Excellence in Education ………………...………..………...Every Student……………………...………………………...Every Day June 2021 Edition Superintendent’s Message Mr. Jay Curtis It’s hard to believe, but it looks like we made it! Our district, through heroic efforts of our enre staff, has crossed the finish line for the 20-21 school year. Obviously we have had ups and downs this year, but I can’t quite shake the feeling that we have given our kids something prey special. By early April, the U.S. reported around 50% of schools were open fully to face-to-face instrucon. However, when we started the school year in August, less than 20% of our naon’s students were aending school in person. I really wonder what the long-term effects on our country will be? I do know that the parents and community members of PCSD1 do not have to speculate on what the impacts will be to our students. We can confidently say that our students did not just aend school; they THRIVED in a year where so many did not. For that, I want to extend a hearelt thank you to our parents for entrusng us with the health, safety, and educaon of your beauful children this year. I also want to thank every member of our staff that helped keep our schools open, and helped make it a memorable year for our students despite the raging pandemic and polics that happened to surround the pandemic response. Well done PCSD1 staff… well done. May 2021 Events 1: MS Track Invitational (9am) PHS Prom (8pm) 3: Deadline for PSF Scholarship 7-8: PHS Spring Drama Production (7pm) 11: School Board Meeting (6pm) MS Band/Choir Concert (7pm) 23: SLC Graduation (12:30pm) PHS Auditorium PHS Graduation (2pm) PHS Gym 25: School Board Meeting (6pm) 26: Kindergarten Circus (10:30am) 28: Last Day of School for students 31: Memorial Day-Offices Closed June 2021 Events 1: Administration, Technology and Print Shop Offices Closed 2: Certified Staff Last Day 8: School Board Meeting (6pm) 29: School Board Meeting (6pm) July 2021 Events 5: Offices Closed 15: School Board Budget Meeting (6pm) August 2021 Events 10: School Board Meeting (6pm) 24: First Day of School School Board Meeting (6pm) For the latest on events, updates, and cancellations, please visit pcsd1.org Please enjoy this edion of the Community Link that covers the events and happenings in the District during the month of May
Transcript
Excellence in Education ………………...………..………...Every Student……………………...………………………...Every Day
June 2021 Edition
Superintendent’s Message Mr. Jay Curtis
It’s hard to believe, but it looks like we made it! Our district, through heroic efforts of our entire staff, has crossed the finish line for the 20-21 school year. Obviously we have had ups and downs this year, but I can’t quite shake the feeling that we have given our kids something pretty special. By early April, the U.S. reported around 50% of schools were open fully to face-to-face instruction. However, when we started the school year in August, less than 20% of our nation’s students were attending school in person. I really wonder what the long-term effects on our country will be? I do know that the parents and community members of PCSD1 do not have to speculate on what the impacts will be to our students. We can confidently say that our students did not just attend school; they THRIVED in a year where so many did not. For that, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our parents for entrusting us with the health, safety, and education of your beautiful children this year. I also want to thank every member of our staff that helped keep our schools open, and helped make it a memorable year for our students despite the raging pandemic and politics that happened to surround the pandemic response. Well done PCSD1 staff… well done.
May 2021 Events
1: MS Track Invitational (9am) PHS Prom (8pm)
3: Deadline for PSF Scholarship
7-8: PHS Spring Drama Production (7pm)
11: School Board Meeting (6pm) MS Band/Choir Concert (7pm)
Bryan Bonander PCSD#1 Powell Middle School Math Teacher
Recognizing 14 years of above & beyond service to the District
Mr. Bonander has worked in education for twenty-four years. Originally from Belgrade, Montana, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Montana Dillon. He has taught grades three through eight in his twenty-four years of education. At Powell Middle School, Mr. Bonander teaches regular 6th grade math and enrichment math each day. In addition, he coaches 8th grade football and 7th grade girls basketball.
“My favorite part of teaching is coming to work each day and empowering the lives of young children. I love
to witness the a-ha moment when something finally clicks for a student. Making connections outside the learning environment is very important to me.”
Jacque Hunter PCSD#1 Powell High School Life Skills in Special Education Teacher
Recognizing 18 years of above & beyond service to the District
Mrs. Hunter has worked in education for thirty years. She grew up in Lewistown, Montana and received her
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Special Education and Middle School Endorsement from MSU
Billings. She has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Technology from University of Phoenix and a Supplemental
Endorsement as a Teacher for Visual Impairment from Texas Tech. Prior to working at PHS, Mrs. Hunter taught
Special Education Life Skills at the Middle school and High school in Big Horn District #1 for 12 years before.
For the last eighteen years, she has taught Life Skills in Special Education at PHS. Her students have unique needs,
which could include cognitive disabilities, communication issues, vision, hearing and self-care. She addresses the
needs of each student, finding what motivates them and teaches the skills to help prepare them for life after high
school. Her ultimate goal is to equip them with the ability to become as independent as possible when they leave
PHS.
“The favorite part of my job is working in a family-like environment with my paras and the IEP team to unlock each
students’ potential. After having some students for possibly up to 8 years, they truly become part of my family.”
May’s Staff Recognition
Jessie Otto PCSD#1 Elementary Library Media Teacher
Recognizing 5 years of above & beyond service to the District
Mrs. Otto has worked in education for six years. Mrs. Otto is originally from Powell. She graduated from Valley City State University in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She completed her graduate certification in Library Media this past spring through Montana State University.
As the Elementary Library Media Teacher, she manages the elementary libraries for the district. She purchases books and materials for research and enjoyment, collaborates with a large variety of staff members, and teaches 26 classes in third through fifth grade library and digital skills such as making book trailers, reading a wide variety of literature, where to find reliable information in books and online, and she also teaches a unit on Digital Citizenship and online safety.
“I have the best job in the world, and I am so incredibly thankful for it. It is difficult to choose a favorite part, but I love to teach and interact with students at all 4 elementary schools, I love to work with so many
wonderful staff members, and I love to buy (and of course read) so many children's books for the school libraries.”
Recognizing 15 years of above & beyond service to the District
Mrs. Shorb has worked in education for sixteen years. She was born and raised in Powell. She attended
Parkside, Powell Middle School and PHS and teaching at her elementary school has been a sweet
experience. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education degree from the University of
Wyoming and her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction- Reading from Grand Canyon University.
She works alongside the staff at Parkside to facilitate the learning of both adults and students. She teaches reading intervention, partners with teachers in coaching cycles, monitors our school’s data, and facilitates team meetings.
“I have the privilege of learning from other teachers through observation, team meetings, and co-
teaching, and then I get to share that learning around the building. I have grown both professionally and
personally from working with so many outstanding staff, and this position has allowed me that
opportunity. I love that!”
Student Spotlight
Sophie Stringari is a junior at the Shoshone Learning Center. She
became a fulltime SLC student at the beginning of the school year and
has been consistent throughout, taking charge of her academic plan.
She has taken 13 courses, one which was a college course, all while
holding down a job. With a baby on the way, Sophie remains on top of
her academic plan and stays positive
and happy each day.
Paige Hamilton is a senior at the Shoshone Learning
Center who will be graduating Sunday, May 23rd. She
became a fulltime SLC student in January with only 17
credits to her name. She took ownership of her
academic plan and took off! She has been a rock star,
completing the necessary courses, as well as holding
down a job, to become a graduate of 2021. Way to go
Paige!
Congrats to our Preschool graduates! Good luck to those moving up to
Kindergarten, including Miss Jill! We look forward to seeing our returning preschoolers, new classmates and
Miss Cristin this fall!
The following staff members were recognized at the May 11, 2021 Board of Trustees meeting:
Janette Castro Associate Custodian, Powell High School
Retiring with 30 years of service to PCSD#1
Sue Skalsky Administrative Assistant, Powell High School
Retiring with 27 years of service to PCSD#1
Julie Sheets Third Grade Teacher, Parkside Elementary
Retiring with 30 years of service to PCSD#1
Deborah Spiker Special Education Para Educator, Westside Elementary
Retiring with 24 years of service to PCSD#1
Bonnie Bruce Special Education Para Educator, Powell High School
Retiring with 21 years of service to PCSD#1
Sherri Simpson Administrative Assistant for Support Services
Retiring with 15 years of service to PCSD#1
Mark Lynn Custodian, Westside Elementary
Retiring with 10 years of service to PCSD#1
Around the District
Westside
Wax Museum
Westside Third Graders hosted their 8th
Annual Wax Museum on Friday, May 14 in
the Courtyard. Historical figures were
categorized as notable, inventive or creative.
Around the District
Around the District
Helen Keller Finley Franklin Sacagawea Teagan Gillett Ruth Bader Ginsberg Audrey Hultgren Misty Copeland Aubree Kraft Roy Chapman Andrews Zaiden Powell Neil Armstrong Arthur Crawford Pele Braeden Curtis Walter Diemer Dawson Engesser Jim Abbott Carter Gambill Jackie Robinson Luis Meza Amelia Earhart Kaysen Park Steph Curry Kenny Parker Mae Jemiso Kaylee Ross Rosa Parks Audrey Schulz Michael Jordan Mason Sullivan Roberta Gibbs Willow Tajan Abraham Lincoln Christian Wood Sitting Bull Garrett Davis Chris Boucher Jersee Erickson Tiger Woods James Heny Jane Goodall Kylee Johnson Kristi Yamaguchi Autumn Kleinfeldt
Bill Gates Kayde Northrup Stan Lee Cain Rodriguez Chuck Jones Jason Schoonover John Lennon Matthew Watson Bill Finger Jaxton Brown Julia Child Stella Leighton Betsy Ross Maya Pearcy Elvis Alex Rodriguez Jack London Bentley Shorter Steve Irwin Kyle McClure Harry Houdini Adyson Rice Beatrix Potter Claire Perry Fred Rogers Noah MacDonald J.K. Rowling Kyle Gutierrez
Martin Luther King Jr. Gavin Marchant Lonnie Johnson Auzzy Carter Temple Grandin Callie Foos Orville Wright Eli Preator Elon Musk Dylan Asay Chester Greenwood Kyler Carpenter Ruth Handler Mae Gilliatt George Lerner Marco Mendoza Frank Epperson Emerald Robertson Margaret Knight Sophia White William Shakespeare Merrick Freeman George Lucas Reece French Buffalo Bill Wade Gernhart Anne Frank AnnaCate Hammer
