Friday Update from Superintendent Weltz | October 3, 2025
Dear Families, Staff, and the Helena Community,
We are already halfway through the first quarter, how time flies! Outside, days are growing shorter, the weather is cooling and trees are turning red, orange and gold. It’s been such a beautiful September.
This month, the Board of Trustees is taking applications to fill a vacancy in the elementary district. Applications are due on October 31 and interviews will be held by the Board in a public meeting the first week of November. The selected candidate will take the oath of office at the regularly scheduled November 11 Board meeting and serve as a trustee until May 2026. If you are someone you know is interested in applying to serve on the Board of Trustees, you can find the application at https://helenaschools.org/board-of-trustees/.
For our high school seniors, college application week has just wrapped up. AP exam registration is open until November 14, and Capital High School is holding their FAFSA application completion night on October 15 in the CHS library and Helena High School will hold theirs on October 15 in the HHS Library where folks from Helena College and Carroll College will be available to help.
On a more sobering note, this fall, we have started the school year with our highest ever number of students who do not have a permanent home address – 320. This is 110 more than last year at this point in time. With the leadership of Michele Zentz, our district is working with community organizations to support the unique needs of these students and their families. When asked to weigh in on what was most needed at the moment, Michele indicated that donations of bath towels and rice cookers would be welcomed and that anyone interested in dropping off items could reach her at 406-324-1635. She also explained that your donations to Food Share, the United Way, and the Angel Fund provide snacks, weekend food bags, clothing and other supplies to students. Folks who are interested in donating their time can contact Amy with local non-profit Amy’s Mess (amys.mess@yahoo.com) to volunteer to help with home cooked meals for families living in places that don’t have cooking facilities. The Angel Fund is also providing $100 for school clothing to qualifying elementary students (double that for students experiencing homelessness) and $250 to qualifying middle and high school students (double that for students experiencing homelessness). You can find information on who and how to apply and through your school’s counseling office. Applications are due by November 13. As I reflect on all of ways this community steps up to meet the needs of its youngest citizens, I am so grateful for your kindness and compassion.
And to conclude, I would like to take a moment to recognize an exceptional human being. Today, we say “congratulations on retirement” to Barb Ridgway. Barb has been with Helena Public Schools for over 50 years – it has to be a record of some sort! She has held different positions at different locations throughout her career, and has always been the glue or grounding force. Not only is she one of the most dedicated and knowledgable presences among us, but her dedication and care has brought us through trials and triumphs. Barb uplifts the adults who uplifts our learners, and we are grateful for her professional and personal friendship to our HPS community. Give her a shout of congratulations if you get a chance.
Respectfully,
Rex Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools
BONDS PROJECTS UPDATES
Keep up-to-date on the bonds projects as we enter into each
phase of the processes:
Updates from the District Kitchen – It’s National Farm to School Month!!
The goals are to raise student awareness, encourage healthy eating and to buy local, and to inform students about the food that comes from right here in Montana.
2025 Montana Crunch off sponsored MSU and Montana Team Nutrition: HPS elementary schools will be participating in this fun event at some point in October. Stay tuned for updates on our students enjoying some fantastic apples that were grown in Montana!
Next week Taco Tuesday with Montana Bison (October7): Next week, Sodexo will start their Montana Foods with Montana Bison Tacos!
They will be offering at least one if not more grown, raised or made in Montana foods every month for the entire year. Over the next few weeks in addition to these Bison Tacos, you will see golden beet sticks, and they are preparing a made completely in-house scratch spaghetti squash salad, with sun dried tomatoes and seasonal vegetables that will be offered on the salad bar. Both of these were grown in Augusta at Rocky Mountain Produce here in Montana.
Thank you to Robert Worthy and the Sodexo district kitchen team! Their care for student nutrition shines bright, and we appreciate the work they do!
HELENA COLLEGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HELENA WINS INVITES YOU TO OUR
FIFTH ANNUAL PROSPECTS HEALTHCARE EVENT
| Helena College-Donaldson Campus |
| 1115 North Roberts, Helena Montana |
| Tuesday, October 14th |
| 9am-2pm |
Tours! Hands on activities! Resource Fair!
For high school students who might be interested and benefit from this fun, interactive, educational event. This event includes Fire & Emergency Services rotations in
their breakouts.There is a cap on number of attendees for the event so please RSVP through the QR code on the flyer.
Questions? Please contact dualenrollment@helenacollege.edu.
Calling for Helena Health Science Alliance (HHSA) Student Representative
HHSA is looking for high school student representatives to serve on each of our committees and the Executive Board. They will serve as conduits between their school and HHSA, sit on committees, and help with event planning and organization. Applications will be accepted through October 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Helena Health Science Alliance focuses on building up health science education programming and skills training for middle and high school students.
For questions, contact:
Charlie Snellman | HHSA President & Founder
president@helenahealthsciencealliance.org
ALSO: Spots are now available for MAPS’s Illustration Class and Sound/Music Class.
Go to https://mapsmediainstitute.com/ for more information.
Coats for Kids Program
The Helena Exchange Club Coats for Kids program is dedicated to ensuring that every child in the Helena area stays warm during the cold months. From October to March (or until the snow stops!), they provide new coats and boots to elementary school children in need.
Their program is administered through local elementary schools, with limited items available for middle and high schools, as well as select outside organizations. They collaborate closely with school counselors, teachers, and secretaries who identify students in need and submit requests on their behalf.
Exchange Club invites you to the 28th Annual Festival of Wines, their signature fundraiser for the Coats for Kids program!
Each year, local schools and partners help us identify students in need, and Coats for Kids provides them with new winter coats and boots from Capital Sports. Join them on Saturday, November 8, at the Great Northern Hotel. Purchase your tickets today and use promo code TEACHER25 at checkout for 15% off General Admission as a thank you for your partnership.
Special for Educators: Teachers attending the event can enter to win $250 for classroom expenses. There will be four drawings, giving multiple chances to win!
The Angel Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting Helena School District children in need by providing essential school items such as clothing, shoes, and more.
The program application will open to eligible families Wednesday, October 1 – November 13. To qualify, families must complete the Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals. Submitting this application may also make your family eligible for additional support services. The Angel Fund is also providing $100 for school clothing to qualifying elementary students (double that for students experiencing homelessness) and $250 to qualifying middle and high school students (double that for students experiencing homelessness).
WHAT’S COMING UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT?
October 6 – October 18, 2025
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Monday, October 6:
Tuesday, October 7:
Wednesday, October 8:
Thursday, October 9:
Friday, October 10:
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Monday, October 13:
Tuesday, October 14:
Wednesday, October 15:
Thursday, October 16:
Friday, October 17:
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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/.
For more information about the Kid Packs, what’s in them, how to get a Kid Pack for a child, or the Helena Food Share, go to https://helenafoodshare.org/get-help/kid-packs/.
In addition to meals, participation in the Free & Reduced Lunch program helps the district identify students who may benefit from additional assistance with school expenses including:
- School supplies and clothing
- Sports and activities fees
- Instrument rentals
- Field trip fees
- Fees for academic tests such as the Advanced Placement exam
Families across a wide range of income levels may qualify based on a variety of factors, including the number of people in your household. If you believe your family may qualify, please apply now, even if you don’t plan to take advantage of this benefit.
Click HERE for the online form.
Click HERE for more information.