Wednesday Update from Superintendent Weltz | October 15, 2025
Dear Families, Staff, and the Helena Community,
It’s a short school week this week, so the Friday Update is coming to you on a Wednesday!
As we are moving through the fall season, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support of our students, staff, and schools. It’s been a strong and spirited start to the 2025–2026 school year, and I’m proud of the energy and dedication I see in every building, every day. Our students have quickly settled into routines and are actively engaging in their learning. From creative writing in elementary classrooms to hands-on science labs in our high schools, there is so much to celebrate. I’ve enjoyed visiting classrooms and seeing first-hand the meaningful instruction and relationships taking place across the district.
As always, the well-being of our students remains a top priority. We are continuing to enhance our school safety plans and provide resources for mental health and social-emotional support. If your child needs additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school’s counselor or principal.
We are thrilled to see so many families participating in fall events, especially at parent/teacher conferences these last few weeks. A strong home-school connection is vital for student success, and we look forward to providing more opportunities this year for you to engage with your child’s education. Keep it up!
Looking Ahead – Please keep an eye on our website and newsletters for updates on upcoming events, including next week’s parent-teacher conferences, fall performances, student showcases, and bond/construction updates. Your involvement matters! Two quick updates to note:
We are ramping up progress on our bond projects!
We’ve just completed the review of submissions for the Helena High School (HHS) project RFP and will be moving into the interview phase on Tuesday, October 21.
In addition, our next steps for the other projects are scheduled:
- The second Request for Qualifications (RFQ) notice for the Capital High School (CHS) project will be issued this Saturday, October 18.
- The first RFQ notice for the Kessler Elementary project will go out the following week on Saturday, October 25.
These milestones bring us closer every day to the exciting time when we will be breaking ground and seeing these plans become a reality for our students and community.
You can find more information and updates on these projects HERE.
Resuming the Attendance Boundary Line Discussion: As our community grows, so do the needs of our school district. I want to let you know that we are resuming plans for redrawing boundary lines within our districts.This is a conversation we’ve been having for years. The Helena community is changing in regard to housing development, and we are committed to our goal of being proactive, addressing the needs of today while preparing for the needs we anticipate in the future. To be clear, redrawing attendance boundary lines does not mean absorbing another school district. It simply means changing the parameters within the Helena School Districts to create more equitable opportunities for all students as we see development taking shape within our community. Our MO is clear: if it’s good for one, it’s good for all.
By balancing the student enrollment across our schools, we can allow for more focused attention in classrooms and create opportunities to grow and strengthen programs on both sides of town. We look forward to engaging with you as we move this important discussion forward.
CLICK HERE for information on the proposed redraws, updates, and to submit your comments or questions.
Please remember that there will be no school on Thursday, October 16 and Friday, October 17. These days are reserved for professional development for staff and a brief mid-fall break for students. We encourage families to use this time for rest, connection, or catching up as needed. Classes will resume on Monday, October 20. I hope you all have a productive rest of the week and a refreshing break!
Thank you again for all you do to support our district. Together, we are building a community where everyone can strive.
Respectfully,
Rex Weltz, Superintendent
Helena Public Schools
BONDS PROJECTS UPDATES
Keep up-to-date on the bonds projects as we enter into each
phase of the processes:
Helena Health Science Alliance focuses on building up health science education programming and skills training for middle and high school students.
For questions, contact:
Charlie Snellman | HHSA President & Founder
president@helenahealthsciencealliance.org
SPECIAL OLYMPICS OF MONTANA
VOLUNTEER AND PLAYER OPPORTUNITIES
For interested students with and without intellectual disabilities – you’re invited to be involved in the local area Special Olympics teams as an athlete or as a volunteer for this year’s Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament, which will be held here in Helena November 6-8 (the final year before moving to Butte for the 2026-2028 years). 
Coats for Kids Program
The Helena Exchange Club Coats for Kids program is dedicated to ensuring that every child in the Helena area stays warm during the cold months. From October to March (or until the snow stops!), they provide new coats and boots to elementary school children in need.
Their program is administered through local elementary schools, with limited items available for middle and high schools, as well as select outside organizations. They collaborate closely with school counselors, teachers, and secretaries who identify students in need and submit requests on their behalf.
Exchange Club invites you to the 28th Annual Festival of Wines, their signature fundraiser for the Coats for Kids program!
Each year, local schools and partners help us identify students in need, and Coats for Kids provides them with new winter coats and boots from Capital Sports. Join them on Saturday, November 8, at the Great Northern Hotel. Purchase your tickets today and use promo code TEACHER25 at checkout for 15% off General Admission as a thank you for your partnership.
Special for Educators: Teachers attending the event can enter to win $250 for classroom expenses. There will be four drawings, giving multiple chances to win!
The Angel Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting Helena School District children in need by providing essential school items such as clothing, shoes, and more.
The program application will open to eligible families Wednesday, October 1 – November 13. To qualify, families must complete the Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals. Submitting this application may also make your family eligible for additional support services. The Angel Fund is also providing $200 for school clothing to qualifying elementary students (double that for students experiencing homelessness) and $250 to qualifying middle and high school students (double that for students experiencing homelessness).
WHAT’S COMING UP THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT?
October 16 – November 1, 2025
Thursday, October 16:
- NO SCHOOL: Educator Conference – District office still open
- All-State Music Festival
Friday, October 17:
- NO SCHOOL: Educator Conference – District office still open
- All-State Music Festival
Saturday, October 18:
- CHS Architect RFQ Notice #2
Sunday, October 19:
Monday, October 20:
**Tipi at Jefferson 10/20-10/24
**Pumpkins from Torgerson’s donating pumpkins to all HPS first graders
- PAL Info Night, 4:00 p.m. – PAL Commons
Tuesday, October 21:
- HHS Architect Interviews
- CRA Grade 8 Champions of Character Assembly during Advisory – CRA upper gym
- Bryant Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30 p.m. – Bryant
- Bryant Fall Scholastic Book Fair, 3:30 p.m. – Bryant
- Bryant Family Game Night, 3:30 p.m. – Bryant Library
- Jefferson Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30 p.m. – Jefferson
- Jefferson Fall Scholastic Book Fair, 3:30 p.m. – Jefferson
- Jim Darcy Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30 p.m. – Jim Darcy
- Jim Darcy Fall Scholastic Book Fair, 3:30 p.m. – Jim Darcy
- PSS, 6:00 p.m. – Smith Library
Wednesday, October 22:
- CHS Picture Retakes – CHS
- Jefferson Picture Retakes and Whole Class Photos – Jefferson
- 4Gs Picture Retakes – 4Gs
- Broadwater Knitting at Lunch – Broadwater Library
- Kessler Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30 p.m. – Kessler
- Kessler Fall Scholastic Book Fair, 3:30 p.m. – Kessler
- Health Benefits Committee Meeting, 1:30 p.m. – LC
Thursday, October 23:
- Kessler Adopt-a-Specie Virtual Assembly – Kessler
- Bryant Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30 p.m. – Bryant
- Bryant Fall Scholastic Book Fair, 3:30 p.m. – Bryant
- Bryant Family Game Night, 3:30 p.m. – Bryant Library
- Jefferson Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30 p.m. – Jefferson
- Jefferson Fall Scholastic Book Fair, 3:30 p.m. – Jefferson
- Jim Darcy Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30 p.m. – Jim Darcy
- Jim Darcy Fall Scholastic Book Fair, 3:30 p.m. – Jim Darcy
- Kessler Parent/Teacher Conferences, 3:30 p.m. – Kessler
- Kessler Fall Scholastic Book Fair, 3:30 p.m. – Kessler
- Broadwater PTC, 6:00 p.m. – Broadwater
Friday, October 24:
- HPS BOT Special Board Meeting, 12:00 p.m. – Lincoln Center
- CRA Halloween Dance, 3:00 p.m. – CRA
- Winter Coat Closet, 4:00 p.m. – Helena Family YMCA
Saturday, October 25:
- Kessler RFQ Notice Published
- Jim Darcy Trunk or Treat, – JD Dropoff Loop
- Halloween Carnival – Jefferson
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/.
For more information about the Kid Packs, what’s in them, how to get a Kid Pack for a child, or the Helena Food Share, go to https://helenafoodshare.org/get-help/kid-packs/.
In addition to meals, participation in the Free & Reduced Lunch program helps the district identify students who may benefit from additional assistance with school expenses including:
- School supplies and clothing
- Sports and activities fees
- Instrument rentals
- Field trip fees
- Fees for academic tests such as the Advanced Placement exam
Families across a wide range of income levels may qualify based on a variety of factors, including the number of people in your household. If you believe your family may qualify, please apply now, even if you don’t plan to take advantage of this benefit.
Click HERE for the online form.
Click HERE for more information.