Family, educational and community involvement are Jerries passions. However, he would like to see that progression continue and figure out the next steps in returning kids to normalcy in the classroom. I just think theres lots of possibilities for us to continue to be innovative given the relatively small size and the support for education in Whitefish.. I do not envy those decisions they had to make, she said. Website Disclaimer. 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. 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. Amina is also a science teacher at the middle school and a lawyer in the Air Force. I dont know what all our needs are right now, so first of all I want to be a sounding board and listen and learn, Diehl said. Whitefish, MT 59937 In the 2022 Whitefish School District election, there are five trustee candidates running for two open positions. She and her husband love living in Whitefish where they enjoy skiing, being out on the lake, and being part of a special community where we're all neighbors working together for the greater good. Not only did I receive excellent academic preparation from Whitefish schools, it also provided a safe and caring place for me to be myself and grow into a productive community member. Whitefish School District. Her oldest daughter will start at Muldown in the fall. 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. The Zoom option is for viewing and listening only. Coordinators & Supervisors: 4.00: Total Guidance Counselors: Whitefish High School. She taught Education Through Music classes for teachers throughout the state. But in addition to those interests, Lengacher has an even stronger passion to serve in the local community. All parents are encouraged to attend and become active members regardless of the grade of your child. F: (406) 862-2586, 1143 E. 4th St., The 2021 Whitefish School Board Trustee Candidates are Quincy Bennetts, David Diehl, Leanette Kearns, Todd Lengacher and Emily Morrow. Zac Andrews, Montana West Realty, Active. She said although her family felt they had roots in Whitefish long before that, the actions of the community solidified those feelings. Trustees - School Board - School Board - Whitefish School District Trustees If you would like to email all of the school board trustees please send your email to trustees@whitefishschools. 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. 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. Whitefish, MT 59937 The Whitefish School District office at Central School downtown. Why are you the best candidate for this position and what will you bring to the board if elected? Terms of Use | Staff: Intramurals: 1: Student Store: 1: Whitefish Middle School Student Council: 1: Yearbook Club: 1: Web Accessibility Complaint Form Web . Website Disclaimer. There is no room for a narrow focus or agenda. She says she wants to make sure everyone living here and moving here is treated like an individual, not just a number. I believe the school district did the right thing in how they proceeded he said. But now I think its time to continue along the same path in whatever the community and school district decide is the next marker. MA Technology and Learning WGU. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, Student publications include the high school newspaper, The Bulldog Breeze, the literary publication, Snow Ghosts, and the annual WHS year book. I think theyre one of the most important demographics that we have and the best investment is in the development of a child, she added. And looking forward he would welcome contributing to the board as a trustee as they make further decisions regarding the pandemic, such as decisions involving vaccinations. Would you like to continue working on this application? David Diehl is a retired U.S. Air Force command pilot and colonel who moved his family to Whitefish in July 2020. One of the really important things to me has been understanding how much relationships matter and how we treat each other matters, she said. Diehl says one of his strongest qualities that he would contribute to the board is his ability to listen and his desire to hear all points of the issue before making any recommendations. Prior to becoming a trustee I actively attended Whitefish School District board meetings and work sessions. Mr. Dave Means Superintendent Mrs. Lucie Shea Director of Business/District Clerk Lisa Bloom Director of Curriculum and Instruction . Any chance I get I love to spend time with children Children are always the center of my life, she said. Emails or letters received after that will be included in the following month's business meeting materials. Bulletin Board. 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. that has not been submitted. And I really am supportive of standardized curriculum to support teachers, but at the same time not constrain their ability to be flexible.. 406-862-3505. I believe the school district did the right thing in how they proceeded he said. I will strive to bring creative solutions to ensure fair and just policy, and reject policies that create more problems. Elizabeth is a Veterinarian at Alpine Animal Hospital in Whitefish. Currently Kearns is a stay at home parent to two daughters ages 2 and 5. The board should support all parents, despite personal differences. P: (406) 862-8650 To this board Todd brings school and nonprofit board experience. I can get established in the community and serve it at the same time.. I think the school district did a great job taking it really seriously, doing its homework and trusting in data and science, which I really appreciate, Lengacher said. I come from a long line of teachers as well, children are just extremely important. I am committed to Whitefish kids and all the dedicated, talented professionals who support them. Whitefish, MT 59937 Mr. Gary Carmichael. The Running Start program provides eligible high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to get a start on their college career by earning dual credit simultaneously with WHS and FVCC. 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. Choices of program include orchestra, band and the drum line. While we cannot change the past, we have an opportunity to learn from our mistakes and build a better future. For more information on ballots, contact the Whitefish School District office at 862-8640. Whitefish, MT 59937 For more information on the election call the district office at 862-8640. Affordable housing is an issue for many in the community, and this includes school personnel. As the election approaches, Kearns hopes voters will keep in mind that although shes new to living in Whitefish, she understands the community and just has a desire to serve for the betterment of local education. I will have a child in every school in the district for the next five years. I probably wish they had gone back to school (in-person) earlier, but I dont fault them for being cautious, she 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).. 1118 East 7th St., 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. P: (4069 862-8600 NEW - 2 DAYS AGO 2.46 ACRES. Students in the Whitefish School District have several programs to choose in furthering their artistic skills: drama, instrumental music, vocal music, and visual arts. The top challenges currently facing the district are issues related to the pandemic, growth of the student population and affordable housing. I will stand up for our children, parents and teachers by seeking to level the playing field for all. 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. Currently Kearns is a stay at home parent to two daughters ages 2 and 5. 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. Bulldog Tip Line (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org News & Announcements 2023-2024 Incoming Freshmen Q & A The WHS Counselors will be available at the Junior High Parent Teacher Conferences on 3/2/3023, to answer any questions you may have regarding your student's high school registration. 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. The schools annual Back to School Bash is a major event for our CARE program to demonstrate the chapters philosophy and mission. 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. I definitely want to come with the intention of open mindedness to the position, she said. 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. I bring accountability, when I tell someone Im going to do something, I do it; it doesnt matter if it feels uncomfortable., copyright 2023 The election is May 4 and the mail-in ballots were sent out on April 16. Leanette Kearns has an understanding of schools and the challenges teachers, staff and students face daily. The board should consider creative options, such as involvement in affordable housing at the city level, or spearheading their own housing initiatives. You may choose to opt-out of ad cookies. Staff. F: (406) 862-2586, (406) 730-3080 | speakup@whitefishschools.org, The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community, Center for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship, 2023 School Board Trustee Election Information, Whitefish High School Expansion Information Poster, The 988 Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 free and confidential mental health support, Community Survey for Whitefish High School Expansion Extended, Whitefish School District Seeks Additional Input for Whitefish High School Expansion, WEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining Meeting. And in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morrow supports the way the district handled reopening schools. 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.. I think the next step is allowing kids to go to school without wearing masks, we need to work towards that goal.. Todd Lengacher has a vast amount of experience in education coupled with a strong desire to be involved in the community and local schools. And in addition, bringing more support and professional development to faculty. Whitefish Bay School District is a top performing district in Wisconsin and the Midwest. The district is engaged with leaders in the community to work towards affordable housing solutions. What really drew me here was the people that live here they have these wonderful qualities of really fierce independence and strength, coupled with a very strong sense of community, Kearns said. Drama students in both the middle and high school have opportunities to participate in one act plays, full production plays, and may be viewed by students and by the community alike on several performance dates. - The Whitefish School District cultivates and supports a community that engages each student to succeed in continuous learning, I believe the most important issue facing the district right now is whether it has lost the ability to protect the kids from political divisiveness within the community and the country. The recent pandemic has resulted in a very divided community. Drama students continue to excel at our states Thespian Festival as an example great individual and group achievements. This can be done by continuing to responsibly spend covid funding to remedy these issues. The mental, emotional and physical well-being of our students, staff and entire community have been impacted by living with a pandemic for the last two years. Attended public schools in Billings; obtained a business finance degree from Montana State University in Bozeman. I think Im really interested in vision and goal planning with the district and getting involved in that process.. (Courtesy photos) Editor's note: This story originally ran in the April 14, 2021 edition of the Whitefish Pilot. 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. 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. Staff. Her interest in children is a huge reason why she is running for a trustee seat on the Whitefish School Board. 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. DECA is the youngest activity at WHS with students taking several honors across the state and a national championship that included international competitors. Over the last year, Lengacher says he supports the decisions the board made regarding reopening schools during the pandemic. TalentEd Hire Spring programs consist of track & field, tennis and softballBulldog state track titles - boys (8), girls (3)Tennis state titles - boys (7), girls (1). To support the ongoing work of this site, we display non-personalized Google ads in EEA countries which are targeted using contextual information only on the page. Suggestions may be selected), To be informed of or opt-out of these cookies, please see our. Im glad they didnt go completely remote because the detriment of that I saw in a student I was helping.. As a board, we must continue to provide stability and continuity in our schools as well as realistic and open discussions about anxiety, depression and suicide. (Enter less keywords for more results. Terms of Use | To begin a new application, choose a job from the available listings below. The election will be held on May 3 at the Whitefish School District Board Room, 600 East Second Street. From everyone I talked to, this district worked hard to put in place what I would call an adaptive management approach she said.