Dear Families, Staff, and the Helena Community,

It’s been a great week acknowledging and celebrating community, unity, and service. I want to start by extending my deepest congratulations and pride to all the athletes and student volunteers who participated in last week’s Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament. The positive spirit and dedication from student athletes and volunteers were outstanding. Thank you for representing our district with such grace and enthusiasm.

Following the tournament was a powerful display of unity as the Helena High School and Capital High School German Clubs collaborated at the Holter Museum for the Fall of the Berlin Wall Celebration. Bringing our students together to explore complex topics of unity, freedom, and history in such an impactful and interactive way is exactly the kind of enrichment we strive to provide. This sense of community provided a natural bridge to some of the impactful events of this past week:

• Veterans Day Commemorations took place all across the district through art, flag placings, and conversations. I was honored to attend Jim Darcy’s beautiful annual celebration, recognizing family members who are serving or who have served for our freedom.
• Students from Capital High, Helena High, C.R. Anderson, and Helena Middle united to view a Live from the Met’s La Bohème. This unique opportunity provided the students with an educational and cultural immersion into music and the arts, which was made possible by dedicated instructors, the Ironhorse Youth Music program, and ticket funding from The Metropolitan Opera.
• Central Elementary held its third annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day this morning in partnership by AAA and the Ruby Brides Foundation, reinforcing the importance of history, standing up for what is right, and equity among all people.

Our schools, programs, and instructors are doing an incredible job of immersing students not just in curriculum, but in what it means to be a good person. I look forward to sharing more updates like these, alongside formal news, like bond projects and district developments.

Don’t forget to scroll down to review this last week’s and next week’s project updates, including an important FAQ snippet from last Tuesday’s BOT meeting.

As always, please reach out if you want to discuss district ongoings.

Respectfully,

Rex Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

BONDS PROJECTS UPDATES

**VIEW VIDEO: IMPORTANT FAQ SNIPPET: SUPT. BOND PROGRESS UPDATE**

Recap:

• Educational Specifications & Programming for PAL & HHS – Area Model/Concept Review
• Internal Programming, Educational Specifications and Campus Master Planning progress

• Slate + RTA Introductions, Tours, and Conversations with CHS staff at CHS
• Planning Meetings-
  •  Reviewed building systems outline with Hulteng for District wide compatibility.
• Met with HHS architect A&E | SMA, HSD Administration and Hulteng to review the concepts and estimates of probable cost of construction that influenced the bond campaign work. This was held to develop a better understanding for the Slate + RTA team to further develop and align the CHS Transformation project with the expectations of the public following the passage of the bond.

• Kessler RFQs dues 11/10
• Kessler RFQ Submissions Reviewed 11/11

Up Next:

• Staff Surveys to be Forwarded This Week
• CHS Existing Plan Backgrounds Underway – Including further development of a full Building Information Model (BIM)
• Establish the Design Advisory Group (DAG)

Kessler Project: Ground Zero (11/16-11/22)

• • Kessler Architect Interviews 11/18
  • Kessler Architect Confirmation at BOT Special Board Meeting 11/21

COMMUNITY CORNER

Resources for Students, Families, and the HPS Community

• HPS THREE WAYS TO DONATE – partnership with Helena Food Share
  1. Community food pantries at each HPS school, in partnership with Helena Food Share
  2. Helena Food Share – food, money, volunteers
  3. HPS RevTrak Donations
• RUNNING RESOURCE LIST ON OUR WEBPAGE
  • Resources for federal employees and military family affected by the government shutdown (and after)
  • Free and Reduced Lunch Program
  • Helena Area community resources
• HPS SCHOOLS’ FOOD DRIVES AND OTHER RELATED EVENT LISTINGS (also listed on WEBPAGE)
• CONTACT CENTER FOR QUESTIONS AND TO GET CONNECTED (WEBPAGE)

VIEW WEBPAGE

Amy’s Mess provides homeless families with school-aged children with nourishing meals and supportive resources, directly addressing their immediate needs and helping to pave the way to a brighter future.

THEIR PROGRAMS

Join Us in Nourishing Our Students: Support the School Pantry Initiative

At Amy’s Mess, we believe in the power of community to make a profound difference in the lives of those around us—especially our youngest members. We are excited to announce a new initiative to ensure no student goes through their school day hungry or lacking necessities. We are establishing a Needs Pantry in every school within the Helena School District.

What is a Needs Pantry?

A Needs Pantry is a dedicated space within each school that provides snacks, quick meals, and basic hygiene necessities—free of charge—to students in need. These resources are crucial for students who might otherwise go without, helping them focus on their studies, not their hardships.

How Can You Help?

We are calling on our incredible community to come together and support this vital initiative:

• Monetary Donations: You can easily contribute financially via our website. Every dollar helps us keep the pantries well-stocked.
• Direct Donations: If you’re local and prefer a hands-on approach, you can purchase items and donate them directly to the school of your choice. This personal touch makes a big difference!
• Consolidated Drop-offs: If not, you can hand over your items to me, and I will organize a combined delivery to the schools. This method helps streamline the process and ensures all contributions are distributed efficiently and effectively.
• Spread the Word: Share our mission with friends, family, and local businesses. Encourage them to contribute if they can.

HEF’s annual fall event, Great Conversations is SOLD OUT!
But wait, they have added TWO new tables!
If you missed your chance to register, now’s your moment — grab one of the few seats left for the November 19th event and check out these new, just added, topics:
 Trade: Who Wins, Who Loses? – Dr. Alex Street
Global trade shapes everything from the prices we pay to the jobs we depend on. But who really benefits, and who bears the cost? Join a lively discussion about trade wars, globalization, and how international economics impact our daily lives.
 Let’s Talk About School Design! – Tim Meldrum
What does it take to design a safe, inspiring, and future-ready school? Get an inside look at the new Helena High School project and explore how thoughtful design can shape better learning and community spaces.

Join HEF on November 19th – register today!!

They will also be celebrating nine incredible educators that evening: Terri Johnson (HHS), Joe Pichardo (CHS), Barb Ridgway, Michael Madsen (CRA), Jessica Vallincourt (HHS), Jamie Toivonen (CHS), Andrea Tucker (Rossiter), Sheridan Marr (Bryant), and Michele Zentz (PAL).

WHAT’S COMING UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT?
November 15 – November 29, 2025

If we missed something, please let us know – helenamtschools@helenaschools.org. As a good rule of thumb, always check with your school on what they have going on. You can also find upcoming event information and more in this year’s calendar online at https://helenaschools.org/25-26-calendar-flipbook/.