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  • School Safety and Security

    Posted by Terry Nelsen Bouck at 12/31/2012
     
     
    Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members:
     
    Thank you for your support, positive feedback, and suggestions regarding school safety and security. This information will be valuable as we move forward. We want to continue to be hospitable to visitors in our schools, but we also know you will be supportive as we enhance the security in our schools. At times this may be inconvenient and not feel as welcoming as in the past, but student and staff safety is our number one priority.
     
    As you return to school on January 2, we will continue to focus on a safe environment. All Billings Public Schools employees will be required to wear proper identification as of January 18, 2013.
     
    You can expect the following to be in place for our elementary and middle schools and we appreciate your assistance in helping us maintain these safety standards:

    • Only the main door to the building will be open.
    • All visitors will be asked to sign in and receive a visitor pass at the main office.

    The high schools and Career Center provide unique challenges; however, student and staff safety is of utmost importance. All non-essential doors will be locked and we are requesting that all visitors sign in and receive a visitor pass at the main office.
     
    This month, we will be having a community evening safety forum sponsored by the Billings Chamber of Commerce, Billings Public Schools, and other community agencies. Information and ideas from this forum will be instrumental in providing recommendations to the Billings Public Schools safety committee. The date and time of this event will be shared as soon as it is set.
     
    We would like to extend a special thank you to Billings Police Chief St. John and the Billings Police Officers for their support and expertise in assisting us before the holiday break.
     
    Thank you for your continued support, understanding, and assistance. We look forward to seeing you the first day of school – Wednesday, January 2, 2013!
     
    Sincerely,
    Terry Nelsen Bouck
      
     
     
    Comments (-1)

  • Tragedy on the East Coast

    Posted by Terry Nelsen Bouck at 12/14/2012

     

     
    Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members:

    Our thoughts and prayers go out to the students, families and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary due to the horrible tragedy and senseless loss of life. As educational professionals, the safety of our students and school community is always at the forefront of our effort. Safety is our paramount concern and focus in the Billings Public Schools.

    I know that all of our schools have extensive and thorough crisis response plans that address a full range of emergency situations. Each individual school has practiced and is prepared to handle these crisis situations.

    Our district and schools are vigilant in their effort to keep students and staff safe. We will encourage our schools to review crisis plans in light of this tragedy, as well as to reinforce security and campus visitor procedures. As a part of this effort, we will reach out to our families and school communities to build a greater awareness and knowledge regarding these plans.

    I hope that our preparedness is a source of reassurance to our students and families. As always, I welcome your questions and input.

    Sincerely,

    Terry Nelsen Bouck

     
    Comments (-1)

  • November Newsletter #2

    Posted by Terry Bouck at 11/16/2012
    November 16, 2012
     
    Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members:
    As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to express my gratitude to staff, parents and community members for their support of our students.  On behalf of Billings Public Schools and the Board of Trustees, I would like to wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. 
    Thanksgiving break is November 21st through November 23rd. Classes will resume on Monday, November 26th.
    As you review the updates, attachments and additional information, please let me know if you have any questions.
     
    Facilities Master Plan Workshop – November 27, 2012
    On Tuesday, November 27, 2012, parents, staff, students and community members are encouraged to participate in an evening workshop held at the library at Will James M.S. located at 1200 30th Street West. The workshop starts promptly at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude at 8:00 p.m. Please take a moment to review the workshop description below.
    Over the last few months the design/planning team of O2 and DLR have been gathering statistical data about the physical buildings and educational programs across the district. There have been over 12 workshops attended by over 300 community members, parents and staff providing options, opinions and alternatives. With the recent enrollment projections by Cropper GIS and the accreditation standards set by the Office of Public Instruction, we know that our student population is projected to grow, while our current facilities stand overcrowded. The workshop on November 27th is designed to narrow options and work toward finding a solution. The workshop will offer an opportunity to review the questions below and discuss potential options.
    • What is the impact of deferred maintenance on our schools and how can the problem be addressed?
    • Is it possible to have equity across our schools? What would that look like and what might it cost?
    • What are our options for addressing our building capacity needs?
    Participants will be asked to provide input in small discussion groups which will report back to the entire group. Next, participants will be asked a series of questions using audience response clickers. The findings of the workshop will be used to help refine options and develop solutions. 
    Please review the Master Facilities Plan Executive Progress Summary and Planning Wisely With Our Community attachments provided with this newsletter, and let Lew Anderson, Executive Director of Facilities, andersonl@billingsschools.org or Terry Bouck, Superintendent, bouckt@billingsschools.org know if you have any questions.  
    SchoolConnects – Sign Up Information Below
    At Billings Public Schools, we strongly believe in safety and communication. We use SchoolConnects, an automated, mass communication system, to keep parents and guardians up-to-date. Since the system is capable of making more than 100,000 calls per hour, we also use it to rapidly get information out in the case of an emergency or to make announcements related to school, weather or transportation events. 
    You can help us get these communications to you by making sure that we have current information to contact you. Visit our website at www.billingsschools.org, point to Parents, and click Update Your Notification Preferences on the drop down menu, or access the Update page directly at http://www2.billings.k12.mt.us/update/
    Please complete one online form for each student you have attending a school in our district, and please note completing this form will not update your contact information on file at your child’s school.
    Billings Parmly Library Recipient of $100,000 Grant for Learning Lab
    The Institute of Museum and Library Services and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded Parmly Billings Library a $100,000 grant to design a Learning Lab for their new building. One of only 12 awardees, Billings Public Schools will partner with the Library in designing a Learning Lab, provide content support, and mentoring. The project will provide a space where middle and high school youth can connect with mentors and peers to pursue their interests more in depth. Our youth will connect these new skills to academic, career, and civic engagement. This will provide a wonderful link between the district and the community. Providing collaborative resources to help our students succeed is a win for everyone. We look forward to participating with Parmly Billings Library staff in providing students with a community experience connecting technology to their personal interests, academic growth, and 21st Century skills.
    If you ever need to reach me in the Superintendent’s Office, please send me an email at bouckt@billingsschools.org or call 406-281-5066 and Nancy Coe, Executive Assistant, will make sure we connect. 
    Sincerely,
    Terry Nelsen Bouck
     
     
    Attachments:
     
     
    Comments (-1)

  • November Newsletter

    Posted by Terry Nelsen Bouck at 11/2/2012
    November 1, 2012
     

    Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members:
    The school year has certainly been moving along quickly as we are now well into the winter season. As the holidays draw closer, opportunities to help our neighbors and fellow citizens who are less fortunate take priority.
    Billings Public Schools recently kicked off our annual United Way Community Care Campaign that runs October 29th through November 30th. Over the last five years, our employees have donated almost two hundred thousand dollars. We appreciate our staff members’ compassion and support of those in need.
    As you review the updates, attachments and additional information, please let me know if you have any questions.
     

    School District 2 Facilities Master Planning
    The Planning/Architecture/Engineering team of 02 and DLR Group will present a plan that is a response to input gained over the last few months in workshops, as well as assessments done on each of the District’s buildings and the demographic projections provided to the District by Cropper. Dates, locations and times of upcoming workshops are provided below.
    On November 6 and 7, parents, staff, students and community members are encouraged to participate in one of the evening workshops held at Riverside Middle School located at 3700 Madison Avenue. In this third series of workshops, the focus will be on refining short- and long-term options in the Master Facilities Plan process. The Tuesday, November 6 workshop will have an elementary theme and offer one session at 5:45 – 7:15 p.m. The Wednesday, November 7 workshop will have a middle & high school theme and offer one session at 5:45 – 7:15 p.m. During the months of December and January, we will host community workshops at Lincoln Center with dates and times announced in the near future. The final draft of the Master Facilities Plan will be ready for Board approval in January or February.

    Inclement Weather Conditions
    During the winter storm season, people often wonder about delays or why buses run late. The Billings Public Schools’ 16,000 students live within a large area where road conditions often vary widely during severe weather conditions. We consider road conditions and all other information available when deciding whether to operate on normal bus routes or alternate bus stops. If buses are on alternative routes or delays take place, we attempt to inform families through a variety of ways.
    Communication with our Billings Public Schools’ families is paramount to our student and staff safety. Below is a brief list of resources parents may use to learn about alternative bus routes and other effects of adverse weather conditions.
    • SchoolConnect System: automated telephone notification system notifies parents within 45 minutes of being launched. Parents need to be sure that all numbers are updated with their children’s schools.
    • SD2 Emergency Information Line: Call 406-281-5193 for updates on severe weather conditions and emergencies.
    • Stay connected with local TV and Radio Stations
    • Access the Billings Public Schools Website: http://billingsschools.org
    • Parent Information Pamphlet for School Bus Transportation: see attachment.
    We are currently working hard on updating our Alternate Bus Routes brochures that include maps, and are posted under the Parents, Transportation link on our website. As soon as the updated brochures have been posted, we will make an announcement on the main page of our website at www.billingsschools.org and we will also update you in a future newsletter.
    While we attempt to make the best, safest decision for the entire district, we respect the fact that parents must make the final decision on whether their children attend school or not during severe weather conditions.

    Educator for a Day
    On Thursday, November 15, over 100 business and community leaders will participate as guest educators in the Billings Public Schools through the Educator for a Day program. Educator for a Day, sponsored by the Education Foundation for the Billings Public Schools, is designed to help community leaders better understand the complex role of educators and gain a perspective on School District 2 from the inside. Business leaders spend the morning shadowing a Principal. They tour the school, meet with staff, participate in classroom activities and meetings, and gain a keener understanding of the responsibilities and challenges facing educators each day. We appreciate our business leaders taking time out of their busy day to be with us. To learn more, visit www.efbps.org.
    Thank you for your support of our students, staff and school district. If you ever need to reach me in the Superintendent’s Office, please send me an email at bouckt@billingsschools.org or call 406-281-5066 and Nancy Coe, Executive Assistant, will make sure we connect. Please take time to enjoy the weekend with your family.
     
    Sincerely,
    Terry Nelsen Bouck
    Superintendent
    Comments (-1)

  • Facilities Master Plan Workshops Reminder

    Posted by Terry Bouck at 10/12/2012
     
    School District 2 Master Plan
    “Planning Wisely...with you”
     
     

    On October 16 and 17, parents, staff and community members are invited to participate in a series of evening workshops held at Castle Rock Middle School located at 1441 Governor’s Blvd. In this second series of workshops, the consultants will present the findings from the first series of workshops, results of the facility and educational assessments and the demographic methodology and population trends. The second half of the meeting will include a breakout session where the participants will be asked to comment on options to address big picture issues facing the school district.

    Please plan on joining us on Tuesday, October 16th at 5:45 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. or on Wednesday, October 17th at 5:45 p.m. Additionally, you can view information and updates for the SD2 Facilities Master Plan by going to the District’s Website at http://billingsschools.org and visiting the Facilities Master Plan link.

    I look forward to your attendance and valuable input at one of these workshops.

    Sincerely,
    Terry Nelsen Bouck
    Superintendent
    Comments (-1)

  • October Newsletter

    Posted by Terry Bouck at 10/5/2012

    October 5, 2012 Newsletter from the Superintendent

     

    Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members,

    I cannot begin to tell you what a wonderful community and district we have and how much I am enjoying my time as Superintendent of the Billings Public Schools. I am very proud of all of our staff, students, and families and their commitment to continuous improvement. Our mission for the Billings Public Schools is:  In partnership with our community, to educate individuals of all ages to become caring, competent, and contributing members of the community and world. We take that mission seriously, and we will continue to work collaboratively to assure success for every student, every day, in every classroom. Thank you for your support and involvement, as we help our students to meet their full potential.

     

    Eileen Sheehy of SD2 is Named 2013 Montana Teacher of the Year

    Recently, Eileen Sheehy was named 2013 Montana Teacher of the Year. Eileen has taught in Montana for 27 years and for the last 12 years, she has taught U.S. Government, Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government, and Yearbook at Billings West High School.

    This is not the first time that Eileen has been recognized and honored as a teacher. She is a National Board Certificated teacher who was the recipient of a James Madison Memorial Foundation Fellowship, 2007 Billings Education Association Teacher of the Year, and a teacher who has helped guide Yearbook students to several national award-winning publications.

    Most importantly, Eileen exemplifies the magic that great teachers make in the classroom. I have visited her classroom and she definitely believes that building long-lasting relationships with her students has positive impact on their learning.  Eileen has the ability to inspire students from all backgrounds and is respected by colleagues, students, and parents. We thank you for all that you do for our students!

     

    Sue Runkle in Yellowstone Valley Woman Magazine

    Sue Runkle, the District’s Homeless Coordinator, is featured on the cover of the October/November 2012 issue of Yellowstone Woman Magazine. The article is excellent and represents a section of our community and School District that is sometimes forgotten. The article also points to the importance of Sue Runkle’s tireless efforts to support our homeless students and families. Please take time to read this article and, if you happen to see Sue Runkle, thank her for her dedicated support of our homeless students and families.

     

    School District 2 Facilities Master Plan

    “Planning wisely…with you”

    On September 25 and 26, parents, staff and community members were invited to participate in one of  six evening workshops held at Lewis and Clark Middle School. Consultants from DLR and 02 presented the process being used to assess the current condition of the district’s facilities and provide a look at current educational trends. Additionally, the workshop included a review of the process being used to formulate recommendations to assure that the Billings Public Schools has short and long term plans for addressing deferred maintenance, equity issues and delivering a 21st Century education for all of our students. Finally, approximately 170 attendees were able to provide anonymous input on a series of questions through an automated response system. Please take a look at the survey results by clicking here.

    At the next community engagement workshop the consultants will share their findings of the physical and educational assessments of our schools. Options and ideas to address ideal school size, grade configuration, building utilization and future growth will be discussed and developed. We encourage anyone who is interested in attending to join us on Tuesday, October 16th at 5:45 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. or Wednesday, October 17th at 5:45 p.m. These meetings will be held at Castle Rock Middle School. Please review the workshop information on our website by clicking here.

     

    Yellowstone Valley Elementary School Cross Country Race

    Elementary School 4th, 5th, and 6th graders are invited to participate in the 4th Annual Yellowstone Valley Elementary School Cross Country Race Thursday, October 11th at Pioneer Park. Entry in the one mile race is free until October 5, 2012 and $7 registration fee between October 6 – 10. There is no race day registration. Race number pick-up is Wednesday, October 10, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Time Out Sports. In order to register or for more information go to www.bigskygames.org or call (406) 254-7426.

     
     

    As always, I welcome questions, suggestions and comments and believe that by working together we will make a true difference for each of our students.

    Sincerely,

    Terry Nelsen Bouck
    Comments (-1)

  • Facilities Master Planning Workshops Reminder

    Posted by Terry Bouck at 9/24/2012
     
     
     Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members,

    We are currently two months into the six month process of creating a Facilities Master Plan for Billings Public Schools. It is important to us that all of you have the opportunity to understand the process, ask questions and provide valuable feedback. Please review the information below and consider attending one the meetings offered on Tuesday, September 25 or Wednesday September 26. The attachment included with this brief newsletter provides the dates, times and locations for the workshops.

    All members of our community are encouraged and invited to participate in the planning workshops held on September 25 and 26. The individual workshops are designed to represent a cross-section of our student population and will concentrate on the schools identified in that workshop. If the scheduled time for your workshop is not convenient, consider attending one of the other workshops offered. The attachment provided with this newsletter contains workshop dates, times, and locations. Please review the information provided in the attachment and let Lew Anderson, Executive Director of Facilities, andersonl@billingsschools.org or Terry Bouck, Superintendent, bouckt@billingsschools.org know if you have any questions. Additionally, you can view information and updates for the SD2 Facilities Master Plan by going to the District’s Website http://billingsschools.org and visiting the Facilities Master Plan under Superintendent’s Corner.

    Sincerely,
    Terry Nelsen Bouck
     
     
    Comments (-1)

  • September 14th Newsletter

    Posted by Terry Bouck at 9/14/2012
    September 14, 2012 Newsletter
    From the Superintendent
     
     
     
    Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members,
     
    I wish all of you a happy Friday as we close out our third full week of school and move quickly toward the end of September. I’ve enjoyed my opportunities to visit classrooms, open houses and a variety of service organizations. As I leave these events, there is one common theme: a community that cares deeply about students and is willing to invest in their learning and future. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support and involvement in the Billings Public Schools.
     
    School District 2 Facilities Master Plan
    “Planning wisely…with you”

    Our community is growing and changing. Last year, Billings Public Schools saw over 300 additional students register for classes. This year, when our final count is submitted to OPI in October, we expect over 200 additional students.  With these changes in student population, the aging of existing facilities used to house our students, and changing educational and technological needs of our students, it becomes necessary to review the educational and physical adequacy of our facilities. To facilitate the Master Planning process, the district has hired O2A, a local architectural firm and DLR Group, a national architectural and engineering firm.
     
    All members of our community are encouraged and invited to participate in the planning workshops held on September 25 and 26. The individual workshops are designed to represent a cross-section of our student population and will concentrate on the schools identified in that workshop. If the scheduled time for your workshop is not convenient, consider attending one of the other workshops offered. The attachment provided with this newsletter contains workshop dates, times, and locations. Please review the information provided in the attachment and let Lew Anderson, Executive Director of Facilities, andersonl@billingsschools.org  or Terry Bouck, Superintendent, bouckt@billingsschools.org  know if you have any questions.  Additionally, you can view information and updates for the SD2 Facilities Master Plan by going to the District’s Website http://billingsschools.org. and visiting the Facilities Master Plan under Superintendent’s Corner.
     
    Workshop #1 – The Process, 21st Century Learning Trends...Your Priorities
     
    In Workshop #1 the consultants will present the process being used to assess the current condition of the district and its facilities as well as an introduction to current trends in educational environments. The presentation will include introduction to the process being used to formulate recommendations to assure that Billings Public Schools has a short- and long-term plan to address deferred maintenance, equity issues, and the ability to deliver 21st Century learning opportunities to ALL of our students.
     
    The second half of the meeting is designed to gain insight into the priorities and goals of the community as it relates to education, facilities, equity, taxes and other issues that face the district as we develop a plan that looks to the future of our community and education. Input will be gathered utilizing an automated system that allows participants to provide anonymous responses to important questions. Everyone will have a voice in this inclusive process.  Please come and join us.
     
    An important aspect to the educational community is our partnership with various organizations. One of the most important partnerships with our school district is the one we have with the Education Foundation for Billings Public Schools. I’m going to showcase one of our partners every newsletter.
     
     
    EDUCATION FOUNDATION
    Billings Public Schools

    The Education Foundation is an independent non-profit organization that serves the students, staff and parents in Billings Public Schools. This dynamic organization builds partnerships with schools, local community members, parents, businesses, and other service organizations to help support our children to be successful in school. The Foundation helps to remove barriers to learning so each child has the opportunity to build a bright future. They sponsor services and activities such as classroom grants, technology for the 21st Century, Reading Rocks, educator & student scholarships, Partners in Education and the signature event, Saturday Live.
     
    Helping young people successfully learn and prepare for life is a focus for the Education Foundation. Their involvement over the years is a success story about casting a net of inclusion throughout the Billings Community and Billings Public Schools.  Please take a moment to review a couple upcoming events sponsored by the Foundation.
     
    Saturday Live, September 29th, Pioneer Park
     
    Coming to the Billings community on Saturday, September 29th, it’s Saturday Live.
     
    This year Saturday Live celebrates its 20th anniversary.  The first Saturday Live was held in 1993 and raised $12,500 for Billings Public Schools. Last year, the schools raised over $108,000. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pioneer Park, Saturday Live is a great event for all ages and an exceptional fundraiser for our schools. To learn more about Saturday Live, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.efbps.org.
     
    Educator for a Day, November 15th
     
    On November 15th we invite business, community, and government leaders into our elementary, middle and high schools. “Educator for a Day” is designed to give business and community leaders the opportunity to learn more about our schools and to experience the decisions and responsibilities our educators face each day. Through this event we hope to build a better community understanding of our students, staff, achievements and needs. We also hope participants will be able to translate their one-day experiences into long-term relationships that enhance the learning environments of our community’s schools and support student achievement. To learn more and/or register as a participant, please visit the Foundation’s website at www.efbps.org or call 245-4133.

     
    We are committed to improve the lives of all our students through a quality education. As we move forward together, it is important to realize that we still have much work to do. At the same time, I want us to look at the accomplishments of the past and use them as building blocks for future success.
    Thank you for your support.

    Sincerely,
    Terry Nelsen Bouck
    Superintendent
     
     
    Comments (-1)

  • August 31st Newsletter

    Posted by Terry Bouck at 8/31/2012
     
    August 31, 2012 Newsletter
    from the Superintendent
     
     
     
     
    Dear Parents, Staff, Students and Community Members,
    The 2012-2013 school year is off to a wonderful start in the Billings Public Schools. This first week and a half of school we opened to approximately 16,000 students. The preparation and coordination that goes into starting a new school year is tremendous, and I thank all staff, students, parents and our community members for their contribution to a smooth start. To date, I have visited twenty of our schools and have been very impressed with what I have observed as far as learning and teaching. I look forward to completing my initial visits to the remainder of our schools in the next couple of days. 
    As I’ve mentioned, strengthening communication is most important, and we will continue to strive to keep families, staff and community members involved and informed. Please take a moment to review the important information provided below.
    School District 2 Facilities Master Plan
    “Planning wisely…with you”
    To address and identify current and future district and facility needs that impact ALL of our students and staff, the District has hired O2A, a local Architectural firm, and DLR Group, a National Architectural and Engineering Firm specializing in K12 Educational Planning and Design to deliver a Master Plan and Facility Assessment. 
    The six month process will be ongoing and is scheduled to conclude in February of 2013. The work has started with an Assessment Phase, where all of the District current facilities are examined for both their Physical Condition and Educational Adequacy. This Assessment work has begun, and is anticipated to be completed by the start of September. During the Assessment phases Principals, Associate Principals, and other key district staff are being interviewed as part of the information gathering.
    In the coming months, you can expect to see announcements of dates and meetings for Community and Staff Workshops. An important part of this process is hearing from you, our parents, our staff, and community members. Announcement of dates and regular updates on the Master Plan progress will be posted on our District Website and will be emailed through my future newsletters to assure that our staff and families are informed and have an opportunity to be heard.
    The outcome of this planning process will be to maintain the District’s buildings, create equity among schools, address operational efficiency, and support the 21st Century learning needs of our students. The information below invites our staff, parents and community members to participate in this critical planning process.
    To help manage the amount of information provided at each meeting, we have divided the school families into three groups; two families of elementary schools and one family of secondary schools. Community members may attend any of the three group sessions. Please review the schedules provided in the attachment provided and let Lew Anderson, Executive Director of Facilities, andersonl@billingsschools.org or Terry Bouck, Superintendent, bouckt@billingsschools.org know if you have any questions.
    Finally, beginning Tuesday, September 4, 2012, you will be able to view additional information and updates for the SD2 Facilities Master Plan by going to the District’s Website http://billingsschools.org and visiting the Facilities Master Plan under Superintendent’s Corner.
    Billings School District to Participate in Emergency Preparedness Drill
    During the week of September 24 – 28, the Billings School District will join Phillips 66 Refinery, Billings Clinic, St. Vincent’s, RiverStone Health, City of Billings, and other local agencies in a county wide emergency preparedness exercise called 2012 COYOTE (County of Yellowstone Operating Together in an Emergency). Every elementary, middle, and high school building will be practicing their emergency preparedness procedures this day. You can expect additional information as we get closer to this important event.
    Pure Performance Initiative to Support High School Students
    I had the opportunity to visit our three high schools this week and participate in the Pure Performance assemblies. This initiative, sponsored by United Way, focuses on providing our student athletes with support in not only their athletic endeavors, but appropriate and healthy choices in all facets of their life. Mark Wahl, Athletics and Activities Director, and Kristi Drake of United Way have collaboratively planned and implemented this wonderful learning opportunity for our student athletes. Mark Wahl has provided a nice summary of the program in the paragraphs to follow.
    Pure Performance is a program based on the Life of An Athlete, a lifestyle program conceived by Olympic athlete, coach, former NCAA All-American, International-level distance runner and World Masters Champion, John Underwood. John is the founder of Life of an Athlete and has been in Billings twice to help introduce the program into Yellowstone County. Backed by the United Way and Montana Crime Prevention Association, Pure Performance is a way for us to support our kids and the positive lifestyle choices they need to make in order to perform, in all phases of life, at the highest possible level.
    Pure Performance will become a part of the culture in the Billings Public Schools. The program will focus on both athletic and academic performance by prioritizing healthy living through proper sleep, nutrition, training, and avoidance of drugs and alcohol. Coaches will implement Pure Performance into their individual programs and then work together with other coaches, teachers and administrators to create a school culture that prioritizes the core values of Pure Performance. Through regular, school-wide meetings, fun and innovative activities, leadership trainings, guest speakers, positive recognitions and the support of our local community members and businesses, Pure Performance will guide our kids to levels of performance they never thought possible. If you have any questions regarding Pure Performance, please contact Mark Wahl at wahlma@billingsschools.org.
    Thank you for all of your feedback from last week’s newsletter. Your input, suggestions and recommendations are valued and appreciated. Please encourage your friends, neighbors and community members to sign-up for my newsletter, by going to the District’s Website at http://billingsschools.org, under Superintendent’s Corner. 
    Sincerely,
    Terry Nelsen Bouck
     
     
    Comments (-1)

  • Back-to-School Letter

    Posted by Terry Bouck at 8/22/2012
     
     
    Back-to-School Letter from the Superintendent
    August 2012
     
     
     
    Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Community Members,
     
    Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year. I am excited to begin my first year with the Billings School District and want you to know that I believe that there is no greater investment in the future than the education of our children. At the Billings School District, we are committed to academic excellence, with vibrant programs, exceptional staff, involved parents and a supportive community. Together, we will create and sustain a powerful and unifying educational focus for all of our students.
     
    The 2012-2013 school year will begin for all students on Wednesday, August 22, 2012. As students gather at bus stops early Wednesday morning, I ask everyone to please slow down and be mindful of our youngsters. Traffic will be a bit more congested around our schools as parents, students, staff and bus drivers become familiar with new schools, routes and routines. Please contact your student’s school should you have questions, need additional information or simply need clarification prior to opening day. The safety of our students and staff is paramount.
     
    This year it is my goal to sustain and improve academic achievement for all students, increase parental and community involvement and maintain a focus on continuous district and school improvement. As an educational system our highest priority is to prepare students for life readiness, which includes equipping them with the necessary skills to take on the challenges and opportunities in their future. As you will often hear me say, the most precious commodity our community has are the students walking the halls our schools. This is reason enough to continue and improve upon our road map to create a powerful and cohesive commitment to our children.
     
    Strong communications is my promise to families, staff and community members. As a District, we will continue to strengthen communications through our automated phone system, Superintendent Forums, District and school websites, local media, school board meetings and the monthly Superintendent’s Newsletter. Parents and staff automatically receive the Superintendent’s Newsletter; however, if you are a community member without children in the District, you will need to register at http://billingsschools.org (under superintendent’s corner).
     
    Our schools belong to our community, and I want to invite you, the members of the community, to visit schools and classrooms and volunteer your time and talent. I am certain that you will be impressed with the commitment of our staff and volunteers and their dedicated work to support high-quality instruction for every student, every day, in every classroom. I invite you to join me in making this a great year for our students!
     
    Sincerely,
     
    Terry Nelsen Bouck
    Superintendent
     
     
    As we approach the first day of the 2012-2013 school year, I want to update you on some things that are going on in the District…

    Administrative Changes in our Schools
    • Robert Bazant, from Health Enhancement Teacher at West High to Assistant Principal at West HS
    • Debra Black, from Assistant Principal at Skyview to Principal at Skyview
    • Kevin Croff, from Meadowlark Principal to Poly Drive Principal
    • John English, from Military leave to Bitterroot Principal
    • Stacy Lemelin, from Sandstone Principal to Meadowlark Principal
    • Scott Lynch, from Riverside MS Assistant Principal to Skyview HS Assistant Principal
    • Pam Maier, from Poly Drive Principal to Arrowhead Principal
    • Julia Mattson, from Alkali Creek Principal to Orchard Principal
    • Gregory Senitte, from Bitterroot Principal to Alkali Principal
    • Mark Sulser, from Math Teacher at Senior HS to Associate Principal at Riverside MS
    • Mark Venner, from Orchard Principal to Sandstone Principal
     
    First Student and Bus Drivers Reach Tentative Agreement
     
    First Student and bus drivers reached a tentative three year agreement on Monday, August 13, 2012. The drivers are scheduled to vote on the ratification of the three year contract on Friday, August 24, 2012.
     
     
    Trustee Zones for the Billings School District
     
    • District #1 – Travis Kemp – Newman, Orchard, Ponderosa, Washington, Lewis & Clark, Riverside, Senior, West
    • District #2 – Pam Ellis – Beartooth, Bitterroot, McKinley, Riverside, Castle Rock, Lewis & Clark, Senior, Skyview
    • District #3 – Greta Besch Moen – Alkali Creek, Bench, Eagle Cliffs, Sandstone, Castle Rock, Skyview
    • District #4 – Kathy Aragon – Broadwater, Burlington, Highland, Washington, Lewis & Clark, Senior
    • District#5 – Lindy Graves – Burlington, Central Heights, Meadowlark, Miles Avenue, Rose Park, Lewis & Clark, Will James, Senior, West
    • District #6 – Allen Halter – Arrowhead, Boulder, Poly Drive, Rose Park, Lewis & Clark, Will James, Senior, West
    • District #7 – Connie Wardell – Big Sky, Burlington, Central Heights, Meadowlark, Lewis & Clark, Riverside, Will James, Senior, West
    • HS District A – Teresa Stroebe – Lockwood, Senior, Skyview
    • HS District B – Travis Smith – Blue Creek, Canyon Creek, Elder Grove, Elysian, Independent, Morin, Yellowstone Education Center (all county schools)



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