This past week, Jefferson High School completed the first quarter of the academic year. It is amazing how fast time flew and how many events took place in the past nine weeks.
JHS continues to provide many opportunities and programs to support student success. The Panther Study Table offered on Fridays, for example, has continued to grow in numbers and provides students the opportunity to meet with teachers on Fridays for additional support.
The new extra-curricular eligibility policy has also been successful and has made it a team effort among administration, teachers and student participants. Students are aware of the weekly requirements for eligibility and the team approach has increased the efficiency of the process and raised the level of accountability for all involved.
The recent Montana Conference of Education Leadership conference, held in Billings, had a number of workshops providing great ideas for schools. Board members Cami Robson and Bryher Herak attended and met trustees from around the state and participated in workshops geared towards school board members. I look forward to future discussions regarding their thoughts and ideas from the conference.
The JHS school board will host a study table as part of the November school board meeting to discuss the first three questions from the study completed for the school district. Information gathered from these meetings will be used to look at ways of improving the school district and the direction the district should move in the future.
The October student count was 292 students, an increase of 22 students from 2018-19. This is the fourth consecutive year of student growth. The district has made strides in increasing opportunities for students. Examples include increasing dual credit course offerings from two to 12, participating in the grant-funded Literacy Program, increased course offerings, and flexibility in scheduling.
The past two weeks have been busy at JHS. The boys and girls cross country teams just complete the season at the state meet in Great Falls.
The girls volleyball competed in the district tournament Thursday and Friday at Belgrade, and the football team traveled to Malta to play in the opening round of the Class B football playoffs. It has been a successful fall for all Panther teams and I look forward to future success.
Go Panthers!
Tim Norbeck is superintendent of Jefferson High School.
