POTOMAC - Along with new and returning coaches, staff and students, Potomac School has hit the ground running with improvements and ideas both inside and out.
New custodian Greg Stevens completed building repairs and paint touch up as well as bleacher repair and landscaping.
In the athletic field the bases are set and ready for action.
Security measures include entrance and playground cameras. This year the school’s front entrance is locked at all times. Access is by a buzzer system to provide a more secure entry to the main building, said Principal John Rouse.
The curriculum focus is on authentic literacy which is purposeful reading, writing and discussion. This partners with the Literacy grant, which is the most significant change this year, according to Rouse.
Potomac School was one of 21 Montana school districts awarded this grant which amounts to $750,000 that can be spent over three or four years.
The purpose of the grant is to advance reading, writing and digital literacy skills in students, with an emphasis on disadvantaged children, according to Office of Public Instruction.
Teacher Abby Stitt will be instructional coaching the staff and staff will be able to reflect on their teaching through video recordings.
The Literacy grant is being implemented through four student habits. These are reading to draw conclusions, using facts to solve arguments, resolving differing views and solving problems that appear to have no answer.
Teachers and students will also benefit from additional technology through the grant.
New staff includes Ashley Olsen teaching combined second and third grades, Ike Wallace teaching some sixth, seventh and kindergarten through third grade classes, Jennifer Vogel is teaching special education students while Christi Taillefer joins the staff as a paraprofessional assisting teacher for all grades.
This year, Wallace is leading the Friday Explorers program along with weekly parent volunteers.
Students attending library this year will find more than 200 new books. Also new in the library, Time for Tots returns every Wednesday with stories, treats, exercise and play for ages one to five.
The Potomac Loop Road behind the school has been paved. School crossing signs and crosswalk markings have also been added.
Rouse said, “The school has received generous support from the Missoula County Roads Division.”
The annual Potomac School Open House will be Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
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