Whitefish students head back to class next week with the first day of school on Tuesday.

Whitefish High School

The high school has many new changes ahead for students and staff this year with a new building, continued construction on campus and a new class schedule.

The first day of school has been set aside as an orientation for students to become familiar with the new high school building. All students will receive class schedules, have their photo ID taken and receive an orientation before being dismissed as part of a shortened school day.

“The schedule is unique for the first school day to set the stage for a great school year in a new building, with a new block schedule and several new beginnings,” Principal Kerry Drown said.

Seniors will arrive at 7:40 a.m. and report directly to the gym and will be dismissed at 10 a.m.

Juniors and sophomores will both arrive at 10:15 a.m., while juniors will report to the gym and sophomores will report to the cafeteria. Both groups will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m.

Freshman will arrive at 1:15 p.m. and report to the cafeteria.

Lunch will not be provided on the first day of school. Buses will run at their regularly scheduled times at the beginning and end of the day.

Students will return to a regular schedule on Wednesday and lunch will be available that day.

New staff members include Damian Estrada, math and science teacher; Kevin Allen-Schmid, choir director; and Christian Bitterauf, special services.

This year WHS will have a closed campus during lunch for freshman and sophomore students. Previously only freshman were required to remain on campus, now sophomores must remain on campus for at least the first half of the school year. Sophomores will only be allowed off campus in the second semester by meeting certain criteria based on attendance, GPA and good behavior.

Construction work continues on the arts and technology wing of the high school. Work is also ongoing for the remodel of the gym foyer, pottery room, activity director’s office and concessions. Work is expected to be completed the beginning of November.

While work continues, band and orchestra will meet in the cardio room, choir and theater arts meet in the old weight room, the activity director’s office is in the gym, and gym concessions will be limited.

Parking lot construction on the north side of the building and landscaping work will continue into fall. A traffic flow map is available on the high school website, www.whs.wsd44.org

“Parking and traffic flow will be challenging for the first quarter, so everyone’s patience, flexibility and adaptability will be crucial,” Drown said.

The booster kick off and fall activities parent meeting is Thursday at 6 p.m. at the football field.

Parent open house is set for Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. Homecoming is Sept. 22-26.

For more information, call the high school at 862-8600.

Whitefish Middle School

The middle school has a few changes around the building and welcomes a few new staff members this school year.

“Whitefish Middle School is looking forward to another great year full of academics and relationship building,” Principal Josh Branstetter said. “We are excited to see everyone.”

The middle school student council raised money for a matching grant from the Youth in Philanthropy from the Whitefish Community Foundation and the grant has allowed for the purchase of tables for the courtyard and playground.

Custodial and maintenance crews have the building shining inside and outside there is a fresh coat of paint for games and new playground supplies.

The student store returns this school year and will be open for business before and after school. The store provides basic supplies and some other fun items.

New clubs continuing this year include the Spanish club, the Minecraft club and the running club.

New staff members joining the school include, Kevin Allen-Schmid, choir teacher; Shanel Latta, speech pathologist; and Beth Hansen, Title I reading.

Fifth and sixth grade class lists will be posted at the school on Thursday.

On the first day of school, fifth and sixth grade students will gather on the playground before school to meet with their teacher and be guided into the building.

Seventh and eighth grade students will gather outside on the east side of the building along Kalispell Avenue. Students first period class will be posted and they should go directly to that class at the entry bell. Schedules and locker assignments will be handed out during first period.

Fifth grade open house and orientation is Thursday from 7-9 p.m. The evening begins in the Performing Arts Center and then moves into individual classrooms.

Sixth grade open house is Sept. 11 from 7-9 p.m. The evening begins in the PAC before moving into individual classrooms.

Seventh and eighth grade open house is Sept. 18 from 7-9 p.m. The evening begins at the PAC and parents will then follow students’ daily schedule.

To register a new student stop by the middle school office Monday through Friday from 8 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the middle school at 862-8650.

Muldown Elementary

The elementary school has a few staff changes at the school this year.

Joining the school is Marni Thomas as first grade teacher, and Theresa Doal and Curtis Green join the staff, both as educational support professionals. Teacher Lindley Lynch is moving from teaching first to second grade.

Principal Linda Whitright said Muldown is ready to begin the school year with little changes this school year.

Whitright does remind parents to drive carefully as traffic around the school continues to be congested with construction work this fall at Whitefish High School. Also, she suggests reviewing the traffic flow map on the school’s website at www.mul.wsd44.org.

For more information, contact Muldown at 862-8620.