In today’s newsletter:
– Congrats to our All-State Music Festival performers!
– High school thespians take “Fabulous Firsts” to the next level
– Make a difference working with Helena Public Schools
– Bryant 5th graders head to college
– Welding students visit ADF fabrication plant
Dear Families and Staff,
Itâs a short school week as many of our teachers head to educator conferences around the state. Nevertheless, we have student and staff recognitions to celebrate.
This week our top high school musicians are headed to the All-State Music Festival in Billings. Each of these students put in hours upon hours of practice under the direction of our music educators to be chosen through a rigorous audition process last spring.
Our Bengal and Bruin State musicians will rehearse for two days with nationally renowned band, choral and orchestra conductors, culminating in a gala performance Friday evening at Skyview High School.
Congratulations to our 2024 Montana All-State Musicians and their outstanding instructors:
Band (Mr. Duane Zehr): Meika Arensmeyer, Thomas Byron, Josiah Todd
Orchestra (Mr. Kevin Cleary): Vivian James, Mason Whitney, Adeline Walters, Hollis Elliott, Charlie Snellman, Fox Rowland, Alternate – Claudia Cook
Band (Mr. Cody Hollow): Carson Payne
Choir (Ms. Molly Kohoutek): Nadja Bolotsky, Brady Lay, Ella Nasset, Lily Pierson, Leila Zentz
Orchestra (Mr. Kevin Cleary): Elliot Cleary, Isabel Ward, Nailah Freeman, Freya Elias, Emeline Jefferies
On the sports front, our winter season is already getting underway, with wrestling starting October 15 and basketball beginning October 22. Check your school newsletter for details. The first swim meet of the season is December 13.
Meanwhile, we have three crosstown match ups on the calendar this week. The Capital High Girls clinched their first season sweep since 2009 last night at Carroll College. Congratulations Lady Bruins!
This afternoon, our cross-country teams play for the crosstown title at 4 p.m. at Capital High.
And on Friday, our Bengal and Bruin Volleyball players meet at 7 p.m. for a crosstown game at Helena High. Go Bengals and Bruins!
Now for a check-in with our high school theater departments, which are taking the Helena Education Foundationâs âFabulous Firstsâ program to the next level.
Each year the Helena Education Foundation (HEF) provides every first grader in our district with a brand new, hardcover book of their own to take home â hence the âFabulous Firstsâ moniker.
This year, our CHS and HHS Advanced Theater students are helping bring those books to life by performing original pieces inspired by themes from our 2024 Fabulous Firsts titles.
Weâre grateful for these high school mentors and the incredible influence they have on our youngest students as they develop a love for reading and learning. And a big thank you to Chelsey George, the Helena Area Community Foundation and Lewis and Clark County for supporting the expansion of HEFâs fabulous âFabulous Firstsâ program.
Fifth-grade students at Bryant Elementary also got a glimpse of the future recently as they began this yearâs Helena College Honorary Student program. Bryantâs fifth graders will make multiple visits to Helena College throughout the year, participating in courses on everything from criminal justice to chemistry.
This first visit focused on the art program, where students got their hands dirty in a colorful tie-dye class led by art instructor Seth Roby. This video capturing their creativity is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Finally, I want to share a story from KRTV out of Great Falls, which dropped in on students from Mr. Jim Weberâs CHS welding class as they visited the ADF International metal fabrication plant in Great Falls.
Mr. Weberâs students soaked up lots of learning during a day of tours, demonstrations and hands-on welding activities at the plant. Their training at Capital High is giving them a head start on skills needed to launch good-paying careers right out of high school.
For ADF, such visits encourage students to consider a career in the fabrication and manufacturing sector, which faces steep recruiting challenges. Several local employers and industry organizations had booths at the career exploration day, including the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).
âWelding is really fun,â CHS Junior Addison Fehr told KRTV, noting that welding jobs can pay well. âIf youâre in high school, itâs something you might really enjoy and itâs a fun class.â
Click here to catch the KRTV story.
Speaking of career opportunities, Helena Public Schools is currently hiring paraeducators. If you enjoy working with kids, our classrooms are a great place to make a difference in our community while earning extra income. Benefits include school-related paid days off and a 10-month work calendar. Click here to apply or learn more.
I wish everyone a wonderful long weekend. As always, thank you for all you do to support our students and schools.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Respectfully,
Rex M. Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools