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Don't miss art show,
SPARK concert at UM
It's a busy time of the year for the MCPS Fine Arts Department!
The department is preparing for the Annual Southgate Mall Art Show, which runs April 30 through May 19 at the Missoula mall. The show will open at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Clock Court near the main entrance. This year's show will feature elementary student art.
Later that same evening at 7 p.m., "SPARK" will include some of the best student performances of the year in the Dennison Theatre at The University of Montana. The April 30 concert is free and will feature several groups of talented, young students, including the All-City Orchestra and Hellgate Jazz Band, which were both selected to present at the National Association for Music Education's Northwest Division Conference in Portland, Ore.
For more information, contact John Combs via email at jcombs@mcps.k12.mt.us.
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Did you know?
In 2012, MCPS had a graduation rate of 90.3 percent. That's 6.4 percentage points above Montana's graduation rate.
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Missoula County
Public Schools
406-728-2400
www.mcpsmt.org
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Tech levies, trustee seats on May 7 election
Missoula County Public Schools has elementary (K-8) and high school technology levies on the May 7, 2013 school elections
ballot. Ballots were mailed April 22. Voters will consider:
- An elementary (K-8) tech levy increase from $302,000 to $850,000. The projected cost is $14.31 per year for the increase based on a $200,000 assessed property value.
- A high school tech levy increase from $450,000 to $750,000 per year. The projected cost is $4.57 per year for the increase based on a $200,000 assessed property value.
These levies will provide additional funding for the purchase and replacement of computers and other devices (i.e. projectors, printers, interactive boards) throughout all schools; software and web-based services across the district; and technology training for staff. The levies were first approved by voters in 2002 (HS) and 2003 (Elem); the District has not asked voters to approve any increases in these levies since then.
In addition, there are five trustee seats up for election - four K-12 seats and one high school seat representing Lolo, Woodman & DeSmet. Candidates for these seats are listed on the district website.
Ballots should be returned by 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 7. They can be mailed or dropped off at either the Missoula County Fairgrounds (enter from South Avenue) or the Missoula County Courthouse Annex. On Tuesday, May 7 only, ballots can be dropped off at Lowell, Paxson, Rattlesnake and Russell schools.Don't forget to vote! Learn more at www.mcpsmt.org/elections.
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52 students receive 'most inspiring' awards
Fifty-two middle and high school students received "most inspiring" awards this year at the Annual Most Inspiring Students dinner and awards ceremony April 25 at Big Sky High School. The event is sponsored by MCPS, Exchange Club of Missoula and Graduation Matters Missoula. The students were nominated by teachers and staff for their classroom achievements, outstanding character, and commitment to overcome a significant challenges in their lives.
Juniors take ACT test for free in April
Nearly all 870 juniors in MCPS high schools took the ACT Plus Writing (ACT) test on April 23 for free as part of a statewide effort to help students assess their knowledge and skills and improve access to college and career programs. The program is funded with a Montana GEAR UP grant from the Office of Public Instruction. The ACT is used by colleges to determine a student's academic readiness. Historically, MCPS students who have taken the ACT have performed very well. In 2012, 416 MCPS students reported taking the test. The percentage of those students meeting or exceeding the college readiness benchmarks on all four ACT subject areas was 12 percent higher than the national average.
Please register kindergarten students
Parents are asked to register their children for kindergarten for fall 2013 as soon as possible in all nine MCPS elementary schools. MCPS needs accurate registration numbers to determine how many teachers will be needed at each school. Students must be age 5 on or before Sept. 10, 2013 to register. In addition, Kindergarten Round Up is scheduled in May and students will not want to miss that! Parents can learn more at www.mcpsmt.org.
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Volunteers needed to judge senior projects at
Big Sky, Hellgate high schools
Two Missoula high schools are recruiting community volunteers to evaluate seniors who give senior project presentations in May. Hellgate and Big Sky high schools need hundreds of volunteers to judge more than 500 presentations. There are no special qualifications to serve as a project judge - everyone is welcome. The presentations will amaze and inspire you!
- Big Sky needs judges Wednesday, May 15; learn more at www.mcpsmt.org/bigsky or email Pam Courson at pcourson@mcps.k12.mt.us.
- Hellgate needs evaluators Thursday, May 16; learn more at www.mcpsmt.org/hellgate or email Beth Huguet at bhuguet@mcps.k12.mt.us.
Sidenote: MCPS is seeking parents and business professionals to register in our Applied Learning Portal to provide work-based learning experiences to students, such as job shadows, internships, mentor support. Learn more at www.mcpsmt.org.
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