Helena Public Schools > Friday Update from Superintendent Weltz | December 5, 2025
Friday Update from Superintendent Weltz | December 5, 2025

Dear Families, Staff, and the Helena Community,

It’s hard to believe that December is already here and we are a few short weeks from winter break. We have a packed calendar of events over the next few weeks, especially in our performing arts departments.

The season officially kicks off next week with our Elementary Winter Performances, which will run right up until the break. These performances are always a highlight of the year. They showcase the hard work our students put in with our dedicated K-5 music team, to put their music lessons into vibrant action on stage.

Our middle and high school music programs also have some big performances coming up, including both high schools’ Concert Bands to perform this coming Monday; our middle schools’ bands will take the stage later next week and the one after, and our middle schools’ choirs performing the week before break. I wish all good luck at these events!

On top of these programs and concerts, gearing up for winter sports, and many other extracurriculars, this time of year can get stir crazy. While there are many exciting activities happening, it is incredibly important that we all finish out the semester strong before break.

Students- Please keep up the discipline and focus on your schoolwork. You’ll thank yourself when you come back after break!

Teachers and Staff- YOU’VE GOT THIS! We are almost to the finish line. Keep up the pace and the positive energy with our students, and don’t forget to take a deep breath.

Parents and Guardians- Your support and encouragement are essential. Please check in with your students about their academic load, and don’t forget to say thank you to our incredible educators who are working hard to balance the fun of this time of year with strong instruction.

There’s a lot going on, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help!

Sincerely,

Rex Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

BONDS PROJECTS UPDATES

Recap:

Bonds: The $31.5 million Helena ESD and $130.0 million Helena HSD that were advertised in the Independent Record and on our website, sold within 30 minutes of their offering (in $5,000 increments) through D.A. Davidson on November 20, 2025.

HHS + Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) Project: Week 6 (11/30-12/06)

  • Precedent Trip (12/3-12/5): The design team facilitated a tour for a group of HHS/PAL teachers and administrators who traveled by charter bus to Eastern Washington to visit new educational and athletic facilities. The goal of the trip was to learn about different approaches to building and campus design. Staff and administrators from the facilities toured also shared insights and answered questions.
  • First week of Schematic Design underway
  • Campus Master Planning Committee Meeting
  • HHS Ed Spec Deliverable delivered digitally

CHS Project: Week 4 (11/30-12/06)

  • Capital High School existing background floorplan development
  • Scheduling a full Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing review
  • Community Survey
  • Design Advisory Group (DAG) Tuesday, December 2.
Kessler Project: Week 2 (11/30-12/06)
  • Mosaic and Cushing Terrell conducted a walk-through review of Bryant Elementary. Additionally, project leaders engaged in conversations with Bryant teachers and staff to gain insight into what is working well and what can be improved upon in the design for Kessler Elementary.
  • Mosaic project leadership met with the Kessler Steering Committee and toured the existing Kessler Elementary building on 12/5.
  • Developing plans and schedules for the design engagement process.
Up Next:

HHS + Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) Project: Week 7 (12/07-12/13)

  • HHS Ed Spec Deliverable Review Meeting
  • PAL Ed Spec Deliverable delivered digitally
  • All Architects Kick-Off Meeting
  • HHS GCCM RFQ/RFP Due – December 8

CHS Project: Week 5 (12/07-12/13)

  • Capital High School existing background floor plans and elevations continue to be developed
  • Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing review
  • Community Survey Continues
  • CHS GCCM RFQ/RFP Notice #1 – December 13

Kessler Project: Week 3 (12/07-12/13)

  • COMING SOON!
If you have questions or want to chat about what’s next, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! And if you are still reading this, first one to text Taylor Lassiter at 701-527-1301 will get a cup of coffee (or tea or whatever) – must be an HPS employee.
Keep up-to-date on the bonds projects as we enter into each phase of the processes:

VISIT SITE

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 – NEW EVENTS!
  • CONTACT CENTER FOR QUESTIONS AND TO GET CONNECTED (WEBPAGE)

VIEW WEBPAGE

 

The hats and gloves program on the HPS buses is still accepting donations. You can make donations at the entrance of the Lincoln Center or at the First Student bus barn at 3020 Big Sky Loop. If your student needs hats and/or gloves, please speak with their bus driver.
 
Please be mindful of icy road conditions, students walking to stops, have students dressed for the weather and do not leave students unattended at their bus stops if conditions deteriorate.

 

 

 

 

 

Join SACC for winter fun and activities for current Helena Public Schools’ students in K-5!

-December 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 31, and January 2.

-7:30-5:30, $56 per child/per day.

-For more information and to register visit our webpage!

 

 

 

 

 

DID YOU KNOW?
Capital High School and Jefferson Elementary are on social media now! Be sure to like and follow to stay up to date on all the exciting things: 

DOWNLOAD THE FORM AND DONATE TODAY!

MAKE A NOTE:

  • Grant writing workshop on January 7th, at 3:45pm – Lincoln Center
  • Pen and Ink Submissions due on January 16th (see below)
  • Great Ideas & Spark Grants due January 27th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KinderSprouts – Helena Public Schools’ FREE preschool program for QUALIFYING STUDENTS. To qualify your child must:

  • Be 4 years old by September 10, 2026.
  • Take a skills screening assessment to determine if your child would benefit from early literacy or numeracy intervention. Screenings will begin in February 2026 – schedule a screening at https://shorturl.at/ioxwF.

For more information, go to our WEBPAGE. You can also find frequently asked questions HERE.
Kindergarten – Your child is eligible to start kindergarten in Fall 2026 if they will be five years old on or before September 10, 2026.

  • All Kindergarten registration for Fall 2026 opens Jan. 7, 2026 at Noon!
  • Kindergarten registration for siblings of a current student is now open.

For more information go to our WEBPAGE. It includes registration instructions and other need-to-knows.
Montessori – If you have a student you plan to register for Kindergarten for Fall 2026, and are interested in being in the Montessori program, mark your calendar for April 24, 2026 as the application deadline date.

For more information go to our WEBPAGE. It includes application instructions, dates to remember, and other need-to-knows.

WHAT’S COMING UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT?
December 6 – December 20, 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/.

Slips, Trips, and Falls Reminder