Helena Public Schools > Friday Update from Superintendent Weltz | September 12, 2025
Friday Update from Superintendent Weltz | September 12, 2025

Dear Families and Staff,

This week, I am in awe of the support the Helena community has shown to our learners and their futures. Just think, because of your generosity and commitment to our town, in the fall of 2028, every high school student in our district will walk into new 21st century learning environments, every child in the district will enjoy meals prepared in a new district kitchen, elementary students on the west side of town will play and learn on the new Kessler campus, and we can all cheer on the Bengals or the Bruins at the new Vigilante Field. Wow!

I would like to thank those who worked diligently to prepare clear, accurate and detailed information for the community to use in order to make their voting decisions. I would like to thank the Helena Area Chamber for hosting many school tours and community Q and A’s in order to give everyone a chance to see firsthand the current conditions of our facilities. I would like to thank “Yes Helena” for investing money and time and believing that, indeed, this is the right time to ask our community to make this investment in the future of our young people. And, I would like to thank you, the voters, for your participation in this election. Voter turnout was exceptionally high – 59.71% — and demonstrates that we, as a community, are committed to exercising our civic duty in the electoral decision making process. I am taking both the data on voter turnout and the closeness of the results to heart. You, the voters, did not come to your ballot decisions lightly, and, the Board and I, intend to be thoughtful stewards of the financial commitment voters have made. We will continue to provide clear, accurate and up-to-date information on the projects as they get underway.

Respectfully,

Rex Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL, HELENA! THANK YOU!
Please watch this short video from HPS.

For more information, go to https://hefmt.org/events/carnival-classic/.

Join us this Sunday, September 14th for Helena Education Foundation’s Carnival Classic at Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is a fantastic city-wide celebration of public education and the perfect way to settle into our new school year together as a community. Attending the Carnival Classic is one of the best ways to support our students and staff – so bring your family and friends for a fun-filled day.

Along with games and prizes, you can help fill Kid Packs for Helena students by donating specific food items. HEF is looking for:

  • Granola bars
  • Fruit cups
  • Individual oatmeal or cereal packs
  • Fruit juice boxes
  • Jerky sticks

The Helena Education Foundation is a crucial partner that supports students, educators, and public education through its many programs.This event is a prime example of that support as all who have booths or games get to keep 100% of their proceeds.

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/.

Every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn and succeed. We honor the importance of reading in a child’s learning process by providing each first-grade student with a brand new, hardcover, age-appropriate book to keep, and we celebrate with a reading event at each elementary school. Fabulous Firsts helps to introduce students to the joy of reading, which serves as a foundation for their academic journey.

2025 DISTRIBUTION AND READING EVENTS

  • 9/12 Smith, 2:00 pm
  • 9/15 Bryant, 2:00 pm
  • 9/17 Warren, 2:30 pm
  • 9/17 Rossiter, 2:45 pm
  • 9/18 Jim Darcy, 2:30 pm
  • 9/19 Jefferson, 2:30 pm
  • 9/19 Central, 2:45 pm
  • 9/19 Four Georgians, 2:45 pm
  • 9/24 Kessler, 2:45 pm
  • 9/26 Broadwater, 2:40 pm

BOOKS SELECTED FOR THE 2025 FABULOUS FIRSTS PROGRAM

Each elementary school will host a distribution and reading event at whichFirst-graders receive their books, snack, and listen as parents, HEF board members, sponsors, older students, and volunteers read this year’s books aloud.

  • Who Ate Steve? By Susannah Lloyd
  • The Crayon Stub by Marcus Cutler
  • I am Not Your Hat by Lisa Bentley
  • Caboose by Travis Jonker
  • Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson
  • The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan

MET Live in Schools, 2025-2026 Season

The Helena School District is entering its eighteenth year partnering with the Metropolitan Opera Company (the MET) for the Live in Schools program! The Live in Schools program will provide student (and teacher) tickets to as many as seven operas this season with the goal of introducing everyone to this incredible art form. Most operas are streamed live to our local movie theater, and the MET provides rich and detailed educator guides that help teachers and students learn about each show.

Any teacher who would like access to the amazing educational resources available from the MET are invited to attend our annual MET Opera Helena Training 2025 (October 29, 4:00-6:00 pm), which is now open for enrollment in MyLearningPlan. Attendance does not obligate long term program participation, but it will highlight all the opportunities Live in Schools brings to our Helena community. If you are interested in learning more or just attending an opera, email Kevin (kcleary@helenaschools.org) for additional information.

This season, the following operas will be screened at the Cinemark in Helena.

  • October 18 – La Sonnambula, Vincenzo Bellini (Live!)
  • November 12 – La Bohème, Giacomo Puccini (Recorded Encore)
  • December 6 – The Magic Flute, W.A. Mozart (Recorded Encore)
  • January 10 – I Puritani, Vincenzo Bellini (Live!)
  • February 14 – Cendrillon, Jules Massenet (Live!)
  • May 2 – Eugene Onegin, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Live!)

Ironhorse Youth Music is proud to administer this unique program, which only exists in our community in Montana! Live in Schools is now and will always be free and open to all students. We hope to see you at the opera!

WHAT’S COMING UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT? September 8-20, 2025
Saturday, September 13:

  • Bryant Yard Sale Fundraiser, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – 2000 Boulder Ave, Helena
  • Sunday, September 14:
    HEF Carnival Classic, 11:00 a.m. – Memorial Park

Monday, September 15: HHS Homecoming Week

  • Bryant Fabulous Firsts, 2:00 p.m. – Bryant

Tuesday, September 16: HHS Homecoming Week

  • Warren Picture Day – Warren
  • Broadwater Picture Day – Broadwater
  • Central Picture Day – Central
  • Jim Darcy Picture Day – JD
  • Smith PSS Meeting, 6:00 p.m. – Smith Library

Wednesday, September 17: HHS Homecoming Week

  • 4Gs Picture Day – 4Gs
  • Kessler Picture Day – Kessler
  • Smith Picture Day – Smith
  • CRA PTO Meeting, 12:00 p.m. – Room 200
  • Warren Fabulous Firsts, 2:30 p.m. – Warren Gym
  • Rossiter Fabulous Firsts, 2:45 p.m. – Rossiter Gym

Thursday, September 18: HHS Homecoming Week

  • Jim Darcy Picture Day – JD
  • Rossiter Picture Day – Rossiter
  • Jim Darcy Fabulous Firsts, 2:30 p.m. – JD
  • Broadwater PTC, 4:00 p.m. – Broadwater

Friday, September 19: HHS Homecoming Week

  • Jefferson Fabulous Firsts, 2:30 p.m. – Jefferson
  • 4Gs Fabulous Firsts, 2:45 p.m. – 4Gs
  • Central Fabulous Firsts, 2:45 p.m. – Central
  • Smith Family Tailgate, 5:00 p.m. – HMS Parking Lot | HHS Kickoff at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 20: HHS Homecoming Week

  • HHS Homecoming Dance, 8:00 p.m. – HHS Gym

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/.

Indigenous News Now
HELENA AREA TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
LAST CHANCE COMMUNITY POW WOW
26th ANNUAL “DEMONSTRATION DAY”
September 26, 2025 (Friday)
10:00 am to 12:00 pm – Exhibit Hall
(Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds)

HELP US CELEBRATE AMERICAN INDIAN AWARENESS DAY ON DEMONSTRATION DAY…

It’s a day designed for students to learn about the Native American culture in a fun setting.
There will be Native American dancing, drumming, and singing.
Students will have the opportunity to drum, dance, and ask questions.
About 800 students usually participate in Demonstration Day.
And, it’s free!!!!!
Grand Entry of the Last Chance Community Pow Wow starts at 6pm Friday and continues through Sunday. To learn more: lastchancepowwow.com.

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.