District News & Updates
Superintendent’s Weekly Communication
Year-end Message from Superintendent Weltz 6_9_22
Friday Letter from Superintendent Weltz 06_03_22
(Posted June 2, 2022)
Commencement ceremony times changed due to afternoon thunderstorms in forecast
Due to afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast, Helena Public Schools commencement ceremony times have been changed as follows:
Friday June 3
Access to Success: 10:30 a.m., Helena Middle School, 1025 N. Rodney St.
Project for Alternative Learning (PAL): 1 pm, Myrna Loy Center, 15 N. Ewing St.
Saturday, June 4
Helena High: 8 a.m., Nelson Stadium on the Carroll College campus, 1601 N. Benton Ave.
HHS Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKclgFm6Y1E
Capital High: 11 a.m., Nelson Stadium on the Carroll College campus, 1601 N. Benton Ave.
CHS Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBY643V51JA
In the event of electrical storms at these new, earlier times, the HHS and CHS ceremonies will be moved indoors to the Carroll College PE Center adjacent to Nelson Stadium – a decision that will be made on Friday.
In Montana fashion, attendees are encouraged to bring sunscreen and hats and wear clothing that will be comfortable indoors or outdoors as we gather to celebrate our 2022 graduates!
Please note that due to fire code restrictions, only ticket holders will be allowed to attend if the ceremonies are moved indoors. There are no attendance restrictions if the ceremonies are able to be held outdoors as planned. Each graduating senior has received tickets for their family and families are reminded to bring their tickets to the event in case of electrical storms.
Helena Public Schools thanks our families for their cooperation as we work to make this a comfortable event for our families and graduates.
(Posted June 1, 2022)
Fire Truck Ride at 3:30 today for HHS Girls Track State Champs!
Helena Public Schools and the Helena Fire Department will celebrate the Helena High Girls Track State Championship with a firetruck ride today, June 1, at 3:30 p.m.
The truck will travel from Helena High School south on Roberts Street to 6th Ave East, where it will head west past the Capitol to downtown and north on Park Avenue before heading east on Neill Avenue and Helena Avenue to return to Helena High. Congratulations, Bengals!!!
2022 Vigilante Parade Results
This year’s Vigilante Parade had 75 floats, with 35 percent of all Helena High and Capital High students participating in the parade. The senior class won the A.J. Roberts Cup with 52 percent.
Grand Champion
Last Chance Gulch During the Gold Rush: Erik Callery, Laurel Maronick, Isaac Nehring, Marisa Pargot, Eva Santos, Evan Stefaniak, Naomi Sweeney, Melony Campbell, Alyssa Kline, Neillea Warden
American Indian
1922 Montana State Fair Inter-Tribal Indian Relay Race: Ace Dolecheck, Deacon Eagleman, Chase (Chey) Harris, Clay Kroll, Trenton Salway
Historic Helena
- Helena’s State Fair (1909-1915): Malea Brancamp, Aricia Campillo, Caleb Dalton, Jordan Escamilla, JaeLynn Fishburn, Brisies Gauer, Phoenix Griego, Sean Herrera, Collin Hurlburt, Jacob Janacaro, Abby Simmons, Cindy Simmons, Jesse Taylor, Brooklynn White Pittman
- Last Chance Stampede (Began 1960): Caitlyn Brown, Brynn Cotton, Jadyn Gilliam, Tristyn Gilliam, Lane Kosena, Keaton Normandy, Sam Petersen, Zach Pullin, Madeline Stroman, Alex Zimmerman
- Mann Gulch Fire (1949): Taylor Parisot, Ian Rasmann, Sam Schiltz, Trey Schlepp, Dimitri Sebastian, Elliot Stimpson, Henry Sund
Pioneer Life
- Belmont Ski Club, Now Great Divide: Ryal Evans, Trevin Kockler, Logan Kosena, Logan Lysager, Tanner Miller, Colin Richem Casey Terry
- Dorothy’s Rooms (Brothel): Keiran Boyle, Kenzie Grotbo, Aiden Kelly, RaeAnn Lowen, Carlin Onstad, Isabel Beasley
Helena Business
- KTVH TV – First Television Station in Helena: Mike Bartsch, Alex Brisko, Logan Colberg, Jacob Curry, Tyler Cutler, Alexis Jacobs, McKenna Robertson, Tucker Zanto
- Imperial Lanes Bowling (1957): Jack Anderson, Lance Baumgart, Jenna Boltz, Jacob Brown, Abigail Ecke, Sarah Logan, Tycen Mooney, Carter Perlinski, Kennedy Pocha, Hayden Langemo, Mikayli McDowell
- Helena Brewery: Cole Christensen, Luke Dowdy, Henry Gross, Hudsen Grovom, Luke Hanson, Quinn Hanson, Colton Lindgren, Joey Michelotti, Nick Michelotti, Hayden Opti
Famous People
Fannie Sperry Steele: Liz Bowen, Madison Curry, Destiny Estep, Ruby Forman, Keelie Hankins, Amelia Hansen, Ethan Martin, Drew Morgan, John Pida, Sienna Pisciarelli, Aydan Tomlin, Tyler Zito
Mining and Transportation
Last Chance Gulch During Gold Rush: Melony Campbell, Alyssa Kline, Neillea Warden
Antique Vehicles
Allis Chalmers in All its Glory: Philip Patten
History Society – Most Historically Accurate
Henry Sieben’s Cattle Ranch: Nathan Dupler, Bryton Kipp, Collin Leckner, Cameron Mann, Evangeline Och, Avery Powell, Tyten Sichelstiel, Alyvia Sperry, Iyana Stanger
11 a.m. dismissal for grades K-8 on May 6, Vigilante Day
The Vigilante Day Parade is Friday, May 6! More than 70 floats are in the works for this nearly century-old community tradition. Please remember that grades K-8 will be released at 11 a.m. on parade day – Friday, May 6 – and there is no school for grades 9-12.
Please also be aware of street closures and parking restrictions on the parade route (link). Beginning at 10:30 a.m. on the 6th, access will be limited along Helena Avenue from the intersection with Neill Avenue northeast to at least Idaho Avenue as floats begin to stage.
KTVH plans to stream the event on Facebook Live (plans are subject to change). To watch visit KTVH on Facebook.
(Posted 4/18/2022)
Fire Truck Ride to Celebrate CHS Boys Basketball State Champs on Thursday
The City of Helena Fire Department and Helena Public Schools are returning a much-loved community tradition: On Thursday afternoon, the State Champion Capital High Boys Basketball team will be honored with a celebratory fire truck ride through town.
The team and coaches will board the truck at 3:45 pm Thursday at Capital High and proceed as follows:
South down North Benton Avenue to Neill Avenue
Southeast on Neill Avenue past Hill Park and Women’s Park
South on North Last Chance Gulch
Northwest on West Sixth Avenue to South Park Avenue
North on South Park Avenue to Hauser Boulevard
West on Hauser Boulevard to Henderson Street
North on Henderson Street to return to Capital High
Assistant Helena Fire Chief Mike Chambers, a Capital High alum, said he has fond childhood memories of celebratory rides for Helena’s state champs. The last fire truck ride was pre-COVID for the Capital High Volleyball Team, which won state championships in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
“People were jumping out of their businesses and clapping and waving,” said Chambers. “It’s just about the hard work that the kids put in. They’re representing not only their school but this community.”
Chambers worked with Helena Public Schools Activities Administrator Tim McMahon to coordinate the event.
“The district is grateful for the efforts of the Fire Department and the City of Helena to bring back this exciting tradition for our student athletes,” said McMahon. “It means the world to our athletes to be recognized and celebrated by our community. Please come out on Thursday to give a wave and a cheer to our Capital High Boys Basketball State Champs!”
CHS State Champs Fire Truck Ride Route
(Posted 04/15/22)
Election Day is May 3
Three seats on the HPS Board of Trustees are up for reelection. The seats represent the Elementary (K-8) District and are three-year terms. The seats are currently held by:
Siobhan Hathhorn
Libby Goldes
John McEwen
This election is by mail-in ballot, which will be mailed April 18. If you are not registered to vote, the last day to register for a mail-in ballot is April 4. Late registration is in-person-only from April 5 to noon May 2 at the election office, Room 168 of the City-County Building, 316 N. Park Ave, 447-8339.
(Posted 04/12/22)
Weather Update for Tuesday, April 12, 2022
All Helena Public Schools will operate as usual with normal start times this morning, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. The Grizzly Gulch bus route is canceled. All other bus routes will run as normal.
(Posted 02/7/22)
COVID-19 Drive-Through Test Clinics Resume Feb. 7
Drive-Through COVID-19 testing clinics have resumed for Helena Public Schools students, staff, and their immediate household members. If you or a family member is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please get tested before returning to school. Testing is also available for individuals who believe they have been in contact with a positive case.
Thank you to our Helena Public Schools nurses for making this important service available to students and employees!
For clinic hours and to schedule an appointment, please visit our COVID-19 Testing Page
(Posted 01/14/22)
Volunteer and visitor training session scheduled
As we welcome school volunteers back into our buildings later this month, the district is offering a Volunteer & Guest Training Session Wednesday, Jan. 19. Training is not required for visitors and volunteers, but is recommended.
We’ll talk about the huge impact volunteers have on our school communities and will go over the nuts and bolts, including safety protocols, identification on campus, working with administrators, student behaviors and confidentiality.
The training is Wednesday, Jan. 19, from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Lincoln Center, 1325 Poplar. Seating is limited. If you would like to attend, please contact Jacque Young at jyoung3@helenaschools.org or (406) 324-2010 before Tuesday, January 18.
(Posted 01/06/22)
Free Drive-Through COVID Testing to be offered Jan. 6 from 4-7 pm at Lincoln Center
HPS nurses and student nurses will resume FREE evening COVID testing today, Jan. 6, from 4-7 pm at the Lincoln Center (District Central Office) at 1325 Poplar. No appointment is needed. Testing is available to all school district students, employees and their immediate household members.
Drive-through testing will also be available at the Lincoln Center Monday through Thursday evenings, from 4-7 pm, for the next two weeks (weeks of Jan. 10 and Jan. 17). Testing will not be available on Fridays.
Beginning Monday, we will encourage you to schedule an appointment to reduce your wait time. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE
Please pull up to the building, stay in your car, and a staff member will come to you.
If you have symptoms or are asymptomatic, but think you have been exposed, please get tested. Please contact your school nurse with questions.
Thank you for testing to help keep COVID out of our school communities!
(Posted 01/06/22)
Jan. 6 High School Basketball Games Cancelled Due To Cold Weather
All high school basketball games scheduled in Missoula and Helena for today, Jan. 6, have been cancelled due to weather and road conditions. This decision was made out of concern for student safety in conjunction with transportation providers from both communities. Games scheduled in Missoula and Helena for this Saturday, Jan. 8, are still scheduled at this time. All of today’s games have been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 15.
-Helena High boys will travel to Missoula Big Sky on February 15th with the Big Sky girls teams coming to Helena High on the same date. All game times and locations remain the same.
-Capital High boys will travel to Missoula Hellgate on February 15th with the Hellgate girls teams coming to Helena High on the same date. All game times and locations remain the same.
(Posted 01/06/22)
Cold Weather Procedures
January’s frigid temperatures have prompted questions about school cold-weather procedures. Living in Montana, we know that the weather can change on a dime. All schools in the Helena School District have plans in place for below zero conditions.
Before school, when the temperature and/or windchill is sitting below zero at a particular school, students are brought inside as soon as buildings open.
If the temperatures drop below zero while students are in school, indoor recess is held.
If it looks like the temperature will be below zero for dismissal, please watch for notifications from your student’s school between 2-3 p.m. Each school has a plan in place for inclement weather and will communicate that to families.
- We ask that no students walk home when temperatures are below zero.
- Students who ride the bus will be kept inside until their bus is in place. (Reminder: In harsh weather conditions, we ask that students not be left unattended at bus stops).
- Students will be supervised for quick pick-ups outside and then brought back inside to await late arrivals.
Remember, temperatures can vary dramatically from school-to-school because of our district’s location in a mountain valley that is prone to inversions, with our schools located at varying elevations.
A school closer to town may be at 10 degrees above zero with no wind, while another school out in the valley may be at 10 below with windchill. Each school checks the weather station closest to their location throughout the day to determine the safest plan for their students.