Helena Public Schools > Supt. Weltz Friday Flyer | January 30, 2026
Supt. Weltz Friday Flyer | January 30, 2026

Dear Families, Staff, and the Helena Community,

January is coming to a close, and it has been quite a week to end the month. The events that took place on Thursday reinforce our unwavering commitment to student safety and security. In a very short window of time, approximately 20 minutes, we were required to assess multiple variables and make critical decisions. In coordination with the Helena Police Department, our focus was to protect the safety of our students and to quickly and accurately communicate with our students, staff, parents, and community. The discovery of a container of gasoline with fireworks attached, located behind a nearby business and near where students were expected to gather on the street in front of that business, was deeply unsettling and required immediate action. The decisions made ultimately ensured that all students returned home safely—mission accomplished. It is a great privilege, and an equally great responsibility, to have the obligation to ensure our students make it home safely each and every night.

We are living through a very interesting time in our nation, but one thing remains clear: our students are our priority. I want to thank our teachers, principals, and district office administration and staff for their commitment to our HPS core values and for demonstrating respect for others, even when opinions differ.

On a lighter note, you can check “earthquake” off your 2026 bingo card! Let’s all knock on wood that it’s the biggest one we’ll feel this year.

Looking ahead to February, there are several things I want you to note:

  • KinderSprout screenings begin this month, and we have opened more screening slots in February!

If you would like to book a screening or if you have already signed up but would like to move your screening date up, please contact ksalois@helenaschools.org at 406-324-2032.

For more information on KinderSprouts and eligibility, see the graphic below.

 

 

Show some kindness to your neighbors this weekend. We’ll see you in February.

Sincerely,

Rex Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

 

WE STARTED A PODCAST!

In an effort to keep up with the ever growing communication methods, Helena Public Schools joined the podcast train. Introducing “From the Ground Up with Helena Public Schools” – a resource to get information about the nitty gritty, answers to some of those hard hitting questions, and guests from within the district and the Helena Area community

Our first episode launched last week and is an introduction to our new communication channel and also touches on the topic of cell phones in schools.

LISTEN OR WATCH WHEREVER YOU’RE AT IN YOUR DAY:

LISTEN ON RSS

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

BONDS PROJECTS UPDATES

01/25-01/31 Recap:

 

HHS + Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) Project: Week 14

  • A&E + SMA Design Updates:

    • Schematic Design Week 9 of 10
    • No School, In Service Day | 1/26
    • PAL Building Committee Meeting
    • PAL Student Engagement
    • HHS Building Committee Meeting
    • District Kitchen Blocking Diagrams
  • Dick Anderson Construction Updates:

    • Preliminary Meetings

CHS Project: Week 12

  • Slate Architecture + RTA Updates:

    • Jan. 26 – 27 – School Department Work Sessions
    • Jan. 27 – Design Advisory Group (DAG-4)
    • Jan. 27 – Board of Trustees Working Session
    • Jan. 28 – CHS Systems Meeting
    • Revised design options and site plans.

  • Langlas & Associates Construction Updates:

    • Preliminary Meetings

Kessler Project: Week 10

  • Mosaic Architecture + Cushing Terrell Updates:

    • Physical site model completed
    • Working on draft Ed Spec deliverable
    • Collecting and compiling notes and photos from the Precedent Trip
    • 1/29: District Progress Report Meeting

  • Kessler GCCM submissions were due Monday, January 26. Submissions were reviewed on Tuesday, January 27.

 

Up Next: 02/01-02/07

 

HHS + Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) Project: Week 15

  • A&E + SMA Design Updates:

    • Schematic Design Week 10 of 10
    • HHS Building Committee Meeting – Review SD Deliverable
    • City of Helena Development and Planning Meeting

  • Dick Anderson Construction Updates:

    • Preliminary Meetings

CHS Project: Week 13

  • Slate Architecture + RTA Updates:

    • Concept Cost Analysis with Langlas and Hulteng
    • Selection of the Preferred Concept Design
    • Development of Refined Plans in Preparation of DAG-5
    • Outlining renovation scoping plans.

  • Langlas & Associates Construction Updates:

    • Preliminary Meetings

Kessler Project: Week 11

  • Mosaic Architecture + Cushing Terrell Updates:

    • Working on draft Ed Spec deliverable
    • Presenting draft Ed Spec deliverable and program of spaces model
    • Build physical model pieces once program of spaces is approved
    • 2/5: District Progress Report Meeting
    • 2/5: Kessler Building Committee Meeting
    • 2/6: Programming Meeting with kitchen consultant and Robert Worthy

  • Kessler GCCM interviews will take place on Tuesday, February 3. The Board of Trustees will vote on the approval of the Kessler GCCM recommendation on Friday, February 6.

If you have questions or want to chat about what’s next, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

Keep up-to-date on the bonds projects as we enter into each
phase of the processes:

HHS + PAL Community Meeting

February 19 at 5:30 p.m.

Join us in the Helena High School cafeteria, where architects from a&e + SMA will present designs and floor plans for the reimagined campus, including the new Helena High School, new PAL, district athletics facilities, and the new district kitchen. A Q&A session will follow. This meeting is open to the entire Helena community!

COMMUNITY CORNER

Resources for students, families, and the HPS community.

  • HPS THREE WAYS TO DONATE

  • RUNNING RESOURCE LIST ON OUR WEBPAGE

  • HPS SCHOOLS’ FOOD DRIVES AND OTHER RELATED EVENT LISTINGS

  • CONTACT CENTER FOR QUESTIONS AND TO GET CONNECTED (WEBPAGE)

 

VIEW WEBPAGE

 

 

 

 

SUN Bucks

DID YOU KNOW?

 

 

“Calling all student chefs!”

The deadline for the Future Chefs Competition recipe submission is coming up fast – February 6th.  If you have a student in 3rd, 4th or 5th grade and they like to cook in the kitchen, this could be their chance to step into the light.

This program has been going on for almost 20 years, and every year we have students from each of the elementary schools in Helena submit their favorite recipes for a chance at one of the 12 spots.  If their recipe is chosen, they are invited to come and cook their recipe in person at the Helena Schools commercial base kitchen on March 7.  They will be given their own chef coat and hat, that they get to keep, and they work in teams with other students, food service professionals, and high school culinary students to prepare and display their dish as well as hand out samples to the public.  There will be prizes and they will have the chance for their recipe submitted for the national competition.

For more information click HERE.

 

BLANK RECIPE CARD

 

 

MAKE A NOTE:

  • Distinguished Achiever Nominations are due Friday, February 6 – Nomination Forms can be found HERE.
    • More about Celebration of Excellence HERE.

 

GO TO THE HEF WEBSITE

WHAT’S COMING UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT?

January 31, 2026 – February 14, 2026

Saturday, January 31:

  • Symphony Kids’ Punch’s Farcical Parcel and Free Orchestral Concert of Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite, 10: a.m. and 11:00 a.m. – St. Paul’s Methodist Church
  • Kessler Family Night @ Capital High Lady Bruins vs. Flathead Bravettes Basketball Game, 2:00 p.m. – Capital High

Sunday, February 1:

Monday, February 2:

Tuesday, February 3:

  • Kessler GCCM Interviews
  • BOT Policy Committee Meeting, 12:00 p.m. – LC
  • Jefferson Parent/Teacher Conferences – Jefferson
  • Warren Parent/Teacher Conferences – Warren

Wednesday, February 4:

  • CRA Sapphire Team Ski Trip – Great Divide
  • Warren Parent/Teacher Conferences – Warren
  • Helena Youth Music Night, 5:00 p.m. – Brothers Tapworks

Thursday, February 5:

**100th Day of School

  • Jefferson Parent/Teacher Conferences – Jefferson
  • Warren’s 100th Day Sundae Hosted by PTO  – Warren
  • HHS One Act Play, 6:00 p.m. – HHS Little Theater
  • Helena College Celebrate Helena School District Educators!, 5:00 p.m. – Headwaters Crafthouse

Friday, February 6:

  • Future Chefs Recipe Deadline
  • HEF Distinguished Achiever Nominations are due
  • Special BOT Meeting, 12:00 p.m. – LC
  • HHS One Act Play, 6:00 p.m. – HHS Little Theater
  • Montana Shakes(peare) Assembly

Saturday, February 7:

  • CHS and HHS World Language Clubs & CHS Nations Club hosting World Culture Day, 1:30 p.m. – Lewis and Clark Library
  • CHS Winter Formal, 8:00 p.m. – Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds

Sunday, February 8:

Monday, February 9:

  • Facilities & Technology Committee Meeting, 12:00 p.m. – LC
  • Kiwanis Architecture Groups Presentation, 12:00 p.m. – DoubleTree
  • CRA Concert Band w/ CHS Bands, 7:00 p.n. – CHS Auditorium
  • JD PTO Meeting, 6:00 p.m. – JD

Tuesday, February 10:

  • HEF: Boeing Grant Press Event – Crosstown Robotics Coalition, 10:00 a.m. – CHS Library
  • Budget & Finance Committee Meeting, 12:00 p.m. – LC
  • Bryant Parent/Teacher Conferences – Bryant
    • Bryant Scholastic Book Fair – Bryant Panther Purpose Room
  • Broadwater Parent/Teacher Conferences – Broadwater
  • JD Parent/Teacher Conferences – JD
  • Smith Parent/Teacher Conferences – Smith
  • BOT Meeting, 5:30 p.m. – LC

Wednesday, February 11:

  • Montana Electricians Union Day at PAL – PAL
  • CRA Meadowlark Team Ski Trip – Great Divide
  • Teaching & Learning Committee Meeting, 12:00 p.m. – LC
  • Kessler Parent/Teacher Conferences – Kessler

Thursday, February 12:

  • Central Sweetie Pie Fundraiser – Central
  • Kessler Parent/Teacher Conferences – Kessler
  • Bryant Parent/Teacher Conferences – Bryant
    • Bryant Scholastic Book Fair – Bryant Panther Purpose Room
  • Broadwater Parent/Teacher Conferences – Broadwater
  • JD Parent/Teacher Conferences – JD
  • Smith Parent/Teacher Conferences – Smith
  • PAL Info Night, 4:00 p.m. – PAL Commons
  • Rossiter Parent Council Meeting, 6:00 p.m. – Rossiter Library
  • 4Gs PTO, 6:00 p.m. – 4Gs

Friday, February 13:

  • PAL Archery at State Competition – Great Falls
  • Trades Day Registration Deadline

Saturday, February 14:

  • MET Live PIR: Cendrillon, Jules Massenet(Live!)- Cinemark Helena

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.

CHS and HHS world language clubs and CHS Nations Club are hosting World Culture Day at the Lewis and Clark Library February 7th from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. Come down for games, food and learn about the exciting programs and club opportunities they provide!

If your student is interested in participating, please see the attached flyer below. The district has decided to pick up the tab for the registration fees for the students again- use discount code CAPITAL2026  

FROM HELENA COLLEGE:

 

FROM HOLTER MUSEUM OF ART: