Bitterroot Bulletin

I hope you have had a great summer. I have enjoyed time with my family and am eager to work with the Bitterroot community again this year. Our staff has great things planned for the upcoming year as we continue to work together to move our students forward!

This year we have a slightly different bell schedule with a 5 minute later start/dismissal. We appreciate your assistance as we maximize our instructional time each day. All students will enter using the north entrance (closest to Medicine Crow).

• Door Open for Breakfast at 7:55
• Morning Choice Bell at 8:10
• Instruction Starts at 8:25
• K-3 Dismissal M, T, Th, Fri 2:25 PM
• K-3 Dismissal W 1:25 PM
• 4-5 Dismissal M, T, Th, Fri 3:10 PM
• 4-5 Dismissal W 2:10 PM

If your student arrives tardy or late due to an appointment, please use the front entrance. If your student needs to be signed out, please remember all guests and visitors will be required to show a photo id before entering the building. Thank you for understanding the need to prioritize safety and security at our school.

Class placements will be posted to PowerSchool at 4:00 on Wednesday, August 28th. Careful consideration was given when establishing classroom placements for your child(ren). We ask that you please refrain from asking for changes. For privacy and safety, please do not post class placements on social media. Thank you for your support. You can access PowerSchool by opening the app on your personal device or navigating on a web browser to bit.ly/PSSTUDENT

I look forward to seeing you and your student(s) at our open house/supply drop off and PTA Ice Cream Social on Thursday, August 29th from 4:00-6:00 PM. If you are unable to attend this family event, please send your student to school on Tuesday, September 3rd with their supplies.

Have a great rest of your summer & I will see you soon!

~Mrs. Tyree

Hi Bitterroot Families! My name is Haylea McNeil and I am so excited to be joining Bitterroot as the Health/PE teacher. I have grown up in Billings and will be entering my fourth year teaching with experience in the classroom in kindergarten and 2nd grade and middle school health/PE. I am thrilled to be back in an elementary school and super excited to be teaching health/PE! My husband and I welcomed our first baby boy in December 2023. Aside from teaching and being a new mom, I like to stay busy by working out at crossfit, golfing, shopping, and watching sports. I hope to be a positive influence on young children in all areas including mental, physical, and emotional health. I strive to build relationships that allow kids to be who they are, while also helping them grow into the best version of themselves. I am excited to get to know the students and families this year!

Hello Bitterroot families! My name is Ms. Evans and I am thrilled to be your music teacher this year! I grew up right here in the Billings Heights and graduated from Skyview in 2014. I went to college in Missoula and have degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, and a Master of Arts in Integrated Arts and Education. For the last five years I have been teaching K-5 General Music and performing on my oboe in Helena. I am a strong believer in an active and engaged music room, so get ready because we are going to make as much music as we can possibly squeeze into our time together this year! Outside of school I love being outside walking, riding my bike, or paddling around in my little kayak. I have one adorable cat named Posie who keeps me on my toes when I am home. I am so excited to be making my way home to Billings and joining all of you this year!

After volunteering in my son's elementary school classes I realized how much I love the education environment. When I would work with the students in small groups it was such a joy to see the students learn from a fun activity that we were doing to support the content being taught. It was in my son's 2nd grade class with his teacher, Mrs. Taylor, that I realized what my purpose is, to teach students and to be a part of their education journey.

Killian Stone, CSCT Behavior Coach

Lori McManus, Dyslexia Specialist

Ryan Racine, LTA Custodian V

Miki Brewer, Custodian I

Sonia Hodosi, General Duty Aide

Amy Smith, Speech Language Pathologist

Lynda Chase, Kindergarten-1st Grade Combo

Heather Mitchell, 1st Grade

Marcus Rogers, 4th Grade

Cindy Welch, Instructional Improvement Specialist

We have an incredible group of family members who pitch in to help support our school.

To join PTA, check out the parent page of our website or scan/click on this QR code. You can also stop by their table to visit and learn more during the ice cream social on August 29th. You can also email them at bitterrootptamt@gmail.com

Save the Date for Saturday Live

9/28 @ Metra Park

As we wind down from the summer and prepare for the start of the new school year schedule, three quick ways you can help your student transition from summer break to the school year are:

1. Full nights rest: Begin your school night and morning routines by slowly adjusting both your bedtime routine and morning alarm for an earlier time. Instruction starts promptly at 8:25 and students will need a full nights rest so they can fully engage in learning.

2. Lunchtime Routine: Similar to your bedtime and morning routines, setting a lunchtime routine to have a nutritious meal as opposed to the summer snacking that a number of us have enjoyed these past few months is helpful. During the school year, each grade level has 35 minutes (20 to eat and 15 for recess). We appreciate you assistance for this focused meal time by ensuring you are sending your student with lunch items they are able to both open and enjoy fully during the 20 minute lunch period.

3. Bitterroot Standard and PAX Leaders: Our Bitterroot Standard and PAX positive support system encourage students to be PAX Leaders and follow the Bitterroot Standard by being safe, kind, cooperative, respectful & responsible. Continue to encourage your student to completing age-appropriate tasks, taking accountability, modeling the standards, and being leaders!

Free and Reduced school meal applications can be filled out online, or on paper. To apply online, click this link in a browser (mobile browsers do not work): https://www.mymealtime.com/Apps/SignIn.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fapps

Available in English and Spanish, other languages available upon request. Disponible en inglés y español, otros idiomas disponibles bajo petición.

Paper applications can be obtained from Mrs. Zimmerman at the Bitterroot front office. For questions, please contact Nutrition Services at 406-281-5879. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Dear Families,

Welcome to the new school year! As we embark on another exciting year of learning and growth, the school library is ready to support your child’s educational journey with a wealth of resources, programs, and activities designed to inspire a love of reading and learning.

Library Resources

Our library is stocked with a diverse collection of books, eBooks, audiobooks, and digital resources that cater to all reading levels and interests. Whether your child is an avid reader or just beginning to explore the world of books, we have something for everyone. We also offer resources to support their classroom learning, including research databases and access to online learning tools.

Library Programs and Events

Throughout the year, we will host various programs and events to engage students and foster a love of reading. These include:

**Book Clubs:** Tailored to different age groups, where students can discuss books and share their thoughts in a fun, relaxed environment.

-**StoryBook Patch:** Opportunity for families to connect with our school and promote literacy and a love of reading.

-**Reading Challenges:** Encouraging students to explore new genres and discover new favorite books.

**Library Makerspaces:** A creative area where students can explore, invent, and learn through hands-on activities.

**Glow-Brary** A multidisciplinary learning experience that provides opportunities for students to come together and create memorable moments of creativity and fun.

Supporting Your Child’s Reading Journey

As a parent or guardian, you play a crucial role in nurturing your child’s love for reading.

Here are a few ways you can support their reading habits:

-Encourage Daily Reading: Set aside time each day for your child to read, whether independently or with you.

- Visit the Library Together: Make regular trips to the school or public library to explore new books and resources.

- Talk About Books: Discuss the books your child is reading and share your reading experiences.

Library Book Checkout, Access, and Hours

K-3 classes have a scheduled library time of 30 minutes weekly. 4th and 5th classes have scheduled library time of 60 minutes weekly. The library is open to students throughout the day, and we encourage regular visits. Students can obtain permission from their teachers to visit outside of their scheduled library time to check out books, use our learning and creativity spaces, and receive assistance with research projects or finding the perfect book.

Library book checkout for grades 1-5 students will begin during their first library class. Books are due back every two weeks on your child's scheduled library day. I’ll provide regular reminders, but if your child forgets to return a book, they can bring it back the next day and check out new ones.

For kindergarten students, we'll spend the first few weeks learning about the library and practicing how to use it. Their book checkout will begin on the third library class day of the year.

I also welcome younger siblings and families to enjoy the library. Family hours will be announced once the school day schedules are finalized.

Contact and Communication

I believe in open communication with parents and guardians. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You can reach me at andersonml@billingsschools.org or from your child’s Seesaw classroom. I look forward to partnering with you to make this school year a successful and enriching experience for your child. Together, we can instill a lifelong love of reading in our students.

Thank you for your continued support!

Monica Anderson

School Librarian