class investigates 50-year-old mystery

Students taking a forensics class at Flathead High School took a more clinical look at the assassination of John F. Kennedy half a century ago.

Voices from the past: 'Our country came to an absolute standstill'

One way to emphasize the historic impact of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is to reach out to people who experienced the moment when the country came to a standstill.

Search begins for new Col. Falls school leader

The Columbia Falls School District has begun advertising the position of superintendent.

Marion School a finalist in tech contest

Marion School is one of 255 finalists in Samsung’s nationwide Solve for Tomorrow contest.

Eighth-grade test scores on par with world

When it comes to math and science, Montana’s eighth-graders outperform many countries, according to a special report from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Libby teacher famous for his hall of fame

 The classroom of Libby High School science teacher Gene Reckin isn’t just for teaching lessons about the natural world. It is a place of inspiration.

Nordic patrol brightens film venue

Viewers at next week’s Banff Kalispell Mountain Film Festival World Tour stop at Flathead High School will have the ultimate big-screen movie experience.

Kalispell school property deals called off

After the sale of the Kalispell Public Schools Auxiliary Services Building in Kalispell fell through, trustees unanimously decided to take the property off the market.

Bigfork board OKs middle-school grading change

Bigfork Middle School students and parents will have to get used to seeing different letters of the alphabet on report cards after school trustees approved piloting a standards-based grading system Wednesday.

Bozeman philanthropist provides scholarships

 Greg Gianforte of Bozeman is a software entrepreneur, philanthropist and an advocate for school choice.

History in the Hallways: Project connects FHS students to heritage

There’s history in those hallowed hallways.

Ledger

A ledger from 1931. Staff and students working on History in the Hallways have been impressed by the penmanship of these older documents.

O'Donnell

Sean O’Donnell, head of the Flathead High School social science department and history teacher Pat Reilly look through a book of handwritten school board minutes in front of a display case Reilly constructed to hold historical documents, photos or memorabilia relating to Flathead High School and the district. The project, called History in the Hallways, was organized by O’Donnell to get students connected to their school’s past. Artifacts dating back to 1899 are on display at the school.

Kofford

Mike Kofford, outreach coordinator for Kalispell Public Schools, right, shows Flathead High School International Baccalureate seniors Haakon Sande and Eliza Diegel a teacher’s contract from 1922 in the basement of the district’s central office. At the time, the teacher made $1,392 for a year of service teaching primary grades, which is the same buying power as $19,378 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index Inflation calculator. Sande and Diegel are researching district historical documents as part of Flathead’s History in the Hallways project.

Glacier, Flathead poised for cross-town rivalry

Local Class AA speech and debate teams are hoping to talk their way to the top with the first competition of the season kicking off Nov. 2 in Missoula and Columbia Falls.

Columbia Falls, Whitefish teams aiming high

The Columbia Falls Wildcats are ready to pounce on the opportunity to achieve a ninth consecutive speech and debate state title, with 27 returning veterans and 30 up-and-coming speakers.

Governor, teachers discuss need for early childhood education in Columbia Falls

Gov. Steve Bullock visited Columbia Falls School District Thursday to discuss the needs and challenges of preparing children for school.

Dispatchers dispense 911 lessons

 First graders are learning the “do’s” and “don’ts” of calling 911 with help from Flathead County emergency dispatchers and spokes-character Red E. Fox.

Forum offers a worldly perspective

Educating the public on national and international issues beyond media sound bites is the genesis of the Glacial Forum.

Local high schools compete to drive to benefit food bank

The Kalispell branch of U.S. Bank is extending an extra challenge to high school students and the community for this year’s crosstown competitions.

Time capsule marks center's longevity

Discovery Developmental Center commemorated the center’s 21st anniversary Tuesday by creating a time capsule that won’t be opened for another 20 years.

Haunted Hotel not for the faint of heart

When guests arrive at the lobby of The Zone’s Haunted Hotel, they are warned that “persons of weak constitution” should not enter.

Marion girl competes in national costume contest

Eleven-year-old Marina Cesarone will fly to Los Angeles Thursday to attend Hub Network’s first Halloween Bash television event. She also has a chance to win a $25,000 grand prize.

Group explores area's natural history

Propagating non-native spotted knapweed is illegal in Montana, but West Valley School’s root weevil insectary is an exception in fighting the spread of the noxious weed.

Special education symposium draws crowd

Teachers, school administrators, parents, disability rights advocates and attorneys gathered at Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday and Friday to move forward the discussion on special education needs in the region.

Former addict gets second chance plus new career at A Ray of Hope

Ten years ago Mandy Hyatt, 38, walked into A Ray of Hope homeless shelter trapped in a pit of drug addiction.