Bengal Happenings

Thursday, November 14 - Assessment Schedule

Friday, November 15 - Assembly Schedule

Bell Schedules

Attendance - hhsattendance@helenaschools.org; (406) 324-2211

Main Office - (406) 324-2200

Website - hhs.helenaschools.org

As we made the turn this week for the second half of the first semester, students are beginning to dive deeper into the content and build stronger skills in their classes. This week, we are excited to give you insights as to what is happening in Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Math, and English.

Report cards are set to be emailed home to families on November 11.

November is national Native American Heritage Month. We are honored to have a rich heritage in Montana and are honored to be able to educate our students on essential aspects of Native culture and the lives they live in Montana. While activities and learning opportunities happen throughout the year in all classes, we are trying something new this year to truly immerse our students into learning about Native traditions. This coming week, we will participate in the Rock Your Mocs celebration and recognition with each day dedicated to bringing awareness to issues associated with our Native American students. Additionally, we will be altering our schedule toward the end of the week for two great days of learning!

Thursday, November 14, we will be on an Assessment Schedule with students participating in the following:

• Freshmen students will be in our gym, working through 5-8 of the more popular traditional games. Each group will be given an opportunity to learn about the history and purpose of each game and then briefly play that game during the time period allotted.
• Sophomore students will walk over to Bryant school and learn about the history and cultural aspects of drum circles and drumming in Native culture. They will get a chance to participate in drumming activities and Native American music.
• Juniors will get to hear from the Montana Poet Laureate, Chris LaTray.
• Senior students will jump on a bus and head to the Myrna Loy where they will watch the documentary, Native Ball, and then engage in a conversation with the film's creator..

Friday, November 15 will be a more active day for all as we will have a Pow Wow demonstration day. Everyone will learn about the tradition of Pow Wows and participate in some of the traditional Pow Wow Dances. We are excited to have the Bryant Elementary students join us for this event as well!

On Friday, September 22 all students will get the opportunity to watch A Midsummer Night's Dream through the Shakespeare in the Schools program through Montana State University. We will be on an altered schedule that day. All students will report to their 1st period class (0 Period will run as normal) and walk over to the HMS Auditorium as a group. We are excited to offer this opportunity for all students to engage in the arts - thank you to our English Department for organizing this great event!

Bell Schedule:

7:25-8:15 - 0 Period

8:20 - Check in with 1st period, then walk to HMS

8:35-10:35 - Shakespeare Play and walk back to HHS

10:40-11:13 - 1st Period

11:17-11:48 - 2nd Period

11:52-12:23 - 3rd Period

12:23-12:58 - Lunch

12:58-1:29 - 4th Period

1:33-2:04 - 5th Period

2:08-2:39 - 6th Period

2:43-3:15 - 7th Period

A reminder to students and parents - if a student is excused from class or school, they do need to leave campus as soon as they have signed out. They should not be out in their cars hanging out. This also applies to after school situations - if students are waiting around for a practice or after school club/activity, they are welcome to wait around in the Library and work on homework. Thank you for your help with this.

11/8 - FB @ Gallatin – State Quarterfinals – 7 pm

11/9 - Speech and Debate @ Butte

11/12 - AA Choir Festival Concert (this will be epic!) - 6 pm - HMS Auditorium

11/14-16 – VB @ State – MSU Bozeman – First game – 11/14 2:00 p.m.

11/14-16 – Fall Play, She Kills Monsters – 6:30 p.m. each night – HHS Little Theater

November 2024

13 – FAFSA Night – 5:15-7 pm, Black Lab in the Library

14 – Indian Education for All Immersion Day – Assessment Schedule

15 – Rock Your Mocs Day – Assembly Schedule, Pow Wow Demonstration

21 – First Day Basketball, Cheer, Dance, Swimming, Wrestling

22 – Shakespeare in the School – AM Performance

27-29 – No School, Thanksgiving Break

Congratulations to our Cross Country Teams!

Congratulations to our Boys Cross Country team who ran to a 2nd place finish at the State Cross Country Meet last weekend. This win was highlighted by three All-State finishers – Milo Kaufman in 4th place, Henry Sund in 5th place, and Elliot Stimpson in 10th place. Our girls team also had a great meet, placing 5th as a team, just one point shy of overcoming Glacier in 4th place. Isabel Ward was one spot shy of earning All-State honors, finishing in 16th place in the girl’s race. Congratulations on a great season to all our runners!

A Message on Grief and Supports Available

On Thursday, a message was sent home to parents with information on resources available to our students and staff next week. In this note home, we also highlighted some of the resources we continue to have available throughout the year for students and families to access. As a reminder of those resources highlighted in that message:

• Helena Indian Alliance Outpatient Therapy – through a great partnership with the Helena Indian Alliance, we have two School-based Outpatient Therapists that can take on clients and meet with them during the school day. Packets with information on the resources provided can be obtained from our school counselors, the main office, or by contacting Marty Verrill at mverrill@hia-mt.org.

• Counseling staff – we are lucky to have an incredible counseling staff at our school. While they are not to become a student or families’ therapist, they do provide acute counseling services as needed. These amazing women can have a great conversation with students and families and discuss possible next steps with the family if requested.

• Montana Cares App – We highly encourage students and families to download this app. This app allows you to do a couple of things. First, it allows for reporting of school safety or student safety potential issues (threats, inappropriate use of the bathrooms, etc.) and alert administration that these things are happening. These reports can be anonymous or include your name if you choose. Additionally, this app connects you in real time to the crisis support line or other resources that may be beneficial to you. The app, Montana Cares, can be downloaded in any app store. A brief video explaining the app can be found here - https://www.canva.com/design/DAGB3Ph0x3U/dALrGi5nNLBUyX-9tp1kiQ/watch

• Teaching/Educational Staff – We have an incredible teaching staff that cares deeply for our students. Many times, our teachers can be the first line of defense for students, especially as they work to create lasting positive relationships with them. Students are encouraged to use these positive connections to let an adult know if something is going on, or as a starting point to be connected to someone else who can provide higher levels of support to them.

• SRO – Officer Ransom continues to be a great resource for our students as well. He can also be someone that students can go to, and he will happily help connect them with the right people at the school that can help them with the next steps.

Schedule Updates

More will be relayed to you next week, but for planning purposes, the following days will have an alternate schedule in November:

• Thursday, November 14 – Assessment Schedule for Native American Immersion Activities

• Friday, November 15 – Assembly Schedule for Pow Wow Demonstration Day with Bryant Elementary

• Friday, November 22 – Altered Schedule for Shakespeare in the Schools – All students will attend the showing of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. This will take place in the morning with 31–33-minute class periods following the show. The finalized bell schedule will be shared out next week.