Individual fall sports and their state titles; cross country girls (3)football (1)girls golf (16) and boys (12)soccer boys (3), girls (2)volleyball (6). And out of the variety of ways to participate in building and shaping my community, serving on the school board is a great fit given my skills and experiences. The use of multiple assessment tools has vastly improved curriculum offerings and the instructional methods used to reach students at all levels of learning. I applaud the boards decision to use COVID recovery funds for mental health resources, and there should be continued effort to look at factors impacting students and solutions at a systemic level. He and his wife were married on their family property on Flathead Lake and eventually moved to Whitefish in 2018. As much as anything, I want to leverage my experience with schools and with boards to build the best and highest functioning board we possibly can.. Prior to becoming a trustee I actively attended Whitefish School District board meetings and work sessions. And just very subtly, but very intentionally took care of us.. He also currently serves on the North Valley Food Bank and Whitefish Education Foundation boards, and is the executive director of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northwest Montana program. Mission - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, career . There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. 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. Ill show up prepared and do the very best I can to represent all the needs of the varying parties.. Superior ratings are common for individual and group performances during district and state events. She and her husband Joel Shehan have one son in third grade at Muldown Elementary and the family enjoys being in the outdoors, especially hiking and paddle boarding. In my opinion, the most significant challenge is coming out of the pandemic both academically and emotionally. The district is engaged with leaders in the community to work towards affordable housing solutions. She admitted that the board and administrators were in a tough situation and did the best they could at the time. Morrow has been a dancer her whole life and also enjoys going to restaurants and reading in her free time. 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 The opportunity for public comment and participation during a school board meeting is provided by attending the school board meeting in-person. Ive been in senior leadership positions quite often and understand the difficulties presented, he explained. But in addition to those interests, Lengacher has an even stronger passion to serve in the local community. P: (406) 862-8688 Privacy Policy Quincy Bennetts is a Montana native who feels indebted to her community of Whitefish and also has an eagerness to put her own skills and personal qualities to use for the betterment of local public schools. Ive been in senior leadership positions quite often and understand the difficulties presented, he explained. If elected he says his first task would just be to listen to the issues at hand and learn from the trustees, administrators and community members. Of course were outdoor enthusiasts, so that was the first appeal; then the great schools, the fantastic gym, the theater, the awesome town, the airport. Muldown elementary School. I am running for the Whitefish School Board to bring the community together with a common goal of protecting the innocence of children while ensuring they have access to a quality education. Lastly she added that with skills shes obtained through her career combined with her hardworking attitude she knows she could make a positive impact if elected to the board. Kearns would like to help mend that and wants to start by serving on the school board. Mr. Josh Branstetter Principal Mr. Tyler Jones Assistant Principal Teachers. History & Computer Coding Teacher. Ms. Victoria Buls. 1118 East 7th St., Our school district can look to other nearby districts and learn from how they use their funding to support programs for students who are in the most need of intervention and adapt our strategies accordingly. Zac Andrews, Montana West Realty, Active. Hes worked in schools both domestically and internationally, helping to develop educational programs in 13 countries. The 2021 Whitefish School Board Trustee Candidates are Quincy Bennetts, David Diehl, Leanette Kearns, Todd Lengacher and Emily Morrow. The election is in person this year and the polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on May 3 for residents to cast their vote. Whitefish, MT 59937 . Terms of Use | - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, Whitefish School District #44 is located in the scenic resort community of Whitefish, Montana. My goal is to reunite our district with the common goal of doing what is best for our children, which is ultimately what is best for society as a whole. 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. Especially in Whitefish, it's a small community so your actions can have a direct and immediate impact.. Utilizing resources efficiently can be challenging. And I feel well informed just given the proximity to my wifes work.. I am very dedicated; if I decide to do something I give it my all, she said. As far as how the district handled COVID-19 and reopening schools, she supports the decisions made regarding the hybrid teaching model. 2010 saw our first national 1st place winner in the category of Hospitality and Tourism. Transparency of politically charged curriculum is a must, but not enough. Our on-line Virtual High School (VHS) is open to students beginning in the 8th grade through high school. Listing for: Whitefish School District. F: (406) 862-2586, 1143 E. 4th St., Staff: Intramurals: 1: Student Store: 1: Whitefish Middle School Student Council: 1: Yearbook Club: 1: Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web . 600 East 2nd St. Whitefish, MT 59937 . Family: I am very lucky to have my parents and siblings close by and I have a niece and nephew in the Whitefish Schools. Five candidates are running for the Whitefish School Board. I bring accountability, when I tell someone Im going to do something, I do it; it doesnt matter if it feels uncomfortable., copyright 2023 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. Search: There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. Students have a wide selection of elective programs to include pottery, drawing and painting. Especially in Whitefish, it's a small community so your actions can have a direct and immediate impact.. Business Teacher. Morrow moved to Whitefish one year ago in search of a friendly place to settle down and potentially start a family. As much as anything, I want to leverage my experience with schools and with boards to build the best and highest functioning board we possibly can.. Diehl and his wife Amina have two teenage kids currently attending Whitefish Middle School. Mr. Dave Means Superintendent Mrs. Lucie Shea Director of Business/District Clerk Lisa Bloom Director of Curriculum and Instruction . Occupation: Stay-at-home mom; previously worked in agriculture, mortgage and commercial lending. In the past she worked for a nonprofit that partnered with schools to deliver extended programming this work helped her grow to recognize the struggles that teachers and students face daily. Family: Married to Bill Paatalo; three kids and one due this week. I probably wish they had gone back to school (in-person) earlier, but I dont fault them for being cautious, she said. Study after study reveals that every school that is really excelling, by whatever metric, has a board that is excellent by every metric, he says. F: (406) 862-2586, 1143 E. 4th St., Staff Directory Photo Album Contact Us Bulldog Tip Line (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org News & Announcements 2023 School Board Trustee Election Information Positions open: 3 Term: 3 years Deadline for candidate filing: Thursday March 23, 2023 at 4:30pm at the District Office The city and outlying areas compose a population of 10,000 citizens. I will continue to promote open and honest communication, enrichment for students and mental health programs. Lastly she added that with skills shes obtained through her career combined with her hardworking attitude she knows she could make a positive impact if elected to the board. They have an 8 year old daughter who loves horseback riding and her friends. My degree from an elite university demonstrates my commitment to providing pathways to higher education for all students. A Whitefish native, Elizabeth has called Whitefish home for 38 years. She acknowledges the challenges the pandemic caused in the educational setting, but also respects the decisions the district made by implementing the hybrid in person and online model. Quincy Bennetts was born and raised as a 4th generation Montanan in Great Falls, Montana graduating in 1997 from Great Falls High. I probably wish they had gone back to school (in-person) earlier, but I dont fault them for being cautious, she said. Trustees serve in staggered three-year terms Current trustees. Bennetts says she was inspired to run for school board for a number of reasons including wanting to help make sure every child has access to an excellent education. Lengacher and his wife Erica have one 8-year-old daughter and naturally they were looking for somewhere enjoyable to raise her. Website Disclaimer. And I really am supportive of standardized curriculum to support teachers, but at the same time not constrain their ability to be flexible.. The CARE team is a strong organizer of several social events which discourages the use/abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and other addicting drugs. Current trustees Ruth Harrison and Betsy Kohnstamm both . Although Diehl has never served on a school board before, he believes his leadership experience from his military career would be an asset to the Whitefish School Board. Mr. Al Hammel Alternative Teacher . For further information, please visit their website at, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, http://www.whitefisheducationfoundation.org/. From the outside looking in, Whitefish is a contentious area because we have so many people strongly anchored in opposing beliefs. 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. Our schools have implemented multiple intervention strategies for those students in need of additional support through mentoring and individual tutoring. org. Previously served on the Whitefish Rotary board, Childrens House Montessori and Flathead Youth Home boards. Lengacher and his wife Erica have one 8-year-old daughter and naturally they were looking for somewhere enjoyable to raise her. He added that other priorities for him as a trustee would include ensuring quality teaching materials and a supportive standardized curriculum for teachers, empowering kids to make their own decisions, supporting extracurricular programs and improving communication in parent-teacher relationships across the district. Her interest in children is a huge reason why she is running for a trustee seat on the Whitefish School Board. Mrs. Kristine Yorba Secretary Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web Accessibility Statement. Find job postings in CA, NY, NYC, NJ, TX, FL, MI, OH, IL, PA, GA, MA, WA, UT, CO, AZ, SF Bay Area, LA County, USA, UAE, SA, North America, abroad. Thats something she believes every child should have. As far as how the school district handled the COVID-19 pandemic, Diehl said he supported the districts methodical approach to reopening schools. I feel this pay it forward, as far as Im incredibly grateful for my career and my education that I received as part of a Montana public school system that allows me to have the life I have today; I want that for every kid.. He added that other priorities for him as a trustee would include ensuring quality teaching materials and a supportive standardized curriculum for teachers, empowering kids to make their own decisions, supporting extracurricular programs and improving communication in parent-teacher relationships across the district. Ms. Rachel Anderson . During the pandemic and these generally difficult times, young peoples mental health has suffered. 2022-2023 WSD School Calendar. However, he would like to see that progression continue and figure out the next steps in returning kids to normalcy in the classroom. The election will be held on May 3 at the Whitefish School District Board Room, 600 East Second Street. 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. There is no staff matching your search criteria Administration. With COVID and the influx of new people in Whitefish, she sees that the community togetherness is starting to become divisive. Currently Kearns is a stay at home parent to two daughters ages 2 and 5. The election is May 4 and the mail-in ballots were sent out on April 16. 312 E. Second Street Todd Lengacher is honored to join the board in the spring of 2021.