
PORTER PRIDE MONTHLY
FEBRUARY
A Note From Our Admin
Dear Porter Caregivers,
January was a busy month! We wrapped up with a special appreciation luncheon from Texas Roadhouse, where 25 students—recognized for volunteerism and positive behavior—enjoyed a great meal. A big thank you to Texas Roadhouse for their generosity! This luncheon will continue monthly with new winners.
Sports & Activities
Girls' basketball season is in full swing, and wrestling kicks off on February 18th. Please ensure all forms and fees are submitted by then if your child plans to participate. Additionally, several 6th Grade Redwave Marching Band events and concerts are coming up this month—stay tuned for details!
Staff Collaboration & Professional Development
Last Thursday, middle school staff from across the district gathered to share ideas and strengthen connections. This Monday, all district staff will meet for another professional development opportunity.
Upcoming Events
- P!NK Out Dance – February 20th: Volunteers needed! If you’d like to help, we’d love to have you.
- Family Engagement Nights:
- Math Night – February 25th: Learn about Infinite Campus, MAST testing, and the high school transition.
- Student Showcase Night – March 26th: Students will share their learning and talents.
We’re also looking for volunteers for before and after school activities. Check our district page for opportunities!
Thank you for your continued support—we love having you as part of our Porter community!
Best regards,
Ty Solberg & Ariel Cornelius
SAVE THE DATE
- Feb 10: NO SCHOOL - Staff Professional Development Day
- Feb 13: District Spelling Bee
- Feb 17: NO SCHOOL - Presidents' Day
- Feb 18-21: Student Council Bake Sale! (Donations Welcome)
- Feb 20: School Dance 2:00-3:30
- Feb 25: Library Fundraiser at Five On Black
- Feb 25: Family Night at CS Porter
- March 11: 6th Grade Ski Trip (Gear donations appreciated!)
- March 17-21: Spring Break
Family Resource Center News
Donations Appreciated
- Baby it's cold outside! We are always in need of new or gently used gloves, boots, hoodies or jackets in adult sizes. Please consider donating to us before going to Goodwill!
- If you are in need of winter gear assistance, please email Jen with items and sizes requested. We will do our very best to accommodate you.
Family Fun Night
If you would like to contribute to the prize donations, check out the Sign Up Genius. Thank you!
Missoula Food Bank
Kids EmPower Pack is Missoula Food Bank and Community Center's weekend nutrition program that helps students to stay healthy and nourished when school is not in session. Each Friday, a bag of food is provided to students who experience chronic hunger over the weekends.
Their Fresh Food Box program has boxes of food delivered to your home on the last Thursday of the month for a low cost.
Please contact Jen in the FRC for more information.
A Word From Our Counselors
Middle School to High School: Supporting the Journey!
Dear 8th Grade Caregivers,
It’s truly a joy to watch your children grow into confident, independent young adults! Every day brings new moments of curiosity, resilience, and transformation. In just a few months, they’ll be stepping into high school!
High School Transition Updates
Thank you for submitting enrollment packets and required documents—your attention to these details makes the transition smoother for everyone.
If your student plans to join a Big Sky Academy, applications are available outside Ms. Nowlen’s room and can be returned to Ms. Jo, the Big Sky front office, or CS Porter’s front office. More information is available online.
This week, students received high school course request information. On February 14th, counselors from Hellgate, Sentinel, and Big Sky will visit Porter to discuss freshmen courses with 8th graders.
As this big transition approaches, please know we are here to support both you and your child. High school brings exciting opportunities, and your encouragement at home is invaluable. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Best,
Miss Jo
Porter Middle School Counselor
Navigating Middle School Friendships: Support & Solutions
Friendships are a big part of middle school, but challenges like relational aggression—exclusion, rumors, or controlling behaviors—can arise. These actions can be just as harmful as physical bullying.
How You Can Help:
✔ Talk about healthy friendships—Good friends are kind, respectful, and make others feel safe.
✔ Remind them that conflicts happen—True friends work through issues without being mean.
✔ Watch for signs of struggle—If your child seems sad, avoids friends, or worries about school, they may need support. Help them set boundaries and practice speaking up.
For more tips, check out BrightHeart Education’s resources. And if you have concerns about your child, our counseling team is here to help—reach out anytime at portercares@mcpsmt.org.
Library Updates
Support the Library—One Bite at a Time
The library is, once again, humbly requesting your financial support—because books don’t buy themselves, and neither do virtual author visits.
This time, we’re raising funds for BookBreak, a program that beams amazing authors like Alan Gratz, Jason Reynolds, and Linda Sue Park directly into our school through the magic of the internet (no, not holograms… yet).
How can you help? By doing what you do best—eating. On Tuesday, February 25, from 4–8 PM, grab some delicious food at Five on Black (either location), and 50% of your meal cost will go toward our cause.
Eat a bowl, fund an author, secure the library’s undying gratitude.
Battle of the Books: The Countdown Begins
Sharpen your wits, rally your teammates, and prepare for literary combat—Battle of the Books is on the horizon. Here are the dates you need to know (and actually remember):
📌 Thursday, Feb 11: Mock Battle for 6th grade only during lunch. Consider it a warm-up round, or an opportunity to scope out the competition.
📌 Friday, Feb 21: Permission slips due. No slip, no battle. No exceptions. Not even if you pinky swear you’ll bring it later.
📌 Thursday, Feb 27: Mock Battle for all grades during WIN. A chance to prove your book knowledge—or dramatically pretend you meant to say a different answer.
📌 Tuesday, March 4: The big one—School Battle during 5th–7th periods. Legends will rise, books will be quoted, and someone will inevitably say, “I knew that one!” right after the buzzer.
Get reading, get ready, and may the best bookworms win. 📚⚔️
Spelling Bee
C.S. Porter Spelling Bee Buzzes with Talent
On Friday, January 31, the halls of C.S. Porter Middle School were alive with the unmistakable tension of competitive spelling—where one misstep could mean the difference between triumph and an existential crisis over silent letters. A total of 43 students bravely stepped up to the mic, armed only with their wits, an extensive vocabulary, and the ability to remain composed while deciphering words most of us would rather auto-correct.
After rounds of intense orthographic battle, six students emerged victorious, proving they have what it takes to spell their way to greatness. These elite wordsmiths, David, Ben, Lena, Emma, Alex, and Henry, will advance to the Missoula County Spelling Bee, held on Thursday, February 13, at 4:00 PM at the Sentinel High School Margaret Johnson Theatre.
Congratulations to our top spellers—may your syllables be stress-free and your phonetics forever in your favor!
Student Council Update
SPIRIT WEEK & WINTER DANCE
Get ready for our Winter Dance on Thursday, February 20, from 2:00–3:30 PM! The theme is “P!NK Out”, so dress in your best pink attire! To attend, students must be in Good Standing (passing grades, no more than 2 unexcused absences, and no more than 1 Minor ODR). There will be music, games, a food court, and fun activities for everyone to enjoy!
Leading up to the dance, we’re celebrating Spirit Week:
🎭 Tuesday: Duo Day
🏀 Wednesday: Sports Day
💗 Thursday: P!NK Out
🐾 Friday: Porter Pride
Plus, Student Council will host a Bake Sale fundraiser during lunch each day. We can't wait to see everyone show their school spirit and have a blast at the dance!
SUPPORT OUR STUDENT COUNCIL BAKE SALE!
The Student Council is hosting a bake sale, and we need your help! We are seeking donations of homemade or store-bought baked goods to support our upcoming fundraiser.
🔹 What to donate? Cookies, brownies, muffins, or any tasty treats—just make sure they are individually wrapped for easy distribution.
🔹 When to drop off? Please bring your donations to the school office by Tuesday, February 18th, at 9:00 AM.
Your generosity will help make this event a sweet success. Thank you for supporting our students!
Yearbooks
YEARBOOK UPDATE
Reserve your yearbook today for $25 at yearbookforever.com, or at the office. Yearbooks will be delivered the last week of school. We always sell out, so ordering early is the best way to make sure your child receives one!
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers Wanted!
Porter is building more partnerships with parents, caregivers, and community members. Please sign up on our Volunteer Portal for many opportunities to be a part of our school community. We are currently looking for support with: Cross Country, Volleyball, Soccer, and lunch support. You can sign up for individual days of the week or weekly. We look forward to seeing you soon! Please reach out to Ciana Kelly with any questions or support.
School Store
We are looking for a volunteer to help with the 8th grade Student Store on Thursday mornings from 7:40-8:30. This is a great opportunity to see the entire 8th grade class at their best! If you're interested email Jen at jpfeiffer@mcpsmt.org.
Porter Parent Council
Harassment Policy
At CS Porter, we are committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for every student. Racism, bullying, and any form of discrimination will not be tolerated under any circumstances. We believe in the importance of kindness, empathy, and understanding in all our interactions, and we expect everyone to contribute to a positive school culture. If you or someone you know is experiencing or witnessing inappropriate behavior, please reach out to a teacher, counselor, or school administrator. Let’s work together to ensure our school remains a place where everyone feels valued and supported.