Friday update from Superintendent Weltz | January 31, 2025

In today’s newsletter:

  • Navigating a changing federal landscape
  • Our commitment to serve all kids
  • Weekly legislative update
  • Smith to perform “Snow White” with MCT

Dear Families,

Executive orders around immigration and federal grant funding over the past two weeks have raised many questions and concerns in the public education community for students, educators and families alike.

Amidst this uncertainty, I want to assure our community that Helena Public Schools remains committed to providing a safe, welcoming and supporting learning environment for every student.

At this time, we have no indication that regional Homeland Security or Immigrations and Customs Enforcement are planning to visit schools in our area or state.

We are closely monitoring fast-moving developments on both immigration and federal grant funding issues, among others, and will keep families informed as we learn of potential changes.

As we navigate potential changes at the federal level, our focus remains on student success. Our schools will continue to be places where students can learn, grow and thrive, supported by dedicated educators and a caring community.

Meanwhile, we’re making frequent trips to our state Capitol to support legislation that has the potential to ease the funding gap affecting public schools across Montana, at least temporarily. On Wednesday, much of our Board of Trustees and administrative staff participated in the Montana School Board Association’s largest-ever “Public Education Day on the Hill.”

A focal point for the day was House Bill 252, otherwise known as the STARS Act.

As summarized by the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA), this legislation includes an increase in teacher base salaries, mechanisms for resource sharing among school districts, and the expansion of advanced learning opportunities, all designed to empower educators to provide personalized and effective learning experiences. Additionally, the bill addresses critical challenges such as the high cost of housing for school staff, facilitating their ability to live and thrive within the communities they serve.

The legislation further establishes a “Future Ready” funding component, encouraging schools to equip students with essential skills and credentials for their post-graduation journeys.

See updates on additional legislation we’re tracking in today’s weekly Legislative update.

Returning to school news – and the dynamic and innovative experiences our students participate in every week – Smith Elementary School shared with me this week that their school will welcome the Missoula Children’s Theater on Monday for a residency week and student performance. The public is invited to see the students’ production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” on Saturday, February 8, at 2 p.m., at Helena Middle School. Admission is free.

We wish them well as they head off to work on rehearsals!

Enjoy this weekend with your family.

Respectfully,

Rex M. Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

Logo reading "Better Together: Strong Schools, Strong Communities." The Helena Public Schools logo is overlayed over a mountain Range.

 

Student & Educator Recognitions


Bengals and Bruins deliver at 2025 MT Thespian Festival

Advanced drama students from Helena High and Capital High stole the spotlight at the 2025 Montana Thespian Festival at the University of Montana last weekend! In addition to delivering award-winning performances, the students took in plays by other high school drama troupes from across Montana and attended workshops sponsored by the University of Montana.

Let’s give a standing ovation to our Bengal and Bruin Thespians and their outstanding teachers, Laura Brayko (CHS) and Roger Scruggs (HHS).

Bravo!

Helena High School 

Outstanding Performer Award: Nadja Bolotsky and Luke Wilkins
Outstanding Comedy Award: For their performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde
Outstanding Costumes Award: Karl Zimmerman (designer) with Savannah Pipinich, Ida Brown and Evelyn Callery
Tech Olympics Third Place: Luke Wilkins, Madison Higginbothan, Karl Zimmerman and Kate Poole

Capital High School 

Merit Scholar Recipients: Skylee Denney and Aaron Heisel
Outstanding Debut Performance: Lexie Flath
State Thespian Officer & Festival Liaison: Raine Lafond


Helena HIgh School’s Thespian Troupe #745, established in 1947, won the Outstanding Comedy Award at the Montana Thespian Festival for their performance of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

District News & Events


Smart Conversations about Kids and Screens

The Helena Education Foundation will host Face2Face: Smart Conversations about Kids and Screens, a series of events designed to engage the community in dialogue about phones, academics, mental health, safety, and childhood. Please join us for one or more of the following events, and check our online calendar for updates.

Tuesday, February 4, 7 pm at Grandstreet Theatre: Face2Face Keynote Speaker Emily Cherkin, author of The Screentime Solution

Community Reading Groups 

HEF is organizing book groups around the community so that parents, educators, and adults who care about kids can connect by reading and discussing Jonathan Haidt’s bestseller, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” and/or our keynote speaker Emily Cherkin’s book “The Screentime Solution.”

Check out our events calendar or contact your parent council to join a book group near you!

  • Monday, February 3: Broadwater Elementary School Community discussion of “The Screentime Solution,” 5:30 p.m. at the Staggering Ox

  • Wednesday, February 5: Central Elementary School Community discussion of “The Anxious Generation,” 6:30 p.m. in Central’s DaVinci Room

  • Sunday, February 9: “The Screentime Solution” book discussion at Lewis & Clark Library, 1 p.m.


Mark Your Calendar

Monday, February 17: Presidents’ Day; no school for grades K-12, district closed

Monday, March 31 – Friday, April 4: Spring Break; no school

Tuesday, April 8: Sophomore & Junior ACT Testing Day; no school for high school freshmen and seniors


 

Future Chef Challenge: Calling All Young Chefs!

Attention all 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders—it’s time to put your cooking skills to the test!

Helena Public Schools and Sodexo invite you to participate in the annual “Future Chef Challenge.” This year’s theme: “Favorite Main Dish.”

How to Enter:

Submit your best main dish recipe using this downloadable form and drop it off at your school by Friday, February 7. The top 12 submissions from across the district will be selected to compete in a live cooking event at Capital High School’s main kitchen. Winners will be chosen February 21 and the competition is March 8.

Finalists will cook in teams of three, guided by professional chefs and high school culinary students. Participants will develop leadership skills as they guide their teammates through the recipe.

Prizes:

🏆 Grand Prize Winner receives a trophy, exciting prizes, and the chance to compete in Sodexo’s regional Future Chef Challenge!

Don’t miss this chance to showcase your culinary creativity!

With questions, contact Robert Worthy at Rworthy@helenaschools.org or 406-324-2512.

 


Community Events