In this issue:

• 4th graders dive into song, dance at Pow Wow Demonstration Day 
• Crosstown football is tonight!
• Free-of-charge COVID test now available
• “Symphony Kids” concert series launches tomorrow morning

Dear Families and Staff,

It’s going to be a beautiful fall weekend with no shortage of family friendly activities to enjoy.

One highlight is the 25^th Annual Last Chance Community Pow Wow at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds.

Fourth-graders from across the district visited the fairgrounds for a sneak peek today at the pre-pow wow Demonstration Day for teachers and students. This yearly outing is part of our district’s Indian Education for All program – a day of celebration, learning and fun as students explore Native American culture.

Students were able to ask questions and participate in drumming, singing and dancing. The Helena High Bengals Football Team joined in, trying out some traditional games. A big thank you to the Last Chance Community Pow Wow and the City of Helena, which sponsored Demonstration Day through an America Rescue Plan Act grant. Here are a few photos from Demonstration Day.

The pow wow officially kicks off tonight, with grand entry dancing at 6 p.m., and continues through the weekend at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds. For more information, visit lastchancepowwow.com.

Best of luck to our student competitors!

The pow wow is just one of the many rich cultural events our elementary students have the opportunity to experience, thanks to our wonderful community partners. On April 16, more than 1,600 fourth and fifth graders from our elementary schools will take a field trip to the Civic Center for the annual Helena Symphony Youth Concert.

But you don’t have to wait until April to enjoy the classics. At 10 a.m. tomorrow, the Helena Symphony will kick off its “Symphony Kids” concert series with a performance of “The Grimm Princesses” at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. The free, half-hour show will be followed by an instrument “petting zoo,” and at 11 a.m. a one-hour concert will feature excerpts from Dvorak’s “String Serenade.” Find the Helena Symphony’s regular season concert schedule here.

Finally, best of luck to our football teams, pep bands and cheer and dance teams as the Bengals and the Bruins go head-to-head tonight at Vigilante Stadium for the 2024 Crosstown Game! Game time is 7 p.m.

Whether your weekend plans involve the pow wow, football, the symphony, the great outdoors, or something different altogether, I hope you’re able to enjoy some time with your loved ones.

Respectfully,

Rex M. Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

District News

FREE COVID-19 rapid tests now available

Free-of-charge, rapid COVID-19 tests are available at covidtests.gov. Tests will begin shipping Monday, September 30. There is a limit of four free tests per household.

As we move into fall, we’re seeing increased cases of COVID in our area.

Below is the current guidance from the CDC and Lewis and Clark Public Health. This guidance also applies to influenza, RSV and other viral respiratory conditions.

Individuals who are sick or experiencing symptoms:

• Isolate away from others immediately.
• Individuals who have been fever-free and experienced symptom improvements for 24 hours may return to normal daily activities.
• Individuals should take additional precautions for 5 days after returning to their normal daily activities to prevent the spread of illness.
• Take steps for clean air: Use portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners, open doors and windows to promote circulation, and take activities outdoors whenever possible.
• Use a mask if you will be around others in a closed or close space.
• Practice good hygiene: Use a disposable tissue to cough and/or sneeze into, wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and clean frequently touched surfaces regularly.

2024 Sun Run to support Helena Food Share

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