Administration praises staff

The administrative team at the Whitehall School District took time at last week's Board of Trustees meeting to recognize staff for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Superintendent Hannah Nieskens said the staff was resilient, flexible, and did a great job the past three months in circumstances that were completely undesirable and unwanted. She highlighted the kitchen crew for making thousands of meals and the other staff members who helped distribute them.

"I'm grateful for everyone," she said.

In his report to the board, K-5 Principal Kurtis Koenig told the trustees the format worked out well for distance learning with teachers reaching some students digitally, some through hard copies of work, and other students with both. He said the teachers did a very nice job of mitigating a very impossible situation and he was exceptionally proud of his team.

6-12 Principal Melissa Robbins praised her paraprofessional staff for their work in the past few months. She said they have come in scrubbed, cleaned, organized, went through inventory, and did an amazing job to make the school better.

"My team was awesome," she said.

With Montana currently in Phase 2 of reopening, Nieskens mentioned three onsite opportunities for kids during the summer. She reported to the board that students will be at the school for the 21st Century Learning Program from June 22 to July 16, driver's education for five weeks, and for open gym and fields for the athletic programs.

Nieskens is optimistic school will start in a normal fashion in August.

"Hopefully, we can resume August 24 with all 454 kids on site," she said.