However she does believe a huge concern facing the school district is continuing to recover from the educational setbacks and emotional disturbances to students caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Written public correspondence can be submitted by emailing the Trustees at trustees@whitefishschools.org or by a written letter sent to the Whitefish School District Trustees at 600 East Second Street, Whitefish, MT 59937. To this board Todd brings school and nonprofit board experience. She says she always had a desire to get into local politics and government and knows she has a lot to offer in the role. Lengacher has long family ties to the valley as his inlaws have owned property on Flathead Lake for many years. Mr. Gary Carmichael. Terms of Use | I feel like the hybrid model was a balance of the needs of maintaining safety as well as recognizing in-person education is invaluable.. An aspect of life that is really important to Kearns is that relationships matter. Bennetts and her family moved to the Flathead Valley in 2004, then settled into Whitefish 10 years later. Website Disclaimer. F: (406) 862-2586, 1143 E. 4th St., WMS Jazz Band Festival @ U of M. Date: Mar 17. But do they leave the room feeling like they are heard and hopeful; I think I can offer that.. It reminded me of home people waved to me, they were friendly, they were genuine, she said. Speech and Debate activities offer students an opportunity to hone their skills in a variety of competitive events at both the local and state level. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, Attracting and housing teachers and support staff is becoming more of a challenge and we need to think of community-based solutions. BA History and Political Science U of M. Minor Library Media U of M. And I feel well informed just given the proximity to my wifes work., copyright 2023 Five candidates are running for the Whitefish School Board. His wife has a masters in public health and has been highly involved in infection mitigation in Montana during the pandemic. Kearns would like to help mend that and wants to start by serving on the school board. Jerrie Boksich was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and attended public schools. When considering the issues facing the school district, COVID and continuing to adapt to the issues arising from the pandemic is definitely on her mind, she notes. It was just humbling and incredible the amount of initiation random people who wed never met took to reach out she recalled. She had a great public schooling experience all the way from kindergarten through her postsecondary education at University of Montana, and knows her education has allowed her many opportunities in life. Wfbschools.com - Whitefish Bay Schools | An Exceptional Place to Learn The schools annual Back to School Bash is a major event for our CARE program to demonstrate the chapters philosophy and mission. And in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrow supports the way the district handled reopening schools. Whitefish, MT 59937 Morrow moved to Whitefish one year ago in search of a friendly place to settle down and potentially start a family. Having a safe learning environment is paramount for our school districts staff and students. Terms of Use | He and his wife were married on their family property on Flathead Lake and eventually moved to Whitefish in 2018. Im actually looking forward to, if I were on the board, helping begin to make a plan for that, he expressed. Mr. Josh Branstetter Principal Mr. Tyler Jones Assistant Principal Teachers. For public correspondence to be published within the school board business meeting materials, it must be received by 3:00 PM on the Friday before the scheduled monthly business meeting. The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship. I have three years of experience, which brings existing positive relationships with staff and the community. Kearns and her family moved to Whitefish in September 2020, although they have been coming to the area to visit often since her husbands family has owned a cabin in Essex for many years. P: (406) 862-8650 If elected to the school board, keeping that genuine community feel and engagement is one aspect she would prioritize. Bennetts expressed great respect for the current board members, administrators, district staff and everyone already involved in the district. And given his background in education, he feels like the Whitefish School Board would be a good fit. Morrow has been a dancer her whole life and also enjoys going to restaurants and reading in her free time. He was inspired to run in the trustee election because of his desire to serve and give back to the community. P: (406) 862-8620 As a parent of young children, working in the service industry and a woman of color, its clear this perspective is absent in our communitys leadership. Students in the Whitefish School District have several programs to choose in furthering their artistic skills: drama, instrumental music, vocal music, and visual arts. One of the really important things to me has been understanding how much relationships matter and how we treat each other matters, she said. The CARE team is a strong organizer of several social events which discourages the use/abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and other addicting drugs. Other Staff (FTE) Total: 119.50 : Instructional Aides: 28.02: Instruc. Being a veterinarian in our community provides me with the ability to interact with diverse community members on a daily basis. Staff and students have received training in the Montana Behavior Institute, ASIST program, Student Assistance Training program, Second Step, Respect of Us and Stop, Talk, Walk. I don't have a dog in the fight to control families, my dog is in the fight to raise kids the way parents see fit and protect the rights of others to do the same. Amina is also a science teacher at the middle school and a lawyer in the Air Force. Bennetts grew up in Great Falls and her father was a school teacher for 40 years. Since then shes wanted to find a way she could leverage her skillset and contribute to the betterment of the community running for school board seemed like a great opportunity to do just that. Admin Assistant, Clerical, Office Administration, Healthcare Administration. You have an incomplete application for Vocal Music Students begin their quest for vocal music at Muldown Elementary and Whitefish Middle School show casing their talents at local district and building level events. PLEASE NOTE: All emails will be posted as public correspondenceat the next school board business meeting. This can be done by continuing to responsibly spend covid funding to remedy these issues. Choices of program include orchestra, band and the drum line. WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT 600 East Second Street Whitefish, MT 59937 4068628640 4068621507 . I think the next step is allowing kids to go to school without wearing masks, we need to work towards that goal.. In addition to working in education in Seattle, Vermont, and Montana, Todd worked at a school in Spain and developed educational and community-based programming in South & Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Im actually looking forward to, if I were on the board, helping begin to make a plan for that, he expressed. F: (406) 730-2176, 600 East 2nd St. I believe the school district did the right thing in how they proceeded he said. In addition, I have extensive business experience dealing with budgets, personnel and scheduling, and I have held many volunteer roles in the community. Kearns would like to help mend that and wants to start by serving on the school board. Coordinators & Supervisors: 4.00: Total Guidance Counselors: Having lived in different places, and living in Seattle, we were looking for a place where we could have more of a direct impact on the community he said. MA Technology and Learning WGU. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in . Copyright2005-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) -PowerSchool Group LLC and/or its affiliate(s), WHITEFISH SCHOOL DISTRICT600 East Second StreetWhitefish, MT 5993740686286404068621507. Children are the future of our country, and I believe it is essential for their success to provide them with a solid educational foundation that is instruction-based and not agenda-driven. P: 406.862.8650 F: 406.862.8664. Location: Whitefish School District Board Room 600 E Second St Whitefish, MT. (Courtesy photos) Editor's note: This story originally ran in the April 14, 2021 edition of the Whitefish Pilot. Any chance I get I love to spend time with children Children are always the center of my life, she said. Although new to living fulltime in Whitefish, Kearns didnt want to wait any longer to get involved in the community. The board should consider creative options, such as involvement in affordable housing at the city level, or spearheading their own housing initiatives. Whitefish, MT 59937 PLEASE NOTE: All emails will be posted as public correspondence at the next school board business meeting. A close family friend, Ben Parsons, passed away from the accident and Bennetts says the community of Whitefish stepped up to support her family during the hardship. Full Time position. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community Her favorite part of serving the community in this volunteer role is getting to visit the schools and see learning in action. Whitefish High School Calendar Facebook Home Students Big Ideas Check Grades Student Email Student Handbook School Calendar Registration Handbook Bring Your Own Device Teachers/ Staff Daily Schedule Clubs & Activities Odysseyware Edgenuity Student Assistance Program Google Docs Coping with Grief Google Classroom MT EdReady National award winners have had their works displayed via the national duck stamp for the U.S. 2010 saw our first national 1st place winner in the category of Hospitality and Tourism. Trustees serve in staggered three-year terms Current trustees. F: (406) 862-2586, 1143 E. 4th St., Family: Married to Bill Paatalo; three kids and one due this week. Ill show up prepared and do the very best I can to represent all the needs of the varying parties.. F: (406) 730-2176, 600 East 2nd St. During the pandemic and these generally difficult times, young peoples mental health has suffered. Darcy Schellinger grew up in Billings, MT and graduated with a degree in Business Finance from Montana State University. Unfortunately, this position is no longer available. Business expansions have helped solidify the district's tax base. It has all the elements that makes it so appealing to all of us. She said although her family felt they had roots in Whitefish long before that, the actions of the community solidified those feelings. Listed on 2023-03-02. But one main reason is to give back to the community. I have a lot of skills and different perspectives and talents to offer in my service so I just felt really strongly that I should jump into that Kearns said. In the past year just seeing the way public discourse has evolved and how relationships in our communities have become so fractured, it made me rethink waiting (to get involved).. There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. Ballots for those registered as absentee should have already hit the mailboxes in Whitefish and are due back to the Whitefish School District Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. One of the things that drew her to Whitefish, which she discovered on a ski vacation with friends, was that people were friendly and the community. Id bring a sense of leadership and sharing in ideas, Morrow said. Clubs and Activities - Whitefish Middle School Lengacher added that he believes all involved in the school district right now are doing wonderful things, but given the support for schools in Whitefish the door is wide open for even more improvements. P: 406.862.8650 F: 406.862.8664. Staff - School Overview - Whitefish Middle School Currently Kearns is a stay at home parent to two daughters ages 2 and 5. Three years ago the outdoor-loving family visited Whitefish and Glacier National Park while looking for a location to call home after Diehl retired from the military. She just opened her own studio called Whitefish School of Ballet and serves as the artistic director. Whitefish Middle School Previously served on the Whitefish Rotary board, Childrens House Montessori and Flathead Youth Home boards. The interaction features such as share screen, chat, unmute, raise hand, are not enabled. I do not envy those decisions they had to make, she said. Ms. Catey Nasello Principal Mr. John Coyne Assistant Principal . Morrow said shes never served on a school board or other government board before, but has held plenty of leadership positions throughout her life. Type any part of the Job Title, Job Type, or Job Location to Search, Director of Student Services (Beginning 23/24), PowerSchool Group LLC and/or its affiliate(s). Background: Born and raised in Whitefish, graduating from Whitefish High School in 2002; Bachelor of Arts in history at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. What is the most important issue(s) facing the Whitefish School District right now and how would you work to address it? Emily Morrow believes that children are one of the most important demographics and has been committed to serving kids in many ways throughout her life. And just very subtly, but very intentionally took care of us.. An injury ended her professional dancing career, but opened up the opportunity to move somewhere new and start a dance school. Whitefish, MT 59937 In addition to her work with schools, she also has experience in mediation. Parents should have ultimate power to remove their children from adverse educational influences particularly when debate isn't permitted. Ray and Jerrie directed the American Field Service (AFS) exchange student program in Montana for many years. Although she doesnt have any children of her own yet, she loves spending time with kids and volunteering in programs serving youth. 1118 East 7th St., Whitefish, MT 59937 P: (406) 862-8620 F: (406) 730-2176 While most recently living in Seattle, his family was coming out to the Flathead Valley more often and developing a stronger desire to stay in Montana. The election is May 4 and the mail-in ballots are scheduled to be sent out on April 14 and arrive in voter's mailboxes by next week. Our on-line Virtual High School (VHS) is open to students beginning in the 8th grade through high school. You may choose to opt-out of ad cookies. History & Computer Coding Teacher. Candidates listed in alphabetical order by last name: Occupation: Dentist (disabled due to a hand injury), stay-at-home mom. The district has 1,500 plus students housed in four facilities: Muldown Elementary (K-4), Whitefish Middle School (5-8), Whitefish High School (9-12), and our Independent High School which provides a non-traditional setting for grades 10-12. Students are expected to complete a rigorous academic program from kindergarten through grade 12. We have lost sight of the value in bringing people together rather than driving them apart. The election is May 4 and the mail-in . It's a tumultuous time, and we must fight against the spirit of the age's attempt to create a new normal for our kids. But also with Whitefish Superintendent Dave Means only being a year into his new role and then a new principal starting at Muldown in the fall, she believes there will be challenges associated with the changes in leadership. As far as how the school district handled the COVID-19 pandemic, Diehl said he supported the districts methodical approach to reopening schools. Thats something she believes every child should have. Whitefish, MT 59937 P: (4069 862-8600 $570,000. Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School.