Superintendent Arntzen attends SLE's first day of class

SEELEY LAKE – Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen visited Seeley Lake Elementary school to encourage students and staff on their first day of school, Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Although Superintendent Arntzen has driven though Seeley Lake many times, she has never stopped at SLE. She visited the fifth grade classroom and stopped in the lunchroom where the cooks were preparing lunch.

"Superintendent Gibbs was very welcoming as well as fifth grade teacher Jona Bartlett.  As a teacher of 23 years, it warmed my heart to be back in a school and more importantly, in a classroom filled with students," Arntzen said. "The excitement of the first day sets the pattern for the rest of the school year. It was such an honor to be welcomed by the students, staff and superintendent of Seeley Elementary School."

Visiting rural schools across the state is important to Arntzen since the majority of Montana public schools are 100 students or less.

"I firmly believe that one size, top down mandates do not work for rural Montana.  The heart of Montana lies in our rural schools, where celebrations of family and children occur every day," Arntzen said. "Elected officials being reminded of our rural nature brings an understanding of the purpose of government: By the people, for the people."