School starts this week for several school districts.

Most districts start Wednesday, except for Columbia Falls and West Glacier, which start Thursday.

New students are asked to register before the first day of school if possible.

Students who are eligible for free or reduced lunches may obtain forms at their child’s respective school. Eligibility is determined by family size and income using federal poverty guidelines.

Cayuse Prairie

v Cayuse Prairie School has changed the start and dismissal times for regular school days. School will be in session 10 minutes longer from 8:15 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. on regular days.

The first day of school is Wednesday.

Milk is 20 cents per pint. Free milk is available to students who qualify.

There are three bus routes and information is available by calling 752-4560.

Current kindergarten enrollment is 24 students.

Over the summer, extensive renovations have been made to landscaping and to the playground. A basketball court has been added to a back playground.

Columbia Falls

The first day of school for Columbia Falls School District is Thursday.

v Columbia Falls High School has made minor changes to the class schedule as follows:

Monday through Friday, except Wednesday

0 period begins — 7:26 a.m.

First period begins — 8:20 a.m.

Seventh period ends — 3:15 p.m.

Wednesdays are as follows:

0 period begins — 7:36 a.m.

First period begins— 8:20 a.m.

Seventh period ends — 2:17 p.m.

Hot meals will be served the first day of school. Breakfast is $1.45 and lunch $3.

Freshmen will receive student schedules at Freshman Parent Orientation scheduled from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. New students in grades 10th through 12th grade are invited.

Other student schedules will be available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. as follows: Juniors — Monday; Sophomores — Tuesday.

Seniors should have picked up their schedules by Aug. 23.

New students may register by calling 892-6500, extension 222, to make an appointment.

The high school has enriched its academic offerings across many departments this year.

 A new optional honors diploma program for students who take a certain number of Advanced Placement courses. There are also several new AP courses this year in chemistry, government and mathematics. Classes with a digital focus include graphic design, web design and yearbook publications. There are also name changes and additions to business and visual-arts classes. Computer applications, for example, is now computer essentials and was changed from a year-long course to a semester.

History- and literature-minded students may get the best of both worlds in a course called American history through literature. This two-period class will give students credits in both U.S. History and junior English.

Health-care occupations was added to a selection of health electives.

Students taking woods or metals classes will now have the opportunity to apply their skills in building trades, a course offered in the industrial technology department.

Musically inclined students will also be able to enroll in Strings II.

For classes not offered at the school, a digital learning lab was created to allow students the opportunity to access the Montana Digital Academy.

Familiar faces in the district, but new to Columbia Falls High School staff, include health and physical education teacher Jesse Schaeffer, and Diane Marsh, business and computer essentials. Patience Burns from Washington joins the staff as an English teacher.

Building-wise, a new computerized bell system will set the tone for the school year.

Business classrooms, a computer lab and the library received computer hardware upgrades. Security has been upgraded with installation of new security cameras and eastside entrance doors.

New lockers and improvements were made to physical education and athletics locker rooms. Other improvements, such as painting, were made to the gym foyer and athletic facilities.

v Columbia Falls Junior High welcomes teachers Tyler Hobbs, keyboarding; Jeff Peck, social studies; Jessica Schwaderer, sixth-grade Title I and Josie Brown, sixth-grade teacher.

Daily class times are the same as last year from 8:21 a.m. to 3:21 p.m. Mondays through Fridays — except early release Wednesdays. Early-release Wednesdays are from 8:21 a.m. to 2:19 p.m.

Hot lunch costs $2.75.

New students may register from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sixth-grade orientation is planned at 6 p.m. Monday. Seventh and eighth grades will have orientation at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

School supply lists are available at the junior high, or online at www.sd6.k12.mt.us.

v Glacier Gateway has added a new energy-saving computer lab.

“This is a ‘thin client’ lab that will provide us with an additional 30 computers for students to utilize for keyboarding, researching, drafting papers, working on SuccessMaker and preparing for our new state testing,” said Glacier Gateway Principal Peter Loyda.

The school also is implementing the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.

The elementary school has 70 kindergartners enrolled at this time.

Regular school days are from 8:15 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. Monday through Friday except Wednesday. Wednesdays are early release days at 2:05 p.m. Parents should contact the school if their child plans to ride the bus.

Breakfast is $1.45 and lunch is $2.75.

Students should come to school with their grade-level supplies. Supply lists are available at the school or online at www.glaciergateway.org.

New staff members include Haley Lobbestael, kindergarten; Trista Schaeffer, third grade; Alon Golan, special education; Tyler Jones, P.E. and school nurse Laura Weidling. Weidling will work between the district’s two elementary schools and junior high school.

Students who need to register can do so from 8 to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. weekdays.

v Ruder Elementary students can look forward to playing on new equipment installed this summer.

Between 80 and 85 students are enrolled at Ruder.

Regular class times are 8:25 to 3:25 p.m. weekdays except Wednesdays. Students are dismissed at 2:25 on Wednesdays.

Breakfast costs $1.45 and lunch, $2.75.

Students who plan to ride the bus should call 892-6550, extension 431, to register. Parents or guardians should park in a designated spot in front of the school during student pick-up or drop-off to ensure the children’s safety. People should arrive after 3:15 p.m. for pick up.

All school doors except the main entrance will be locked at the beginning of the school day. Building visitors are reminded to check in at the main office.

New staff this year includes Jessica Klintworth, secretary; Michaelan DeHerrera, kindergarten specialist and fourth-grade teacher Libby Beever.

Creston

v Creston School welcomes first-grade teacher Shanta Milne, who comes to the district from Missoula.

Fifteen students are enrolled for kindergarten currently. The first day of school is Wednesday.

Fifth- and sixth-graders attend school from 8:25 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. on regular school days. Kindergartners through fourth-graders attend from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The first day for pizza hot lunch is Friday. Pizza is $1.25 per slice.

Bus routes are the same. New students may call 755-2859 for times.

Deer Park

v Deer Park information was not made available.

Evergreen

v Evergreen School District welcomes new Superintendent Laurie Barron.

A student experience day will get students on the right track from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Grades kindergarten through fourth attend East Evergreen Elementary and grades fifth through eighth attend Evergreen Junior High.

Junior high physicals are set from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. A parent or guardian must be present with the student. Cost is $15.

Evergreen currently has 55 kindergartners enrolled. The first day of school is Wednesday.

Hot meals begin the first day of school. Breakfast is $1 and lunch is $1.65.

Regular class times are as follows:

Kindergarten — 8:25 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

First grade — 8:25 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Second and third grade — 8:25 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.

Fourth grade — 8:10 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.

Fifth through eighth — 8:10 a.m. to 3:21 p.m.

New students may register from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or from 1 to 3 p.m.

Helena Flats

v Helena Flats School welcomes Doug Brown to the custodial staff.

There are 20 kindergartners enrolled at this time. The first day of school is Wednesday.

Hot lunch will be served on the first day of school. Lunch is $2.85.

School supply lists are available at www.helenaflats.org.

Lakeside-Somers

Lakeside-Somers School District had security cameras installed at the front doors of both Lakeside Elementary and Somers Middle School.

The first day of school is Wednesday. Hot meals will be served the first day of school. Breakfast costs $1.75 and lunch is $2.25.

v Lakeside Elementary students have class from 8:25 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on regular school days. New staff includes Keith Johnson, counselor;  Amber Fleming, special education; Janelle Wells, special education and Title 1; Ben Umbriaco, kindergarten, and Brooke Nash, office manager.

v Somers Middle School students attend school from 8:20 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. on regular school days. New staff includes Beth Darnick, sixth grade and Title 1 math, and Erin Joronen, counselor.

Pleasant Valley

v Pleasant Valley School has a new district clerk this year, Ann Marie Becker. There are no kindergartners enrolled at this time. School is in session from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The first day of school is Wednesday. New students may register by calling 858-2343.

Smith Valley

v Smith Valley School will implement some new textbooks this year including “Go Math,” “Step Up to Writing,” “Units of Study — Writing,” among others. The district’s student information system has been converted to Infinite Campus and the network system has started using Google Apps for Education.

Over the summer break, new flooring was installed in the food service area of the gym. Various grounds improvements were also made for safety and aesthetics.

Mary Beth Burke is the new school counselor for Smith Valley. Kristi Dorcheus will teach sixth- and eighth-graders and serve as a special education teacher.

Kindergarten enrollment is estimated at 28 students.

The first day of school is Wednesday.

Regular classes start at 8:30 a.m. Dismissal is 3:05 p.m. for kindergarten through third grade and 3:15 p.m. for fourth through eighth grade.

Student drop-off and pick-up is in the upper parking lot off Batavia Lane. Families are reminded not to drop students off in the parking lot by the highway.

New students may register by calling 756-4535.

Parents or guardians should let the school know if they are planning to have a child participate in either the before or after school Wolverine Club. All fees must be pre-paid.

Swan River

v Swan River School will be resounding with song after the part-time music position has been increased to full time. Joe Haug joins Swan River as the new music teacher. Other new staff includes Marian McAllister, head cook and Jennifer Woll, assistant cook.  

Eighteen students currently are enrolled in kindergarten. The first day of school is Wednesday.

School is in session from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on regular days. Supply lists are available at the main office.

West Glacier

v West Glacier School has 11 kindergartners currently enrolled. The first day of school is Thursday.

School is from 7:40 a.m. to 4:05 p.m. on regular days.

School supply lists are available at www.westglacierelementary.org.

New second- and third-grade teacher Andina Markuson joins the faculty after completing her student teaching requirements at the school.

West Valley

v West Valley School will start five minutes earlier this year at 8:20 p.m., which means buses will pick up students five minutes earlier.

School ends at 3:20 p.m. for primary students and 3:25 for middle school students. Wednesdays are early release days and students will be dismissed at 2:20 p.m.

There are currently 52 kindergarten students enrolled. The first day of school is Wednesday.

Sept. 4 is the first day hot meals will be served. Breakfast is $1.25 and lunch is $2.50.

New faculty includes Amy Spicer, first grade; Sarah Hazen, second grade; Stephannie Gregorash, fifth grade; John Chisholm, P.E. and April Snell, assistant office manager/technology.

This year, staff will be working on a strategic plan for the district as well as implementing Lucy Calkins writing materials for kindergarten through fifth grade. A standardized test called STAR will replace MAP testing.

Over the summer, a new office for the superintendent was built next to the library. A special education classroom was also completed.

Sport physicals will be offered at 1 p.m. Monday. Football equipment will be handed out at that time.

Families should be aware that a new bus pick-up and drop-off area is slated to be relocated on the north end of the playground.

Whitefish

Whitefish School District starts school Wednesday. Hot meals are served the first day of school.

v Muldown Elementary has multiple new staff members joining the school. They include Alisa Smith, kindergarten; Lindley Couser, first grade; Tayler Bertelsen, second grade; Laura Raykowski, special education; Lacy Eccles, part-time counselor; Gary Carmichael, part-time library and media specialist; Patty Strellnauer, educational support and custodians Adam Rohde and Martin Quigley.

Enrollment at the kindergarten level is currently 123 students.

Kindergarten and first grade will have an orientation day Wednesday in place of class.

Kindergarten students may visit the school from 8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Kindergartners will then be split into two groups. One group will attend a full day Thursday and the other group will attend Friday. The first full day of regular school for all kindergartners is Sept. 3.

First-graders may visit the school between 9 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday with the first full day of school Thursday.

Regular class times are as follows:

Kindergarten — 8:40 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

First and second — 8:35 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.

Third — 8:35 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

Fourth — 8:35 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Hot lunch is available for purchase the first day of school. Lunch is $2.50.

Families are reminded not to park in the drive-through, drop-off loop or “bus only” zones. Students taking the bus should call Rocky Mountain Transportation at 863-1200 for the nearest bus stop.

School supply lists are available at the school and online at http://mul.wsd44.org.

New students may register from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An open house is planned Sept. 24 and Sept. 26.

v Whitefish High School is in the midst of a $19 million renovation project. The gym remodel has been completed for the new school year. Principal Kerry Drown reported that the locker rooms and fitness complex will be completed at the end of September. Construction on the new portion of the building is slated to begin in the fall of 2014. View updates, photos and a live webcam of construction progress by clicking on “WHS Building Project” at whs.wsd44.org.

Due to construction, traffic will be impacted. Travel routes will be similar to last year. Refer to the “Traffic Flow During WHS Construction” diagram located at whs.wsd44.org by scrolling down and clicking on “Parking and Entrance to Whitefish High School.”

A freshman mentoring program will be rolled out this year. Algebra I will be taught using college preparatory math curriculum. New courses include: web design, designing interior living spaces and human body systems. Human body systems expands the district’s involvement in Project Lead the Way science, math, engineering, technology and math curriculum.

Class schedules will be handed out on the first day of school.

Freshmen will start the first day of school at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday with lunch provided. Sophomores through seniors start at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and students should eat before school because lunch will not be served. The morning bus route will only pick up kindergarten through ninth-graders. All students will be dismissed at 3:30 p.m. Bus routes will return students home at regularly scheduled times.  

Students will have pictures taken on the first day of school. These photos will be used for students records, yearbook and are available for purchase.

On regular school days, students attend from 8:35 to 3:30 p.m.

v Whitefish Middle School is offering French to seventh- and eighth-graders. Intramurals will be available for fifth- through eighth-grade students.

Jessica Kress is the new fifth- and sixth-grade resource teacher at the school.

Regular school days begin at 8:35 a.m. and end at 3:25 p.m.

Hot meals will be available the first day of school. Breakfast costs $1.35 and lunch is $2.50.

Parents or guardians are reminded to pull into a parking space to pick-up or drop-off students for safety. Crossing guards will be at the following intersections: First Street and Spokane Avenue, Second Street and Kalispell Avenue and First Street and Kalispell Avenue.

Registration is available to new students from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Open houses are scheduled as follows: fifth grade, 7 p.m. Monday; sixth grade, 7 p.m. Sept. 5; seventh and eighth grade, 7 p.m. Sept. 12.