Supt. Weltz Friday Flyer | May 15, 2026

Dear Families, Staff, and the Helena Community,

I’d like to take a moment to recognize Board Chair McKee and Trustee Cleatus as they concluded their terms on our school board this last Tuesday. Their time with us was marked by tough decisions, insightful questions, and historic moments for our district. We are incredibly grateful for their time, leadership, and the lasting impact they’ve made on Helena Public Schools. Being a board member, at any district, is no walk in the park, but we are a better district because of their service.

On the same tone of service, volunteers in our schools make a big difference in daily operations and class activities. We welcome those who want to take the opportunity to lend their hand, and our HR department has recently made changes to make the process of becoming a volunteer more fluent and easier to navigate. As always, keeping our students safe is our top priority. To ensure protocols are effective, we launched a new volunteer fingerprinting process this last Monday (May 11).

There are two helpful resources to navigate these updates:

The School Secretary Checklist helps our staff determine who needs fingerprinting and who is exempt. For our volunteers, the Volunteer Checklist provides step-by-step instructions on how to submit consent forms, schedule appointments, and complete the approval process.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please review these, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Thank you for your partnership and for everything you do to keep our schools safe and strong.

Respectfully,


Rex M. Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

BONDS PROJECTS UPDATES

05/10-05/16 Recap:

HHS + Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) Project: Week 29

  • A&E + SMA Design Updates:
    • HHS/PAL Construction Documents – Week 4
    • HHS/PAL Design Development Pricing Complete
    • District Kitchen Construction Documents – Week 5
    • PAL & HHS Student Engagement Sessions
  • Dick Anderson Construction Updates:
    • Weekly Meetings

CHS Project: Week 27

  • Slate Architecture + RTA Updates:
    • School Board Meeting
    • SD Review, Pricing, and Value Engineering
    • Finalizing Package 1 Construction Documents
  • Langlas & Associates Construction Updates:
    • SD Review, Pricing, and Value Engineering
    • School Board Meeting
    • Phasing Coordination
    • Setting up temp utilities

Kessler Project: Week 25

  • Mosaic Architecture + Cushing Terrell Updates:
    • 5/11: Design Development Level meeting regarding FLS program layout
    • 5/12: MEP & FP Check-in Meeting, including GCCM
    • 5/12: Civil Check-in Meeting, including GCCM
    • 5/12: Structural Check-in Meeting, including GCCM
    • 5/12: Board of Trustees Update
    • 5/13: Kessler Community Meeting
    • 5/14: Kessler Design Development level meetings with custodial and Kindersprouts teacher
    • 5/14: Kitchen Design Review Meeting
  • Golden Eagle/Swank Construction Updates:
    • GCCM: Board of Trustees Update
    • GCCM: Kessler Community Meeting
    • GCCM: Continuous Constructibility/Cost Analysis

Up Next: 05/17-05/23

HHS + Project for Alternative Learning (PAL) Project: Week 30

  • A&E + SMA Design Updates:
    • Phase 1 Bidding | Excavation/South Foundation – 5/18
    • HHS/PAL Construction Documents – Week 5
    • District Kitchen Construction Documents – Week 6
    • PAL Building Committee Meeting
    • HHS Building Committee Meeting
  • Dick Anderson Construction Updates:
    • Weekly Meetings

CHS Project: Week 28

  • Slate Architecture + RTA Updates:
    • CHS Staff Meetings Monday and Tuesday
    • Tuesday School Summer Planning Meeting
    • Asbestos Abatement Prebid walkthrough
    • SD Review, Pricing, and Value Engineering
    • Leadership Meeting
    • Submit Package 1 Construction Documents
  • Langlas & Associates Construction Updates:
    • Asbestos Abatement Prebid walkthrough
    • Tuesday School Summer Planning Meeting
    • Leadership Meeting
    • SD Review, Pricing, and Value Engineering

Kessler Project: Week 26

  • Mosaic Architecture + Cushing Terrell Updates:
    • 5/19: Interiors Check-in Meeting
    • 5/19: OAC Meeting
    • 5/19: Landscape Design Kick-off Meeting
    • 5/20: Low-Voltage Design Meeting
    • 5/20: Site Plan Review Meeting with City Transportation Engineer
    • 5/20: Meeting with FWP Education Personnel
    • 5/21: Meeting with District Special Education Director
    • 5/21: Meeting with District Custodial Staff
    • 5/21: District Weekly Progress Meeting
    • 5/21: Kessler Building Committee Meeting
  • Golden Eagle/Swank Construction Updates:
    • GCCM: Plumbing/HVAC RFQ/P Proposals Review and Selection
    • GCCM: OAC Meeting
    • GCCM: Continuous Constructibility/Cost Analysis

Upcoming Community Events:

  • Tuesday, June 16: Brews and Blueprints Special Helena High + PAL Groundbreaking Event, 5:30 p.m. – North Side of Helena High Campus

 

 

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:

DID YOU KNOW?

 MT. ASCENSION ACADEMY

Registration to book an enrollment meeting for 2026/27 is now open and will run through the month of May. *Please note: Facilitators will respond as soon as they are able.

MORE INFORMATION

 


FROM OUR SODEXO KITCHEN TEAM

 

 

REGISTER FOR 2026 SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM

FROM THE GROUND UP WITH HELENA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The 9th episode will be out soon – stay tuned!

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

LISTEN ON RSS

LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

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/Summer EBT household applications are currently being accepted by Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)!

MORE INFO AND APPLICATION

 


 


 

The students of the CRA Band Program cordially invite you to attend our Spring Band Concert on June 4th, 7 pm, at the Helena Civic Center. “Not Your Typical Middle School Band Concert!” is a chance for the community to witness the incredible things that band students achieve. The concert will last about 90 minutes – it will be a memorable event!



ATTENTION:

Half the profits from this event will be donated to HEF to support future grants for HPS music teachers! We hope to see you there!


WHAT’S COMING UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT?

May 16, 2026 – May 30, 2026

Saturday, May 16:

Sunday, May 17:

Monday, May 18:

**Broadwater Free Book Fair Week

  • Smith Kinder Round Up, 3:00 p.m. – Warren
  • Smith Kinder Round Up – Smith
  • Rossiter Open Forum w/ the Principal, 9:00 a.m. – Teams

Tuesday, May 19:

  • HMS Family Day, 3:00 p.m. – HMS Lazy Green

Wednesday, May 20:

  • 2026 Helena Public Schools Retirement Celebration, 4:30 p.m. – Central Elementary Foyer

Thursday, May 21:

  • Jefferson Spring Art Show and Auction, 3:15 p.m. – Jefferson
  • Broadwater PTC Meeting, 4:00 p.m. – Broadwater

Friday, May 22:

  • Central Third Grade Helena History Walking Tour: Week 4 – Courthouse Square & Central Neighborhood
  • 7th Grade Choir Festival – HMS Auditorium
  • Warren Field Day, 12:45 p.m. – Warren

Saturday, May 23:

Sunday, May 24:

Monday, May 25: NO SCHOOL – District Closed

Tuesday, May 26:

  • CRA Student Council to East Helena for SWAP
  • Central BOT Work Session, 5:30 p.m. – Central

Wednesday, May 27:

  • E Helena Student Council visits CRA
  • CHS & HHS Grad Walks
  • CRA Unified PE Bowling, 11:30 a.m.
  • HHS Metal Sculpting Show, 6:00 p.m. – HHS Welding Shop
  • Indigenous High School Graduation, 6:00 p.m. – Central

Thursday, May 28:

  • Helena Vigilante Runners’ 2026 Heat Meat – Helena Middle School
  • CHS CTE Senior students/parents luncheon
  • Warren Family BBQ
  • JD G4 Heritage Center Field Trip
  • Smith Book Fair – Smith Library

Friday, May 29:

  • Warren Alumni Champions Assembly, 1:00 p.m. – Warren
  • Smith Book Fair – Smith Library
  • JD Field Day & Family Picnic, 11:35 a.m.  – JD
  •  JD Retirement Celebration, 4:00 p.m. – JD

Saturday, May 30:

  • CRA Saturday School

 

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.]