In this issue:

• Four HPS students named Merit Semifinalists
• CHS senior wins Pow Wow design contest 
• 4,000 lbs of apples on the way! 
• Teacher loans students the shoes off her feet
• College Application Week Sept. 30 – Oct. 11

Dear Families and Staff,

The leaves are starting to turn out there and the apple trees around town are loaded – a sure sign that the fall season is here, or at least almost here; Fall officially starts Sunday.

Alongside its association with harvest bounty, the autumnal apple is embedded in our psyche as a symbol of quality education.

Some historians believe this connection dates back to the Late Middle Ages in Denmark and Sweden, when students brought the ruby red fruit to school as a form of payment for the teacher.

Whatever the origins of the apple’s educational associations, we’re celebrating this healthy fall fruit with the help of Food Services Director Robert Worthy. Mr. Worthy is having 4,000 pounds of Montana-grown apples delivered to the district – mostly to our elementary schools – for the “Crunch Time 2024” competition on October 8.

This is the 11th year that classrooms across the Mountain Plains Region will compete for their state to win the competition by tallying the most “Crunches.” Individuals, non-profits, government agencies, businesses and community organizations can compete, too! Click here to register for this fun celebration of healthy eating and locally grown food.

Fall is also the season for juniors and seniors to chart their course for post-graduation plans, be it work, military service, higher education or a combination thereof.

Seniors can participate in the Montana University System’s College Application Week September 30 – Oct 4 at Capital High and Helena High. This is a great opportunity to get those applications signed, sealed and delivered. Students will have the opportunity to learn about Montana colleges and universities and get assistance completing an application for any college during the school day. Students may also apply to any school in the Montana University System for FREE via the ApplyMontana site from September 30 through October 11.

If you have a 2025 or 2026 graduate in your household, be sure you’re taking full advantage of the assistance that your high school counselor can provide:

• Resume and job search
• Job shadow experiences and internships
• College and military recruiter visits
• Help finding and applying for scholarships
• Assistance with completing college applications
• FAFSA (financial aid) assistance

Please also see the list below of key dates and deadlines for post-high school planning.

At the opposite end of the K-5 journey, I hope you enjoy the special moments captured in the video shared later in this newsletter by the Helena Education Foundation during this year’s final “Fabulous Firsts” events. Students and their families received books this week at late last week at Jefferson, Hawthorne, Warren, Rossiter, Smith, 4Gs and Jim Darcy elementary schools. Over the past two weeks, every first grader in the district has taken home a hardcover book thanks to the generosity of the Helena Education Foundation and its sponsors.

These photos only begin to convey the miracle of learning that happens when a book is placed in the hands of a child.

We see inspiring moments like these every day in our schools, and not only at special events. More often than not, they happen during the course of an ordinary school day. Helena High Principal Brian Kessler shared one of these moments from Helena High in his newsletter this week, thanking English Teacher Jill Antony “for literally giving a student the shoes off her feet after theirs were lost, so the student could still participate in cross country practice that afternoon.”

As Mr. Kessler noted, our teachers truly go the extra mile!

I hope you have the opportunity to get outside this weekend, even if only for a short while, to relish this beautiful autumn weekend with your loved ones.

Respectfully,

Rex M. Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

Student & Educator Recognitions

Four named National Merit Semifinalists

Student & Educator Recognitions

District News & Events

Support Helena schools and save

Did you know that you can receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for supporting Helena Public Schools?

Simply put, you can request to have a portion of your state taxes go directly to Helena Public Schools – money that would otherwise flow directly to the state.

Montana’s “Innovative Educational Program Tax Credit” program allows districts to use this money to benefit students right here in Helena.

Examples of allowed uses include:

• Adaptive equipment for students with disabilities

• Facilities improvements

• Technology for classrooms

• Work-based learning partnerships

• Career & Technical Education (CTE) training

Beginning October 2, at 9 a.m., a limited number of Montana Public School District tax credits for the 2024 tax year will become available. These tax credits are available because some previously approved credits became invalid. Visit the state’s Education Donations Portal to learn more.

APPLY TODAY!

College Prep Dates

Capital High career & college prep dates:

• September 17t College visit from Grand Canyon University for juniors and seniors during lunch period in the CHS Career Center.
• September 23: College Career Fair, 1:30 – 3 p.m., Carroll College gym.
• September 24: College visit from Northwestern University for juniors and seniors during lunch period, CHS Career Center.
• College Application Week: The CHS Counseling Department will meet with students September 30 – October 4 in the CHS Career Center to help with college applications.
• September 30: Digger Days high school field trip for students interested in a career in construction or other trades.

Helena High career & college prep dates:

• September 18: College visit from Grand Canyon University for juniors and seniors, lunch period, HHS Career Center.
• September 23: College Career Fair 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Carroll College gym.
• September 24: College visit from Northwestern University for juniors and seniors, 10:30 – 11 a.m., HHS Counseling Center.
• College Application Week: The HHS Counseling Department will meet with students September 30 – October 4 in the Black Lab in the Library to help with college applications.
• September 30: Digger Days high school field trip September 30 for students interested in a career in construction or other trades.
• November 13: Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID assistance. Carroll College and Helena College will be present to assist with this application process, 5:30-7 p.m. Location TBD.
• November 18: Montana State University visit, 1-1:30 p.m., HHS Counseling Center.
• December 1: Montana University System Honors Scholarship opens. Career Center will be open to guide any seniors applying for the MUS honors scholarships.

Community News & Events

Carroll to host suicide prevention speaker

• Examine the ways in which we incorrectly attempt to support someone who struggles with mental health
• Explore key strategies to successfully support others
• Consider foundational ways to keep yourself safe while supporting loved ones

2024 Sun Run to support Helena Food Share

Register and Learn More