Dear Families, Staff, and the Helena Community,

There were a few leadership changes and transitions that were announced this last week that we’d like to share with you:

Current Smith Elementary Title Instruction Specialist Kelly Connolly has been selected to serve as the next Principal of Broadwater Elementary School.

The District is excited for Mrs. Connolly to transition into this leadership role. For the past four years, she has been an instrumental educator, friend, and leader at Smith. Mrs. Connolly has focused heavily on teaching and learning, providing professional development, leading WIN groups, supporting teachers and para-educators, and assisting with the overall operations of the building. We are confident that her experience and background in instructional strategies, curriculum, and leadership building have prepared her well to step into this leadership position.

Additionally, Erica Hutton-Parker has accepted the offer as Rossiter Elementary School’s next Principal. Mrs. Hutton-Parker currently serves as the Principal of Phillips Elementary School in Phillips Wisconsin and has been an educator for 19 years.

We look forward to the fresh perspective that Mrs. Hutton-Parker relayed in her interviews and is sure to bring to the table when she joins HPS in the coming weeks. Having worn many different hats in her almost two decades in education, her varied experiences have made her love for being in a school or classroom and working closely alongside staff and students stronger. Her leadership approach centers on the belief that every student can thrive when supported by a strong, collaborative partnership between school and home.

And finally, current CRA Assistant Principal Erin Hunt will transition into the new Data & Assessment Administrator position for the District. By dedicating a leadership role to this focus, the District continues to prioritize strategies to improve student outcomes and support our instructional staff. We will continue to ensure that state and local assessment data are used intentionally and collaboratively to guide curriculum and resource utilization. Ms. Hunt will bring a collaborative, relationship-centered approach to this position, viewing educational data not as simple numbers on a spreadsheet, but as a direct reflection of the staff and students in our buildings.

A 17-year educator, having spent 12 years in Helena Public Schools, Ms. Hunt brings a wealth of experience to the new role, having served as a science teacher at Helena High, an instructional coach at both CRA and Helena Middle School, and most recently as the Assistant Principal and Transitions Teacher at CRA. Throughout her career, Ms. Hunt has kept data-informed decision-making a core principle – from driving daily classroom instruction and coordinating middle school testing to serving on key state assessment committees like Smarter Balanced, the Montana State Science Assessment, and the MAST assessment.

We look forward to what the 2026/27 school year will bring! Please join us in congratulating all of them on their new roles!

Only 6-7 days left in this school year – let’s finish strong and have some fun!

Respectfully,

Rex M. Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools

Interested in joining your school’s parent group? Email us and we will get you connected!

EMAIL US

05/24-05/30 Recap:

Up Next: 05/30-06/06

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!

HHS History Project

In conjunction with the new building project, HHS wants to recognize and remember the deep history of the old building. To do this, they are working with their current students to put together a living history of HHS to capture the memories, lifestyles, and storied history of those who walked the hallowed halls. If you, a family member, or others attended HHS and would like to be part of this project, please complete the form below (it should be linked, so you can click on it and it will take you to the form). They will start working later this summer to get an interview plan together and start filming the project this coming school year.

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

• 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

LAST CHANCE MUSIC CAMPS

For older students with previous musical experience: STANDARD REGISTRATION DEADLINE FRIDAY, MAY 29

And for younger students wanting to learn an instrument or how to sing in a formal ensemble. The discovery camp (from the green poster below) is the one that will be free to all current 5^th graders thanks to a Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation grant: STANDARD REGISTRATION DEADLINE COMING IN JULY

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!

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.]