2010 back to school directory

We are pleased to announcethe arrival of

FAMILY PHYSICIAN Dr. Phil Haggerty andFAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER Susan Reynolds

Fees for appointments will be on a sliding fee scale, which will be based on household size and income.

303 North 3rd Street, Hamiltonto schedule an appointment call

363-5056Appointments for all ages including SPORTS PHYSICALS

Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, HEALTHY MONTANA KIDS ACCEPTED

BS2

Darby Elementary, Junior High SchoolDarby High SchoolWashington Elementary SchoolGrantsdale Elementary SchoolDaly Elementary SchoolHamilton High SchoolHamilton Middle SchoolCorvallis Primary SchoolEdna Thomas Middle School

4

69101213141617

Corvallis High SchoolVictor SchoolStevensville ElementarySchoolStevensville High HighStevensville Junior SchoolLone Rock SchoolFlorence-Carlton High SchoolFlorence-Carlton Middle SchoolFlorence-Carlton Elementary School

182024

2526283030

31

Table of Contents

Ravalli Republic, Thursday, August 26, 2010 –

BS3

Now offering Hip-Hop, as well as Jazz and Ballet!

– Ravalli Republic, Thursday, August 26, 2010

Principal: Loyd Rennaker Enrollment K-8: 200Teachers: 15First day of school: Aug. 30Last day of school: June 3Darby School Superintendent:

Tim Bronk

Who’s New: Nicole Anson, special education.

What’s New: Principal Loyd Rennaker said Darby will continue with the same program it had in place last year.

The Response to Intervention

program, which identifies stu-dents who are lagging in areas critical to standardized testing and then offers a variety of inter-vention programs to bring their scores up, was very helpful last year, Rennaker said.

The teaching staff remains the same size, though there was a small decline in enrollment.

That predicament, which has plagued Darby in recent years, should begin to abate, Rennaker said.

“I think we’re going to level off at about 200 kids and that’s

where we’re going to stay,” he said. “That’s what the foreseeable future should be.”

Scott Marsh will have his first full year as the physical educa-tion teacher and Chris Toynee will have his first full year as the math specialist, a switch that has provided the school with a nice boost, Rennaker said.

Darby schools wil have an open house for students and their fami-lies on Friday, Aug. 27 from 1–3 p.m.

209 School Drive, Darby 59829Phone: 821-3643 • Web site: www.darby.k12.mt.us

Darby Elementary and Junior High School

BS4

Darby School CalendarAugust

Aug. 16: First day high school football/volleyball/cross country practice

Aug. 24: New student registra-tion

Aug. 25-27: PIR daysAug. 30: First day of school

SeptemberSept. 2-6: No school/County

Fair and Labor DaySept. 8-11: Homecoming week-

end

OctoberOct. 22-22: No school/PIR daysOct. 29: End of quarter 1

NovemberNov. 4: Parent/Teacher confer-

ences /school’s out at 1 p.m.

Nov. 16: High school fall sports awards

Nov. 25-26: No school/Thanksgiving break

DecemberDec. 7: Music concert junior

high/high school and sixth grade band

Dec. 9: Music concert K-3 6:30 p.m./4-6 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 20-Dec. 31: No school/Holiday Break

JanuaryJan. 21: End of quarter 2/

Semester 1Jan. 24: Early release/Students

out at 1 p.m.

FebruaryFeb. 21: No school/President’s

Day

MarchMar. 14-18: CRT Testing weekMarch 15: High school winter

sports awardsMar. 19: High School PromMar. 25: End of quarter 3Mar. 31: Parent/Teacher confer-

ences – 4-7 p.m.

AprilApril 22-25: Spring Break – No

school

MayMay 10: Music concert – K-5 May 12: Music concert – High

school/junior high and sixth grade band

May 24: High school sports awards dinner/Spring sports awards

(Continued page 7)

BS5

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medical care, plus fast friendly service!

Evergreen Montessori has been providingMontessori education to the Bitter Root Valley

since 1996. We are proudly certifi ed by theAssociation of Montessori International (A.M.I.),

founded by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929.

Check out our website atwww.EvergreenMontessori.info

for more information.

Now enrolling3 years old through First Grade!

BS6

– Ravalli Republic, Monday, Thursday, August 26, 2010

Principal: Jennifer BurdetteEnrollment: 112Teachers: 14First day of school: Aug. 30Last day of school: June 3Darby School Superintendent:

Tim Bronk

Who’s New: Sabrina Lamb, vocational ag; Alex Petrusaitis, music; Shelley Peters, counselor.

What’s New: The Darby High School industrial technology pro-gram has been retooled with a focus on agriculture, something that will dovetail well with the

weed grant program students are already participating in through the local Montana State University extension program.

Principal Jennifer Burdette said the program will still involve the machine shop and wood shop skills, but the courses would direct those efforts toward areas that touch on the farming and ranch-ing industry. Animal husbandry will also be featured.

The school day is now a straight six period schedule, doing away with the floating seventh period and allowing students to focus more on core classes, Burdette

said. The trade-off is that students will have less elective require-ments to graduate.

“For me, this is a bonus because it allows us to look at having more teacher contact and time for core classes,” Burdette said.

The music program will add a drum line, something Alex Petrusaitis helped get rolling as a student teacher with Florence-Carlton.

Darby schools will have an open house for students and their families on Friday, Aug. 27 from 1–3 p.m.

Darby High School

209 School Drive, Darby 59829Phone 821-3643

www.darby.k12.mt.us

MayMay 29: High school graduation

– 3 p.m.May 30: Memorial Day/No

school

JuneJune 2: 8th grade promotion – 6

p.m.June 3: Last day of school/1

p.m. releaseJune 4: Half PIR Day

**Some Event Dates to be Added Later; Some Event Dates and/or Times may be Subject to Change

Calendar

BS7


Back to School

239 North 2nd Street Hamilton • 363-3187

School Clothes starting at $1

shopping starts at

LITTLE BRITCHES

Hamilton schools ready for a great year

BS8


DUBY SANTEESuperintendent

Welcome to the new school year! The start of school is always filled with excitement and antici-pation. From kindergarten to the senior in high school, the com-ing year provides opportunities to renew friendships, meet new friends and new teachers. The dis-trict will welcome nine new teach-ers to Hamilton this year:

Elizabeth Degenstein, Washington Primary; Jeff Michalek, Daly Elementary; Shawn Goll, Middle School; Amy Brintnall, High School; Jennifer Tucker, Daly Elementary; Jonathan Martin, Grantsdale Elementary; Hauna Trenerry, High School; Kirsten Morasko, Daly Elementary; and Ryan Shupp, High School.

The first day of class for kin-dergarten through ninth grade is Tuesday, Sept. 7. A change in the normal schedule this year is that the ninth graders will be the only grade in attendance at the high school on Sept. 7. The Kindergarten Sneak Peak and Orientation is August 30, 5 p.m. at Washington School.

The building offices will open beginning Monday, August 23 at 9 a.m. Supply information and registration information will be available from each of the build-ing offices. The District Office, located at 217 Daly Avenue, is open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The bus schedule is posted on the district web site: hsd3.org. A written copy is available at the District Office, 217 Daly Avenue. There are no significant changes in the bus schedule from last year. Plan to have your children at the bus stop at least five min-utes before the pick-up time. The buses usually run late on the first day. We ask for your patience as everyone learns the schedule. The Hamilton district contracts with

Majestic Bus Service for its school bus needs. Questions regarding the schedule should be directed to Majestic Bus Service, 375-9180.

Hot lunch will be served the first day of school. We received lots of compliments on our new and improved menu last spring. We look forward to providing scrumptious and nutritious meals again this year. The cost remains the same as last year. Please check with the individual buildings for details.

The Hamilton School District has a vast array of programs designed to help students suc-ceed. Students with disabilities are served through the excellent Special Education Department. The Response to Intervention (RTI) program in the elementary schools provides individual-ized student progress plans in reading and math. Hamilton Middle School adheres to the student-centered middle school philosophy in making program-ming choices. Ask what is best for

students and you have touched the pulse of Hamilton Middle School. Hamilton High School is a comprehensive high school meet-ing the needs of a diverse student population. The curriculum offers a rigorous core of academic classes, world languages, fine arts, and vocational/technical arts. Extra-curricular programs abound and there is something for every-one. Student test scores are well above the state average on the state test and other standard-ized measures. The Keystone to Discovery program is the district’s after school program. Located in the Westview Center, Keystone offers students in grades k-8 a variety of academic and recre-ational classes and field trips.

The highly qualified staff of the Hamilton School District is ready to serve the students in the com-ing year. Working in partnership with parents and the community, the staff is committed to prepar-ing students for life and work in the 21st Century.

BS9


Washington Elementary School

225 N. Fifth Street, Hamilton 59840Phone: 363-2144

www.hsd3.org

Principal: Shawna KientzEnrollment: 211Teachers: 13First day of school: Sept. 7Last day of school: June 3Hamilton School

Superintendent: Duby Santee

What’s new: Kindergarten Sneak Peek and Orientation – when the summer season comes to an end and officials at Hamilton’s kindergarten-and-first-grade-only elementary school return to prepare for the new

school year, they begin tallying the incoming youngsters.

So far, about 50 kindergar-ten students are signed up to start their academic careers at Washington, though when the school opens its doors to parents for a kindergarten orientation on Aug. 30 there will likely be a few more late additions to the merry bunch of newcomers.

In an attempt to ease the tran-sition to all-day school, the wide-eyed kindergartners and their par-ents are being given the chance

to drop by the school so they can get a sense of the routine they will experience when school gets underway after Labor Day.

The 5 p.m. event will offer a chance to see the classrooms and meet teachers, as well as learn about buses and try out the lunch-room.

There is one new teacher at Washington School this year: Elizabeth Degenstein will join the staff as a kindergarten teacher.

BS10

– Ravalli Republic, Monday, Thursday, August 26, 2010

Grantsdale Elementary School

Principal: Kathleen DentEnrollment: 90 studentsClassroom teachers: 4Special education teacher: 1Title 1 teacher: 1First day of school: Sept. 8Last day of school: June 3Hamilton School District Superintendent: Duby

Santee

What’s new: The chickens are back in Grantsdale.The four young buff-colored chickens raised by

third graders last year will be back as the chicken designees at Grantsdale, said Principal Kathleen Dent.

You can learn a lot from a chicken, it turns out. Students at Grantsdale learn concepts like responsi-bility as they take turns caring for them and collect-ing eggs. They can also learn about proper nutrition, exactly where it is that food comes from, the history

of the valley and farming and rural lifestyles.“Plus,” she said, “It’s fun.”Also this year, students at Grantsdale will begin

the classroom breakfast program. Once the opera-tion gets going a few weeks after school begins, all students will get breakfast in the classroom. The aim is to make sure students start the day with a healthy meal. Having the meal in the classroom means stu-dents can get on with their day more quickly than when they had it in the cafeteria.

Also new this year is Jonathan Martin, a spe-cial education teacher, who replaces an outgoing instructor. He is from Washington.

As with many other districts, students at Grantsdale this year will focus on the foundations of math.

“The biggest area is number sense and opera-tions,” Dent said. “It’s things like understanding place value and addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and on down.”

778 Grantsdale Rd., Hamilton 59840Phone: 363-1889

www.hsd3.org

BS11


August26-27: Alternate PIR days30-31: PIR days

September6: Labor Day7: First day of school29: Teacher workday - Full day (no

school)

October21-22: Statewide PIR days (no

school)

November12: End of 1st Quarter17: Early out17-18: Parent /Teacher conferences

24-26: Thanksgiving break (no school)

December23: Early Out24 and 27-31: Winter break (no

school)

January3: First day of school after winter

break26: Records day and (half) Evening

PIR Day28: End of 2nd quarter

February9: Early out21: President’s Day (no school)

March18: Teacher workday - Full day (no

school)

April1: End of 3rd quarter6: Early out6-7: Parent/Teacher conferences22: Spring break

May11: Early out30: Memorial Day

June3: Last day of school /Early out4: (half) PIR DayPIR = Pupil Instruction Related

Staff Training Day

Hamilton School District Calendar

BS12


Principal: Eric LarsonEnrollment: 370Teachers: 24First day of school: Sept. 7Last day of school: June 3Hamilton School Superintendent: Duby Santee

What’s new: Daly Elementary Principal Eric Larson said the school is going to stay the course with the take-personal-responsibility ethic that Daly worked to instill with the Mustang Pride program it initiated last year.

“We’re going to pick up where we left off with Mustang Pride and keep it going because it really took off last year,” Larson said. “We really want our students to understand that they are part of some-thing that’s bigger than themselves.”

The goal has always been to have teachers work toward the creation of life-long learners, Larson said. And that will continue to be a mantra in the coming year.

On the flip side of things, Larson said he hopes to also bring a message out to the community at large, communicating that the students and teachers in his school are partners with the community to ensure a prosperous future for all.

“These kids live in town and their families shop at local businesses,” Larson said. “And someday, these students are going to be running those businesses.”

New teachers: Jeff Michalek will teach second grade, as will Kirsten Morasko, while Jennifer Tucker will be teaching special education classes.

Daly Elementary School

208 Daly Ave, Hamilton 59840Phone: 363-2122

www.hsd3.org

BS13


Hamilton High School

Principal: Kevin ConwellEnrollment: 520Classroom teachers: 38Specialty teachers: 2Mascot: BroncsFirst day of school for freshman:

Sept. 7First day of school for everyone

else: Sept. 8Hamilton School District superin-

tendent: Duby Santee, 363-2280

What’s new: Hamilton High School will have three new teachers this year.

Amy Brintnall will be the new fam-

ily and consumer sciences teacher. She is a 2006 Hamilton High School graduate, and she attended the University of Idaho. Brintnall will also be the new cheerleading coach.

Hauna Trenerry will be teaching Spanish. She most recently taught in Bigfork, and she graduated from Carroll College in Helena. She is originally from Columbia Falls.

Ryan Shupp will be teaching English. He most recently taught in California, but lately he has been managing the family-owned Chief Joseph guest ranch near Darby.

Hamilton High School principal

Kevin Conwell said this year the school is hosting a freshman-only day for the first day of school on Sept. 7.

“It’s something unique that we are doing to help that transition,” he said. “It’s a full day for the incoming freshman only, and everybody else will come the following day and get started.”

Hamilton High School is also implementing a new teacher evalu-ation process this year called the Professional Growth and Assessment Process.

“We are very excited to be starting that,” Conwell said.

327 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton 59840Phone: 375-6060 • www.hsd3.org

BS14


Hamilton Middle School

Principal: Sharon AndersenEnrollment: 358Classroom teachers: 25Teacher’s aids: 9Mascot: ColtsFirst day of school: Sept. 7Last Day of School: June 3Hamilton School District superintendent: Duby

Santee

What’s New: Sharon Andersen will be temporar-ily filling in for principal Dan Kimzey while he serves with the U.S. military. Assistant principal Toby Stack will be the athletic director. Anderson hails from Dillon, so she is familiar with southwestern Montana.

There will be an open house to welcome the pub-lic to the Middle School on Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. Stack said a focus of the school this year will be on new technology.

“The majority of our focus will be the use of tech-nology,” he said. “With the use of Voyager for math and MyAccess for language arts. We want to get our kids proficient in technology. We will focus on the dangers of today’s technology, like MySpace and Facebook and all that. We want the kids to use tech-nology in a responsible manner.”

Stack said that pending board approval, there will be a new geography teacher and a new 8th-grade science teacher this year. There will also be some changes within the English department.

“We have also brought back the All-Valley 8th-grade tournaments for volleyball and basketball,” Stack said. “It’s a great thing for the kids, and all it really costs us is the price of some trophy’s. It’s really a good thing to have those back.”

The school hasn’t added or dropped any signifi-cant programs, Stack said.

209 S. Fifth Street, Hamilton 59840Phone: 363-2121

www.hsd3.org

BS15


Sept. 1Senior registration at

11:30 a.m.Junior registration at

2:30 p.m.

Sept. 2Sophomore registra-

tion at 8 a.m.Freshman registration

at 10 a.m.New student registra-

tion (or by appt.) at 1 p.m.

Sept. 4HHS closed – Ravalli

County Fair

Sept. 7First day for freshman

only at 8:15 a.m.

Sept. 8First day of classes

for all students (9-12) at 8:15 a.m.

Sept. 29Teacher workday –

No school

Oct. 21-22Statewide PIR days –

No school

Nov. 17Early out

Nov. 17-18Fall parent/teacher

conferences

Nov. 24-26Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 23Early out

Dec. 24 and 27-31Winter Break

Feb. 9Early out

Feb. 21President’s Day

March 18Teacher workday –

No school

April 6Early out

April 6-7Spring parent/

teacher conferences

April 22Spring Break

May 11Early out

May 30Memorial Day

June 3Last day of school

Hamilton High School dates to remember

BS16


Corvallis Primary School1020 Eastside Highway,

Corvallis 59828Phone: 961-3261

www.corvallis.k12.mt.us

Principal: Janice StranahanEnrollment: 446Teachers: 35First day of school: Sept. 7Last day of school: June 10Corvallis Superintendent:

Monte Silk

Who’s New: Sandy Squillace, kindergarten; Julia White, kindergarten; Patty Healy, third grade; Monica Wilson, fourth grade.

What’s New: To accom-modate all the littlest students, the school has added one classroom to its kindergarten this year, up from four last year.

Russ Hendrickson has moved into a full-time tech position, giving up the part-time duties he previously had as vice principal.

Lisa Nagel will take the roll of afternoon disciplinar-ian, shifting over from her mornings as a second grade teacher to take on the role of dean of students in the after-noon, when a little extra help is often needed to keep a lid on things.

“Things do kind of ramp up right around lunch,” Stranahan said. “Kids are out for about a half an hour and they start to wake up and that’s the point we can have some excitement and potential conflicts. So we want to be ready.”

BS17


Edna Thomas Middle School

Principal: Rich DurginEnrollment: 422Teachers: 36First day of school: Sept. 7Last day of school: June 10Corvallis Superintendent: Monte Silk

Who’s New: Zane Warnken, eighth-grade math; Jenifer Powell, language arts.

What’s New: The afterschool program that began last year for seventh and eighth graders with a 21st Century Learning Grant will be expanded this year to include students from fifth grade through 12th.

The expansion is a major plus for the school, said Principal Rich Durgin.

“It was successful last year and it marked the first time we’ve really had a formal afterschool program with busing and an afterschool staff,” Durgin said.

The school is also moving away from the block schedule in favor of having 60 minute core classes that will provide teachers a chance to see their stu-dents every day.

“That is important at the middle school level, especially important in the math and language arts classes,” Durgin said.

There will also be a new math lab, with the express purpose of helping students who show weakness in math testing.

Finally, the school is set to be home to a new mobile computer lab featuring 28 laptops.

1045 Eastside Highway, Corvallis 59828Phone: 961-3007


BS18


Corvallis High School

Principal: Jason WirtEnrollment: 461Teachers: 38First day of school: Sept. 7Last day of school: June 10Corvallis Superintendent:

Monte Silk

Who’s New: Jason Wirt, prin-cipal; Tyson Tucker, vice princi-pal; Allison Neils, biology and Classroom Without Walls; Alyce Leonardi, business and computer technology; Brett Shelagowski,

integrated science and fisheries biology; Sara Windsor, Title 1.

What’s New: A new head hon-cho typically means the whole program will have a somewhat different feel, but Jason Wirt, who is moving over from the vice prin-cipal’s job into the top spot, said he plans to keep the school roll-ing along on the steady course it’s held in recent years.

The honor of taking over a school that has seen such solid

performance over the years can be a bit overwhelming, Wirt said.

“But knowing the staff and the community and the kids, that always helps,” he said.

The main difference for Wirt will be a move away from being known as the enforcer and toward the role of heading up the instruc-tional side of things.

“It used to be that ‘go to Mr. Wirt’s office’ was a negative thing,” he said. “Hopefully this year I can make it a positive thing.

1045 Eastside Highway, Corvallis 59828Phone: 961-3201


BS19

August26-27: AlternAte PIR Days30-31: PIR Orientation &

In-service

September7: First day of school

October21,22: MEA Days (PIR)27: Early out – 1/3 PIR Day

November 5: 1st Quarter Ends16: Parent/teacher conferences

at 5:30-7:30 pm PRIMARY17: Parent/teacher conferences

at 2-6 pm ALL SCHOOLS17: Early out – 1/3 PIR Day18: Parent/teacher conferences

at 5:30-7:30 pm MS/HS24-26: Thanksgiving break

December16: Early out – 1/3 PIR Day23-31: Winter break

January21: 2nd quarter ends21: Early out – 1/3 PIR Day

February9: Early out – 1/3 PIR Day21: President’s Day - No school

March16: Early out – 1/3 PIR Day

April1: 3rd quarter ends1: Early out – 1/3 PIR Day18-22: Spring break

May25: Early out – 1/3 PIR Day30: Memorial Day – No school

June10: Last day of school

Corvallis School District calendarRavalli Republic, Thursday, August 26, 2010 –

Unlike the middle school, Corvallis High School will retain the block schedule.

The first day of school, Sept. 7, will involve an orientation for the freshmen only, with the 10th, 11th and 12th graders starting up one day later.

Finally, the board of trustees raised the bar for graduation, adding a year of science to the core credits required.

To make that work, the school has added to its science offerings with fisheries biology, alterna-tive energy, and ecology and anatomy/physiology growing to year-long courses.

BS20


Victor School

Principal: Dan JohnstonEnrollment: 345Teachers: 28First day of school: Sept. 7Last day of school: June 9Victor School Superintendent: Orville Getz

What’s New: Like many other schools in the county, Victor will be placing a heavy emphasis on the foundations of mathematics this year.

“What we want to do is not leave any child behind,” said Victor Principal Dan Johnston. “If a child is struggling we want to find where they are having trouble and address that as soon as possible. We are very excited about this change and this new

focus.”With foundations in place, students will be bet-

ter prepared for middle and high school math, Johnston said.

Johnson said the school is offering courses from the Montana Digital Academy to high school stu-dents. Information is available at www.montanadigi-talacademy.org. The academy will offer 45 courses in its online curriculum so students can broaden their horizons, Johnson said. Classes this year are free; offerings run the gamut from chemistry to Chinese to current issues in government.

There are no new teachers this year, though there have been some class switches.

425 4th Avenue, Victor 59875Phone: 642-3221 • www.victor.k12.mt.us

BS21


Victor CalendarSeptember

7: First day of school17: Teachers In-Service30: Open house (5:30-7:30 p.m.)

October16: Homecoming21-22: MEA/PIR Day (No school)

November4: End of 1st quarter 11-12: Parent/teacher conferences24: Thanksgiving vacation25: Thanksgiving

December10: 2nd quarter mid-term23: Winter break begins (No school)

January3: School in session17: Martin Luther King Day(School in session)20: End of 2nd quarter - End of1st semester 21: Teachers In-Service

February21: President’s Day (No school)

March3-4: Parent/teacher conferences24: End of 3rd quarter

April18-24: Spring break begins

May30: Memorial Day (No school)

June5: Graduation 1 p.m.7: 8th Grade Promotion 3 p.m.9: End of 4th Quarter/2nd SemesterLast student day

ORVILLE GETZ Victor Superintendent

School will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 7. School will start at 8:15 a.m. and end at 4:15 p.m.; running Monday through Thursday of each week. The first day of school will be a full day with lunch and breakfast being served.

Following the start of school, we will have open house. This will be a time for you to meet you students’ teachers. This will be held on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. We hope you will mark your calendar and attend.

The staff has been working very hard getting the school ready for the fall start. Routine maintenance is being con-ducted. The new parking lots are striped and ready for use. Student parking will be in the same general areas as in pre-vious years.

Staff changes have been minimal. Mrs. Ioder will be moving to 2nd grade. We will have two 2nd grades this year. The teachers will be Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Ioder. Mr. Arvish will be a new 6th grade teacher. Other potential changes may take place as the summer pro-gresses. We will let you know what these changes might be as quickly as we decide how we will handle the influx of new students.

We are offering courses from the Montana Digital Academy for our High School students. MTDA Enrollment information is available to

local schools on the website located at www.montanadigi-talacademy.org. Home School students may participate by registering at their local District. The academy will offer 45 separate courses online. These offerings will give our students opportunities to expand their horizons. The courses offered are free of charge for this year.

Parents of middle and high school students who have internet access can check their student’s progress weekly at the website (www.victor.k12.mt.us). Other information is available, including menus, supply lists, teacher contacts, student handbooks, calen-dars, sports schedules, well-ness policy and forms as well as other links. This information can also be picked up in hard copy at the main office. The main office is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Homecoming will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16. The football game will begin on Saturday at 1 p.m. Volleyball matches will be played the same day beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade will be held prior to the game starting at 11 a.m.

I hope each of you have had a wonderful summer. We are looking forward to serv-ing our community, students and parents in a positive manner. Please feel free to call the school regarding any questions you may have. Our phone number is 642-3221.

Victor School ready for students’ return

KENT KULTGENSteVenSVille School Superintendent

Construction, construction, con-struction.

That is the topic of conversation and seemingly the focal point of Stevensville Schools this year.

This past year has been a whirl-wind of meetings aimed at assess-ing our needs, gathering public input and then working with a team of professionals to turn these ideas into reality. Every aspect of our building project has centered on the education of our youth, from acoustics to ventilation to lighting, all have been engineered to create the very best learning environment for our students.

This same attention to detail will guide the educational process through the physical interruption of the construction process. As excit-ing as the construction may seem, it is the day to day education of our children that is the real focus.

There are many exciting changes in store for the students of Stevensville Schools. Some changes are due to the construction, others are results of our continual effort to offer a high standard of education.

Other news this years includes:• Stevensville district welcomes

four new teachers this year, Cejay Morrell, kindergarten, Chanda Gum, kindergarten, Elizabeth Telago, elementary counselor, and Brandon Day, high school science.

• The elementary implemented a summer school program that just completed its inaugural session. Next summer the program will expand to include more students.

• Grades 7-12 will introduce the Advisory or Jacket Program, which is a daily 30-minute class that strives to connect each student with a staff member and through a detailed curriculum will focus on life, career and reading skills.

• The grades 7-12 morning tutor-ing program that began last year

will continue throughout this aca-demic year.

• The school day was lengthened by 30 minutes and will now go from 8:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., allowing school to release on May 6, 2011, thus maximizing next summer’s construction season.

• The procedure of picking up and dropping of students will be a big change. Buses will drop off students on Philips Street, allowing elementary students to go directly to the playground. Grades 7-12 will walk to their respective part of the campus. Parents who drop off their children will be directed to do so on the west side of the playground on Park Street.

• For student pick-up after school, buses will be parked on the north side of Philips Street . Parents are asked to pick up their students on the west side of the playground on Park Street. There will be addi-tional staff for supervision and guidance to assist with this new procedure.

• Breakfast in the Classroom is a

program that will be implemented this year for all students K-6. This program allows all students the opportunity to start their day with a nutritious meal. Students grades 7-12 will have the opportunity to pick up a sack breakfast.

All parents and community mem-bers are asked to keep in close contact with the school as we work together to accommodate con-struction this year. More changes are expected as proposed changes are tweaked and unforeseen chal-lenges arise.

The district has implemented a K-12 automated calling system to get out information in a timely man-ner. This program was used in the high school last year with great suc-cess and is now district wide.

This coming year will be a chal-lenging yet exciting year for the students of Stevensville Schools. Please stay in close communica-tions with your child’s teacher and principal as together, we will make this a successful year for each stu-dent.

BS22


Construction theme for the year in Stevi

BS23


CORVALLIS / 1016 Brooks Avenue • 961-3841(behind Ravalli County Bank)

VICTOR / 2386 Hwy 93 North • 642-9005

3 FREEPhysical TherapyConsultations for

High School Sports Injuries(Parental consent required. Call for details.)

Willow Creek Physical TherapyVictor Physical Therapy

FIRST QUARTERAug. 30, 31,

Sept. 1,2 (Mon.-Thurs) Professional Development 4

Sept. 7(Tues.) First Day of School (2:45 Student release)

Sept. 10 (Fri.) 1:45 Student release - Inservice

Sept. 21 (Tues) Open House– 6:00-8:00, 2:45 Early Out ½

Book Fair 6:00-8:00

Sept. 30. (Thurs.) Midquarter - Grades due 4:15 PM on Oct. 4

Oct. 1 (Fri.) 1:45 Student release - Inservice

Oct. 21-22 (Thurs.-Fri.) Staff Development 2

Oct. 29 (Fri) Last Day 1st Quarter

Nov. 2 (Tues) Grades Due 4:15pm

SECOND QUARTERNov. 1 (Mon.) 1st Day

2nd Quarter

Nov. 5 (Fri.) 1:45 Student release - Inservice

Nov. 10 (Wed) Early student release 1:45 Conferences 2-5 1/2

Nov. 11 (Thurs) Early student release 2:45

Conference 4-7 1/2

Nov. 24 (Wed.) Midquarter - Grades due 4:15 PM on Nov. 30

Nov. 25-26 Thanksgiving Holiday (2:45 Early Out- Nov. 24)

Dec. 3 (Fri.) 1:45 Student release - Inservice

Dec. 22 (Wed.) End of 2nd Quarter - 1:45 Student release

Dec. 23-Dec. 31 Christmas Holiday (1:45 Early Out- Dec. 22)

THIRD QUARTERJan. 3 Return to

School

Jan. 3 (Mon.) 1st Day of 3rd Quarter

Jan. 7 (Fri.) 1:45 Student release - Inservice - Grades Due

Feb. 1 (Tues.) Midquarter - Grades due 4:15 PM Feb. 3

Feb. 4 (Fri.) 1:45 Student release - Inservice

Feb. 9(Wed.) Student release 2:45 Conferences 4-7 1/2

Feb. 10 (Thurs.) Student release 1:45Conference 2-5 1/2

Feb. 21 (Mon.) President’s Day

Mar. 4 (Fri.) 1:45 Student release - Inservice

Mar. 4 (Fri.) End of 3rd Qtr.

Mar. 8 (Tues.) Grades due @ 4:15 PM

FOURTH QUARTERMar. 7 (Mon.) 1st Day

of 4th Quarter

Apr. 5 (Tues.) Midquarter - Grades due 4:15 PM on Apr. 7

Apr. 1(Fri.) 1:45 Student release -

Inservice

Apr. 22 (Fri.) Easter Vacation

Apr. 30 (Sat) Graduation - 1:00pm

May 6 (Fri.) Last Day of School-12:00 Student Dismissal

May 6 (Fri.) Post Record Day 1/2

Sept 7 - May 6 15 Professional Development Inservices

Stevensville School District Calendar

BS24


Stevensville Elementary School

300 Park Street, Stevensville, 59870-2603Phone: 777-5481 • www.stevensvilleschool.net

Principal: Jackie MavencampEnrollment: 458Classroom teachers: 21Mascot: Yellow JacketsFirst day of school: Sept. 8 Last day of school: June 11Stevensville School District

superintendent: Kent Kultgen, 777-5481

Who’s new: Chanda Gum, kin-dergarten; Cejay Morrell, kinder-garten; Liz Talago, councilor.

What’s new: As with every-where else on the Stevi schools campus, there will be a lot that is new, from schedules, to bussing, to midyear shifts in classroom locations.

“Our challenge is going to be making sure that we provide the

same level of academic instruc-tion that we have in the past,” said Principal Jackie Mavencamp.

Because the school calendar has been tweaked to subtract some 20 days to accommodate construction, the staff has been working hard on their pacing charts to make sure they cover the material students need, Mavencamp said.

“We’ve already spent quite a bit of time working on those pac-ing charts last year and over the summer,” she added. “We have a really great experienced staff and I really feel confident that our kids are not going to suffer at all because of the shortened school year. I think we’ll handle it.”

Mavencamp said the push for academic excellence will simply

be business as usual, from district-wide efforts to improve writing skills and scores in math.

One thing that the staff is emphasizing this year, Mavencamp said, is their appreci-ation for the community’s support and patience as the new building goes forward.

There will be challenges, she added, the key is for people to understand that student safety will be the bottom line for all the new routines that work around con-struction.

“If people have concerns, let’s keep those lines of communica-tion open,” Mavencamp said.

BS25


Stevensville High School

Principal: Brian GumEnrollment: 400Classroom teachers: 30Mascot: YellowjacketsFirst day of school: Sept. 7Last day of school: May 6

Who’s New: Brandon Day will teach earth sci-ence and biology.

What’s New: Stevensville High School will unveil its new Jacket Program starting this fall.

The daily 30-minute advisory program is designed to create one-on-one connections between students and teachers, said Stevensville High School Principal Brian Gum. Initially the focus will be on reading skills and literacy build-ing activities.

Eventually the program will help students develop life skills that could help in choosing a career.

This year’s freshmen will take the skills they learn through the program and create a senior project that should help guide them through the years following graduation.

“So graduation will not just focus on the suc-cess of graduating, but it will also be about where do students want to go from there,” Gum said. “What do they want to do with their lives?”

Gum said he didn’t know of any other Montana schools that have adopted the pro-gram.

“Stevensville High School is pioneering this piece,” he said.

Stevensville High made AYP this past year. And it was honored by the Montana Behavioral Institute for excellence

“I think we’re doing some really good things here,” Gum said.

An open house will be held on Sept. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.

300 Park Street, Stevensville, 59870Phone: 777-5481

www.stevensvilleschool.net

BS26


Stevensville Junior High School

300 Park Street, Stevensville, 59870-2603Phone: 777-5481

www.stevensvilleschool.netPrincipal: Bob ConnorsEnrollment: 160Classroom teachers: 18Mascot: YellowjacketsFirst day of school: Sept. 7Last day of school: May 6

What’s New: There will be a lot of changes in store for junior high students at Stevensville this year.

With the construction of a new building underway, students will be coming to school a little earlier and staying a little longer. The school day starts at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m.

At the Christmas break, junior high students will move out of

their building into classrooms at the elementary. The Junior High building will be demolished.

“It is just what it is,” said Stevensville Junior High Principal Bob Connors. “We are going to just have to acknowledge it and move on. We can’t use it as an excuse … it should teach our students some life lesson. Things don’t always go in life as you have planned. We’ll just have to make the best out of a bad situation for a couple of months.”

The good news is the junior high met AYP this year.

“We are so excited about that,”

Connors said. The school will be adding a

couple of new programs this school year.

The program, “Utilizing the Seven Habits of Highly Successful Teens,” will focus on developing organizational skills. A new writing curriculum taught by UM’s Beverly Chin will also be implemented.

The school has an open house planned for Sept. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. The annual book fair will be held at the same time.

“It will be a good time to take a look at the construction project too,” Connors said.

BS27


Bitterroot Valley Schools Build Stong Minds

AugustAug. 30: Teacher orientationAug. 31: Staff development

SeptemberSept. 7: First day of schoolSept. 15: Open house

OctoberOct. 21-22: IPD Convention

(No School)

NovemberNov. 10: End of 1st quarter Nov. 11: Begin 2nd quarterNov. 16: P/T conferences

(Dismiss 1:15 p.m.)

Nov. 19: P/T conferences (Dismiss 1:15 p.m.)

Nov. 24-28: Thanksgiving

DecemberDec. 23 – Jan. 2: Christmas

break (Dismiss 1:15 p.m. Dec. 22)

JanuaryJan. 3: School resumesJan. 26: End of 2nd quarter Jan. 27: Begin 3rd quarter

FebruaryFeb. 18-21 Winter Break

AprilApr. 1: End of 3rd quarter Apr. 4: Begin 4th quarterApr. 14: P/T conferences

(Dismiss 1:15 p.m.) Apr. 18: P/T conferences

(Dismiss 1:15 p.m.) Apr. 22-25: Easter break

MayMay 30: Memorial Day

JuneJune 3: 8th grade graduation

(Last day)June 8: Post record dayJune 9: K 7 Last day of school

Lone Rock School Calendar

BS28


Lone Rock School

Principal: Tamara LysonsEnrollment: 270Classroom teachers: 19Mascot: RocketsFirst day of school: Sept. 7Last day of school: June 9Superintendent: David Cluff

What’s New: Lone Rock School will welcome a new principal this year and welcome back a princi-pal turned superintendent.

Dave Cluff took over the reins of the school after serving a stint as principal. Tamara Lysons – a former elementary teacher at Bonner – is the school’s new prin-cipal.

“She is going to be a great addition,” Cluff said. “Tamara’s focus will be on curriculum and instruction.”

Students will have the chance to show their parents around the schoolhouse on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at the annual open house.

“It’s generally a festive night,” Cluff said. “There usually are root beer floats delivered to teachers by students sometime during the evening.”

There will also be a presenta-tion about the Excel Afterschool Program.

Celebrating its second year,

the program drew raves from stu-dents and teachers alike last year.

“It was sensational,” Cluff said. “We averaged 40 kids a day … I think it went over so well because the staff was exceptional. They provided daily clubs that the kids really got enthusiastic about.”

Cluff said the focus will be a bit more academic this year.

The school did meet the national standard for annual yearly progress this year, Cluff said.

“It’s quite a challenge to that, so we were very pleased that all the hard work by the kids and teachers paid off,” he said.

1112 Three Mile Creek Road, Stevensville 59870(406) 777-3314 • www.lonerockschool.org

BS29


August30 : First day of

school

September3-6: Labor Day (No

school) 15: Open house 6-8

p.m. 22: Early out – 2:05

p.m.

October21-22: MEA Day (No

school) 27: Early out – 2:05

p.m.

November4: End of 2nd quarter 10-11: Parent/teacher

conferences 12: PIR Day (No

school) 24: Early out – 2:05

p.m. 25-26: Thanksgiving

holiday (No school)

December22: Early out – 2:05

p.m. 23-31: Christmas

break (No school)

January1: New Years Day (No

school) 17: MLK Day (No

school) 21: End of 2nd quar-

ter 24: PIR Day – half

day – 11:05 a.m. 26: Early out – 2:05

p.m. 26-27: Middle school/

High school parent/teacher conferences

February21: President’s Day

(No school) 23: Early out – 2:05

p.m.

March23: Early out – 2:05

p.m.28: End of 3rd quar-

ter

April4-8: Spring break (No

school) 13-14: Elem. Parent/

teacher conferences 22: PIR Day (No

school) 24: Easter Sunday 27: Early out – 2:05

p.m.

May25: Early out – 2:05

p.m. 30: Memorial Day

(No school)

June5: High School grad-

uation 6: Middle School pro-

motion 9: Last day of school

– 11:05 a.m.

Florence-Carlton School District

calendar

BS30


Florence-Carlton Middle School

Principal: Audrey BackusEnrollment: 220Classroom teachers: 19 teachers; about half are

shared with elementary and high schoolsMascot: FalconsFirst day of school: August 30Last day of school: June 9

What’s New: The Florence-Carlton Middle School has a pair of new teachers this year.

University of Montana graduate Emily Hackethorn will be teaching middle school and high school choir. She student taught last year at the Hamilton middle school and high school. This is her first teach-ing assignment.

Rochelle Blomquist will teach elementary comput-ers in both the elementary and middle schools. Her position is half time. She is a certified elementary

teacher who has children in the Florence schools.Sept. 2 is the day set aside for school pictures.An open house has been set for Sept. 15 from 6 to

8 p.m.“It’s a great opportunity for parents to meet their

children’s teacher and take look at the facility,” Principal Audrey Backus said.

Backus said the school will continue its focus on meeting federal testing requirements. Last year the middle school met AYP in both math and reading.

“This year we face a large jump in expectations in both math and reading scores,” Backus said.

The school is also stepping up its efforts to imple-ment the Montana Behavioral Initiative, which is a positive behavioral support program, Backus said.

The first month will present a challenge as middle school students navigate around some construction at the back of the school, she said.

Phone: 273-0587www.florence.k12.mt.us

Florence-Carlton High School

Principal: Dan GrabowskaEnrollment: 265Classroom teachers: 24Mascot: FalconsFirst day of school: August 30Last day of school: June 9

What’s New: Florence-Carlton High School students will meet in a general assembly on their first day back from summer.

Besides learning about any changes to the rules, Principal Dan Grabowska said students will also hear about the new homecoming celebration being planned for this fall.

“We’re changing up the homecoming process this year,” Grabowska said. “In the past, we’ve always had one king and one queen. We’re doing it by class this year. It will allow more people to get involved.”

There will be some new faces in the teachers’ room this year.

Two University of Montana graduates have joined the faculty. They are Jason Stewart, who will be teaching upper level math, and computer/business teacher Matt Larson. Ronnie Parson is also joining the staff as a lower math teacher. He hails from Great Falls.

The school will continue MAP testing and the Montana Behavioral Initiative process. Both began last year.

For fun, Grabowska said the school is hoping to continue its drum line program again this year.

The program was started last year by a student teacher and became a hit at both home games and all around the state.

“It was a lot of fun,” Grabowska said. “We took them with us to playoff games. Community mem-bers stepped in and helped spon-sor them … we got great com-ments everywhere we went.”

5602 Old Highway 93, Florence, 59833Phone: 273-6301 • www.florence.k12.mt.us

BS31


Principal: Christine HullaEnrollment: 380Classroom teachers: 20 Specialists: 5Mascot: FalconsFirst day of school: August 30Last day of school: June 9

What’s New: The focus at Florence-Carlton Elementary this year will be implementing a behav-ioral management program and testing the waters of another, said Principal Christine Hulla.

The elementary school will begin implement-ing the Montana Behavioral Initiative this year. Staff members have attended workshops over the past two summers in preparation for implementing the program.

“We hope this program will help clarify expecta-tions,” Hulla said. “It should help put all adults on the same page as far as expectations for students.”

The school will also take a look at the Response on Intervention program this year.

“We want to explore how that can best fit our stu-dents,” she said.

Hulla said the elementary will also continue to work toward improving test scores in reading and math. The school met AYP in both math and read-ing.

“We will have a jump in expectations this year,” she said. “I’m excited as we go into this new year. Our teachers are already in their classrooms prepar-ing for what should be a great year.”

Florence-Carlton Elementary SchoolPhone: 273-6741

www.florence.k12.mt.us

“Creative and technical instruction in asupportive atmosphere”

Classes begin September 13,2010

ballet, tap, modern dance, jazz,creative movement for young

children, improvisation, hip-hop421 NORTH SECOND STREET, HAMILTON

To register or ask for a brochure, call 363-1203

2010 back to school directory

Documents

high school prommar

school drive

darby school superintendent

principal loyd rennaker

loyd rennaker enrollment

darby schools wil

day of schoolseptembersept

whats new