The Polson High School theme this year, “One Crew, One Ship,” chosen by the incoming senior class, aptly reflects changes students and staff will see when school starts next week.

“We're looking forward to all being in it together, all in one building, really focusing on relationships and a sense of belonging and accountability and everyone going in the same direction,” said Principal Betsy Wade during a walk-through last Thursday of the school’s new two-story addition.

The transformation is immediately apparent at the entryway and foyer, with completely new front doors that give the office staff a view of who is coming and going, and the ability to control access into the building. Bathrooms across the campus were also remodeled, so that students have private stalls but open sinks, making it easier to monitor bathroom behavior without invading privacy.

The foyer itself, with new flooring, a fresh vibe and decals (still to come), offers an upbeat start to the school day.

Turning left and heading toward the new addition, Superintendent Andy Fors points to a spacious new culinary lab with stainless worktables, shiny equipment and a fleet of new mixers lining the counters, and a new special education and life skills classroom, already decorated for the school year in soothing shades of blue.

A turn to the right brings us to the upper level of the new two-story addition, which houses Career and Technical Education (CTE) and STEAM classes – an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

The impressive welding and manufacturing classroom is equipped with several individual booths for oxyacetylene welding. Each booth and welding table was fabricated by students last year in preparation for the new facility.

“It was a really neat project for them,” said Fors. “And it helped us save costs.”

The space, which is adjacent to the wood shop, is also equipped with tools for automotive and small engine repairs, and metal lathes and a CNC plasma cutter for machining and metal fabrication.

An adjacent computer-aided design, or CAD lab, offers computers and a laser engraver used to draft and design projects. Dave Duford teaches industrial arts while Drew Dumont oversees technology education in the new facility.

“Both Dave and Drew spent a lot of time in the industry before they came back into education,” said Fors. “So they bring really great experience to the classroom.”

According to Fors, all Polson High School students are required for take CTE classes to graduate. For some, that may mean a couple of semesters, while others will take classes in the new facility throughout their high school career.

Either way, “all students circle through all this,” he said. “We make sure they all get some exposure.”

The upper level of the new addition also houses four new science labs for chemistry, physics, forensic and environmental science and astronomy, plus Native American studies.

Science teacher Michael Sitter was at his desk preparing for the coming year. “It'll be the first time in 24 years I've had a classroom with windows, and for 22 years I've taught science without a sink,” he said. “It's just nice to have a 21st century space.”

The lower level of the addition is home to math classrooms, a spacious new art lab, with an outside area and a kiln room. Storage for teachers was added to both levels – that’s especially helpful in the science realm, said Wade.

The expansion also allowed the district to significantly revamp the original building, making room for classes that had been housed in modular units and upgrading existing spaces. The choir now has its own practice room, the cafeteria was expanded and a new kitchen gives more space and equipment for food prep.

A business wing houses a multi-media center, home to PHSN TV, which produces a weekly newscast , and graphic design and computer classes, as well as a film room. That department was previously located in a separate vo-ed building.  

Alternative education, geared for students who are struggling with standard curriculum, no longer meets in the cafeteria. Having a dedicated space will help students focus, said Wade.

The World Language Department has a new home too, as do health and social studies. All were housed in the modular units, along with one of the science classrooms and a special ed class.

“Safety and security were a big emphasis – having everyone under the same roof,” said Wade.

And in the long run, it saves the district money, Fors added, since they will no longer need to pay to lease “mods,” and can repurpose some of that freed-up space for maintenance and storage.

“It’s just exciting to have room for teachers to do the creative, innovative things they do,” said Fors.

Wade had recently given the student body president and vice president a tour and was gearing up for the annual “Pirate Welcome” the next day, when students could pick up schedules, find their lockers and learn about activities and clubs. She said they also plan to offer community tours in October, “once we're all settled in and cleaned up.”

Polson Middle School also revamped

Down the hill at Polson Middle School, more transformation awaits students. The main entrance was moved east, and the entry and administrative offices completely revamped, again offering a more secure entrance.

A direct outside entrance was added for the middle school gym as well, so fans no longer need to weave their way through the school to attend basketball and volleyball games and wrestling.

Student bathrooms and the cafeteria were remodeled, and a STEAM lab was created with 3D printers, cardboard cutters and audio/visual equipment for the Pirate News Network.

A school commons was added, offering tiered, bench-style seating for students to gather. Principal Bonnie Perry says that’s her favorite upgrade “because there wasn't really anywhere for the kids to hang out and spend quality time together.”

That’s especially valuable since they banned cellphones during the school day last year. As a result, “engagement went up. Now you see kids talking to each other at lunch, playing at recess.”

The district kitchen, housed in the middle school, underwent a massive overhaul and will be ready to resume its role of preparing main dishes for all four buildings when school starts this fall. A walk-in refrigerator and a freezer and large pantry, as well as upgrades to the prep area will help streamline the daily challenge of feeding more than 1,600 students.

All of the changes at the high school and middle school, as well as Linderman and Cherry Valley Elementary, are the culmination of a three-year, $40 million building project, funded by two mill levies passed by voters in 2023.

“It's so good for kids. Like the whole thing, it helps shift our culture when they have a place they can be proud of,” Perry said. “The community should be very proud of what they've done because it really did take the whole community to pull it off.”

    Polson High seniors Zeilee Hewankorn and Aleysia Black were hard at work last week, painting insignias on their parking spaces before school begins Sept. 8. Both said they are "super excited" to see the school's new addition and other amenities. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)
  

    Polson Middle School Principal Bonnie Perry shows off the new school commons – one of the major upgrades awaiting students this year. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

   Science teacher Michael Sitter appreciates his new classroom in Polson High School's addition, which offers space, light and sinks – all major improvements. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)

    Polson High's new culinary lab appears ready to welcome student chefs when school starts Tuesday, Sept. 8. (Kristi Niemeyer/Leader)